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< Thread 74 Thread 75 (35 replies so far) Thread 76 >
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NAME: Nick Dean 
.JPG "Nick Dean gallery")
DATE: 07 June 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Sorry to hear that Mary Alford has died [see Thread 130]. Earlier posts on this thread [6 & 8] mention her secretarial work at the school, which she evidently continued until 1982. I think Ollie Alford orginally came from Southampton: I remember he was very proud of having been taught by Horace King, who was MP for one of the Southampton constituences (probably Itchen) and became Speaker of the House of Commons during my first year at QE.
DATE: 07 June 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Sorry to hear that Mary Alford has died [see Thread 130]. Earlier posts on this thread [6 & 8] mention her secretarial work at the school, which she evidently continued until 1982. I think Ollie Alford orginally came from Southampton: I remember he was very proud of having been taught by Horace King, who was MP for one of the Southampton constituences (probably Itchen) and became Speaker of the House of Commons during my first year at QE.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen 
.jpg "James Cowen gallery")
Then & Now
DATE: 08 June 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Well, Nick and Vic, is this sudden burst of Latin an effort to add even more distinction and culture to the site? Have you kept up with the study and application of the noble old language we were embroiled with at school along with the ancient Greek prose and poetry? For myself I recall few of the phrases of those years. One of course was Mens sana in corpore sano, which also my wife tells me was a favourite of her father. I do certainly remember Timeo Donaos et dona ferentes ('I fear the Greeks even when they bring gifts' or even 'especially when they bring gifts') from Virgil's Aeneid and have had occasion to quote it especially when programmes come on the media about the Trojans, their leaders and the Trojan Horse. Well I do not fear you, Nick and Vic, when you use Latin but I fear for you. Fortuna favet fortibus. May you not be deluged by too many Latin phrases from contributors or maybe you feel that would not be too bad a thing? We will see.
Then & NowDATE: 08 June 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Well, Nick and Vic, is this sudden burst of Latin an effort to add even more distinction and culture to the site? Have you kept up with the study and application of the noble old language we were embroiled with at school along with the ancient Greek prose and poetry? For myself I recall few of the phrases of those years. One of course was Mens sana in corpore sano, which also my wife tells me was a favourite of her father. I do certainly remember Timeo Donaos et dona ferentes ('I fear the Greeks even when they bring gifts' or even 'especially when they bring gifts') from Virgil's Aeneid and have had occasion to quote it especially when programmes come on the media about the Trojans, their leaders and the Trojan Horse. Well I do not fear you, Nick and Vic, when you use Latin but I fear for you. Fortuna favet fortibus. May you not be deluged by too many Latin phrases from contributors or maybe you feel that would not be too bad a thing? We will see.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 10 June 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Now, Nick, in respect of your alteration [reply 15] of the inscription on the tomb of Sir Christopher Wren in St Paul's Cathedral, London from Si monumentum requires, circumspice to Si historiam requires, circumspice for this site, there is certainly oodles of history from when I left in 1963 to the current day, which is not yet on this site. Maybe in subsequent visits to the site or to the school/OE meetings the gaps will be revealed.
Then & NowDATE: 10 June 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Now, Nick, in respect of your alteration [reply 15] of the inscription on the tomb of Sir Christopher Wren in St Paul's Cathedral, London from Si monumentum requires, circumspice to Si historiam requires, circumspice for this site, there is certainly oodles of history from when I left in 1963 to the current day, which is not yet on this site. Maybe in subsequent visits to the site or to the school/OE meetings the gaps will be revealed.
NAME: Martyn Day 
Then & Now
DATE: 11 June 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Inmate 1956-63
...Amo, amas, I loved a lass who was so tall and slender. Amas, amat, I laid her flat and tickled her feminine gender.
