Blackpool Grammar School Belgium Trip 1971 Photos

Denis Quinlan - classic and timeless pose. When Denis died a few years ago some wonderful and warm comments were recieved from former pupils in response to a request for personal recollections. Denis organised the school camps to Belgium and Guernsey nearly every Summer and gave up much of his own time to run after school activities such as the Athletics club.

The photograph supplied is from Ian Saunders a 1963 and 2002 starter!.

The camp was in 1971 near De Panne in Belgium.
The camp cost £30 which wasn't bad for 2 weeks abroad in those days.
notes from Mick Forshaw

Just seen pictures of Denis Quinlan and the Belgium Camp. I went for a summer holiday twice- 1972 & 1973, I seem to remember that the actual name of the location was St.Idesbaald (not sure of spelling) near De Panne. Other places nearby visited: Neiuwport, Koksidje- War Graves and tunnels at Dunkirk and Ypres. Also trips to Bruges in DQ's mini bus.

John Gowling used to "help" out arriving in his luxurious Triumph a few days later after Dennis had battled valiantly in the minibus. I remember once we were accompanied across the Channel by "Henry" Mantle who was great fun dancing on one occasion in camp to Gary Glitter's " Do you want to be in my Gang"- if we knew then what we know now about Mr. Glitter I think the answer would have been No!

In 1973 I spent my first two weeks as holiday and then the last two weeks as a camp leader doing such things as "cooking" breakfasts, cycling to the bakers for bread and struggling back with it balanced across the handlebars and digging Denis's infamous "sh..pit"! All good character building stuff for a boy of 14.

Kids today spoilt rotten.

Great times organized and run in a completely selfless manner by Denis Quinlan.

Regards
Stewart Bevan

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