Page 105

Tom Hockton, in 2001, aged 76.

T.K. Hockton was a pupil at Manchester Grammar
School, before going up to Brasenose College,
Oxford, to study History. He served in the Royal
Navy during W.W.2.

After teaching positions at Birkenhead School

and Westlain Grammar School, Brighton, he
became Headmaster from 1963 to 1972.

He was living in Hove, Sussex.

----------

Sydney Gill, in August 2003, aged 97.

Born in Salford on the 17th November 1905, he
subsequently read chemistry at Manchester
University. Following graduation he completed a

P.G.C.E. (Post Graduate Certificate in Education)
which was funded by Salford. This ensured that
his teaching career would start in the City. He
taught at Leicester Road School before joining the
staff at Salford Grammar School where, in addition
to teaching chemistry, he was well known for his
abilities as a pianist. He eventually moved to Bury
High School which later became Derby School.

For many years he served Salford as a J.P.

After his retirement from teaching he continued his
studies which led first to an M.Sc. in chemistry
followed, at the age of 71, by a PhD.

For many years he served on the committeee of
the Association and until a few years ago, regularly
attended the Annual Dinners.

----------

W. C. (Bill) Turner, on the 7th December 2003.

Bill was at Leaf Square 1947- 52 after which he
spent his entire working career with the
Manchester Ship Canal Company.

He devoted a large part of his non working life to
serving the community being a member of the
Special Costabulary for over forty years, first with
the City of Salford and later the Greater
Manchester Specials.

He was awarded the M.B.E. for his work and retired
three years ago having attained the postion of
Chief Commandant of the Greater Manchester
Special Constabulary.

He was a staunch supporter of the Association
having held the positions of Chairman and
currently, Hon Secretary.

He is survived by his wife Ann, an Old Penfordian
and their two daughters.

----------

Alan Timmins, on the 3rd July 2008, in Nottingham.

Alan was at SGS 1958 - 1965 and was a star metalwork protege of

Mr Slack. He went onto Shoreditch craft college and later in 1969
became a metalwork teacher.

He taught first in Manchester and went on to Syon School for Boys
in Isleworth, The English Martyrs School in Leicester and finally
Cottesmore School in Nottingham.

In later years, Alan built a considerable reputation as an engineer
and worked on digital control systems for school lathes and devised
a dividing head as a consultant in conjunction with Myford Lathes
Ltd.

Alan developed an interest in Horology throughout the 1990's and
he eventually became a Fellow of the British Horological Institute
(FBHI) of which he was very proud as it is an honour reserved for
comparatively few (certainly under the age of 80!). He wrote a well-
known book on the Principles of construction of 18th century
longcase clocks which is still in print and highly sought after.

In the late 1990's, Alan was also approached to be "Keeper of the
Queen's Clocks". He did not, in fact, take up the post at Windsor
Castle as it was more of an upheaval than he was prepared for. (It
also included, I believe, winding and setting around 400 clocks a
day!!)

In later years, of course, Alan was always in demand for his skills as
a clock builder and restorer.

Alan died after a long battle with cancer and is survived by his wife
Jenny of 35 years and a son John, who is now a successful Art
Editor on the Guardian Newspaper.

M. M.