School/Doctor

School doubled as the church on a Sunday and I sat next to the altar rail often gazing at the pedals and knobs and levers of the organ instead of listening. I remember sitting at bench-type tables for lunch, stirring the Christmas pudding and hoping for the sixpence. We had two classrooms - little ones with Mrs Fidler - bigger ones in the main room with Mr Nixton, who constantly sucked Polo Mints to cover up the smell of his Woodbines! There was a huge coke heap in the playground which we used to climb up. There was a wall dividing the outside toilets but we could hear the boys having certain contests. The woman who lived one side was rather grumpy and refused to return footballs. I also remember a doctor's surgery in the front room of one of the cottages opposite the Post Office and pills being given in round, cardboard boxes. It was a fun time.