Then & NowDATE: 11 June 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Inmate 1956-63
...Amo, amas, I loved a lass who was so tall and slender. Amas, amat, I laid her flat and tickled her feminine gender.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 13 June 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I wondered where these bursts of Latin might lead and am inspired by Martyn's slightly rude reply to remember a limerick I observed on a wall by the Cambridge Law Library (and where might references to limericks lead?) It ran as follows:
As to Nick Dean's 'Que?' the reference to Manuel in Fawlty Towers is slightly bizarre from a person who is by no means stupid and who after distinction at school went to Oxford University (even if not one of the oldest colleges, as Tiger Timson said.) I was watching episodes of Fawlty Towers the other day with my daughter Grace and do in fact understand why it was disliked so much by people in other European countries for displaying Manuel as an over-the-top buffoon from Barcelona. I myself have never ever met any foreign waiters so misunderstanding of what is said. Shouldn't real comedy be somewhat nearer reality? The recent controversy of the old ex-major making references to our Commonwealth cricketing friends in terms no longer used and its being altered on re-showings is even stranger, I think - but feel free to disagree. In the words of Mrs Merton "Lets have a heated debate." Or not, as the case may be.
Then & NowDATE: 13 June 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I wondered where these bursts of Latin might lead and am inspired by Martyn's slightly rude reply to remember a limerick I observed on a wall by the Cambridge Law Library (and where might references to limericks lead?) It ran as follows:
There was a young gentlemen named RexFor the benefit of non-Latin learners or non-law students, the Latin means 'the law does not concern itself with trifling matters'. Incidentally as a bit of trivia the original of Sir Christopher Wren's epitaph altered by Nick is also apparently the motto of the state of Michigan in the good old USA.
With diminutive organs of sex.
When charged with exposure
He said with composure:
"De minimis non curat lex".
As to Nick Dean's 'Que?' the reference to Manuel in Fawlty Towers is slightly bizarre from a person who is by no means stupid and who after distinction at school went to Oxford University (even if not one of the oldest colleges, as Tiger Timson said.) I was watching episodes of Fawlty Towers the other day with my daughter Grace and do in fact understand why it was disliked so much by people in other European countries for displaying Manuel as an over-the-top buffoon from Barcelona. I myself have never ever met any foreign waiters so misunderstanding of what is said. Shouldn't real comedy be somewhat nearer reality? The recent controversy of the old ex-major making references to our Commonwealth cricketing friends in terms no longer used and its being altered on re-showings is even stranger, I think - but feel free to disagree. In the words of Mrs Merton "Lets have a heated debate." Or not, as the case may be.
NAME: Nick Dean
DATE: 16 June 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
I agree that Watery Fowls, like that other Cleese vehicle, Monty Python,, was sometimes rather manic and OTT, but I suppose that's Cambridge humour for you. I gather that, in fact, it was quite popular in Germany. I was amused to read recently that the late journalist and broadcaster Christopher Martin-Jenkins was called 'the Major' because he once announced, on entering the press box at (let us say) the Oval, "Hampshire won!" and, after Basil F, everyone responded in unison, "Did it, Major?" Such is the extent to which much of the dialogue has become embedded in the national consciousness.
DATE: 16 June 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
I agree that Watery Fowls, like that other Cleese vehicle, Monty Python,, was sometimes rather manic and OTT, but I suppose that's Cambridge humour for you. I gather that, in fact, it was quite popular in Germany. I was amused to read recently that the late journalist and broadcaster Christopher Martin-Jenkins was called 'the Major' because he once announced, on entering the press box at (let us say) the Oval, "Hampshire won!" and, after Basil F, everyone responded in unison, "Did it, Major?" Such is the extent to which much of the dialogue has become embedded in the national consciousness.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 06 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Ah yes, Nick, I do recall a lot of Cambridge humour on radio, TV and films, especially from those in the various Cambridge Footlight revues. Now what exactly is Oxford humour? Talking of Monty Python we used to have a friend come round who used to say "If that don't turn you on, nothing will" (spoken as 'nothink will') and to which we used to say "Clearly nothing will." He used also to go on about us watching UXB and saying "Thats much too violent. You don't watch that, do you?" For many years now I often say to my wife about different programmes, "This is more violent than UXB."
