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< Thread 74 Thread 75 (35 replies so far) Thread 76 >
< Thread 74 Thread 75 (35 replies so far) Thread 76 >
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ORIGINAL MESSAGE
NAME: Max Dyson04 October 2010
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 65-72
There were some teachers with a much more liberal touch than the oft mentioned toughies. Gungy Bannerman and Roger Evans in English, Slasher Lowe with his proto environmental concerns and John Postle who showed me that technical drawing was worth doing. I got even with Tiger by letting my very pretty girlfriend chat up the drunken buffooon one night at the Black Death. "Have you met my girlfriend sir?" However something must have sunk in as I used Latin to good effect when working in medical publishing. I now teach and try hard not to ever be the bullying monsters that some of the QE staff could be. Academy status will no doubt enrich the Head but if other experiences are anything to go by then free thinking staff will soon leave. I enjoy our yearly reunion but it is very much about old friends living in the present and not trying to amend the past.
NAME: Nick Dean 
.JPG "Nick Dean gallery")
DATE: 14 November 2012
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
I have various amusing recollections of Tiger Timson, some, like Max's [see original message], pub related, but possibly the most famous tale in my time arose when he was supervising a private study period in rooms N and O. A boy came in and asked if he could retrieve a book from his desk. A voice at the back growled in Tigeresque tone, "b****r off!" Timson said nothing and, after a prolonged silence, the boy repeated his request. Timson then responded, "you heard what the man at the back said". I think I was present when this occurred, but you know what they say about the 60s ... On another occasion, Timson declined to attend a revival of the Elizabethan Union dinner-debate. On being asked why, he replied candidly, "a - it is a school dinner, and b - it is a debate". Some years later it struck me that Timson might have been the model for Mr Partridge in Hi-de-hi, though he was much wittier than the latter. More anon..
DATE: 14 November 2012
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
I have various amusing recollections of Tiger Timson, some, like Max's [see original message], pub related, but possibly the most famous tale in my time arose when he was supervising a private study period in rooms N and O. A boy came in and asked if he could retrieve a book from his desk. A voice at the back growled in Tigeresque tone, "b****r off!" Timson said nothing and, after a prolonged silence, the boy repeated his request. Timson then responded, "you heard what the man at the back said". I think I was present when this occurred, but you know what they say about the 60s ... On another occasion, Timson declined to attend a revival of the Elizabethan Union dinner-debate. On being asked why, he replied candidly, "a - it is a school dinner, and b - it is a debate". Some years later it struck me that Timson might have been the model for Mr Partridge in Hi-de-hi, though he was much wittier than the latter. More anon..
NAME: Nick Dean
DATE: 18 November 2012
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Wit and Wisdom of P Timson (cont):
Boy: Please, sir, may I borrow your classical atlas?
Timson: Oh! It is not my atlas! It is provided by the ratepayers of this borough for your education and betterment!
Timson to new sixth former: And how long will you be with us?
Boy: I'm not sure yet, sir.
Timson: Long enough to have a haircut and shave, I hope.
During my final term, some of us occasionally eloped to the Black Horse for a quick half before lunch. Timson was sometimes in situ, grinning benignly (or so it seemed). Late one morning he accosted one of our number in the lower corridor: "What are you doing in school? The pubs have been open for at least half an hour!"
On my final day at QE I called on Timson to say goodbye. On telling him that I had been offered a place at Worcester College, Oxford (founded in 1714), he muttered - quite cheerfully for him - something about my relative lack of preparation for the classical aspects of the entrance exam. He then growled, "One of the newer colleges, of course ..."
DATE: 18 November 2012
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Wit and Wisdom of P Timson (cont):
Boy: Please, sir, may I borrow your classical atlas?
Timson: Oh! It is not my atlas! It is provided by the ratepayers of this borough for your education and betterment!
Timson to new sixth former: And how long will you be with us?
Boy: I'm not sure yet, sir.
Timson: Long enough to have a haircut and shave, I hope.
During my final term, some of us occasionally eloped to the Black Horse for a quick half before lunch. Timson was sometimes in situ, grinning benignly (or so it seemed). Late one morning he accosted one of our number in the lower corridor: "What are you doing in school? The pubs have been open for at least half an hour!"
On my final day at QE I called on Timson to say goodbye. On telling him that I had been offered a place at Worcester College, Oxford (founded in 1714), he muttered - quite cheerfully for him - something about my relative lack of preparation for the classical aspects of the entrance exam. He then growled, "One of the newer colleges, of course ..."
