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ORIGINAL MESSAGE
NAME: Ken PegdenDATE: 06 February 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1955-57
I came to QE from Letchworth Grammar which was a bit like moving from Hartlepool Utd to Manchester Utd (due respect to Hartlepool). The two and a bit years there were a struggle for me, I was in Stapylton with Mr Covington as House Master who saw fit to cane me twice, deserved I hasten to add. Two teachers I remember for different reasons were Eric Shearly who gave me a love of rugby and Mr Strickland gave added nothing to my young life. I remember Founders days and playing cricket and rugby for my year. In '57 at the end of the Summer term I walked out probably to the delight of most of my teachers. I entered the RAF as a Trenchard Brat and became an airframe fitter. Now at 73 I realise I did not make the most of my time at QE but in my defence I did start a long way behind, Kind regards to all OE's and present pupils.
NOTE FROM VIC: You can look up 'Cov' and Strickland and very many other former staff members in the list. You can also try the newly reinstated internal search engine (very top of page).
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen 
.jpg "James Cowen gallery")
Then & Now
DATE: 13 February 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
It is nice yet again to have a posting from someone new on the site, Ken. There is a welcome from me for one. Hopefully, if willing, more will follow. It was interesting in regard to the two old masters you mention, one being so long-serving and well-loved with one of the newer buildings named after him and the other there before my time but of such short duration and generally receiving adverse comments. The name Strictland is interesting to me as that is the surname of one of my uncles (deceased) and several of my cousins. None of them went to QEs as they moved to Solihull but fellow pupils of Summerswood school in Borehamwood may recall one of them, Richard Strictland, who scored a century in a cricket match and the bat he used was know as the Strictland bat thereafter. His dad, my Uncle Aubrey, was also a good cricketer and turned out for Elstree cricket club on occasions as did others of my uncles and cousins.
Then & NowDATE: 13 February 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
It is nice yet again to have a posting from someone new on the site, Ken. There is a welcome from me for one. Hopefully, if willing, more will follow. It was interesting in regard to the two old masters you mention, one being so long-serving and well-loved with one of the newer buildings named after him and the other there before my time but of such short duration and generally receiving adverse comments. The name Strictland is interesting to me as that is the surname of one of my uncles (deceased) and several of my cousins. None of them went to QEs as they moved to Solihull but fellow pupils of Summerswood school in Borehamwood may recall one of them, Richard Strictland, who scored a century in a cricket match and the bat he used was know as the Strictland bat thereafter. His dad, my Uncle Aubrey, was also a good cricketer and turned out for Elstree cricket club on occasions as did others of my uncles and cousins.
NAME: Ken Pegden
DATE: 27 February 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1955-57
I have now remembered two names which might be of interest. First was John Hopkins who I believe later became an Architect. Second was Ivan Green, who wanted to be a Quantity Surveyor and whom I recall meeting at a Norwich building company having achieved his aim. He and I played cricket together for Essendon the Herts village where we both lived. John lived at Brookmans Park and we would meet him daily on the bus to Barnet.
DATE: 27 February 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1955-57
I have now remembered two names which might be of interest. First was John Hopkins who I believe later became an Architect. Second was Ivan Green, who wanted to be a Quantity Surveyor and whom I recall meeting at a Norwich building company having achieved his aim. He and I played cricket together for Essendon the Herts village where we both lived. John lived at Brookmans Park and we would meet him daily on the bus to Barnet.
3rd REPLY
NAME: Vic Coughtrey
Then & NowDATE: 27 February 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1954-59
Ken, You've made me wonder if I should start a "where are they now?" thread, listing former pupils (ones suggested by subscribers), who have never turned up on the site. I'll give it some thought.
Interesting that you played cricket for Essenden. The man who lived next door to us in Barnet in the 1950s, Colin Wright, was either in the team or (more likely I suppose) in a team which played against Essenden, and he sometimes took my father and myself with him to Essenden on Sundays, so I may have seen you play! As for Ivan Green, I remember him well, as we were both kept down in a lower form (in 1958, I think), and felt rather like two old men among kids. Dickie Whittington, the music master at QE from 1922-59, also lived in Essenden and for some reason really had it in for Green. I can hear him now, bellowing the boy's name.
JANUARY 2015: After a year, I finally got round to setting up the 'Where are they now?' feature. Thanks for giving me the idea, Ken.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 04 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
It was quite a common thing of course in our day for some boys to be kept down a year and to be separated in class from their former form associates. Young Amos in our form 1B was one of them. Does this practice still occur? It seemed rather harder to get expelled. I was talking with Bob Paget (Paget senior) the other day, who said his junior brother, who was in our form 1B in 1956, was asked to leave, a more polite way of putting it. I believe his taller fellow associate in misbehaviour was also asked to leave. Where they went after in their education I do not know. Bob Paget says his brother now lives in Norfolk but he has nothing much to do with him. I am glad I still maintain cordial relations with my own brother John, more junior than me, who also went to QEs and left after GCE 'O' Levels. He attended Founders Day with my wife and myself last year and enjoyed seeing all the changes and talking with 1 of the deputy heads.
