Great Time At Brooklands!

A Memory of Edmonton.

Those of you who are familiar with Surrey history of the 20th century will not fail to have heard of Brooklands Race Circuit (1909-39). At a later date, possibly post war, what was known as Brooklands House became a College. My Father taught quite a wide range of subjects there between 1957 and 1977.
Through his influence and helped by an Open Door policy, all the subjects that I wanted to take up and also prepare for at either O level or A level were available at Brooklands. Mr Gunner taught French and Miss Biggs taught Music. One famous name stands out whilst I was a part time student there, later moving on to full time studies. Son of Edmundo Ross joined the music department for a couple of terms.

The arrangement with Fullbrook School was thus. I would be allowed to attend Brooklands on a part time basis, commuting to and from Weybridge by train. Both Mr Dinsmore ( Principal) and Mr Bean were happy to allow reciprocal studies at both establishments.
My school did not offer many O levels in modern subjects so this is where the Brooklands connection began. Mrs Brace taught Liberal Studies, I recall and musical life took on a higher note as it was there that I started having flute lessons, interestingly taught at first by a violin teacher.
Whilst studying at Brooklands, guess who arrived one day as a guest speaker? Barnes Wallis in person.

Household name for us after Father's career in the RAF. It was a classic case of being in the right place at the right time. The contrast in set up and atmosphere between Fullbrook and Brooklands could not have been greater but I was just about capable of handling both.
The music course at Brooklands laid down good foundations for me to apply to the Guildhall School of Music as an external student. I stayed with GSM for four years and attained Teachers Licentiate Diploma in Flute after a rapid progress on that instrument through hard slot and determination.
Having started studies late in London, I next enrolled on a full time two year course in Cambridge with the ultimate objective of becoming a peripatetic woodwind teacher anywhere in the UK.

All my intentions became a reality and I continued teaching a wide range of woodwind instruments for nine years.
The only drawback to such a type of job is winning over hearts and minds in each school.
Happy in some schools, actively disencouraged in others. A high price is to be paid if the job carries pitfalls with it.

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