From:
Peter Raymond - 9/12/01.
Hi
I have just come cross the web site for Downhills Central School
and it is quite magnificent.
My name is Peter Raymond and they tell me I'm 52!
I arrived at DCS in 1961 and luckily, the students list survives.
Just to read through the names sets the brain tingling as
connections are made and long buried memories rush to the surface.
I was in 1F with (I think) Miss Francis as my form teacher and my
house was Semmons. I forget my 2nd year, but it was Mr Gates in
3D. The 4th year was very different as the local education
hierarchy tried to do comprehensive on the cheap and merged the
school with South Grove, moving the school to the old Tottenham
County School building by the municipal baths. What a great idea
that was! (sarcasm & irony). I still remember having to walk
the length of Philip Lane between lessons, as the old premises
were still used for some subjects.
Teacher memories:
Well apart from the ones I noticed on the site there were - Miss
Flowers (Music) - Mr.Osowski (French & Games) the spelling was
just a guess - Mr Keckwick (also French), Mr Francis (I forget his
subject but he played the Captain in HMS Pinafore and was Miss
Francis' brother. For a short while in about 1964 there was a
Geography teacher, who also took Games, who played Rugby for
England I forget his name.
Does anyone else remember the prize giving on Nov 15th 1961?
Hepzibah Menuhin was the celebrity guest. She gave a speech and
presented the prizes. The reason I know the date is that I
received a prize on that occasion.
Here is the inscription page of the book (The Time Machine - HG
Wells.)
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I wonder which teacher did the calligraphy? - Mr Hill perhaps.
DCS was a fine school with a few pupils going on to university. In
my first or second year a London regional TV programme had 3 DCS
student - 2 boys 1 girl - taking part in a discussion about going
to university. The first time I had seen anyone I knew on a TV
screen - very exciting.
School productions I remember too - "Pinafore" and
"Trail By Jury"
were great - but I also recall "The Monkey's Paw".
I have many more memories, but they can wait to another mail.
The only other Central school I am aware of is in Waterloo near
Liverpool where a building has the legend "Waterloo Central
School" spelt out in red brick.
Peter.
There were
plenty of other Central Schools around, originally three in
Tottenham. I'm told there was one in Dartford, Kent, near where I
now live. Vera Moxon ('55) from DCS, taught at the George Spicer
Central School in Enfield - JF
Reg Everests comments,
8/1/02:
Regarding Peter Raymond's, 'Students Write' of the 9 December, the rugby teacher he refers to was 'Butch' Wightman (can't remember his actual first name). He played for Coventry. He won at least one England cap - I remember seeing him on the telly
against Wales at Cardiff Arms Park. I also remember playing touch rugby on the school field. I tripped Ron Capell with my foot (as opposed to my hand) and Butch gave me a good slap round the head (I didn't know then that tripping like that was a big no-no in rugby). Since then my 2 sons have played rugby so I now know you can bite peoples heads off but you certainly mustn't trip!!
Reg Everest.
Hmmmmmm.... I always thought it was a
shame Rugby was not one of Downhills' chosen sports.
Being one of natures "bigger lads", I was infinitely better
at it than soccer or cricket. After leaving I actually played for the
County School old boys side, the Old Tottonians, with Dave Smith. - JF
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