NAME: Nigel Wood .jpg "Nigel Wood")
DATE: 02 December 2012
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957 - 64
These Tiger stories are superb! Another rich lode to rival the still-not-exhausted C0cks lode. The 'man at the back' story is a classic of the first water (dodgy metaphor warning...)
DATE: 02 December 2012
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957 - 64
These Tiger stories are superb! Another rich lode to rival the still-not-exhausted C0cks lode. The 'man at the back' story is a classic of the first water (dodgy metaphor warning...)
>
NAME: Nick Dean
DATE: 14 January 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
More wit and wisdom of P Timson: On being asked by me to decipher his scribble at the bottom of an ancient history essay: "It says, I find your writing very difficult to read." To a boy with an English-Latin dictionary: "Throw it away! Or give it to your girl friend - if you have one." To G L Smith about a former captain of Leicester who had returned for lunch sporting a longer hairstyle: "Oooh! Isn't he pretty?"
DATE: 14 January 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
More wit and wisdom of P Timson: On being asked by me to decipher his scribble at the bottom of an ancient history essay: "It says, I find your writing very difficult to read." To a boy with an English-Latin dictionary: "Throw it away! Or give it to your girl friend - if you have one." To G L Smith about a former captain of Leicester who had returned for lunch sporting a longer hairstyle: "Oooh! Isn't he pretty?"
NAME: Nick Dean
DATE: 19 February 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
A recent conversation about place names reminded me of when, in an ancient history lesson, a boy pronounced Marseille(s) in the manner of the French and Timson told him rather gruffly, "it's Mar-sails in English". Similarly, C0cks once began a discourse about lions and it took a moment or two to register that he meant the French city that, even then, most people referred to Lyon (as in Leigh-on-Sea). (He did, however, seem to accept that Ragusa was Dubrovnik and we had to maintain a list in our exercise books of such alternative forms). Conversely, when, in a 6th form essay on censorship, a boy decided, for some reason, to spell 'theatre/er' the American way, TBE drew it to his attention in front of the class, but seemed curiously equivocal as to whether he objected or not.
DATE: 19 February 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
A recent conversation about place names reminded me of when, in an ancient history lesson, a boy pronounced Marseille(s) in the manner of the French and Timson told him rather gruffly, "it's Mar-sails in English". Similarly, C0cks once began a discourse about lions and it took a moment or two to register that he meant the French city that, even then, most people referred to Lyon (as in Leigh-on-Sea). (He did, however, seem to accept that Ragusa was Dubrovnik and we had to maintain a list in our exercise books of such alternative forms). Conversely, when, in a 6th form essay on censorship, a boy decided, for some reason, to spell 'theatre/er' the American way, TBE drew it to his attention in front of the class, but seemed curiously equivocal as to whether he objected or not.
NAME: Nick Dean
DATE: 24 February 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
The recent publicity about Richard III reminded me of Sam C0cks' quip about the end of the Wars of the Roses: "So, they all went home from the Battle of Bosworth saying, 'Uh! Jolly good! We're in modern times now!' " I imagine he repeated this year after year and it's about the only thing I can remember from a history lesson of his - except that one Christmas he acquired a book of British battles from which, from time to time, he drew on the board plans of the various engagements. All sorts of things went on behind his back while he was doing these. History was easily my best subject
As regards other history masters, I thought Alfie was rather underrated and, in the lower sixth, when teaching was shared, I got on better with him than with Grahame Morris, the head of department. Wakelin left at the end of my first year, and I never actually knew him, but his influence seemed to linger: his Roots of Diplomacy, of which I have a copy, remains a seminal text on inter-state relations. (I also have my Diplomacy set). Ultimately, though, I probaby owe Morris (about whom there is very little on this site) as much as any master at QE. He became Director of Studies (3rd in command) when the school went comprehensive and might well have been Second Master after JP had they not wanted someone from a comprehensive (name of Jones). His very pleasant wife Ann was also at QE - as in fact was Mary Alford, who worked in the office with the indomitable Joan Strongman, who chain smoked and introduced me to Blu-tack.
