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Greenhill Grammar School

 

Greenhill Grammar School is situated on Greengate Street; the green and the gate having now disappeared, but the hill heing still present.  It was first built by the Roman soldiers as a prison to house rebels, mutineers and pirates, and, according to the staff, still does.  It was later taken over as a school by an old lady (affectionately known as Grandma to the inmates), and thus the school became known as "Grandma's School", now corrupted to Grammar School.

The school is separated from the rest of civilisation by a railway, the only means of crossing which is by a windswept structure of concrete and steel known as Gas Street bridge.  From this colossal feat of engineering can be seen a magnificent panorama of the Corporation Gas and Electricity Works, Mumps, Central and Clegg Street Stations, and an occasional glimpse of the Delph Donkey as it roars along its non-stop route from Clegg Street to Glodwick Road.  At the Gas Street end of the aforementioned structure is an establishment officially known as Oldham Refuse Department, but locally known as the Pie Factory (or, as the Indians call it, the Big Smell Maker), the name being due to the savoury odours which pervade the nostrils of the unfortunate passers-by.

The School possesses a playing field near to the Corporation Tip, the only distinction between the two being that the playing field possesses railings round it.  Visiting teams, when arriving at the ground, often choose the tip as the better of the two pitches.  Drainage being of the usual standard, inter-house boat races can be held after periods of prolonged rain.

In summer, cricket and athletics are indulged in, and javelin throwing is encouraged by the sports masters.  It is quite a common sight to see some of the less agile cricketers lying prostrate on the grass with a javelin through their midriffs.  The position is such that each javelin thrower is provided with a first-aid kit and a spade, and it is customary after a throwing session for them to go round the field to tend the wounded and bury the less fortunate.  Thus one is always making new friends (and burying old ones!).

We cannot close this epic work about our school without a wonl about the Prefects, but unfortunately this word is unprintable.  And so we must leave it to your imaginations, which can no doubt furnish several apt expressions.

C. BENTLEY, F. BROOK, VI Lit.

 

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