Then & NowDATE: 06 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Ah yes, Nick, I do recall a lot of Cambridge humour on radio, TV and films, especially from those in the various Cambridge Footlight revues. Now what exactly is Oxford humour? Talking of Monty Python we used to have a friend come round who used to say "If that don't turn you on, nothing will" (spoken as 'nothink will') and to which we used to say "Clearly nothing will." He used also to go on about us watching UXB and saying "Thats much too violent. You don't watch that, do you?" For many years now I often say to my wife about different programmes, "This is more violent than UXB."
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 06 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
In respect of my 14th reply on this thread I did attend Founders Day this year and was able to go in the museum room at the school, which was kindly opened up for my little group as well as several others by Mr Ryan, one of the school assistant heads. My brother John (at school 1958-62) enjoyed seeing the line of volumes he remembered from his school days, then in the reference library, such as volumes of Punch from 1841 to 1970. I noted that there was a shelf of EHJ books (19 of Elizabethan Headnmaster and 3 of his History of the French Navy) but as far as I could see only one copy of Mr Tripp's book. There was also one copy of the naval tome in the school hall balcony bookshelf. Maybe one copy of each could be donated to Barnet Library but only if they look after it better than the copy they had, which has gone missing. Other interesting items were some old worn school caps and a row in pristine condition, probably never worn.
Whilst with my party in the school museum a number of other interested people came in. My wife said to me in relation to the school caps: "There are the caps, one of which your dad used to say you had to go back often and see the caretaker to get back, as you used to keep leaving it at school." I explained that that was at my old Borehamwood primary school called Summerswood. At the mention of this two OEs who overheard said that they went to Summerswood up to 1962 before coming to QEs. They went to Monks Walk junior school whilst I attended Furzehill. Apparently they were among the OES of 1962 who were invited and came to the last OE Annual Dinner. It was good to talk about our old Borehamwood days such as the old Sainsburys and Hanson's ice cream taken home in pudding basins. To others coming to Founders Day/Annual and 40 club Dinners in future yoy may enjoy similar meetings to reminisce.
Then & NowDATE: 06 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
In respect of my 14th reply on this thread I did attend Founders Day this year and was able to go in the museum room at the school, which was kindly opened up for my little group as well as several others by Mr Ryan, one of the school assistant heads. My brother John (at school 1958-62) enjoyed seeing the line of volumes he remembered from his school days, then in the reference library, such as volumes of Punch from 1841 to 1970. I noted that there was a shelf of EHJ books (19 of Elizabethan Headnmaster and 3 of his History of the French Navy) but as far as I could see only one copy of Mr Tripp's book. There was also one copy of the naval tome in the school hall balcony bookshelf. Maybe one copy of each could be donated to Barnet Library but only if they look after it better than the copy they had, which has gone missing. Other interesting items were some old worn school caps and a row in pristine condition, probably never worn.
Whilst with my party in the school museum a number of other interested people came in. My wife said to me in relation to the school caps: "There are the caps, one of which your dad used to say you had to go back often and see the caretaker to get back, as you used to keep leaving it at school." I explained that that was at my old Borehamwood primary school called Summerswood. At the mention of this two OEs who overheard said that they went to Summerswood up to 1962 before coming to QEs. They went to Monks Walk junior school whilst I attended Furzehill. Apparently they were among the OES of 1962 who were invited and came to the last OE Annual Dinner. It was good to talk about our old Borehamwood days such as the old Sainsburys and Hanson's ice cream taken home in pudding basins. To others coming to Founders Day/Annual and 40 club Dinners in future yoy may enjoy similar meetings to reminisce.
