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Hi Don Welcome aboard!! Hope you will investigate the site and feel like contributing. Any memories of school, teachers, pupils etc are most welcome. You will find some of the threads completely off the wall but still entertaining!!! Some info abour yourself and when you were at the Tech would be useful. Look forward to hearing from you, have fun and enjoy!! Cheers Steve

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Hi Steve Thank you for your welcome. I was at the Tech from Sept '57 until Sept '63 when I left to join P.O. telephones, but that's another story. I lived in the Larkhall part of Bath then and can remember my first day at Weymouth House like it was yesterday. I also remember dashing about between the Tech College, St James Hall, some rooms at the top end of Abbey Green, the Old Gaol at Twerton and the huts at the bottom of Brougham Hayes.

Teachers I remember when I started were: Mr. Griffiths (English), Mr. Burch, I think that's how he spelt it (French), "Jimmy" Edwards P.T. (and General Science if my memory serves correctly), "Killer Keating (Maths), "Jammy" James (Geography),"Ray" Jones (woodwork) and the wonderful Peter Coard (Art). Later on I was taught by: "Bill" Hayman, "Wally" Hammond, Mr Ford, "Bevvers" Lloyd, "Dickie" Harbord, Mr. Webb, "Jack" Leyshon, Mr. Pappin, Mr Minnikin, "Harry Mower, Mr. Cosnett, Mr and Mrs Williams, Mrs Wynn, Mr Clayton (brickwork and masonary), Mr Lewis (metal work), Mr Webb "Sid" Hingely (music), Mr Pappin (I'm not sure about the spellings of some of these)and a load more whose names I have forgotten.

I've become worse at remembering names as I have become older, but some of my year-mates were: Terry Morgan, Mike Packer, Les White, Terry Pegler, Gordon Boakes, Tim Merrett, Dave Speak (the last three went to the P.O. with me), the Biggs twins, the Bail twins, Jolyon Lacock, Trevor Ash, Rodney Strong, Chris Starr, Dallas Whittaker, Warren Gundry and Barry Case. There are loads more buzzing around in my memory, but I can't put names to the faces at present.

Like so many things in life it was a mixture of happy ,sad, hilarious and frustrating experiences, although on balance I'm glad I went there, it set me on course for the rest of my life so far.

That's enough for now I think, I'll leave you to wonder "who's he then?" Regards Don Cox.

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Hi Don Wow!! That's some memory. I can also remember my first day at Weymouth House and saying to the lad next to me that is was like Greyfriars when all the teachers swept in with there caps and gowns!! If you trawl through the threads you will see mention of all the teachers you recall. Certainly Ben Coard was the subject of a recent thread. The only pupil I recall in your list was Tim Merrett, partly because of Walcot Old Boys and his brother Neil was in the same year as me. Do you remember a Mike Davis or Brian Johnson in your year? I am sure some of the other members will welcome you soon, probably still suffering from excess over the Yuletide! Keep remembering Cheers Steve

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Hi Don. How very nice to read your recollections. So many people join the site and then 'Clam up'. I guess that I was a couple of years ahead of you but most of the teachers you mention were familiar, particularly, Bevvers, Dickie Harbor, Harry Mower, Pop Webb and Taff Griffiths, incidentally I think that you and I are the only ones to have mentioned the latter, cracking English teacher!!!!!Incidentally, a while back there was a reunion at Beckington and we all got together, Harry Mower was present and still instantly recognisable although he said that he didn't recognise many of us, just the names of the trouble makers!!!!!!!It was super to talk to him again after all these years. It's a bit of a coincidence that you joined the PO after school as I was apprenticed to Telephone Rentals which included day release in those days. I did two years of my ONC at Bristol College of Science and Technology followed by my final year ONC and two years HNC at Yeovil College as I completed my apprenticeship down there. As you say the Weymouth House days were 'interesting' with all the traveling around the City, it's a wonder we ever got any work done!! But on the whole happy days, as you so rightly said we had our ups and downs, but looking back I don't think I'd change any of it. It is only with maturity that one realises the very sound foundation that all the teachers gave us for our future lives. We owe them all a good deal......................... Happy new year. Sticky.

