Editorial Comment Surprise, Surprise - you have a new Editor! These were Cecil Churcher’s opening words in the Summer 2004 edition of the Bartonian when he took over as “temporary”editor on the retirement of Rod Simmonds; that was some 12 years and 35 issues ago! Throughout all those years Cecil has overcome every obstacle put in his way to ensure that the Bartonian got out on time. However, he was almost beaten this time, having to give instructions to his daughter Hazel, from his hospital bed, on where to find the draft copy of this newsletter on his pc, which she kindly forwarded to me for finishing off.

In light of this recent set back Cecil has decided reluctantly to give up both his roles as Chairman of the Association and Editor of the Newsletter, so we shall be looking for nominations for the post of Chairman at the next AGM which is to be held at the College in May. If anyone is interested in becoming Editor of the Newsletter please let me know.

Cecil has been our Chairman since being elected at a meeting at the College held in May 1997 which was organised by Gordan Cox with the aim of reviving the Old Bartonians’ Association. Taking us back to that time, in this edition, I reprint the some extracts from the first newsletter (some photos have been rearranged) - namely, Cecil’s editorial, a newspaper report on the meeting, a letter from our first Secretary, Lynne Lisney, and a “Brief History of the Old Bartonians’ Association” by our President Gordon Cox. These follow “Barton Peveril College Today”.

May will soon be upon us and with it comes our Annual Dinner on Friday 6^th May and our Reunion and AGM on Saturday 7^th May - details below. I look forward to seeing many familiar faces and hopefully a few new ones.

I am sure you will all join me in giving a big, big, thank you to Cecil for all his hard work over the years and wish him a speedy return to good health. JCB

Is there no end to successive governments and politicians wanting to pull the strings of the education puppet? I write on the day it has been announced that all schools will become academies. So what does this mean? Technically it means schools will be run by a Trust which may control one or more schools (a multi-academy trust or MAT). The trustees will be free to choose the curriculum for the school and introduce their own pay scales for teachers. They will effectively own the assets (and the liabilities) and run the show. Local authorities will no longer have any schools to run, though ironically legislation still exists putting a duty on local authorities to have responsibility for the adequacy and sufficiency of schooling in a region – hard to implement without any power over the schools.

So why take the huge risk of forcing schools to step out of the local authority fold and into a level of independence many head teachers and governing bodies might not either want or feel they are particularly well equipped for? Well, the concept comes from Lord Adonis who, as a Labour peer, championed academisation for underperforming schools. The coalition continued the policy, arguing that it freed school governors and leaders from the “dead hand” of the local authority. True, many county councils and metropolitan authorities were not as constructive and strong as Hampshire’s, so perhaps educational heads in Hampshire have more reservation than most. Yet there is little evidence and none of it is conclusive to suggest that academy schools perform more strongly than maintained schools and there is plenty of evidence of the failure of the larger academy chains. It is hard not to believe that this is an initiative driven by ideology rather than careful research and consideration of the evidence. At best it is a massive leap into the unknown at a time when it is increasingly difficult to find enough high quality teachers, leaders and school governors.

But what, I hear you cry, about Barton Peveril? How does Barton Peveril fit into this education storm? Well, back in November 2015 the chancellor announced that sixth form colleges, a separate category of educational institution, neither further education nor school, would be able to apply to become academies. On the face of it, the freedoms the Corporation and the College have enjoyed since 1992 are similar to those of the Trustees and the Academy. Similar, but for one key thing: academies do not have to pay VAT which is funded by the Department for Education. So, starved of funding with year on year reductions from 2009-2021, we have the opportunity to save up to half a million pounds each year if we become an Academy.

