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NAME: Roger Nolan 
DATE: 17 December 2012
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1960 to 1967
Surprisingly there seems to be no mention of 'Bill' Biggs the music master in any thread or replies. I don't think he was particularly well liked and he always struck me as somewhat of an enigma in that he seemed to have little or no involvement in extra-curricula school musical activities whereas many other masters played musical instruments in school performances and some such a Sam C0cks sang. I remember his lessons seemed to consist merely of listening to pieces of classical music on an old gramophone. I wonder if Biggs was part time or perhaps employed as a locum. Does anyone else remember him?.
DATE: 17 December 2012
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1960 to 1967
Surprisingly there seems to be no mention of 'Bill' Biggs the music master in any thread or replies. I don't think he was particularly well liked and he always struck me as somewhat of an enigma in that he seemed to have little or no involvement in extra-curricula school musical activities whereas many other masters played musical instruments in school performances and some such a Sam C0cks sang. I remember his lessons seemed to consist merely of listening to pieces of classical music on an old gramophone. I wonder if Biggs was part time or perhaps employed as a locum. Does anyone else remember him?.
NAME: Vic Coughtrey 
Then & Now
DATE: 17 December 2012
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1954-1959
That's interesting - he obviously carried on in the same tradition as his predecessor, 'Dickie' Whittington. For links to threads where Dickie is remembered, refer to the List of former staff.
Then & NowDATE: 17 December 2012
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1954-1959
That's interesting - he obviously carried on in the same tradition as his predecessor, 'Dickie' Whittington. For links to threads where Dickie is remembered, refer to the List of former staff.
NAME: Nick Dean 
.JPG "Nick Dean gallery")
DATE: 19 December 2012
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Yes, I do recall Willy Biggs (as we called him). He taught music in the first and second forms and was almost certainly part-time. Seemed rather grumpy and went on interminably about Monteverdi, though he did once roar with laughter at lunch when inadvertently I referred to the school's continuing use of capital punishment. We used to hear tapes of a BBC radio schools' programme that included a specially commissioned opera by a young Harrison Birtwhistle (not my favourite composer) called The Mark of the Goat. Biggs actually actually directed a staged version of this at the school (c.1965) which must be to his credit. A small group of us chanced musical appreciation with DP as a non-specialised subject for a term in the Lower Sixth. I can honestly say that it was among the most valuable things that I did at QE: an introduction to Debusssy and Ravel that greatly enhanced my musical tastes.
DATE: 19 December 2012
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Yes, I do recall Willy Biggs (as we called him). He taught music in the first and second forms and was almost certainly part-time. Seemed rather grumpy and went on interminably about Monteverdi, though he did once roar with laughter at lunch when inadvertently I referred to the school's continuing use of capital punishment. We used to hear tapes of a BBC radio schools' programme that included a specially commissioned opera by a young Harrison Birtwhistle (not my favourite composer) called The Mark of the Goat. Biggs actually actually directed a staged version of this at the school (c.1965) which must be to his credit. A small group of us chanced musical appreciation with DP as a non-specialised subject for a term in the Lower Sixth. I can honestly say that it was among the most valuable things that I did at QE: an introduction to Debusssy and Ravel that greatly enhanced my musical tastes.
NAME: Mike Cottrell .jpg "Richard Dilley & Mike Cottrell")
DATE: 19 December 2012
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64
I do remember that WH Biggs arrived as the new music master in September 1959. I was however never taught by him as I had finished my musical career on a high, following the retirement of 'Dickie' Whittington in the July of that year. Roger [original message] you are quite correct: Biggs was indeed a part-time master and was aged 60 on his appointment, per EHJ's book, see p 240. So a 60 year old replaced a 72 year old. Does anyone know when Biggs retired from the school?
DATE: 19 December 2012
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64
I do remember that WH Biggs arrived as the new music master in September 1959. I was however never taught by him as I had finished my musical career on a high, following the retirement of 'Dickie' Whittington in the July of that year. Roger [original message] you are quite correct: Biggs was indeed a part-time master and was aged 60 on his appointment, per EHJ's book, see p 240. So a 60 year old replaced a 72 year old. Does anyone know when Biggs retired from the school?
