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Post by Coopsgirl on Oct 13, 2009 9:27:46 GMT -6
That’s strange that in the note under the baptism certificate they got his parents names wrong even though they had the certificate to go by and they are correct there. That’s just sloppy. His father Charles was the one from Dunstable while his mother Alice, was from the Kent area and her maiden name was Brazier. I’m not sure who John Cooper was unless he was a relative of Charles and the Freeman’s were relatives on Charles side, not his mother’s since her family lived in a different part of the country. I do Social Research for a living and that’s what my degrees are in (statistical stuff with numbers not history or anything like that) and it steams my beans when people take so little care and don’t really investigate whatever it is they are looking into. You have to be thorough and they clearly missed the mark with the note on the certificate. Okay, I’ll get off my soapbox about that now. That’s a beautiful church as many of the old churches in England are. As magnificent and grand as the cathedrals can be, I love the little village churches too. They are so sweet and cute. It’s cracking me up that in the school newspaper stuff they referred to Arthur and “Frank” as Cooper I and Cooper II. Gary was never very involved in sports but even if he had been it makes sense that Arthur would have been the more distinguished athlete b/c he was in his teens while they were there and older kids participate in more organized, competitive sports where the younger ones usually just have a recess type of playtime. I was happy and proud though to see little Frank came in second in the 220 yard race. Is it weird to be proud of someone you never met?
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Post by maggiejones on Oct 14, 2009 3:57:33 GMT -6
Yes, I know what you mean, it was just plain stupid when their names were clear to see. I found an old grave stone in All Saints Church yard which is inscribed Joseph & Mary Cooper. Foot note: When I discovered the head stone, I'm ashamed to admit I shouted across the grave yard, COOPER ! COOPER in my excitement.
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Post by maggiejones on Oct 14, 2009 15:48:14 GMT -6
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Post by maggiejones on Oct 14, 2009 16:37:50 GMT -6
John Buckledee told me of this picture and said "I bet you would like to see that one". I replied, with a hungry look, a bit like Oliver Twist asking for more, "Yes, please". This was sent by Arthur to the family in Dunstable with a letter saying "look how little Frank has grown". The girl in the middle is unknown. Going to Dunstable to obtain the little bit of information I managed to get, was achieved in meetings with the aforementioned gentlemen, visits to the libraries of Dunstable, Houghton Regis and All Saints Parish Church. On a lighter note, we may have had more if the trip had lasted more than three days and we had not had to fight with unco-operative printers attached to microfilm monitors showing the Dunstable Gazette that ran out of ink and then refused to work with a new cartridge except to produce negatives!. That and encountering, narrow lanes and even narrower bridges with articulated trucks coming to meet us when we had the right of way! Forcing us onto a grass verge the size of a postage stamp! No harm done. [glow=red,2,300]"Forthcoming Events"[/glow] Are you ready for this? In September 2010, from the 18th to the 26th, there will be a 100th anniversary festival celebrating Gary's time in Dunstable. There will be films shown in several local theaters, talks given and items on display over the 8 day period. I will keep you all informed when the itinerary has been completed. It would be wonderful if any of you could make the trip. I now know how hard you have worked, Coopsgirl, on producing this website for us all.
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Post by georgygirl on Oct 14, 2009 23:50:38 GMT -6
You've done such a thorough research !!
And I wish I could make it for the festival, it sounds so interesting!
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Post by Coopsgirl on Oct 16, 2009 15:03:33 GMT -6
This is just great stuff Maggie and thanks so much for putting the work into getting it and posting it so we can all enjoy it. This site is a lot of work but it's worth it. I've been excited about the festival since I first heard about it months ago and I would absolutely love to go. I haven't been back to England since 2001 when I finished grad school and I miss it. This would be a nice excuse to go. I'm currently working on a Ph.D. in Social Research and that takes most of my money but it's a year away so maybe I can swing it. We'll see.
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Post by maggiejones on Oct 16, 2009 15:52:03 GMT -6
It would be great if we could all be there. Our convention so to speak. The experience for me was magical. Walking around the school knowing Gary had been in those rooms walking along the wooden and tiled floors, up the stone staircase to lessons and in the same Head Masters study. The town held the same magic for me, seeing the buildings and sites that he would of recognised if he was to visit today. If I can be of assistance in making the trip possible just ask. I want you all to feel the same magic I did. Theres enough of it out there for everyone.
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Post by montana on Oct 18, 2009 9:37:40 GMT -6
Maggie, I'm up for the meeting! I'll have to check my work schedule which is already set for most of 2010 already, but even if I can only get to the UK for a long weekend it would be worth it. It would be such fun ! Thank goodness EasyJet has good cheap flights to London ; I may be able to do it.
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Post by maggiejones on Oct 19, 2009 14:47:51 GMT -6
It would be great if as many of us as possible could make it. Flying into Luton would be the best option as its approx 6-8 miles from Dunstable. I stayed in Hemel Hempstead about 13 miles away in a nice hotel and it was a pleasant drive into Dunstable. I work in a Best Western Hotel, and maybe able to get a good deal for us. Coopsgirl start swinging ;D
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Post by Coopsgirl on Oct 19, 2009 15:52:10 GMT -6
That's great to know that Luton is so close. I've flown in and out of Gatwick and Stansted but not that one so I didn't realize it was so close. I'm gonna try to make it b/c how could I miss a week long Gary Cooper festival?! ;D
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Post by maggiejones on Oct 19, 2009 16:04:42 GMT -6
Nope! you can't miss it and Yup! you must be there. ;D I'm getting excited already ! only 11 months to go
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Post by maggiejones on Oct 22, 2009 9:52:44 GMT -6
Picture taken from www.dunstableschool.co.uk site where the youtube clip is proudly displayed. Mr Thring Headmaster 1880-1921 Dunstable Grammar School 1905Picture taken 1930 as it looked when Gary went back to visit in 1932, hoping to meet his old Head Master Mr Thring The old Dunstable Grammar School
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Post by maggiejones on Oct 22, 2009 12:34:26 GMT -6
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Post by montana on Oct 23, 2009 11:49:30 GMT -6
I MUST get this book. What a charming description of his boyhood.
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Marisa
Bit Part Player
Posts: 38
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Post by Marisa on Oct 31, 2009 5:44:51 GMT -6
Exert is taken from the Jeffrey Meyers book "Gary Cooper American Hero". This book is possibly the best biography of Gary's and also gives us the best insight into his time in Dunstable I agree with you Maggiejones, I have this book and found it very interesting, reading it made me feel I was there all the time, being a witness of his life. After I finished my reading I knew so much about the man behind the image and have the feeling that he is still alive. I hope his daughter sees to it that future generations know him and watch his movies. I'm sure they will be grateful for being given the opportunity to delight with the looks of that handsome man
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