The Goldonian

'We have a team at Goldings, combining classroom teachers—I use this term for the want of a better—who are sympathetic and understanding of
boys' difficulties and needs and men with a variety of practical skills. These latter do not confine themselves to teaching manual operations, but are in
the fullest sense part of the educational team. I have been amazed at the narrow view taken by some professional educationists of the value of the work
of these craft teachers. It almost amounts to saying that, because they are not products of a Teachers' Training College, they are not adequate to
impart their knowledge and skill to boys. I am, of course, in favour of teacher training for all personnel in schools, especially in-service training and
release courses, in which they can relate what they hear in lectures to their every-day experience, but to refuse to acknowledge the tremendous
stimulation and inspiration given to a boy by a man coming from success in the work-a-day world is just professional snobbery which we can't afford.
The official view, so far as I can understand it, is as follows: If a college trained teacher takes a handicraft lesson, involving a skill at which he is
probably an amateur, then that is educational and commendable. If, on the other hand, a man who has earned his living with his tools shows a boy
how to use them to produce something useful, then that is vocational training, and by implication something inferior. At Goldings we have learned to
work together and appreciate each other's contribution and I think, over and above what it means to us as individuals, what we all regret most is a
premature end to a project we have discussed, debated, and worked together to forward. When we learned that Barnardo's felt that they could not
support us any longer, I think we al! cherished the hope that nothing precipitate would be done until some research had been undertaken to find out
whether some other educational body would carry on the work we all believe in. Boys are not often asked their opinion—so I'll read you a letter I
received this morning:
'Dear Mr. Wheatley,
'I think you will remember before I left Goldings I promised that I would write to you, to tell you how I am getting on. Well here is the letter.
'1 am working on a site with all the other Wimpey carpenter apprentices, there are ten of us all together and there is one instructor who directs us, and
we are building a block of six houses between us. The Apprentice Training Officer came down to see us and he asked me if there are any more who
are interested in working for Wirnpey's and I told him about Goldings and he said it depends how I get on in the next few months. So I won't let the
School down. I miss the School and the boys and the masters, but I think I miss all the company and friendship the most. The college in Harlow is
very modern and well equipped but for the training it doesn't touch Goldings, The house I am staying in is quite good but I wish I had someone to do
my washing for me.
'Anyway I would like to ask permission to come up to Goldings this Thursday evening, 27th, to watch the film and talk to the boys and perhaps give
some of them who need it some advice. Well I must close now.
Yours sincerely,
Royston Mason'
'With this, I have really come to the end of what I had in mind to say, but I wouldn't like to sit down without expressing how much I have valued Mr.
Tucker's friendship over the years and his interest in and staunch support of Goldings. His was my first contact when I joined Barnardo's. I shall
never forget our first tour, made to introduce me to some Barnardo homes. I did not realize it at the time that he was nearly as much a new boy as me.
It was inevitable that in our long years of association, he representing central authority and I working in a home, that we should occasionally have had
differences of opinion, but I think I can say we spoke the same language, even if the accents differed. There was a time he could come to Goldings and
tell me a lot about each boy that I didn't know. He knew them nearly all by name and could tell me what home or district they came from and a great
deal about their characteristics and problems. He was an administrator but at the same time truly a child care worker. I don't need to tell him that over
the years he has been very popular at Goldings and with Goldings boys. They specially remember the annual cricket match against Mr. Tucker's XI.
The cheers from the bank as he made his way to the wicket expressed spontaneously their feeling for him. The cheers when he was out expressed their
sense of relief.
'I apologize now for keeping him so long waiting for his innings, but we are all most truly gratified that he is amongst us once again and I will now
