Barnsbury Boy - Bruce Weir - 1952-1958
Bruce Weir
I’m an old Barnsbury Boy. (Additional info from Bruce has been added below. Also, see Anecdotes - Ed.)
Having just found this website, which brought back some school memories, I thought I'd reminisce about what memories I have, if I may.
I have attached 2 photos - see bottom of the page.
I was at Barnsbury School for Boys from approx. 1952 to 1958 (I stayed on for an extra year). The subjects I enjoyed were: English, French, Mathematics, General Science, Physics and Art, for all of which I gained an ‘O’ level; sufficient to begin a degree course in Architecture at the North London Polytechnic in Holloway Road. I stayed on at school for an extra year because I failed the English 'O' level exam, even though I was top in my class! At the end of that extra year I finally passed 'O' level English.
I was generally quite athletic and enjoyed football (had a trial to join the Islington football team as goalie - however I let in too many goals on the day!) along with Ted Pitt-Jones. Also played cricket and took part in field athletic events.
The teachers I principally remember are - Bill Matthews (Mathematics), Mr. Meyer (French), Mr. Freeman (Geography), Mr. Hinchcliffe (English), Mr. Richards (P.E.) and Mr. Davies - 'The Bonk' - Headmaster (French and Mathematics). I also enjoyed Art, but can't remember the Art teacher's name.
The Teachers
Bill Matthews (Mathematics)
I liked Bill Matthews. Tall, thin and Welsh I think, who always wore a brown tweed suit with waistcoat, plus pocket watch & chain. Never varied from that outfit as far as I can remember.
I forgive Bill for lifting me up out of my seat one day by the sideburns. Those were the days when corporal punishment of one kind or another was tolerated.
However, he enthused not only me about mathematics, but about 40 or so more boys (a very full and busy classroom), who voluntarily stayed on for an extra hour after school to enjoy 'Fun Mathematics'. This lasted for about a year, possibly longer. After each session, I with a few mates, would go to the local Greek Cypriot café in Holloway Road for a cream coffee and a Rum Baba!
Mr. Meyer (French)
He was our form master for a year or more, and he, too, I liked. He enthused me about the French language. During one year of French, he christened each of us with the nearest French equivalent of our names. My name is Bruce, for which there is no French equivalent; so I was christened 'Bruno'! Others were 'Pierre' for Peter, 'Jean' for John, and so on.
I remember that he, too, used corporal punishment from time to time - the slipper!
Mr. Freeman (Geography)
Didn't much like Geography so don't remember very much about Mr. Freeman except that he had a glass eye, which he would take out now and again and polish to amuse us boys!
Mr. Hinchcliffe (English)
Poor Mr. Hinchcliffe! From Yorkshire I think. He was bullied by boys' behaviour and consequently shouted at us nearly all of the time, but he coped well and was generally well liked! He used the slipper quite a lot though, but never on me!
I remember an embarrassment when he decided to read out loud a composition - a piece of homework I had written - to the whole class. He liked my composition and years later I found I was very much interested in the English language/literature.
Mr. Richards (P.E.)
Don't remember very much about Mr. Richards, except that he was one of 2 teachers who accompanied about 30 of us on a 2-week school holiday on the Isle of Wight. See photo attached.
On this school holiday I remember an incident - for me it was an incident - while walking back from Sunday church to the hotel where we were staying. Not a good memory.
I didn't realize it then, but did so years later when I understood what religious prejudice was all about. A group of us boys were walking back from church when Michael joined us from nowhere. One boy asked, "Where have you been Michael?" Michael didn't reply. The same boy then said, "We've been to church Michael, where were you?" Michael said, "I don't go to church". Then the boy said, "You've been to a synagogue haven't you Michael? You're Jewish aren't you? Go on, admit it!" All of this in an accusatory tone. Michael replied, "No I'm not", despite the fact that he was clearly Jewish, but felt he had to deny it.
I didn't know what religious prejudice was in those days, being too young to understand these things then. I can only assume that the boy who asked these questions was echoing his parents' prejudice.
Nothing more was said after that and we carried on enjoying our holiday on the Isle of Wight - coloured sands I remember.
Mr. Davies - 'The Bonk' - Headmaster (French and Mathematics).
I was caned by the Headmaster, for why I don't remember. I do remember that I got 6-of-the-best across the palm of my hand. Painful! Might have been both hands but don't remember. He also took our class for French lessons - presumably Mr. Meyer was unavailable at that time. He had us keep a notebook handy at all times to write down anything French that came to mind at any time so that we had a sort of running commentary of current French words or sayings and what they meant in English.
He also taught me the basic rudiments of calculus during my extra year at school, but this was a subject I couldn't wrap my mind around at all!
