Richard John Dennis

We are very sorry to announce the death of our webmaster Dick Dennis, on 12th February 2010, in his beloved Hospice on the Isle of Man. Dick had been in poor health for some years and in 2009 had surgery for cancer of the oesophagus from which he never fully recovered.

The website is being looked after for the time being by Neil James, a friend of Dick's on the Island. We urgently need an old scholar willing to take over the task of editing and updating it (the cost of which will be covered by the Association.) If you are able to help, please contact me via jillswheeler@yahoo.co.uk

Were you a member of the School Orchestra in 1953? There is now a larger photo of the orchestra in full swing on a separate page. When you place your mouse pointer over the head of any one of the Orchestra, a box with a number will appear. If you know any of the names left blank the name can be added. Just e-mail Dick Dennis giving the number and name(s) - (christian and family names please). These will be added to the popup box.

The original Jubilee History of Ayton - 1841 to 1891 - written by George and Ralph Dixon, is now online. Thirteen chapters describing the formation and running of Great Ayton School, as it was then known, in detail to delight any historian but also of great interest for Ayton old scholars curious about the early days of their School, and all the better for being written by the two men, father and son, who ran the School for all the years covered in this book.

A list of boys educated at the North of England Agricultural School is now online. The list of girls will follow soon.

A fascinating insight into education and the life of Ayton School in the 19th Century.