I arrived in Wallingford in the summer of 1960 aged eight years and joined St Johns at the start of the September term. I believe my first teacher was Mr Keating. Arthur Dean was of course the Head then and I remember Mrs Smith the School secretary and Mrs Johns, lunchtime supervisor. Mr Blond attempted to teach us science. We went on walks along the brook towards what is now the Fir Tree estate, also collecting insects on the Kine Croft. Weekly crocodile chains took us to Wallingford pool where those of us who could swim swam and those of us who couldn’t, never learned.

Another daily crocodile chain brought girls from the Kine Croft school for their lunch and sometimes for country dancing.

The school consisted of the original hall from which class rooms and the staff room led off, also a corridor to the school secretary and Mr Dean’s offices and another corridor to the cloakrooms and playground). We still used both front entrances to the school. Separately was Mr Blond’s class room a toilet block and the dinner hall.

We were definitely aware of Arthur Dean’s protests at the lack of space and amenities but the expansion of the school (and the building of the swimming pool) were a long way off.

An enormous coke pile to fuel the school boiler was temptingly placed alongside the playground but of course strictly out of bounds.

Beside this, Mr Blond’s class room and then the playing field, big enough for some sports, I certainly remember high jump and long jump there. At one end were apple trees and we were constantly reminded (boys being boys) of the dangers of eating unripe crab apples. I’m not sure whether the dangers were physical (upset stomachs) or physical (the cane) as fortunately I never tried them (at least not to my memory).

Mr Blond administered summary justice with the slipper – he was very fond of this. I only received it once for incorrectly assessing which stone marked another when the two were rubbed together!

Most science classes were spent following instructions written on pieces of card, describing certain experiments which we carried out in pairs, collecting the ‘ingredients’ and equipment from Mr Blond’s store. I can’t remember any of course, only the stones.

Mr Blond also played the piano for the morning assemblies.

At this time I lived in Hurst Close and across the road lived Mrs Harris our Art teacher. Unfortunately I had no artistic talent, I can remember we spent a long time making puppet heads, first moulding the head in plasticine and then endlessly applying layers of small pieces of paper and glue with a paintbrush until eventually (and hopefully) the mould could be ejected and we were left with a head which presumably was painted. I can’t remember any finished product. I seem to remember that her class was a separate building as well?

Mr Keating left and Mr Griggs arrived. I remember him taking us for football. We played against Cholsey primary school and Pangbourne, our home ground was the bull croft.

Before he left Mr Keating obtained and read to us ‘White Fang’ unfortunately the first attempt ended in failure as the copy of the book was only printed on one side of each page and had to be returned. At the second attempt a proper book arrived and fascinated us.

I moved up into Arthur Dean’s class.

Music played a large part of our time with Mr Dean. He taught us the recorder and we played many tunes first thing in the morning, Mr Dean accompanying on the violin. One of his favourites was the march for the Grenadier Guards which he called ‘There’s talk of’ referring to the naming of a new prince in the royal household. We also played the ‘Trumpet Voluntary’.

On one occasion Arthur Dean, Mr Paffard (0correct spelling?) and one or two others gave a violin concert. We often played recorders for School events and concerts. Also singing – ‘Let the bright Seraphim’.

Mr Barber visited the School sitting at the grand piano and taking us through scales and sea shanties.

Mr Dean related a story of a holiday in France where he and his party were in one car and Mrs Sanders and her party in another, supposedly travelling together. Except that on one particular day the car in front thought it was behind and sped up. The car behind thought it was in front and slowed down, so the gap between the two was ever increasing!

Mrs Sanders (who protested against us calling her ‘Miss’) took us for handwriting. We had to buy italic fountain pens. Unfortunately my hand writing was even then so appalling that not even the patient training in italics could elicit any improvement and ever since I have always been careful not to let her see my awful writing!

Miss Naish had officially retired but was often present standing in I assume for illness or temporary absences. Her teaching methods were archaic even for the 60’s and I never looked forward to her lessons.

School sports day was held at the bull croft. Proper sports of course in those days, including parents’ races. My father very nearly won the fathers’ race. Beaten only by the favourite, Stewart Bennet’s Dad, as my Dad stumbled on the undulating track.

Good job he lost though as the prize was a packet of 20 Senior Service! (I think they expected Stewart’s Dad to win).

Stewart had the honour of ringing the school hand bell to mark the end of lessons, I’m not sure how he got this job but I always remember he sported a very fine watch. His Dad was in the RAF and the family moved on before the year ended.

Stewart, Gerald Hird and David Whittle were my closest friends at the school but Tony James, Alan Rusher, Vince Champion, Ricky Lowe, Mike Richardson, Andy Pebworth, David Evans, Michael Leader, Christopher Smale, Robert Johnstone and Chris Brazier (his Dad was the publican at the Norman Knight), were all contemporaries. Also younger ones I remember playing football after school with in the playground: Derek Shorter and Alan Rusher’s younger brother.

Chris Brazier was appointed Crispin House Captain and I was Vice captain, we had blue badges to wear. I don’t remember any specific duties we had to undertake. For some indiscretion (possibly a fight) Chris was removed from office!

Tony James, the mathematics wizard, regularly visited each classroom to add up the points each house had accumulated on the blackboards. Our houses were Wigod, Crispin and Doyley. At the time we had no idea of the people these houses were named after.

We did not have any school trips that I remember but in Arthur Dean’s class we visited the Maltsters, looking inside the vast vats, warm drying beds and taking in the view from the rooftop! We also cycled to Howbery Park and looked at very interesting models showing different harbours and sea defences. Unfortunately our visit to Benson Lock ended in the breaking of one of the Lock gate handles which I believe made the local press (must have been suffering from woodworm). I also remember being involved in the traffic census referred to in one of the press cuttings.

We each adopted a resident at Sotwell Hill House writing to them and again cycling there for Christmas concerts.

Paul Wheeler