NAME: Nigel Wood .jpg "Nigel Wood")
DATE: 19 December 2012
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1957-64
I'm sure I've read tributes to Mr Biggs's daughter - no, I'm not getting confused with Mr Ambidge's daughter - on another thread (not 32). I remember thinking about the contrast between the mild-mannered and slightly-built music master and his namesake, Ronald Biggs, of Great Train Robbery fame (1963). Our Mr Biggs seemed to be timetabled to do a great deal of private study supervision. I don't think he enjoyed it very much.
DATE: 19 December 2012
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1957-64
I'm sure I've read tributes to Mr Biggs's daughter - no, I'm not getting confused with Mr Ambidge's daughter - on another thread (not 32). I remember thinking about the contrast between the mild-mannered and slightly-built music master and his namesake, Ronald Biggs, of Great Train Robbery fame (1963). Our Mr Biggs seemed to be timetabled to do a great deal of private study supervision. I don't think he enjoyed it very much.
NAME: Paul Buckland
DATE: 20 December 2012
CONNECTION WITH QE: Former pupil
We always referred to him as Bill Biggs and I do remember him being obsessed with Monteverdi. The old record player is also well remembered. Our music lessons always took place in the School Hall, I don't know why. However I still have in my head a tune which he made us sing which contained the line. "...to dance the fling at Mallow". I was astonished to read that he must still have been at the school when I left, as he seemed to my mind to just disappear. To be honest I don't remember having Music as a subject after the second year. Poor Biggs always seemed rather ineffectual to this 12 year old. However rumour had it - as has been mentioned - that his daughter was a cracker !!!!! I also had Music Appreciation with DP and, like Nick, it has left me with a great impression of the likes of Debussy, Ravel etc. Once again my memory says these classes took place in the School Hall I suppose because it had two pianos. DP played the piano very well.
DATE: 20 December 2012
CONNECTION WITH QE: Former pupil
We always referred to him as Bill Biggs and I do remember him being obsessed with Monteverdi. The old record player is also well remembered. Our music lessons always took place in the School Hall, I don't know why. However I still have in my head a tune which he made us sing which contained the line. "...to dance the fling at Mallow". I was astonished to read that he must still have been at the school when I left, as he seemed to my mind to just disappear. To be honest I don't remember having Music as a subject after the second year. Poor Biggs always seemed rather ineffectual to this 12 year old. However rumour had it - as has been mentioned - that his daughter was a cracker !!!!! I also had Music Appreciation with DP and, like Nick, it has left me with a great impression of the likes of Debussy, Ravel etc. Once again my memory says these classes took place in the School Hall I suppose because it had two pianos. DP played the piano very well.
NAME: Nick Dean
DATE: 21 December 2012
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
I think Biggs must have left in the mid to late '60s, making way for DP who, among other things, was also organist and choirmaster at the Parish Church. Incidentally, I remember an occasion when Biggs was berating a boy rather crossly: "What is your name?"
"Hoyle, sir."
"No relation to Professor Hoyle, I suppose?"
"He's my second cousin, sir" (which he was). Collapse of case for the prosecution - and even Biggs saw the funny side.
DATE: 21 December 2012
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
I think Biggs must have left in the mid to late '60s, making way for DP who, among other things, was also organist and choirmaster at the Parish Church. Incidentally, I remember an occasion when Biggs was berating a boy rather crossly: "What is your name?"
"Hoyle, sir."
"No relation to Professor Hoyle, I suppose?"
"He's my second cousin, sir" (which he was). Collapse of case for the prosecution - and even Biggs saw the funny side.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen 
.jpg "James Cowen gallery")
Then & Now
DATE: 06 January 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
It is of course notable how in our day there was so little emphasis on culture in the form of appreciation of music, art and architecture i.e. highbrow culture. I have had to learn about such matters in my own time such as going to prom concerts and listening to talks at the National Gallery. Similarly the lack of provision to include more in school teams led me partly to play table ternnis for a team in the Barnet League. I was also welcome to play for various sports sides at my Cambridge college which included rugger, soccer and hockey as well as doing cross-country and rowing. Such a welcome change from school in our day!
