STICKY (stays at the top)
NAME: Vic Coughtrey (site owner)  

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1954-59

Please remember to refer to the features that work in conjunction with this Notice Board !

CONTRIBUTORS tells you who has contributed to the site, how many messages they have contributed and provides links to all the threads they have either started or replied in.

FORMER STAFF is a very long way from being comprehensive but it at least lists ALL the former staff who have been discussed on this site, with links to the all the threads in which each one appears.

EDITING LOG was instituted in 2009 at the request of a contributor and provides a handy summary of every addition or other change to the site as it happens.

HOT THREADS is a list of threads which have had more than 10 replies and gives a rough summary of the main trend(s) of conversation in each of those threads.

NUMBER LIST is a list of ALL threads, but unlike Hot Threads contains no summaries of their contents. Its main use is to enable you to reach any thread easily when you know which thread number you're looking for. However, it also tells you when each thread started and when it was last contributed to, so it may tempt you to revive a thread that has seen no action for a very long time. Remember that no thread is ever out of date on this site because Editlog alerts people to new messages.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? is a list of remembered Old Boys who have not yet contributed to the site or even contacted me. You can suggest names to be added.

VIC'S NOTICES is where I tell you of developments or just comment on things.

THE SEARCH ENGINE (top of this page) enables you to find anything on this or my personal site. You can use it either to locate something you've seen on one of the two sites in the past or to see if something you haven't seen is mentioned anywhere on either of them. There are a few remarks about it on my board

WIDER WORLD is an alternative message board where OEs can discuss activities and interests not directly connected with QE.

And, of course, don't forget the MUSEUM. New stuff doesn't come in as often as I'd like, so if you have anything you think would be of interest, please let me know, using the form for private messages.

Please note: this is not a thread and it sticks to the top

THREAD 58

NAME: Malcolm Brown

DATE: 31 December 2009

CONNECTION WITH QE: Relative of former pupil

I'm researching my family history and my Uncle, Kenneth H.V.Palmer attended QE between 1935 and 1939.  Is there anyone who has any memories of him, the house he was attached too, or indeed photographs of him?  He served as a Halifax pilot in the war, but sadly lost his life in 1947.  Any information would be great interest.

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THREAD 57

NAME: Jonathan

DATE: 18 December 2009

CONNECTION WITH QE: Current pupil (since 2005)

Many of the complaints of the OEs who have shown anger towards the school for how they were treated during their time their seem hard to comprehend to me, a current Year 11 at the school.  It is clear that the school has changed 'its ways' since then as it not only offers an excellent level of education but really does build character, encouraging boys to take up extra-curricular activities wherever possible.  I agree that the school's disciplinary system is flawed, often accusing innocent pupils of wrongdoings in hope that they will confess to a crime they did not commit, but in the wider picture it is more beneficial to have a strict set of rules as it instils discipline within the boys who will carry this into their future careers and everyday life.  QE is a machine.  In goes a rabble of inexperienced young boys and out comes a group of intellegent, well-rounded young men.

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THREAD 56

NAME: John Reimann

DATE: 21 September 2009

CONNECTION WITH QE: Inmate 1960 - 1966

QE Boys School, Barnet is not just a school.  It is a dreadful remnant of an Era of The British Empire.  This 'Culture' is still present in that dreadful institution from what I have read.  It tried to get recognition as some sort of Eaton or Harrow in the 'Pompous' days around WW1 and WW2 and the 'boys' were probable cannon fodder, hence the paramilitary nature of the school and it's teaching staff.  Today, that place sounds still so awful!  I feel sorry for every boy in that place and the British Govnt should change the entire 'culture' of that miserable hole.

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Most recent reply to this thread: 15 August 2014

THREAD 55
NAME: John Hamilton  

DATE: 22 August 2009

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1958 - 1964

'A' level results: As this forum probably should not be used for political whingeing, it's best if we old fogies only comment on the extraordinary percentage of 'A' grade results in the modern era when we are in a pub with our mates; but whatever the systems now in place, we ought to congratulate QE pupils on being top of the results table again.  I've just looked at the official website - goodness me, how do these guys find time to sleep?

