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I then went to 'Goldings' with a lad called Ernie Dawson, the best mate I ever had and would love to get back in
contact with. When I arrived at Goldings I was shown around Goldings by a boy I’ll always remember
John Douthwaite. Whilst at Goldings I worked as a cabinet maker with Mr Farnham (Spike), a great bloke, I saw
him at a Goldings reunion a few years back, he still remembers me well. I won the prize for best carpenter and joiner,
I chose a razor because I could shave then. I was in Mount Stephen,
house master was Mr Frankie Offard, house captain was
Mr Peter Taber, I was good at all sports and played football for
school, I was captain of the school cricket in the summer of 1955,
I also played for Stepney staff after I left Goldings, I won my
boxing colours and so kept my school blazer and tie. I came second
in the cross country run in 1955. I was a ball boy at Wimbledon
and captained No 1 court also in 1955, I can still remember some
of the players Ken Rosewall, Vic Seixas, Tony Trabert, J Drobney
to mention a few. After I left Goldings I continued my
apprenticeship as a carpenter and joiner, I went to various digs in
East London, my first wage was £2.15 shillings or £2.75, my digs
cost £3 for full board, the landlady gave me a shilling once a week
to go to the public baths. I did not finish my apprenticeship as I
was always skint, so joined the army Royal Engineers in 1958 for
6 years, it was a doddle after being at Goldings, I got married
and have 10 children and 13 grandchildren. My school number
in Mt Stephen was 136. I now live on my own in a flat near Wigan,
Lancs and enjoy a pint or 2. I really enjoy the reunions, it's great
seeing someone you haven’t seen for 50 years.
My favourite singer is Frank Sinatra (My Way)
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