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Steve/John

Thanks for your replies, it's nice to "meet" others who have similar memories of those times. I need to make a minor amendment to my list of pupil names, it should have read Christopher Ash, not Trevor, sorry if you're out there Chris. As regards Mrs Williams, I was in one of her first English classes after she joined the school, she certainly brightened the place up! I don't think she could have been that much older than us and was having a crash course in how to control a bunch of lively male tenagers at the time. She proved to be an excellent teacher (in my humble opinion) and soon got control of us. She spoke in perfect BBC (Oxford) English most of the time, but if wound up would revert to her true (I think) Lancastrian accent. She was aware of this foible and admitted as much to us, needless to say, to exploit this became one of the class's aims. I remember her trying to enthuse us into reading Shakespeare, particulary the witch's scene from Macbeth. When Trevor Biggs used his latent acting ability to "ham up" the lead witch role, which she had been unwise enough to give him, most of us cried tears of laughter by the end, including Mrs. Williams. Sadly, I understand she died in 2009.

Yes, I worked with both Neil and Tim Merrett on P.O. Telephones and also my, nearly, name-sake Dave Cox, also an ex Tech boy. The P.O. had a scheme in the first year of our apprenticeships to rotate us around in 3 month placements so we got to fit 'phones, climb poles, dig holes and install bits into exchanges. I had the misfortune to follow behind Dave for some of this and each of the old boys I was with insisted on calling me Dave. I gave up trying in the end and just answered to it, a "Rodney" moment long before "Only fools and horses" hit the screen.

I left B.T. when I was 50 and finished up some years later teaching as an F.E. lecturer at Wiltshire College. (Service and Repair of Motor Vehicles. And, I know it had nothing to do with 'phones). It was then I began to put the qualities of the education I had received, and the abilities of the those who had taught me at the Tech, into perspective. By the time I got my chance to give teaching a go, the pendulum of class room discipline standards had swung from the "only breathe when I tell you" of our day to the "anything goes" of now. I take my hat off to anyone who can spend a lifetime career at it and survive with all their marbles intact.

Enough for now I think. Don Cox.

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Welcome aboard Donald, Up to now your e-mail has only popped up when Eddy (my brother) forwards all those rude jokes and other internet gems! Just think we grew up together in Larkhall, attended the same church & scout troop and even caught the 11 or 3 bus to Weymouth House. I pass your house in Bradford on Avon on my way to the School of Infantry in Warminster quite often. Good recollections. Last time we met must have been in the First In & Last Out (now long closed). I was in your ex neighbour's house two years back just before old Mr Whitemore died. Spoke to Philip & Tim. Although they have all been quiet (drunk?) recently this lot can stir the 'leetle grey cells' of memory. Trawl through some old postings and you will see where nostalgia leads. Happy New Year to one and all. Graham

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Steve

Brian Johnson I think I do remember, a big lad with a shock of light coloured curly hair if I'm right. Mike Davis, I don't think so, although with my memory for names that's not saying much. I found my lack of ability in this respect to be a major handicap in my, short teaching career. " Hey you, wasyername, shut up," doesn't have quite the same directness, or effect, as "Jamie, be quiet or leave."

Regards Don

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Graham

There's enough potential recollection there to fill out many many pages. When you're passing with a spare half hour drop in, Ed does. I shouldn't like you to think that I'm the originator of the iffy stuff he sends you, over time I've acquired numerous friends in B.T. and the college world and they all feel a desperate need to send me "things" and I pass some of them on. The trick is to find and delete the more outrageous stuff before my wife finds it.

The reason I went to the tech in the first place is in some measure due to you, I remember your description of the place, and what it stood for, when you went there the year before me. When the 11+ selection was in progress my parents were asked to choose a preferred school and went for the City of Bath Boy's School. However, in the event my performance in the 11+ exams apparently left me on the border line and I attended a daylong selection process (at the YMCA in Broad Street) before the system decided what to do with me. I'm pretty sure the panel comprised of the relevant secondary school headmasters and at the final interview I was able to convince them to let me go to the tech. I managed to persuade them that my parents had had second thoughts about the grammar school and would be happy with the change. So, it's all your fault.