DATE: 24 February 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
The recent publicity about Richard III reminded me of Sam C0cks' quip about the end of the Wars of the Roses: "So, they all went home from the Battle of Bosworth saying, 'Uh! Jolly good! We're in modern times now!' " I imagine he repeated this year after year and it's about the only thing I can remember from a history lesson of his - except that one Christmas he acquired a book of British battles from which, from time to time, he drew on the board plans of the various engagements. All sorts of things went on behind his back while he was doing these. History was easily my best subject
As regards other history masters, I thought Alfie was rather underrated and, in the lower sixth, when teaching was shared, I got on better with him than with Grahame Morris, the head of department. Wakelin left at the end of my first year, and I never actually knew him, but his influence seemed to linger: his Roots of Diplomacy, of which I have a copy, remains a seminal text on inter-state relations. (I also have my Diplomacy set). Ultimately, though, I probaby owe Morris (about whom there is very little on this site) as much as any master at QE. He became Director of Studies (3rd in command) when the school went comprehensive and might well have been Second Master after JP had they not wanted someone from a comprehensive (name of Jones). His very pleasant wife Ann was also at QE - as in fact was Mary Alford, who worked in the office with the indomitable Joan Strongman, who chain smoked and introduced me to Blu-tack.
NAME: David Jervis
DATE: 27 February 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
I have numerous memories of Tiger T, who was a big fan of my father, who attended QE from about 1936-44 and was a great scholar and sportsman. Tiger welcomed me to the school but became disillusioned with me as the power of the swinging sixties strengthened its grip on my activities and appearance. I think he had a sort of love-hate relationship with me but the negative part of that revealed itself in a school report which said, simply: "This boy is grotesque."
DATE: 27 February 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
I have numerous memories of Tiger T, who was a big fan of my father, who attended QE from about 1936-44 and was a great scholar and sportsman. Tiger welcomed me to the school but became disillusioned with me as the power of the swinging sixties strengthened its grip on my activities and appearance. I think he had a sort of love-hate relationship with me but the negative part of that revealed itself in a school report which said, simply: "This boy is grotesque."
NAME: Paul Buckland
DATE: 27 February 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1962-1969
Some time ago I sent a reply about Joan Strongman [see reply 6] who, summer and winter, always wore knitted two piece suits. As Nick says she was a chain smoker and I have often wondered how TBE put up with it. Presumably there were few brave enough to argue with Joan. In any case when he went to the staff room he would have been asphyxiated. At least 90 percent of masters were heavy smokers. Whilst Joan S did work with Mary Alford, my recollection is that they were in different rooms with Mrs A in that corridor leading to the Art Room, next door to Poker's office. Alfie gave me my lifelong love of history which was further nurtured by Graham (Boris) Morris. The Alfords' son was also at QE.
DATE: 27 February 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1962-1969
Some time ago I sent a reply about Joan Strongman [see reply 6] who, summer and winter, always wore knitted two piece suits. As Nick says she was a chain smoker and I have often wondered how TBE put up with it. Presumably there were few brave enough to argue with Joan. In any case when he went to the staff room he would have been asphyxiated. At least 90 percent of masters were heavy smokers. Whilst Joan S did work with Mary Alford, my recollection is that they were in different rooms with Mrs A in that corridor leading to the Art Room, next door to Poker's office. Alfie gave me my lifelong love of history which was further nurtured by Graham (Boris) Morris. The Alfords' son was also at QE.
NAME: Nick Dean
DATE: 02 March 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Paul, thanks for drawing attention to your earlier post - also to Morris's nickname (which, strangely, I had forgotten since I got to know him quite well) and to the office on the first floor, which I should have remembered because, when I was Assistant Librarian, Mary used occasionally to help out with typing. I'm reminded also of something called Bursar's Duty, which lower 6th formers did on a rotational basis. It mainly involved going into Barnet, to places like the Post Office or Barnet Press or to buy Jack Covington's tobacco. As a prefect overseeing this rota, I found that some boys simply didn't turn up. When I explained this to Joan - a bit like Bernard telling Sir Humphrey he had a problem - she rose in semi-dudgeon and told me that I might like to try ordering them. My unmanagerial response, "Not sixth formers, surely?" did not find much favour - though I must say I was in and out of her foggy office quite often in my final term and, in general, found her really quite friendly (and willing to sound off about all sorts of things!)
