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THE BARTONIAN www.bartonians.uni4m.co.uk
Barton Peveril Barton Peveril Grammar School Eastleigh County High School ________________________________________________________________________________ Issue No. 35 Autumn/Winter 2008 ************************************************************************************ The Magazine for ex-pupils of Eastleigh County High School & Barton Peveril************************************************************************************* Editorial Comment. Hello to all readers, nice to have this opportunity to “chat” for a few minutes. As I write these notes, some weeks before you read them, we all seem to be surrounded by gloom and doom etc in this funny old world of ours. When I reflect on my own span of time (and quite a few of you share this too), we have been through - and survived - many ups and downs. In my case a World War (what WW 1 ?) I’ll ignore that - and we have seen it through. I must admit this latest “happening” - call it a “credit crunch” if you like - is a new phenomenon to me ! I was brought up to, firstly save then only buy what you can afford. These lessons seem to have gone out of the window !“Stop moaning” I am frequently told ! My remedy ? Marmite toast - Yes, in times of trial I often resort to Marmite toast ! I know you either love it or hate it, but it does the trick for me. (The man’s mad !) You will see from the pages of this Issue that we have a contribution from Jonathan Prest, now Principal at BP whom we welcome. I am pleased to report that my grandaughter has started at BP this Autumn term and I am pleased of course because she is the third generation of my family to attend BP or ECHS. Godfrey OBE is covered and sadly too, your tributes to Gordon Cox. Your Association is still doing well. Events during the year have been attended by quite a few of you. I so wish those members outside of Hampshire could share in what has been organised. However, our Annual Dinner and AGM are coming in the new year and it is then that I hope we can welcome those from afar. Yes, Christmas is round the corner too. May I wish each and everyone of you a “Merry Christmas” and - as we always used to say - “A Prosperous New Year”. CHC._________________________________________________________________________________________ Letters to the Editor: Jessica Spinney (né e Watson) (1931-36) writes …I remember one occasion in the early days when we first formers were in the annex, which was a hut in the grounds of the main building, our form teacher kept us all in after school; telling us to keep quiet while he left us for a time. After doing so for what seemed ages, some began to worry about missing their trains home, and a couple of brave soles ventured out to find only one mistress in the main house, who came across and dismissed us. He had forgotten us and gone home!Barton Peveril house had no room large enough to hold the whole school so assembly with hymns was held in two parallel rooms, and Miss Smith ‘Smuts’ stood in the passage where she could survey all. The room in which the piano stood kept in time with it, but the other room gradually got ahead of them. We were often called to a halt, and had to all start again. My favourite teacher was ‘Tabs’ (Ivy Talbot) for history. She was often led off the subject to talk about her travels. I learnt not so much about battles, dates and wars, but more about how people lived in the past. This gave me an interest which led to my being a founder member of the Romsey Local History Society. Years later when I had been chairman, after other positions on the committee, I resigned from that last position. I was given an illuminated address and made an honorary life member. Separate from the half dozen small books on Romsey published by the Society, I had been asked to write, or perhaps ‘gather photos for’ would be a more accurate description, “Romsey in Old Pictures”, one of a series published for many towns. Briefly - I volunteered for the RAF in the war and worked as a “Plotter” - all very highly secret RADAR at the time. Jessica, we would like to hear more about your wartime experiences. Jessica’s elder brother Derek was also at the school and was a close friend of Harry French. who many of you will know. He was a regular contributor to the school magazine. The following poem, lamenting the closure of the old school at Barton Peveril, appeared in the December 1931 edition of the Peveril. JCB
ON LEAVING BARTON PEVERIL Our school has kept us now for many years, And many pupils sent along the road To face their worldly dangers without fears, And with full confidence, their courage glowed. But now no more will children need to enter And leave as men and women not uncouth ; And now no longer will it be the centre In which we spend the best days of our youth. For now we must go on to a new sphere ; Though new, it never can be just the same As the old friend we leave, to us so dear. In our new school, come-let us joyful be, We must in these fresh pastures now instal New honours, glories, further harmony.