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THREAD 54

NAME: John Reimann

DATE: 24 July 2009

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1960 - 1966

As with many respondents, my years at QE were a living Hell!  Every day was designed to be purposefully torture and pompous, classist, ignorant, stupid, sadistic experience for the sole benefit of the very poor teaching staff, most of whom would be on criminal charges of assault by today's standards.

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Most recent reply to this thread: 02 August 2009

THREAD 53
NAME: Vic Coughtrey (webmaster)  

DATE: 15 July 2009

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1954 - 1959

This is the first time I've posted a new thread, preferring to take a back seat as webmaster and let you all get on with it.  However, on this occasion I want to thank you for your surprisingly rapid response to the mass email I sent to all named contributors, on the subject of password protection.  Within hours of sending the message, about three quarters of you had responded - enough to announce already that the majority of you don't want to bother with password protection for the notice board.  In fact, there haven't been any 'ayes' yet.  I would especially like to thank you for the messages of appreciation and support that many of you included in your replies.  What an amiable bunch we are!  I'm not going to be able to thank everyone individually, I'm afraid.

But now the apology.  I always get hot under the collar when friends send mass emails but put the addresses in the 'to' field instead of the 'bcc' field, thus exposing all recipients' email addresses to all recipients.  I often lecture them on it, but in a (perfectly characteristic) fit of absent-mindedness, that's exactly the crime I myself committed on this occasion.  The problem has been compounded, so I'm told, by some of you hitting 'reply to all' instead of just 'reply' when sending a message back to me.  That has meant that everyone else on the list has also received your message to me!  Firstly, apologies for the confusion and inconvenience caused.  Secondly, if you haven't replied yet but intend to, please don't hit 'reply to all'!

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THREAD 52

NAME: Bon Banjo

DATE: 22 June 2009

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1993 - 2000

I attended QE between 1993 and 2000.  The issue a lot of you simply don't understand is that, like it or lump it, QE prepares you for life.  If there is one thing QE taught me, its this: as long as you are perceived to be doing what you are told, outside of that you can do pretty much what the heck you like.  This can be applied once you leave QE.  The school definitely had issues, but if you came with a 'yes sir, no sir, two bags of whatever you want sir' you were able to get away with a helluva lot more than the stroppy kids who were a full time nuisance.  I ended up in investment banking after QE and it is a tough, competitive, unforgiving environment.  QE prepares you for that.  It all depends on what you want out of life, I guess, but I shall certainly be sending my kids there, but not before they've been briefed in the do's and dont's.

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Most recent reply to this thread: 28 August 2016

THREAD 51

NAME: Mike Carter

DATE: 08 June 2009

CONNECTION WITH QE: Old Boy 1957-1963

Does anyone out there recall learning how to sail on a trip to the Norfolk Broads in 1963?  We stayed under canvas on a site owned by Norfolk Schools at Barton Turf, sailing on Barton Broad.  Once again I think our mentors were Messrs. Fry and Dilley & possibly Alford (did they go on every school trip?).  I recall that we started craft that would hold several pupils and a member of staff moving up to a Wayferer as we apparently got the hang of things.  I must have learnt something as I left QE at the end of my first term in the 6th form when my parents moved to Norfolk and I had to join another school.  That was a shock after being able to walk to QE I now had a 3 mile cycle ride, 10 mile train journey and then a 15 minute walk to reach the school.  At least we didn't have to go in on Saturdays.  I ended up crewing for a friend at this school and together we represented Norfolk in the East of England Schools sailing championships at Brancaster and Burnham on Crouch.

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Most recent reply to this thread: 20 June 2009

THREAD 50

NAME: Mike Carter

DATE: 08 June 2009

CONNECTION WITH QE: Old Boy 1957-1963

Mention has been made of the trip to Lake Como in I think 1958.  This sent me looking at various slides I took on that holiday (those that came out) and I have one of Messrs Alford, Dilley and Fry.  Regretfully I haven't been able to find any other slides showing participants on the trip although I do have one of the hotel staff.  I remember that we were asked to provide any photos taken for a parents evening which took place some time afterwards.  The trip included a visit to Milan where we had a tour of the Cathedral and that we returned to the UK via Lucerne on Lake Geneva.

