Mike Charnley (FN 70-75) writes: “Your article and photos regarding the ‘OSB Priory Walk’ brought back some memories I can tell you! The first was the gravestone of Emile Zullig (pic 145829). I am sure that was one I had to wash one Sunday detention! As for the famous tuckshop owner, Dinah Haile; I did not go that many times as I had a problem with sugar, hence I used to go more to the grocer further up the street (Blenkinsop's) for apples and other fruit! Mind you, first years were often sent on a Sunday to see Dinah, at the side entrance, to fetch a cheese and onion bap for some sixth former in FN; fagging as it was called then! Bill Fox I only really met during my last days of school when I found I was now a member of the Old St Beghians. Also yes, I do remember May Dodds, during all those times when I was sick with flu or headaches related to excess sugar! Cough mixture loomed very large. I think there were two colours, one rose-coloured the other I think dark brown. It was hit or miss which one you got! Lastly the garden walk which appears to be around the site of the foot path from Abotts Court to Foundation past the Priory. The times I dragged a trunk and tuck box from Abotts Court in the early morning and at the end of each term to catch the train back to Hexham via Carlisle. I still don't know how I did it! Apart from the summer end of term when our parents collected us, other terms were quite a hassle getting these two items to the station, first from Foundation North and later Abotts Court. There was never any help from the school when it came to the end of term dash to the railway station! The only other memory I have regarding the village would be the street branching off to the right past the station and tuck shop that led to the newsagent and of course the phone box where we used to phone home! This was many years before the mobile phone came along! I do remember the story of the demise of the RAF CCF glider, when I think it was Fothergill (see RAF pic mentioned below – Fothergill is front row, 2nd from left) flew it after the 'spoilers' were removed. He went up then down and I think up again before finally going down and crash landing - thankfully he was OK, just shocked! The glider was powered by two bungy teams!” (Mike has also sent in an RAF Trip photo from 1974 (or 1973) at Waddington he thinks. This is now on the website and can be seen as per below.

“Mr Pritchard (ex-biology teacher) (RAF pic - back row, first on left) may remember the date of the picture when the glider demised as he was there. He may also remember me during one of his biology lessons when he described the bones on the skeleton next to the blackboard. I had to be taken out as I nearly fainted! Happy days!”

 

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St Bees School,    St Bees,    Cumbria,    CA27 0DS.

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