make way for him to perform the most important part of today's ceremony.'
During the whole of the time Mr. Wheatley was speaking there was an atmosphere of respectful silence, with everyone taking in the message being
delivered.
Mr. Tucker presented the prizes to the boys as recorded on pages 25 and 26, then delivered his address, without reference to notes. Fortunately Mr.
Tucker, in his usual co-operative manner, has written down for me the context of what he said.
'Sir Alan, Mr. Headmaster,
I suppose that I should in correctness say, "ladies and gentlemen," but the boys are the chief people and so I shall say., "boys, ladies and gentlemen".
I greatly appreciate the invitation to present the prizes. I have, I think, attended nearly every prize-giving day here, and many elsewhere, and have
often been surprised at the way many have boasted that when at school they never won a prize, and then threw out their chests as much as to say:
"See how successful I am in spite of this". Doubtless they hoped to comfort those who were not receiving awards.
'Now I cannot make that boast, but I can boast that I won two prizes. One was for the highest proficiency in French. How I got this I do not know, for
my French was very bad indeed. I went to Paris, and you will gather how poor a linguist I was when I tell you that when I asked the waiter for some
bread, he brought me the wine list. These prizes today should be an encouragement to those who have received them, but they should not be a
discouragement to those who do not, for many will have merely just missed one. I mentioned that I have won two, but I should have been the recipient
of many more, but my examiners were such an ignorant lot, they did not know which questions to ask. I had a vast store of knowledge on many
subjects about which they knew nothing, and so could not draw on the learning within me!
'The Headmaster has kindly referred to the welcome the boys gave me on my visits to the School, and in particular how they welcomed my visits to
play cricket against Goldings. I fear I do not agree that you were pleased to "welcome" me. My recollection is that my legs, ribs and even my back,
were covered with bruises as I ducked the deliveries of your fast bowlers—Mr. "Jimmy James" amongst others. I also remember an invitation to play
for the staff at a football match one Christmas Day. I agreed, but how innocent I was. I accepted not knowing the staff were to wear fancy dress and I
was clothed like "Charlie's Aunt" with long, flowing skirts. I was put to play on the right wing, and found myself
encumbered by my skirts. I was determined to score a goal and when a ball reached me, it was caught in my skirt and I made a bee line for goal. The
boys were an unsporting lot, forgot they were playing soccer, formed into rugby players, brought me down and eleven piled on to me.
'The Headmaster said that we did not always agree and even today I disagree with him, for he said that he was going to give you some advice, and
when I was thinking over what I should say I decided that it was not wise to give you advice—for him or me! What I am going to do is to tell of one
thing which has helped me from my youth onwards. I accepted as a basic philosophy the Bible teaching "That all things work together for good to
them that love God".
'We all have our disappointments and strains and stresses in life, but we can always benefit from them if we accept this teaching, and a lesson learned
enriches us in soul, and prevents bitterness and carrying a chip on our shoulder. We may think we suffer from some injustice, indeed we may actually
do so, but we can learn patience and understanding with no damage to our spirit. But we are going to have our successes and our triumphs. They can
turn our heads, and make us conceited and arrogant, but not if we have learnt that these things proceed from for our love and the love of God. These
thoughts have helped me throughout life, in trial and in happiness and I commend them to you, and as you go into the future I wish you all, God speed
and God's blessing.'
Our Deputy Headmaster, Mr, L. E. Embleton, then proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Tucker, which was also ad. lib. as apparently Mr. Wheatley had,
more or less, delivered Mr. Embleton's speech for him. However, Mr. Embleton was able to divulge that apparently when he was interviewed twenty
one years ago for the post of Head of the Gardening Department, he was the first interviewee of both Mr. Tucker and Mr. Wheatley who had both just
completed their first term!
After the singing of the final hymn, 'Who would true valour see', our last Prize-giving closed with the padre giving The Blessing'.
Buffet tea was served in the lounge for staff and guests, and one can well imagine there was only one topic of conversation.

