I received this e-mail from Old Gaytonian Royston Ellis, who lives in Sri Lanka: Goa 27 Dec I was at sea off Goa yesterday and have just managed to get through to my house (on the coast) and learned with relief that the house and everyone there are OK. Best Royston
Well done Jeff, the 'incident' certain;y seems to have been a major problem. All pupils who entered the school in September 1957 are requested to register interest in a 'get together' at an appropriate date. Hope no OGs were involved in the tsunami disaster. Laurence
Jeff - I am delighted to see we are back in business. I regret only that I am not able to do my annual calculation of hits received. But anyway, Happy New Year to all the Batemans, Fowlers, Phillips, Dickins and Maynards in Cyberspace. Michael.
Well, it is good to be back. The Gaytonian website is back again. The server crashed in November, with damage to the hard disk. The site had been hosted for the last four years by my former company. Following the crash, they decided to stop hosting websites. The site has now been moved to www.lunarpages.com. Please be patient - I have about two thirds of the website up and running at this point, with many more pages to be copied in.
Best not to bother with the spell-checker, nor many of those other fancy Word tricks. I find it really tiresome that whenever I upgrade to a new version of the software, I have to go into all those tables saying thing like 'no, I really don't want GP to be written G.P.'
Best of all - in the ironic sense - is the Grammar Checker. I remember once using it, to be told, with extreme firmness, to stop using the passive voice and to slash my sentences to a few words each; and then, in a moment's inspiration, typing in the first page of 'Northanger Abbey, upon which the system nearly blew up with the volume of its diatribes.
I read the comment on typing and spell-check with a wry smile - how many of us "around-sixty-ar-olds" ever expected that we would end up doing our own typing, and most making a fair fist of it -I am always amused that MS Word spell check does not, for example, recognise "dongle" (on a par with the Guardian once mis-spelling "dyslexia").
The mention of Andrew Ritche enables me to thank him in public for kindly arranging a visit to RMA Sandhurst last April for my 16 year-old and a friend, both of whom aspire to military careers, will in RA, Andrew's former regiment. Non-military father of the friend was hugely impressed, as we all should be, at the sheer professinalism of our, now much depleted, armed forces.
Ian Gawn
One thing that has clearly changed since my day is spelling, even the american bias of the spellchecker couldn't produce "coprs" and "slaute", certainly not in the same sentence, or is it it setnence?
WIth Rememberance day upon us once again, I recall my days at RDS (Regimental Drill Sergeant) back in the early 1970's - 71? - dressed in my "blues" and with an unsheathed sword, marching the corps down to the memorial outside the girls school. Andy Ritchie was the RMS at the time, and of corse has gone onto much greater things. Like one of your other correspondents, I too am saddened and significantly poorer by "having" to send my kids to an independent school which has the same ethos and character of the old grammar school. Both have joined the cadet coprs (the girl continuing in the OTS at university) whilst my son is proudly going to be firing the slaute at school on the 11th. So, things don't change that much - they just cost more.
Class of 55 Reunion - I have had a couple of e-mails at home, one from Johnny West. I also have e-mail addresses for one or two of the chaps so will contact them direct. I am a bit out of the way (Lymington) for organising a west London reunion, but I will see who is around next Thursday at Remembrance Day.
Ian
Re Geoff Lamberts note about the 55 reunion. Aside from running the archives and editing the Old Gayts Association magazine (which will be out this week!), I am also school liaison, and have helped out with several similar reunions.
It is a lot easier than you think, so I would be happy to help, if anyone from that intake 9or any other) decides to get the ball rolling.
Haven't seen any responses to Ian Gawn's suggestion for a "Class of 55" reunion next year. I'm all for it - I've had good e-mail contacts through this bulletin board with several old school friends I thought I'd never hear from again, and it would be great to meet up. Any other takers? Or is it just Ian and me in a local Hampshire pub?
Further to the previous announcement, if you remember the late Mr. Pritchet, you can leave condolences here: http://www.mccallbros.com/ASIMAS/mccallbros/obituaryDescription.jsp?domain_id=7&deceased_id=31876
Sadly, Mr. Christopher Dixon Pritchet, who taught Classics at Harrow County 1950-56, died on October 18th, 2004 at his home in Victoria, British Columbia.
Looking at some of the photos i think that can help with some identification
IVB 59 Should be Terry not paul Wagstaff V(1) 60 MRow X is Chris Varley and ?Clayden is Dave Clayden L6Sc B 61 MRow 1stX is Dave Jones 2ndX is David Wells it is not Butcher but is Landells A6Sc A 62 MRow X is Chris varley
For some reason I found this site today. Sorry to have missed the old crocks reunion as it is 34 years almost to the day that I played my last game for OG nth XV. I tore my knee ligaments making a valiant dash for the line. At least that is my recollection! Also very sorry to read of Deryck's death he was a fine OG. I have come across very few OG's over the years; only Chris Varley, with whom I worked at WMTB for a while, and Terry Wagstaff, who lives in Winslow after a career in engineering. Currently I live in Twyford Buckinghamshire. Kind regards to any OG's who remember me.
I liked the addition to the website of the Unidentified 19 with Mr Tufnell & Co from 1973/74. I reckong the missing names from the back row are Simon Stevens, (X) Mark Jackson, (X) Simon Read, Phil Bridger.
The fourth row includes Plow, (X) David Steventon, (X) Hugh Dawkins, X, (X) Rick Fletcher, X, (X) Nigel Davies, Ian Killingback, Me
The cruise on the SS Nevasa was certainly educational. A Force 5 or 6 gale ensured most of the boat was seasick fairly early on. The bars in Navarino Bay provided a good cure if I recall correctly.
Hello also to Callum Kerr somewhere out there in Africa. I shared many an hour with Callum learning geology from the venerable Mr Venn. As Mike Deacon commented a while ago - the best teacher at Harrow County
Harrow County old boys still travel well. I regularly share a beer out here in sunny Indonesia with Rod Buchanan (Advanced VI -1973 photo on the website)
If I am able to deduce correctly from Martin Flack's missive of 26th inst. that he is reflecting upon the passing of Deryck Peperell then I would wish to add my own sentiments to those of Martin. I was unaware of his death but I will always retain fond memories of the most unathletic of sportsmen one could wish to meet. ( Perhaps he was more athletic in his younger years? ). I would think it was 1957 / 58 when I made my debut for the Old. Gayts as a leg spinner and dear old 'Pep', bless him, obviously saw something that no-one else did! Doubtless, his attitude to young colts would be considered inappropriate in these days of political correctness but he lived breathed and ate the Old Gayts. He was the archetypal caricature of the club cricketer - but he was real. He always wore the revolting and gaudy club cap, his trousers were always held up with the old school tie and his pullover must have been knitted by a battery of needlewomen, to ensure that it covered not only his knees but most of his shins, too. His batting reminds me of a story that the late Mike Heaffey used to tell "Just once in your life you hit that golf ball 300 yards down the fairway, dead straight and find a perfect lie. Just once in your life you shoot for the far corner of the net and it curls in just under the bar to leave the keeper helpless. Just once in your life you bowl that unplayable ball, which is on a perfect length, bites off the seam and then swings viciously in the other direction to clip your off bail. I was unlucky enough to get 10 of those last season." Pep was never ever out - even if all three stumps were uprooted he would find a reason! Like Martin, I am very sad to bid farewell to a old Gaytonian legend and, like Martin, I will raise the customary 'half' to his memory.
i would like to have infomation on school mail to me at p.o. box 2158 georgetown sc 29440
Goodbye Pep. Deryck Pepperell was the person responsible for bringing me to play cricket at the Old Gayts. He would turn up to 'watch' the U141/2 team and gently persuade unsuspectings (self) to join in with the likes of John Bartholomew, Ted Freeman, Brian Giles, Graham Cutts, Paul Latham and other second team dudes of the era. He was a real character; by 'character' I mean that if he asked you if you wanted a drink (rarely) he would only buy you 'a half of cooking'... There are better men than me to tell of Pep's adventures - suffice to say that whatever happened since that first day he led me to the wooden clubhouse at Sudbury with beer at 1s/10d a pint - I have him to thank. Your round Deryck. Cheers.
To those interested in the School Remembrance Day Service.
PLease arrive at around 10.30, where you will be shown into the library (Old Hall) for tea, and a seat. The Old Gayts have their own service at the foot of the stairs where we read the WW2 and post war names, and lay several wreaths, before ascending the stairs and returning to the library.
We are then invited as guests of the school to their service where they read poetry and the WW1 names. A display is on view relating to those named, and afterwards, especially for those who might have travelled somedistance, several of us retire to a local hotel (2 minutes walk) for a spot of lunch and a drink.
Please do come along if you have the time. Our old boys lost on service date from WW1 to 1996 so possibly some will be known to you. Anyone who cares to join us for lunch is most welcome too.
On a slightly different tack, is there anyone able to play the last post for us? Our usual stand in, (one of the Governors and a member of the Sally army band) has been 'reserved' for the town service the same day.
I find the debate on "HCS 'good' or 'bad'" quite fascinating. there were aspects of the school (Square's attitude to the Vth Form, corporal punishment for quite minor offences, atitudes to changes in society)which were not good then, and in retropect are verging on the applalling. On the other hand there were others without which I (and I guess many others "would not be where I am today" to quote CJ.
My view is also coloured by having paid out (or will by the end of the Summer term)close to £60k on getting a near-HCS education for my youngest son who is slightly dyslexic and for whom the state system in Hampshire could not "afford" to provide appropriate support. However, learning difficulties apart, he has grown up in a structured, disciplined (but not with the rod) environment where application and effort are the expected norm. Shades of HCS. We will find out if it has been worth it not tomorrow, when he has his first Army interview with a view to going in time to Sandhurst to become a Gunner officer (Andrew Ritchie please note, and "thanks"), but in 20 years time when others will see how well he capitalised on the experience.
