School Trip to Boulogne, 1961
P. Strevens, 5AG
On the 25th July, 1961, one hundred and forty-six boys from the Camden Road building boarded a train at Victoria Station at 7:30 a.m., and we could not have had a better day for our trip. As I sat in a compartment with some friends, the sun shining through the window, I thought to myself what an enormous job of organising it had been, a job that was so efficiently done by our two French masters, Mr. Williams and Mr. Meyer. The preparations had begun about two month previously, when all names had to be collected in and money had to be paid, etc. As the weeks passed by, the boys' excitement mounted until at last, the day came.
We had to meet together at Victoria and report to our masters in charge, at 7:15 a.m. At 7:30 a.m. we boarded the train, and waited until 7:58 for our departure. As the train slowly pulled away, some boys tried to catch up on some lost sleep, whilst others attempted to read the morning newspapers, but most found it almost impossible, because of their excitement.
The party arrived at Folkestone a 9:50, went through the passport check, and boarded the ship, which left at 10:30. We were left to roam about the ship as we pleased, and most of the boys wandered around, or sat on deck. At about non, we disembarked, went through passport check and then we were at liberty to do what we wished. We had, however, strict instructions to be back on the boat by 5 p.m., because if any of us were not, nobody would wait.
The majority of the boys went with friends in small groups. There were many places that could be visited; the museum, the Cathedral, the old and new parts of the town. Also trips could be taken by 'bus to a nearby fishing village. Those of us who stayed in the town, walked about and looked at the shops, but wherever we went, we were plagued by little men carrying baskets full of trinkets, souvenirs, watches, and even table-cloths; they were trying to unload some of their goods on to us. Some boys tried out their knowledge of the French language on the local inhabitants, only to meet some difficulty in the speed at which the latter spoke. The only reply that many received was a wide-eyed look of astonishment.
It was a blistering hot day, so many of us found ourselves creeping into the shade on the many cafés that are to be found in the town. If by any chance, any of us had seen all there was to see, we could have sat on the beach and surveyed the view. The only trouble was that the time passed by so quickly, that before any of us knew it, it was time to make our way back to the boat.
The journey home was uneventful, the only thing different being that, at Folkestone, we had to go through the Customs. The train slowly came to a halt at Victoria at abut 9:20. Everybody said good-night to one another, and we all made our way to our different homes. I am sure that the journey was enjoyed by everyone, and most of us would not hesitate to go again. The one thing that might have spoilt it, after a most enjoyable day, was the thought of school next morning, looming over our heads.
On the 25th July, 1961, one hundred and forty-six boys from the Camden Road building boarded a train at Victoria Station at 7:30 a.m., and we could not have had a better day for our trip. As I sat in a compartment with some friends, the sun shining through the window, I thought to myself what an enormous job of organising it had been, a job that was so efficiently done by our two French masters, Mr. Williams and Mr. Meyer. The preparations had begun about two month previously, when all names had to be collected in and money had to be paid, etc. As the weeks passed by, the boys' excitement mounted until at last, the day came.
We had to meet together at Victoria and report to our masters in charge, at 7:15 a.m. At 7:30 a.m. we boarded the train, and waited until 7:58 for our departure. As the train slowly pulled away, some boys tried to catch up on some lost sleep, whilst others attempted to read the morning newspapers, but most found it almost impossible, because of their excitement.
The party arrived at Folkestone a 9:50, went through the passport check, and boarded the ship, which left at 10:30. We were left to roam about the ship as we pleased, and most of the boys wandered around, or sat on deck. At about non, we disembarked, went through passport check and then we were at liberty to do what we wished. We had, however, strict instructions to be back on the boat by 5 p.m., because if any of us were not, nobody would wait.
The majority of the boys went with friends in small groups. There were many places that could be visited; the museum, the Cathedral, the old and new parts of the town. Also trips could be taken by 'bus to a nearby fishing village. Those of us who stayed in the town, walked about and looked at the shops, but wherever we went, we were plagued by little men carrying baskets full of trinkets, souvenirs, watches, and even table-cloths; they were trying to unload some of their goods on to us. Some boys tried out their knowledge of the French language on the local inhabitants, only to meet some difficulty in the speed at which the latter spoke. The only reply that many received was a wide-eyed look of astonishment.
It was a blistering hot day, so many of us found ourselves creeping into the shade on the many cafés that are to be found in the town. If by any chance, any of us had seen all there was to see, we could have sat on the beach and surveyed the view. The only trouble was that the time passed by so quickly, that before any of us knew it, it was time to make our way back to the boat.
The journey home was uneventful, the only thing different being that, at Folkestone, we had to go through the Customs. The train slowly came to a halt at Victoria at abut 9:20. Everybody said good-night to one another, and we all made our way to our different homes. I am sure that the journey was enjoyed by everyone, and most of us would not hesitate to go again. The one thing that might have spoilt it, after a most enjoyable day, was the thought of school next morning, looming over our heads.