D.Watson. Form Va
Kathleen Gilkes (né e Roots) (1948 - 1953) writes…..I nearly suffered a disaster this month when my Bartonian was delivered to my old address. I thought I had given notice - but perhaps not. Please can all interested computers be brought up to date ! Thank you. I live too far away to attend any of the events advertised, but are there any other Old Barts in the Derby area who could forgather for fun ? Sorry but I can only be contacted by phone or letter - and I don’t drive. The Assembly Rooms offer a wide range of entertainment - serious and otherwise. The Editor has my phone number and permission to pass it on to seriously interested new friends. Are there any more of you in the Derby area ? Ed. Anne Tull (né e Errington) (1947 - 1952) emails us as follows…..I was, as always, delighted to receive my latest copy of the Bartonian and even more delighted to see that you printed my recent contribution about Arthur Sansbury. However, I should point out that it was I, Anne Tull who wrote the piece !! My husband Peter actually went to Brockenhurst Grammar, so knew nothing about ECHS or Arthur Sansbury ! Oh, the wonders of modern technology ! Of course Peter’s name appeared on our previous email communication as our computer is in his name, but I thought I had signed Anne Tull. However, I have reached the age when I make no definite statements about anything and can only surmise that I had a senior moment and forgot to do so ! I wanted to put this error right as I am interested to know if any of my contemporaries - Brian Bunday, Joan Urry, Janet Delia or “Nob” Witt agree with me about Arthur Sansbury’s shortcomings. Of course, anyone who was in the YFC would have a different “slant” on him. Thanks Anne - hope you and Peter are talking again (only kidding). Watch out, Dennis’s letter comes next. Ed. Dennis Hickman (1937 - 1942) writes from Lymington….You know what I am going to say - how saddened I was to hear of Gordon’s passing. You may also guess my next comment. It is of course Peter Tull’s derogatory remarks about “Little Willie”. One thing I learned very early from him was “Not to suffer Fools gladly” as he demonstrated with a lump of chalk ! If I remember rightly he was responsible for organising the summer Agriculture Camps at Sparsholt, where we were under canvas helping with harvesting on local farms. I was sent to Lord Rank’s farm at Sutton Scotney and damned hard work it was too. At least I learned how to out-run a rabbit for which we got an extra 6d pocket money. The other thing ECHS taught me was how to right a “fair” letter as often complimented on by Gordon Cox. At this stage it will be as well that Peter Tull realises that here in Lymington, much to the amusement of my GP and others, when writing to the local paper my “Pen can be Vicious”, much to the horror of the offenders. So, shut up Peter and be thankful for the vast amount of good “Little Willie” did with his YFC - it helped the war effort and filled our bellies. Incidentally I was always top for Geography with around 90%. By this time Dennis will have read the Letters and realise that Anne - not Peter is responsible for previous remarks about “Little Willie”…..you are forgiven Peter !! Ed. Doug Hannah ( 1933 - 1938) writes from Winchester…..I was amused by Richard Peacock’s article on learning algebra and his comments on “clever clogs”. Back in the 1930’s I was one of those ! We sat in order of supposed intelligence in class starting at the back row, left (head of class) to the front row , right (the real duffer). It was usually George Croasdell (sadly killed in the 1939-45 war), Olive Meakins and myself who battled for top spot, George usually being the winner. I can’t say I made a lot of use of algebra in the years that followed but I did keep, and still have, my log tables which I always used until I retired from employment. I recall that parents had to buy specified books for their children to use in class and these were usually second hand from older pupils or some used books came from Foyles Bookshop in Charing Cross Road, London. This firm always had an advert in “The Peveril”. My log tables bear the name of a previous owner, Alec Davis, one of the great sportsmen of Eastleigh County High School. To test someone’s arithmetic (although that is not the object of the exercise) I suggest you write down the numbers 1 to 9, but leaving out the 8. Then, consider which number is the least legible. Then multiply that number by 9, for example, (7 x 9 = 63) and then use that to multiply the long number 12345679 and write down the answer. You will find the result most satisfying. Calculators strictly forbidden, so just hope you are good at arithmetic ! Thanks Doug - sounds intriguing !! Ed. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Barton Peveril College Today……and what a wonderful place it is ! For five years I have worked in Southampton as Principal of Taunton’s College and have come to know the strengths of Barton Peveril from a distance. Since arriving on the 11th August, I have been struck by the tremendous energy and buzz there is amongst staff and students, a kind of optimism and enthusiasm for learning. Two thousand, three hundred and fifty 16-18 year olds may sound an unmanageable number but I have found it part of the secret of Barton Peveril’s success. Today’s sixth form students want a broad choice of A level and other subjects (there must be nearly 50 A levels to choose from) and they want to carry on their Sport, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, music and many other hobbies beside. Not only do students benefit from the range of options, but staff always have colleagues to share ideas with in their subject specialism and to be inspired by. Education faces many challenges these days. Quite rightly, students and parents are ever more demanding about what they want to get out of their college. We are accountable to them and also to the government and its organisations who set exacting targets and inspect us closely. There is no doubt that Barton Peveril benefits from the high aspirations of its students and their families and from the quality of the preparation of students in the many good partner schools whose students move on to us. As we look ahead, Barton Peveril will have to think carefully about the sort of education young people will need for the future. It is estimated that people leaving schools and colleges now will have on average 14 jobs by the time they are 35. It is also estimated that at the end of a three year degree course the knowledge in a technical subject which is taught in the first year will be out of date by the last. The pace of technological change is so fast that many of the jobs for which we will be preparing people don’t yet exist. In addition to the qualities of leadership, good communication, politeness and enthusiasm, we will have to educate young people to cope with constant change. They will have to be learners all their lives. They will have to be resourceful and resilient (something the