However, by contrast, my eldest son, now 32, who was allowed by the laissez faire conditions of the 70s to skate through his local Cambridgeshire comprehensive and emerge with 4 GCSEs holds down responsible and lucrative management positions with substantial companies.
So what is the view in summary - HCS was over the years a "school of its time", although the "Square" years were tilted perhaps a little far to the right. However, I am convinced that the comprehensive system represents a dumbing down (now being followed by the Government as it pressures the Universities) (Question: if only half the school population gains any "A" Levels, and the Government wants 50% of children to attend university.....?) and that it is DOWN TO THE PARENTS as it ever was, together with the innate ability and effort of those that want to make progress.
All I can say is that for me HCS supported my efforts to get commissioned as a pilot in the RAF and encouraged me to go for the Cranwell option, which I subsequently achieved. For that, Bigham's beatings notwithstanding, I am grateful, and Jim Golland still hovers on my soulder every time I write!
Ian Gawn
Further to Paul Romney's distaste of rugby in favour of "roundball". Lots of us played rugby for HCS on Saturdays mornings, AND in the Harrow (or Wembley) Youth League (Soccer) the same afternoon. Boy, were we fit! Curiously those who excelled at one game were also the stars of the other.
I found mentions of the outfitters Charles Bakers (where some of you got your blazers) of interest. This company was the remnants of a large chain of outfitters owned by my grandparents, all of which had gone to other hands by the time I was a child in the 50s. So nice to hear of their higher status as an outfitters!! Anyone got any other remembrances of the shops?
Harry Levine is correct to identify the 'facist' nature of Dr Simpson. However I would have no doubt that many from his ilk would have agreed with him. Indeed the 'Establishment' of the UK have been and are still anti-semitic; exceptions always exist I will acknowledge.
I also agree that coporal punishment was too readily meted out to pupils.
However I mourn the passing of this grammar school with all its foibles, for a present-day skeleton, of what was a flagship of the English edcation system.
Laurence Lando
Remembrance Day at School. I particularly remember School Remembrance Day, and the prospect of returning on 11 November for the first time since 1962 almost makes my hair stand on end. In particular, as a bugler in the band, I was one of those despatched round Harrow to "open" and "close" the Field of Remembrance at various churches. I particularly remember St John's Greenhill, where my Dad (also an OG) had been a choir boy and St Mary's on the Hill - which caught up wih me, a former Vicar, Ron Swann has just joined the Yacht Club of which I am Secretary. St John's I recall gave me a serious challenge. As a 16 year old I was tootling away on Last Post when I noticed that the lady facing me about 10 feet away in the front pew was crying quietly but in increasing volume. In 1960 it is more than likely that she was a First World War Widow. I tell you, that beat sucking lemons in front of a bugler for putting him off, and those who remember my musical ability will know that I was not the best bugler around.
Apart from honouring Old Gaytonians who fell, having been in the RAF or TA almost continuously from 1963-93, and having lost several friends even in peace time, "We will remember them" are very important words.
See you there
Ian Gawn
By the way, is 1030 start time for the service or meeting time
I'm sure that, if Square had remarked that Stalin had a lot to be said for him, Pete Fowler would have cited that against him too. But Square was a fascist anti-semite, not a Bolshevik anti-semite.
I recall a similar incident, when Square came prowling with baleful gaze among those of us sixth-formers who had eschewed rugger in favour of reading and improving conversation. On that occasion his comment was that Hitler wasn't wrong about everything, which he explained as an allusion to the Nazi cult of physical fitness. Ironically, I for one would have been glad to splash about in the mud if the sport had been soccer. I recall a classmate, years earlier (I believe it was Brian Fine in 2B) asking Swanny Amos why we had to play rugby instead of soccer and Swanny roaring indignantly: "Because it's a better game!" At the time I strongly suspected that the preference for rugby was an expression of class values. If so, it was Harrow County's snobbish, emulative ethos that led me later, when I had the chance, to forgo games in favour of books and subversive chat.
Having left the UK in 1966, I can't speak with any authority of later developments in education, but I recall reading an article in the London Review of Books two or three years ago that the reason that Thatcher took no stand against comprehensivization was that the policy was popular among middle-class parents who resented their own children being sorted out by the ultra-selective 11-plus. But instead of the truly egalitarian reform that Labourites (perhaps naively) envisaged, Tory policy resulted in a middle-class comprehensivization that, as Pete Fowler suggests, produced goodish schools in desirable post codes. An appropriate result for the middle-class democracy that Britain became under Thatcher, I suppose.
Is the Nicholas de Lange who has translated Amos Oz's book Tales of love and Darkness the same N de L who was at HCS late 50s early 60s?
Ian Gawn
Ok Colin, you didn't like the milk. You were a year behind me at HCS and it seems you young'ns never learned how to build up the pressure in miserable little milk bottles by pushing down the cap, jabbing the result with a pin and shooting a spermlike jet across the room. BoggyWaters loved the fact that the boys had finally understood basic physics. Werner von Braun used ersatz milk.
OK Colin. so you didn't like the milk! You were a year behind me at HCS, and obviously didn't try the downward pressure on the milk-caps to be followed with the jab of a pin to see who could shoot a spermlike jet of milk in the direction of who remembers whom or what. Boggy Waters used to look at this in utmost delight as if to say, "the boys appreciate physics at last". After all it was the forerunner of rocket science. Werner von Braun had the advantage of using ersatz milk.
I have been hugely gratified by some of the most recent postings. For many years after leaving i thought I was alone in regarding Simpson and some,by no means all,of his cohorts as fascist swine. I have the same feelings to all wicked dictators be they right or left, politically. The high level of achievement of HCGS boys was, of course, already accounted for . I must echo the sentiments. I would , however, not be at all surprised to find that pupils from all of the top five grammar schools between the War and the Sixties had included a large number of 'high fliers'. There was , undoubtedly, a form of 'super-selection' in place. The fact that one could not obtain a place at certain schools unless it was a 'first choice' on ones list surely created a fertile ground for extra achievement. Oddly enough, despite very unfond memories of certain sadistic brutes, the reference to the debate re lance corporal punishment has me firmly in the pro side.I think lances may be a bit OTT, Canes and slippers should be sufficient.Just for the record I have a constancy of opinion on this. I won the debate in the Fourth Form Debating society:- 'This house believes in the retention of corporal punishment'. It was the only time Square ever said anything nice to me!!!
It took a couple of weeks after my muffled grenade (Guestbook 5th October) but I was delighted to see Peter Fowler's and Robert Anderson's contributions (20th - 22nd).
Like Robert, I think Peter's second para is very telling - although, in passing, I might mention of Margaret Thatcher that in earlier office as Education Secretary she did stop the nonsense of free school milk (it always tasted ghastly and put me off milk from primary school days during the war for decades) and initiated the retrieval of university education from the monstrous hegemony of extreme, disruptive leftwing activism in the late sixties. Does anyone who visited universities and polytechnics in the early 1970's recall the childish graffito "Maggie Thatcher Milk Snatcher" irrelevantly and self-defeatingly scrawled all over the place?
Another grenade, in the spirit of Peter's last para and Robert's comment on it: I too have been enormously impressed by the achievments of HCS alumni, whether or not via the academic route. Could it have been that 11+ selection drew the best talents into a symbiotic environment where the whole has proved significantly greater than the sum of its parts?
Call me Dickens, call me Wickens, I think it proved to be a good thing.
Peter Fowler, I do hope you will forgive me for falling into the trap of seeking the one weak link in an otherwise reasonable presentation. Spent many years as a Radio & TV journalist and could not resist the temptation of reverting to type. It is difficult to overcome old habits.
It was your final paragraph that I should have picked up on. When I first locked into the OG web, I wondered if someone was having me on. The incredible achievements of OGs were stunning. My first thought was, why don't we all get together and take over the Country. In which case, at 76, I would be on the first plane to London to join you.
My person leanings would be closer to Colin Dickens attitude. So.
If we sat down together, here are some of the tricky subjects that would have to be solved.
Elitism qualifications or not, for both student and teacher? Co-ed or not? Afirmative action or not? Free or fee paying. Lance coporal punishment or not?
Peter Fowler and Colin Wickens, keep at it. You are on something good.
If I contribute anything to this Site, I normally shut up for a while before making any replies - but that comment I have just seen from Robert Anderson needs an immediate rebuff.
I have never, throughout my life, held any brief for Stalin, a man as odious in most things as Hitler and a brutal killer of millions. Things go disastrously wrong when any one, or any group, begins to see their 'answer' as Perfection and proceed to rubbish and/or slaughter those who do not take their view; and this holds true of Hitler, of the fundamentalists and militia men in the US, of the killers of Ken Bigley and those believing they could enter paradise by massacring those who happened to be on a station in Madrid on March 11, 2004 or in the WTCs on September 11, 2001. But it's also true of Stalin, of Sadaam Hussein (not that he was 'left' but he was certainly hated by Al Queda), of the Red Brigades and Ceaucescu and Tito.
You should have noticed, Robert, that I was, in the last paragraph, not advocating the triumph of one set of opinions over another - but suggesting dialogue.
HCS 39-44,
Curious how the left wingers are still commenting adversly on any rational discussion of Hitler and Germany, yet are unable to bring themselves to have the same angst towards Stalin and Communism.
I can agree with Colin Dickins on one point – when Harrow County was abolished, nothing was put in its place. Well, actually, one thing was put in its place – selection by post code. The ‘system’ we have now, if if can be called that, sees parents who want their children to prosper at school desperately trying to buy houses that lie in catchment areas where there is a ‘good’ (in OFSTED terms) school. Ironically, because the old HCS is in an area of cultural diversity, it’s found it difficult in this new scenario.