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Most recent reply to this thread: 21 December 2015

THREAD 49
NAME: Ian Sadler  

DATE: 02 June 2009

CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1951-1958

We have recently heard of the deaths of 4 teachers who were at the school in the 1950s.  On a positive note I would like to report that another teacher of that era is very much alive.

Richard Shewell was principal physics teacher and later head of science from 1949 to 1956.  He was a contemporary and great friend of Eric Crofts.  He also accompanied Eric and Ollie Alford on the first winter skiing trips.  He was a brilliant teacher and always made the lessons interesting.  He was also a skilled wood worker, glass blower and artist.

His main hobby was music and with Eric he formed QE's first orchestra.  He was a first class violinist who also played the viola, cello, clarinet and french horn (all well).  Some of you may remember his Wednesday "lunchtime proms" - 15 mins of all sorts of music.  His jazz clarinet playing earned him the name of "Hot lips Shewell" although his normal nick-name was "Humph" (after Humphry Davy). He gave me (and several others) our first lessons on the violin and started one or two others on his other instruments.

I managed to track him down 4 years ago.  Recently, on a trip South (from Edinburgh!), I paid him a second visit.  Now 87, he stays in a care home near Skipton and has a degenerative spine problem which means he can no longer stand up straight.  Not that he lets that stop him doing things - we walked to the local pub for lunch.  3 years ago he gave up playing the violin - as he could no longer make the sound he wanted, so he taught himself to play the flute!

He had some wonderful stories about the school and does a superb take-off of EHJ!  He never wore a gown (in spite of EHJ's insistence): he said it was unsafe in a laboratory!  I came away having had a great 5-hour break in my journey.  A really positive amazing man.  If any one wishes to get in touch with him, please contact me.

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Most recent reply to this thread: 30 May 2013

HREAD 48

NAME: Robin Dare (Dur)

DATE: 20 May 2009

CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1967-71

Where are all you ex convicts from 1967 to 1971?  We may not have learned very much but I'm sure those of us from 3c and beyond attained at least basic skills in reading and writing!  Frep Forster?  Hob Perkins?  I have loads of names, a class photo from my first year in 1B and my own photos taken after getting relegated to 3C.  Anybody want to free up those repressed memories? "I Have A Dreadful Memory" said The Kid - "What Other Folk Forget, I Remember".

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Most recent reply to this thread: 02 July 2016

THREAD 47

NAME: Lisa Harding

DATE: 02 March 2009

CONNECTION WITH QE: Ancestral

I have found this website to be absolutely fascinating, so thank you!  I can lay claim to a family member who attended QE in about 1871.  My great grandfather James William Harding went on to become a Master Cooper and is listed in the 1871 census as being at the grammar school in Wood Street, which as we know was Queen Elizabeth's.  Do you have any idea how I would be able to find out more about my great grandfather's time at the school.  I assume that they keep records of all pupils but so far my enquiries have gotten me no response.  Any help you could give would be gratefully received.

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Most recent reply to this thread: 08 March 2009

THREAD 46

NAME: Philip Ward

DATE: 01 March 2009

CONNECTION WITH QE: Inmate 1935-1944

Thank you, Vic, for telling the truth about 'Dotheboys Hall' on your personal website.  I think I am probably the oldest person to join this Web community so far, but the place obviously had not changed in the decade between my suffering and yours.

I always thought that the Head, 'Ernie' Jenkins, must have had remarkable biceps, from all the floggings he dispensed.  I was in Leicester House, and was fortunate in that my Housemaster, Mr. Normanton (Chemistry) was one of the few who clearly disliked caning.  He did it, but reluctantly, and fairly gently.