management gurus call “emotional intelligence”). Of course, these aren’t new qualities but we, as a college, will need to reflect not just on what our results are, but also on the personal strengths which our students develop whilst at Barton Peveril. This summer saw results which matched the College’s best. Ten students achieved places at Oxford and Cambridge whilst over sixty took up places at Southampton University. Altogether nearly 700 students have left the College for Higher Education. Pat Mullins reported on some of the sporting successes of the year in her article last term and, who knows, we might see the first Barton Peveril student compete in the Olympics ! Whilst the greatest resource at the College’s disposal is undoubtedly our experienced and committed staff, we must constantly review our facilities. We have plans for a significant redevelopment of those parts of the College campus which are reaching the end of their life - but more of this in the next issue. In the next issue: What makes good learning eg measuring learning ? and the campus changes. Jonathan Prest, Principal BP College. Perhaps not an Olympian, but Alan Drayton won a bronze medal in the decathlon at the 1978 Commonwealth Games which were held at Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Daly Thompson won the gold. JCB _________________________________________________________________________________________ Richard Peacock (1945 - 1950) writes the following from his home in Winchester. When you read Richard’s contribution (Bishopstoke Boy No. 7 incidentally, which he entitles “The Second Innings”), you will appreciate that he may never have been around to tell this story ! We’re glad you are Richard and thanks…… It was the Spring of ‘95 and we decided on a Cornish holiday. As my wife June’s brother, Bernard had lost his wife late in the previous year we invited him to join us. He accepted and, being a driver by occupation, offered his car - how fortunate that would prove to be ! We set off for Padstow on the Saturday, had a leisurely walk on the Sunday morning followed by a restful afternoon. On Monday Bernard wished to visit a place of local interest whilst we fancied a morning boat trip. The passengers disembarked at 1pm. With the tide out this involved a trudge across heavy, semi-wet sand. We then sat down on the front to eat our lunch. Suddenly I started to feel faint, sweating profusely and my legs feeling like jelly. After the symptoms had passed we walked to the seafront café and phoned for a taxi. On arrival at the Guest House the proprietor took one look at me and called the local doctor. After examination I was informed that I had suffered a heart attack (I had not suffered any chest pains !). An ambulance took me to Treliske Hospital, Truro where I stayed for eight days. So, whilst I was laid up, Joyce and Bernard managed local day trips. If he had not been available Joyce would have been stranded as she has never driven and her eyesight was starting to fail - having been diagnosed with glaucoma in 1983. In November ‘95 an angiograph revealed that four of my arteries were blocked so in January ‘96 I underwent a quad bypass operation. Taken down at 8.30am I was given a tablet to suck and didn’t wake up until mid-afternoon. The strange thing was that I felt not only pain free but fit enough to get out of bed and dance a jig around the ward ! Back home I was recommended to join the local Heart Support Group for a weekly one hour session at the Winchester Hospital gym. I attended for the next twelve years but recently gave up as my right knee has given indications of a cartilage problem plus both ankles feel weak and susceptible to sprain - all probably due to my footballing days of 50+ years ago finally catching up with me! Nowadays Joyce and I lead restricted lives. We keep in trim by walking down the local lane several times a week or visit Hillier’s Arboretum or Lepe Beach where Joyce can experience the sounds and smells. She also has newspapers and books on tape or CD. I play bridge twice a week and we go to the Theatre with Joyce wearing the Audio Described headphones. But, every year, come the 15th May and 1.15pm a poignant chord is struck in my memory when I recall those panicky minutes in ‘95. It is, at such moments that one’s perceptions and aspirations can undergo a seed change. C’est la vie!!. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Godfrey Glyn OBE. Regular readers will have noted that Godfrey Glyn retired from his position as Principal of Barton Peveril College earlier this year. Further you will have seen and read with interest, I’m sure, Godfrey’s articles entitled “Barton Peveril Today” written over the years of our Magazine. Godfrey had held the post for 12 years and most of these were covered fully by his writings. It was clear to all that as years progressed, Barton Peveril moved forward. Results and College facilities improved throughout those twelve years. In all that time you will all know of the changes in teaching standards and buildings that have taken place which have enhanced the College immensely. We have been privileged to share and experience them. All that didn’t just happen - it required the tenacity of Godfrey and his team to fulfil their dreams. It is now time to express the Association’s gratitude to Godfrey for all the help he has given over the years. Officers and committee in particular know how much he has given of his time for us. Described as the “icing on a very substantial and delectable cake”, Godfrey’s award of the OBE is well merited. We congratulate you Godfrey. In typical fashion Godfrey’s comment on the award was - “It’s a real recognition of the transformation that we’ve made and those changes have been made by teachers, students and governors”. We all wish you a long, happy, healthy and busy retirement ! _________________________________________________________________________________________ Sheila Dollin (né e West) (1947 - 1952) writes from Goring by Sea (sounds inviting), giving her observations on past Issues which she has been noting for some time........... Issue No.6. (Photo from Joy Simmons re. Country Dance Club). The photo must have been taken just after I left in 1952 as Joy says: I remember the club was started in 1950 because of the School Exhibition, where we gave a demonstration and then continued mainly because of the popularity of American Square dancing evenings, where boys were allowed in ! The original committee were : June Rawlings, Barbara Philp, Thelma Baker and myself (Thelma was our pianist). We took part in the Hampshire School Dance Festival at North Walls Recreation Ground in Winchester. (I still have some photographs of that day - 30th June 1951, but they do not reproduce very well). Issue No. 8. I was roped in by “Little Will” to enter the “Design for a Village Sign” in 1951 - although strictly speaking I wasn’t a member of the YFC - and gained a first place. Secretary at that time was Valerie White whose family were friends of my mother. Val’s grandmother was