List of Prize Winners

Page Compiled May 2013

All images and text copyright © to Goldings Old Boys reunion members

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THIS TERM'S personality is well known to boys and staff for two outstanding abilities one, as a
boilerman, and two, as a fisherman. Both of these skills were acquired, I think, during his twenty-five
years5 service in the Royal Navy.
During the war years Mr. Sims saw most of his service in the Mediterranean and off Korea.
His pre-war service was spent in the Far Eastern waters. His stories of pre-war Hong Kong and
Alexandria are equal to any of the stories based on these parts which are shown on TV.
Mr. Sims left the Royal Navy in 1956, having reached the rank of Petty Officer, and after a short spell
came to Goldings. It was with much relief that a regular and conscientious boilerman was on the staff
once again. As usual, reliability was taken for granted until his illness in 1962, when for six months
we felt the chilly draughts once again. Fortunately for all concerned, Mr. Sims made a complete
recovery, and a warm home was once more appreciated.
During the past eleven years John Sims has made life at Goldings much more comfortable, and for
this we shall be eternally grateful. Whoever is fortunate in obtaining his services after July, will
be fortunate indeed. A. H. HOOPER

GOLDINGS PERSONALITIES (28)

Mr. J. W. Sims

CADET NOTES
2 Coy., 1st 'C' Battalion, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment
It is with much regret that I write these, the last notes of No. 2 Coy. The loss of the company
to the battalion will be great, when one considers that we have supplied most of the cadets
for sport and other activities.
Since the last 'Cadet Notes' the band has officiated on not less than six occasions, and has
also been filmed and recorded.
Congratulations to cadet John Mikkleson on being runner-up at the All-England Swimming
Championships. I am also pleased to report that Cpl. Merrifield has joined the Regular Army.
I am sure you will join me in wishing him all the very best. We have managed to obtain the
use of the .22 range this term, which has proved a great success with the cadets.
I would like to take this opportunity in wishing all the boys and staff the very best
for the future. . BRIERLEY, OFFICER I/C

HOUSE NOTES

Aberdeen
Housemaster: Mr. R. Bellamy. w House Captain: Terry Reed
Colours: Black and White
IT is a rather unique position I hold as I write these notes, this the fact that these will be my first and last notes for the GOLDONIAN, also joining the
staff at Goldings and becoming redundant in the short space of four months.
September saw the departure of Mr. and Mrs. Batstone who left to take a position in Ceylon; I feel sure that the School with the house will join in
wishing them every best wish in their new venture. The gift of a tray and wine glasses was presented to them on behalf of the house before they left.
It is difficult to mention all the boys who have left since the announcement of the closure of the School, the latest, however, are John Street and George
Markham who have now taken up employment near their respective homes ,In the field of sport the house still maintains its usual high standard, this Is
furthered by several members from Cairns who joined us towards the end of last year.
The School sports which took place in August saw a rather disappointing effort by the house, the Juniors only managed to obtain one point, the honour
for this achievement goes to Roy Grundy; mention, however, must be made of T. Reed, who won the Victor Ludorum for the highest individual score
and brought the Seniors into second place.
The Juniors, however, made up for their athletic failures and in the Swimming Sports won the Junior cup. P. Green tied for the Junior Victor Ludorum.
J. Mikkleson was chosen to represent Hertford Army Cadets in a regional swimming gala and managed to secure second place in the breast stroke.
The house is well represented in School sports and has members in the football, basketball, table tennis, and five-a-side teams; the inter-house football
competition ended with the final between Aberdeen and Somerset, this proving a most exciting game with the result four goals to one. The house team
was most ably supported by the less sporting members and with a little persuasion helped to shout the house to victory.
The inter-house quiz made a most enjoyable evening, after being somewhat outclassed by Somerset, the house, represented by J. Morgan, T. Reed and
J. Street, managed to be placed second.
G. Leivers leaves for a Mediterranean cruise at Easter and will be visiting Venice, Gibralter, Malta, Istanbul, and Athens; our best wishes go to George
with a hope that he has a most enjoyable trip. Rumours that J. Eagle was en route to visit Mr. and Mrs. Batstone in Ceylon when sighted on a raft down
the river are quite unfounded.
Since the return to school in September, the House has had its share of accidents, and at one stage we had two boys on crutches and three with arms in
slings; these, however, have all been nursed back to health, and the House can almost claim to be 100 per cent, fit. G. Froggatt, whose accident was
reported in the last edition of the GOLDONIAN, has now had his final operation on the offending arm, with the removal of a metal screw. This screw
he still has, and will, for a small charge, arrange private viewing’s.
The loss by the House of the Queens' Cup last term means extra effort for the remaining few months, whether it be in shop, school. sport or House, it
can be done, so good luck and keep trying.
E, BELLAMY