There is now the intriguing prospect of Barton Peveril being born again. From County School to Grammar School to Sixth Form College, might the wheel turn once more and it become Barton Peveril Sixth Form College, a “16-19 Academy”? Whatever we become over the next few years, you can be reassured that we will continue to value our relationship with former pupils of the school, students of the College and academics(?) of the Academy. You can also be reassured that we will endeavour to maintain the strengths of our heritage: aspirational; a caring and happy community; committed to a value driven education; strong exam results; and opportunities for young people to broaden their education and outlook on life.

3 May 1997 was a big day for the Old Bartonians' Association, which, like the phoenix, has risen from the ashes. The flame of the old Association was kept burning due to the hard work of Gordon Cox and his annual reunions. The old Association tended to be for the 'older generation'. I hasten to add that I am one of that older group - not that I attended the original Barton Peveril! Gordon looks like continuing with his smaller groups of pupils who had Miss Smith as their Head.

As I said at the beginning - we enter a new era. I was elected as Chairman on 3 May, together with Lynne Lisney (Secretary), John Barron (Treasurer), Joyce Agbebi, Roderick Davies, Janet Meager, Rodney Simmonds, Angela Frecknall, Brynja Maughan and Anne Gilbert. This team will take us forward (I nearly said 'to the millennium' as most politicians seem to say these days!). At least we (the officials and committee) intend to go forward. You will see elsewhere in this edition a little bit about our various backgrounds and trust that somewhere you will find common ground with some or all of us.

I found it interesting, after the Reunion and General Meeting, to reflect that we have a Committee which has a well varied span of years. People like myself, a product of Eastleigh County High School at one end, but with a range of interests across the years culminating in the 'young ones' for whom Barton Peveril College is still a clear and not too distant memory.

I hope that gives you a picture of us! What about you? Over 200 ex-pupils and staff attended on 3 May, so there is no lack of interest. This Newsletter is a fairly new venture but will, I hope, serve as publicity for the Association.

And we want your views and your contributions please. I know that most publications say something like 'Please send your letters to the Editor' and we are no exception! The difference is, you are all ex-pupils of Eastleigh County High School or Barton Peveril, so I KNOW you can write and make a worthwhile contribution.

Will you please do three things for me when you read this Newsletter?

I hope to see you in May next at our 1998 Reunion and perhaps at a General Meeting on Saturday 18 October at 3 p.m.. At this meeting we hope to approve a revised Constitution, together with other business.

We continue to receive great assistance from Godfrey Glyn , the Barton Peveril College Principal and his Staff, so I feel that with your interest and help as members, we will have 'lift off'.

We thank Anne Gilbert for her preliminary work on this Newsletter before leaving the post of Editor. Further, we are equally indebted to John Barron for completing outstanding items and finalising the content of this 1st Edition of 'The Bartonian'. I trust that you will read and enjoy.

More than 200 Old Bartonians went back to school in Eastleigh on Saturday (3rd May, 1997) for a reunion which brought former pupils from all parts of the British Isles and beyond. .It was open to all who attended from the earliest days until 1976 by which time the grammar school had become a sixth form college.

Among the oldest generation of Bartonians was Mr Bill Waller, from Romsey, who attended the school when it was housed in the old farmhouse in Bishopstoke Road in the 1920s.

From the 1930s generation, Mr Ray Hemington came from North Wales. The 1960s was represented by, among others, Dr Jackie Chambers, who is director of health for Birmingham.

Brothers Simon and Mark Bayliss, who have both settled in France, couldn't let the occasion pass without popping back to their home town for the afternoon.

Barton Peveril has a strong musical tradition, especially in the days when the late Marcus Black was head of music, and Andrew Ball, now a well known concert pianist, was there, along with David Campbell, who has been called the finest clarinettist of his generation, and his sister Jane, who plays violin in the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Not everyone could be present. The Chief Constable of Hampshire, Mr John Hoddinott, was away in America and apologies also came from Jane Parker-Smith, an internationally-acclaimed concert organist, who had a musical engagement. Also unable to make it was Peter Nichols, the professor of bio-chemistry at Ottawa University in Canada, one of several Old Bartonians who are now professors.