Then & NowDATE: 04 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
It was quite a common thing of course in our day for some boys to be kept down a year and to be separated in class from their former form associates. Young Amos in our form 1B was one of them. Does this practice still occur? It seemed rather harder to get expelled. I was talking with Bob Paget (Paget senior) the other day, who said his junior brother, who was in our form 1B in 1956, was asked to leave, a more polite way of putting it. I believe his taller fellow associate in misbehaviour was also asked to leave. Where they went after in their education I do not know. Bob Paget says his brother now lives in Norfolk but he has nothing much to do with him. I am glad I still maintain cordial relations with my own brother John, more junior than me, who also went to QEs and left after GCE 'O' Levels. He attended Founders Day with my wife and myself last year and enjoyed seeing all the changes and talking with 1 of the deputy heads.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 04 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I imagine, Ken, it was a very long journey getting in to QEs at Barnet from Essendon [see reply 2]. I expect then and today the buses to and from Essendon were infrequent to say the least. I used to enjoy cycling in and around Essendon on my own and with my children when living at both Borehamwood and Welwyn Garden City. In regard to Essendon Cricket Club I cannot see them listed in fixtures in the Herts Saracen Cricket League list of clubs nor in the forthcoming 2014 fixtures. I wonder if it still exists. Elstree, where I used to watch games, is in the list of clubs but not in the 2014 fixtures list either. I have written much about cricket and Herts teams on thread 137 and will not repeat points here. I hope to see some live cricket at the next Fouders Day, if it is being arranged. Last year's cricket match was abandoned due to bad weather. It may be a hard job to get my wife to watch, if we do both go. Hopefully there will be some others she can jabber to.
Then & NowDATE: 04 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I imagine, Ken, it was a very long journey getting in to QEs at Barnet from Essendon [see reply 2]. I expect then and today the buses to and from Essendon were infrequent to say the least. I used to enjoy cycling in and around Essendon on my own and with my children when living at both Borehamwood and Welwyn Garden City. In regard to Essendon Cricket Club I cannot see them listed in fixtures in the Herts Saracen Cricket League list of clubs nor in the forthcoming 2014 fixtures. I wonder if it still exists. Elstree, where I used to watch games, is in the list of clubs but not in the 2014 fixtures list either. I have written much about cricket and Herts teams on thread 137 and will not repeat points here. I hope to see some live cricket at the next Fouders Day, if it is being arranged. Last year's cricket match was abandoned due to bad weather. It may be a hard job to get my wife to watch, if we do both go. Hopefully there will be some others she can jabber to.
NAME: Brian Seal 
DATE: 04 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 57-63
Hello Ken. I was in the same class as John Hopkins' younger brother, Steve. Steve lives at Malvern, Worcs. We swap Christmas cards and played golf a couple of years ago. I can probably get hold of John's contact details if you would be interested.
DATE: 04 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 57-63
Hello Ken. I was in the same class as John Hopkins' younger brother, Steve. Steve lives at Malvern, Worcs. We swap Christmas cards and played golf a couple of years ago. I can probably get hold of John's contact details if you would be interested.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 06 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
[Re replies 2,3,5]: On looking up Essendon Cricket Club on the Net, I see that cricket is still played at this club founded in 1810. They play not in the Saracen Herts Cricket League, where the OE teams have fixtures, but in the 4th division of the Herts Essex Cricket League. I see fixtures this year are planned against Abridge, Little Hallingbury, High Beach, Hockerill II, Roding Valley II, Chadwell Heath II, Ardeley Walkern, Molehill Green and Bishops Stortford IV. I find it all rather marvellous how many sides there are. I expect it is a similar story in the Wiltshire and Hampshire areas, near where I now reside. Albury in Hertfordshire, where our family used to go to a village fete every year is apparently in division V with similar interesting fixtures. Looking further in to Elstree Cricket Club I am told that they no longer play in the Herts Saracen League but Hatch End, who used to play in Grimsdyke near Harrow, now play at the Elstree ground. They played OE II in 2013.