As an old leftist, I find all of this hard. Labour, or its bastard son ‘New Labour’, has never had the courage of its convictions that characterised the neo-conservatism of Mrs T (except, in education - she did nothing there for the right wing agenda). With his huge majority, Tony Blair could have abolished public schools, in a manner precisely echoing Margaret Thatcher’s selling of council houses. But he didn’t. He decided to focus on foxes instead.
I have said it before and I’ll say it again: Harrow County is, in 2004, a complete anachronism. I would certainly not have wanted my own children within miles of George Thorne, Colonel Bigham and Dr Simpson (who, and I’ll never forget it, told my A Level Latin class that ‘Hitler had a lot to be said for him’). But, at the same time, no one has yet dreamed up its proper replacement. I only wish sometimes, when the light is flickering outside and the Glenmorangie is taking hold, that a bunch of us, with very different views, could meet up in that old Common Room on Sheepcote Road and argue from first principles and sort the bloody thing out.
Because no one could have made a worse hash of it than those successive governments from ’70 on; and I have, strangely but tellingly, an enormous faith that the collection of talents who dip into this site could, if push came to shove, come to a stunning consensus on what needs to happen.
Having seen John Clark's comment ref Class of 54, anyone interested in the Class of 55 getting together next year? I am not offering to organise, as I am also trying to get a "40th Anniversary of graduation from Cranwell" reunion going.
Regards to all
Ian Gawn
OLD CROCK'S DAY Saturday 30th October 12.30 p.m. at Sudbury. Lunch with wine £10.00. Write of ring Neil Keeler (Treasurer) 25 Lansdowne Road, Stanmore, HA2 6HF. Tel: 020 8954 7211.
As most will know, OGRFC has now merged with O. Kingsburians and Roxeth OB's, to form West London RFC and the merged club plays at OG's Sudbury ground. But this could be the last time: our landlords have welshed on a done deal and we may not be playing there after this season. It's still a congenial and attractive place and the club has recently started looking good again, playing some very decent rugby with excellent spirit.
Old Crock's Day is a gathering of former players for lunch, liquor and renewal of old playing friendships before watching the game (or even long after it has started). If you've ever played at Sudbury, why not come along while it's still ours? It could be your last chance.
N.B.- I regret that the entry below is made so long after the event to which it relates. I have made numerous attempts to submit it during the past few weeks, but by one of those inexplicable quirks of I.T., it has until now failed to transmit!
I would like to endorse Bob Garratt's comment concerning the "Class of '54 Reunion" which took place on the 4th. September. The small group of people who organised the event had been working on it, to my knowledge, for over a year and the fact that it was a huge success is due entirely to their unstinting efforts over that period and their careful attention to detail. Those of us that enjoyed the experience owe them a heartfelt vote of thanks.
Special mention is also due to Alex Bateman, our dedicated Archivist, both for his continuous and largely unseen work to preserve the history of H.C.S. and in particular, for giving up his time on a Saturday to take us on a guided tour of the premises and to give us an appreciation of the material contained in the archive.
On a personal note, I found it was fascinating, if slightly unnerving, to meet again people with whom one hadn't had any contact for 45 years. They seemed to be strangers and yet familiar acquaintances, both at the same time, if you understand what I mean.
The most abiding thought which occurred to me as I trod those hallowed corridors once more, was that there were really only three things which I actually enjoyed during my time at the school:- the swimming pool; the Combined Cadet Force, and the organ (which engendered a love of the instrument that has remained with me to this day). Could it be the fact that none of these three still exists, which explains why I felt no emotion, no tingle down the spine, upon revisiting the place?
John Clark - a member of Form 1D in 1954.
September's Motor Sport contains an article about the racing driver Stephen South who left Harrow County in 1971. Does anyone remember Stephen? Perhaps, Alex Bateman, there is some info on his progress (or not) at the school.
Stephen had trials with one or two F1 teams before suffering injuries that destroyed his career. If my memory serves me correctly, he wrote an article for Gaytonian on winning the British go-kart championship.
Any info gratefully received.
Michael.
Libby Purves's weekly column in The Times today rails against government tampering with education and the attempts to increase entrance of state school pupils to universities (real universities, that is!). Not to clutter the guestbook, I give the web address:- http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,2741-1294160,00.html For those who can't access this, I'm sending Jeff the article in clear to include by a link if he thinks fit.
She makes any number of telling points, including the fact that state school admissions to Oxbridge in the '60s were much higher than they are now. She also refers to the Laura Spence scandal when Gordon Brown went ballistic that this talented state school student was refused admission to Magdalen College, Oxford, to read medicine. The truth was that she was one of over 100 "straight A's" students who applied for just six places. None of the other rejects mustered such powerful and misguided support. The "scandal" was borne with great restraint and dignity by the Master of Magdalen, Anthony Smith, a product of a state school - ours!
I tend to be philosophical about change, even when it's close to home, but this piece raises all the helpless, sickened horror - like bile in the throat - that I experienced when Harold Wilson, Shirley Williams and others in thrall to brutally powerful trades unions and incipient political correctness crushed the pearl that was Harrow County and put nothing in its place - anywhere.
Perhaps I should mention that Libby Purves was a member of the Labour Party and, for all her professional impartiality and clarity of thought, has never declared any change of loyalty.
There's some confusion here Bernard about P. A. R. Street. He was our form master in 1940 when I was in 2A. I believe he left in late 1941 or 1942 when we were told he had gone into defence work of some kind. He had very bad eyesight so would not have qualified for military service. Street returned to teaching at school at the end of the war but only stayed one year before moving the Kingsbury (along with Easy Evans) soon after Simpson's arrival. The man who was "spirited away" was a Mr. Birch who taught German and as such was assitant to Attridge. Birch was a facist and reported blackshirt so was interned. I believe there is a piece about him somewhere on this site, and a photograph. There must have been an active fascist cell in Harrow at the time as I recall the lightning flash symbol of facism being stencilled onto the railway bridges near school, along with torn notices about Oswald Moseley's speaking engagement.
in a private message to me a few weeks ago Bob Anderson said that P.A.R. Street was a communist who was incarcerated at the beginning of the war and returned to school only after the Soviet Union joined the anti-Nazi coalition ...... that is not my recollection ..... I recall that Philip Street was with us at least throughout the second and third forms which would have taken us to summer 1941 ...... which is when the Russkies joined in ....... does anyone have any info one way or the other ?
A note to explain Laurence's last message. Copies of the video 'The School Day/Speech Day 1961' are available from the school archives. It is £8.50 including p&p, contact me if interested.
The video runs for about 55 minutes and is colour, shot by Hugh Skillen in 1960/61. The former shows a typical but very busy school day at HCS and includes the CCF, Scouts, classes, etc.
Other videos and Cds are available too.
Glad you enjoyed it Laurence!
Just enjoyed viewing the video of 'A school day' and the Golden Jubilee Speech Day. As a pupil at that time I was hugely amused. Highly selective in its choice of subject, but a super archive subject. Well done and much thanks.
GCSE maths is now set at three levels: Foundation, Intermediate, and Higher.
It may be true that a candidate scoring 17% on the Higher paper will achieve a C grade but only because the C grade has been earned for a prior sitting of the Intermediate paper (maximum grade B).
Although I am not completely au fait with the grading system (yet) the recent press coverage does seem to have distorted 'the actualite' (as our late friend Alan Clark might have said).
Some of the questions set for A* candidates are pretty nasty, I can tell you!
I happened to call in recently at Buntings of Harrow, the garage still run by my brother Roger, and while I was there who should walk through the door but ex-HCS master Jim Connolly (spelling?, it might be Conelly). He's got a Proton car which Roger sold him. We exchanged pleasantries. He's very spry and confided that he'd just last week celebrated his 80th birthday. That means he was only 29 when I left HCS in 1953, which I find astonishing; he seemed quite an old man then (maybe it was - pardon the personal note Jim - his creaky artificial leg which contributed to that impression) though I never knew him well; I was never in a class taught by him. My wife and I have just had a short break in North Wales. We passed through Penrhyndeudraeth and Minffordd - and across the causeway to Portmadoc (bu**er the new-fangled Porthmadog spelling!). But I couldn't identify the entrance to the farm where I camped with the HCS 4th Harrow Pioneers in August 1952. The camp field bordered on Portmeirion, Clough Williams-Ellis's weird Italianate village. We were in the charge on that occasion of group scoutmaster Bryan 'Faerie' Stanford, whose habit of cuddling up to the younger sprogs seemed innocent at the time, and might well have been so. But I can't help thinking that 50 years on, such behaviour would arouse dark talk of paedophile suspicions. Bob Mackenzie, my predecessor as PL of the Raven Patrol, who today lives in Ashburnham Gardens, barely a hundred yards from our Gayton Road Alma Mater, tells me he camped with the Pioneers at the same Minffordd farmer's field site four years earlier. His chief memory is of going each morning to collect water from the farm's well and being attacked by a bunch of aggressive Welsh pigs.
OK Jeff I finally got the message : only one spam message so far, from Kenya ...... trust that the REMOVEwill do it thanks again Bernard
Hi Jeff,and all, been in touch with all sorts of people since I first hit on this site 2 years ago. Contacted everybody in the bar billiards marathon thing we did in 69. Great fun. Living in Munich and just married for the 5th time.!
I sent a change of address message to brian hester which has been bounced back ...... have you changed your server , Brian
friends, classmates and countrymen, please note that effective immediately I have changed my e-mail address which is now bernardgillespieREMOVE@rogers.com...... all contributions will be gratefully received
BG 1939-1944, the c stream
(REMOVE the word REMOVE - it is there to deter spammers who harvest e-mail addresses to send "Nigerian letters" - Jeff Maynard)
Dear Jeff, Brian, Bernard,
Tony Symes HCS is alive and well and living in London.
