Royal Masonic Schools Bushey (J Ston And Ston)

A Memory of Bushey.

I am not sure if this kind of opportunity attracts those who feel anger at a perceived or real unfairness, during their childhood years, and/or those who have a tendency to dwell on the negative but I'd really like to hear a broader range of experiences from amongst the many thousands who attended J Ston and Ston over the years.

Together with my twin I was there from 1958 to 1967, we hadn't lost our father but he'd gone totally blind and we were offered a place, which our parents decided would be in our best interests to take up. My twin was the academic one between us, and more outgoing - I'm a mildly expressed introvert, probably not best suited to deal with being 160 miles away from home, aged 8.

The days were different back then, as is often said before broadcasts of programmes from that era on radio 4extra (!) and yes, I too can cite inconsistencies and unfairness, but overall the 9 years helped shape us both into the 73 year olds we are today. I quite enjoyed aspects, such as the fried bread and tinned tomatoes...and most of the rest of the food, cross-country, athletics, swimming and house sports and even elements of the Army Cadet corps training...such as the assault-course on the bank above and to the righthand side of the cinders running track. We also had a rifle range, in which we practiced target shooting, firing Martini rifles.

We were significantly privileged with regard to facilities, having:
An outdoor swimming pool in the junior school, a heated indoor one in Ston; a well equipped Gym in both, music rooms, woodworking craft room, an engineering/metalworking capability, I think I remember Mr Walker making a boot luggage rack for his MG A car? We also had a printing shop with the fabulous smell of the printing inks - oh yes and a cobblers, who'd mend our shoes. We had fives courts where I used to play doubles with the younger 'ginger' Harris (his brother was head of house) and we had tennis courts...and numerous 'house' rugby, cricket, hockey pitches. We had films through a two reel projector on a Saturday...and a tuck-shop where we could spend our tuck money. There was also an infirmary in both schools, which I used to occasionally reside in, when I felt the need to. We also had good Art rooms, I was fair to good at art, and noting the comments above about Mr Renoir, he was always very encouraging...in a wholly appropriate way.

If I'm honest, I wasn't that teachable. I developed a low tolerance for authority and refined my passive aggressive coping mechanism...left alone to do my own thing, I was fine...I was an avid reader, as my nearly 2,000 book library demonstrates and I used to read the dorm reader to the 24 or so sleepy boys in my dormitory. Over time, I'm aware I developed a keen sense for seeing and challenging injustice...and this attribute at least I did carry into my adult self!
However - I'm not in the camp of those posting on here who saw only the negative, and still only see this decades later. Who is to say whether or not I and they may have had an equal or worse experience in the local grammar or in my case secondary modern school?!

Yes it was a time of corporal punishment, and some masters and prefects would occasionally abuse this...and some bullying took place - as it does in most educational establishments and I certainly do not condone it, but 56 years after leaving the school, my abiding feeling is they tried quite hard to give me a rounded education and a valuable range of experiences during my formative/teenage years. We should also be grateful for the many thousands of pounds which were used to support each of us as we were 'freely' educated in a very privileged environment.

I recently found a video of the school, a 'let the bretheren know what we are up to' production. Filmed in 1966 : - Mr Mullins was the headmaster, Derby Housemaster Mr Higgins (a kindly thoughtful man) was there...a terribly stilted 'of it's time' little film...but good to see the old school in moving pictures, once again, and from our era. Without having seen it written down, most of us can recite 'Pro bono cibo....etc' read out before meal times in the Dining Hall. (link below)
https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-vital-years-bushey-1966-online

It was interesting to see the masters looking a lot younger than I remembered them!

I'll round off by saying that my last role in work was in Basildon (in the NHS as associate director of planning and strategy) and in 2010, I drove over to both Ston and J Ston to have a look. I was surprised that they still both looked large and impressive. I persuaded security in both places to allow me in to photograph the buildings. (Ston was in the early stages of being converted into apartments/homes)

Anyone wanting to see parts of Ston in all its glory can see it as the backdrop to Judge John Deed, played by Martin Shaw.

Two weeks ago we travelled back home from my sister's in Yorkshire and stopped off in Warwick, where I had worked for a while - and I had a brunch...the fried bread and tomatoes instantly brought back memories of the Dining Room in Ston!

Finally, two things - I made a few good friends while at school, and enjoyed the company and acquaintance of many more - but like a lot of 'observers' who are often detached itinerate types, I was and still am useless at sustaining contact. That said, I'd be happy to respond to anyone who makes contact, friend or purely out of interest

And lastly, I was saddened on another website many moons ago to see some negative comments about the school. The reason for being saddened is that they were made in response to a mother wanting to enrich the memories for her son...of his father, an old boy, who had passed away. Maybe I'm being a bit harsh, in this time of calling out everything that is seen as 'wrong' - but for my part, despite my paltry 4 O'levels (This was my responsibility) I've made sure my children and grand children know about the impressive efforts of the school, and what the privilege of having the experience meant to me.

I'm sorry for those who carry bitterness in their adult lives, through having had a less than a good experience of their school days, whichever educational establishment they attend...but given the nature of the request and in the circumstances, it was a poor response to such a request.

The old maxim should have applied...if you've got nothing good to say; say nothing.

Best wishes to all RMS old boys: Audi-Vide-Tace - and a thank you to all who supported us, helping launch us into our adult lives.