I entered Hymers College in 1946, when the family returned to Hull after the war, in order to complete my school education which had been seriously disrupted due to my father’s Service postings, and left in 1949 at the end of the school year.  Although it was only a short period it was very beneficial  and served me well in my later years for which I am extremely grateful.

In common with similar schools Hymers was single gender and with one exception the staff were all male. The exception was the Art teacher, Mrs Anderson, nicknamed “Ma Andy”, but she was still addressed as ”Sir”! All the staff wore black gowns but mortarboards had long been dispensed with the Headmaster was the indomitable William Victor Cavill who was coming to the end of his 24 year time at Hymers in which he had been only the second Head since the School opened in1893.  He had graduated from Oxford, where he had gained a Blue (for soccer!), and had been commissioned in the Army during the First World War in which he had won the Military Cross. He was a strict disciplinarian and regularly used the cane which was legal then – luckily I managed to avoid it although it was a close run thing on occasions!  His photograph still hangs on the wall of the Main Hall as far as I know.

School uniform was basically black or grey jacket and trousers as well as both black and red sports jerseys. We also had to have caps, halved in red and black, which had to be worn at all times outside school – and heaven help any boy seen not wearing one in public as it probably meant a visit to the Head’s study! Providing uniform must have been a headache for many parents in respect of cost. All boys were allocated to one of six Houses (Trinity, Gore, Brandesburton, Holderness, Lambert and Bolton) and competition was keen both academically and on the sports field.

Hours were from 9.00am to 4.00pm during the week and 9.00am to 12.30am on Saturday. Wednesday was half day but boys were expected to play sport then, as well as Saturday, and it was compulsory to attend to watch important cricket or rugby matches against rivals such as Pocklington School.Homework was obligatory and consisted of three subjects every night and two at the weekend.Sport consisted mainly of rugby, cricket and athletics but fives and squash were also played.

There was an active contingent of about 200 boys in the JTC (Junior Training Corps) which was attached to the East Yorkshire Regiment.  Weekly Parades were held for drill and training and an Annual Inspection was held on the School field under the keen eyes of a Senior Officer of the Regiment. There was a large annual Camp at Catterick with contingents from many similar Schools – our contingent marched in full uniform from Hymers to the station down the centre of Spring Bank led by the band, Drum Major in front. Would not happen today! Many hours were spent polishing boots, cap badges and buckles as well as applying blanco to belt and gaiters as they had to be spotless for inspection by the Sergeant Major!

The buildings and grounds were very different then. The main building and the block parallel with Hymers Avenue existed together with the gym. There was a victorian toilet building next to the gym which was open to the elements at the door and window openings – freezing in winter! Opposite the gym there were buildings which comprised cloakrooms, Master's Common Room, etc. In the grounds there was a cricket pavilion, rifle range and courts for squash and fives. The grounds were much smaller as the railway lines and sidings still existed and the line to Hornsea and Withernsea were active, with Botanic Gardens station nearby used by boys from those areas.   
The standard of teaching was high – but as there were many fewer universities the number of entrants was less and successful boys were invited on to the platform at Assembly and applauded by the School.

On leaving Hymers I was articled to a local practice of architects and surveyors and kept in touch by joining the Old Hymerians Association and the cricket club. I took part in the various activities and in due time was appointed as Secretary of the Association and of the management committee which administered the sports ground which we owned at Haworth Court. The rugby and cricket clubs were very active, each fielding several teams, and a representative golf team took part in the annual Grafton Marish tournament at Hunstanton.   The main association events were the annual Garden Party, which was held at the School, and the annual Dinner which was held at the Guildhall. Both were attended by the Lord Mayor as the Council were then represented on the Board of Governors. We also held a London Annual Dinner one of which was in the Commons Dining Room preceded by a tour of both Houses. 1966 I was privileged to be elected President and had a very busy and enjoyable year. I also joined the Old Hymerian Lodge and have been Master twice.

I am very proud and privileged to be an Old Hymerian and to have met so many former pupils and staff over the years. I had no hesitation in sending our son, now Revd.Canon E.C.Richard Burge ( OH 1978-1988), to the School - and a watercolour of the main building hangs on my Study wall. 

Richard gained a degree in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics at Liverpool University before working for the Missions to Seafarers in Dunkerque, France. He completed ministerial training at Ridley Hall in Cambridge and served his curacy in Scarborough. He has been Children’s Adviser in York Diocese and in Wakefield Diocese and has been incumbent near Whitby, near Cleckheaton and near Bingley. He is currently the Team Rector of Keighley Parish and Assistant Area Dean for Aire and Worth Deanery. Richard has serves as a Panel Member on the Archbishops’ Council Board of Education Panel. For ten years, he was a member of the Kirklees Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel. Richard was the Chair of the National Children’s Advisers’ Network in 2006 and part of the European Christian Children’s Educators Conference. He is a practitioner in Godly Play and a co-author of two publications on the theme of Baptism. He has written a sabbatical research paper looking at the psychology of church closure. Richard has skills and experience in team management and in reconciliation. Copy taken from College of Canons - Bradford Cathedral

I will finish with a quotation from the rarely sung School Song "Hymers Forever, Our Glory and Pride"

Written by C.W.Roy Burge

June 2026  

Photo attached is Richard Burge, Roy's son ( Class of 1988)  and Roy at the Old Hymerians Dinner 2019