a Yorkshire woman and taught my mother the “proper” way to make Yorkshire teacakes, a recipe I still use today. Issue No. 15. (Re. the photo of IVH). I also have a copy of this photo taken by “Little Will” at the Derby Road end of the school playground close to the Headmaster’s Office. The girl referred to as “Maureen Beck” was infact, Maureen Blake, who lived opposite me in Chadwick Road. Her family looked after me when our house was badly damaged during the war. A bomb made a direct hit on the house backing on to ours, taking out not only the other half of the semi-detached, but two houses either side and two more over the road. We lost our back roof and upper windows with the whole house being badly shaken. My bed, under the window, had a whole concrete lintel deposited on it. We had no electricity or running water so the Blake family let us use their bathroom and toilet also enabling us to cook something in their kitchen until things were cleared sufficiently for us to use the house again. Issue No. 21. (John Wallace’s piece). You can see there is a bit more than “the odd bomb dropped on the Railway Works and stray ones in surrounding fields”. The first bomb to drop on Eastleigh took out my Grandparent’s house at 219 Chamberlayne Road, killing my Grandmother and putting my Grandfather in Hospital for several months (including a recovery period at Hursley House, not IBM). Another name and face in that photograph also brings back memories for me. John Hunt who married Barbara Hockey, moved to Doncaster Road, next door to my husband’s family and was best man at our wedding in 1959. The last we heard of him was in Exeter. Anybody know where he is now ? Issue No. 28. (Myra Merritt’s memories of “Percy”). Mr. Percival was always my favourite English teacher. I remember him glancing over any notes at the bottom of pages in “Paradise Lost” and/or various Shakespeare plays and then telling us not to bother checking out the references as we wouldn’t find them very illuminating, accompanied with a wink. So, of course, we all did, hoping to find them somewhat salacious.- they never were, of course, but at least we read them ! I too remember Mr. Harvey complaining about the necessary pause in concerts while turning the record over. I still find myself anticipating the break when playing CDs. He took me into the School Choir because I could sight read and didn’t have a voice which would drown out the better singers. I also recall the Music Festivals in Winchester Guildhall - and still have some programmes ! - with guest conductors for the massed choirs who really pushed us to our limits. We also joined other choirs at Christmas and sang in Romsey Abbey. One year it was Vaughn Williams’ “”Fantasia on Christmas Cards”, a totally magical experience. Issue No. 31. (Garry Barclay’s Christmas Post Office job). I did a two week stint in the Post Office in 1950 but didn’t find it very cost effective, although I did enjoy the tea and mince pies handed out if I had to knock on a door for a registered parcel. The only problem with that if there were several of them in a morning I had to request the use of a toilet somewhere along the round. These were located outside the backdoor usually and were furnished with cut up newspaper squares, rather than toilet paper. My final day (Christmas Day) was very wet and just as I was cycling back to the PO the heavens opened and I was soaked to the skin. Unfortunately my skirt was made from an old one of my mothers and dyed deep red to make it look fresh. (Make do and mend was still going well after the end of the war). The dye ran badly and I appeared at the door looking as if I had taken part in a chain-saw massacre, dripping “blood” everywhere. All the money I earned that year was spent on buying not only a skirt but new underwear as everything was tinted a delicate pink in blobs and splashes ! Lastly, does anyone remember going to Southampton Technical College on one day a week to take Chemistry and Physics practical classes ? We travelled by bus, then walked across the Parks to St. Mary’s Street. I think it was during 1951/52. I left soon after but continued to attend the College on Friday afternoons/Saturday mornings, during which time I remember seeing the Skylon (from the Festival of Britain) being constructed at the rear of the college. When I’ve mentioned this to friends who still live in Southampton, I’m told I dreamed it because they don’t remember it at all. But, I’m sure I saw it there and that it was eventually taken down again and shipped to America. Someone please tell me I’m not going round the bend !! ___________________ Stan Fray (1941 - 1943) has responded to my plea for stories of what happened after our time at ECHS and has given much thought to relating his memories. Before that however, although he (quote) “usually keeps his head down”, he is moved to take up the comments about Arthur Sansbury by Peter Tull. He suspects that “Peter wrote them to shake people, like me, out of their dreamy old age and write to you”. He has been very successful ! The words, “Little Will Sansbury was the worst teacher I have ever encountered” came as a great surprise to me. It is possible that his teaching deteriorated as he aged but in the early 40’s he was definitely not the worst. I remember, at first, being a little frightened of Little Will who seemed to me to be very strict. I felt some apprehension when going past Mr. Moore’s office and turning right into the Geography Room. I always sat at the back with Keith Holes, trying not to be seen. However he did cover an enormous amount of geography during my two years at ECHS. I still have the exercise books to prove it. The lessons must have been interesting for I can still recall two occasions. Firstly, farming in Australia when the use of electricity on farms was raised - and why. Secondly, the canning industry in America and what Americans said, “We eat what we can and we can what we can’t”. The fact that these occasions have stuck so firmly in my mind indicates to me that the lessons were not boring and that Little Will could not have been the “worst teacher in the school”. He did have some funny ways though. The front of his desk was always covered with books and he would talk to us from a sitting position behind this pile so that he was almost invisible. He was, too, one of the few masters who always wore an academic gown. Sam Bodey and Mr. Judson did but I do not recall many of the others wearing gowns. Amongst the ladies I think only Miss Langford (French teacher) wore her gown. I eventually came to enjoy geography and looked forward to crossing the playground to the extension building. In this building there was the Science Lab. (I enjoyed science with Sam Bodey but not biology with Miss Musselwhite) and the handy-craft room where Mr. Almond taught us woodwork. He allowed Keith Holes and I to eat our sandwiches in the handy-craft room, continuing with our woodwork during the rest of the lunch period. During this time we got to know Little Will very well as he would