Stop Press... (November 2020)
At the beginning of 2020, I invested in a new document scanner, via Indiegogo crowdfunding. It funded the production of the unit and I would get one of the first units.
Well, long story short, the pandemic closed all the factories and then hindered the logistics of packaging and shipping and it looked like the thing would never arrive. To be fair, they kept everyone updated, and this week it arrived! After a software update from the boxed version, it works really well - Now I can scan and OCR a full Pastonian magazine in under 5 minutes.
Hence below are new scanned AND SEARCHABLE Pastonian magazines. The PDF scan means you can see the magazine as it was, and the OCR means that you can search for words, like a name. Be aware that the quality of the later typewriter produced editions means that not all words are correctly OCRed and searchable.
I will work my way up from the 1960's next.
Well, long story short, the pandemic closed all the factories and then hindered the logistics of packaging and shipping and it looked like the thing would never arrive. To be fair, they kept everyone updated, and this week it arrived! After a software update from the boxed version, it works really well - Now I can scan and OCR a full Pastonian magazine in under 5 minutes.
Hence below are new scanned AND SEARCHABLE Pastonian magazines. The PDF scan means you can see the magazine as it was, and the OCR means that you can search for words, like a name. Be aware that the quality of the later typewriter produced editions means that not all words are correctly OCRed and searchable.
I will work my way up from the 1960's next.
The Pastonian
The Pastonian was a termly publication in the early years (Edition1: 1907), and later an annual one - compiled by an appointed School Editor and variously supported by contributions from older lads to be a record of the years events, results, happenings. Each copy contains a Salvete and Valete of new boys and (joiners/leavers) - there is no other known surviving record of the school roll-call.
One day, these names may get extracted to enable a digital pupil search (volunteer?).
There were 109 Editions, termly, excluding the war years, to the Summer of 1951, whereupon the publication became annual, and not numbered. By this fact, with the last publication being 1979-80 would mean there were a total of 138 editions over 73 years.
Not to be confused with 'The Old Pastonian' which emerged several years later in 1928 for several years to serve the perceived need of the Society of Old Pastonians to have a forum to update on the news from Old Boys, rather than solely the School, as they spread out into the wider world. This website is effectively a modern day equivalent of that publication which did re-surface once or twice.
Pastonians Anonymous was an altogether more irreverent and alternative 'rag' which started in 1964 and appeared from time to time thereafter. Still filled with events and observations. The first 2 originals are at the bottom of this page
The Society of Old Pastonians has a large collection of these publications and discussed that eventually they could be digitised, shared, and saved/curated for the future - they are a fascinating collection of style and thoughts and a definitive record of the comings and goings of the School through 2 World Wars (and 1 World Cup - which barely got a mention).
The very first issue of The Pastonian was printed in 1907 (6 years before the founding of the Society of Old Pastonians) and is the first issue to be scanned and published here.
Whilst we don't have every publication, we do have most years from 1923 through to 1980. After the 1907 Issue1, there is a post war 1919 Issue 33 (also now scanned), and then 1923 onwards.
If ANYONE has old copies, please get in contact.
If you have a request for a particular copy or year to be scanned online, then again please get in contact
One day, these names may get extracted to enable a digital pupil search (volunteer?).
There were 109 Editions, termly, excluding the war years, to the Summer of 1951, whereupon the publication became annual, and not numbered. By this fact, with the last publication being 1979-80 would mean there were a total of 138 editions over 73 years.
Not to be confused with 'The Old Pastonian' which emerged several years later in 1928 for several years to serve the perceived need of the Society of Old Pastonians to have a forum to update on the news from Old Boys, rather than solely the School, as they spread out into the wider world. This website is effectively a modern day equivalent of that publication which did re-surface once or twice.
Pastonians Anonymous was an altogether more irreverent and alternative 'rag' which started in 1964 and appeared from time to time thereafter. Still filled with events and observations. The first 2 originals are at the bottom of this page
The Society of Old Pastonians has a large collection of these publications and discussed that eventually they could be digitised, shared, and saved/curated for the future - they are a fascinating collection of style and thoughts and a definitive record of the comings and goings of the School through 2 World Wars (and 1 World Cup - which barely got a mention).
