Caludon Castle School

Having been at Caludon from 1955, its 2nd year of operation I believe, I consider that it was a very good school, with a very good ethos. Further to your other observation, many of my classmates came from far parts of Cov, so I'm not aware that it was limited to the geographical locality. My memory would be, after the 11+, depending how you did, you got a letter (at least your parents did) offering you a place in a long list of schools. My list included grammar schools, but even as a 10 year old, I was a political, or as I saw it, a moral creature, and no way in the world would I have set foot in a grammar school. In those days the sixth form would have been very small, but staying on was not important, most of those that wanted one would get a proper apprenticeship. In that situation, if they were bright and had ambition they could get HNC, HND and the like, so opportunities knew no bounds. I was one of those who, at that age, were not really ready for education. What they did do was to turn us into young men and probably good citizens. That is something that I would always value. Reference the Comprehensive thing, I believe that some places had them in late 40's. The Isle of Man comes to mind.

20 years after I left Caludon, my employer introduced the eight day week and I was so grateful that I had come across it at school. I have two `year books`, one of which features the Bedford Dormobile and I have posted a picture on the Caludon Castle Facebook site. This vehicle was also used to drop off pupils on initiative tests (I think there were only two).

Hi Greg, thanks for the response. So the 8 day week does have a future - God help us! Would love to see your pictures of the old Dormobile, tried to bring them up on Facebook, but I guess I am too long in the tooth to handle it (I try to avoid Facebook and I immediately got a note welcoming me back, when all it regularly wants to do is to tell me I have a good friend in my own daughter amongst others - having grabbed all the names of people I had ever emailed including those trying to buy cars I have advertised at various times) Any chance of putting the photos in this site`s gallery? Anyway, although not an Old Boy of Caludon, it is nice to have re-established contact and to hash through some old names and pieces I had long forgotten.

I have just scanned the Dormobile picture in again so watch this space, Roger. I am going to try to set up a gallery.

I have now created a gallery called Greg and the picture of the Dormobile is in it. Hope it brings back happy memories. Roger.

Greg. Are you saying that`s my dad`s van, because I don`t recognise it? Sorry.

Sorry about that, Roger, but this is the only Bedford Dormobile I saw when I was there. It was registered 1956 (hence the reg no. CC1956) and was used for continental trips at that time.

I was a Cauldron from 1966 to 1970, started off in Chester. Eddie Rawlings, housemaster, good bloke. In Mr Williams' group, strict but fair, good sports master. Enjoyed those first two years, then it all went downhill when I went to Greene. Me and that Ken Cooper hated each other. With Vic Webb as group master, it wasn't gonna get any better. Still in touch with a couple of lads from same year, Frank Gravenor, Nidge Trew, Steve Oliver.

Hello, Roger. I remember George Turner, he was my housemaster in Preston. I was in Talbot prior to that. I remember your dad caning me twice, 4 strokes and then another 2 strokes, both within a fortnight. I remember him saying "You are poking your nose above the parapet a bit, aren't you?" That was thankfully my last caning. He was hard but fair and a good housemaster.

I was at Caludon in 56, first in Talbot and then Greene. I can remember Mr Tilley and Mr Bennett. Previous to Caludon I was at Wyken Croft. When I left I went to work in the Wholesale Market for G Barton Ltd who was in fact my dad. I would like to hear from anyone who can remember them days, especially the market.

Hi Tezz, I went to Caludon but a few years later in 66, I also worked at the wholesale market from 74 for Keith Fairbrother, regards, Paul.

Perhaps you were lucky, you were taught by him. My brother and I had to live with him, it was the belt there - not often, but the "talking to`s" seemed to go on for hours. Funny though, I met one or two of his previous pupils from Whitmore, when I played for the Guild, and they didn`t seem to hold out any animosity for "Old George"

Hi Paul, I know Keith, I used to go to school with him he was at Caludon. He used to trade with my dad in the market, my dad's pitch was four pitches from his.

Being a real nostalgia junky, I do love this site. Was reading through all these posts again yesterday. Was a bit puzzled, as although I was there 55 to 59, many, if not most, of the teachers'names mentioned didn't register with me. Thought what I would do was to go through my school report and mention many of the teachers that I had. Firstly though, replying to the last post, was in the same class as Keith Fairbrother, used to on occasions walk to school with him also. He living in Blackberry Lane, just along from Sewall Highway junction, and me living in Sewall Highway between Dennis Road and the Devon. In those days not sure if he played a lot of rugby, in early years he was a useful goalie in the football team. Back to teachers, 55/56, T2 in Talbott. Housemaster G Bennett, he also took us for English. Geography we had MGR, not sure who that was, later we had KK, was a Mr Kirby. He had a fair hand, and I do recall gave me a good clout around my head. I would have to say that this never bothered me, I wasn't used to it at home, but I knew that I was in the wrong, so never bothered me. Probably considered it to be deserved. Never did me any harm (might get some interesting comments). History, also our Form Tutor, W Hardy. An ok teacher, fairly quietly spoken. French, had a few teachers that I do not recall, initials look like AA or FA, later 2nd year, MAB, then third year Mr Shipley or Shipperley. Poor chap was new out of training I reckon, and many of us were very poorly behaved. Funny thing is I always did well in French. If I had the chance I would like to apologise to him. Would be well in his 80's now, if still around. Maths, early years Moggy Morris, seemed quite a good age in those days, but was ok. Later we had a Mr Gilbert. General Science D?D. Mr Davies I think, later AES, not sure who that was. Sadly they did not inspire me, later in life got very good "O" levels in Physics, Mechanics (became Applied Maths I think), then later absorbed into "A" level Maths. Religious Instruction, TT. Can picture the chap, but do not recall his name. Maybe this is very long so shall stop here.

Hello, I think I was at Caludon maybe a couple of years later than you but maybe some of the names might bring back a few memories. I certainly remember Moggy Morris for maths, he used to go off the subject of maths to remember his army days in the Far East etc and ramble on for ages, we liked that as less maths work, he was a fair age then. How about Thomas Tomans for RI, does that ring a bell? Blob Davies for science? Gip Rickard, M A Batt for geography? We had Mr Buckingham for French. I will have to see if I can find my school reports.