39 Memories

1. Ian Wheeler has this memory

   20 May 2010

   Occasional school outings were made in some of Tappin's coaches. At the time, the depot was just along St. John's Road. We seemed to get the older vehicles, lumbering half-cab affairs with black roofs and orange sides. These are now museum pieces but, at the time, a coach journey was quite exciting. We also took 'nature walks' in an area which is now the Firtree Estate. At that time, much of the land between the school and what is now Firtree Avenue was allotments, smallholdings and open meadows. We had to negotiate the 'Bunk' line on a small wooden-boarded crossing. At that time there was also the remains of old sewage works in an area now occupied by part of the Hithercroft estate and these were objects of interest at the time. The last traces were removed only a few years ago.

2. teresa savage has this memory

   13 May 2010

   loved the school enjoyed my time there in the 70s lol

3. Michael Molloy has this memory

   27 April 2010

   Michael Molloy (aka Molly) 1950 – 1956 I have very many fond memories of Wallingford County Boys School, as the school was known in my day. Walking to school along Church Lane, calling in at Boys the sweet shop or Allworth’s the bakery to purchase a penny bun ...provided, that is, one had a penny! Crossing the Krinny and hearing the school bell, which warned of five short minutes in which to get to school on time for assembly? When I began my schooling at Wallingford County Boys School Mr Clifford Atwell was the Headmaster and when he retired Mr Dean took over as head. There were our favourite teachers and also those that made one afraid such as Miss Nash, or Mrs Hubbard. Misbehaviour was not tolerated and always rewarded with a rap across the knuckles with a wooden rule. However, I was not unhappy and thoroughly enjoyed learning. There were Art lessons with Mr Huntley and all manner of sports with Mr Tremain. Mr Blond took us for gardening lessons, but my most vivid memory was not the garden or even the produce but of his arrival at school on a hand gear change B.S.A motorcycle. In a separate building Mr Shorter taught Metalwork and Mr Jones taught Woodwork. I delighted in both woodwork and metalwork, unless, that is, you managed to cut yourself, then out would come the dreaded bottle of ammonia for you to sniff! Not the most pleasant experience. With the benefit of age / hindsight and just the passage of years my memories of school days are happy ones. Memories of friends and of a wonderfully happy and carefree time at Wallingford County Boys School. I now live in Dorset and recently retired from Weymouth College where I worked in the Construction and Engineering Department (where sadly the trusty bottle of ammonia could never be used!)

4. Cindy Wrapson has this memory

   16 April 2010

   Attended the Open Day on Easter Monday - what a brilliant time we had wandering around the classrooms - brought back such memories especially the infants which seemed to have changed so little (and even smelt the same!). So many wonderful things to see - photos, the Billy Blue Hat books, words for spelling practice in the tobacco tin, the benches in the hall which I swear are the same ones as when I was there, the piano, the book shelves in Mrs Lynch's old class, the game of elastic in the playground. An absolutely brilliant day - thank you to all the people who put so much hard work into arranging it.

5. Kirsty Baxter has this memory

   5 April 2010

   Going to St John's for the exhibition today was absolutely amazing, I got a tear in my eye at al the memories and the warm welcome that we all received at the school. The photos brought back so many memories as did the tin birthday cake and all of the stories in the infants that had been written by my contemporaries. My daughter who is a current pupil got so much out of going with me and long live St John's until the next centenary!!! ps I think we should bring back the sponsored walk!!

6. Tony Kinchin has this memory

   1 April 2010

   My family moved to Wallingford during the last year before secondary school. I remember being made very welcome, helping me to settle in well.I also remember a very good residental trip to the Isle of Wight.Also a cardboard cake during assembly for pupils Birthdays.

7. Julie Nichols has this memory

   25 March 2010

   I have some lovely memories of St John's - the school plays, Hansel and Gretel with Lynda Field and Gary Ireland and The Wizard of Oz with (I think) Mrs Dyer Lynch's dog, who didn't want to come on stage with me - my best friend Helen Dunn and Michael Sears who was the Wizard are still both always in my thoughts. School assembly playing the guitar and in the school orchestra - filing in with The Planets playing on the old record player. The school trip to Shanklin, the freezing swimming pool and jam roly poly and custard!

8. Angela Hamp has this memory

   22 March 2010

   I remeber Mr Everet Miss Drew Mr Dean the Headmaster Mrs Lovegreen. Playtime was great with all the girls playing 'elastic' I remember Diana Nencini her dad had a clothes shop in St Marys St opposite the Dolphin Pub My best friends were Joyce Stephens Jayne Short and Bernadette McDonald their dads were in the RAF and lived in Trenchard Close.I remeber visiting the Old Peoples home at Blue Mountains and Sotwell house at Xmas Time. Salad for Lunch EVERY Wednesday, sponge and 'jungle juice' for dessert E numbers galore. Playing the recorder in assemble. And much much more!!!!