He is the sax player in the photo of the George Evans Band in 1949.
At first it seemed it was not his band where I made my farewell. But it turned out this was only his modesty for he quickly recalled the time he " led a sick friends band " recovering in an isolation ward at RAF Central Band Uxbridge.We did in fact play that gig together. I t may also be that we played together in the Station Band at Compton Basset. Tony went on to a long and distinguished career in music.
We had a delightful conversation and will do it again soon as their is still so much to recall.
He remembers HCS with affection, so I have tried to get him to become a fully fledged OG.
Now to find out about Hubert Shersby, Ron Taylor 53-60, and any one else of that era.
Robert Anderson.
PS At one time or another we have all played with Classical Orks despite our proclivity for Swing and Jazz.
Name: Peter Lawson
Email: Type your e-mail address here
Date: 25 September, 2004
Comments:
I understand that 17% gets you a grade C pass at GCSE Maths.
How sad to see that January 21st 1975 snippet from the Telegraph. I remember it so well. I assume the politicians are happy that their grand experiment turned the best state school in the country to the worst performing in the London Borough of Harrow.
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Contrary to popular opinion, secondary Maths has not got easier over time. Calculus at A level is no great shakes - rather an easy topic in fact! The teaching of Maths has improved tremendously in recent years and is set to improve even more. That is the reason for more pupils passing - not declining standards. In fact, I know (good) graduates from yesteryear in mathematics who struggle with recent GCSE papers! Try doing one and see for yourself!
Just thought I'd set the record straight.
Colin Dickinson deplores the demise of the subjunctive. Here in North America, the adverb is just about dead as well! Now I read it is possible to earn a pass in mathematics at A level without learning any calculus. One is left wondering what work is done in schools these days! I was glad to see that Bernard Gillespie has surfaced again. Thanks for the kind wishes Bernard. I have made an excellent recovery but do not recommend the procedure! The miniature rose bush you gave us still flourishes in our garden so we remember you when we weed!
Message for Alex Bateman.
Alan no relation.
To Peter Lawson. No relation to Alan Lawson who was at Harrow County late 40s, to about 1954?
To Bernard Gillespie: It was wonderful to learn that people other than me had produced some big bangs upstairs. Mine was simple; an old cocoa tin with a foldover lid, make holes in the top and bottom, fill it full of gas (No, not gasoline (petrol) for God's sake, that would have blown up the tyrancy as well), but that old stinky coal gas, but I suspect natural gas would be OK, light it at the top, put it under some swat who pretends he's learning physics or taking exams, and......whow, what a bang! Nobody gets hurt; Boggy Waters runs crying "Headmaster, headmaster!" and your's truly almost got expelled, but for another nameless teacher who thought the whole thing funny and very educational.
I am not in the least astounded to find out from this fantastic web-site that Monty Frey - the kid who brought fulminate of mercury to school , installed it in a .22 cartridge case inserted in a wooden ship model which he tried to ignite, without success, followed by AJ Smith, also without success, followed by me ... with success and one hell of a bang ..... is a professor of chemistry with a string of degrees as long as your arm ...... all I can say is that I feel privileged to have known him as a young experimenter ,,,,, well done Monty ,,,,,
And those subjunctives! Standard fare across our board. Messrs Wilkie, Marchant and Lloyd-Jones planted them nice and proper. I recall one boy turning up late for a lesson and escaping a bollocking with his "Excusez mon retard, Monsieur, mais il fallait que je pissasse".
Dig that sequence of tense.
I've just seen the 1951 Lower Sixth photo posted on 12/9. The Form Master is listed as Dan Maskell. I say! That's a peach of a coincidence!
just read through a bunch of guestbook entries - first is the welcome news that my near neighbour Brian Hester is recovering well from heart surgery - second, I hadn't realised until now how fortunate I was to have been at school during the tenure of Randall Williams rather than a decade later when the tyrant Simpson was in charge - third, where are all the computer literate fellows over the age of 70 ?
Jeff : I often check into the website - just to listen to the school song - not that I recall ever hearing it when I was at HCS - 1939 -1944 - perhaps it hadn't been written then - anyway i just wanted to thank you once again for all the work you put into the site and for all the pleasure it gives old farts like me - but until today I had never checked into the Guest Book - it's a whoel new area to explore - regards and very best wishes Bernard G
Dear Jeff, Thanks for your indulgence. Have wacked up Jazz Pro web before, but can not find George Evans Photos to ID Tony Symes. Tony was instrumental ( Pun intended) in my decision to quit music as a livelihood. In Sept 1949 at a large dance hall near Edgware, I played in his trumpet section, my very last gig. It was a standard 3tpt,1trm,4sax,3Rhy. British style dance band. At the end of the evening,I calculated I had played American Patrol and In the mood each, 1580 times. I was bored and was also a mediocre tpt player. I shook hands with Tony, as I recall a decent chap, and quit the business only to return 44 years later just for fun. Tony was a very good alto player. The only trace I have of him is that he was with Joe Loss on a cruise line in the 70ies.
Is my Tony the alto sax band leader, the same Tony of HCS. False memory syndrom, I think not. Thanks for the ink, I am now a very proud,fully fledged OG. Robert Anderson Entry 39/44
I am writing because i am trying to find out some information about James Alfred Harry Fawkner (school entry 1932). I am doing some research on my family tree, and only recently found out that James is related, my grandfather would have been his second cousin or something like that! I typed into his name into the net and this wonderful website came up. All i know about him his that he went to this school and was killed just after the WWII. I wonder if anyone remembers him or his family, i would really love to see a photograph of him. I would be really grateful. Thank you Isabelle
Seeing an article about the Chem Lab reminded me when it was used as a form room and we had lockers outside for one of my early years (1953 -1958) I remember some phosphorous catching fire during one of the"controlled" experiments which fumigated the whole laboratory and corridor.Also a sign over the bench at the front which had an 'S'blacked out to read "No solids in the *inks" Regards to any of my peers and to everybody else. Bill Eatwell
Hello everyone just thought Id ask if there were any photo's from 1978 till 1982 ? I could not find any of our class ! shame.
I like to think I remember what Tony Symes looked like in 1944 but I do not see him as the man playing the saxophone in the photograph from 1949.
To David Wilson
Re Mike Skeet senior. His grand-daughter Vikki Wilmott wasn't sure if he attended as a pupil or as night school, although to best of my knowledge there weren't really night school classes at HCS. Others recall the name from their own period. I didn't have a lot to do with Mike Skeet jnr either as he was in the other half of the year although I have seen him in the pub here and there.
As for the letters, I have heard this too, although there is no visible evidence now.
The room you mention is where the archives are now. In fact before I took it over a couple of years ago, the last time I had been up there was to get the cane of Mr Bridges. I never found out if it was for messing around in a lesson or not going to see him about it afterwards!
Has dad told you I met him last weekend at the 1954 intake reunion. You are the spitting image...
I am a submarine forced to the surface by Peter Fowler's depth charges.
Peter as conspiracy theorist? Yep, that's just about right. His noms-de-plume could be Tren de-Leftie, Comm. E. Filth, or his Irish cousin Pink O'Scum. The list goes on.
We could get some of the girls school veterans for the obligatory sex interest.
And what about the the film-making talents of the three Gilbert brothers - Brian, Stephen and Mark - for the cinematographic expertise. Brian still lives around Pinner...
Michael.
In response to Robert Andersons posting about Tony Symes, have a look at this photograph of Form 2C 1939, last boy on the right in the middle row: http://www.jeffreymaynard.com/Harrow_County/Form%202C1939.htm Now have a look at the second photograph on this page, of the George Evans Saxes in 1949, second from the right: http://www.jazzprofessional.com/profiles/George%20Evans%20Saxes.htm Are these the same Tony Symes, aged 12 and 22?
Michael Dover seems to have opened a wonderful can of worms with the Scandal of the Pavilion Fund ('New" in today's items added)....given the talent that has emerged from the school, I'm certain we could (a) get a film made of this saga, with Michael Anderson and others working on the script (b) get it raised in Parliament through Michael Portillo and (c) get Rog Glover to write the musical. There's plenty of folk around, of course, to do the stage sets and the backing tracks...and Don Kincaid's still around to write the topical ditty for early evening news programmes (as he used to do).
All we need then is a damned good conspiracy theorist - and Michael Shwartz would probably nominate yours truly - to stitch the story of Square and the Missing Sixpences to the Profumo Scandal and the Assassination of Kennedy for us to have an absolute belter.....
Bags do the first draft of the script!
As Lawrence Welk ( American Show Band leader still going strong in America after 55 years, via tape.) would say, your web site is wunnerful, wunnerful. It allowed me to reaffirm my good luck at being educated at HCS, take pride in the achievements of the old boys, join the Old Gaytonians, but still can not find an outfit to go with the green tie. My Robin Hood outfit is a little too small these days As a student, I was less than successful through no fault of the teachers.
There are at least two old boys I would like to contact or learn about from others.
In September 1949 I played in the trumpet section of Tony Symes and his orchestra at an Edgeware Dance hall. I was 21. It was an important gig for me. That night I played " American Patrol and " In the Mood" for 1580tieth time. So I collected my 30 Bob, sold my trumpet next day, and never played again until I was 65. A great mistake, for I could have had a lot of fun over the years, as I do now, as a non-pro.
So please tell me if Tony Symes is the same Tony Symes in the 40ies list of students, and what happened to him. My Tony played Alto Sax.
Next Character is Hubert Shersby. He turned up a year after leaving HCS at 15 or 16 in a fab navy uniform with shiny buttons, that I think? was the uniform of an RNR Middy. I recall he was in DEMS. Hope this is not another case of false memory syndrome on my part.
