Dear John,
Here are some memories I have managed to bring to mind
about my time at RGS. I hope they are of some use.
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I was a pupil at Retford Grammar School from 1953 to 1960 and
I remember it as a very happy time. I remember being inspired by some
of the members of staff, in particular by Duncan McNeil (who was
tragically killed in a car crash while still teaching),
Herbert 'Spike' Pollitt (who introduced me to the Crusader movement
and the summer camps on Anglesey when it always rained and we ended
up sleeping on the floor of the local church hall and who also allowed
groups of us to play table-tennis in the attic of his house on
London Road) and Howard Bartley. It was Howard who aroused my interest
in theatre and in amateur dramatics, an interest which has stayed with
me to this day.
Of the remainder of the teaching staff one or two still spring to
mind. JOHN ('Tash') ILLINGWORTH taught me mathematics but he also taught
me to swim (not totally successfully as I am still a poor swimmer). I
remember his shouted encouragement as I thrashed my way down a length of
Retford Baths trying vainly to catch up with a sweeping brush which he
hovered over the water in front of me while he walked down the side of
the pool. He was also well-known for a punishment christened the 'bacon
slicer' which was administered to the posteriors of miscreants with the
edge of a ruler. E.C.('Charlie' or 'Coke')CHARLTON was passionate about
the cricket field within the school grounds and had boys, willingly or
otherwise, trundling up and down the wicket with the heavy roller on the
'rolling squad' or rubbing linseed oil into the blades of cricket bats
in the 'tin tab' as a punishment for misdemeanours, although some boys
actually volunteered for these duties. It was a sad day for him when it
was decided to build new classrooms on the field. BERNARD('Bo')BEASLEY
was deaf in one ear so boys were asked to 'come round the other side'
so that he could hear them. He also prepared us for the future with the
expression, frequently used, that 'life was full of more kicks than
halfpennies'. Finally, REV.W.P.('Mac')McFERRAN entertained us endlessly
with his tales of Troddles and Charlie Cash. He was always a firm
disciplinarian so it came as something of a shock when, at his leaving
ceremony in 1957, he was overcome by emotion and burst into tears.
Of the pupils I remember, I still see Clive Webster and Derek Hedley
regularly as fellow-members of Worksop Light Operatic Society and Mick
Mills, who sings with me in Carlton Church choir. I also see Peter Ledger,
David Casseldine, Jim Wilson, Richard Salmon and Les Russon from time to
time.
One particular pupil, whom I have not seen since I left school but
who made a great impression on me then, was David Smith. He was much older
than me, in fact I think he was a sixth-former when I started at RGS, but
he set such a good example that he was a wonderful role-model for me and
many others. He was an excellent sportsman, very intelligent and always
available for advice and support.
Having had my interest in drama awakened by Howard Bartley, who was a
leading local actor at Retford Little Theatre, I naturally remember the
school plays. In 1957 we did 'Treasure Island' when I drew the short straw
and had to play Mrs. Hawkins (the only time I've ever played a female
character). Then, 'wonder of wonders', permission was granted by Miss
Townsend for some of her girls from the Elizabethan High School to take
part in productions and together we put on 'The Merchant of Venice' in
1958 and 'Busman's Honeymoon' in 1959. In all three of these productions
my good friend Robert Burlington showed what a terrific actor he was and,
for a while, he did work as a professional. Sadly, he died very young in
his forties.
So there it is, a few random memories from the past. I've not said
much about education but friendships are what stick in the mind over the
years.
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I hope this is of some interest.
Best wishes,
Peter Burton.
Carlton-in Lindrick,
Worksop,
Notts.
S81 9DT
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