The reunion was held at the college at the invitation of the principal Godfrey Glyn. It was organised by Mr Gordon Cox, former head of modern languages at the grammar school, who said "It was a wonderful occasion. Everyone one was so friendly and there was tremendous enthusiasm. A small deputation came to me at the end and asked me to arrange another one next year!"

There was a chance for the former pupils to look round the college, which now looks vastly different from 20 years ago.

There was an exhibition of magazines and photographs and some of the visitors gave talks about their experiences. They were welcomed to the borough by the Mayor of Eastleigh, Mr Donald Horne.

A meeting was held to revive the Old Bartonians Association which ceased to function some 30 years ago. Mr Cecil Churcher was appointed chairman and a committee was formed.

By The Secretary [Lynne Lisney]

Following the really successful meeting and re-union it would seem there's a very clear and decided interest in re-activating The Old Bartonians' Association in every sense of the word.

Getting together with old friends, some of whom we may not have seen for many years, fosters a great camaraderie. Sharing reminiscences is an easy way to pass the odd hour or two or three or ........... and the time just flies! It also brings together people from far afield. Certainly we had a number of former students who now live abroad who were able to come along on the day and although many people were prevented from attending due to distance, illness or other commitments they were with us in spirit. There were some 200 of us actually at the College on the day and apologies received from a similar number. It shows how widespread the news reached. Since then we have had many, many more enquiries about the association so our fame is growing, please let's keep the word spreading.

A one-off gathering is one thing, an on-going active Association is quite another. For this to get off the ground we do need a firm foundation on which to base our revitalised group. We have the benefit of some limited paperwork which we inherited from the 'Old Association' if I may call it, and the committee is in the process of putting this together. They will then present this to the Membership by way of a revised draft Constitution of Association at the next General Meeting. This, together with all other business items raised by the Members (both full and honorary) shall be considered and decided upon. This will ensure we all know and agree the ground rules for the future operation of the Association.

All this probably sounds a little formal but it is essential for all concerned, that we ensure the aims and objectives of the Members are realised through democratic and legitimate processes. Equally we must recognise that without money, no organisation can operate and hence that the accounts must be precisely, accurately and legally administered.

At the meeting on 3 May a provisional Executive Committee was elected and the Association is currently being run under their auspices. Their position must be confirmed by a General Meeting when the legitimacy of their actions to date, is affirmed. Equally, if the Membership wishes to make changes to the Committee's structure, then the General Meeting is the forum where this can be raised.

All those who knew Miss Annie Smith appreciate her many qualities and particularly her ability to foresee future developments for the advantage of the school. In October, 1926, she introduced a school magazine, named THE PEVERIL, to celebrate the twenty-first anniversary of the school's foundation as Eastleigh Pupil Teacher Centre. In it, both she and the Editor, Mr Wilkinson, the teacher of English, referred to the importance of former pupils keeping in tough and attending social functions. They were invited to send news and letters for publication in THE PEVERIL.

A PEVERIL ASSOCIATION was promptly set up with the first meeting on 11 November, 1926, with Mr E. W. C. Luke, Geography master and former pupil, acting as co-ordinator. By 1928, an Old Students Day was established with sports fixtures and tea, followed by a dance in the evening. This became an annual event, the last Saturday in March being ultimately chosen as the most suitable date. Other activities, such as badminton, tennis and summer outings were added and proved to be popular.

At first, old scholars were called PEVERILS and several pages were devoted to Old Students News in THE PEVERIL, copies of which were sent to members of the Association. In 1930, officers and committee were elected and the name of OLD BARTONIANS adopted. The annual subscription was raised to three shillings.