Then & NowDATE: 06 January 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
It is of course notable how in our day there was so little emphasis on culture in the form of appreciation of music, art and architecture i.e. highbrow culture. I have had to learn about such matters in my own time such as going to prom concerts and listening to talks at the National Gallery. Similarly the lack of provision to include more in school teams led me partly to play table ternnis for a team in the Barnet League. I was also welcome to play for various sports sides at my Cambridge college which included rugger, soccer and hockey as well as doing cross-country and rowing. Such a welcome change from school in our day!
NAME: S J Hersom
DATE: 06 January 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Left 1971
'Willy' Biggs had little control over his classes and wasn't inspiring. I did "O" level music with DP in my 4th year and his first which I guess makes his arrival about 1968. His extra-curricular activities finally did for him and the whole thing ended very badly. Another of those cases where everyone knew but no-one did anything.
DATE: 06 January 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Left 1971
'Willy' Biggs had little control over his classes and wasn't inspiring. I did "O" level music with DP in my 4th year and his first which I guess makes his arrival about 1968. His extra-curricular activities finally did for him and the whole thing ended very badly. Another of those cases where everyone knew but no-one did anything.
NAME: Stephen Giles 
DATE: 07 January 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: inmate 1957-64
James [reply 7], most of us simply didn't want culture - we were rock 'n rollers, I certainly still am and download at least 5 hours of live music each week!
DATE: 07 January 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: inmate 1957-64
James [reply 7], most of us simply didn't want culture - we were rock 'n rollers, I certainly still am and download at least 5 hours of live music each week!
NAME: Martyn Day 
Then & Now
DATE: 09 January 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Inmate 1956-1963
And some of us still are rock 'n' rollers. It's been 50 years since I left Q.E and I'm still out there upsetting the natives!
Then & NowDATE: 09 January 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Inmate 1956-1963
And some of us still are rock 'n' rollers. It's been 50 years since I left Q.E and I'm still out there upsetting the natives!
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 10 January 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Rock and roll and classical music / art appreciation - I believe there is a valid place for all, Stephen [reply 9]. On our last holiday to Turkey my wife and I received loud applause as well as a bottle of champagne to our table from the hotel manageress for our rock and roll routine on the dance floor, though rather puffed out at the end of it. We also made time to visit the ancient city of Ephesus and enjoy seeing the architecture there. In my youth when on the committee of the Links Youth Centre in Borehamwood we furnished a music room to listen to Mozart and others but also ran discos at the weekend to which various singers such as Geno Washington plus the Ram Jam Band came with so many customers you could not easily move about. I know there were some from QEs who came to them. I had a Vespa motor scooter as well as Honda and Suzuki motor bikes so qualified as a mod as well as a rocker, depending where I was going. Alas I no longer have any bikes but enjoy travelling about by my current motor car.
Then & NowDATE: 10 January 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Rock and roll and classical music / art appreciation - I believe there is a valid place for all, Stephen [reply 9]. On our last holiday to Turkey my wife and I received loud applause as well as a bottle of champagne to our table from the hotel manageress for our rock and roll routine on the dance floor, though rather puffed out at the end of it. We also made time to visit the ancient city of Ephesus and enjoy seeing the architecture there. In my youth when on the committee of the Links Youth Centre in Borehamwood we furnished a music room to listen to Mozart and others but also ran discos at the weekend to which various singers such as Geno Washington plus the Ram Jam Band came with so many customers you could not easily move about. I know there were some from QEs who came to them. I had a Vespa motor scooter as well as Honda and Suzuki motor bikes so qualified as a mod as well as a rocker, depending where I was going. Alas I no longer have any bikes but enjoy travelling about by my current motor car.
NAME: Vic Coughtrey Then & Now
DATE: 10 January 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1954-59
Although I have myself deplored the lack of "emphasis on culture in the form of appreciation of music, art and architecture" at QE in the '50s [reply 7], on reflection I think that it was perhaps a good thing. After all, my eventual love of Shakespeare was delayed by at least a couple of decades by having to learn chunks by heart at school while not having the maturity required to appreciate what our Wil was actually on about. I got off to a much earlier start with an appreciation of music and fine art, thanks to the theoretically lamentable failure of QE to to force them on me. Most of my knowledge and appreciation of the arts in general has in fact come from Angela over the decades.