The very first issue of The Pastonian was printed in 1907 (6 years before the founding of the Society of Old Pastonians) and is the first issue to be scanned and published here.
Whilst we don't have every publication, we do have most years from 1923 through to 1980. After the 1907 Issue1, there is a post war 1919 Issue 33 (also now scanned), and then 1923 onwards.
If ANYONE has old copies, please get in contact.
If you have a request for a particular copy or year to be scanned online, then again please get in contact
Scanned Editions Scan (searchable PDF)
The Pastonian - Issue 1 - 1907
|
Summary:
The First Edition ! Quite concise (because 1 per term in these times) Excellent presentation and production. George Hare introduction. Mumps epidemic (1906) ! Letters / Correspondence Jarrow visit Removal of Piano and installation of the Organ, no less. 'New' swimming baths Dubious poems |
| ||
The Pastonian - Issue 33 - 1919 (tbd)
|
Summary:
AMAZING. Post WWI Edition Head nervous breakdown! Re-emergence of Society of Old Pastonians Letters from Capt T A K Cubitt, Norfolk Regiment, France Demobilisation - a personal explanation Letter from SS Tennyson UK to New York 1918, from W F Springall |
| ||
Addendum to the Pastonian - Roll of Honour collation 1939-45
|
Summary:
A poignant record of the Old Pastonians lost in WWII with Honours and Decorations. A useful record for researchers. Their bodies are buried in peace, but their name liveth for evermore. |
| ||
The Pastonian - Issue 107 - 1948
|
Summary:
A plain wrapper design. Professional typesetting. Decision to raise money (mainly via funds and SOP donation) to become an 'Aided School' (funded and free to pupils). School redecorated! Ireland, West Indies and Scilly Isles trip reports/letters. |
| ||
The Pastonian - 1952
|
Summary:
This is the year that economies and change affected the Pastonian, and it became an annual, not termly, publication. Coming soon... Master Shuffrey joined this year (1951-52) 308 Boys at the School 4th rendition of Iolanthe Opera (Gilbert & Sullivan)) 'Nelson at School' summary |
COMING SOON !
|
The Pastonian 1953-54
|
By request (E.Ashton). This edition has T W Lane as School Captain. Duffield and Edwards masters left. New Masters including Doker Havercroft. Swimming Pool was re-opened. CCF was in full flow (multi section). Granny's XI drew against the School (he was already middle aged then). Most successful football results since the war! There was a Swiss Tour (Ligerz)
|
| ||
The Pastonian 1954-55
|
Since I had this one handy. General Inspection of the School - favourable. 348th Founders Day Service. High Commissioner for Australia visited for Speech Day (he was reminded that Captain Cook had landed in Australia whilst Nelson was at Paston). The Mikado was the production this year. Tour to Yugoslavia. A lot of sports results.
|
| ||
The Pastonian 1956-57 350th Anniversary
|
Death of Ivor Smith (drowned on the Broads)
Pirates of Penzance Procession and Service for 350th Anniversary - 1st October 1956. Restored tomb. Peal of bells. Paris trip. Sports Reports |
| ||
The Pastonian 57-58
|
Death of Major Pickford, Headmaster 1922-46
Organ fund, ' a staggering £1200'. Speech Day - Lady Lenanton Football tour to Wales |
| ||
The Pastonian 58-59
|
Helicopter landing on the School lawn - Sir Dermot Boyle, Speech Day
Restoration of the 1938 gifted Organ - £300 of the £1200 needed coming from Norfolk Education Committee (those were the days!) Christmas Draw raised £342. 200th Anniversary of birth of Nelson - plaque on the School House |
| ||
The Pastonian 59-60
|
Organ recital relayed to the Gymnasium for Speech Day.