School Mates
Bert Kelly
My best mate at school. One day at the end of playtime we were going back in through the main entrance when a 5th form bully tried something on with Bert. There was a considerable difference in size and height between the two of them. He was older and very much bigger. Suddenly Bert jumped up into the air, stretched out and punched him squarely on the nose, and then ran for his life! The bully just stood there with his hand on his nose and stared after Bert. (This bully was later expelled from school). Bert told me that his Dad had told him to stand up for himself, but then to run if the odds were against him.
Peter Fagioli
My Dad was an ardent cyclist and had a push bike that he lent me for weekend use. Peter asked one time if he could borrow the bike, and Peter was quite big and heavy. Later he came back with the bike and apologized. The frame of the bike had broken - rust! Don't think my Dad minded too much. Saved him and me from having a serious accident later on. Peter was unhurt!
Omo
Omo was the only black boy in my time at school. Omo was the commercial name for a whiter-than-white detergent! He was treated very well and was looked on with affection I think.
Other mates that I remember - Michael Haffner, Terry(?) Pritchard, Ted Pitt-Jones, Chas. Hovell, Vincenzo Sartori, Roy Bird and others.
Well, that's all I can remember for now. Maybe more later on.
A continuation …
Before moving from Vittoria Primary School to Barnsbury Central I had passed my 11+ and had won a place to a Grammar School. However all Grammar School places were full at that time and I was told that after one year at Barnsbury I would be transferred to a Grammar School. I remember being asked a year later if I wanted to transfer but I was very happy at Barnsbury, having made mates there, so declined! Wonder where I'd be now if I had opted for a Grammar School! My School Reports said quite a few times 'could do better if he tried' even though I was always in the top 5 places in class. Maybe I'd be rich if I had changed places back then. Too late now!
When the Youth Employment officer came round, interviewing those of us close to leaving school, I was asked what I wanted to do. I said either civil engineering or veterinary medicine. He pondered for a moment and said "why not consider being a bank clerk?". Glad I didn't take heed of what he said. Studied architecture and ended up eventually being a group leader in the Architectural Department in Islington Borough Council.
Now retired to France.
I’m an old Barnsbury Boy. (Additional info from Bruce has been added below. Also, see Anecdotes - Ed.)
Having just found this website, which brought back some school memories, I thought I'd reminisce about what memories I have, if I may.
I have attached 2 photos - see bottom of the page.
I was at Barnsbury School for Boys from approx. 1952 to 1958 (I stayed on for an extra year). The subjects I enjoyed were: English, French, Mathematics, General Science, Physics and Art, for all of which I gained an ‘O’ level; sufficient to begin a degree course in Architecture at the North London Polytechnic in Holloway Road. I stayed on at school for an extra year because I failed the English 'O' level exam, even though I was top in my class! At the end of that extra year I finally passed 'O' level English.
I was generally quite athletic and enjoyed football (had a trial to join the Islington football team as goalie - however I let in too many goals on the day!) along with Ted Pitt-Jones. Also played cricket and took part in field athletic events.
The teachers I principally remember are - Bill Matthews (Mathematics), Mr. Meyer (French), Mr. Freeman (Geography), Mr. Hinchcliffe (English), Mr. Richards (P.E.) and Mr. Davies - 'The Bonk' - Headmaster (French and Mathematics). I also enjoyed Art, but can't remember the Art teacher's name.
The Teachers
Bill Matthews (Mathematics)
I liked Bill Matthews. Tall, thin and Welsh I think, who always wore a brown tweed suit with waistcoat, plus pocket watch & chain. Never varied from that outfit as far as I can remember.
I forgive Bill for lifting me up out of my seat one day by the sideburns. Those were the days when corporal punishment of one kind or another was tolerated.
However, he enthused not only me about mathematics, but about 40 or so more boys (a very full and busy classroom), who voluntarily stayed on for an extra hour after school to enjoy 'Fun Mathematics'. This lasted for about a year, possibly longer. After each session, I with a few mates, would go to the local Greek Cypriot café in Holloway Road for a cream coffee and a Rum Baba!
Mr. Meyer (French)
He was our form master for a year or more, and he, too, I liked. He enthused me about the French language. During one year of French, he christened each of us with the nearest French equivalent of our names. My name is Bruce, for which there is no French equivalent; so I was christened 'Bruno'! Others were 'Pierre' for Peter, 'Jean' for John, and so on.
I remember that he, too, used corporal punishment from time to time - the slipper!
Mr. Freeman (Geography)
Didn't much like Geography so don't remember very much about Mr. Freeman except that he had a glass eye, which he would take out now and again and polish to amuse us boys!
Mr. Hinchcliffe (English)
Poor Mr. Hinchcliffe! From Yorkshire I think. He was bullied by boys' behaviour and consequently shouted at us nearly all of the time, but he coped well and was generally well liked! He used the slipper quite a lot though, but never on me!
I remember an embarrassment when he decided to read out loud a composition - a piece of homework I had written - to the whole class. He liked my composition and years later I found I was very much interested in the English language/literature.
Mr. Richards (P.E.)
Don't remember very much about Mr. Richards, except that he was one of 2 teachers who accompanied about 30 of us on a 2-week school holiday on the Isle of Wight. See photo attached.
