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MARCH 2002 NEWSLETTER Roger Evans,
9 Sussex Close, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 5PA |
2002 Reunion dinner
In the wake of our last newsletter the cheques have been rolling in -
and a few rolled out as well. Our apologies to those who have been inconvenienced
by the loss of a batch of cheques within our system. All concerned will
by now have been notified, including yours truly, and the problem is now
being sorted.
Pete Ruddock was inundated for a few days following the posting of the
last newsletter as members clearly realised that our move to the Tudor
Restaurant would mean limiting numbers to 150. At the time of writing
two thirds of those places have already been booked so please get out
your cheque books and pens post haste.
Tales from the Crush Hall
We're back with Tales from the Crush Hall and my thanks for a story from John Morris who joined the school in 1958, and it's another involving the infamous and late John Bottomley. Brian Long, taking and English lesson, set a 20 minute piece on the board, while he did some marking.... "The funniest thing I ever saw" was the chosen title for an essay exercise.
After a couple of minutes, all heads went down and furious scribbling could be heard. All except JB who stared at the ceiling in puzzlement. This was unusual, as he was always pretty good at English. Ten minutes went by, the frantic pace eased off, but JB still gazed around for inspiration.
Brian Long was getting increasingly engrossed in Bottomley's obvious discomfort. He was still in his own private agonies when Brian announced "One more minute" and finally JB's head dropped to the task and he scratched away maniacally, put his pen down with a couple of seconds to spare, and sat back looking surprisingly satisfied.
As was the custom Brian scanned through our efforts, and read out a few of the most interesting ones. Several of us had watched John's panic and were hoping his would be read out for the benefit of the class.
"And finally" said Mr. Long, "Bottomley's twenty minutes worth. 'The funniest thing I ever saw ...(dramatic pause for effect)... was just too funny for words!"
In that same year at school there was Roger Richards. We go back a long way together having attended Eastover Junior School and passing our 11+ at the same time. He recently wrote to me asking if I could remember a teacher who arrived fairly late on in our time at the school and taught us Physics. He was quite rotund with dark curly hair and was very affable. He may have been substituting for Oscar Brydon and Roger seems to recall that he played in a jazz band.
He drove a really old car, which suited his rather eccentric character. Unfortunately this became a regular target for 'japes' (as Wilkins used to call them). Roger remembers that one time the car was moved and hidden right away from the car park. Apparently the hand brake didn't work too well as Roger was able to testify from his personal involvement in the prank. All concerned found it tremendously amusing watching the master searching for the elusive vehicle but less satisfying was another occasion when someone stuffed a potato up his car's exhaust pipe. Regrettably nothing exciting happened like the expected explosion - it simply failed to start.
But that passion for explosions clearly stayed with Roger since he was later to become the head of the local Royal Ordnance factory!
With the recent changes in ownership of that particular company, "Dodger " as he was known at school has moved on and now lives in a small village near the Silverstone race track, having purchased the house from a certain notorious racing driver. Notorious because he was recently exposed by his association with a certain female member of the royal family.
Sources close to Roger, who must remain anonymous since he this individual has dropped his brother-in-law in it, informs me that when the news broke of the association, the paparazzi descended on Roger's home until Roger accidentally let slip the new telephone number of aforementioned celebrity. I understand life is now back to normal the paparazzi having migrated elsewhere. And my thanks to Dave Peek for that scoop!
An email rom Dave Derham triggered my memories of some of the many nicknames we had for our teachers at the school. Bonzo, Vaughn Jones, is remembered by many. Then Stagger Storey, Moggie Morris, Cuckoo Packer, Bertie Bollom, Agatha Christie and Grimy Griffiths were just a few. Then it struck me how many of the real characters failed to collect nicknames. Surely the late Glyn Rees was sufficiently infamous to merit a nickname! I'm sure tht had Great Britain been able to boast an Olympic Gold in hammer throwing at the time, Glyn would somehow have adopted that name.
Beyond this I dare not go. Many of you may be aware of the recent situation on the Friends Reunited web site where an old boy (not from our school) made derogatory remarks about a former teacher who then read the disparaging remarks about himself and then took his former pupil to court.
However, there are some characters you feel safe to write about and Garry Sutton is one such. A few days ago I signed the agreement with my publisher for my next book called 'Blame it on the Cider'. One or two old boys feature within its pages. Sadly Garry's story doesn't due to limitations of space so I'll give it a brief mention here.
After leaving education, Garry played rugby for the Old Morgs for some years, and was one time captain. Then his job took him to Southern Ireland where he continued his rugby with a club of similar standard over there. Such was the relationship that he developed with the club that he was able to persuade them to travel to Bridgwater to play the Old Morgs.
Well the outcome of it was that after the match, the Irish contingent were drinking the local cider with which they were totally unfamiliar, whilst the Bridgwater lads did likewise with the Poteen (if that's how you spell it. The evening descended in one of drunken debauchery as you can well imagine and if you want to know more you must ask Garry. It is at this point that I hang up my keyboard to avoid any potential of prosecution for defamation of character!
Another character in my cider book is old boy John Sparkes who recently published his book "Gi'e I Burtle'. If any of you old boys come from that area, it is well worth acquiring a copy and has just been reprinted.
Golf day
Many thanks to all of you who gave feedback on ideas for us to pursue which you included on your membership renewal forms. For those yet to send them in, please keep the ideas coming.
There has been a good response to the proposed golf day and at the time of writing I await a response from a member I have asked to organise the day. Hopefully those of you who declared an interest should be hearing soon. Meanwhile, if you haven't yet replied, please make sure Peter Ruddock is aware of your interest if you'd like to be involved.
Other ideas coming forward
Mark Hamlin has suggested a return visit to the school. For those of you who have not been back since leaving, there are aspects which remain unaltered, the old gym looks exactly the same, and other bits totally altered, with buildings in the quadrangle - not to mention girls!
Whilst I haven't mentioned it to the present head, I know Bob Ward would be only too pleased to receive a visit from anyone interested. Now it strikes me that a nice way to finish off such a visit could be to gather for drinks in the garden of an old boy who lives nearby - and there are conveniently a few to choose from. So I am hoping for someone reading this letter to say "Yes - I'd like that" and then we'll set a date sometime in the summer and make the arrangements, notifying you by way of our next newsletter.
A visit to Taunton Races has been suggested by Phil Taylor but comes too late for us to sort something out for the National Hunt season about to finish - so we'll get a fixture list for next year and let you know the details.
Old boy honoured
My thanks to Mike Berry for drawing my attention to Julian Streeter, fellow old boy, who was awarded the OBE in the New Year honours for his service as policy advisor to the Inland Revenue.
Have you paid?
Please remember the limited numbers again this year and book your place
early if not already done so. Those who have yet to pay in full or have
paid membership only and not for the dinner, will receive with this newsletter
a membership form to enclose with the required cheque. Those who have
paid in full will not receive the membership form. If there are any queries
in this respect please contact Pete Ruddock who has the up to date list
of who has or has not paid (01278 663559 or 4 Chaucer Close, North Petherton).
Roger Evans
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