And finally from George Robson (FN 57-64): The Penny. “I guess every Old St Beghian has left armed with experiences and skills the school has bestowed on them. In my case I can list amongst many others playing the church organ, knot-tying (via the scouts), tolerance of others, and exam certificates. But it works the other way too. If I think hard enough, I can come up with things that I have over the years contributed to the school. As my final term as a pupil was drawing to its end in 1964, I thought about all this and a quaint idea came into my head. I had read in the newspapers that after many centuries the production of sterling pennies was to cease during 1964. With the Royal Mint holding surplus stock and the decision made to switch to decimal coinage, further production was unnecessary. So, I decided that I would leave a piece of myself in St Bees by burying a penny piece and retrieve it when I might pay a future visit to the school.
To prevent moisture damage, I wrapped the coin in plastic and put it into a small tin box. But where to bury it? After coming up with a number of possible sites I plumped for St Bees Head. So, I got a ‘blue chit’ from housemaster Peter Croft and set off alone to the top of the Head. Locating an easily remembered spot and having remembered to bring a penknife, I buried the box. I have revisited the village numerous times since 1964 and I have ensured on each visit that I have briefly exhumed the penny, which is still in pristine condition. So, a piece of me is always at St Bees.
Incidentally - amongst the events of 1964 were: The Daily Herald changed its name to The Sun, Harold Wilson became Prime Minister, China exploded its first atomic bomb, Canada adopted its new national flag (the maple leaf), Cassius Clay beat Sonny Liston and changed his name to Mohammad Ali, the infamous Great Train Robbery took place, Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for life on Robben Island, ‘Mary Poppins’ had its world premier, the Forth Road Bridge opened, the last judicial hangings took place in Britain, Lyndon Johnson became President of the USA, The Beatles performed in the USA for the first time, and a chap buried a penny on St Bees Head, Cumbria (then known as Cumberland). *By the way there were 153,294,000 1964 pennies produced so there is no profit in setting off with a metal detector to retrieve it! **The Royal Mint then decided to delay the ending of penny production, which did not happen until 1967!”

 

Home

The St Beghian Society    
St Bees School,    St Bees,    Cumbria,    CA27 0DS.

         Tel: (01946) 828093      Email: osb@stbeesschool.co.uk      Web: www.st-beghian-society.co.uk