Then & NowDATE: 06 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
[Re replies 2,3,5]: On looking up Essendon Cricket Club on the Net, I see that cricket is still played at this club founded in 1810. They play not in the Saracen Herts Cricket League, where the OE teams have fixtures, but in the 4th division of the Herts Essex Cricket League. I see fixtures this year are planned against Abridge, Little Hallingbury, High Beach, Hockerill II, Roding Valley II, Chadwell Heath II, Ardeley Walkern, Molehill Green and Bishops Stortford IV. I find it all rather marvellous how many sides there are. I expect it is a similar story in the Wiltshire and Hampshire areas, near where I now reside. Albury in Hertfordshire, where our family used to go to a village fete every year is apparently in division V with similar interesting fixtures. Looking further in to Elstree Cricket Club I am told that they no longer play in the Herts Saracen League but Hatch End, who used to play in Grimsdyke near Harrow, now play at the Elstree ground. They played OE II in 2013.
NAME: Ken Pegden
DATE: 17 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1955-57
Hi Brian [reply 6]. thank you for your response. I would most certainly like any contact details you may have for John Hopkins.
DATE: 17 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1955-57
Hi Brian [reply 6]. thank you for your response. I would most certainly like any contact details you may have for John Hopkins.
NAME: Ken Pegden
DATE: 17 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1955-57
Hi James! Thank you for your responses in this thread. I am aware that discussing Essendon cricket is not strictly QE business but I thought you might like to know that Jim Meads was captain in my time 54-57. He is more famous for a photo of a Lightning aircraft crashing vertically down over Hatfield as the pilot ejected horizontally. Special to me as I ended my RAF career as a chief tech on Lightnings. Kind regards Ken.
DATE: 17 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1955-57
Hi James! Thank you for your responses in this thread. I am aware that discussing Essendon cricket is not strictly QE business but I thought you might like to know that Jim Meads was captain in my time 54-57. He is more famous for a photo of a Lightning aircraft crashing vertically down over Hatfield as the pilot ejected horizontally. Special to me as I ended my RAF career as a chief tech on Lightnings. Kind regards Ken.
10th REPLY
NAME: Vic Coughtrey Then & NowDATE: 17 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1954-59
Ken, the Lightning was one of the great thrills of my youth. I would travel far and wide to see (and very much hear) 'Thunder & Lightning' Beamont put one through its paces at air shows and at one time I even had an Airfix model hanging from the ceiling of my bedroom! I believe it was the Lightning above all that got jets banned (at least for a while) from the Elstree Air Show, following complaints from residents of the area. For some great images, visit the English Electric Lightning Fan Club page on Facebook.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 19 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
The photo of Jim Mead's is a remarkable one, Ken [reply 9], and also interesting thoughts, Vic [reply 10] about the Lightning, especially in relation to the Elstree Air Show, which I have no memories of. Perhaps others have. I remember the Hendon airshows well and going up in a plane. I wasn't in to Airfix models myself but my daughter Grace was delighted with my glued cardboard models of cars from the Weetabix packets in the 1970s. She went in to see her Mum shouting "Daddy's actually making something and it is quite good."
Then & NowDATE: 19 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
The photo of Jim Mead's is a remarkable one, Ken [reply 9], and also interesting thoughts, Vic [reply 10] about the Lightning, especially in relation to the Elstree Air Show, which I have no memories of. Perhaps others have. I remember the Hendon airshows well and going up in a plane. I wasn't in to Airfix models myself but my daughter Grace was delighted with my glued cardboard models of cars from the Weetabix packets in the 1970s. She went in to see her Mum shouting "Daddy's actually making something and it is quite good."
NAME: Adam Lines 
Then & Now
DATE: 20 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64
The only Lightning I ever saw (and I saw it dozens of times over the years) was a sad wreck of one next to the A1 at Newark. Each time I went past it had deteriorated further until it finally disappeared a few years ago when the site was redeveloped. I assume it was there to promote something - it certainly attracted my attention!
Then & NowDATE: 20 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64
The only Lightning I ever saw (and I saw it dozens of times over the years) was a sad wreck of one next to the A1 at Newark. Each time I went past it had deteriorated further until it finally disappeared a few years ago when the site was redeveloped. I assume it was there to promote something - it certainly attracted my attention!
NAME: Ken Pegden
DATE: 21 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1955-57
Hi Adam! Sadly your experience is quite a common death of an iconic plane. They are often used as gate guards and outside business units and left without any maintenance. There is one I believe being prepared to fly in the USA but I doubt if it ever will. Jeremy Clarkson parked one of 111 Squadron Lightnings on his front lawn but had to remove it as his request to use it to clear leaves was not accepted by the local council.
DATE: 21 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1955-57
Hi Adam! Sadly your experience is quite a common death of an iconic plane. They are often used as gate guards and outside business units and left without any maintenance. There is one I believe being prepared to fly in the USA but I doubt if it ever will. Jeremy Clarkson parked one of 111 Squadron Lightnings on his front lawn but had to remove it as his request to use it to clear leaves was not accepted by the local council.
