But remember that no thread is ever out of date on this site!
ABOUT THIS BOARD
I've said on my own notice board that messages from people with some connection, past or present, with the school don't have to be specifically about the school, but I thought it might be nice to set up this separate notice board for any new threads reflecting interests in the wider world. You can reply in the usual way, with each thread being equivalent to a thread on the main board. Use the same forms - having too many forms causes confusion! With all messages intended as new threads, I will decide whether they are suitable for this board or as a new thread on the main board. For replies, please put the 'w' number (see below) as the thread number. Please note that Wider World threads are far more likely to be 'restricted topic' threads than the threads on the main board.
NAME: Stephen Giles
DATE: 22 July 2017
CONNECTION WITH QE: inmate 1957-64
Shut your eyes if you do not want a warning!! Over the past 2-3 weeks not only had my wife's speech deteriated to the point where she could say perhaps three words then nothing, which left me guessing what may have come next, she had memory loss, and her mobility (already bad - she is a blue badge holder) became so bad that something had to be done. Once in Croydon A & E later that evening it took just 15 minutes to first examination cubicle and the start of a multitude of tests. By 4am, we were advised that the CT Scan showed a blood clot between her skull and brain, (caused by a knock to the head), details of which had already been sent to St George's Tooting Neurological Unit for their opinion. By 5am arrangements had been made for her transfer to St George's three hours later. Surgery to remove the blood clot was performed overnight Monday, and by magic within five minutes of waking up her normal speech and most memory had returned. She has only walked around her bed very slowly so far. Moral - if you bang your head, get yourself along to the nearest A & E for a check immediately, because internal bleeding can take months to show any symptoms of the problems experienced by my wife!!.
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Most recent reply to this thread: 07 August 2017
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen
.jpg "James Cowen gallery")
Then & NowDATE: 18 April 2017
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1956-63
I recently attended the funeral of the mother of an old friend, who was the wife of the best man at my wedding. On the printed order of the service there was a map of where her mother was born and grew up. The area was World's End in the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. This name was a new one to me and I have enquired about why it was called World's End. Apparently it took its name from the fact that King James II regularly rode down Kings Road and considered it to be "the end of the world" on his ride. In the 1960s the fashionable set who made their home at the other end of the Kings Road discovered the gem that was the World's End and found it was the perfect place to open the boutique Granny Takes a Trip. Several other boutiques and hippie shops also clustered round the World's End in the late '60s including Gandalf's Garden and The Sweet Shop. The latter shop was frequented by Twiggy, Jean Shrimpton and Keith Richards. In the '70s a well known boutique was started by Vivienne Westwood and is now known apparently as "World's End". This is not a part of the world I went to in any of this time but I do remember another part of London famous in the '60s - Carnaby Street.
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NAME: Stephen Giles
DATE: 31 October 2016
CONNECTION WITH QE: inmate 1957-64
In the past six days we have been to gigs by Steeleye Span at the Orchard Theatre Dartford, and Kiki Dee at the much smaller Chequer Mead Theatre in East Grinstead (an infinitely more pleasant drive as no M25 to negotiate!). Now Maddy Prior, lead singer with Steeleye was born within 5 months of Kiki Dee in 1947, but I must say that time has been much kinder to Kiki's voice who still has excellent range and gets those high notes, whereas Maddy struggles at times. However Steeleye has some new young blood in the shape of Jesse May Smart on electric fiddle and Spud Sinclair on guitar, both superb musicians! However, both are recommended!
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NAME: Stephen Giles
DATE: 29 December 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: inmate 1957-64
Are you there Mick Allen & Martin Day? I found this video of a guy playing The Storm by The Hunters, with a close-up of his nifty footwork on a DeArmond volume/tone pedal. They were far too expensive to buy back then, and I dread to think what an original would cost now! I have a vague memory of watching a band play this, and I think it was Tony Rivers' backing group The Castaways in that Barnet hall near the High Street [The Assembly Rooms?].
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Most recent reply to this thread: 03 May 2016
NAME: Stephen Giles
DATE: 09 December 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: inmate 1957-64
This may interest Martyn Day: I have recently discovered tiny microphone capsules for sale on ebay at approximately 10p each, which when wired to conveniently thin cable from freebie British Airways earphones (very fiddly and sometimes finger burning!) form very high quality mics for recording gigs from the audience. I fix mine through button holes on my shirt collar, so that the mics look just like buttons! That provides good stereo separation and with the cable suitably taped to the shirt with gaffer tape, any potential fabric rustling noise is eliminated from the recording. I have the cheapest Tascam digital recorder which is superb.
