“Half day holidays were few
and far between. What is now (1986) Religious Instruction
was then known as ‘Scriptures’ and was taught first thing each
morning and on Wednesdays the vicar (The Rev.Father Sangster,
known in the playground as ‘Daddy’) would come in on Wednesday
mornings. Each year the Scripture Inspector would come and woe
betide anyone who didn't know the answers. The exam usually finished
mid-morning and at the end the Inspector, who, I suspect was
really a very nice man, would have us on the edge of our seats
waiting for the usual “Well, you all know that I can give
you a half-day holiday if I think you have done well in the exam.........” A long pause would follow..........Every eye was fixed on him.
We waited. He would turn to ‘Tommy’ Knight (the Headmaster) and say “What do you think, Headmaster?” One could
almosty hear the silent prayers rising. “Well, it’s really
up to you, Inspector.” Another long pause...........“Yes,
I think they should have a half-day.” The sighs of relief
were audible and with a “thank you” we were off for
the rest of the day.
Another notable day (although no half-day was given) was when
the piano tuner came. Teaching was not possible during the tuning
and we were given reading or drawing. Someone was always elected
to ask (at the end of the session) if the piano tuner would play
a tune for us. He always did, and it was always a number called
‘The Cuckoo’. We later found out that it was the only tune he
could play!
We hated the visit of the
dentist who came in a caravan which was parked up at the college.
If
you had to visit him you were thankful if your name came early
in the alphabet. The drill was worked by a foot pedal. Later
in the day his feet got tired and the drill went slower!”