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I am still in contact with one other from our school days-Andrew
Hogarth,known as "yogi" in those far off day's.
We have been friends ever since we first met, at the school,
when he came up to me and said: "I see you are another
member of the swineherd". As I was then a day boy and
lived in Cheshunt, Herts and he was a border, who used to
go home at weekends, we both travelled on the same train to
Cheshunt, where I went home and he went on to Potters Bar.
Victor Valente, was another who used the same train but he
went on to London. In my early day's I also used to travel
with another day boy whose father was a Jeweller in Waltham
Abbey, I think his name was John Bond.
Back to Andrew, as I said we have been friends since those
far off day's. In 1970 I asked him to be my best man which
he duly obliged. Oh and by the by ,he was the chap who told
me of this web site.......
My feelings for Harlow College are very much like most of
the others I have read. I did not think the standard of education
was that high, although in hindsight I didn't know that until
I was forced to leave and go to another school but of course
it was here I really found girls !! So my education didn't
do much better.
Back to Harlow again, there were one or two masters that
I found gave me the incentive to learn, namely Mr G.F. Harvey
but obviously he didn't take all subjects and when he slippered
me in later years he really meant it . Unlike Purgavie, who
I think didn't really want to see any more boy's under the
tree-waiting!!
In my early day's as a day boy I was in Keyes house, but
later on when my parents decided to change direction and bought
a shop in Braughing, Herts ,I found that travelling by bike
to Bishops Stortford, where I left my bike at the house of
Simon Noakes-about 15 miles meant I was late so often that
I ran out of excuses. So I then became a border and obviously
went in to Beatty House.
I cannot remember when it was, but my very first nick name
was Burt (thats how I spelt it) given to me when one clever
master at registration said "Oh Herbert Hogg from Hampstead
eh. Ha Ha." but of course boys being boys it stuck-for
a term or so.
I was definitely more into the sports fields than the classroom
and played both Cricket and Football for the Houses and the
School although not up to the standard of Sear II - what ever
was his first name? I was in the year below him any way. I
was a fairly decent runner both sprint and Long distance although
I never ever liked cross country.
When my day's at Harlow ended , just before it officially
closed, I had to find another school in Bedfordshire. My parents
had to sell the shop because of my mothers health and we moved
to a little village called Wootton, in Bedfordshire. My first
few day's were very strange, all the lads spoke funny and
talked of their old boys - meaning their brothers and because
I had rather a posh accent ,thanks Harlow ,they were fascinated...especially
the girls.
Then to the new school after the first term and I had settled
in came the first different thing. The school children had
to choose firstly the House captains then the football and
cricket captains and netball etc. I was chosen to be house
captain for my new house-Russell and School football captain.
I was also opening bowler for the school cricket team so you
can see Harlow College had given me something (I still couldn't
see it though).
Does any one remember the fire at Harlow College in about
1963/1964 .I remember most of the partly damaged books being
put in that empty building used for indoor football, etc.opposite
the Science Lab. My loft at home stank for years of burnt
books.
Any way after leaving school for good this time, I started
work as a cost clerk ,trainee accountant. I did this for two
or three years in two or three different establishments and
then I met Ly. I knew it was serious because I went to my
boss and asked him how much I was likely to be earning in
the next three years - I obviously didn't like the answer
and went home and told my parents and my girlfriend that I
had given my notice in - they were shocked. Next day I went
to work and actually gave it in.
A couple of months later I joined Bedfordshire Fire Service,
where I gained the rank of Sub Officer and served over 28
years until I was retired on ill health grounds.
Today we are living in the very pleasant town of March in
Cambridgeshire, swimming most days and visiting our children,
Sarah and Christopher who are both still living in Bedford,
Sarah having just bought a flat and Christopher, having married
five years ago now has a daughter- Alessia and one due next
month?
My home phone number is 01354 654527 and am quite happy to
take calls, I don't think it will be overused.
My illness is multiple sclerosis and although I am able
to walk, I only manage a few steps and am mainly in a wheelchair.
I have fond memories though and do hope to meet up again in
the near future.
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