Mike taught at Gordon’s in Surrey for almost thirty years. It was called Gordon Boys’ School when he first began there but became co-ed and so the name had to be changed. Every summer they have ‘Annual’ which entails marching, presentations and music by the Pipe and Drum Band.
The school was set up by Queen Victoria as a tribute to General Gordon and it started as a Home teaching lads a trade – tailoring, bootmaking, carpentry and smithing. In 1985 the Queen visited the school for its centenary and Mike was photographed with her. That photo must be somewhere deep in our attic because I can’t find it anywhere!
When I realised that Annual was today and we were on our way home this weekend, it seemed silly not to make a trip to the school and see some old friends and Old Boys. Having only taken casual clothes with us we had a couple of shopping trips to find something smart to wear and I ended up with a complete new outfit – great!
We had a terrible drive down as the M25 was clogged but we arrived just as the Band began to play and march into the school. I’ve heard them play so many times but every time it gets to me! They are brilliant.
Once all the formalities were completed we were able to wander around. An Old Boy had spotted Mike and came over to say hello …
Simon was waiting for us when we arrived and although he hadn’t attended the school, it was very much part of his childhood. Jamie had attended and he met up with a pal of his who was there with his family. We saw Woolwich House where Mike was Housemaster …
Unfortunately it’s not called Woolwich any more but it will always be Woolwich to me! We had to pose in front of the statue of General Gordon on a camel. Beside it is a photo taken of us in 1979!
This was his classroom …
and this was where we used to put on annual Shows. I used to do the stage make-up with another wife of a housemaster plus if choreography was required that was also down to me! I made it on stage one year but that’s probably best forgotten!!
This is the plaque on Woolwich wall and the house where we lived …
We met loads of Old Boys and Staff and enjoyed a BBQ meal while a local Band played very loud music!
It was a lovely day and I’m really pleased that we went.
When we got back to our cars the field which had been jammed with vehicles was almost empty …
We said goodbye to Jamie and Phill and I followed Simon back to his place where we spent the night before setting off for home the next day.