Growing up then seemed to be a much more fulfilling experience than it is now. I did find some of the subject material at school irrelevant to what I thought I wanted to do, but eventually most of it became of use sooner or later. Meanwhile, I learnt many additional practical skills from the adults around me, particularly your patient and long suffering dad and mine too and all the while Ed and I were pulling things apart and learning from our numerous mistakes. And yes I do remember your first car, the Heinkel bubble. Whilst Ed towed the second one home behind his frog eyed Sprite, I drove the b***dy thing from RAF Colerne married quarters after we had collected them. German engineering at less than its best I think, I suppose it'd be worth a fortune now if you still had it.

I'm glad I'm not young any more, I couldn't go through all that again.

Regards Don

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Cripes Donald, How come I still get the blame for everything? I understand that Mum & Dad put the Tech down as my 11+ first choice (I wanted City of Bath Boys) as they wanted me to be an engineer. I had also got a scholarship to the Art School and was bitterly disappointed about that too. However once David Upton dropped me off in Abbey Green (he would not be seen dead with a new boy!) and I braved the entrance I never looked back. Fancy being the only 'A' Level student of my year to do Art with Peter Coard. What more could anyone wish? Although life as a primary school headmaster never taxed my engineering skills (except for constant repairs & maintenance) I have no regrets about the Tech's education. Kind of 'jack-of-all-trades' comes to mind. Eddy found a picture of the Heinkel the other day. Tow rope and all. That was the only car I ever sold for a profit. I will drop in on spec one day. Is your caravan still outside? Cheers Graham

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Graham

Caravanning and us parted company just over 4 years ago. We gradually used it less and less in favour of more far flung destinations which necessitated converting large amounts of jet fuel into CO2. The decision was made, it went, my ageing 5 series Beemer went too and I bought an MX5 rag top to play with instead. It makes me feel young again, especially with the top down when I can feel the wind in my hair(s, both of them). To find us; we're the second house on the left with a plantation of Leylandii around the garden.

Peter Coard was something special, I remember in the Weymouth house days him taking us out into Pierrepont street to draw some of the architectural features of the ancient buildings there. Once he'd got us going, he settled back in a doorway, puffing away on his pipe, and did some drawings for himself. His style, which you probably remember better than me, was to constructively criticise what you had drawn and then to draw his suggested version on one of the corners of your paper. Pencil, or ball point pen, it made no difference, he was always brilliant. He was equally good at pottery and the other branches of his subject too, I remember him painting scenery for a play which was staged in Weymouth House in my early days. When I got to the 5th year I had to abandon art because it didn't fit with the engineering based study package I had selected. I went to ask Peter if there was any way I could continue, he told me that I was one of several who had approached him, that we could stay on after hours and he would teach us. I got an extra O level because of this.

Years later I came across his "Vanishing Bath" books in paper back form. I never could find vol 1, but was able to buy a very tidy 2nd hand copy of the hardback book containing all 3 volumes. In vol 3 he'd drawn my Dad's childhood home in Beechencliffe Place shortly before it was demolished in the 60s, I was able to give him a copy of the book for Christmas one year. Peter was a very placid man, never lost his cool with anyone that I remember, and aways had time to help you.

Regards. Don

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Donald, I put up some nostalgic pictures to jog those recollections! Cycling around Bath lanes- Charlcombe, Bannerdown & elsewhere, cricket on the 'Back Fields', camping at Kelston, a rainy Coronation Day with our B & W TV the main attraction for adults (curtains drawn all day) but the grub (and boredom!) for us. I can still recall Eddy & you tinkering with vehicles as I slaved over my damned 'A' Level homework. Had forgotten you picked up the Heinkel. It was my 21st Birthday gift from parents and of course I had no licence! Took my test in it about a month later. The 20 stone examiner stopped the test in the Circus as he said the vehicle was unsafe! When I switched to the Austin 1100 I met a car coming the wrong way down Cheap Street (it was one-way then) and reacted too slowly so that was the second test knackered! Third time lucky. I think Eddy took his and passed virtually on his 17th birthday! We had a caravan holiday in 1968 but have never camped since. Prefer a 5 star hotel or self-catering now! Too soft. Hard to believe we are still in the same house from 1967. Your Dad did some of the early electrics here. Eddy only removed some wires when we revamped the kitchen two years back. I think the shaver socket in the bathroom was his work. (I have a beard so it rarely gets used now!) Golly how time flies! Graham

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Graham

Thanks for sharing the pics, I've seen the bike one before (via Ed of course) and gave my mum a copy of it and another one showing Holland Rd with the building of our houses in progress. She's 88 now and lives in Newquay to be near my sister Christine. The trouble is I email Christine photos asking her to give mum copies, but she never gets them. So it's down to print and post, a relatively costly business.