Would enjoy hearing from any one who knew me at HCS, even Jack Napper who beat me to the Cricket 1st XI, while I was stuck in the 2nd XI. Boy was I jealous then, but I recall he was a very controlled Batsman and Bowler, where as I was an erratic fast bowler and a stodgy opening bat.
For the record. Over the years, I have said many a prayer of thanks for the teachers of HCS.
Again, Wunnerful, Wunnerful web site.
Robert Anderson, British Columbia.
Congratulations to all those who organised the 50th anniversary bash for the entry class of '54 ! It was a splendid do and too nostalgic for words. Sorry I had to dash off to a wedding, but I hope the evening lasted long and well.
Reference David Taylor - Form 4b 1960 Victor Goodman
What a small small world.
Back in April 1995 I purchased what is the foundations of my accountancy practice from a Victor Goodman who practised in Mill Hill. The photo dates looked right so I asked for a visual check of the photo and I found it to be the same person. Sadly Victor contracted pancreatic cancer and passed away on 8th June 1995. He left a wife (separated), twin daughters Kim and Zoe and a son Glen. Glen is a reporter for the ITV London Tonight programme having had stints with LBC radio as a businees reporter.
Alex,
Yes I do remember Michael - although I don't remember having that much to do with him whilst there. I wonder when his Dad was at HCS? Maybe he was a peer of my Dad's?
Any thoughts on the painted letters ? If my memory of the geography of the school is correct - the room above the clock was Mr Bridges'(Latin Teacher) office when we attended...I used to sell him Golf Balls I found on the local golf course - I think the going rate was a fiver per 100 balls. I'm sure he got the better end of that deal!
Hi Dave. Remember Michael Skeet who was at Gayton with us between 1980 and 1984? Well I have just been covering the exams at Harrow High and met his daughter Vikki Willmott. She told me that her Grandad Michael Skeet also attended the School (then Harrow County).
This must be unique, three generations at all three schools
Its been a bit quiet on this site for a while.....I had a couple of thoughts.
I attended GHS betwen 1980 & 1983. My Father (Chris Wilson) attended HCS ('54 to '60? I think.). Are there any other Father/Son combinations or even Grandfather/Father/Son combinations that have attended over the years?
Secondly, I remember seeing some white painted letters on the sloping roof above the Clock. They read 'WE H...'. Dad told me that these were painted by boys & it was to read 'We hate George'.
Can anyone shed any more light on this..as its always puzzled me why the letters were allowed to remain in situ if this was its true intent ...can the letters still be made out?
Would that the subjunctive were still taught, Paul, let alone comprehended and correctly used. English grammar has been decimated (one tenth deleted) by those who shoot themselves in the foot (as in self-harm in order to avoid the trenches) along with the correct use of metaphors. Come back Spud, Beaky and Jago. (Alistair Yeats - Who he?)
We are also at the peak of a 4 year cycle which sees medal and podium become verbs for a two week period....
Possibly they transmuted "incident" to "incidence" and pluralized that. Talking of which, I recently heard Alistair Yeates steamroller the subjunctive on the BBC World News.
Regarding the BBC creating new words, one which has been used in recent times purports to be the plural of the word "incident";I'm not sure how to spell it but possibly "incidencies" may cover it. Otherwise one is left with "incidenties". My children have no sympathy with my concern and recommend I read Pinker on The Language Instinct.
Form4b1960.jpg: The pupil in the front row, last on the right is Victor Goodman. I believe he left before sixth form, and went elsewhere.
Old Gaytonians Coll Michaels and Kimberley Rew are playing with the Cadillac Blues at the Grand Junction Arms, Tring, on Sunday August 22nd. Bulbourne Rd., Bulbourne, Tring, Hertfordshire, HP23 5QE Phone: 01442 890677
I heard it too, Phillip. So far, I have not heard the BBC use that other clanger of 'dove' as the past form of 'dive'.
Did I hear a new word in the English language tonight? It was, I believe, "sung", yes, that past tense of "sing".
Now, take the word "hunger", replace the "h" with "s" and drop the "er". It could be written "sungue" perhaps, with a very hard "G".
From where or whom did I hear it? The overseas service of the BBC!
Is this NEWSPEAK? Has George Orwell been brought back to life?
The picture from Dick Thwaites of Form 3C 1959 - I think I can identify a couple of the unknowns. The American/Canadian was (Peter?)Eisenegger and the boy standing next to Dick himself, looks like Norwood. I started the year in 3B but then due to a term off in hospital (a skin disease so Square wouldn't let me have any books in case it was catching!), and exams on my first week back, I got moved back to join 3C.
Meant to type 'Class of '57 Entry', whoops!!!
Laurence
Just got an email from Tim Rutter, Class of '67 entry. Any others lurking?
Laurence
As one who is approaching the big 60 later this year I look forward to the class reunion of 56, referred to by Robert Tabb, as my memory of names and faces but definately not the events is beginning to fade.
4122 Cranberry Court, Vineland, ON L0R 2C0
31 July 2004 905-562-1692
Dear Fellow Old Gaytonian:
You may have heard of my recent encounter with open-heart surgery. So far, I am making a satisfactory recovery, but the experience is not one I would wish on anyone!
What I am writing to you about is that the hospital has contacted me for a contribution to finance purchase of new equipment that uses a ‘key hole’ procedure to reduce radically the size of the chest incision in this type of surgery. Of course, I am motivated to subscribe but I have been wondering how to encourage others to do the same.
What I offer to anyone who might be interested is the following. Because of the tax deduction available to Canadians, the idea will be more attractive to those of you living in this country:
I am acquiring a group of mining claims (full grant expected 14 August) in central Labrador (now there’s a story in itself!) that a mining company called Altius (ALS on the TSX-v exchange) has agreed to inspect with the intention of making a deal with me before mid-September, if they see anything interesting.
If Altius decides to work on these claims, an agreement, terms of which are still being discussed, will be activated. I’ll absorb the cash costs of obtaining the claims.
I am prepared to put my interest into a syndicate, the Snegamook Syndicate of which Barbara and I will keep a minimum of 35%. I’ll give a one percent interest in the syndicate to anyone for every $200 in Canadian funds (and pro rata down to 0.25% for $50) contributed to the hospital for this particular project.
All you have to do to join the Snegamook Syndicate, is make your contribution to the hospital (address below) just as you might do for any charity, and then give me a copy of your receipt. I’ll then give you a letter to certify the percentage interest you have earned “for services” in the syndicate. You then use your receipt in the usual way to qualify for any tax deduction. If the property pays off, we’ll all need help with our taxes! The odds are better than a national lottery. You can even give the interest to others if you want. The initial market value will be zero.
If you like the idea, send your cheque to the Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation, P. O. Box 739, LCD, Hamilton, ON L8N 3M8 before the end of August, and let the chips fall where they may!
Brian Hester
P.S. You might be able to find Snegamook Lake on a map of Labrador. The claims are several miles to the east. “Mook” means “loon” in the Cree language but I don’t know what a “snega”-ed one does! Let me know what else you need to know.
Thanks Bob Garrett & Jeff - I've made contact with Mike who is still on the I of W but 'semi retired' now. He also tells me that he hopes to join the 60's reunion this/next year. I have been in touch with Pete Fowler for us young ones hoping to be 60 next year to do a 1956 Year Reunion Watch this space! Cheers Robert Tabb 1956 - 1963
I did some work with Mike Dover at Marconi Underwater Systems at Waterlooville, Hants about ten years ago. As far as I know he's still there, although the company may now be part of BAe.
Bob Garratt
Jeff I was gobsmacked to see some recent Swimming Photos submitted by Michael Dover recently. As he was our Best Man at our wedding Sept 4th 1971, and we have lost touch with him, Val & I would luv to make contact again after about 30 years. We last saw him at his wedding on the I of W about 1974. Any chance of his email? Keep up the good work Robert Tabb 1956 - 1963
I happened to be in Harrow today (27/7/04) on business (I have not been to Harrow for years) and on impulse took a walk by the School, where I was a pupil from 1975/79.
Just walking by brought back many fond memories and visiting this superb website has added to them.
Methinks I'll join the Old Gayts, ....
Alan Lawson. I keep meaning to make a non-contribution following recent mentions. He was at School from 1947 to (I think) 1953, a contemporary of mine. He played prop forward for the OGRFC for a year or two and disappeared. I felt he found the somewhat robust humour of rugby not entirely to his taste. We tried to track him down for our 1947 50th anniversary reunion without success.
Graham was in my class, and his death on the way to games was tragic.
I never knew Graham McFadyen personally, he was in the year above me. However, Dick Thwaites' latest photo of Form 3C 1959 brings back some very vivid memories of an assembly in 1959, at the age of 12, when "Square" announced to the Schoool, the terrible events that led to the untimely death of Graham McFadyen whilst on his way to "games" in Watford Road. Nearly 50 years ago, but not forgotten.
Hail my dear class mates. Great to 'hear' from Peter - the boy from Manchester and Harry our erstwhile pal. News of Geoff Lent? Michael Gold? Brian Bilgorri? Tony Arkey is living in Hong Kong.
Spread the word and maybe, we too can get together SOON... Entered HCS September 1957 from Mount Stewart School, Kenton with Martin Balls.
Laurence
Desmond Jones asks about Peter Kettle. I've no idea where he is now, but he comes to my mind from time to time during thunder storms. He was struck by lightning! He lived in or near Church Avenue off Rayners Lane and went out with two others after a heavy storm to see the Yeading Brook in spate. It came on to rain again and running back he passed under a tree as it was struck by lightning. He was knocked out and came to with the rain falling on his face. No damage, except a minor burn line down his right side to coins in his trouser pocket and another across his personal equipment to keys in his left trouser pocket. Can't remember how old he was at the time, but he assured me that everything contiuued to function normally.
