1967 Pat Lavery
The picture below of me working the trampolene was taken during a gymnastic display given by the school gymnastic team on Open Day in 1965. The school had a very strong gym team and never lost any inter school competitions that we entered.
My memories of the complete team are a bit vague but I do remember Jimmy Waters, Richard Fillery, and Brian Bowman. I will always be grateful to Stan Frankland, Mr. Savory, and John Evans, who supported us throughout. Jimmy Waters and myself went on to join Ilford Olympic Gymnastic Club in Ilford. Stan Frankland boasted that Brian, Jimmy and myself were his Olympic Gymnastic hopes, but sadly that never happened.
One of the perks of Being in the Gymnastic Team was when a competition was coming up, we were allowed to bunk off lessons to put in extra training. However, my first experience of gym could have put me off for life. Form 1B1 were lined up outside the gym for our very first P.E. lesson awaiting our teacher, Mr. Evans, to turn up. Someone opened the gym door and we could see all that lovely gym equipment was out on display. The trap had been set. Boys being boys a few of us ventured in and started to try out some of the equipment, later followed by a few more. Then out of nowhere appeared Mr. Evans. He was furious and singled out six of us (the first six in, funny that) and made us line up against the wall-bars. He then produced an enormous Dunlop slipper and told us to bend over and place our hands on the bars. The blow was excruciatingly painful and, to my horror, he came back for seconds. I think some of the boys were close to tears, I know I certainly was, but somehow we held it together. No wimps in 1B1. At the end of the session I remember John Read running from the gym back to the changing rooms. When I got there I saw him with his pants down, his buttocks against cold wall tiles trying to ease the pain. He then turned around to reveal a very large blue imprint of that Dunlop slipper. We all managed a laugh and the six lads went on to compare who had the best imprint. A painful lesson had been learned and none of us ever went into the gym unsupervised again.
As for Mr. Evans, well he was absolutely right but the punishment was a bit severe. We had him as our PE master for the rest of that year but the following year he left to go to another school. I did miss him as he’d become very influential in my life at school in other sports, such as football and athletics.
I remember the Dunlop slipper well! Was it the Gymnastic Club in Ilford that met on wendesdays? If so then I spent a few months with you guys there. Unfortunately I was never quite as good as you 🙂
Malcolm,
Yes it was in Ilford, although I can’t remember the name off the hall. We also used to go on Fridays as well, myself and Jimmy Waters. You must have been in the Mayfield team too. I remember a few names, Sid Smith, Jimmy Waters, Brian Bowman, Ian Thomson and a bloke who used to clown about and get a good laugh from the crowd when we did exhibitions, sadly I cant remember his name. Great to hear from you hope you are well.
Regards Pat
Hi Pat, did you live in Padnall Court and play football for Accra then drink in the Billet. I don’t know if you remember me, I lived a couple of doors away from Andy Cunningham in Billet Road.
Hi Paul,
Yes I did live in Padnall Court, no 56. I did briefly play football there but I think the team was called Marks Gate. I don’t think I played for Accra, but I did play against them when I was playing for a team in Dagenham. Andy was playing as was John Green and Billy Newman in goal, remember them? I was never a regular in The Billet although years later I would have a drink or two with my Dad. Good to hear from you.
Regards Pat
Hi Pat thanks for replying. I thought it was you, I remember you playing football but didn’t know who for. If I remember right you were good at running and always did well in the school cross country race up at Hainault Forest. I mainly played football and cricket for the school. I remember playing football over the green next to Padnall Court about 20 a side. Padnall Court against the rest of the Marks Gate estate, normally with Andy who shone out. See Andy on the rare occasion and his sister who lives with Alan Hammond. Spoke to Roy Tyzack who is trying to arrange a Mayfield reunion for next year. Maybe we might meet up there. Have also spoken to a John Addis who was in my class. I hope to meet up with other members of my class. Keep well and best wishes Paul.
Hi Paul,
Just to let you know, John Addis often arranges reunions and have been attended by Paul Sutton, John Stevenson, Doug Ward, Geoff Carter (Old Bealonian from Sommerville Road), Peter Heed and myself. So it might be worth having a word with him too. Paul, Doug, and John are also on FaceBook if your interested. What a great place the park was, masses of us playing football with jumpers as goal posts. Oh and the odd punch up.
Regards Pat
Hi Pat
Yes John told me about your reunions up the A12 at Boreham. I live in Stratford near the Olympic Park and near the station so can get a train. I suppose to Hatfield Peverel, then a taxi to the pub. Would be good to see the old faces and talk about old times. Some of the names I remember, some not so sure, so look forward to it. Cheers Paul.