I loved your description of 'Frosty' Winter's teaching method.  That is exactly as I remember it.  During the war, we had a lot of elderly 'retread' teachers who replaced the younger ones who were in the forces.  One of them was 'Frosty's' wife, known as 'Snowball'.  She taught Physics and Maths - in a much more forceful manner than her husband taught History.
One of the wartime duties of the senior boys was fire-watching, which entailed staying overnight.  The occasional air-raids were no problem, but "Ernie's" taste in music was.  The school owned a very powerful PA system, used for making announcements at sporting events.  It was stored in the Masters' Common Room at the west end of the upper floor, where 'Ernie' resided when he was fire-watching.  He owned a comprehensive collection of Wagner records, which he played incessantly, all night, at full throttle.  I vividly remember trying to sleep at the extreme opposite end of that floor and feeling the building structure shuddering to the strains of The Flying Dutchman!

We also had an Air Training Corps squadron, which must have been the worst in the country.  It was officered by three masters, 'Flight Lieutenant' "Belch" Strugnel, 'Flying Officer' Harrison and 'Flying Officer' "Poker" Pearce, none of whom had the slightest interest in aviation.  Our main activity consisted of thinly disguised maths lessons, usually posted as 'navigation'.  Meanwhile every other ATC squadron was flying gliders or playing with real aeroplanes.  Another memory is of Founder's Day before the war.  After the traditional roll-call in the grounds of the old school, we were marched into the school, where its features were pointed out to us and our attention was gleefully drawn to the whipping-post, no doubt to show us how lucky we were.

Six months after leaving QEGS I was in the Army (Infantry) and marvelling at the fairness, reasonablness and lack of brutality of military discipline, compared to my experiences at school.  I hated every minute spent in the stifling, snobbish, class-ridden atmosphere of QEGS.  Reading the comments of contemporary students, I get the impression that a good deal of the old attitudes survive, although they do seem to have given up teaching good English.

ADSUM !  

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Most recent reply to this thread: 06 April 2009

THREAD 45

NAME: Simon Kalman

DATE: 06 February 2009

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1970-74

As many of you will already know, Bernard (Bernie) Pinnock died a couple of weeks ago and his cremation was held on Tuesday (3rd Feb) in Hendon.  He was just sort of his 85th birthday and died after sustaining a fall outside his home in Mill Hill.  Remembered by countless thousands of boys, it was interesting to hear about his life from the various speakers who remembered him at the ceremony.
He attended the famous Christ's Hospital (Bluecoat) School at Horsham, read maths at Reading University (for whom he played cricket in the 1st XII and rugby) and then spent his entire career teaching at QE.  There were a number of OE's present, as well as Messrs Kobish & Kelsall.  He was a devout Christian and the Service of Thanksgiving was a fitting tribute to someone who was a real character amongst some pretty 'grey' men.
Although maths was not my best or favourite subject, he really did try hard to get the best out of me (and many others).  He will be greatly missed and we are all the richer for knowing him.

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Most recent reply to this thread: 15 September 2010

THREAD 44
NAME: Adam Lines  

DATE: 06 February 2009

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64

Reading a recent report in our local paper (teacher suspended for "clipping" a pupil's ear), I recalled the discipline and punishment regime in place at QE during my tenure.  Clipping of an ear or a whack on the back of the head were of course commonplace at the time as was the expertly aimed piece of chalk and the occasional flying blackboard rubber as a means of getting a boy's attention during lessons.

More formal proceedings were initiated by the issue of reports by both teachers and prefects - a "D" for minor shortcomings up to an "A" for the most serious lapses such as flicking a pellet or being late for gym.  I seemed to get, probably with some justification, more A reports than most with the result that my preparations for handing it in to Tiger were well rehearsed knowing that it would result in an invitation to "follow me boy" to the punishment room.

"Padding up" with several pairs of woollen swimming trunks reduced the sting of 3 or 6 strokes of the birch to almost bearable levels although over exuberance by the deliverer could result in a low strike to the back of the thigh - best avoided.

Thankfully I was spared the Hoskisson method although I did witness it - a cane brought down with full force across the palm of an outstretched hand - resulting in a deep blood blistered wield that would take weeks to heal.  I wonder if its too late for the recipient (and I know who it was) to seek retribution?