Pelham
Housemaster: Mr. C. Steele. Group Leaders: Melvyn and Malcom Holloway, Martin Ellis
Colours: Green and Yellow
USUALLY WE reserve the best wishes to everyone until the end of the House Notes. However, as this is the last issue of the GOLDONIAN
the most important thing now is not what has gone before but what is to happen in the future. We in Pelham sincerely hope that as one door is closing
another one is waiting to open both for boys and staff. We especially thank staff who have spent almost a lifetime at Goldings, this includes our
ex-Headmaster Mr. Wheatley, who recently retired; we all wish him and Mrs. Wheatley a long and happy retirement. Best wishes to all and a big thank
you for all the help in the past.
As the numbers in the School decreased it was decided to close down Cairns House. Boys who came into Pelham were, Dennis and Robert Young,
Paul Talbot,. Stephen Williams, Ray Allan, Robert Willbourne and David Gallagher. Boys who have left since our last issue include, G. Carr
(H. Capt.), Ray Speer, D. Gallagher, G. and P. Bolton, S. Critchley, S. Ellwood, C. Davis, A. Williams, and D. Young; we all wish them lots of success.
Last term Pelham once again carried off the most coveted trophy in the School—The Queens' Cup—for the best overall house. On Prize Day we in
Pelham got a large share of the prizes going: English and Printing (.Comp.), R. Davis; Senior P.E. and D. of E. Bronze, Malcolm Holloway;
Shoemaking, R. Speer; Carpenter (Junior), A. Williams; Painting (Junior) and D. of E. Bronze, Pi Man; Painting (Senior), G. Carr; Printing (Machine),
R. Willbourne; Sheet Metal (Junior) and D. of E. Bronze, M. Ellis; Sheet Metal (Senior), D. Gallagher; D. of E. Bronze, S. Ellwood;
In the Swimming Sports Kenneth Mount won the Junior Victor Ludorum. A coincidence in the sports was the newly featured half-mile race in which
Pelham won both the Junior and Senior events. Ken Mount and Robert Davis were the winners.
Mr. Montgomery, warden of Cartref Melys, is extending his field of adventure training by starting a project in Scotland. In the preparatory work of
getting the house ready he has been assisted by two of our boys of the Painting and Decorating Department, Peter Man and Melvyn Holloway, who
spent a very productive two weeks painting the house.
Finally the School motto which in English reads, 'The End Crowns the Work', means that one is judged by the finished job, and although it is 'The End'
of Goldings, its name will still be judged for many years to come by the work completed by its
"OLD BOYS"
GEOFFREY BOWLER