It is very fortunate that your dad was into photography, it has prompted a lot of memories. I remember the Coronation party at "Briar Cottage," I don't know when exactly that was because we actually watched the events of the day on T.V. at the home of one of my dad's pals in Englishcombe Lane, my first memory of the haunted fishtank. The choir photo is one of many of the type I recall, if only they knew the rebel that was hidden deep inside that angelic exterior. My mother's two brothers and her father had all sung in their church choir, so I had no chance of avoiding that fate when my time came. Another of my mother's ambitions for me was that I should go to university, happily this particular one remained unfulfilled because I was too thick to get the A levels and equally importantly wild horses wouldn't have dragged me. However, my Certificate in Education teaching qualification was Bath University accredited, so whilst I was taking it I became one of their students. Once I got the paperwork I presented her with a copy and was able to say "There you are then mum, I did go to Uni after all." I was 60 on my following birthday.

An interesting bi-product of this is that the university considers me to be one of their alumni and I get bombarded with emails and magazines to that effect. I even had a 'phone call once from a current student who wanted me to tell him about my memories of attending his university. He was a bit taken aback when I told him that I'd never been near the place whilst a "student." But that I remembered repairing the 'phones and switchboard in Holdoway's site office when building had just started in the 60s and at many other times after that once the place was up and running. I told him that in my opinion the whole concept was a mistake and had ruined a large area of valuable countryside. I felt sorry for him then and wished him success with his studies. I'll bet he ticked the box marked "Don't ring this one again" on my record.

Still, the way things are at the moment, university attendance will soon become something only the wealthy and very bright will be able to do, a bit like it was in our day I suppose.

That'll do for now I think, keep finding the photos. Don.

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Hi Donald, Pass my greetings on to your Mum & Christine. Salutary to think that my folks would have been 100 last year if they had lived. I recall he had a Voigtlander 'bellows' camera (last seen with Eddy) and the photo papers were the offcuts from Admiralty printings. The cloakroom at Briar Cottage doubled as a dark room. Woe betide anyone who opened the door at the wrong moment! Perhaps the two events ran together somehow as it was certainly Coronation Day itself for the party. 'Beaker' Smith did his conjuring act for us too. I agree re. choir. Remember the initiation of being dropped through the grating into the crypt? Those black cassocks were green with mould. Caddy did buy cream buns after the massed choirs event in Bath Abbey though. Harry Mower lived near the Balustrade and we had to be sure our caps were on if he caught the 11 or 3 bus home. I get circulars from Bristol University where I got my Degree. Only time I have ever made use of the place was when I wanted to see a very rare book. I can still use the library. All three of my kids and two of their spouses have Degrees. We can muster two Firsts (not me)!! Suspect the grandson will never afford the fees!

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Graham I’ll pass on your regards to my mum and Christine. My dad would have been 103 in April, he made it to 98, he had 95 good years with a gradual deterioration over the last three.

Andrew, our one and only now 32, went to Aberystwyth University to take an M eng. in software engineering. He never came home and still lives in the town working for the local council as an IT business systems manager. He is currently half way through a masters degree in sports management at Cardiff University, is heavily involved in the Welsh Amateur Rowing Association and was able to persuade them to sponsor his course. Just as well really, we sponsored his last one, the five years (one out in industry) cost us the equivalent of two new BMW 520s as I remember telling him at the time.

Andrew is heavily into endurance sea rowing, the forthcoming big event for this year is the Celtic Challenge in May, a race from Arklow in Eire to Aberystwyth, 120 sea miles in about 20 hours (crew of 12, 4 at a time rowing a celtic long boat). Long distance cycling is another passion of his, last year was the Paris Brest race when he did 1200km in 77hours. These interests all leave him too exhausted to do much to his house, that’s where I come in (300 mile round trip and we get to pay the bridge toll too, I'm starting to hint that I'm becoming too old for it all..........).

