I moved from Tetbury in Gloucestershire to Malmesbury in Witshire in March 1966, we bought Claremont, 98 Gloucester Road and my Dad opened a livery stable in the old stables of Halcolme House - a venture which did not last long as he had failing health so he opened a small watch and clock making/repairing business from home. There were no Eleven Plus examinations in Gloucestershire so I had to sit it to get into the Grammar School - it had only been open at Filands for about 12 months and seemed quite grand to me at the time. I remember walking up Tetbury hill that first day terrified in my newly acquired - from Hodders - are they still there? - navy and emerald green uniform.
Dr Priestley was headmaster and all the staff seemed terrifying - soon settled in and loved it - except that I was probably one of the naughtiest pupils!! I lost count of the number of detentions I got!!
I used to sing in the Abbey choir and still sing in choirs - now in St. David's Cathedral in Hobart Tasmania Australia.
Memorable teachers include Mr Webb for English, Miss Downer for French, Mr Hughes for Music and his wife for History and Geography. Are any of them still around the area? When the school became comprehensive and we had to move to Corn Gastons - another teacher I remember well was Mike Scanlon - he and his wife Rosemary lived next door to me in Gloucester Road - must have been No.100, and I remember performing in a play he wrote about the building of the Market Cross - I remember being cast as "May" the burgermasters daughter - the "bitch" who double crossed poor Jeb the stonemason!!!!!! - My mother was horrified as we had to speak in a broad accent - exactly what she had been trying to prevent me doing all my life!!!! - I found the script a few months ago among some old treasures!!!! Is Mike still around I wonder.
The picture of the Triangle brought back so many memories - Remembrance Day services at the war memorial, processing down from the Abbey, carol singing with the choir in the Three Cups, Fish & Chips bought from Pratt's on the way home after choir practice! I lived only a few metres away down Gloucester Road, right on the corner - number 98 - we used to wait for the bus to the Grammar School on the steps of the Three Cups! I remember some of those who waited there - all a little older than me Viève and Tristan Forward, Siobhan and Sharon Nolan, Julia Hitchings - oh the memories come flooding back!!!
