An apology and some sad news for you all.
A few weeks ago Norman Baldwin, our colleague on the blog, kindly contacted me with the sad news that the teaching legend Reg Wincott passed away on 28th October and his funeral was on 23rd November at Fairlight, Hastings. I am sorry to say that having been involved in a personal accident at that time I did not in fact remember to pass the information on to all. For this I do apologise.
Many of you will I know have memories of Reg Wincott and of course they are always welcome here on the blog.
Hello Graham, I do hope this post has reached you. One of our colleagues on the blog has asked to be put in touch with you, so if you would care to email me I will be pleased to let you have all the details.
We never know when new images will come in to us, but it is always very gratifying when they do.
It was therefore a lovely surprise when just a few days ago Paul Carr wrote to me. Son of the legendary Martin Carr, Paul offered to contribute a couple of old photographs from his archives that were taken on an American school trip. I have no other details about them, but Paul we are very grateful to you.
I imagine that more than a few of you lads out there will be able to fill in some background details to these very happy images, so please do tell all and write in.
We are suffering from a few technical difficulties with our standard WordPress account (created originally by Colin Cadle) here at ‘Blog Central’ as our upload allowance is currently maxed out. This means that I cannot post within the blog, but I have included here a link to each image which for now will take you to my personal Instagram account where they can be viewed. Please forgive the odds and ends of my ‘stuff’ when you get there!
IMAGE-1
Adam Fisher, who is currently writing a book about London Transport, recently enquired in a previous post about an epic Country Bus marathon undertaken by pupils from Cray Valley. He has kindly revised his text which now follows this quick introduction.
Hello everyone.I am writing about London transport and wish to know about something that Cray Valley pupils undertook in 1966.
The article below (Sidcup & Kentish Times, Friday 10 June 1966) states that Leslie Burwood and other students were to attempt the record for London country bus travel, which stood at 17 hours and 35 minutes. It apparently took place the following day, Saturday 11 June.
I have been informed that the purpose of this activity was to essentially orbit what would now be Greater London via the furthest outward points. I would be grateful if this can be confirmed, and if anyone can tell me more about the specifics of it. What exactly did participants do? How was it verified? How popular was it? Did any readers who are former pupils try this, or know anyone who did?
As has been mentioned, the organiser Les also attempted the London Underground record, as did Paul Meddemmen and Robert Tooze. I am also interested in how this worked then, with none of today’s technology. Does anyone have any memories of Les and the activity from that time? I wish to know what he was like – the type of person who would do this. From what I understand, he was very involved and took it extremely seriously.
If anyone has any information, please post it here or you are welcome to contact me directly at directionoftravel@gmail.com. I look forward to learning more about this.
Yours faithfully,
Adam Fisher
****
Sidcup & Kentish Times, Friday 10 June 1966
THEY AIM TO BEAT THE BEST
Boys from Cray Valley Technical High School will try this Saturday to beat the record for a day’s London Transport country bus travel with 6s Green Rover tickets. Starting from Market Street, Dartford, at about 9am, their route will take them as far out as Harlow, St Albans, Uxbridge and Sevenoaks. The rules permit them to use only country buses, except between Romford and Brentwood where the party must, of course, travel by Green Line coach.
The present record, held by some other pupils of Cray Valley, stands at 17 hours 35 minutes, and has not been broken since last year. But Saturday’s party hope to reduce it by three hours.
Leslie Burwood, aged 17, is the organiser of this record-breaking attempt, and has spent many hours poring over timetables. In August the boys will try to break the record for travelling round all the London Underground stations, having had a successful practice trip in April.
This post is currently being revised and will be re-posted again as soon as possible.
Jon Webber has kindly forwarded the details of Jed Bailey’s ‘funeral’.
The service is at ELTHAM CREMATORIUM, NORTH CHAPEL, CROWN WOODS WAY, ELTHAM, SE9.2AZ at 13.15 FRIDAY 29th July (i.e. this Friday)
A Celebration of his life will take place after the ceremony at BICKLEY PARK CRICKET CLUB, BICKLEY PARK ROAD, BROMLEY. BR1.2AS
Please note Floral tributes are for family only. Donations to be shared between the Lymphoedema Support Network (Jed was a Trustee) and St, Christopher’s Hospice who care for Jed.
Details of organisations for those wishing to donate directly:
LYMPHOEDEMA SUPPORT NETWORK, St. Luke’s Church Crypt, Sydney Street, London SW3.6NH
THE FUNDRAISING DEPT. ST. CHRISTOPHER’S HOSPICE, 51-59 LAWRIE PARK ROAD, LONDON, SE26.6DZ
If sending donations please if applicable, enclose a signed Gift Aid
In the current situation with the Ukraine so much in the news, Barry Jackson, long time friend and contributor to the blog asked me to pass on this message from him:
One of our Old Boys desperately needs a wee bit of help from our generous comrades.
John Joyce who studied at Cray Valley from 1967 to 1972 has been living and working in Mariupol, Ukraine for 15 years. On the 1st September 2012 he married Tanya and they settled down looking forward to a long peaceful happy marriage in a flat they purchased in Mariupol. I have kept in touch, maybe not so often as I should have over the years, mostly via ‘Skype’.
John and Tanya’s flat was completely destroyed during the recent shelling, whilst they and other residents spent fearful days and nights in the basements below their block.
They, after almost 3 weeks escaped with just the clothes they could wear or carry. John and Tanya, having lost all their possessions and wealth, are desperately seeking a way back to ‘Blighty’ (John’s words).
His daughters have set up a Crowed Funding page in the hope of fulfilling this dream.
If anyone can support this cause, even in the smallest way, please be kind enough to visit – the Crowd Funding Page and search JohnandTanyaJoyce which also includes information from his family. .
One final aside, the week before the bombing John recalled an incident involving the legend that was English Teacher Mr.H.J.H.Wedlook – John related, when in his 5th year Mr. Wedlock had marched a 1st year student to the room where John was experiencing another lesson – asked John to stand up ; then pointing to him told the first-year pupil ,”if you don’t pull your finger out, you’ll end up like him!”
I’m sure only a week after our conversation John didn’t want or dream of ending up in the situation, that he and Tanya find themselves.
Thank you so very, very much Barry Jackson
Clive Keen, who joined in 1959, writes: Our time at Cray Valley influenced us in more ways that we can imagine. I’m amused by one particular fact:
For seven years I had to wake up at 7:50 AM in order to get dressed, eat breakfast, and catch the number 51 bus to school. I’ve been programmed ever since. Whenever I wake up, I look at my watch, and though it’d been 54 years since I’ve had to catch the number 51, it will still be 7:50 AM on the dot.
The Colin Cadle memorial CVTHS Blog 