Iolanthe Play Cetenary of the CCF - Buckingham Palace parade and inspection. Sports reports - Football, Cricket, Hockey, Athletics, Tennis, Cross Country |
| ||
The Pastonian 60-61
The Pastonian 1970-71
|
Summary:
The first of a new 'art design' and new printers - a slick and shiney publication. The 'Griffin' Series Death of Skerret-Rogers Lots of adverts - local and national. Funding the new magazine Trip to Southwold Iolanthe play St Malo Trip Geography (Lake District) Trip (Williams & Sampson) Poems and Artwork House, Club & Sports reports Old Pastonians - death of P A Griston (PGS 1909-1913) |
Re-scanned, searchable:
| ||||
The Pastonian 1971-72
|
Same blue cover as last year (easily missed!)
Death of Mrs Pickford. Drage and Freeman new Masters The Mikado review Paris, Police HQ and Alnwick trip reports. Poems and psychedelic drawings by Conroy |
New scan, searchable:
| ||||
The Pastonian 1972-73
|
Another glossy and standard edition, with increasing pictures.
Expansion to 3 1st Year Forms (1, 1A, 1Alpha) CCF and House Reports. 'Patience' Production Club reports. Doker Jazz Club Germany and Whitby visits. Poems Sports review. |
Now re-scanned and searchable
| ||||
The Pastonian 1973-74
|
Austerity Britain - strikes and power cuts.
Naval, Army and RAF sections of CCF Many photos - trips and teams. Artwork Camping / Activity Centre in Lake District |
| ||
The Pastonian 1974-75
|
The last of the 'Griffin Series' of shiney Pastonians.
Marshall retires. 2nd longest serving head master Pirates of Penzance this year. Geography to Lake District Biology to London France trip |
| ||
The Pastonian 1975-76
|
Typewriter produced, for the first time on A4. Originally intended to be a single copy record deposited in the Berney Library, but did get copied and distributed. This was the year that County policy forced Paston to evolve to a Sixth Form College, taking further intakes to 1982. The austerity of the 70's had taken its toll.
NEW SEARCHABLE SCAN (suffers due to quality of the print) |
| ||||
The Pastonian 1976-77
|
77 was a Jubilee year. Horse Chestnut tree planted on the Playing fields.
A struggle to produce the annual tome. Apparently Handel played on the school organ back in the day. A quiz. |
| ||
The Pastonian 1977-78
|
Still Typewriter and copied.
The School has begun the wind down from Grammar to Sixth form college. CCF ceases, and get a mention, having started in 1885, but officially started in 1917 when the School resumed. Khaki shorts uniform to WWII, with caps. Trips reports for Cumbria (Geography) Paris, and the Rhineland. Clubs, Activity and Sports Reports |
| ||
The Pastonian 1978-79
|
This scan got missed. Added June 2023. A typewriter edition and gestetnered (I think that is the name for copying then). The opening Latin quote is "de rebus Pastoniensibus et quibusdam aliis". 50+ pages. The Last School Speech Day. The retirement (I think he came back once more) of Grantham-Hill after 42 years. A rather bitter account of the decision (or lack of) the School's future. Masters were leaving (Freeman, Hilary Wilson, Brett). Bartlett took over from HGH. A few more Old Pastonians were still to be scraped together.
A French exchange involved the mixing of more girls from the High School with boys - probably some tales to told there, to Aubusson. Mr Drage still did an Austrian trip also. |
| ||
The Pastonian 1979-80
|
Summary:
The last Pastonian A very hand made and comprehensive edition typed up and Gestetner'ed, bizarrely using non-A4 paper (making it a page by page scan job!). A better scan will be made with a better surviving copy of the edition. Riddled with speculation about impending Sixth Form college conversion Edited by Billington , with the driving force of 'Hovey/Hovis' Brown (his 14th year after Harry Hawdon) with a sign-off in the last pages. Retirement of Mr Couper (43 years at PGS) Aubusson exchange visit Sixth Form Charity Project Review '79 and Austria holiday with Drage & co |
Digital/searchable (partial):
| ||||
Pastonians Anonymous
Pastonians Anonymous July 1964 No.1
|
A more irreverent, semi-sanctioned publication, started in 1964 and repeated seldomly since.
First Edition. Alternative School Song! |
| ||
Pastonians Anonymous July 1965 No.2
|
Correspondence Address changed to the Cock Inn !
Spoof Bond edition of MarshRaker. Genuine best wishes to Hawdon and Lamb |
| ||