Brian Burgess Continued......
Another thing that lives in my memory about Peter Symonds is the lack of class consciousness
at the School, even though many of my classmates, aprticularly those from Symonds House,
Came from wealthy families. I was a ‘vaccy’ billeted with different families in New Alreasford,
Shawford an Winchesterr, but apart from a spell of truancy before being brought back by the
School Attendance Office for a painful and rather illuminating interview with Doc Freeman, I never felt out
Of place at School.
Of the teaching staff, apart from Divinity Doctor himself, I remember Harry Hawkins (Maths), like John
R Garrett I remember Mr Priestland the English Lit. Teacher who also taught the English language
Remarkably well - I remember him referring to me as ‘our pugilistic friend’ when I turned up for class
With a black eye after a house boxing match. Mr Lowman, who tried to teach us German but was easily
Distracted into giving us his experiences as an Intelligence Office during the 2nd World War, and so
Enabling us to miss half the lesson. Mr Woodhouse (History), a member f the family who ran Hampshire
Chronicle to which I aspired to a career (unfulfilled) as a reporter. Sammy Simpson (Chemistry) who dragged
me from the Football pitch when I skipped Detention and ensured I did my penance sitting in a freezing
Lab clad in wet and muddy football gear - ‘those were the days, myfriends’. Not to be forgotten was the
Deputy Head, Mr Couzens, outside whose classroom there always seemed to be a queue for corporal
Punishment - it never really did us any harm!
Strangley enough, apart from one occasion shortly after leaving for London when I returned to play
Cricket for Castaways Cricket Club - most of whose layers worked for Winchester Corporation - I
Have never been back to Winchester. Now I am retired and maybe I will soon, to see how the school has
changed. Are the vast playing fiekds still there, the Five Courts, the music cum woodwork room, the
Library, Doc Freemans ghost?? I shall see one day!
at the School, even though many of my classmates, aprticularly those from Symonds House,
Came from wealthy families. I was a ‘vaccy’ billeted with different families in New Alreasford,
Shawford an Winchesterr, but apart from a spell of truancy before being brought back by the
School Attendance Office for a painful and rather illuminating interview with Doc Freeman, I never felt out
Of place at School.
Of the teaching staff, apart from Divinity Doctor himself, I remember Harry Hawkins (Maths), like John
R Garrett I remember Mr Priestland the English Lit. Teacher who also taught the English language
Remarkably well -
Distracted into giving us his experiences as an Intelligence Office during the 2nd World War, and so
Enabling us to miss half the lesson. Mr Woodhouse (History), a member f the family who ran Hampshire
Chronicle to which I aspired to a career (unfulfilled) as a reporter. Sammy Simpson (Chemistry) who dragged
me from the Football pitch when I skipped Detention and ensured I did my penance sitting in a freezing
Lab clad in wet and muddy football gear -
Punishment -
Strangley enough, apart from one occasion shortly after leaving for London when I returned to play
Cricket for Castaways Cricket Club -
changed. Are the vast playing fiekds still there, the Five Courts, the music cum woodwork room, the
Library, Doc Freemans ghost?? I shall see one day!