In 1931, Mr Wilkinson left the school and his replacement, Mr E. F. Norman, sought to include letters from former students in the magazine and some were forthcoming from College and University students. Sadly, the early enthusiasm of former scholars lapsed and it was reported in January, 1933, that the Committee had decided to close down the Association ' owing to a lack of support', although the Old Scholars day would take place as usual. (In January, 1932, the school had moved from Barton farmhouse to the building in Desborough Road, its name being changed to Eastleigh County High School). For a while, old scholars were known as Old Eastleighians. Mr Luke left in 1933 to become Head of Bishopstoke School.

Miss Smith retired in 1936. Mr Harry Moore became head in 1937 and the Old Bartonians Association was revived in July, 1937, with May Betteridge as Secretary. It is worthy of note that after marriage, May Neale again became Secretary until her death this year and it is largely due to her enthusiasm and tenacity that the present revival is taking place.

The 1939-45 war restricted activities but Old Scholars Days were held. In 1946, Miss Olive Meakins (later Porter), former pupil and now a member of staff, became secretary of the association and actively encouraged another revival. An Association Newsletter apart from The Peveril was provided for members and continued to appear for some years. But, sad to relate, support lapsed and membership fell again. In the 1960's, Mr M. J. Smetham made a vigorous attempt to reinvigorate the Association but it became obvious that the new Headmaster, Mr R. E. Bowyer, was uneasy about the situation and he attempted to close down the Association which has been moribund for some thirty years but with a slim life-line maintained by May Neale.

Some Old Bartonians who were taught in the Barton Peveril farmhouse expressed a wish to meet again friends not seen for many years and a small reunion was organised in 1990. It was so successful that the College Principal kindly suggested that it should become an annual event. More recent Old Scholars were 'jealous' (the word is used in the best sense) of such an event, so the 3rd May, 1997, reunion for everyone was organised, intended as a basis for another, more permanent, it is hoped, revival of the Old Bartonians Association, for which the College principal, Mr Godfrey Glyn, has given an assurance of his full support.

Averil Cooper (nee Thomas) 1945-1952 has written to us from her home in Scamblesby, Lincs.,…

I hope you are inundated with contributions, but in case you are not, I send my latest poem from my clever friend, hoping it may raise the odd chuckle………

If you enter in this house,

For I am old and deaf you see,

It would not pay to startle me.

Announce yourself both loud and clear

And you will find a welcome here.

But if you enter here by stealth

To do me harm or take my wealth

Well, I am far too old to fight

Which leaves me just one choice instead.

I’ll simply have to shoot you dead !!

All good wishes to fellow Old Bartonians. I would dearly love to join you for the next reunion but my husband’s health means I cannot leave him for too long, Sincerely “

John Foxwell (1945-1952.). has submitted the following relating to his time at ECHS in the 40’s and onwards…………….

John Foxwell A potted career history Part 2

This article follows on from a previous article in the Spring 2013 edition (No 48) of The Bartonian in which I described some of my WW2 impressions.

1945 was a momentous year; it marked the end of the second World War and, important for me and my parents, I passed the eleven plus to go to The Eastleigh County High School. The joining instructions were very unambiguous, specifying the compulsory uniform we pupils were required to wear. This posed an unexpected expense for my parents but they were determined to kit me out properly- a second-hand pair of white cricket trousers being the only partial concession. Otherwise I turned up on the first day, Sept 6th 1945, with regulation bottle-green blazer and badge, white shirt and school tie, grey flannel shorts and the 'de rigueur' cap (woe betide any boy seen near the school without a cap).

The new school was very different to The Crescent Primary School in Eastleigh. Instead of a Form teacher who took us for all lessons we soon became accustomed to separate teachers for each subject and slowly got to know a little of the vagaries among them. Some subjects were entirely new, for example Latin taught by 'Bud' Habbits and algebra taught by 'Charlie' Beck. 'Bud' gave the impression of being a forbidding and austere character but, in the first Latin period after lunch, if you were able to seduce him into talking about some aspect of ancient Rome he became almost animated. I also recall asking Charlie Beck about algebra. Whilst I was quite good at it, I couldn't see any earthly use for it. I cannot recall his reply but it became evident later on as we got more into physics and applied mathematics that it was a fundamentally important tool.