9. Jenny Harden has this memory

   15 March 2010

   Like some other parents, I volunteered to help regularly in the swimming pool changing rooms - getting the infants into their cozies, then dry and dressed again. I also listened to infants reading - one child with one adult in a room on our own. It was late '70s. CRB checks.......? Who'd heard of them ??

10. Naomi Luker has this memory

    5 March 2010

    I loved Mr Quinn!! To be honest, he was one of my favourite memories!!! That and being in Mrs Hill's year 5 class...i loved her sense of humour and art!

11. Clive Bosley has this memory

    18 February 2010

    My family lived within the sound of St John's and Wilders bells which called and dismissed students and workers. I was a student at the school between 1950 and 1954. My Class was in the old school hall with Miss Naish's when Music & Movement on the radio ceased for the death of King George VI to be announced by John Snagge. This heralded a busy period of school activities in anticipation of the Coronation. I remember once being in a fight after school in the Krinnie, I was defeated and my brother took over (he was much more of a sportsman than me) my challenger fled. To avoid football I learned Violin with Arthur Dean from Mr Bassett the peripatetic violin teacher. When I returned from University to Wallingford my wife and I both played in the Wallingford String Orchestra which rehearsed in the new school hall under the baton of Clive Pafford with Arthur Dean on 1st fiddle.

12. Susi Quinn has this memory

    11 February 2010

    I was at St John's in the early 80s, and remember the fantastic Shanklin and Tenby trips that others have already mentioned. What else? - swinging on our towels in the swimming pool changing rooms singing the theme to Fame (while hoping none of the boys were watching through knot-holes) - the long struggle to get the adventure playground built, which was finally almost completed in time for our leaving disco - pole-vaulting over puddles on the way to the Paddock with the rounders bases, it was always more fun to carry the sticks than the actual bases themselves - Jonah-man Jazz and The Minotaur Show - the grassy playground in the summer, and everyone chanting "The last one on the bars is a nin-com-poop!" - the rivalry with Fir Tree, whose music teacher always wanted us to sing "He's got the whole world in his hand" (not hands!), cue all of our class hissing the sssssssss at the end of the line Too many others to mention!

13. Warren Young has this memory

    13 January 2010

    I was only at St john's for a couple of years in the early 70s but remember clearly this lovely school. Remember well the swimming pool and the sponsored walk we all went on to help fund it. Was in Miss Tooke's class with Julie Nichols and lynda Field. Also remember football with the Caistor twins in the yard. I'm sure I'm one of the kings in the early 70's nativity play and remember Cindy in the hoola skirt! Also I once played the king with Hiccups to much acclaim when I was in Mrs Lynch's infant class. Bet no one remembers that!Ha ha. Went for a nostalgic return visit a couple of years ago and Mrs Forder was brilliant, thanks!

14. Zoe Andrews has this memory

    7 January 2010

    I remember going to Yenworthy and doing lots of fun activities. I remember the shirt signing we did at the end of yr6, and being sad but happy to leave and move on.

15. Irene has this memory

    4 January 2010

    I remember istting with my school pals listening to Mr (Ron) Hursey playing his guitar. We were encouraged to sing alsong to songs such as Freight Train and If I had a Hammer. I also remember how kind Mrs Dawson was and how strict Miss Took was. Headmasters of note were Mr Dean and Mr Peacock.

16. Sarah Marks has this memory

    18 December 2009

    I have lots of memories of this school!!! But the one I always remember that sticks in my mind even today !! Is when we all said goodbye to Mrs merrison!!! I remember so many teachers from Mr Quinn, Mrs Lester, Miss stanton (who got married) Mrs Dawson, Mr Osbourn, Mrs Hill, rs Painton (Legend of a teacher) Mrs Moulton,Mrs Voss, Mrs Johnstone and Mrs george in the office!!! And lots and lots more!! Another memory is the day when I set my haor alight when we were doing an experiment in the 3rd year about candles and listening to pins well silly me set my haor on fire and Mr quinn had to take me to Hospital!!!!!!

17. Derek Landowski has this memory

    18 September 2009

    I can remember very good school dinners,football in the playground with mr wormlsy,mr everate,not so favorite teachers:mr dean with his kane?,dagger blonde with his slipper,but a very enjoyable school with good memories and not so many bad ones.a very funny victorian teacher,mrs witica with good values.(this was in the 60s)

18. Richard Stone has this memory

    22 August 2009

    The Assembly hall and the old boiler outside. Country dancing. Games on the Fields. Fetes - including helping run a penalty shoot-out competition The Headmaster and teachers (Mr Quinn, Mrs Painton, Mrs Jones, Mrs Saunders, Mrs Bodle (now Voss) Baking (with Mrs. Johnstone) Trip to the Isle of Wight The Swimming Pool etc.

