Clyde Dep. House Master
At KHS
1948 - 1958

1st. Troop Scout Leader

Stewart Brindley was born in 1925 in a small village just outside Stoke-on-Trent - affectionately known throughout the world as 'The Potteries'.

On completion of his secondary education, he determined to become a teacher. He gained entry to St. John's York - the prestigious York Diocesan training school for teacher education since 1841.   By 1904 St John's was the largest Diocesan College in the country and is today more familiarly known as York St. John University.

Mr. Stewart Brindley joined Kingham Hill School staff in January 1948

Teaching Music was his major subject. One old boy from this time told me "He [Brindley] loved a good choir and also to get us boys to sing".

He did more than teach music though. Some old boys will recall Mr. Brindley taking a party of them down to London in June 1953, just a day or so before the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, to show the boys and let them walk the Royal Route. A visit to London in 1953 was both a treat and a privilege. Stewart was leader to the schools scout troop also.

Mr Brindley was instrumental in establishing the school's tradition of performing W.S.Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan's light operas. H.M.S. Pinafore, Pirates of Penzance, and also Trial by Jury where performed.

A rare photo indeed from around 1952 in the school hall for theperformance of Trial by Jury.
Notice the orchestra pit in front of the stage with our conductor, Mr. Stewart Brindley, with baton in hand.

He was also responsible for honing the school choir of the day - shown in the picture below.

This picture also shows two other members of staff: Mr. Basil Benson and Mr. Giles Heron. See more pictures of the school choir here.

Music was not all Mr. Brindley orchestrated.
Here he is team coach to the under 14 year olds rugby team.
Photo taken in 1957.

Photos courtesy of Mr. Stuart Brindley. December 2006