Harry W. Moore

Pupil from 1948 to 1956

During his time at the Institute Harry played the School organ and was a Chorister at Liverpool Cathedral. After leaving school he continued his musical studies, in Liverpool and London, graduating in 1960, and in 1970 was awarded the Archbishop of Canterbury's Certificate in Church Music.

During his 35 years teaching music in schools Harry has remained a church organist and is now Director of Music at All Hallows Church. He has over 52 years experience as a church organist and is still in great demand.

Harry writes:

Way back in 1956 tape recorders were a rarity, only used by professional people like the BBC. One day I saw a domestic tape recorder, a "Philips Recordgram" costing £36; I always wanted one so I bought it. At first it was a toy, hiding it under the table and recording family and friends, then playing it back to them.

This was mid June in 1956, and I was leaving the Institute a month later, and I wondered whether I might record my last assembly at School. One day I met the Head, J. R. Edwards, in the corridor and nervously asked him if he would allow me to record the Assembly. He was intrigued and readily gave permission, and showed great interest in the idea, because even he had never seen or used a tape recorder before.

The next problem was how to do it. The Institute hall was devoid of electricity plugs sockets, apart from those normally used for the stage, and these were not normally "live". Another problem was the fact that the microphone lead was no more than 4ft long, and therefore would not stretch far from the recorder. Eventually I decided to work from the gallery behind the clock using one of the spotlight plugs switched on for the occasion. A bamboo garden cane was jammed into a hole in the bottom of the "mike" with tape, and the whole thing was stuck forward from the gallery in the hope of picking up sound from the speakers on stage as well as the School singing. Happily all went well and a reasonable recording was obtained which I still have 48 years later.

Soon after Assembly was over and we were on timetable, the Head's secretary, Kathleen Baker came to our room and said, "Mr. Edwards would like to see you immediately in the Study". He wanted to hear the recording. The machine was duly switched on in the "holy of holies", and he listened with intent. I will always remember his comment, "Do I really sound like that?" When the tape was finished he asked to hear it again, and asked Miss Baker to bring in two coffees. I was in the Study for more than two periods while parts of the recording were played to him over and over again.

As I finally left the room he thanked me profusely, and actually, for the first time in 8 years at the Institute, called me by my Christian name.

That is the recording you are hearing so many years later.

   Harry W. Moore (L.I. 1948 - 1956)

The School Hymn, Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer, sung by the whole school.

Organist: Mr. Les Morgan, M.Sc., A.R.C.O.

Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer

Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer
Pilgrim though this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty;
Hold me with thy powerful hand;
  Bread of heaven,
  Bread of heaven,
Feed me till I want no more,
Feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through;
  Strong Deliverer,
  Strong Deliverer,
Be thou still my Strength and Shield,
Be thou still my Strength and Shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death, and hell's destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan's side;
  Songs and praises,
  Songs and praises,
I will ever give to thee,
I will ever give to thee.

Words: William Williams, 1745; trans. Peter Williams, 1771, alt.
Music: Pilgrimage, Cwm Rhondda, Caersalem

Syd J. Norris

Pupil from 1948 to1956 - Captain of the School, 1955/56

After National Service in the Intelligence Corps, Syd studied classics at Oxford and Criminology at Cambridge. His Civil Service career in the Home Office, Treasury, and Northern Ireland Office included sabbatical leave to study criminology in Berkeley, California.

He retired in 1997 and is enjoying an active retirement with his wife, three children and four grandchildren, engaged in church activities, travelling, running, hill walking, gardening, piano playing, skiing and occasionally work!

The reading this morning is taken from the gospel of Saint Luke, chapter 15.

3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. 8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. 11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

That is the end of this morning's reading.

J. R. Edwards, M.A.

Headmaster 1935 to 1961

John Robert Edwards was born on the 24th January 1891 in Rhyl. He was educated near Bala and at Manchester Grammar School. As a classics scholar, he obtained his master's degree from University College, Oxford.

He was appointed headmaster of the Institute in 1935 and remained headmaster until his retirement in 1961. He was known in the school by numerous nicknames, the most universal being "The Baz" which appears to have been introduced in the early 1950's.

He died on the 8th January 1992 in Formby.

O Almighty God, we praise Thee, we worship Thee, we give thanks to Thee, the Father everlasting. The father of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father for all the things that make the passing days fruitful, we devotely thank Thee. for the heavans above and the earth beneath for the bounty that forever springs from Thee for labour and rest, for joy and sorrow. For the mercies that make us glad and for the trials that warn us to review our stuff and possess our souls indeed. We bless Thee for Thy redeeming love revealed to us from the .... of Thy beloved son and for the grace by which we are disciples. We bless Thee for the many gifts of Thy servants, for the fellowship of all Christian people, for this world of great opportunity and for the hopes and promises of the world to come. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Let us offer this prayer for those who are leaving school today.

We commend O Lord to Thy fatherly care, Thy servants about to leave this school, beseaching Thee that Thy loving kindness and mercy may follow them all the days of their life. Help them ....., preserve them in danger, assist them in every good work and keep them ever in the right way and grant O Father that by Thy merciful aide they may so walk according to this life that they may inherit Thy eternal kingdom. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Let us say together, The Lord's Prayer.

Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth,
As it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
The power, and the glory,
For ever and ever.
 
Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, evermore. Amen.