Although I attended HCS for only a brief time (1945 to 1946) I still remember the thrill of passing my 11+ from Pinner Park to wear the green school uniform of Harrow County!
It was also very emotional to be transported back in time and hear the old school song again on your excellent website. At the ripe old age of 70 I am still word perfect!
Does anyone know the whereabouts of my form mate who sat next to me all those distant years ago? His name was PETER KETTLE.
Thanks for the memory!
Desmond Jones Sidcup, Kent
Well well Hi there Peter. I made brief contact with Laurie but,to my chagrin, have failed to maintain any correspondence.If you look back through the postings you will find a lot of comment, much of it unfairly good, about our era. Cheers Harry
Glad to have made contact after nearly fifty years. As I moved away to sea and then to live up in thre North East, I lost all contact. Will watch the site with interest
Well 'blow me down with a feather' as they (whoever they are!)tend to say. It's not often that I feel the need to check the HCS website, nor do I tend to have occasional bouts of the old nostalgia. But obviously Monday 19/07/04, following on from a rigorous workout at the local gym, has brought on feelings for moi to go back in time. I feel the urge to post this comment, as the second name I saw on the site is that of Laurence Lando, my old class friend from 1958-63. How are you old friend and anyone else who remembers us both from those long ago years?
Good to see many Old Gayts at South Vale on Saturday afternoon. Rugby, Tennis and Cricket stars from the 50's (Colin) 60's (Jon) 70's (Tony) 80's (me?) and 90's (Iain ?!) oh, and some darts players too.... Cold beers in the warm sun. We only needed some sport going on the outfield and it would have been just like the old days. Rest assured, we are the Gayts and if we do get evicted we will take the Gate with us. Martin - just how will we get it to Paris though ???
Hi
ref Alan Lawson - he was at HCS ahead of us (I guess he left left mid 50s?) and a piper in the Pipe Band - and, as we lived opposite him in St Lawrence Drive Eastcote, the main reason my parents said I could only join the Band as a drummer! He did his National Service (must have been one of the last)commissioned in the Middlesex Regiment and served some of his time in Ghana (which was the main topic of his lessons in Sunday School - Eastcote Methodist). He moved away from St Lawrence Drive in, I guess the early 60s.
By the way, those interested please note new e-mail address - gone to broadband.
Kind regards to all
Ian Gawn
Re: Standards
I would support the recent view that educational standards at the school are woeful. Recent educational tables showed the school to be one of the poorest in standards for the whole borough. History has it, that the school could hold its own with any grammar school in the nation.
This despite institutionalised violence from several of the masters, e.g. Clarkson
I came across the web- site in a fortunate error. It brought back, alas, less than pleasing memories of troubled times. Some of the teaching and experience for me was superb. Much was not. But I regret the demise of the institution and some of its enshrined standards. The website is most interesting - Thank you
Comgratulations to David Bage, who was at Harrow County 1936-40. He was awarded the MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours for services to his local community in Lynsted, Kent.
Brian Hester, HCS 1940-47, who has contributed much to this website, is in hospital in Canada recovering from a quadruple heart bypass and a valve replacement.
His son Jim says that the surgery has gone well. He is awake and talking and will be moved out of the ICU today.
Brian will probably remain in hospital until next Wednesday or Thursday. The road to full recovery will be long but the prognosis is very good.
I'm sure that everyone will join me in wishing Brian a complete recovery.
See http://www.jeffreymaynard.com/harrow_county/bhester.htm
Bonjour M Fournier!
I do remember you. You taught me the French tense called the Passe Anterieur. Unfortunately I can not remember the purpose of the Passe Anterieur!
On one occasion, France won the Eurovision Song Contest: on the Monday you were greeted with a rendition.
You had two nicknames. The first was Monsieur Fourniquer (well, we were only 14). The second was ferret-face (virage de furet). Why this was the case I don't know.
Anyway, I have just completed 120 hours teaching French at evening classes so you can say "vengeance".
Avec meilleurs voeux - all the best.
Michael (some time disciple of Scraggy Annie Ghaleb, Mr Mason, Major Skillen, Geoff Salter, Bob Armstrong, and Miss Marshall).
I have posted the conversation I had with Paul Oliover about HCS on the website. However, neither of us could remember who the Modern Jazz fans were during his time. Any ideas?
http://www.jeffreymaynard.com/Harrow_County/POliver.htm
I was the French assistant at Harrow grammar school for boys , as it was called when I taught there fromm 1966 to 1968. I have very good memories of may stay at your school and in England. I would like to get in touch with the following persons. Could you give me their adress or e-mail : Richard Hartley PE teacher, Bob Armstrong Taught French, Ulrich Spratte was a german assistant. Thank you
NOT THE LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS Ian English, who has appeared at the Tring Fringe for the last 2 years with his Comedy Band, has teamed up this year with John Orchard to present a spoof musical comedy evening at the Court Theatre, Pendley Manor, Tring on Tuesday 29th. June at 8 p.m. entitled NOT THE LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS! Individually, Ian and John are both accomplished pianists - it's when they start playing duets together the trouble starts! Come and witness the musical mayhem at Tring - when their programme will include the 'Powerpoint Rhapsody', 'Pop Idle Bingo', Musical Mastermind' and the 'Confectionery Concerto' (may contain nuts). Ian and John met at Harrow County School for Boys in the 1960's - so you could say that this was their 40th. Anniversary Show! Unlike a school chum of theirs, Roger Glover - who went on to play bass guitar with Deep Purple - they never became world-famous. Their '15 minutes in show-biz' happened back in the 70's and 80's, when they both appeared on TV - Ian on 'Opportunity Knocks' and John, as pianist with Shep's Banjo Boys, on 'The Comedians'. They're just hoping that enough time has elapsed for the good people of Tring to have finally forgiven them for that! The climax of the performance will be their Pick 'n' Mix Proms Finale with 100-voice choir (depending on audience numbers)! Time 8 p.m. Price £6 Venue Court Theatre, Station Road, Tring Box Office 01442 824673
I have had a call from one Sir John Birch, who is trying to trace Alan Lawson who went to Harrow County in the early 50's ish.
If anyone knows anything of him, or where he might be, can they drop me a line via Jeff please?
Hello
I am the son in law of the boy Gigney mentioned in the Rugby programme, the boy who was in calipers.
http://www.jeffreymaynard.com/Harrow_County/Rugger.htm
Still alive and well and living in a nursing home in Bognor.
Does anyone have an anecdotes, or captioned photo of Reg that they could either post or email me
Having lived in Greenford for several years and hairdressing shop, moved to Haywards Heath (sussex) in the 60;s with late wife Audrey and 3 girls, to buy a Hairderessers/sweet shop.
Sadly ill health and Glaucoma registerdd him alsmost blind but spent many years as a haywards heath Lion.
Moved to Bognor in the 80's ,until coming to Burgess hill 3 years ago to a nursing home.
Recently returned to Bognor area, still keen on Cricket and Football and listens to all on the Radio
Thank you
John wells (son in Law)
Further to Alex Bateman's post about Harry Mees, I went to see Harry in Cheltenham General Hospital this morning. He's a little bit confused but OK and is expected to leave hospital in the next few days. I know from when I saw him a few months ago that he loves to hear from old pupils so if anyone wants to write or send a card, Jeff Maynard, Alex and I have his address in Cirencester.
I have just heard that Harry Mees, former History Master at Harrow County and Gayton High has had a fall near his home in Cirencester, and broken his hip. He is currently in hospital recovering after an operation, and is described as 'as well as can be expected'.
For Brian Hester, Remember D Day and July Matric exam in 44 very well. Doodlebug ruined my English Lit or was it grandma. Got 17%, No mercy. For Dave Buckley, Visited BBC Plymouth in about 76-77 and was made a guest in their tiny studio. Can not remember who I met, but was made welcome. No idea why but stayed to end of programming. What I witnessed was stunning. The sole duty announcer/engineer grabbed a tape, put it into to the machine, sat in his seat in front of a fixed camera. Switched line to live on camera, gave the weather forcast, switched off, flicked tape on, up came God save the Queen. We put on our coats and locked up and went home. BBC Plymouth is a regional not national station. CBC Vancouver is also a regional station where I worked briefly. To do a voice over on a 22 minute regional doc {CBC TV is State owned with commercials} I had 4 riding audio, 4 riding video, asst producer, producer, a prompter at my side, and believe it or not, 2 union electricians, one to switch the lights on, the other to switch the lights off in a vast studio. Little wonder why the CBC is held in almost universal contempt[Radio 2 excepted] In non Union commercial studios the voice over and transfer via telecine chain would be done by one technician. For the purist, CBC was still using 16M film. Commercially, we used the just arrived Sony ENGS. Thank god for British Television, without it in Canada. I would throw out the set. Cheers.
It was always a treat to hear Attridge and King addressing each other like that; "Morning, Attridge", "Morning,King." Attridge once threw Brian Williams, who taught Physics and was admittedly young-looking, out of the library for talking. BW to all
I was at school on D-Day 1944 and remember it clearly. From the amount of aircraft activity everyone knew something important was going on. We learned over lunch, then held in the small rooms at the head of the stairs opposite the clock, that it had been announced during the morning that Churchill would be making an important announcement at one (I think it was). Anyway, we were all allowed to sit in what was then called the new chemistry lab to listen to the radio. For once, everyone behaved!
GEORGE E. SIMPSON Lieut. George E. Simpson entered Harrow County in September 1930 and left in April 1935. He joined the Middlesex Territorial Regiment at the age of 16 and received his commission in 1941. He took part in the landing in Normandy on "D" day, June 6th, 1944. He was severely wounded, and died without regaining consciousness.