have his sandwiches there and build his excellent scale model sailing ships during the lunch time. He told us over lunch that he has starting teaching in southern Wales and had learnt the language. We were told the meaning of “Aber” and why it appeared in the names of many Welsh coastal towns and much more which I did not really understand at the time. He was, we were told, an auxiliary fireman and during the blitz on London the Eastleigh fire services were called to London to help. During this time he was missing for several days so I must assume I was informed correctly. I went to ECHS after two years at Taunton’s School in Southampton. At the beginning of the war Tauntons was evacuated but I did not want to join them in Bournemouth. I may sound disloyal to ECHS but when I arrived I was shocked by the differences. The discipline and teaching at Tauntons was on a much higher level than at Eastleigh and it was difficult for me to come to terms with the more relaxed atmosphere. But I did find that Little Will’s classes were more enjoyable than most. However I must agree with Peter Tull on the matter of homework. I cannot remember ever having to hand in homework to be marked. The teaching could not have been too bad though. I went on to obtain a science degree, working at a Government research establishment and retiring as a Principal Scientific Officer. I then took an Open University BA and discovered History and Philosophy again. The reason that I did not respond to Peter Tull’s comments before was that I was finishing a thesis for a Master of Arts degree in History. I am to receive my certificate at Worcester Cathedral on 5th November - wouldn’t Miss Talbot be surprised for I was rubbish in her history classes at ECHS. Sorry Miss Talbot but at the age of 83 I have, at last, appreciated some of the things you were telling us about. Your readers may wonder why I bothered to obtain a worthless MA in History at my age. I can only assume that ECHS taught me more than I thought at the time and one of these was , probably, that knowledge is never actually wasted. In any case I have been kidding myself that I was helping to keep Alzheimer’s at bay !! Thank you Stan - for your information you received your last Bartonian because every few years we try to contact as many of you as possible that may have forgotten to renew membership or just “lost touch”. Hope you will stay with us, adding to our numbers and ensuring that you get three Bartonians each year - you can even stir up some more ECHS memories for future editions. Thank you again. Ed. ___________________
Our Website www.bartonians.uni4m.co.uk. Even if you do not own a computer and are completely computer illiterate, there is no excuse for not having a look at our website. Most libraries now have internet access, and the staff there will be delighted to help you. All you need to do is to write down our website address www.bartonians.uni4m.co.uk and show it to one of the library staff and in no time you will be scrolling through your old school photo. For each photo there is a key and a corresponding list of names of those who have been recognised. If you recognise someone who is not on the list then you can email me the details on johnbarron@bartonians.uni4m.co.uk and I will update the website. All this can be done from the library. There are also back issues of the Newsletter on the website. ( I thought this was worth repeating ) JCB___________________
A DVD of School Ski Trips (1970-81) is on sale for £10. Contact JB on 01235-767162 ___________________ The Old Bartonians Football Club is still “alive and kicking” - well, not exactly “kicking” !! but held their usual Reunion at The Hunters Inn, Swanmore on Wednesday 16th July. For those of you who may be wondering who attended, this is the answer: Ken & June Griffin, Don & Ruby Hill, Ivan Creed, John & Joy Adams, Geoff & Gill Lowton, Sylvia Bondsfield, Ivor Astbury, Norman Benson, Colin & Margaret Dowse, Bryan Dowding, Ivor & Margaret Noyce, John & Jill Foxwell, Elizabeth Rolfe and CHC. A further reunion took place on 10th September (John Young visiting us from the USA) and one more is scheduled for 17th Dec: ________________________________________________________________________________________ Gordon Daubeny Cox, 1912 - 2008. My memory of Mr. Cox differs from that of most pupils at Eastleigh County High School. I came to this country in 1947 and as I had passed the equivalent of the 11+ in France, it did not seem to matter to the “powers that be” that I did not know a word of English. I was petrified of Pop Stone and did not feel much better when Mrs. Stone came in the classroom. However, when the door burst open and Mr. Cox entered, followed by his flowing bat cape, I knew I could relax. Pupils were asked to read French aloud. I found listening to the slow pace a bit frustrating and I would often quietly read and lose my place as I was several pages ahead. Mr. Cox would sometimes ask me to join in and when I found the correct place I would rattle on. Maybe he wanted my fellow pupils to hear someone of their own age speak French fluently, or maybe he realised that I did not get many opportunities to open my mouth without struggling for the next word. I will never know, but I’d like to think that it was the latter. John (Jean) Cramoysan. (1947 - 1951) In 1952 Gordon decided to get a reel to reel tape recorder to assist in French oral and to raise money he got all of us to bring our old newspapers to school as there was no funding for such equipment (how different from today !). At that time there was a firm in Southampton who would collect old paper and give good money for it, based on weight. When we asked where the paper would be stored Gordon said he would use the air raid shelters which stood in the school field. When we pointed out that the shelters were very damp he said, “Good - the paper will weigh more !” David Lowton. (1948 - 1953) Gordon Cox was a popular and well respected teacher. He was always a cheerful presence at Reunion events. My condolences to all his family. Kathleen Gilkes (né e Roots). (1948 - 1953). I was sorry to hear the news that Gordon Cox had recently died, although I was never actually taught by him. I was taught by the more formidable Miss Graham ! She once caught me wearing blue mascara which I was ordered to wash off at once and our Form Tutor, Mr. Bulmer was instructed to “gaze into my eyes” (his phrase), each morning to check I wasn’t re-offending - but that’s another story. I do however have an abiding memory of Gordon. That was to see him dashing down corridors and round corners at great speed clutching a pile of books with his gown, (which for some inexplicable reason seemed to be in shreds),flapping behind him. He always seemed to be in a hurry to be somewhere else and I’m sure would have looked quite at home at Hogworts School. I was also one of the pupils in the first twinning group to go to Villneuve St. Georges in 1962 and stayed with a lovely girl whose father was a doctor. My friend Janita and I