I went to Malmesbury Grammar School from 1945-1948 and I was in Athelstan House.
We kept goats..... One summer holiday we had a rota to attend to them. They were staked out on the school field and we had to move them about to different grassy areas. One couple (I know who they were but no names) staked one too near to the ditch and it fell in and broke its neck....The skin was preserved and treated to be used in the play 'Midsummers Night Dream.'
On another occasion John Underhill, a friend who lived in Corston agreed to look after one of the goats for the summer holidays. We were given an afternoon off school to WALK it to Corston. John had a knife and pierced his school cap and fitted it over the goats horns. We walked through the High Street like this but we were observed by one of the school governers who told the Head, Mr Wilmore and we got told off. (Nothing worse)
After leaving I was employed at W.H.Smith, in the High Street, then at the Silk Mills as a fur grader then the regular army until I joined the Met. Police serving for 25 years then I became a driving examiner in various parts of the country. I now live in Boston, Lincs. I married Joy Jobbins who I had known since we attended Cross Hayes School together. We both remember Miss Bishop who used to read to us in the Air Raid Shelter.
We both went to the Grammar School at the same time and maried in 1958 at Malmesbury Abbey. Still together after many happy years. Joy's family still live in Malmesbury which we often visit.
Derek Bartlett Remembers