The solution used to make explosive chalk was ammonium iodide. I suspect the gentle art of making it was introduced by Frey and Timms of the 1940 (C form). They were always very creative with chemicals. When last heard of Frey was Professor of Chemistry at Reading U. I understand the swimming pool was dug out largely by volunteer labour in an age when soil mechanics was unheard of so was set directly into clay. When a particularly dry summer came along, the clay dried out and the pool cracked to the point it could not be repaired. I share Robert Anderson's gratefulness for the education we received. It was a travesty of common sense to do away with such school as HCS without any attempt at replacing the quality of teaching.
Robert Bruce Anderson. 1940-44. False memory syndrome and all that? Was it Chutney Holmes a School Captain that was sent down from the hill for blowing up the physics lab. What was the explosive we put into chalk and threw onto the quad from the windows above. Woomp. For whom was the mock funeral when the casket was buried near the privvy. Did Hubert Shersby move into d stream at a later date, then come back as a DEMS Middy RNR? In 1993 was my school used to educate Somalies in 5 arabic languages. Why was the school swimming pool boarded up with barbed wire strewn all over, why was the main sports pavillion allowed to almost disintegrate. Finally my grateful thanks to the long gone Middlesex County Fathers who gave an idiot like me the chance of such a wonderful education. Despite my lack of academic success, thanks to Teachers like Jack Hackman, Randy {Tien Tien Tien} Williams, Miss Christopher, Street, Dywer, Swanney, et al I have been able to make a modest success out of my life. May God bless them all; I have many times. Robert Anderson.
The 'Bulldog" Attridge I remember always walked around between classes holding one or two books horizontally with a blackboard duster on top.
Just goes to show what anno domini does to you (MENSA or not), 'cos 'twas not Mr Attridge with the hankie but Mr. Pritchet.
And after more perusals of the photos, there may be the odd name I may be able to add, although Messrs. Loader and Biggs have done a damn good job so far for our years.
Are we using the American style for dates? Does 5/1 2004 mean 1/5/2004? I should be interested to learn where Trixie Hackman nee Gower is hale and hearty. I remember Jack Hackman (and Trixie) well.
What a great site for a nostalgia trip! I can't remember my precise dates but I did find myself in the photo of the Probationary VI Arts 1956. Gosh those faces did bring back memories. And then the list of all those masters that until now I had forgotten. I think our 'coolest' master was Mr. Kincaid who not only taught French, but also played the flute AND the guitar! And then there was Mr. Attridge who always had a handkerchief in his mouth. Mr. King who always demanded two rulers to place in each of the sleeves of his gown -so make sure you behave! And the English master who always gave us the answers to the questions only to fall foul of some parents who didn't think that was a good idea and arranged for his removal (at least that was the rumour).
And the time some master's pride and joy -an Austin 7- was somehow lifted onto the roof of the main building one year to be followed the next year by being out in sideways (with the help of some roller skates) into a very confined space.
I'm now a New Zealander, temporarily on a short contract in the UK, who ran the check-in computer system for Air New Zealand for some 30-odd years. Am now a member of MENSA, much to my surprise and probably to my masters and schoolfriends.
So thank you for your efforts -a much appreciated enterprise.
The demise of Reg Goff marks the passing of an era as far as I am concerned. It was Reg's concerted efforts that got me through Economics and British Constitution A Level and in to LSE.
As the profile of Reg notes he did his B Sc (Econ) in evening classes at LSE just after the war. In fact he learnt his British Constitution from Professor Greaves's Government lectures at LSE and faithfully noted down everything that Greaves taught. He then used these notes to teach us Brit Con A Level.
When I went up to LSE in 1966 Greaves was still there and still teaching Government. Greaves was not noted for updating his material and lo and behold the lectures he gave us then were exactly the same as the notes that Reg had taught us A Level from. This made the first year at LSE rather easier than it might otherwise have been.
Reg certainly gave us a good grounding in Modern Subjects and without him I wouldn't have got where I am today...wherever that is.
As some of you may have heard, sadly, Reg Goff died in May. We need an obituary or some memories of Reg for the website. Any volunteers? There is a profile of him, written in 1960, on the website at http://www.jeffreymaynard.com/Harrow_County/RAGoff.htm
Name: Derek Edwards
Email: mailto:jodel1@bigpond.net.au
Date: 5/29/2004
Time: 4:27:00 AM
Comments:
The site is still looking good!
Name: Brian Slater
Email: Type your e-mail address here
Date: 5/26/2004
Time: 1:42:25 PM
Comments:
Hi Jeff
Have forwarded a photo of the Xmas show cast 1959 to Alex Bateman, I hope it
scanned ok. I cant identify the Cast members personally but maybe others
will know. It was produced by Babyface W
Name: Steve Grimes
Email: via Jeff please!
Date: 5/25/2004
Time: 6:58:35 PM
Comments:
Good to see the HCS web site back on-line. Although of limited interest, any
ex-HCS CCF Signals people might be interested in the following link - its a web
site dedicated to the CCF Net:
http://www.af4k.com/ham/ccfradio.htm
Name: Anthony Samuel
Email: mailto:samuel@emailcity.freeserve.co.uk
Date: 5/25/2004
Time: 4:05:13 PM
Comments:
Delighted to say hello - even if it is 30 years since I was last in contact!
I was at Harrow County 1968-74 .... I met up with Robert Tomski who was also at
the school at the same time - he told me about the website.
Many great memories and stories to tell ... I'd be interested to hear from
others at school at that time!
Have to be discreet though as my current boss also went to Harrow County 15
years before me!!
As per my comments 29 Feb 04, in the Kenton House 51 - 52photo I am second row standing SECOND FROM LEFT (X2)
1st time on web site, read PAul Hymas account of school 77-81, pretty damn accurate, by the way the RE teacher was Mr Sherrat, although amongst pupils he was Shadrack!! Does anyone remeber the fire at the front of the school, in the old boiler room? No-one on this site has mentioned or even recalled a great Maths teacher Terry Andrews, shame he supported Watford!!!! Also other teachers unmentioned, Mr Keeler (Chemistry), Mrs O Neill (English), and of course Ratty Ratcliffe (Economics), remember he made A Norgate jump round the school in a waste bin for not doing homework. Fond Memories, if only we knew what a great time what school was!
Rugby Team 1934-35. I think I can safely identify Back row(L-R): D.Bye. S.Pullen. J.Reynolds D.Anderton. G.Stredder. D.Dyson. J.Rothwell. Middle row :T.Poltock. D.Maitland. C.Gosling. R.Newman. J.Carroll. ??(sorry-can't remember).H.Allaway Front: F.Sansom. N.Keljik.
The G R Armstrong mentioned is far more likely to be Geoff Armstrong, a french teacher from the late 60's/early 70's.
See staff list for 1967: http://www.jeffreymaynard.com/harrow_county/staff_1967.htm
Congratulations to Sir Tony Young, who was President of the TUC in 2002. He will become Lord Young, the first Old Gaytonian in the House of Lords.
For photograph see http://www.jeffreymaynard.com/harrow_county/Form3D1955.htm
Phillip Arnold wonders if the Mr.Armstrong he asks about can be the Gerry Armstrong we remember. All I can say is that the lady teacher we knew as Trixie Gower, who married Jack Hackman, is reported to be alive and well at an advanced age! Perhaps Gerry is too! Despite the bad time we gave of our teachers, many of them seem to have thrived on the life and lived to a ripe age.
I am very sad to hear of the death of Ross Salmon. Some 20 years ago, I worked for a couple of weeks at BBC Plymouth on loan from my usual TV department. My duties were to record, edit and ocassionally broadcast, items for their early morning magazine programme which went out in place of the usual Radio 4 programme from London. (Does anyone in the west remembers 'Morning Souwest' or some such name?)
Having heard the programme to previous year while on holiday in the area, I knew that Ross produced items for the show, so when I arrived I asked if Ross would be in at any time.
He turned up later and when I was introdeuced to him, I said the magic three words. There was a three second pause and he turned round and said 'You're not an Old Gayt are you?' When I said I was, he was delighted and we got on very well!
He told me the following day that he told his wife what had happened and that I had given him a bit of a shock.
Another bit of info that also came out was that he went to one of the schools in Hindes Road and walked there via Bessborough Road from South Harrow. As it happens, at that time I was living in Pinner Road, not far from the roundabout by the Harrow Hotel, so I explained to Ross just how much that area had changed.
I did wonder how old he was as he seemed to go on for ever.
Dave Buckley, (53-61)
The message re GR Armstrong. This can't be Gerry Armstrong can it? I think not he would be a great age now. I'm 75!
I don't know if anyome remembers Roger Bate (1952 -1959) who always seemed to have more girlfriends than anyone else, but sadly and prematurely he died on Easter Sunday, at his home in France.
Sad to see that even eternal survivor couldn't beat anno domini - but what a life! I remember he came to open Gayton Fair once in the early fifties and spun his rope for us. I think he also guested at the VIth Form Society. Can't remember much sbout it except that he said they cut the top inch off the horns of the cattle to stop them goring anyone or each other. The principle was that the used their horns to tear with a sideways jerk of the head (rather than a stabbing action) and they would keep missing because they couldn't get used to the shorter horn. Saved a radical removal. Funny what one remembers!
Sad news. Old Gaytonian R.O.S. (Ross) Salmon, remembered as a cricketer, childrens "cowboy" entertainer, author and broadcaster, died on April 14th 2004 at the age of 80. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/news_features/2004/ross_salmon.shtml
Just glanced at the photo, Form 3M 1973-74, and I have one correction (I think) and one question.
First, I think the young gentleman identified in the third row as Matthew Gable is, in fact, Harrow County's only Stoke City fan willing to admit it, John Matthews, no?