DATE: 02 March 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Paul, thanks for drawing attention to your earlier post - also to Morris's nickname (which, strangely, I had forgotten since I got to know him quite well) and to the office on the first floor, which I should have remembered because, when I was Assistant Librarian, Mary used occasionally to help out with typing. I'm reminded also of something called Bursar's Duty, which lower 6th formers did on a rotational basis. It mainly involved going into Barnet, to places like the Post Office or Barnet Press or to buy Jack Covington's tobacco. As a prefect overseeing this rota, I found that some boys simply didn't turn up. When I explained this to Joan - a bit like Bernard telling Sir Humphrey he had a problem - she rose in semi-dudgeon and told me that I might like to try ordering them. My unmanagerial response, "Not sixth formers, surely?" did not find much favour - though I must say I was in and out of her foggy office quite often in my final term and, in general, found her really quite friendly (and willing to sound off about all sorts of things!)
NAME: Nick Dean
DATE: 09 April 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Winston Churchill's distinctive pronounciation of 'Bovril' [see thread 109] reminded me that latterly we referred to Grahame Morris as 'Bo' rather than the full Boris.
DATE: 09 April 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Winston Churchill's distinctive pronounciation of 'Bovril' [see thread 109] reminded me that latterly we referred to Grahame Morris as 'Bo' rather than the full Boris.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen 
.jpg "James Cowen gallery")
Then & Now
DATE: 16 May 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I have enjoyed those tales of Tiger T, Nick [replies 1-5]. I am ashamed to think I cannot recall myself very much of anecdotal interest about the man (unlike with Sam C0cks) despite his being my form master and taking me for some classical subjects and noting his comments on school reports, although much info of course is forgotten by me after 50 years away. One day I was found by him reading his college ancient history essays, which he kept in a desk in the front of the form classroom. I recall his comments were very brief, as indeed was the case all the time. He said something to the effect that he hoped I learned a lot from them. They were indeed very good essays, I recall.
Then & NowDATE: 16 May 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I have enjoyed those tales of Tiger T, Nick [replies 1-5]. I am ashamed to think I cannot recall myself very much of anecdotal interest about the man (unlike with Sam C0cks) despite his being my form master and taking me for some classical subjects and noting his comments on school reports, although much info of course is forgotten by me after 50 years away. One day I was found by him reading his college ancient history essays, which he kept in a desk in the front of the form classroom. I recall his comments were very brief, as indeed was the case all the time. He said something to the effect that he hoped I learned a lot from them. They were indeed very good essays, I recall.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 16 May 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I was interested to see references on this thread [reply 8] and thread 52 to Miss Joan Strongman, the bursar,who was obviously a very strong character, chain smoked and wore knitted 2 piece suits but whom I for one do not recall at all. Maybe it is because I was never in the circle of power being neither a prefect nor sub-prefect that may have had access to her office nor do I recall taking any register to the Headmaster's office, which I am informed by Mike Hagger en route from the last 40 Club Dinner occurred every day after our names were called out in the daily roll call. In EHJ's book An Elizabethan Headmaster 1930-1961 he acnowledges the lady's assistance but unlike with Mr Mays says not much else about her. Do others have more clear memories and interesting anecdotes? Or may there be even a photo with her included? When was she no longer at the school? Mike Hagger said her name backwards was cut in to the grass by the school.
< Then & NowDATE: 16 May 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I was interested to see references on this thread [reply 8] and thread 52 to Miss Joan Strongman, the bursar,who was obviously a very strong character, chain smoked and wore knitted 2 piece suits but whom I for one do not recall at all. Maybe it is because I was never in the circle of power being neither a prefect nor sub-prefect that may have had access to her office nor do I recall taking any register to the Headmaster's office, which I am informed by Mike Hagger en route from the last 40 Club Dinner occurred every day after our names were called out in the daily roll call. In EHJ's book An Elizabethan Headmaster 1930-1961 he acnowledges the lady's assistance but unlike with Mr Mays says not much else about her. Do others have more clear memories and interesting anecdotes? Or may there be even a photo with her included? When was she no longer at the school? Mike Hagger said her name backwards was cut in to the grass by the school.
NAME: Nick Dean
DATE: 30 May 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
In the preface to his book, Jenkins says, "Does the slight mention that I have made of her services give adequate recognition to the devoted ability (spiced with pungency) with which Miss Strongman ran the School office?" He acknowledges also her assistance in verifying various things for the book. I haven't done any analysis and it's about 40 years since I read the book in full, but my recollection is that it was generally rather circumspect about people still in harness. Incidentally, my surviving 1972 copy of The Elizabethan offers, in a single sentence, congratulations to Joan on completing 25 years at the school. So she arrived just after the war.
