‘O’ Levels
I did OK– got nine – and some home discussion about what next.
Dad, of course, quite clear – that was school done with, and I already had a job as a Boiler maker’s apprentice in Cammel Lairds shipyards, where my dad then worked, and he had signed me up. I had to go in personally to sign the form – good interview – I never actually got to say a word.
But, on that trip to the yard – I was reminded, once again, that dad and I had no real contact or rapport, but he was Mr Popular everywhere outside the home – including the shipyards. Wherever we went – everybody knew Jimmy – ‘How did you manage that one, Jimmy’? ‘He’s better looking than you Jimmy.’ – ‘Are you sure he’s yours, Jimmy’.
Mum had different ideas – even though she was still getting up early, cleaning pubs and offices – she wanted what was best for me, and the school was keen for me to stay on.
Dad didn’t have a chance really.
‘A’ Levels -did mean that I had to forego the boiler maker’s apprenticeship,, I often said it was a great loss to the UK shipbuilding Industry.
Choosing subjects – minimum three, plus General Studies – -picked the ones I liked – English Lit., Geography and Physics – no chance, couldn’t mix the Arts with the Sciences -I suggested that they were a good combination for a career in the oil and gas sector -still no chance.
Ended up with English Lit., Geography and History – I could live with that.
6th and 7th Year – Lower and then Upper sixth.
The new Prefects came from the 6th Form, usually from the upper sixth, of course and are appointed by senior staff.
Once selected – Prefect’s had certain privileges :
– Their own exclusive common room in the annexe –next to their exclusive classrooms’. i.e. the Prefects ruled the annexe – actually called BeechCroft. Only teaching staff had something similar in the main building.
– Can discipline younger boys – I don’t mean – give them a kick-ng – or worse – (we were not a public school) -just 100 – 200 lines e.g. ‘I must not swear at Prefects’, and ‘I must wear my cap at all times outside school’ etc. The latter was the only punishment I got as a rookie – 100 lines – of the school motto which i can recite to this day –
‘Doctus inse semper divities habiet’ –
‘A wise man, has riches within himself’,
I think I dished some out only twice in two years.
School dinners -each table had, at its head, a teacher or a prefect – who served up from the communal oven pan – so anything you liked – dig in– there wasn’t much really!
AND you didn’t have to wear a bloody cap at all.
Unusually – all the prefects that year – including me – came from the lower sixth – a less than subtle comment from staff on their opinion of the quality of the then upper sixth’
So, I was a Prefect for two years – and in fact was volunteered (by the Assistant Head)– as the ‘late monitor’. I guess because, I had never been late – mostly because my mum and dad started work early i.e. up for 6 a.m. and I got myself to school.
That meant that I didn’t have to attend morning assembly – a result – and I just hung around noting late arrivals. Repeat offenders being dealt with later elsewhere.
Never thought about it at the time – but in retrospect- that could have made me very unpopular – but I really can’t recall any incidences of that at all.
So -Two more years at school. But I did assuage my dad’s feelings a little by finding ‘cash in hand’ work , every weekend and school holidays, – in a local factory, making toy sailing boats and on the markets – whenever possible – even went direct from school on local market days to pack up the stall for a couple of pounds.
With reference to ‘boats’ and apropos to nothing else. Trust me – this is true. Amaze your friends –
What is the difference between a boat and a ship?
Apparently simple answer –
Ships carry boats.!
Nothing to do with size – anything that has a boat on it e.g. lifeboat/s is a ship – inflatables don’t count.
Hence, it’s ships that carry passengers. But only because they have to have the required life/ safety boats.
That’s partly why we have Ship Masters but Boat Skippers.
Run it past any sailor you know – they will be impressed.
So, I did make a contribution to the household finances and bought my dad a pint now again – and still managed to save a bit.
School holidays – Worked the local market days and stall owner sometimes picked me up early, and we were off to one of the regional market days.
He gets to trust me and leaves me to it while he wanders off for a chat with his mates or a three-hour lunch now and again..
Most of the market traders were then Jewish – so there was always an appropriate delicatessen close by – he once brought me some smoked salmon back – I now realise that it was kind – nothing cheap – but I was 16 and common – thought it was disgusting – I have learnt better since.
left on my own – it was a baby-wear stall. Obviously, the majority of customers were young woman – I loved it.
Wrexham, my favourite, very friendly people generally – and I was 16 /17 and learning how to flirt.
Before the return to school, got all my savings together – my objective was a new school outfit – but not with a grant for a school outfitter!
Men’s clothing department in a large department store called Beatties – all gone now,
Only me and a mature lady assistant who, eventually spent a couple of hours sorting me and a gave me a lesson in quality. I think she adopted me as a project. I was quite presentable and polite, and there was nobody else in.
I was introduced to light weight Barathea, made up as a slim line jacket – perfect and it wasn’t the most expensive – she was anxious to show me other stuff and their prices, so I trusted her.
Then Farah slacks – slim fit charcoal grey – I wore Farah for years after that.
Couple of white pure cotton shirts – just chuck the bri-nylon.
and – another department – a pair of black patent winkle–pickers with a hooked lace. – like a Victorian boot,
Back to school
Into School first day – posing for photographs all the way and whistles from some lads?
And before you go off on one – this was 1968 and I looked ‘the business’.