I still have niggling doubts as to the value of the majority of university education undertaken in this country, not least because of the seemingly small proportion of graduates who actually get employment where they can really use their degree. A lot of misdirected effort I suspect.

But, what do I know?

Don

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Hi Donald, 95 good years is some innings. The last ones come hard though. Judy's Dad made it to 93 and the last few months were fairly awkward. Mum died after playing bowls when she was only 81. That is the way to go for me! Your lad sounds like a real adventurer! Good on him. Son (he is 39)now in Cambridge went to Leeds, is a computer engineer and married a forensic scientist. They have one son and she was just made redundant by the stupid government. Who is going to test for DNA etc. now. Private sector? Ha! ha! Oldest of twin daughters (Bath) went to Bournemouth then UWE and is a District Nurse with a diabetes specialism. Next grandchild due any day. Youngest (Bristol) went to UCE and is manager of Farrow and Ball at Clifton. Her BA was probably the least use but she is employed and happy. She is a runner. Blimey where did that gene come from? I only did cross-country twice and that was my lot! One son-in-law is a computer engineer and the other a computer technician in the Civil Service. I never get IT problems! Up to now their education has paid off. Especially the computer jobs. I do agree re. HE though. As a primary head I think to cancel the 11+ was a mistake. Not everyone can go to uni. We need the people who can make and do things. As for closing the Tech. What twits. Even Dyson could not get Bath to revive the idea of a technology college. Stupid. Biggest worry for son (and sons in law) is the Asian Tiger. Especially India is churning out computer engineers who work for peanuts. Not sure of grandson's future really (he is 2) but hope that some high tech job will make him a future one day. Cannot fault my own career and training (although I moaned like hell once!) but the State paid for all that student beer & fags and so far 14 years of Teachers Pension too!

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Graham

I suspect your attitude towards sport is very similar to mine, it holds little or no interest for me. This was a great disappointment for my dear old dad, who couldn’t understand why I hated rugby and came home from most games lessons with clean kit. Much later, he did take pride in Andrew’s sporting successes by way of consolation.

As regards the education debate, I think the 1944 Butler act got most things right for its time, especially the provision of technical schools. The situation already existing in Bath found the LEA with a functioning technical school; I bet they felt smug about that. It’s sad that the one size fits all approach of the 1965 move to comprehensives, apparently motivated more by political dogma than a desire to improve education, started the dumbing down of state education and the destruction of technical and grammar schools.

The situation in both FE and HE seems to me to be the tail wagging the dog. Prospective students appear to select a course often without a clear idea what use this might have in a future job. Better surely to organise it so that people get a job, then undertake the relevant training as in the days of student and craft apprenticeships. I’m sure that I taught enough full-time motor vehicle students each year to re-staff most of the garages in the college’s catchment area. The majority came on the course because they’d become 16, didn’t want to continue at school (and the school didn’t want them either), couldn’t get a job or because the plumbing course was full up, but still had to do something. Although most of them eventually passed the course, I knew only a very few would go into the trade, a waste of their time and of public money. By contrast the part-time (day release) students, whilst usually a rowdy bunch, were keen to succeed because their bosses were kicking them, and they were already motor mechanics. They also gave me the added bonus that they often taught me almost as much as I had taught them.

Meanwhile the politicians are still at it, I’m not sure Mr. Gove’s brain is completely in gear, he seems to have a fixation about substandard teachers. Perhaps he, and his lackey outfit OFSTED, should first take a look at the many substandard parents who spawn the substandard children who then disrupt and slow down the education received by them and their peers. A disproportionate number of my full-time M/V students seemed to come from this group, I could never get them to shut up and concentrate for long. On my last day a couple of them came to see me at the end of the session and said “Thanks Don, you’ve been a brilliant teacher,” my reply was, “I’m amazed you think so, you never listened to a bl**dy thing I said!”

Nuff said I think. Don.

