Barnsbury Boy - Barry Page - 1957-1962
School Tales
Since most of the boys, including myself, anticipated entering the workforce, plans were made for each pupil to be interviewed by the ‘career officer’, a job councillor appointed by the ILEA. The interview with the councillor was held in the Headmaster’s study and tended to be a bit farcical – more like just ‘going through the motions’ – and proved to be ineffective. My efforts in finding employment rested solely on the tried and true method of letter writing to prospective employers and, since my main thrust was offering my services in the realm of commercial art, the number of potential companies was not very extensive.
All I had to help promote my abilities were two testimonials – one from my Headmaster and the other from the head of technical studies – and one G.C.E. ‘O’ Level certificate in the subject of art. Not a great deal of ammunition when applying for a job. This was also at a time when a glut of school leaving ‘baby boomers’ was looking for employment and the competition would be greater than normal.
However, job hunting in all its forms was a necessary evil, and it wouldn’t be until September, 1962, before I knew the results of my school leaving examinations. But minimal success in the school leaving examinations emphasised that things weren’t good enough: so the challenge to better myself academically continued.
Since most of the boys, including myself, anticipated entering the workforce, plans were made for each pupil to be interviewed by the ‘career officer’, a job councillor appointed by the ILEA. The interview with the councillor was held in the Headmaster’s study and tended to be a bit farcical – more like just ‘going through the motions’ – and proved to be ineffective. My efforts in finding employment rested solely on the tried and true method of letter writing to prospective employers and, since my main thrust was offering my services in the realm of commercial art, the number of potential companies was not very extensive.
All I had to help promote my abilities were two testimonials – one from my Headmaster and the other from the head of technical studies – and one G.C.E. ‘O’ Level certificate in the subject of art. Not a great deal of ammunition when applying for a job. This was also at a time when a glut of school leaving ‘baby boomers’ was looking for employment and the competition would be greater than normal.
However, job hunting in all its forms was a necessary evil, and it wouldn’t be until September, 1962, before I knew the results of my school leaving examinations. But minimal success in the school leaving examinations emphasised that things weren’t good enough: so the challenge to better myself academically continued.
Barry Page
"Just an Ordinary Bloke" - My Memoirs now Available Online I have written my memoirs that look back over a period of sixty years; from the post war depression of the 1940s to the hi-tech world of the twenty-first century. Most of these reminiscences are recorded as seen through my eyes. On occasion I have quoted statements and dialogue that reflect the substance of the situation and not necessarily for effect. Any opinions or bias are strictly that of the author. The idea of recording these memoirs came to me in the year 2011. Every life is a series of unique stories and, since I have no heirs to perpetuate my earthly journey, the alternative was to write an autobiography and archive it for everyone to read. A true labour of love created as time permitted, the finished product saw the light of day five years after its inception. In the spirit of the electronic age, these memoirs have been archived on a unique Internet website. For access, the URL is: https://barrypagememoirs.weebly.com |
"Just an Ordinary Boy" - My Childhood Memoirs now Available Online
These memoirs look back over a period of thirteen years; from the post war depression of the 1940s to when I entered my teenage in November, 1958, and a little beyond. For access, the URL is: https://justanordinaryboy.weebly.com
These memoirs look back over a period of thirteen years; from the post war depression of the 1940s to when I entered my teenage in November, 1958, and a little beyond. For access, the URL is: https://justanordinaryboy.weebly.com
"Just an Ordinary Retiree" - My Retirement Memoirs now Available Online
These memoirs record the years of my retirement from age 60 to when I successfully reached the psychological threshold of ‘three score years and ten’. For access, the URL is: https://barrypageretirement.weebly.com
These memoirs record the years of my retirement from age 60 to when I successfully reached the psychological threshold of ‘three score years and ten’. For access, the URL is: https://barrypageretirement.weebly.com
"Seventy Plus – The Bonus Years" - My Post-retirement Memoirs now Available Online
I successfully passed beyond the psychological threshold of ‘three score years and ten’, and continued unabated towards my dotage – enjoying the bonus years as much as possible. For access, the URL is: https://barrypageseventyplus.weebly.com
I successfully passed beyond the psychological threshold of ‘three score years and ten’, and continued unabated towards my dotage – enjoying the bonus years as much as possible. For access, the URL is: https://barrypageseventyplus.weebly.com