Perhaps what schools should be doing is laying the bare foundations by offering children the chance to learn a musical instrument (which would include the valuable skill of sight-reading music) and a broad outline of the history of music, art and architecture, leaving appreciation to follow in adulthood. But I suppose that even that much incursion into the arts by the school might well have had a negative effect in my case.
Then & NowDATE: 10 January 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1954-59
Although I have myself deplored the lack of "emphasis on culture in the form of appreciation of music, art and architecture" at QE in the '50s [reply 7], on reflection I think that it was perhaps a good thing. After all, my eventual love of Shakespeare was delayed by at least a couple of decades by having to learn chunks by heart at school while not having the maturity required to appreciate what our Wil was actually on about. I got off to a much earlier start with an appreciation of music and fine art, thanks to the theoretically lamentable failure of QE to to force them on me. Most of my knowledge and appreciation of the arts in general has in fact come from Angela over the decades.
Perhaps what schools should be doing is laying the bare foundations by offering children the chance to learn a musical instrument (which would include the valuable skill of sight-reading music) and a broad outline of the history of music, art and architecture, leaving appreciation to follow in adulthood. But I suppose that even that much incursion into the arts by the school might well have had a negative effect in my case.
NAME: Roger Nolan
DATE: 11 January 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1960 to 1967
Apropos reply 11 above, I remember the Links Club in Boreham Wood very well. A good friend of my older sister used to book some of the acts and as I was a keen photographer, he asked me to take publicity shots of some of the groups. I remember seeing the Who before they were famous (I have to say they weren't very good), Long John Baldry, and Georgie Fame amongst others at the Links.
DATE: 11 January 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1960 to 1967
Apropos reply 11 above, I remember the Links Club in Boreham Wood very well. A good friend of my older sister used to book some of the acts and as I was a keen photographer, he asked me to take publicity shots of some of the groups. I remember seeing the Who before they were famous (I have to say they weren't very good), Long John Baldry, and Georgie Fame amongst others at the Links.
NAME: Stephen Giles
DATE: 12 January 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: inmate 1957-64
I remember the Links Club well, I was at that Who gig, and also saw John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Lord Sutch, The Yardbirds and many more.
DATE: 12 January 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: inmate 1957-64
I remember the Links Club well, I was at that Who gig, and also saw John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Lord Sutch, The Yardbirds and many more.
NAME: Brian Seal 
DATE: 18 January 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Ex-pupil
One dark night in Borehamwood, I drove my car up to the front door of the Links hoping to catch the end of the gig. Double dismay as I was too late and the road was a dead end. However, a very accommodating Geordie helped me turn around by saying things like "back a bit, stop, right hand down, etc." Turned out to be the headliner - Alan Price, no less.
DATE: 18 January 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Ex-pupil
One dark night in Borehamwood, I drove my car up to the front door of the Links hoping to catch the end of the gig. Double dismay as I was too late and the road was a dead end. However, a very accommodating Geordie helped me turn around by saying things like "back a bit, stop, right hand down, etc." Turned out to be the headliner - Alan Price, no less.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 10 February 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I was heartened to see some remembered the disco evenings at the Links Youth Centre in Boreham Wood well. Recently I was listening to the radio and received another blast from the past. It was about the Weavers folk group and their song very popular in folk clubs: "Irene, good night, Irene. I'll see you in my dreams." Do any others remember the folk club at the Red Lion in Borehamwood? I used to go and the evening always ended with that song. We used to enjoy lustily singing the songs and I must have passed on something on that line to my daughter Grace ( are there genes passed on or is this acquired independent of me?). She is in to certain folk festivals in a fairly big way along with her husband Richard Sarfas, who leads various of the task forces. My wife and I continue to go each year to the Chippenham Folk Festival on the second May Bank Holiday weekend. It is very enjoyable - both the folk singing and dancing. Warwick and Tenterden's are others they support.
Then & NowDATE: 10 February 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I was heartened to see some remembered the disco evenings at the Links Youth Centre in Boreham Wood well. Recently I was listening to the radio and received another blast from the past. It was about the Weavers folk group and their song very popular in folk clubs: "Irene, good night, Irene. I'll see you in my dreams." Do any others remember the folk club at the Red Lion in Borehamwood? I used to go and the evening always ended with that song. We used to enjoy lustily singing the songs and I must have passed on something on that line to my daughter Grace ( are there genes passed on or is this acquired independent of me?). She is in to certain folk festivals in a fairly big way along with her husband Richard Sarfas, who leads various of the task forces. My wife and I continue to go each year to the Chippenham Folk Festival on the second May Bank Holiday weekend. It is very enjoyable - both the folk singing and dancing. Warwick and Tenterden's are others they support.
