Tony,

Re the message from Matthew Cobb. I remember his father who came to Woolverstone in 1951, taught Geography and was Assistant House Master of Johnston's - I think! He was a good teacher - must have been for me to get a good grade at O level! I believe that there are some other photos in the archives at Woolverstone so next time I visit I will have a search.

Regards

Fred

Matthew,

Your message 84 in the WHOBA site certainly rang a bell with me. I attended Woolverstone Hall in the first class (1950 - 1954 Halls). Your Dad was the assistant House Master of Hall's House. I soon discovered that I liked Geography and I had a talent for sketching geological views. Your Dad, the Geography teacher, noticed this and asked me to assist him in drawing some display views. I was delighted to be asked to help. Another event that comes to mind: Victor Gilbert and I were given the responsibility of servicing a drum graphical temperature recorder. One night, after light's out, we had forgotten to service the recorder. It was a serious infraction of the rules to be wandering about after lights out. Nevertheless, the recorder might be damaged if not serviced. And besides, it was an adventure and a challenge to embark on a mission that included breaking the rules. It was still twilight as Victor and I crept out of bed and stealthily left the Nissan hut dormitory. We looked in the direction of the Recorder which was mounted far away from any buildings and across the rugby field from the dorm to see if the 'coast was clear'. It appeared to be clear, so we agreed that the best course of action was to minimize exposure by running as fast as we could across the field to the recorder. This was successfully accomplished. The recorder was serviced. Then, we used the same technique to return to the dorm. Unnoticed by us, your Dad was having an evening walk and spotted us. The first we realized of his presence was when we were both grabbed simultaneously and held firmly. He must have run fast to intercept us. I am sure he thought he had caught us at some boyish lark that required punishment. Our quickly voiced excuse, of servicing the recorder, achieved a welcome reprieve. I attended your Dad's Geography classes for four years and enjoyed them. I have many memories of happy times at Woolverstone and your Dad's presense.

I have a photograph Mr Cobb applying the slipper to a bad boy's backside in the dorm. I will scan it for you e-mail it to you.

Thanks for the memories.

John Cook, Hall's 1950-1954