The next seven years to the time I left the sixth form were mostly very happy ones enjoying a variety of sports as well as receiving, on reflection, an excellent education. Amongst the star performers for me were Maths with 'Pop' Stone (not to everyone's taste), Physics with Sam Bodey, English with 'Percy' Percival, and History with Olive Meakins.

There was and odd hiccup which could have had profound career implications. I was 15 years old and up to that point,

beyond an ambition for an interesting job which paid well, I had little idea of what I might like to do as a career. I saw an advert in the daily paper for young men to join the RAF; I liked the idea and wrote for more information including application forms. When my Mother heard about this she was horrified. She informed the school of my intention and I was subsequently persuaded that I should continue with my education and drop the idea.

Sport had its high points and its low points-the nadir being when The Head, who, on Monday morning assembly would give the results of the sporting matches with neighbouring schools on the previous Saturday; announced on this particular Monday the result of an Under 15 football match against Itchen Grammar School; we had lost by 22-1. Oh dear, the shame. A high point for me was the 1952 School Sports day when Jill Edwards and I received the Cups as Victrix and Victor Ludorum.

I left with a number of friends whom I still meet with today from time to time-the principal of course being non other than the aforementioned 'Jill' whom I was to marry five years later (her Mother would not allow her to marry until she was 21).

I went up to Southampton University on a four year sandwich course partially funded by a County Major scholarship and by the aircraft Company, Vickers Armstrong Ltd. These were busy years with the normal university vacation periods taken up with work experience in the workshop and drawing offices of the Company. My main University-related activity was joining The University Air Squadron as a member of The Royal Aircraft Volunteer Reserve based at Hamble airport and operating single engined Chipmunk trainer aircraft; this gave me the opportunity to learn to fly solo.

In 1956 I graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Aeronautical Engineering at Southampton University. Then came my first career decision point. I had been offered a research opportunity at the University. The alternative was a position in the Company’s design office. I felt some obligation to the Company for their previous support. However my research topic was to be in aero-acoustics. Aircraft noise was a hot topic at the time and one where research was needed, and one in which the Company had a keen interest. The Professor of Aeronautics at Southampton (Professor Richards) talked to the company who agreed to the proposal. From my point of view it proved to be a good move.

I completed two years research, marrying Jill in 1957. I had an excellent supervisor in Dr Ray Franklin and access to new experimental instrumentation. The University had just acquired its first mainframe computer and the programming courses proved valuable not only for the calculations involved in the research but afterwards in my career jobs. I left at the end of the two years with a rough (very rough) draft of the thesis. At some point towards the end of my two years research a US University offered me a teaching position, but I saw a clear obligation to join the Company who had supported me for 6 years and were pressing for me to join them. I could hardly refuse. From my point of view this was less than ideal since I was faced with having to complete my thesis away from the University environment and I had increasing personal commitments. We also had to leave the Southampton area where both Jill and I had grown up and where we had many friends. So we moved to the London area.

Work in the design office proved to be very interesting and related to my research experience. Passenger jet aircraft were extremely noisy around airports and my first job was to calculate noise patterns on the ground employing various strategies for minimising noise impact, for example by reducing power once airborne making a slower climb away. This reduced the very high noise intensity in the neighbourhood of the airport arising from a sustained full power climb-away but spread the noise nuisance over a much larger number of people on the ground. For aircraft still on the drawing board, engine designers were looking at the effect of by-pass engines which as well as promising improved engine efficiency also offered noise reduction advantages over existing jet engines. Flight take-off profiles for these were also investigated. Another task was the design of soundproofing to reduce noise in the passenger cabin; this encompassed both the design and testing of the cabin structure including the sound proofing and the cabin window assembly. Tests were also conducted in the model air jet facility at Southampton University to test the noise reducing efficacy of flow mixers in the jet pipe as noise reducers.

