Subject: WHOBA
Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 19:55:49 +0100
From: Tony Silver <tonys@newburyweb.net>
Hi Tony,
My name is Tony Silver and I was a contemporary of your brother Robert ie 67-74, I was In Corners.
I have many memories of your brother and would love to get in contact with him.
(E-mail address and phone number available on request!)
I remember that you were known for your athletic prowess which, brought you both fame and considerable mickey-taking! I know this, because, because both your brother and me inherited it! Me, because my name is Tony also and I also had a little athleticism (eventually to be made Capt. of Athletics [thanks Taffy!] and Robert, simply because he was your brother - in fact he also got called "Tony" as well: doubtless you know this.
Anyway, a funny Woolvo story (I think so at any rate):-
It must have been in my fourth or fifth form (71/72) at the time and it was the morning assembly. I'm sure we all remember it; the lusty hymn singing with someone at least barely competent on the piano, though often quite accomplished, followed by the reading and then the announcements - headmaster first, then he walked off the stage accompanied by something suitable on the piano, then any other masters and then assorted boys (I had more than my fair share of these and was the unfortunate victim of numerous ribald comments and catcalls). Anyway, I digress.
I don't remember the reason why, (perhaps if this story goes on the website, someone with a better recollection than I will enlighten us) old Bailey had occasion during his announcements to tell the entire school off. He worked himself up into a terrible lather with a masterful and powerful oration, leaving us feeling collectively chastened and then stomped off the stage to the accompaniment of complete, total and deafening hush, until the pianist ('Bottle' Dawlings I think) remembered his role and started playing....... wait for it...... Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy!
At such times the man of distinction can be seen apart from the general hoi polloi by exhibiting a certain detachment and coolness of demeanour. To my eternal regret, I was not able to do this, being as I was, convulsed with laughter, along with the masters and a lot of the boys. Therefore my memory of what happened next is somewhay hazy, although I do recall a bellow of:
"You, in my study NOW!"
Great job on the Website, If you want to contact me, you can do so on tonys@newburyweb.net
Regards to you and Robert.