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Most recent reply to this thread: 02 January 2017
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen
Then & NowDATE: 02 December 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1956-63
I am writing on behalf of the Yes Group Essex on two subjects that may be of interest to any local Essex/Herts OEs. Firstly the group meets on the 1st Wednesday of every month at Little Warley Village Hall near Brentwood at 6.30 p.m. onwards for a 7.00 p.m. start, where a succession of speakers in business give talks on personal motivation in business. There are also groups in other parts of the country. My eldest son Paul is a committee member and members of our family recently went to a black tie fund raiser for charity. Secondly from funds raised they are distributing baskets for needy people on Sunday December 21st meeting from 7.00a.m. to 3.30p.m. to coordinate the work at Hall Mark Care Home offices at 2, Kingfisher House Radford Way Billiericay CM12 0EQ. Fuller details of this is on the Yes Group Essex website and attenders will be very welcome.
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Most recent reply to this thread: 04 January 2016
NAME: Stephen Giles
DATE: 20 October 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: inmate 1957-64
Who was at the Barnet Assembly Hall in 1963 when they should have been doing their homework, to see this line up of Lord Sutch's Savages?
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Most recent reply to this thread: 04 April 2017
NAME: Vic Coughtrey
Then & NowDATE: 13 October 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1954-59
Some of you like to quote newspapers quite a lot and that has given me the idea of starting this thread for newspapers, magazines, periodical, annuals, etc. You can, of course, continue to quote from them in any relevant thread, but this thread is more for a discussion of the nature of the publications themselves, and could include reminiscences about them as they used to be, criticism of them and - well, let's just see how it develops! There will no doubt be some overlap with Thread 21 - the political thread.
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Most recent reply to this thread: 12 August 2016
NAME: Vic Coughtrey
Then & NowDATE: 20 September 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1954-59
I've often thought that we should have a thread concerning politics) but have chickened out up to now because I could well imagine the difficulty of keeping political opinion, as distinct from mere unbiassed commentary, from rearing its dangerous head. "Never discuss politics or religion" was a favourite maxim of my grandmother. Or, as others say, "my political views are between me and the ballot box". Perhaps it should remain so, as far as this site is concerned. However, political commentry, analysis, history and anecdotes (of which we've had a few already) don't have to betray any opinions, unless, of course, you write for a newspaper. For example, it's not easy to guess how some of the BBC's political correspondents might vote. Anyway, tempted by Martyn Day's unexpected little twist in W7/20 and with fingers crossed, I've decided to step into the (possibly hot) water by starting this thread.
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Most recent reply to this thread: 12 July 2017
NAME: Vic Coughtrey
Then & NowDATE: 05 August 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1954-59
A popular theme that has emerged in several threads is that of television, film and radio, so I thought it a good idea to start a specialist thread for that area of discussion. If, however, you reply relates to any aspect of the English used, it will go into Thread W16 instead.
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Most recent reply to this thread: 05 January 2017
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen
Then & NowDATE: 18 April 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1956-63
As a result of the recent Nigerian election Mr Goodluck Jonathon is to be replaced as President by Mr Muhammadu Bahan. I hope that this will not mean hearing a lot less of Mr Goodluck. Every time I hear the name it does make me smile, even if the tragic situations in Nigeria are not at all amusing. Another name that always cheers me up when she appears reporting on news is the BBC's chief correspondent Lyse Doucet OBE. Doucet seems such a charming surname and she has a sister Andrea Doucet. The Christian name of Lyse added makes it absolutely marvellous. Do others enjoy similar names?
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Most recent reply to this thread: 25 November 2015
NAME: Vic Coughtrey
Then & NowDATE: 19 March 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1954-59
I'm hoping for a clear sky tomorrow morning at around 9.30, to observe the eclipse (89% in this region). But even when it's overcast, the effects are quite eerie. I'll be using two pieces of cardboard, one with a pinhole in it. That worked well on our allotment in 1999, though the experience was rather spoilt by some woman going on all through it about the snail problem. Anyway, let's have your accounts of the eclipse in your area and DON'T LOOK AT THE SUN, not even for a second, not even with sunglasses or sooted film! A fellow member of our Welsh-speaking coffee morning group permanently damaged his sight by a couple of quick glances during the 1963 eclipse (of which I have no recollection, oddly enough).