NAME: Nigel Wood .jpg "Nigel Wood")
DATE: 08 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1957-64
I'm beginning to feel I really missed out on something by not being brought up in Borehamwood. But I do remember a group visit there as a sixth-former, to attend a seminar on youth issues, or somesuch. A cynical teacher, I can't remember who, said, "That'll be sex, then." As anticipated, the speakers spoke from a Christian perspective, but for me, I'm afraid, it was a day off school. I can remember just three things about it: the sun shining, Chris Layson being recognised as the sharp intellectual that he is, and one of the speakers, a namesake of mine, telling us that his wife's advice to him as he left home that day had been, "Don't Bore 'em, Wood". I'm sure he did try not to do so ...
DATE: 08 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1957-64
I'm beginning to feel I really missed out on something by not being brought up in Borehamwood. But I do remember a group visit there as a sixth-former, to attend a seminar on youth issues, or somesuch. A cynical teacher, I can't remember who, said, "That'll be sex, then." As anticipated, the speakers spoke from a Christian perspective, but for me, I'm afraid, it was a day off school. I can remember just three things about it: the sun shining, Chris Layson being recognised as the sharp intellectual that he is, and one of the speakers, a namesake of mine, telling us that his wife's advice to him as he left home that day had been, "Don't Bore 'em, Wood". I'm sure he did try not to do so ...
NAME: Nick Dean
DATE: 08 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Jas [reply 28] - I'm not sure there is a distinctive Oxford humour, although 50% of the original Beyond the Fringe quartet (Moore, Bennett) were Oxonians. I remember Alan Bennett doing a sketch about the Bishop of Norwich signing himself 'Cyril Norwich' and speculating as to whether he meant 'Cyril, Bishop of N' or 'Cyril, k------s off ready when I come home'. He then added, "yes, I do know k------s is spelt with a 'k'. I did go to Oxford. It was one of the first things they taught me". (In fact, the Bishop of Norwich signs himself 'Norvic', but I think we've had enough Latin for one season ...)
DATE: 08 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Jas [reply 28] - I'm not sure there is a distinctive Oxford humour, although 50% of the original Beyond the Fringe quartet (Moore, Bennett) were Oxonians. I remember Alan Bennett doing a sketch about the Bishop of Norwich signing himself 'Cyril Norwich' and speculating as to whether he meant 'Cyril, Bishop of N' or 'Cyril, k------s off ready when I come home'. He then added, "yes, I do know k------s is spelt with a 'k'. I did go to Oxford. It was one of the first things they taught me". (In fact, the Bishop of Norwich signs himself 'Norvic', but I think we've had enough Latin for one season ...)
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 15 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I have enjoyed reading those recent replies in this thread, Nigel and Nick [replies 30 and 31]. Perhaps we can arrange, Nigel, for you to be awarded an honorary MBE (Membership of the Borehamwood Elite.), maybe after consultation with those other ex-Borehamwood contributors (Paul Buckland and Stephen Giles.) Now would be a good time to receive such an honour, as the great collaborative building at 96 Shenley Road is being erected, which on one of its floors is to incorporate the Borehamwood Museum, currently housed at 1 Drayton Road. Other Borehamwood news for those who may not know: The Crown pub on the corner of Theobald Street is closed but the Wellington remains. There are 2 newish pubs in Shenley Road, one of which run by Weatherspoons, my brother, wife and I went to after going to Founders Day and enjoyed a meal like we get in Andover and Salisbury.
