What memories these names bring back; Tony Gocke, Mike Wiseman, Roy Goulden, Eric Winters to name but a few. I don’t suppose they’ll remember me as I was pretty quiet by nature. My best mate at Mayfield was Malcolm Charman. Our last year was in Stan Franklands class, which was great. This was in coronation year and each class had a secret ballot for two pupils to go up to the embankment see see this momentous event. Don’t ask me how, but Malcolm and I came out top and duly went to see the coronation. I think Mr. Frankland fixed it.

I lost touch with Malcolm many years ago. I think he now lives in New York. We both played for the school football team in our last year and later I played in Eric Winters team called Parkway. We were both pretty  average to say the least. I also remember a lad called Mick Porden whose ambition was to join the Metropolitan Police, following in his fathers footsteps I believe. I know he did this because I too joined the Met after completing my National Service. I believe Mick ended up as a warrant officer at Barking Magistrates Court.