The Good And The Bad

A Memory of Stanhope.

Yes we were bad lads who went to Stanhope. The first words Mr Bowles said to me was "I tame lions and tigers just like you" then slapped me across the face. Remember that? As for the teachers: Glendenning Mctavish, Mellody Maddison, Stewart Wheeler and Headmaster Bowls and Miss Fergison. Yes I think most of us will remember them, some for good some for bad. The first three years was just growing up. School camping in Witby boy scouts, cross country running, sports. Normal things in ones life - that was the good. The bad. Ask Tom Winstanley, David Hyde and Dave Hadock, they found how bad it could be - it was no cup of tea. To whatch your mates crying in pain after Bowls or Mellody had set about them with a cane - back, bum, legs, they didn't care where they hit you. I found out myself when I ran away with another lad. ?????? I wonder if he remembers? By God I got the hiding of my life. I was black and blue from head to feet - Bowls, Maddison, Mellody, they just loved to give it. They made me wash the toilet floor day in day out - even threw my food on the floor and told me to eat it. A lot more things happened there, and a lot of you poor lads were on the receiving end of it. I hope you lads who was there when I was had a good life after Stanhope?