From Brian Gumm (1940-44) After reading Mike Brogden’s cynical reminiscences of COHS in 1952-59 I found it hard to reconcile his views with those of mine. Could this be the same school? Admittedly, I was there 1940-44 and the headmaster was J.E.Badham but could it have changed that much in ten years? There was certainly… Continue reading When did the rot set in?
Tag: Boys on staff
The Grading System
by John Nettell (1941) In 1941, as far as I remember, fee-payers all started in 2A and scholarship boys in Remove. Why it was called Remove I do not know. I only remember being told “it is traditional” which was no answer. Both classes numbered about 30 boys so there must have been about as… Continue reading The Grading System
A sense of superiority
by Philip Hunt (1960-67) Encouraging the debate: Lord Philip Hunt sides with Nigel Molden (Lord) Philip Hunt (1960-67) writes: I was very interested in Nigel Molden’s piece. Some of my experience chimes with his and I thought you might be interested in some comments. I went to the school at the same time as Nigel… Continue reading A sense of superiority
Memories of Masters
Writer known: “Mr Badham, Headmaster during my time at School, rarely gets a mention in the Newsletters. He was the only man I ever met who regularly wore spats. He enjoyed quoting, in his slightly old-fashioned accent. “Joshua, the son of Nun, and Caleb, the son of Jephunneh were the only two who ever got… Continue reading Memories of Masters
Quality of the Teaching
Stephen Peters writes: “Further to the remarks of Colin Justin and Nigel Moulden about “Flea” Lee, another of his punishment options was to be beaten with a broken chair leg (wooden). What luxury to be able to choose between the metal pipe, the length of rubber and the chair leg!! It is of little comfort… Continue reading Quality of the Teaching
The School in the 40s
by Tony Argyle (1941-46) Tony Argyle (1941-46) writes (again with real ink) from Pearce, near Canberra in Australia.Do you remember putting milk bottles or chalk dusters in the grand piano? I recall many a time when Mr Bielby had to stop in the middle of “For those in peril on the seas” to remove these various… Continue reading The School in the 40s
The Annexe-Morgue-Dispensary
by John Corbey (late 1940s) John Corbey (late 1940s) writes: “The Annexe was adjacent to Gloucester Green, facing Worcester College Gardens. During the war it was designated for use as a mortuary, if there had been deaths in the area around Gloucester Green due to enemy action. It had been a dispensay at some earlier… Continue reading The Annexe-Morgue-Dispensary
The School Song
by John Gaskin (c. 1955) John Gaskin writes: The precise origins and authorship of the School Song (see Newsletter 4) were never known to more than a tiny handful of people: F C Lay and Jimmy Soulsby are long since dead, and it would be a pity for the knowledge to perish unrecorded with me.… Continue reading The School Song
Malcolm Williams’ Rare Poetic Talent
by Richard Coleman (1953-60) Richard Coleman (53-60) writes: “In my memory Malcolm’s most singular claim to fame came during an English lesson in 2A. Jock Sutton obviously thought that the country’s total preoccupation with the coronation had gone too far and urged us to write a poem celebrating the conquest of Everest. Malcolm stood up… Continue reading Malcolm Williams’ Rare Poetic Talent
The School in Wartime
Writer unknown (1941-45) When originally published Mike Chew apologised that he had temporarily mislaid the name of the author of this item, but would acknowledge its provenance in due course, which he never did. “Sua culpa”, as he said at the time.“Having read and thoroughly enjoyed the latest COSA Newsletter I was trying to remember… Continue reading The School in Wartime