O.R. Stories
Please click on an event or article name for more information
Thank you to all those who provide us with stories. These are kept in the Latest News section for six months and then moved to O.R. Stories, where they are logged in decade order of when you were at school.
2010's
Old Boy Meets Young Boy (2013)
Tony Ford visits David Browning
Royal Russell's New Cross Country Route 2016
MUN Then and Now
The International Model United Nations started at RRS in 1981, and goes from strength to strength. Read More.
Farewell to Fireworks: Please click here to read article.
New Sports Pitches at Royal Russell : click here
2000's
No Business Like Snow Business
The Queen's Visit in 2003 by mum of pupil Teo Grimshaw (at school 2003-2018)
MUN Then and Now
The International Model United Nations started at RRS in 1981, and goes from strength to strength. Read More.
1990's
Geology Field Trip Over the Years
MUN Then and Now
The International Model United Nations started at RRS in 1981, and goes from strength to strength. Read More.
1980's
Storm Devastation
We had many funny stories from our request for photos and memories of the great storm of 1987.
The photos here show the total devastation to the school site, including the Coach House, the Beech Wood, West Pitch and Coombe Lane. What was the Beech Wood, was later to become the new swimming pool so at least some good came from the storm!
MUN Then and Now
The International Model United Nations started at RRS in 1981, and goes from strength to strength. Read More.
1970's
Phil Reynolds - Geology Field Trip to Devon 1976
PHOTOS FROM THE QUEEN'S VISIT IN 1979, COURTESY OF JON SAMPSON, CAN BE FOUND HERE: https://www.flickr.com/photos/81414720@N02/
1960's
Noreen Scott Morrison
Harvey Jones (former student) interviewed Noreen for the school Newspaper 'R' in an article titled 'Where 'r' they now' Click here for article.
1950's
Norman Scott-Morrison (at school 1959-1967)
Harvey Jones (former student) interviewed Norman during his visit for the School Newspaper.
Click here for the article.
Elaine Cotterell n ée Campbell (1954-1961)
Elaine very kindly sent us her article, originally written for an Old Russellian magazine. This is her account of life at Russell Hill for the girls in the 1950s Click here to view.
Jonathan Buckle (1954-1961)
Jonathan has kindly provided us with his amusing account of school life at Russell Hill in the 1950s which he calls "Within the Purley Gates"
Visit by Princess Elizabeth 1952
Roger Thomas (50-58) writes that he was "impressed" (excuse me, I'd like to read that again) by "Despatches" in the last Newsletter. Bill Forster (48-58), Colin Barrable (51-56), Dr John Harrison (47-58) were all his classmates and news of "longer-term" ORs such as Tony Ford (47-48) was also good to read. "Any news of Chris Hirtes (51-58)?" he asks. Roger and his brother Alan have developed their own hotel (www.peninsulabeachresort.com) in the bliss of Bali where they both spend most of the year. An OR refugees returning from England's cricket debacle down under would have found happier times staying chez Roger. But he is coming to the OR Reunion this year to catch up with his contemporaries then.
West Country Reunions by Elaine Campbell (1954-1961)
1940's
Gwilym Trevor Hamer - Science Teacher 1940s
Derick Charles Smith (1938-1944)
Ballards Days by Pat (Bruno) Bygate (1946-1951)
Roger Fletcher (at school 1942-1949) and Buckingham Palace. The full article by Roger can be found here.
1930's
Margaret Carden née Butler (1938-1948)
My Russell Hill schooldays were eventful - never dull. I began them in 1937, as a seven year old, at Hope Morley House. I remember being particularly enthralled with Hope Morley's wonderful day room, with its large rocking horse and dolls house. Classes were small and our education formal, but we also found time to acquire such practical skills as knitting. Miss Bird was head teacher of the kindergarten and she ensured our early school life was both enjoyable and calm. It was a pleasant introduction to what was to be a long association with the school. Read More...
1920's
The History of the Chapel Angels
Kathleen May Vaughan - A Victorian, but only just!
Britain from Above: There is a new site just launched showing 1919 – 1953 Aerofilms. Published by the English Heritage and the Royal Commission for Historic Monuments of Scotland and Wales, there are some excellent images. A search for Croydon reveals 44 hits, mostly in the south of the borough though we are sure more will be added. There are some good aerial views of Ballards estate about 1920.
Have a look.
1910's
1910s
Neil Barbour's Memoirs (at school 1916-1925)
Kathleen May Vaughan - A Victorian, but only just!
Frederick Herbert Edmund VAUGHAN (at school 1913-1921)
Nicola Hayek - great niece of Philip - has very kindly put together his biography for us.
Please see her article here