Christopher Slade: 1963-67

I arrived at Durlston in January 1963, after a 5-hour car journey from Swindon! Unusually long, yes, but if you remember the winter of 62/63... I was very homesick, having never been away from home before. The extended journey did not help.

One of the first people I met was the Head Matron – Mrs Reynolds – dressed all over in grey. Even her hair was grey. She was very kind, but strict. The two other matrons I remember from the first day were Miss (Bunty) Mills and Miss Stuart.

I met Miss Dawson next. I had heard a lot about her from my father, also a pupil at Durlston in the late 20s. Dad and I also shared the same Headmaster – Pat Cox. He was very kind. He loved golf. I remember hearing the shout “fore” as he hit a golf ball “over the river” – the main drive! The other teachers I remember from the early days were Derek Beavis (Maths), Mr Andrews (Latin), Rev Nelson-Wright (Scripture), Ian Onslow (French), Norman Pope (Music)  and Miss Taylor (Art). When Norman Pope left, he was replaced by Richard Smithers, who left after a very short time. Rumours abounded, but nobody was told why. Mr Watson took over for a while, being replaced by Noel Clarke. I have a love of the classics because of Noel Clarke, and I still use the, now dog-eared, Christmas Carol book he gave me when I left in December 1967. He had the most terrible eyesight, but his motivation was tremendous. He taught me to play the chapel organ. One of the first hymns I learned was “Oft in danger, oft in woe”. One Monday evening he was “unavailable”, so I played for the service. Another pupil who frequently played was Gordon, a master of the keyboard. Other teachers who came and went during my time were John Youle, David Osborne (Geography, French & Spanish) and Peter Chappell and his wife, the latter teaching Art when Miss Taylor was away for a while.

The food would never have earned any praise from Egon Ronay, or anyone else come to that! Generally medium-warm to cold and greasy (everything) and lumpy mashed potato, all served on white plates. The teachers had blue plates. To this day, I cannot eat porridge or drink tea! The latter surprises everybody in Germany where I now live with my German wife and children and teach Business English. “But you’re English” is always the cry! Mrs Pitt was the head cook. It got even worse after she left – in 1965, I think. I always managed to lose weight during term-time. Now, at 53, I need the Durlston diet!

The lessons were, looking back, of a very high standard. Some of the teachers could be bullies, particularly if you suffered some disability – a lisp (me) long gone, a stammer etc. They beamed in on it and made life hell. Prep was done after high tea. Low tea was always my favourite, especially the “Southampton” buns. The tuck shop, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, was a happy event.

Every so often there would be a film, shown in the gym, on Saturday evenings. The favourite of the time was “Captain Clegg”. The younger pupils had to go to bed at the interval. There was the film & feast on the last day of term – a happy event for all.

Sport was always an important part of Durlston life. I enjoyed rugby and cricket and, initially, swimming until I was forced to jump off the high diving board. I have always suffered from vertigo and it was a terrifying experience. The belly flop of all times! Modern health and safety inspectors would have had a field day!

Parents were allowed to take us out once a term, on a Saturday and a Sunday, but we had to be back at the school for bed. I have never understood the reasoning for that.

Pat Cox retired in 1965. Miss Dawson retired at the same time, but returned. Maybe Frank Sinatra got the idea from her! Ian Onslow replaced Pat Cox. He was very fond of using the cane, sarcasm and shooting animals and birds. The two outstanding memories I have of him are shooting a sparrow in the squash court one Sunday afternoon when it delayed the beginning of an inter-school match, and taking about 5 of the leavers, including me, on a shoot. I hated every second of both! Coming from a family of animal lovers and vets, you can imagine how I felt on that day!

Durlston memories? Fantastic. Being a teacher, I often find myself hearing and using the words of the some of the teachers I had.