Then & NowDATE: 15 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I have enjoyed reading those recent replies in this thread, Nigel and Nick [replies 30 and 31]. Perhaps we can arrange, Nigel, for you to be awarded an honorary MBE (Membership of the Borehamwood Elite.), maybe after consultation with those other ex-Borehamwood contributors (Paul Buckland and Stephen Giles.) Now would be a good time to receive such an honour, as the great collaborative building at 96 Shenley Road is being erected, which on one of its floors is to incorporate the Borehamwood Museum, currently housed at 1 Drayton Road. Other Borehamwood news for those who may not know: The Crown pub on the corner of Theobald Street is closed but the Wellington remains. There are 2 newish pubs in Shenley Road, one of which run by Weatherspoons, my brother, wife and I went to after going to Founders Day and enjoyed a meal like we get in Andover and Salisbury.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 23 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I was looking at my large street names and areas in the south east book the other day and the book says, and if the book is correct and would even pass by Sam C0cks, I made a mistake in reply 29 by saying the primary school in Borehamwood near Hillside school was Monks Walk. Apparently it should be Monksmead. After all this time the memory somewhat fades a bit and there have been so many Monks somethings for schools in different areas. I do not know if any of these relate to any historical connection with monks or just that the names sound distinguished. With the Borehamwood one perhaps somewhere on the Internet it may say, or else the Borehamwood mueseum may know. For that matter had Summerswood any connection with a lovely wood that used to be there in the summer, or Furzehill with a lovely hill of furze? As for Hillside, was it so prominent a hill that it got its name? Where is our old local history fan Robeson of Stapylton House, when you need him?
Then & NowDATE: 23 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I was looking at my large street names and areas in the south east book the other day and the book says, and if the book is correct and would even pass by Sam C0cks, I made a mistake in reply 29 by saying the primary school in Borehamwood near Hillside school was Monks Walk. Apparently it should be Monksmead. After all this time the memory somewhat fades a bit and there have been so many Monks somethings for schools in different areas. I do not know if any of these relate to any historical connection with monks or just that the names sound distinguished. With the Borehamwood one perhaps somewhere on the Internet it may say, or else the Borehamwood mueseum may know. For that matter had Summerswood any connection with a lovely wood that used to be there in the summer, or Furzehill with a lovely hill of furze? As for Hillside, was it so prominent a hill that it got its name? Where is our old local history fan Robeson of Stapylton House, when you need him?
NAME: Alan Pyle 
DATE: 25 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1948-1953
I lived opposite Hillside School in B'wood. in the '40's and 50's. Not a great height whereas Furzehill Road at the top really did have furze on it (and a searchlight battery during the war). Monks Walk - my son attended this school in Welwyn Garden City. Built as two schools, grammar and secondary modern, it opened as a comprehensive. My son took English, Geography and Physics at A Level there.
DATE: 25 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1948-1953
I lived opposite Hillside School in B'wood. in the '40's and 50's. Not a great height whereas Furzehill Road at the top really did have furze on it (and a searchlight battery during the war). Monks Walk - my son attended this school in Welwyn Garden City. Built as two schools, grammar and secondary modern, it opened as a comprehensive. My son took English, Geography and Physics at A Level there.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 27 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Yes, Alan, some of my children went to Welwyn Garden schools before our moving to Wiltshire in 1987. I do not know if Monks Walk school there had anything really to do with monks either. When my eldest daughter Grace was at school the grammar school was off Stanborough Road and in fact known as Stanborough Grammar School. The standard of teaching was good and on moving to Castledown Comprehensive in Ludgershall she was bullied for being too much of a swot and we moved her to John Hanson School in Andover, where she flourished again. The primary school attended in WGC was in Parkway. I am glad QEs in Barnet retained its name as being 1 of the few in the country founded during QE1's reign and did not become Stapylton Academy or Bishop's Broughton School or even worse the Galley Lane Institute.
Then & NowDATE: 27 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Yes, Alan, some of my children went to Welwyn Garden schools before our moving to Wiltshire in 1987. I do not know if Monks Walk school there had anything really to do with monks either. When my eldest daughter Grace was at school the grammar school was off Stanborough Road and in fact known as Stanborough Grammar School. The standard of teaching was good and on moving to Castledown Comprehensive in Ludgershall she was bullied for being too much of a swot and we moved her to John Hanson School in Andover, where she flourished again. The primary school attended in WGC was in Parkway. I am glad QEs in Barnet retained its name as being 1 of the few in the country founded during QE1's reign and did not become Stapylton Academy or Bishop's Broughton School or even worse the Galley Lane Institute.
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