Somerset
House Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Snowden. Group Leaders: Barry Foote and Gilbert Brown
Colours: Yellow and Black
I was born in Yorkshire and I remember two business men who once took advantage of the lunch hour to visit Headingley Cricket Ground to watch a
particularly interesting match. 'Here sonny', called one, seeing a small boy near the gate, 'take this shilling and bring three fourpenny meat pies from the
corner shop. If you're quick you can have a pie for yourself. In less than no time the boy returned, breathless but triumphant. 'Eightpence change,' he
gasped. They "nobbut" had my pie left ' I have been reminded of that story every time Clive Taylor knocked on the flat door and said, 'are yer going to
open the bays Mr. Snowden?' Like many more boys Clive has left us and the last I heard of him he was working in his home town—Scarborough.
On the 17th September, the boys' new pocket money rates came into operation and from what I have seen they compare very favourably with most schools
I know. On 19th September, evening activities commenced and boys were given a wide choice of things to do thus providing a lively indoor programme.
On the 1st November we all journeyed to Watford for the 'big top', where we saw some wonderful feats of horsemanship, and stunting motor cyclists.
I have seen some strange objects ride a motor cycle, but it was the first time I have seen bears ride them.
Cairns house was disbanded on the 13th November, and the following eight boys joined Somerset house: Gilbert Brown, Ian McKay, David Afflick,
Melvyn Martin, Eric Danquah, David Braddon, David Hallworth, and Alan Atkins. The transfer fees have all been paid and we hope that the good team
spirit will continue. On the 22nd November, the 'bright boys' of Somerset led us to victory in the Top of the Form. We were represented by Willie
Johnson, Ian McKay, and John Mercury.
The School football team this year has been a good one, although on the small side we have put up some grand performances against far superior sides.
Somerset have provided some good players in Alan Atkins, Peter Harris, David Afflick, Eric Danquah, Stephen Kirby, and Raymond Yassin. Mrs.
Snowden, myself, and the boys were greatly shocked at the sad news of the death of Kenneth Hart, an Old Boy of Somerset house. Happy memories of
his musical ability and his loyal support to the house will remain with us.
This will be the last opportunity I shall have of writing the Somerset notes. Mrs. Snowden and myself will take with us some happy memories of this
School. We wish all Somerset boys and indeed all the boys of Goldings a happy and successful future. Best Wishes and every success to all the staff.
Let us all continue our task wherever we may be.

'Your task, to build a better World',
God said. I answered 'How?'
The World is such a large place.
So complicated now,
And I so small and useless am,
There's nothing I can do,
But God in all His wisdom said,
'Just build a better you.'

March 1967 - Final Edition

H. SNOWDEN

GENERAL SUBJECTS. English: ROBERT UNW1N. Science and Mathematics: IAN McKAY Art: JOHN DOGSCHA
Religious Instruction: GEOFFREY HARRINGTON. Social Studies: GEOFFREY BOULTER. Physical Education: TERENCE REED.
Awards for Progress: Junior. KEVIN ROSE. Senior. MALCOLM HOLLAWAY.

SHOEMAKING AND REPAIRING:RAYMONDSPEER.

CARPENTRY. Junior: ARTHUR WILLIAMS. Senior: ROYSTON MASON. A. F. Cribb Award: JOHN STREET, GEORGE MARKHAM.

PAINTING AND DECORATING: Junior:PETER MAN. Senior: GEORGE CARR.

GARDENING: Junior: DAVID HALLWORTH. Senior: BRIAN DIXON.

PRINTING: Composing Department: ROBERT UNWIN. Machine Department: ROBERT WILLBOURNE.
Apprentices Awards:: KEITH McSWEENEY. Composing Machine Managing: GLYN PARRY.
Donated by Hertfordshire Master Printers: Composing: CHRISTOPHER BERRY. Machine Managing: MICHAEL COUSINS.
W. H. S. Millar Memorial Prize: Composing: DEREK HAMMOND.
City and Guilds of London Institute: Compositor's Work—Intermediate: CHRISTOPHER BERRY.

SHEET METAL WORK: Juniors: MARTIN ELLIS. Seniors: DAVID GALLAGHER.
HEADMASTER'S PRIZE FOR MERIT: GEORGE LEIVERS.
MARY ROWLANDS MEMORIAL PRIZE: MELVYN MARTIN.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARDS: Bronze: PETER MAN, GILBERT BROWN, JOHN MIKKLESON, STEPHEN ELLWOOD,
MARTIN ELLIS, MALCOLM HOLLAWAY.
Silver: ROBERT McNAMARA.

N. T. POWELL