were both in the Pirates of Penzance (chorus only !) which was great fun. We did our best to blend in around the back of the stage and mimed when the notes got too high ! I also managed to get my Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s award thanks to Gordon and Mrs. Brown the school secretary. My mother bought me a Mary Quant suit and “op art” beret to wear to the Palace when I got my Certificate - a day to be remembered. Gordon was certainly one of those amazing teachers you never forget - he will be much missed. Jean Sheppard (né e Dews) (1957 - 1967). I called to see Gordon when I was in England last June/July and I’m so glad now that I did in view of the sad news of his death. Gordon Cox was one of those rare teachers, some 50/60 years ago who actually encouraged learning instead of just shoving it down your throat on a “learn this” basis which seemed to be the style of a number of his contemporaries. I recall him taking the trouble to come down to Southampton Docks to see a group of us off to spend a few weeks with French families at Easter 1948. I remember it because he had that afternoon been struck badly in the mouth whilst keeping goal for the Adastrian hockey team and as a result he was in a bit of a mess and had difficulty talking. Michael Arnold (1945 - 1953), 12,000 miles away in Australia Dennis Hickman (1937 - 1942) phoned from his home in Lymington to express his sadness at Gordon’s passing. It is clear that there is a wide range of School years sending their condolences - tribute to Gordon’s universal appeal. It is fair to say that Gordon was indeed unique - we will miss his presence. ………and lastly in our tributes to Gordon, Pat Dodd (né e Thomas) writes………Recalling memories of Mr. Cox has prompted me - finally - to write for the magazine. I owe a lot to Mr. Cox because he taught me French so well that I can still read French and speak it well enough to get by in France and I was at school from 1945 to 1952. He always encouraged us to go to France, but my mother was very much against it, being over-protective, even when Mr. Cox took a group to stay in a hotel, I was not allowed to go. When Mr. Cox found out that I wanted to go to France he talked my parents round on the grounds it would greatly improve my education. He calculated that three weeks in France, speaking French all the time with eight hours sleeping per day was roughly equivalent to 5 years of French lessons at school. This persuaded my parents to let me go to France, but my mother did not realise this was not a hotel, accompanied, but an exchange. I went with Doris Clarke-Jones and three other girls. We were supposed to go to London and stay overnight in a hotel, catching the boat train next morning. My mother would not let me stay overnight in London so Doris caught the train in London while I was staying at home overnight, meeting her at the boat train. During the evening Doris’s mother came round to our house with things that Doris had forgotten and all the anxieties reappeared. My parents and I left by car at 5 o’clock in the morning to catch a train leaving at 8am. My mother had bought so many clothes for me (so I did not need to do any washing for three weeks, not giving my hostess any work) that I could hardly lift my suitcase. My case was put on the train for me but at Dover I was struggling to get it to the ferry when I was lucky that two soldiers offered to carry it on the boat for me. They met up with me again in Dieppe and carried my case again into the Customs Hall. They had gone on ahead and when I arrived in the Customs Hall I could not see them or my case. Luckily Doris and I were staying with families who knew each other and lived in the same village. The other three girls, including Margaret (Sandy) Greaves, caught the boat train to Paris. My mother would have had a fit if she had known. She thought we were being met by a teacher from the French school. After a while Doris met her family and they stayed with us until my family arrived. Now I knew the panic was over. We had to wait until the Customs Hall was almost empty and there, up in a corner, was a porter carefully guarding my suitcase. He would not part with it to my family without a tip and I had no French money as all my money was in travellers’ cheques. My parents had never been abroad before, people didn’t much in 1950. My host paid the porter and off we went, but from that day I have never travelled overseas without some small change in the currency of the country I was visiting. Many years later as a teacher we were taking a school party to Switzerland, travelling by coach with an overnight stay in Luxembourg. I had my £5 of each currency including Luxembourg francs which came in useful when it was needed by the party organiser. The exchange organised by Mr. Cox was life changing because my pen-friend came back to England to stay with us the following year and brought her 11 year old cousin with her. He had been my interpreter while on my first visit although he could not speak English and I had to speak to him in French. On my second visit to my pen-friend I was taken to Paris to spend a week with her aunt. When our son was taking his ’O’ level in French, he went to stay with my pen-friend with whom we had kept in touch and we still correspond, thanks to Gordon Cox. _________________________________________________________________________________________ This year we celebrate the 250th anniversary of Lord Nelson’s death. He was the sixth of eleven children. The Battle of Trafalgar was fought on 21st October 1805. The British Royal Navy fleet comprised 27 ships and the opposing fleet of the French Navy together with the Spanish fleet had 33 ships. True, all this was long before Health and Safety considerations but one of our contributors has set the scene for today ……………. Nelson: “Order the signal, Hardy” Hardy: “Aye, aye sir”. Nelson: “Hold on, that’s not what I dictated to Flags. What’s the meaning of this?” Hardy: “Sorry sir !” Nelson: (reading aloud) “England expects every person to do his or her duty, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religious persuasion or disability - What gobbledegook is this ?” Hardy: “Admiralty policy, I’m afraid, sir. We’re an equal opportunities employer now. We had the devil’s own job getting “England” past the censors, lest it be considered racist”. Nelson: “Gadzooks, Hardy, Hand me my pipe and tobacco”. Hardy: “Sorry sir. All naval vessels have now been designated smoke-free working environments”. Nelson: “In that case, break open the rum ration. Let us splice the mainbrace to steel the men before battle”. Hardy: “The rum ration has been abolished, Admiral. It’s part of the Government’s policy on binge drinking”. Nelson: “Good heavens, Hardy. I suppose we had better get on with it.......full speed ahead” Hardy: “I think you’ll find that there’s a 4 knot speed limit in this stretch of water”. Nelson: “Damn it man! We are on the eve of the greatest sea battle in history. We must advance with all dispatch. Report from the crow’s