My youngest grandson sets off tomorrow on his university degree to study pharmacology at Nottingham. This sent my old brain cells firing off thinking about my adventure in going to Manchester to study medicine virtually 60 years ago to the day.

The old memory came alive firstly to see how many of my colleagues were still on the hard disc. I had the following results:-

Brian Barker who left in 1959 to study medicine @ Birmingham , Percy Coates ,Malim ,Cadman ,Pettigrew ,Drummond ,Tetlow ,Ogborne ,Lovegrove ,Impett.

I can't remember first names after this time but did recognise some of them on the school photos on the website.

I did better with the teaching staff:-

Geoffrey John Cross --headmaster & taught scripture & German besides running the scout troop --he had a grey whippet dog.

We had to do Music * read German in the 6th form to stop us having so many free periods.( Sorry, I mean --Private Study)

"Patch" Wilkinson(or was it Watkinson?)-- assistant head & taught French --2 favourite sayings were "Come along lightning" & "Here he comes, just like our cow's tail, all behind"

Jasper Crooke -- physic Tadeusz Feltsyn -- Physics

"Thug" Wallace --Geography --he was good at throwing the board rubber at snoozing pupils at the back of the form room --as you could see by the shell craters in the fibre rear wall.

"Killer" Hardy --Latin --he only threw chalk.

Mr Freer --English Lang & lit

Mr Udale --Woodwork & art --favourite saying to pupils who were planing a large piece of wood for ages " Here Is our Bryant & May matchstick factory"

Rex Wallbank --gym & games

"Taffy" Jones (or Davies?) --biology,

Mr Dann --chemistry ,-- Mr Tully -chemistry --he had a prewar Lanchester car ,grey & black, with a preselector gearbox --he gave me a lift home a couple of times.

I apologise for any spelling misakes.

I had to stay in 6th form for an extra year as I failed A level physics --by 5% so they gave me another O level.

I remember that after O level in 1957 there was a World Scout Jamboree in Sutton Park. The head organized working parties of 6th formers to erect tents & marquees for the visiting scouts.

We used to do cross country running so those of us who didn't want to get on the teams for the school used to run the first couple of hundred yards over the hill then enjoy an afternoon walk in Sutton Park, then run the last bit when the teachers could see us again.

I wonder what happened to my compatriots & how many of us are left now.

That's enough of the ramblings of an old man for now ,so I will shut up.

David Edwards 1952-60

(Covid Survivor)