Richard Woodhead (FS 60-64) writes: “I thought it was about time I started to clear out our loft and in doing so came across a long-forgotten tuck box in which, along with a lot of other bits, were some St Bees’ memorabilia and photos. In case they should be of interest for the archives I enclose them herein as I can’t think they will be of any interest in due course to my family. There are two pictures taken on Parade Day, probably around 1962/63. Also, a Foundation Day Room Study picture – the room at the end of the main corridor. The only name I think I remember in the picture is the person sitting reading and seem to recall his name was Wilson (?).

There is a very faded picture of the 'famous' outside the WCs in Foundation House. No doors on the loos!! It was taken in the winter of 62/63, the year of the 'Big Freeze'. I don’t recall who took the picture with my camera as I’m there in the centre. To my right is Jeremy Frith (see other pic of him enclosed) and to the very far right is Carter/Roger Croft, and to his right is John Goss. I don’t recall the names of any others in the frame. The picture records a memorable occasion when a coal brazier had been set up in between the two banks of loos to stop the pipes etc from freezing, but this made it a very convivial time and place for many of us to meet for a quiet fag knowing if anyone in authority came along the smell of the smokey fire would easily disguise the smell of tobacco. Happy days and memory. It was the same winter I recall going ice skating and playing hockey on a large pond somewhere up on a headland near the school. I also enclose a St Bees School RFC fixture card for 1961-62. I was playing on the wing in the Colts 15 at the time and amusingly see that I kept a record of the scores: a foot note on the bottom indicating I had made 1.5 tries per match. Those were the days when the school could field some decent teams. Let’s hope those days will return. Other photos include Foundation South dorm with Neil Dumbleton, a picture of Jeremy Frith and one of myself on a three-quarter-day’s holiday in Eskdale (the original of which, I thought I should keep).

One last thing. In reply to the rugby photo shown (edition 207 – July 2025) here, it was indeed School House v Foundation South. Above David Cade in the far distance is yours truly and to my right under Grindal is George Gibson. Tony Kerr is on ‘Fred’ Lord’s left shoulder and as identified correctly ‘Brandy’ Brandwood is in the scrum cap. I don’t remember the score but have a vague recollection that Foundation were ‘robbed’ by the ref!!” Photos mentioned above may be seen on the Society website here, along with some other photos sent in by Richard at the end of last year.

 

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

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