19. Mark Savage has this memory

    1 August 2009

    Cold outdoor pool...mm remember that!! have loads of memories of the school and the people of my generation, can see some familiar names here already, will def keep an eye on the site!!

20. GLYN WALTERS has this memory

    30 July 2009

    When I first arrived I was with Miss Nash. Reading was always difficult and so had Help after school from her friend Miss Bell who lived down Reading Road. Always remember the ink monitors and Mr Keeley ""Keyole"" who was a perfect shot with the chalk.Mr Tremayne had occasion to use the black plimsol and if that didnt put us straight then there was the FRIDAY MORNING standing outside the Headmasters study Mr Dean would exercise the cane.On reflection now I dont think it did us any harm. The girls would come up for domestic science in the house in the playground. They had to walk past the outside open air toilets.Mr"Digger" Blond looked after the wood work shop and I think was also deputy head. Friday morning service were always there to give the teachers a chance to play a musical instrument. Mr Dean with his violin Never to be forgotten. Most memorable activity was working out how many gallons of water flowed under the river bridge per hour. fantastic times. I Left in summer 1960

21. ADAM RYAN has this memory

    29 July 2009

    I CAN REMEMBER GOING TO YENWORTY AND HAVING THE TIME OF MY LIFE AND HAVING MY LEAVERS PARTY AND THE LEAVERS ASSEMBLY AND THE PLAYS AND LOTS LOTS MORE

22. Viv Pink (nee Roberts) has this memory

    13 May 2009

    I started in 1975 in Mrs Dawson’s class, I was so nervous on my first day that I was sick, unfortunately I was standing next to Mrs Dawson’s desk at the time and her bag was open on the floor close by. Learning our times table was an important element of my first two years at St John’s, Mrs Dawson offered a gold star to the first person who could recite all of the twelve times table, I got the silver star, Heather got the gold star. While I was in the upper juniors some American teachers visited the school, during the lunch break they came into the play ground and taught us a new game involving a football and a small area marked into four squares. The game was very popular with a large number of us, Mr Peacock arranged for two of these squared courts to be painted on the tarmac along the front of the school. I enjoyed my time at St John’s school Mrs Dawson, Miss Gallagher and Mrs Jones were very supportive teachers.

23. Samantha Ross has this memory

    12 May 2009

    There are lots of good memories from St Johns School .... I can remember, swimming lessons in the outside pool and having to manually wring out my costume, receiving certificates for doing widths/lengths etc and having them presented to me and my friends during morning assembly.. I remember Mrs Bodle, Mrs Jones and Mr Quinn. I remember being Mary in the Christmas nativity, and also really laughing at my brother Jamie in the Christmas nativity because he had to wear tights, I remember playing rounders in the Paddocks .. I have lots of good memories of the school, and still see lots of old friends from time to time.

24. Nick Goldring has this memory

    12 April 2009

    I attended St Johns in the early sixties, My Headmaster was Mr Dean and I have very fond memories of Mr Blond and his pre-fab classroom, he kept is under control and was a dab-hand with the 'slipper'. Doe's anyone remember a school trip on the last steam train from Wallingford to Cholsey on the 'Bunk line' ?

25. Michael Mortimer has this memory

    5 April 2009

    I came to St Johns when we moved from Reading in 1947. It was a boys' school then and Mr Atwell was the Head. I was only there 2 years and then came the 11 plus. That year (1949) 6 boys passed to the Grammar School which was then a record - Me, Harold Crook, Michael Iles, John Lamper, Michael Dicker and Brian Wheeler. I recall boys being sent to the Headmaster's office for the cane. Never me but I did get several raps across the knuckles with Miss Nash's ruler. I loved coming to school alongside the Krinny brook (then flowing well) passing the back of the Kiddie's house and quite often falling in. We were summoned by the bell in the tower rung from a rope in the hall. In 1972, my daughter Kaye went to St Johns and in 1975, my son David. In 1994 I moved to Monmouth. I love Wales but still miss Wallingford.

26. Colin Wells has this memory

    18 March 2009

    I attended St Johns from circa 1952 until 1955, the school motto was "Play up and play the game' - is it still the same?. The Headmaster was Mr "Dixie'Dean, I remember well his morning assemblies and cane. I was taught by Mr Huntley and Mr Tremayne, but can only recall them and Miss Nash who used to reide her bike to school. Nothing extraordinary happened generally but there was excitement when pupils decided to sort their differences out by having a fight in the 'Krinny" after school. They were surrounded by their noisy supporters until the victor was declared. A ball that was lost in Grizards scrap yard was never seen again, we were not allowed over there. I vaguely recall being envious when the older boys were collected to go 'spud hucking', I missed out on that privilege!