I have ascertained, from a small cache of OE newsletters that, for some reason, were never thrown out at the time, that Joan Strongman retired in 1977. There was a party at the school attended by a host of former AMs and she was presented with a silver St Christopher. Referring to the majority of staff being male, she was "by her own admission outnumbered but never outmanoeuvred". (It would have been a brave man or woman who would have tried.) A slightly earlier issue (August 1976) reported the deaths of Molly Vaughan-Thomas, Gabby Hayes (aged only 53), Tiger Timson (retired in 1974) and Peter Ambidge, then living in Canada. It appears that Tiger was Eric Shearly's Best Man. There is an obituary of Hayes, DFC (and, we now think, Bar), that I'll associate with another recent strand.
DATE: 30 May 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
In the preface to his book, Jenkins says, "Does the slight mention that I have made of her services give adequate recognition to the devoted ability (spiced with pungency) with which Miss Strongman ran the School office?" He acknowledges also her assistance in verifying various things for the book. I haven't done any analysis and it's about 40 years since I read the book in full, but my recollection is that it was generally rather circumspect about people still in harness. Incidentally, my surviving 1972 copy of The Elizabethan offers, in a single sentence, congratulations to Joan on completing 25 years at the school. So she arrived just after the war.
I have ascertained, from a small cache of OE newsletters that, for some reason, were never thrown out at the time, that Joan Strongman retired in 1977. There was a party at the school attended by a host of former AMs and she was presented with a silver St Christopher. Referring to the majority of staff being male, she was "by her own admission outnumbered but never outmanoeuvred". (It would have been a brave man or woman who would have tried.) A slightly earlier issue (August 1976) reported the deaths of Molly Vaughan-Thomas, Gabby Hayes (aged only 53), Tiger Timson (retired in 1974) and Peter Ambidge, then living in Canada. It appears that Tiger was Eric Shearly's Best Man. There is an obituary of Hayes, DFC (and, we now think, Bar), that I'll associate with another recent strand.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 03 June 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
From my visit to last year's Founders Day I understand there is a museum at the school, which for one reason and another I did not go up to see last year but hope to do so at this year's Founders Day. Maybe they have old copies of The Elizabethan that may be read. If not it would be good if some older copies could be bequeathed as it would be if someone could leave a copy of Elizabethah Headmaster 1930-1961 to the reference centre of Barnet Library. I expect the school museum has a copy. Incidentally it would be interesting if any had the time and inclination to do a History of the school since 1961. Not long ago a definitive history of my old college has been produced and various old boys subsidised its production.
Then & NowDATE: 03 June 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
From my visit to last year's Founders Day I understand there is a museum at the school, which for one reason and another I did not go up to see last year but hope to do so at this year's Founders Day. Maybe they have old copies of The Elizabethan that may be read. If not it would be good if some older copies could be bequeathed as it would be if someone could leave a copy of Elizabethah Headmaster 1930-1961 to the reference centre of Barnet Library. I expect the school museum has a copy. Incidentally it would be interesting if any had the time and inclination to do a History of the school since 1961. Not long ago a definitive history of my old college has been produced and various old boys subsidised its production.
NAME: Nick Dean
DATE: 04 June 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Si historiam requiris, circumspice.
DATE: 04 June 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Si historiam requiris, circumspice.
16th REPLY
NAME: Vic Coughtrey
Then & NowDATE: 04 June 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1954-59
Sed tempus multa concelat.
NAME: Nigel Wood
DATE: 05 June 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957 - 64
anni lucem auream commodaverunt
DATE: 05 June 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957 - 64
anni lucem auream commodaverunt
NAME: Derek Scudder
DATE: 05 June 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64
Nil illegitimi carborundum
DATE: 05 June 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64
Nil illegitimi carborundum
NAME: Mike Cottrell .jpg "Richard Dilley & Mike Cottrell")
DATE: 06 June 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64
Utinam Latine amoenitati
DATE: 06 June 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64
Utinam Latine amoenitati
NAME: Adam Lines 
Then & Now
DATE: 07 June 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64
Brutus aderat forte Caesar adsum jam Caesar sic in omnibus Brutus sic intram ....
Then & NowDATE: 07 June 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64
Brutus aderat forte Caesar adsum jam Caesar sic in omnibus Brutus sic intram ....
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