Editor: Robert Wilson

Bemrose School, Derby: the grammar school years

 

Professionally designed and published in December 2021, this book concentrates largely on the period 1925 to 1975. Between those years, Bemrose School was planned, built and run as a selective grammar school for boys.

The book also includes within its pages an update on the school’s comparatively recent large scale, highly impressive upgrading/expansion programme. It contains much new material on the grammar school years and on the contexts in which Bemrose operated in those years, with supporting photos/illustrations/cartoons.

With the aid of heartfelt personal accounts, comments and evaluations, the book covers many  personalities, incidents, challenges and issues from all eras between 1930 and 1975. It has been widely acclaimed.

Some key features

  • Hard backed, with protective dust jacket; professionally designed; high grade paper, printed in colour.
  • 736 pages, over 800 photos, more than 330,000 words, over 40 authors and 43 chapters, of which 35 new. The other eight chapters (originating in two earlier books, published 2009 and 2014 respectively) are in revised, redesigned form.
  • Contributions from former teachers plus a famed former secretary (1950s), but mainly ex-pupils’ handiwork.
  • Includes photos using selected frames from the 16mm film made to mark the school’s Silver Jubilee in 1955.
  • Described by a famous national library as “fabulous”, and by readers as “compelling”, “wonderful” and “excellent value”.
  • The book weighs 2.2 kg, and measures 24.5 cm x 18 cm x 5 cm: a sizeable tome!

Price £ 29.95.

How to obtain your copy

If you live in the Derby area,  you can visit Poynton’s renowned book and newspaper stall, now located in the Derbion Centre. Enter either from London Road, fairly near The Spot, or from Traffic Street, and buy ‘off the shelf’. Poynton’s sell other Derby-related books too.  Cash and cards are both welcome. Cheques are not accepted. There is ample parking nearby on the Siddals Road side of Traffic Street. There is also a good bus service.

Or phone The Bemrose School (01332 366711), and arrange to collect a copy of the book from there. Pay by cash or cheque. No cards.

If you wish to have your copy delivered, you will need to email your order to robertaberdeen71@gmail.com or else write to R D Wilson, 98 Cornhill Road, Aberdeen, AB25 2EH, or phone him (01224 485432). Please supply Robert with your desired delivery address and also with your preferred phone number.

Pre-payment is not required. Payment is due only after you have received your book, and have confirmed to Robert Wilson its arrival. Parcels are well packed, using commercially produced specialised packaging. Service is normally prompt. Inside your parcel, you will find that Robert Wilson has supplied within it details of the total sum due to be paid to him, and of the various ways of paying.

Currently (July 2024) the delivery charge for addresses within the UK is £8.05, using Royal Mail. The book costs £29.95 from all suppliers. Prices for sending overseas are available on request.

There are no plans to produce a second print run, so when they are gone, they are gone! Also, the book’s price (£29.99) is subsidised, so please be assured that no official sales outlet will be offering the book for sale at a lower price than that