On this school holiday I remember an incident - for me it was an incident - while walking back from Sunday church to the hotel where we were staying. Not a good memory.
I didn't realize it then, but did so years later when I understood what religious prejudice was all about. A group of us boys were walking back from church when Michael joined us from nowhere. One boy asked, "Where have you been Michael?" Michael didn't reply. The same boy then said, "We've been to church Michael, where were you?" Michael said, "I don't go to church". Then the boy said, "You've been to a synagogue haven't you Michael? You're Jewish aren't you? Go on, admit it!" All of this in an accusatory tone. Michael replied, "No I'm not", despite the fact that he was clearly Jewish, but felt he had to deny it.
I didn't know what religious prejudice was in those days, being too young to understand these things then. I can only assume that the boy who asked these questions was echoing his parents' prejudice.
Nothing more was said after that and we carried on enjoying our holiday on the Isle of Wight - coloured sands I remember.
Mr. Davies - 'The Bonk' - Headmaster (French and Mathematics).
I was caned by the Headmaster, for why I don't remember. I do remember that I got 6-of-the-best across the palm of my hand. Painful! Might have been both hands but don't remember. He also took our class for French lessons - presumably Mr. Meyer was unavailable at that time. He had us keep a notebook handy at all times to write down anything French that came to mind at any time so that we had a sort of running commentary of current French words or sayings and what they meant in English.
He also taught me the basic rudiments of calculus during my extra year at school, but this was a subject I couldn't wrap my mind around at all!
School Mates
Bert Kelly
My best mate at school. One day at the end of playtime we were going back in through the main entrance when a 5th form bully tried something on with Bert. There was a considerable difference in size and height between the two of them. He was older and very much bigger. Suddenly Bert jumped up into the air, stretched out and punched him squarely on the nose, and then ran for his life! The bully just stood there with his hand on his nose and stared after Bert. (This bully was later expelled from school). Bert told me that his Dad had told him to stand up for himself, but then to run if the odds were against him.
Peter Fagioli
My Dad was an ardent cyclist and had a push bike that he lent me for weekend use. Peter asked one time if he could borrow the bike, and Peter was quite big and heavy. Later he came back with the bike and apologized. The frame of the bike had broken - rust! Don't think my Dad minded too much. Saved him and me from having a serious accident later on. Peter was unhurt!
Omo
Omo was the only black boy in my time at school. Omo was the commercial name for a whiter-than-white detergent! He was treated very well and was looked on with affection I think.
Other mates that I remember - Michael Haffner, Terry(?) Pritchard, Ted Pitt-Jones, Chas. Hovell, Vincenzo Sartori, Roy Bird and others.
Well, that's all I can remember for now. Maybe more later on.
A continuation …
Before moving from Vittoria Primary School to Barnsbury Central I had passed my 11+ and had won a place to a Grammar School. However all Grammar School places were full at that time and I was told that after one year at Barnsbury I would be transferred to a Grammar School. I remember being asked a year later if I wanted to transfer but I was very happy at Barnsbury, having made mates there, so declined! Wonder where I'd be now if I had opted for a Grammar School! My School Reports said quite a few times 'could do better if he tried' even though I was always in the top 5 places in class. Maybe I'd be rich if I had changed places back then. Too late now!
When the Youth Employment officer came round, interviewing those of us close to leaving school, I was asked what I wanted to do. I said either civil engineering or veterinary medicine. He pondered for a moment and said "why not consider being a bank clerk?". Glad I didn't take heed of what he said. Studied architecture and ended up eventually being a group leader in the Architectural Department in Islington Borough Council.
Now retired to France.
Something pricked my memory recently which led me to remembering a holiday incident on the Isle of White. The teachers in charge were Martyn and Richards. I'm in the photo.
While a group of us boys, about 20 of us, were on a countryside ramble we came across a field of cows with an electric fence - a thin piece of wire stretched across fence posts along the edge of the field to stop the cows from straying.
One of these teachers - I think it was Martyn - suggested we all hold hands - about 20 of us plus Sir - and that I touch the electric cable. I was game - a bit of fun.
Everyone got a huge kick in the elbow from the shock when I touched the cable. Nobody complained - and I think everyone enjoyed this new experience. A bit like this more modern style - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SIT0aU_FRw
Not sure this would be allowed on a school holiday today.
While a group of us boys, about 20 of us, were on a countryside ramble we came across a field of cows with an electric fence - a thin piece of wire stretched across fence posts along the edge of the field to stop the cows from straying.
One of these teachers - I think it was Martyn - suggested we all hold hands - about 20 of us plus Sir - and that I touch the electric cable. I was game - a bit of fun.
Everyone got a huge kick in the elbow from the shock when I touched the cable. Nobody complained - and I think everyone enjoyed this new experience. A bit like this more modern style - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SIT0aU_FRw
Not sure this would be allowed on a school holiday today.
