St John's School
I remember the Sunday March to Tiffield Church from St John's School and return. I remember masters there - Betteridge, Faid, Wooley and the young lads 'lusting' after Headmaster's daughter!! The good teaching received there.
My 'friends' and our adventures on our 'Day Out', Sinnott jumping into the canal to give us an excuse for returning late to school ... whatever happened to them all??? 'Ricky' Richardson, 'Wiggy' Roberts and many others!! The friendly villagers. The 1st Tiffield Scout Troop at St Johns. My becoming Troop Leader. The trips to cinema in Towcester, Northampton. Cricket, football, played at school playing fields. Memories I have carried through my life. Returning from a 'Task' with RAF in late 1980s, I saw St John's empty, looking forlorn. No doubt a factory or housing estate now in 2008. What is Tiffield like now? Are there any persons 'Out There' who have similar memories?
I enjoyed my stay there, 1948/51. Then National Service called just as I returned home to Bristol. The 'Lads' came from far away to St Johns - Sussex, London, Oxford, S Wales. And Gibbs was later to live in Tetbury, Gloucestershire. Did he settle there?? If so I pass through regularly to visit my daughter in Cirencester. He should be around 70 now, older perhaps. Where are you all now? Some may not have 'happy' memories of Tiffield. I have happy ones, but is this through passing time? Anyone r emember Tiffield and St John's - I am sure you do!
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RE: RE: St John's School
St John's 1948/50. B Hayman(Wake), I was (Roberts). Bumped into you at Hornchurch 1951. Masters' names you missed: Masi, Barnes, Brindley, Cliff, Thorpe, Dawson and Walker, all good chaps. They taught us a few things, I had not heard of evolution before St John's. That cemented my beliefs, Mr Chamberlain not withstanding. Unfortunately, they did not tell us of the hostility we would encounter, from the establishment, in trying for worthwhile careers. I have been waiting to say that for nearly sixty years. I well remember Wiggy Roberts, I gave him the nickname, without intention. I also remember, with some nostalgia, the lads from the S.C. class, Ralph Sherriff, Brian Bobin, Gerald Penn, Grev Chapman, Bob Usher etc: also Reg Turner, Vic Bates, Joe Hallam, Joe Riley, Spud Taylor, Dixie Hurst, Jim Lunn. I would love to hear from any or all of you. I should have done this long ago, not crash hot on the computer. I now live in Melbourne, Australia, having previously lived for years in Canada and New Zealand. I guess this is a longshot after all these years but I genuinely look forward to hearing from you.
Comment from James Hutchinson on Wednesday, 30th December 2009.
RE: RE: St John's School
Hi, I was at St John's in 1964 till 1966, it was very modern then, four houses, I was in Founders House. It was very intimidating at first. it made me stand up for myself and hit back rather than accept bullying. There were some nice guys there in similar circumstances as mine on the outside and others who were pure nasty I often wondered what it was like when it was a reformatory, some of the old buildings were still there and looked rather grim compared to the new part. The education was very good. I too went into the Engineering Shop and had a stint as bin boy drying any cigarette butts out in the incinerator for a sly smoke whenever possible. There were great sport facilities, everything you could wish for. I loved cross country running and the exercises in what I think was an old quarry leading onto the military exercise area, and the Sunday walks in the countryside I cannot say I have fond memories. I just wished I had been dealt a better hand in my younger days.
Comment from Graham Coote on Tuesday, 31st January 2012.
RE: RE: St John's School
I was at St John's from late 1953 to 1956. Now aged 70, I still consider my stay there as the best 3 years of my life...sad I know, but it was my home. I would like to pay my respects to a member of the staff who has long gone, he was in my opinion a gentleman, the headmaster Mr Chamberlain. Staff in those days were: deputy head Mr Turner, Brick, Woods, Beard, Toach, Harris, Burton who tried to bring rugby to the school, nice try... Wright, Skinner, Day,all good men... There were no house names in those days, from day one you went into the junior dormitory, then the intermediate dorm, senior dorm, to the leavers dorm and home. Roll call for some of the old lads,my life-long mate Alan Tatty Buxton, died aged 60, Charlie Biggs, Charlie Butler, Robert Bundock, Malc Drage, Peter Cook, Tony Ford, all good lads... I'm on facebook... John Storer
Comment from John Storer on Sunday, 26th June 2011.
RE: RE: St John's School
I was at St John's School for 21 months in 1962/64 and resided in Wake House. I remember Mr Cliff, he must have spent many years there. My memories are not all good ones as I found it hard at first. After a few months and making a few friends it became easier. I went into the engineering dept, a trade I'm still in today. After nearly 50 years I still think of my time there. I drove past there six years ago and it's unrecognisable as the place I knew.
Comment from Paul Field on Sunday, 13th March 2011.
RE: RE: St John's School
I was a pupil at St John's in 1969 when it was an approved school, I was there until 1972. I lived in Founders House, Mr Cliffe Jones was house master, is there anyone else who was there at that time?
Comment from Martin Treby on Saturday, 28th August 2010.
RE: RE: St John's School
Did I say something wrong, I was hoping for a return letter. Thank you Wayne Burton
Comment from Wayne Burton on Tuesday, 11th May 2010.
RE: RE: St John's School
Have all you people gone to sleep?. I know I was a little later than you, but I still was there and can relate to you and your time there. I contacted a police offier there, and he said it was still a boys school but a little different. Thank you Wayne G Burton
Comment from Wayne Burton on Friday, 2nd April 2010.
RE: RE: St John's School
Does anyone remember the Tiffield song, sort of like this, "We are the Tiffield boys, we are the Tiffield boys, we know our manners we earn our tanners, we are respected where ever we may go, when we walk down Tiffield Toad, doors and windows open wide and you can hear those people shout, "Put those bloody Tippers out". Any one know this please let me know. Thanks Wayne in Florida.
Comment from Wayne Burton on Saturday, 20th March 2010.
RE: RE: St John's School
hey what happened to you guys, I sent a comment and I didn't get no answer?
Comment from Wayne Burton on Sunday, 14th March 2010.
RE: RE: St John's School
I also remember that Sunday march, although a little bit later, 1951 till 1953. I think we used to call the father Ollie, I could be wrong, it's been such a long time. I now live in Florida and have been here for the last 48 years, after leaving the the army, "Royal Sigs". I did something like you did, I started the cadets going again, and became a sergeant before they let us all go to camp with the local guys, we did that twice then I was allowed to go home. I remember Mr Chamberling, we called him " Pear head". Oh well, we were kids then. Like you I got educated and learned a trade, bricklaying. Mr Cliff was our instructor and he was the best. OK my friends out there, that's it for now. Wayne G Burton.
Comment from Wayne Burton on Friday, 5th March 2010.
RE: RE: St John's School
Hello, can anyone remember Melvyn Mole, I was at the school from 1956 to 59. It would be good to hear from anyone who was there at the time. Many thanks.
Comment from Melyvn Dave Mole on Thursday, 2nd February 2012.