Forest Grammar School, Winnersh 1957-62
This fine school {formerly Woodley Hill} was opened in 1957. I was lucky enough to be one of 150 pupils who passed the 11plus {God knows how} and thus was one of the first intake, a real privilege although I didn't realise it at the time. I was cursed with the surname BRIGHT which I hated with a vengeance. I gained the dubious distinction of been given the first detention ever at Forest, given for no good reason by an obnoxious oaf of a prefect named Frampton. I have waited fifty years to say that!! The teachers at Forest were simply the best. They took a genuine interest in all of us plebs and I am so appreciative of all of them. Without the efforts of Messrs. Jackson, Headmaster-- Fanning,Deputy Head-- Fulbrook, Art-- Muncy, Sport-- Pettit, English-- Virgo, Geography-- Smith, Biology-- Marquis, Chemistry-- Enos, Physics-- and numerous others whose names I cannot recall right now, my fantastic and interesting life would not have been so fulfilling. I so much hope that some of these fine folk are still with us. I have enjoyed my working career enormously, the highlights of which have included 12 years as a guitar/vocalist/compere and a number of years working as a games designer with my own company, Flipper Games. I devised a game which I patented in the early 80's and which was played on the BBC for many years. It is called 'Give Us A Break' and it was hosted by Dave Lee Travis, a noted D.J. I advise any budding inventor to give it a shot, you may just get rich!! Thanks a millions Forest Grammar School for giving me a great start in life, you helped me to realise at least a measure of potential. I made up my mind of the day I left school that I would have some fun and some variety for as many years as I could. I'm 61 now and I'm still having a ball! I would like to contact Johnny Buck and Ronnie Bridle, a couple of really good mates from Forest. All the best from Bob Bright.
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RE: RE: Forest Grammar School, Winnersh 1957-62
I was a short-time student at Forest, from Nov 1961 to July 1962, when I left to get a full-time job.
I had only one GCE upon leaving, and was naive as anything, but I remember my few months there with great affection, as I made many new friends.
I am now working at Hickies Music in Reading town centre, and would be pleased if anyone who was there at that time would pop in to say hi.
Dave Plummer.
Comment from David Plummer on Tuesday, 20th January 2009.
RE: RE: Forest Grammar School, Winnersh 1957-62
I have a different view of Forest School from Bob Bright's rose-tinted one. I was also at the school from 1957, until 1964 in my case. To me it was totally mediocre, with a sad air of trying to keep up with the standards of the minor public school which Woodley Hill had been. It certainly had some excellent teachers, Enos (Chemistry, not Physics), Pettit (English), Wagner (French), Dalley (Physics), but it also had some disasters, most of whose names I have fortunately forgotten! Headmaster Wally Jackson was a total waste of space, spending his time chain-smoking in his office, only emerging for morning Assembly. He didn't know the name of a single pupil, and everyone held him in utter contempt. It seemed that the school was run by a triumvirate of strong senior teachers, Fanning (Latin & Deputy Head), Fletcher (French) and Dalley. The school building was in the new style of the 1950s, but built so badly that big cracks appeared in the walls and ceilings within a few years, and I remember that the floor tiles were thought to be so delicate that we were forbidden from wearing shoes with black rubber soles - as if! One good thing was the annual sixth-form revue, called "Diversion", in which I played the part of a Welsh tinker in a one-act play! The other seriously good thing was the introduction to electronics and computers which I received in the third year sixth form. This was well ahead of its time, and stood me in good stead in my career in computers. I would really like to know if anyone has any of the school group photos, which were taken in 1957, 1960/61 and 1964?
Comment from Steve Terry on Tuesday, 11th January 2011.
RE: RE: Forest Grammar School, Winnersh 1957-62
I was a shortitime student at Forest; Nov '61 - July '62, when I left to get a full-time job.
Only one GCE upon leaving, naive as anything, but I remember my few months there with great affection, as I made many new friends.
I am now working at Hickies Music in Reading town centre: would be pleased if anyone who was there at that time would pop in to say hi.
Dave Plummer.
Comment from David Plummer on Tuesday, 20th January 2009.