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Most recent reply to this thread: 13 October 2015
NAME: Linda Liston
DATE: 24 February 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: Knew Stephen Giles
I'm looking for Stephen Giles. We were in a band with Johnny Coules. You played the guitar fantastically and I sang. John played drums. Please get in touch!
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Most recent reply to this thread: 13 April 2015
NAME: Vic Coughtrey
Then & NowDATE: 05 November 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1954-59
Some of us shown ourselves, in various threads, to be keen to discuss points of English grammar. I thought it a good idea, therefore, to start this thread for the purpose. You can still join discussions concerning grammar in other threads but I will put your reply in this thread, with a link back to the relevant thread.
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Most recent reply to this thread: 21 December 2016
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen
Then & NowDATE: 27 September 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1956-63
Whilst in hospital recently for 9 days in connection with my right hip replacement, with no radio or TV about, I managed to do a lot of reading. One book I read I would recommend to others. It is an autobiographical work, My Animals and Other Family by Clare Balding. Interspersed with stories of her early life are descriptions of dogs and horses that came along at her home. I believe it is well written and most entertaining. Of course there was the book My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell, now no longer with us. That too is very enjoyable and I gave a copy of that book to my daughter Grace, who also loved it very much. I myself have had both dogs and a cat as pets and they have added much pleasure to my life in the past. Alas I do not have any pets currently, though some of my children do have them to enjoy.
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Most recent reply to this thread: 13 April 2015
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen
Then & NowDATE: 23 September 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1956-63
In tribute to that great broadcaster Terry Wogan I am suggesting a new thread: "is it me?" To begin this theme, is it me or have others never been to a favourite caramel shop like me nor even any caramel shop? Perhaps I should enquire of Werthers for more details. Is it me or do others dislike a show being called Britain's Got Talent when there are competitors from oversees such as Hungary, who even go on to win the show. Is it me or do others get irritated by the question master of Eggheads asking "The Eggheads - Can anyone beat them?" when they quite often get beaten. Is it me or do others find themselves in sympathy with those Grumpy Old Men and Grumpy Old Women on TV?
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Most recent reply to this thread: 23 December 2016
NAME: Nick Dean
.JPG "Nick Dean gallery")
DATE: 14 September 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Having very recently, and rather belatedly, seen an original copy of Magna Carta for the first time - in the Chapter House of Salisbury Cathedral - I gather (and I may be behind the pace on this too) that next year there is to be a gathering at the British Library of all four surviving Magna Cartas (Magnae Cartae?). Two copies are held at the Library and a fourth is at Lincoln. One of these did a tour last year, but we missed it when it was at St Albans. The main thing I remember about Magna Carta from school, apart from the date (1215) and the king (John), was Sam C0cks making an excessive fuss about how you musn't say "the Magna Carta" because Latin has no articles. He deprecated also people who said "Magna Charter" (it was either Magna Carta or Great Charter, not a hybrid), although this was, of course, the form cheerfully embraced by Sellar & Yeatman in 1066 and All That. As I recall, they added "except the common people" in parenthesis at the end of most of the clauses and substituted Ganymede for Runnymede, which they described as a desert island in the Thames.
1066 and All That was (and probably still is) one of my favourite books, for which I must thank 'Taffy' Wright, a recent contributor to this site, who, having presumably just stumbled on it himself, read portions to us during a Latin lesson. His focus was particularly on the adaptation of schoolboy Latin: things like Ceasar throwing his troops thousands of paces over the River Flumen. I can't remember if there was a having been captured messenger, but, if not, there should have been. Sellar & Yeatman wrote other books in similar, sometimes excruciating vein, including Garden Rubbish, which refers, inter alia, to the Greta Garbo school of horticulture - "I want to be a lawn".
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Most recent reply to this thread: 05 June 2016
NAME: Stephen Giles
DATE: 12 September 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: inmate 1957-64
I always thought that over the years my cars had failed the MOT on pretty well everything going, until today when my 2003 Nissan Micra (baby to our Nissan Qashqai!!) failed on a ripped passenger seat belt, which is going to cost £150 or so + VAT to replace. What other unusual MOT failures have been experienced?