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'morning Donald, Quite correct, although I played rugby at the Tech and enjoyed tennis even outside school, sport is not my thing. Would be fine if the pundits concentrated on the game, but all they bang on about is personality stuff. (With the lack of that, especially among knuckle-dragging soccer players, I get bored stiff.) Take out the money and make it amateur again then all would be better. 4 of my 6 kids & spouses work out, run, swim & play soccer so I am outvoted here! 2 even have Olympics tickets. Happy to baby sit. Much more fun! Gove, like education ministers back to Maggie, do not care a jot. Their kids never use the system (and if they do the 'old boy network' sees them okay). Look at Maggie's weird kids! They arrive, make some sound bites, change as much as they can, and push off again. My 31 years of teaching (plus training) saw constant turmoil. Some useless ex colleagues (poor heads or teachers) became OFSTED inspectors! Those who can teach, those who can't teach teachers! Still applies. Cannot agree entirely about degenerate families. Some of my best success came from this group. Recall teaching children of ex pupils who sought my school out as they said I had turned them around. It was the barrack room lawyer parent who was too mean to pay for a private education that hassled me. My school in Corsham endured the first 'appeal' in Wiltshire when a family tried to get their child moved up a year against mine and the governors' wishes. Hours of wasted time! I won (just as well as I had a letter of resignation written if I did not!). Also was oversubscribed so had parents trying to get places even to reception classes of 30!! I gather Corsham Primary School will be the first academy in the area. That would never have happened if I was in charge! Still all ancient history. Unless we get politicians with a united vision of the future 'we are all doomed!'

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Graham

Apologies for the lack of reply, my desktop has become unwell and I'm running on a slightly outclassed laptop until we can get it to the expert in sunniest (I joke) Aberystwyth. I too had some successes with the lower end of the academic and social food chain, although, since most of my students came from that source, it was almost inevitable that any success would involve them. One such was an under 16 lad ( the college was supposed to only teach 16+, but we taught some school age students who couldn't/wouldn't attend school) who came from what we once called a broken home, now pretty much a normal home, and was being brought up by his father. After a lot of effort by all concerned, he gained the required qualifications and got himself an apprenticeship. A few months later I came across him and his father at a social gathering, his dad sought me out to thank me for my contribution in turning his lad around and I walked away feeling a couple of millimetres taller. Imagine my disappointment a year later when I found his picture on the front page of a local newspaper because he'd been banged up for armed robbery!

At least the parents you describe apparently attached value to education, few of ours did. Parent teachers evenings were a joke, only a couple of parents ever turned up and they were the ones who's kids took it seriously and who we didn't really need to see. Originally I went to the college as a workshop technician,to play cars and get paid for it after leaving B.T. Gradually I got persuaded to take the odd class and the next thing I'm doing it full time and up to my armpits in lesson plans, teaching observations etc. I can't say it came anywhere close to telephone engineering, or any sort of engineering for that matter, but I survived about 5 years of actual teaching and I too have a teachers pension.

As for the ongoing political debate about education standards, I think that a slightly updated version of your quote is appropriate. "Those who can do, those who can't teach and those who can't teach become OFSTED inspectors."

Don

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Hi Donald, Judy and I are still awaiting the call from daughter Anya to say that grandaughter is here! Eight days late. Just like a Priest to be out of time! Recall my frequent comments at staff & governors' meetings that we should announce an evening 'jumble sale' and when the queue enters the building, lock the doors and say "actually it is parents' evening!" (A head I worked for had inadvertent 'pull' when he announced a parents' showing of the sex education TV programmes for 7 year olds in the 1960s. The school was packed!) My way the correct parents would be in place! Mind you some of the others needed ejection! One year as I was locking up after a parents' evening I found one couple had slipped back into a classroom after the teacher had finished and gone home and were going through the other kids' books. This was 11.30pm and they were surprised that I got so angry (or that I had a home of my own!!) Still on the whole I would not change as it was a better career than some others. Rewards were intangible but at least I tried. (One young mother (ex pupil) when about 28 years old said she could remember my purple tie, red Beetle and 'Ancient Egyptians'. What an accolade for a year's work!!) Even more laudable is the work of our Tech teachers. As a lazy b****r I am sure that I would never have made the grade without their stimulation. There were times when I was mugging up for 'A Levels' (especially on summer evenings) that the sound of you and Eddy tinkering with those vehicles outside my window made me doubt if I was doing the right thing! Down the line, secure family life, no debts and the leisure to write this shows that I did!

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Donald, Sorry to hear about your mother's death. Please accept our condolences and pass them on Christine and the family. Graham & Judy

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