Second: Jim Bassett is deceased? That's sad, sad news to me. He was a very good friend through primary, junior, and high school before we drifted into different worlds. Can someone who knows more drop me a line off-list?
Mick Gusinde-Duffy HCS 71--76
I was in the sixth form during 1961-3, taking Physics, Chemistry and two maths. I remeber Roger Petit, Alen Abel, 'Pud' Annan (who died in 62), Mr Amos, 'Baby ben' Williams, Mr Skaithe... but not much else. I have now retired from a career in water and live in Torquay. I'm still in touch with peter Deason. if you remeber me thensed me a message.... I may not remeber you!
With regard to the photo of the class of 2B 1964, the boy on the front row to the right is David Webber -- it is NOT me!
Blazek's first name is Mark.
Cyril Smith posed the question during a discussion of trip to see the Black Madonna in the church at Einsiedeln during the trip to Switzerland over Easter in 1947. None of us had seen a church like this so had lots of questions and comments about the Roman Catholic version of the faith.
More on the mysterious RC teacher:
A lot depends on WHEN in 1947 Cyril Smith made the remark. Many thanks to Jeff Maynard for helping out.
Ciano joined the staff, it appears, at the beginning of the 1947/48 year, but so did G.K. Connelly who might be the object of the search. Moreover, I seem to remember that Mr Connelly was a Student-Master before then.
Source: "Staff Changes 1947" to be found about ½-way down on the Home Page.
I have to be careful when referring to Mr Connelly as the poor man had the task of teaching me English for at least six terms.
How it all comes back to me! I remember the 'condom game' very well. Those were the days when raw sewage was dumped into the Thames and we would row along through pea soup fogs.I don't suppose Twink thought we should know about such things at our age. My fondest recollection of the man was crossing Oxford Street with him. He simply stuck out his umbrella to stop the traffic and off we all went across the street to the call of "come on boys" while buses and taxis screamed to a halt.
"Twink" was certainly a Protestant. I believe the Catholic master might have been Heaton who taught geography. "Twink" was great fun and I have fond memories of the rowing club and being coached by him. If you were clever when resting to hear his comments you could often provoke a tirade of abuse on your morals and those of your parents and other forbears, by fishing a used condom out of the water on the end of your blade. (These were particularly prevalent on Saturday mornings). You scored extra 'points' if he fell off his bike in his rage.
Good guess Philip but Ciano was not then on the staff in 1947 when Smith asked the question. We'll likely never know who the self-effacing RC teacher was! Good luck to him anyway.
Re: Cyril Smith and the Catholic teacher. Could that be some rotund little character called CIANO ?
Anyone remember him ?
Reading Colin Dickins' memorable quote reminds me of the Dads Army sketch when a geography teacher (a Mr.Rusell? 1973/4 ish)wanted to put an unfortunate into detention and came out with the quote " And what's your name anyway Hayes?" Perhaps a section in the site for teacher quotes might be fun
I have confused you Colin over what Cyril Smith said. He simply asked us if we knew the identity of the only member of the staff who was Catholic. I assumed later that it must have been Patrick Brendon Bradley but Smith did not tell us who it was. You could be right and he was Protestant. He was so Irish that he always used green ink in his fountain pen.
'Twink' Bradley! Is he the one with the 'tiger tim' punishment device? (circa 1951/2)
Also recent mention of Henry White stirs the old memory cells. Was he the diminutive chess player who lived next door to the rugby man David Marns in Harrow Road, Sudbury? (opposite St Andrew's church) Does anyone know what happened to these blokes or where they are now?
I rather think Cyrli Smith got it wrong: Twink was surely that rare breed, an Irish protestant. (I seem to recall reading somewhere that around 1960 they represented 4% of the Southern Irish population, 9% of Dublin, his home city.) Two reasons for my belief: my father, at School 1918-1922, recalled Twink rushing off to Ireland when his father was murdered by "Sinn Feinists", and in the period 1947-53 Twink used to be present at morning assembly, from which catholics and jews were allowed dispensation, and presided after the departure of the Headmaster. His job was to oversee the orderly dispersal of boys back to their classrooms. On one memborable morning there was less that total silence and, exasperated, he uttered the memorable words, "Every time I open my mouth, some fool speaks." Uproarious hilarity! I still wonder whether he realised what he was saying.
From the description in the previous post, it was written by the wife of Mr. G. R. Armstrong, who can be seen in more than one photograph on this website. If you read this Mrs. Armstrong, we would appreciate some reminiscences from your husband, and an e-mail address, which can be e-mailed directly to me (webmaster), if you don't want it to be public.
My husband was a teacher at HCS - teaching French/German. Contrary to some students belief he did not "own a string of strip clubs in his native Newcastle". Er...at least I don't think so!! He speaks fondly of Harry Mees still when we are playing Cribbage and I wonder if the Cribbage board is still in use??!
Anyone from 1G or 2G out there? Years 1976-1978.
To respond to Paul Romney's question - I suggest that the awareness of religious dispositions other than the vague "Anglican" one was fairly general and was best marked by the change in the design of forms that required your name. You were no longer asked to enter your "christian name" but rather your given name. As a boy it would never have occurred to me that the terms "christian" and "given" were anything but interchangeable or that the former might offend some people.
What interests me is not so much how the religious beliefs of boys changed over the years, but the steps the authorities took to accommodate minority beliefs. Was there a time when the one Jew had to stand or sit his way through school prayers with his hands metaphorically over his ears, and the few Catholics to do so with their fingers crossed behind their backs? If so, when and why did that change? Were decisions taken at the school level? The borough level? The national level? I have a vague recollection of starting to sit out school prayers in the early years of primary school.
Brian Hester's story of being unable to i.d. Patrick Brendan Bradley as RC strikes a chord. I had to come to North America before I developed any strong sense of the Irishness of surnames such as Kennedy or Callghan, which don't start with O' or Mc, and even longer to recognize the distinctively Catholic timbre of names such as Gerard or Denis. I think I might have pegged Paddy, though.
Bill Eatwell wrote to me: "one thing has been puzzling me, the site downloads a .wav file which when I try to move closes Explorer. Is there a reason for this that you are aware of please?"
The file is presumably the school song, which plays when you open the home page. Can anyone explain the bug that Bill mentions, and what can be dome about it?
On Saturday April 3rd at 9.00pm, Cadillac Blues Band is playing at the Sportsman, Croxley Green, Rickmansworth.
Featuring Old Gaytonians Kimberley Rew and Coll Michaels on guitars. Also John Curtis on bass, and special guest Terry Wilson on percussion.
Hello OGs
Homework, lets start at the bottom!.
Martin
Of course we would not presume to judge life’s failures. They have presumably done that for themselves and need no help, IT, PC or otherwise.
Ms Anonymous (Belmont SM)
I must have issue with you. I quipped but twice on a snigger of slipperings. Pray continue to praise the rude efforts of your kindreds’ failures. People shall know you by the company you keep.
Stephen
Most Senior British Management with whom I have parleyed have been PC-illiterate and I would never write for just anyone’s benefit. We are all life’s failures doomed to “shuffle off that mortal coil”, but I now have enough wisdom to know how little I know and want the sense to keep my peace? Be advised that, people may never guess what a fool you are ‘til you open your mouth. Dispense with the cant of patricians in poodles’ clothing. You have no right of “free speech” but you may speak under licence, if you can and have influence, if you are heard (sit down and shut up Slater!)
I have been misunderstood. I do not support that the HCS tradition was élitist. In sport, we select athletes by competition who then excel by the superiority of their physiques. Do we consider that elitist and unfair? We had a system in the 50s and 60s where pupils were selected by scholastic competition, the infamous 11+. They said that was unfair yet late- developers in Secondary Modern Schools still had the opportunity to migrate upwards. Under-achievers in HCS similarly dropped or sidestepped to other pastures. Wannabe-élitists had the chance of a scholar-trip “up the hill”. I remember some of them. Pish tush! - HCS was not élitist. You didn’t buy your way in. HCS was a fine example of early Teamwork. If you wanted to join the Team you had to be good enough to get in, without fear, favour or semitic origins. The tutors then coached you for the scholarship VIth Olympics. That the Team Leader went cuckoo is unfortunate.
Élitists belong to self-serving groups that select and exclude members based on money, birthright, prejudice, influence, Masonry etc. They exclude ones considered unworthy even if owning Harrods.
As for drumming up variable education
I am so far removed from uk, went troppo 20 years ago. I have little idea about the state of education, other than the intense gossip in the back bar of my local pub on my occasional trip back. Its called the “staff room” due to its adjacency to the town’s secondary school. The working conditions seem long and dire always clouded by possible recrimination from litigious parents (supported by no win-no fee parasitic bottom feeders). “You’re not a parent are you?”, a gimlety inquiry if I appear unexpectedly. So education is becoming élitist and you have to pay to develop your child’s potential? There would be no chance for me then if I were reborn today. I would have to resort to a life of crime as a Metal Exchange Dealer (like my brother).
Its seems that the pursuit of excellence in education has declined much as the quality of the National Health Service. Reduce everything to the lowest common moron. Did you realise, btw, that there is no contractual obligation with the government to give you medical treatment, just a tax to take your money in NI contributions. My budget-driven GP clinic has blacklisted me with acronyms in my medical records. Such as OFTMWM (old fart threatened me with malpractice) or RMPOIBSV (reads medical papers on internet before surgery visit). My former employer encouraged me to contribute towards the cost of superior medical service (BUPA). I had some private work done on a badly broken ankle. My BUPA cover has long since expired and now my NHS practice refuses any treatment below my left knee. As for dentistry and the Australian trench. The landlord of my local had some remedial work done on this former Earls Court Road disaster an