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Most recent reply to this thread: 09 November 2015
NAME: Vic Coughtrey
Then & NowDATE: 13 April 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1954-59
Yet another widely shared 'outside interest' has emerged - sport. It had begun to be prominent in Thread 147, so I thought another new 'restricted topic' thread would be in order. Please read the the relevant replies in Thread 147 first, to avoid repeating their content in W11. You can still respond to replies in 147, but if the subject is connected with sport your reply will appear in this thread instead, with a link back to 147.
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Most recent reply to this thread: 11 April 2017
NAME: Vic Coughtrey
Then & NowDATE: 31 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1954-59
Aviation suddenly became the dominant feature of Thread 147 (reply 9 onwards). I thought that topic would make a good new restricted topic thread for 'Wider World'. Please read the the relevant replies in Thread 147 first, to avoid repeating their content in W10. You can still respond to replies in 147, but if the subject is connected with aviation your reply will appear in this thread instead, with a link back to 108.
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Most recent reply to this thread: 15 September 2015
NAME: Vic Coughtrey
Then & NowDATE: 03 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1954-59
Another strong theme has been emerging for some time in Thread 108 and although that thread is still not a restricted topic thread - that is, it can still meander where it will - I've decided that the discussion of your home patch while at QE should, like the stately homes theme in Thread 108, have its own thread - this one. Please read the the relevant replies in Thread 108 first, to avoid repeating their content in W9. You can still respond to replies in 108, but if the subject is Borehamwood, Barnet, Southgate or anywhere else where you lived while at QE your reply will appear in this thread instead, with a link back to 108.
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Most recent reply to this thread: 21 March 2017
NAME: Vic Coughtrey
Then & NowDATE: 12 February 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1954-59
As part of the gradual (and never very strict) separation of all things QE or education in general from the wider interests of OEs, I've decided that the discussion of Stately homes in Thread 108 (replies 29-31) should be the next target. I hope the theme will continue here, on this new restricted subject thread. Please read the the relevant replies in Thread 108 first, to avoid repeating their content in W8. You can still respond to replies in 108, but if the subject is National Trust, English Heritage or Cadw (Wales) property or anything similar your reply will appear in this thread instead, with a link back to 108.
I think my favourite, by the way, is Calke Abbey in Derbyshire, which the NT call their 'un-stately home'. They took the controversial decision to address the subject of the sad decline of the great houses by leaving just one of their properties more-or-less in the terrible state it was in when they took it over, apart from any work required to make it safe. Angela and I found it a powerfully thought-provoking experience but one of the room volunteers told me that, despite all the leaflets scattered around explaining the 'un-stately' policy, people often indignantly demand to know why the NT doesn't do something about the state of the place. It's as if they feel they've been defrauded of their admission fee. The policy of 'controlled neglect' doesn't apply to the huge kitchen garden, which is worth a visit for its extraordinary collection of gourds, pumpkins and squashes and its extensive hot-houses, which used to consume a ridiculous amount of coal every day.
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Most recent reply to this thread: 05 June 2017
NAME: Vic Coughtrey
Then & NowDATE: 16 January 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1954-59
A lot of interest has been shown by contributors of a certain vintage in discussing favourite branded products (mainly food) and services past and present. Thread 109 (reply 13 onwards) became the focal point of this interest, rather to the surprise of Gerry Hunt, who started that thread. So I thought it might be a good idea to continue the theme here, as a new restricted subject thread. Please read the the relevant replies in Thread 109 first, to avoid repeating too much of their content in W7. You can still respond to replies in 109, but if the subject is named brands of food, drink or other products or services, your reply will appear in W7 instead, with a link back to 109.
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Most recent reply to this thread: 27 July 2017
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen
Then & NowDATE: 16 January 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1956-63
Well the latest series of Channel 4's Gogglebox has come to an end with Episode 13 and I have found it a delight. There is no need for me to explain about it generally, as there is great detail obtained with googling it, including all the tweets, especially in the Telegraph articles. However I would especially recommend looking at the episode on computer on channel 4OD, if missed. It was very amusing to see all the reactions to the so-called deaf sign language man at the funeral celebration of Nelson Mandela. It is fairly incredible on such an occasion to have a man using signs, which no deaf sign language supporters could understand, and this is not the first time they have had this man. Surely he will now be a laughing stock! It was interesting also to see the group who took a selfie of themselves. "This week" on BBC with Andrew Neale of course wittily had both Gogglebox for the quiz and twelfies (Christmas selfies) at the end on his programme.
