TOGS History
The first Old Boys’ Association was formed in November 1919, its inauguration having been delayed due to World War I. It ceased to function during World War 2 but revived after the War in 1946 when it was renamed Torquay Old Grammarians Association.
It lapsed again in the 1960s, but was revived in July 1985 after the School moved to the Shiphay site. A TOGS Register was published listing as many former pupils with whom contact had been made.
The first Annual Reunion was held at the School in July 1996. Between 1995 & 2003, a total of 607 old boys joined and the membership now stands at around 360, with email contact having been made with a further 90 former students of the School.
The TOGS is now on Facebook, in order to make contact with a wider range of more recent leavers.
The Annual Reunion is normally held on the evening of the first Friday in July. In 2004 to coincide with the School’s Centenary the Reunion was held at the Imperial Hotel in Torquay when over 330 Old Boys attended.
TOGS produces biannual Newsletters, which give news of former students, news of the school and, sadly, obituaries.
The AGM is held at the School in November, when the President is elected, normally for a two year period. The Society’s Patron is elected sine die. Its first Patron in recent years was former Headmaster, John Harmer who served from 1985 until his death in 1995. He was succeeded by Wilfred Hore. The current Patron from 2008 is Denis Reid.
Patrons
1985-1995: John W Harmer
1995-2008: Wilfred H Hore
Presidents
1985-1986: A W Allwood (Decd)
1986-1987: John R Pike (Decd)
1987-1988: Arthur F Pethick (Decd)
1988-1990: Chris W Thorpe (Decd)
1990-1992: Denis J Reid
1992-1993: Donald J Roberts
1993-1994: Denzil L Cavaliere
1994-1995: Wilfred H Hore (Decd)
1995-1996: William J Elliott (Decd)
1996-1998: Graham K Bradshaw
1998-2000: Denys Brunsden
2000-2002: Christopher Madge
2002-2004: Colin W Turner
2004-2006: Barry K Hobbs
2006-2008: David J Simmons
2008-2010: Michael Angelos
2010-2012: Barry Holmes
2012-2014: Clive Morgan OBE
Vice Presidents
Roy E Pike (former Headmaster)
Denis J Reid
Donald J Roberts
Simon Whittaker
Denis Brunsden
Graham K Bradshaw
Committee 2013 – 2014
President: Clive Morgan OBE
Hon Sec: John V. Pearce
Treasurer: Peter Whatton
Registrar: David Simmons
M Angelos, D Cavaliere, M Downing, K Griffin, B Holmes, C Madge, C Turner, J Alford
Vice-Presidents: (who also serve as Committee members) R E Pike (former Headmaster), D. Reid (Patron), Don. Roberts, D. Brunsden, Simon Whittaker, Graham Bradshaw
Honorary Members.
Current Staff: P Lawrence (Headmaster)
Former Staff: Barry K Hobbs (Headmaster 1982- ’86), Peter J Hewitt (former Deputy Headmaster), David Berry (former Deputy Headmaster), Gilbert Head-Rapson, David Johnson, Don J Roberts, David Golder, David Kerswell, A.K.Hele, Roy E Pike (Headmaster 1987-2013), Chris. D Penford
Governors: Chairman Brian Wills-Pope