NAME: Vic Coughtrey Then & Now
DATE: 10 February 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1954-59
As a fellow folkie, Jas, I can't resist pointing out that Goodnight Irene is a traditional song, first recorded in 1908 but turned into a big hit initially by Huddie 'Lead Belly' Ledbetter in the 1930s (while in jail). See this YouTube clip of him singing it in 1949. Just for comparison, here's the Weavers' version. The moral is, don't get me started on folk (or jazz) !
Then & NowDATE: 10 February 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1954-59
As a fellow folkie, Jas, I can't resist pointing out that Goodnight Irene is a traditional song, first recorded in 1908 but turned into a big hit initially by Huddie 'Lead Belly' Ledbetter in the 1930s (while in jail). See this YouTube clip of him singing it in 1949. Just for comparison, here's the Weavers' version. The moral is, don't get me started on folk (or jazz) !
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 13 February 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Very interesting points, Vic, you make about the extended and earlier history of Goodnight Irene. So many of these standards do indeed go back many years of course. You would no doubt have enjoyed being at a Wareham Wail my daughter and son in law invited me to two years ago. It has now moved to Verwood near Ringwood and I went there also. I was in a large tent and people would just burst in to song with all kinds of songs and ballads, whose origins were no doubt coming from the earliest of centuries - say the middle ages on. I had to wait until midnight for the meal, though enjoyed some drinks in the meantime. At each table a song had to be sung before each course and I really wolfed the grub down as my tum was rumbling. I expect this will set you off still further without me saying more.
Then & NowDATE: 13 February 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Very interesting points, Vic, you make about the extended and earlier history of Goodnight Irene. So many of these standards do indeed go back many years of course. You would no doubt have enjoyed being at a Wareham Wail my daughter and son in law invited me to two years ago. It has now moved to Verwood near Ringwood and I went there also. I was in a large tent and people would just burst in to song with all kinds of songs and ballads, whose origins were no doubt coming from the earliest of centuries - say the middle ages on. I had to wait until midnight for the meal, though enjoyed some drinks in the meantime. At each table a song had to be sung before each course and I really wolfed the grub down as my tum was rumbling. I expect this will set you off still further without me saying more.
NAME: Michael Hill
DATE: 21 March 2017
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1962-1967
DATE: 21 March 2017
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1962-1967
Getting back to Bigsy [see original message & replies 1-8], I remember we used to have our music lessons in the school hall and the old piano there used to be 'sabotaged' on various occasions by pupils filling it with board rubbers and dusters. Also certain miscreants would fix drawing pins to the hammers, thus creating a harpsichord effect, to the amusement of us all present. Bigsy would alway stop in mid play, go round and open the top of the piano and retrieve all sorts of bits and pieces and the offending drawing pins whenever the notes he attempted to play were muted or 'off'. I always remember his very bushy eyebrows and determined frown.
20th 
REPLY
Then & NowDATE: 23 March 2017
CONNECTION WITH QE: Inmate 1956-1963
Following the recent death of Chuck Berry here is a memory this ageing Q.E rocker [see reply 20] has of meeting him early one morning in a deserted terminal building at Heathrow. He was sitting on a bench wrapped up in a greatcoat, with a guitar case at his side and a sour look on his face. For all his success and genius he had had a hard life and now it was pay-back time for Chuck. Money up front in cash, no large touring crew - just him, his guitar and a local pick-up band, no sound checks or run-throughs, little time for showbiz hobnobbing, no time for fools who wanted his autograph at 5.00 in the morning. I wandered across, waved my notepad and pen in front of his nose and asked him if he would honour me with his autograph. He took the pad and pen and began writing. For a moment I thought that the clouds had parted and Chuck Berry had suddenly been resurrected as "Mr Nice Guy". Then he handed me back my note pad and said "Now f**k off!". And thus spoke the poet laureate of rock! Bye bye Johnny!
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