NAME: Ken Pegden
DATE: 21 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1955-57
Hi James! [reply 11]. My airshow memories started at de Havillands (Hatfield) annual event with my grandfather and clambering over metal birds. I still get goose pimples when ever I see the Red arrows. I have to admit that I do have a plastic kit of the Lightning and Canberra and The Comet. They sit in my office among books of aircraft, cricket and another great love, Wolverhampton Wanderers! Enough said I think.
DATE: 21 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1955-57
Hi James! [reply 11]. My airshow memories started at de Havillands (Hatfield) annual event with my grandfather and clambering over metal birds. I still get goose pimples when ever I see the Red arrows. I have to admit that I do have a plastic kit of the Lightning and Canberra and The Comet. They sit in my office among books of aircraft, cricket and another great love, Wolverhampton Wanderers! Enough said I think.
NAME: Andrew Hersom
DATE: 22 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1960 - 1968
Adam, like you I must have passed the Newark Lightning dozens of times over the years. It disappeared from an unofficial scrapyard by the A1 a couple of years ago; according to the local paper it actually went for scrap.
DATE: 22 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1960 - 1968
Adam, like you I must have passed the Newark Lightning dozens of times over the years. It disappeared from an unofficial scrapyard by the A1 a couple of years ago; according to the local paper it actually went for scrap.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 12 April 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
In reply 14 you mention, Ken, your other great love, Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. Maybe some will agree "Enough said", as you say. Further discussion could maybe widen a very great debate about Wolves and a variety of other clubs from OEs. So far on the site mention of soccer has been confined to Barnet F.C., a club I went to see in my schooldays on several occasions home and away, and of games played outside school by QE pupils. However, if I sympathize with you for the recent history of Wolves and the fall to the 1st Division maybe you could reciprocate for one of our South Coast clubs, Southampton F.C. I have been kept very informed in regard to their history by my son-in-law, an avid Southampton fan and son of a season ticket holder, who is married to my daughter Marie. I have lived through all the turmoil of recent years as related on Wikipedia. I also have followed Swindon's fortunes as supported at matches by my son Matthew.
Then & NowDATE: 12 April 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
In reply 14 you mention, Ken, your other great love, Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. Maybe some will agree "Enough said", as you say. Further discussion could maybe widen a very great debate about Wolves and a variety of other clubs from OEs. So far on the site mention of soccer has been confined to Barnet F.C., a club I went to see in my schooldays on several occasions home and away, and of games played outside school by QE pupils. However, if I sympathize with you for the recent history of Wolves and the fall to the 1st Division maybe you could reciprocate for one of our South Coast clubs, Southampton F.C. I have been kept very informed in regard to their history by my son-in-law, an avid Southampton fan and son of a season ticket holder, who is married to my daughter Marie. I have lived through all the turmoil of recent years as related on Wikipedia. I also have followed Swindon's fortunes as supported at matches by my son Matthew.
NAME: Ken Pegden
DATE: 12 April 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1955-57
I have another memory which it would interesting to see if it is shared. Although a rugby school some of us ran a football team called the Casuals. We played a number of games down at Underhill. I was the goalie! Names have long gone but if any pupil from 55-57 remembers the Casuals it would be good to hear from you. I won't tell anyone that we played football. [See also 1961 footballers]
I also remember Mr Clarke (Chemistry). I was not one of his best pupils in the chemistry lab but we got on great on the sports field. He was as I remember a Welsh shot putt champ and spent hours teaching me the shot technique. A great guy who deserved better from me in the classroom. I also remember feeling crushed by flowing black gowns, am I alone in this fear?
DATE: 12 April 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1955-57
I have another memory which it would interesting to see if it is shared. Although a rugby school some of us ran a football team called the Casuals. We played a number of games down at Underhill. I was the goalie! Names have long gone but if any pupil from 55-57 remembers the Casuals it would be good to hear from you. I won't tell anyone that we played football. [See also 1961 footballers]
I also remember Mr Clarke (Chemistry). I was not one of his best pupils in the chemistry lab but we got on great on the sports field. He was as I remember a Welsh shot putt champ and spent hours teaching me the shot technique. A great guy who deserved better from me in the classroom. I also remember feeling crushed by flowing black gowns, am I alone in this fear?
This thread is NOT closed but any further replies concerning aviation or sport will appear in Thread W10 (aviation) or W11 (sport), with a link back to this thread.
You should still put 147 as the thread number on the form IF your reply relates to a reply here rather than to a reply in W10 or W11 themselves. That way, I'll be reminded to link back to here from W10 or W11.
You should still put 147 as the thread number on the form IF your reply relates to a reply here rather than to a reply in W10 or W11 themselves. That way, I'll be reminded to link back to here from W10 or W11.
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