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Most recent reply to this thread: 30 January 2015
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen
Then & NowDATE: 17 December 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1956-63
I note that Strictly Come Dancing is now filmed at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood except for the week when they all went off to Blackpool. I would be applying for tickets, if I still lived there, but have enjoyed watching the series on TV as well as most of the It Takes Two series on BBC2. I still enjoy dancing with my wife, including all the Christmas dances and do recall with pleasure those schooldays going to the North 20 studios in Barnet in premises near to Barnet Church of Founders Day fame and next to where the old public library used to be. Some of the teaching of waltz, quickstep and cha-cha-cha did get through to me. Of course the North 20 formation team used to represent London North against other regions on TV in Come Dancing and I loved watching those programmes also. It is good that Borehamwood has taken the mantle on again for the North of London area, even though Elstree gets the credit.
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Most recent reply to this thread: 13 April 2015
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen
Then & NowDATE: 26 October 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1956-63
I recently paid two visits to site attractions I would recommend to the site readers. Antony House is a private residence near Torpoint on the other side of the river Tamar from Plymouth. It is open several times a week on Tues to Thurs by the National Trust. It is fairly modest in size by NT standards but interestingly is lived in by the aristocratic family, the Carews and has all the rooms open including several bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The owner if around enjoys talking to us visitors. There are also pleasant gardens and woodland walks. The other visit we made was to Bletchley Park. Not only was it interesting to see the exhibits plus films of the wartime work there but the National Computer Centre has much on the development of computers over the years for those of us remembering ZX80s, ZX81s, Sinclair Spectrums, BBC connected Acorns, Vic 20s etc as well as the huge early computers. The Winston Churchill exhibition room was also much enjoyed.
I have visited various National Trust properties this summer. At one of them, one of the volunteers gave me some info, which I did not know before but which some readers may find useful also if in the same ignorant position. There are two sites on the Internet: BBC Your Paintings and BBC Your Pictures that have been set up by the Public Catalogue Foundation. On them you may look at National Trust sites and other sites such as museums and see copies of the paintings or pictures with descriptions and info about them. It also cross-references other works by the same artist on the BBC Your Painntings site. When I last looked there were 212,080 paintings to view.
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Most recent reply to this thread: 01 August 2017
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen
Then & NowDATE: 20 October 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1956-63
I have recently been staying in a caravan by the sea thanks to the Sun newspaper's off season booking at holiday camps or caravan sites (£9.50 per person for the 4 days). One night I was singing Green grows the rushes-O to my wife and have to admit I could not get it exacly right for all the numbers after singing it so often. Am I really getting old? On my return I looked it up on Wikipedia and found the info really informative and would recommend it to others. Apparently some confusion may be had for some due to the different versions such as the 12 Apostles version and the Dilly Song. The same may also be said of the 12 Days Of Christmas song, which I also looked up. Maybe this is true of other songs. It was interesting to hear about the different ideas about the 9 bright shiners, the 8 April rainers, the 7 stars in the sky, the 6 proud walkers, the 5 symbols at your door, the 3 rivals and the 2 lily-white boys, clothe them all in green HO-Ho.
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NAME: James (Jas) Cowen
Then & NowDATE: 19 October 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1956-63
This year my wife and I decided to go to the Cambridge alumni weekend, which we have not done before. Especially did we decide to do that, as it coincided with a college reunion lunch for any who went up in the 60s. On the Saturday there was a choice of various lectures in different lecture theatres at set times. I decided to major on the science ones rather than the arts type. I am afraid in respect of the one on the Cerne Collider and the Higgs boson I understood and learnt practically nothing and I regret that the physicist talking did not put it across a bit more clearly for us non-physicists. The other difficulty was the time it took to walk from place to place on site visits. Fond memories of the bikes I used to have to get around!
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NAME: Stephen Giles
DATE: 17 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: inmate 1957-64
For those interested, "The Great Gathering" of all 6 surviving A4 steam locomotives is now happening at the National Railway Museum in York. A friend of mine has been there already, but was unable to get decent photos due to the size of the crowds. Having never seen more than 2 together in the past - ie at New Barnet over 50 years ago, this is something really special! I hope to get there myself sometime later this year.
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Most recent reply to this thread: 25 July 2017