Two years on I began to get itchy feet. Whilst the work was interesting challenging and varied there wasn’t a strong research component and at the time the aircraft industry was suffering some contraction. I couldn’t see a clear career path ahead. I felt I had honoured my obligation to the company so I started to look for a position elsewhere. A further domestic factor was that we were hoping to buy a house; however the prices in the area where we lived were quite beyond our means.

Considering the options, and putting aside the option of seeking a position in another aircraft company, the alternatives seemed to be either a teaching post or a research post in a government laboratory. My eye caught a job in the appointments page of The Daily Telegraph; The Ministry of Defence was offering a temporary position for someone with an acoustics/fluid mechanics background. However it was in the field of underwater acoustics about which I had no knowledge. I applied, was interviewed and offered the job. This was located on the South Coast-much to our liking-where house prices were significantly lower and, coupled with the somewhat larger salary that came with the position, a mortgage purchase was now manageable-just. So I accepted the offer (next decision point)

So I moved leaving Jill, now expecting our first child, back home with her parents. The first year was very busy. We bought our house and Jill plus young son moved down. At work, I read up on US work on underwater-radiated noise and on noise interference affecting sonar, the primary method for submarine detection. This formed the basis for formulating a research programme and devising laboratory experiments. As well as this I was able to undertake computer calculations in support of a programme on ship protection from sea mines as an adjunct to experimental work being undertaken by colleagues. My temporary appointment was made permanent. Over the next few years the noise research produced results and more experiments, inter-alia, on acoustic near field diffraction were undertaken. My first-degree fluid mechanics background came in useful in a range of other jobs supporting programmes elsewhere within the Laboratory including the design optimisation and experimentation on underwater propulsion devices, the stabilisation of underwater bodies and the study (both experimental and theoretical) of the transient forces and pressure distributions on bodies impacting on a water surface.

The domestic moves and the job change meant that writing up the thesis suffered so that my first submission was rushed and poor. Later- much later- and with Jill's invaluable typing skills, I sorted it all out and was awarded my PhD for the thesis “Structural Vibrations in Acoustic Fields”.

The first of many overseas International collaboration visits was to a seminar run by a Canadian laboratory in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Subsequently I visited US labs and Universities for information exchange. Eight years into the position I was promoted and became responsible for a small research team. The variety of the work expanded to include maritime operational research studies of various types. Two years on fate intervened. Quite unexpectedly a vacancy arose to head up a fluid mechanics research division, on promotion, in a MOD research laboratory close to London (I had already used the facilities of this lab so knew it quite well).

I was successful at the interview board and accepted the appointment (next decision point). So the family (by now two children) were uprooted. Our finances were now on a somewhat firmer footing so we were able to buy a house close to the lab. Moving the children was of some concern particularly for the older boy who was within two years of taking his 11-plus. We found a good junior school for him and fortunately he soon settled in.

I headed up this research division (including two major facilities, 45 staff, and an out-station in Scotland) for the next eight years. Following graduation, I had had around 13 years research experience ‘at the coal face’; the new job gave far less opportunity for personal research. The Division had close connections with several Defence companies, both in the UK and the United States. We also supported in-house project teams. Our work was in various aspects of hydrodynamics and hydro-acoustics.

Then came another job change; I was offered, on promotion, a Director position in Whitehall. My old lab on the South Coast advised that they could offer me an equivalent-level job; why not go back? I pondered this and eventually opted for the Whitehall job (next decision point), believing it would broaden my experience. I spent two years in Whitehall not really enjoying the work which proved to be too remote from my real interests.

However the opportunity to return to the South Coast lab came up and I took it (next decision point). We moved house again but by this time both our children had flown the nest.

The next few years were most rewarding first heading up an Oceanography Department and then a large Weapons Research Department. Again we had close contacts with both industry and in-house project management teams.

