JOHN DALTON could be an intrepid explorer with his nimble, lean look, safari shirt and Panama hat. But a trawl through ancient ruins is not for him. He is much more interested in old photographs.

It all started around 15 years ago, when he came up with the idea of displaying a few pictures of Darwen Grammar School – he was there in the 60s – for a reunion of former students.

It was so successful and attracted so much attention that it has become a hobby. He is now its honorary archivist and has amassed a collection of more than 500 photos of classes, school productions, sports teams and staff going back to the Edwardian days.

Former pupils have sent him photos from all over the world. And he is steadily building up a library of names to go with the faces.

John has staged several exhibitions since the Millennium and currently has a display in Darwen Library’s exhibition room which runs until April 10.

Call in and see if you can add any names to the photos.

Darwen Grammar School had an excellent reputation for academic success. Youngsters rolled up from grimy and soot-blackened junior schools, built in the Victorian-era, wide-eyed and nervous, but before they had left its hallowed walls had built up a confidence to face the real world, while acquiring a solid education along the way.

Discipline was rigid, recalled John: “It was a different world to secondary education these days.”

“The headmaster’s cane was a fearsome weapon. Harry Scott was reputed to have had a chair leg on his desk to enforce discipline, while “Taffy” Jones had an unerring aim with a wooden chalk duster.

Then there was woodwork master “Pa” Clear, who thought nothing of fastening a lad’s hand in a vice for ten minutes or so.

He was talking to a pupil from the 50s the other day and mentioned that corporal punishment was allowed in those days.

“It was positively encouraged,” he groaned and added “Mind you, capital punishment was rather frowned on.”

Darwen Grammar School was a happy school, said John, who has been in touch with scores of former students over the years. “Just about everyone looks back fondly to their days there.”

John went on to forge a career as an industrial chemist. He lives in Oswaldtwistle. Darwen Higher Grade School, the forerunner of the grammar school, was opened in Union Street in 1896. It became Darwen Secondary School in 1908 and Darwen Grammar in 1929. The building later became Darwen Technical School and then Moorland Junior School.

  • More next week on the school.