nest please”. Hardy: “That won’t be possible, sir”. Nelson: “What ?” Hardy: Health and Safety have closed the crow’s nest, sir. No harness, and they said that rope ladders don’t meet regulations. They won’t let anyone up there until a proper scaffolding can be erected”. Nelson: “Then get me the ship’s carpenter without delay, Hardy”. Hardy: “He’s busy knocking up a wheelchair access to the foredeck, Admiral”. Nelson: “Wheelchair access? I’ve never heard anything so absurd”. Hardy: “Health and Safety again, sir. We have to provide a barrier-free environment for the differently abled” Nelson: “Differently abled ? I’ve only one arm and one eye and I refuse even to hear mention of the word. I didn’t rise to the rank of admiral by playing the disability card” Hardy: “Actually, sir, you did. The Royal Navy is under represented in the areas of visual impairment and limb deficiency”. Nelson: “Whatever next? Give me full sail ! The salt spray beckons”. Hardy: “A couple of problems there too, sir. Health and Safety won’t let the crew up the rigging without hard hats. They don’t want anyone breathing in too much salt either - haven’t you seen the adverts ?” Nelson: “I’ve never seen so much infamy. Break out the cannon and tell the men to stand by to engage the enemy”. Hardy: “The men are a bit worried about shooting at anyone, Admiral”. Nelson: “What ? This is mutiny !” Hardy: “It’s not that , sir. It’s just that they are afraid of being charged with murder if they actually kill anyone. There’s a couple of legal-aid lawyers on board, watching everyone like hawks”. Nelson: “Then how are we to sink the Frenchies and the Spanish?” Hardy: “Actually, sir, we’re not” Nelson: “We’re not ?” Hardy: “No, sir. The French and the Spanish are our European partners now. According to the Common Fisheries Policy, we shouldn’t even be in this stretch of water. We could get hit with a claim for compensation”. Nelson: “But you must hate a Frenchman as you hate the devil”. Hardy: “I wouldn’t let the ship’s diversity co-ordinator hear you saying that, sir. You’ll be up on a disciplinary report”. Nelson: “You must consider every man an enemy, who speaks ill of your King”. Hardy: “Not any more, sir. We must be inclusive in this multicultural age. Now put on your Kevlar vest, it’s the rules. It could save your life”. Nelson: “Don’t tell me - Health and Safety. Whatever happened to rum, sodomy and the lash?” Hardy: “As I explained, sir, rum is off the menu ! There’s a ban on corporal punishment too, sir”. Nelson: “What about sodomy?” Hardy: “I believe that is now legal, sir”. Nelson: “In that case.......................kiss me, Hardy !! _________________________________________________________________________________________
The Red Carpet Restaurant, Eastleigh College Twenty three Old Barts and their partners assembled for a Spanish Theme lunch on Wednesday 12th November. The food was excellent and, at only £7.00 a head for a three course meal, great value for money. There were four choices for each course. The students went to great efforts to make this a special occasion for everyone. In this photo, clockwise from the left, are Lorrayne Burns 1965-72 who had just flown in from her home in Palm Springs, her father Peter Bulmer 1951-84 who taught French and Latin, Harry French 1927-32 and David Bull 1940-43, whose brother Dick was my form teacher at Chamberlayne Road Boys’ School in the 1950s.. More photos will be appearing on our website: www.bartonians.uni4m.co.uk Others who attended included John & Barbara Barron Snr., Anne Chapple, Cecil Churcher, Mary Cordell, Biddy Cull, Margaret Greenfield, Ken Griffin, Pat Hardy, Ann Jacobs, David & Margaret Jeffries, Olive Pounds, Elizabeth Rolfe, Winnie Sedgwick, and Margaret Worthy. A big thanks to Kathleen Clarke for suggesting this venue to us. We shall now be making this a regular event - see attached booking form for details. JCB One of our correspondents has shed light on the origin of the sayings, “Where’s the loo” or “I need the loo”.. Many, many years ago I was told by a very reliable source how it suddenly appeared out of the blue, to replace the usual WC, Washroom, Pass water, Lav or Bog etc, depending on one's upbringing ! I have reason to believe it is the closest explanation to the truth we will ever get. Apparently Queen Mary was irritated by the young Princess's Elizabeth and Margaret, constantly asking to go to the toilet when they visited her. Possibly the mischievous Margaret did it on purpose to escape from boredom? Mary, the Queen Grandmother then devised a very clever solution with a 'play on words'. Whenever guests were present she wanted it to be less obvious where the girls wanted to go, so they were told to use the word 'Jubilee'. However they soon shortened it to "Loo" How the abbreviated word escaped from Buckingham Palace is any-ones guess. A little later I heard another theory from a similar source which could also be true. The Princess's used their own word between themselves and Nanny - Waterloo ! In those days, travel to the Royal palaces of Windsor and Osborne meant going by the Royal Train over LSWR lines from Waterloo station to their own station below Windsor Castle, or to Gosport for the ferry to the Isle of Wight. Perhaps you didn’t need to know that but we try to be informative at all times…excuse me for a moment I’m off………..Ed. _________________________________________________________________________________________ HUMOUR. My thanks go to all of you around the world and the UK who have helped us to smile.I have often wondered about the maintenance of aircraft. I wasn’t very relieved when reading some of the following. Evidently an American air line adopts the procedure of the pilot filling out a form (called the“Gripe Sheet”) and getting a response from the Mechanics. P = Pilot and M = Mechanics P. Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough. M. Auto-land not installed on this aircraft ! P. Something loose in cockpit. M. Something tightened in cockpit. P. Evidence of leak on right main landing gear. M. Evidence removed ! P. Number 3 engine missing. M. Engine found on right wing after brief search ! P. Noise coming from under instrument panel - sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer. M. Took hammer away from midget ! Do I feel more contented now ?! ___________________ There is always a laugh to be had when peeping into the classroom……. Teacher: Maria, go to the map and find North America. Maria: Here it is. Teacher: Correct. Now, class, who discovered America ? Class: Maria ! Teacher: Henry, How do you spell “crocodile” ? Henry: “K - R - O - K - O - D - I - A - L “. Teacher: No, that’s wrong. Henry: Maybe it is wrong, but you asked me how I spelt it ! Teacher: John, what is the chemical formula for water ? John: H I J K L M N O. Teacher: What are you talking about ? John: I don’t follow - yesterday you said it was H to O ! Teacher: George Washington not only chopped down his father’s cherry tree, but also admitted it. Now Louis, do you know why he wasn’t punished ? Louis: Was it because George still had the axe in his hand ? No Puns intended ! The roundest knight at King Arthur’s round table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much pi. The butcher backed into his meat grinder and got a little behind in his work. A hole has been found in the wall of the nudist camp. The police are looking into it. Atheism is a non-prophet organisation. A backward poet writes inverse. Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie. ___________________Try the following definitions………… CANNIBAL…….Someone who is fed up with people. DUST….Mud with the juice squeezed out. EGOTIST…Someone who is usually me-deep in conversation. TOMORROW….One of the greatest labour saving devices of today. WRINKLES…..Something other people have, similar to my character lines. SECRET…..Something you tell to one person at a time. ___________________ I was delayed the other Saturday morning when the newsagent had to stop serving me to answer a ‘phone call. The conversation went like this…….”But Madam, today is Saturday - your Sunday paper won’t be delivered until tomorrow “! There followed a brief pause…..”I’ll bet that’s why no one was in church today too !” ___________________ A doctor examined a woman, took the husband aside and said, “I don’t like the looks of your wife at all”. “Me neither, Doc” said the husband, “But she’s a great cook and really good with the kids”. Two chaps were discussing popular family trends on sex, marriage and their values. One said, “I didn’t sleep with my wife before we got married, did you?”, The other replied, “I’m not sure, what was her maiden name?” A blonde calls Delta Airlines and asks, “Can you tell me how long it’ll take to fly from San Francisco to New York ?”. The agent replies, “Just a minute…………” “Thank you”, said the blonde, and hangs up ! ___________________ Have you ever had goat for Dinner ? A young couple invited their elderly rector round for a Sunday dinner in the interests of friendship. While they were in the kitchen preparing the meal, the rector asked their young son what they were having for their meal. “Goat”, the little replied. “Goat?” the rector replied, quite startled. “Are you sure about that?” “Oh yes”, said the youngster, “I heard Dad say to Mum, “Today is just as good as any to have the old goat for dinner”. ___________________ Wise words ! If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you’ve not tried before ! My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance ! For every action, there is an equal and opposite government policy ! If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip ! A balanced diet is a Macdonald’s in each hand ! ___________________ Why not try some of these “old” jokes !!! Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married. The ceremony wasn’t much but the reception was excellent. Two peanuts walked into a bar and one was a salted. Two cannibals were eating a clown. One said to the other: “Does this taste funny to you ?” “Doctor, I can’t stop singing “The green, green grass of home”. “That sounds like Tom Jones Syndrome to me” replied the doctor. “Is it common?” “Well, it’s not unusual”. An invisible man married an invisible woman - their children were nothing to look at either. A man rushed into the doctor’s shouting “Doctor, I think I am shrinking !” The doctor calmly responded, “Now, settle down and wait your turn. You’ll have to be a little patient”. A thief broke into the local police station and stole all the lavatory equipment. At a subsequent press conference a spokesman was quoted as saying, “We have absolutely nothing to go on”. I had amnesia once - or was it twice ! I used to be indecisive - now I’m not so sure ! If swimming is so good for your figure, how do you explain whales ! _________________________________________________________________________________________ Why men don’t write advice columns…..Dear John, The other day I set off for work leaving my husband at home. I had not gone far when my engine conked out so I had to walk back home for my husband’s help. When I got back I couldn’t believe my eyes - there was my husband making love to my next door neighbour. I am 32, my husband 34 and we have been married for 12 years. When I confronted him he admitted that there had been an affair going on for the past six months. I told him to stop or I would leave him. Since he had been made redundant from his job he says that he has been feeling increasingly depressed. I love him very much, but ever since I gave him the ultimatum he has become increasingly distant. I don’t feel I can get through to him any more. Can you please help ? Reply……Dear Sheila, A car stalling after being driven a short distance can be caused by a variety of faults with the engine. Start by checking that there is no debris in the fuel line. If it is clear, check the jubilee clips holding the vacuum pipes onto the inlet manifold. If none of these approaches solves the problem, it could be that the fuel pump itself is faulty, causing low delivery pressure to the carburettor float chamber. I so hope that this will solve your problem. Sincerely, John. ___________________ Lastly, for the golfers among you, here are some terms you may not have heard before…….. An Adolf Hitler - taking two shots in a bunker. A Bin Laden - driven out, never to be found again. An O.J.Simpson - somehow got away with it. An Arthur Scargill - a great strike but a poor result. A Diego Maradonna - nasty five footer. A Tony Blair - too much spin. ___________________ We shall once again be exhibiting in the window of A.H.Rogers & Sons, 64 Market Street, Eastleigh. This will run from 24th November to 22nd December. ___________________ Forthcoming Events: Lunch at the Red Carpet Restaurant, Eastleigh College (previously known as the Tech College) at 12.00 noon on 29th Jan, 25th Feb, 20th March, 22nd April, and 12th June. Maximum 30. The food is prepared and served by catering students and is excellent value for money. Parking is a problem, so it would be better to park a distance from the College and walk in. Partners and friends are welcome. Booking form attached. Annual Dinner at Chilworth Manor on Friday 15th May , 2009. AGM & Reunion at Barton Peveril College on Saturday 16th May, 2009. ___________________ In this Issue: My sincere thanks go to the following who have made a contribution to these 14 pages ! Michael Arnold, John Cramoysan, Pat Dodd, Sheila Dollin, Stan Fray, Kathleen Gilkes, Dennis Hickman, David Lowton, Richard Peacock, Jonathan Prest , Jean Sheppard and Jessica Spinney. The last date to receive copy for our next edition is 28th February 2009. You know you can reach me by sending an email to cecil@bolderwood.freeserve.co.uk ORsend your copy to 9 Bolderwood Close, Eastleigh. SO50 8PG. Please don’t let me down.
and Happy New Year 2009 , to all Old Bartonians, families and friends.
The Committee looks forward to seeing you during 2009. Friday 15th May - Our Annual Dinner Saturday 16th May - Reunion & AGM. Please support us by being there ! |