27. Jeff Holloway has this memory

    23 February 2009

    Slow bike race. Sports day and best event was slow bike race. It was held down the road in small field if it's still there

28. Deborah Lines has this memory

    17 February 2009

    I have many happy memories at St Johns.I do remember my favourite teachers such as Mrs Bodle and Miss Gallagher.I do remember the day Miss Gallagher left to get married,that was a very tearful day!I can also remember walking to Streatley and staying in the youth hostel,which at the time seemed so far away from home but at the same time we did have alot of fun.

29. sarah budziszewski has this memory

    16 February 2009

    i remember thetenby trip ,and my nan mrs ryan was thedinner lady with mrs hoskins, and i can still do jerry quinn the headmasters signature, i have lots of happy memories from this school its really nice to see old faces with whomi went to school with many years ago

30. Cindy Wrapson has this memory

    11 February 2009

    What a fabulous website - the photos and press articles have brought back many happy memories for me. I remember the headmaster, Mr Peacock and teachers such as Mrs Saunders, Mrs Dyer-Lynch, and Mrs Gates (was she the Art teacher?). I remember the bike sheds, school dinners with the metal water jugs, doing handstands in the playground, school trip to the Isle of Wight. And of course the annual school plays - either the nativity when I remember dressing up as a South Seas Hoola girl (not sure what that had to do with nativity!) or when I was Snow White and had such brilliant fun at rehearsals and on the performance nights (3 if I remember correctly). Happy times...

31. Amanda Clements has this memory

    6 January 2009

    I can remember Mrs Saunders telling me off for talking to Brian Bumpass and making me stand in the corner. I can also remember Mr Dean being the headmaster and Mrs Tooke. We use to always have to walk to the playing field which was the back of Tappins Coaches to play rounders. We also used to have our sports days in the playing field. Good days.

32. David Elliott has this memory

    19 December 2008

    Hi all...wow Mr Quin good to see you on here. Its been a long time!. I can remember being in the infants...we used to look for spiders in the fence at the side of the playground by sticking twigs in the holes!. Always remember Simon Trinder trying to do a somersault of one of the play apparatus and landing on his back! Look forward to seeing some photos!

33. Heidi Scammell has this memory

    15 November 2008

    I remember in year 1 or 2 doing a play about a circus and Polly and I spent ages arguing who was going to be Buttons and who was going to be Fingers, the two clowns. Good times. A great school, with great teacher's and great headmaster's. Mr Quin and Mr Osbourne were legendary!!!

34. Derek Eldridge has this memory

    5 July 2008

    My Headmaster was Mr Dean,teachers i remember were Mr Blond,Mr Shorter,Miss Nash,Miss Hubbard,I believe a Mr Keiley?,at the back of the school was a place called Grizards?.

35. Richard Bakesef has this memory

    3 July 2008

    Listening to The Planets on the school record player at the start of morning assembly.

36. Andrew Ould has this memory

    3 July 2008

    was at st johns from th age of 7 till i went to wallingford school at 11 remember walking down to the paddock for the playing field just by the cricket ground and tappins coaches.. also remeber leaning to swim in the swimming pool in the playground.. also some bad memories but mostly good ones..

37. Gerry Quin has this memory

    28 December 2007

    These are many and varied and mostly very pleasurable. I have good memories of: The people with whom I worked, the children and their families. The sense of common purpose with school, parents and governors working together; I'm sure this has improved further with subsequent leadership. I enjoyed PTA events such as Christmas and Summer fairs, discos, sponsored walks, etc. I remember the many concerts involving pupils and hardworking staff. The long Summer terms where pupils were given the opportunity to learn to swim in the school pool, without the constrictions of curriculum or budget, bring back happy memories. I am often reminded of these happy years when I meet ex-parents or pupils - who often now are parents themselves - either in the gym, or shopping, etc 'Tempis fugit'! I suddenly feel very old. The least enjoyable memories centred around a particular time of the year when trying to reconcile pupils' numbers and staffing levels against the all-important budget. I am sure little changes. I was taken aback and inwardly amused when recently a flustered ex-pupil approached me in a crowded supermarket and accosted me with the words "Excuse me but didn't you used to be Mr Quinn?"! A Happy New Year to you all.

38. James Hunter-Simpson has this memory

    20 November 2007

    Swimming pool, manual clothes wringer, school lunches in the Main hall and the space shuttle launch

39. Kirsty Baxter has this memory

    15 November 2007

    Trips in 3rd and 4th year Juniors to Tenby and the Isle of Wight with Mrs Jones, Mrs Voss and PGCE students.