On the international collaboration front, I chaired an US/UK/Canada/Australia/New Zealand information exchange group that, apart from the scientific/technical interest, provided for travel opportunities.

Finally there came a bolt from the blue. I was nominated as the UK candidate for the position as Director of the NATO Undersea Centre in La Spezia, Italy. I was interviewed, selected and accepted (the next decision point). At first Jill was uneasy but we devised a ‘modus operandi’ where she could regularly return to the UK. Both of us enjoyed a delightful three years in Italy. I had the honour and privilege of heading up a superb multi-national team. The Centre had two research vessels, one ocean-going and the other an inshore vessel. At that time acoustic propagation and ambient ocean noise were important elements of the work. The Centre also had an ongoing programme devising, making and testing out new sonar techniques and prototype systems.

From the middle of my career onwards and as I moved into positions with substantial management content more and more time was taken up in a) discussing ‘customers’ requirements and how they might be fulfilled b) programming the work of the group/division/laboratory as a whole c) securing the concomitant finance to fund the work d) recruiting personnel with the appropriate professional skills e) overseeing the scientific quality of the work and f) sorting out problems.

Following retirement I undertook consultancy work for several years and was a member of the Scientific Advisory committee of The Institute of Sound and Vibration Research at Southampton University.

Finally as undergraduates we sometimes speculated among ourselves as to how our future careers might develop. Looking at those ahead of us we concluded that chance/good luck was a not insignificant factor. Being in the right place at the right time could be important; looking back that proved to be the case for me. But perhaps most important of all was the foundation laid by my school teachers.

Sue Davenport ( 1962-1967 ). Memories off ECHS and onwards…………….

Sitting the eleven plus (as it was in those days) was my first real memories of Barton Peveril Grammar School, as I was deemed to be one of the six 'border lines' where only three of us were to be accepted. It seemed like several months (probably only weeks or even days), before the final results were made and during that time, my aunt, (whom I lived with) made it perfectly clear, that if accepted, on finishing my education, I would be going out to work!
Hence, I had no further incentive or inclination to study.

After our first year, we were divided into three streams - S for science, L for languages and T for technical and although I took a liking to French and particularly Latin, my other subjects were not up to 'scratch', so it was the technical class for me, which included needlework and domestic science. Obviously, my will to study, just diminished, knowing my predestined fate, although, I enjoyed all of the sports lessons, whether it was athletics, in the gym or team games. Being built like a 'bean pole' I had the 'mickey' taken out of me by the boys, except when one April Fools Day, some of the more exuberant pupils decided to adorn Mr. Sansbury's class with toilet paper, excetera, so it was off to the headmasters office for the culprits including me (as I thought it only right, although not involved, being Form Captain). Those boys never called me names again because it was me who saved them from having the cane! On leaving, employment was going to be hard that year, so I put in a request in at my Saturday job for them to take me on full time, preferably in the office as I was working behind the counters at Woolworths. There wasn't even a job in their office, so I worked the counters and stockroom for a few months then received promotion, which is where I managed to pick up all of my office skills that have taken me through to retirement.

My last job before having time off for children was in Lloyds Bank. On my interview, the manager asked what 'O' levels I had, to which I replied, English Language - paused, he then asked enquiringly Maths? my reply being Domestic Science??? He retorted at a later date that it was my personality and sense of humour that secured my position, as everyone else had at least four 'O' levels, but luckily for me, securing employment had picked up, with an abundance of choice in the jobs market. We started on ledgers, then with decimilisation, onto computers. Working the shorter hours and having to make sure that the input into the computers was done in three hours flat (before we lost all power to save fuel - another good idea by the government, with all of the miners strikes) was a challenge. Generally, it was me and one other colleague that did all of the input because we were very fast and accurate (that didn't came from my time at school - although the athletics could have helped).
So the moral is, even though I did not use my full potential at school, my goals have been achieved all through life, because I have done it for myself ! Thank you Sue - Ed