Did corporal punishment work? Of course not - far better to identify the positives in a child's character and improve on them than try and beat the negatives out with a stick.

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THREAD 43
NAME: Mike Cottrell  

DATE: 25 January 2009

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64

I have just received this communication from the OEs:

"We are sorry to have to tell you that Bernard (Bernie) Pinnock who was a Master at the school from 1950 until mid-1980s passed away peacefully on Tuesday, 20th January, 2009.  He was in hospital, having broken his hip, following a fall at home just before Christmas.  Bernie will be remembered with great affection by the many generations of OEs who were privileged to be taught by him.

The funeral is arranged to take place at Hendon Crematorium, Holders Hill Road, Mill Hill, NW7 1NB at 12.15 pm on Tuesday, 3rd February followed by light refreshments in a local Church Hall.

In order to assist with catering it would be helpful if you would contact either Janet Taylor / 020 8906 0653 or Austen Cromwell 020 8364 2108 if you are able to be there.

Family flowers only please but donations to one or other of the many charities Bernard regularly supported might be sent to Leverton & Sons, 624 Finchley Road, London, NW11 7RR.  A list of those charities will be shown on the Order of Service.

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THREAD 42

NAME: John Paine

DATE: 23 December 2008

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1946-53

I have only just found this site, although I have been back to QE on many occasions.  I have many memories of the teachers of my period - including Pierce, Winter, Wingfield, Smith, Timson, and obviously, the great man himself, Jenkins - and would be happy to share them with others who were up at Barnet at the time.

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Most recent reply to this thread: 16 February 2009

THREAD 41

NAME: Anon

DATE: 23 December 2008

CONNECTION WITH QE: Prospective pupil / parent

Well, what do we say?  Very interesting facts and opinions from all threads - good to know all round and that QE is not all perfect.  We're awaiting 1st round results (for admission 2009) and would like to know more!

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Most recent reply to this thread: 14 January 2009

THREAD 40
NAME: Adam Lines  

DATE: 16 December 2008

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64

Members who remember Eric will be sad to read the following message, which I received from Neil Kobish:

"I have received the sad news that Eric Crofts (Assistant Master from 1949 to the late 1960's) died on 9th December.  He was Head of Science and Biology when I joined the School in 1961.  He was very prominent in many School extra-curricula activities.  He played the double bass in the School Orchestra, was Stage Manager of the School Play, in tandem with Olly Alford led the senior skiing groups to Austria, was instrumental with Huw Purchas in setting up Holly Tree Hostel on his brother's farm at Theberton in Suffolk and with Huw provided the School's first minibus.  He left the School to work for the National Trust and was a key player in the setting up of Acorn Camps.  The funeral will be at Slough Crematorium on 14th January at 11 a.m.  Flowers via the undertaker, donations to Leukemia Research Fund or The National Trust.  I can give the addresses."

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Most recent reply to this thread: 24 April 2016

THREAD 39

NAME: Richard Wright

DATE: 06 November 2008

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1946-51

I was at QE from 1946 to 1951 (when my family moved to Bristol).  I have vivid memories of the school, but am impossible with names.  My housemaster was also history teacher (Winter, I think).  I was a lazy pupil in my first two years.  He threatened to cane me if I did not pull myself together.  It's fair to say that after that threat I did not look back.  There was a geography master (?Cox) who went bananas if you folded a map incorrectly.  The classics master Wingfield was, I now suspect, seriously damaged by his experiences in WW2.  We learned to swim in a putrid and cold pool.  I got the routine bronze medallion from the Royal Life Saving Society.  When she was a little girl my daughter found the medallion among my wife's trinkets.  She said in an awestruck manner: "Dad, did you save a life?"

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Most recent reply to this thread: 02 July 2009

THREAD 38
NAME: Adam Lines  

DATE: 05 November 2008

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64

In response to Vic's query about what became of The Isotope magazine, I am pretty certain that it was closed down by the school following a cartoon appearing therein casting serious doubts on the virtue of the Chemistry Master Mr Ambidge's lovely daughter, following the discovery by him of a sixth former in bed with the wench.  The cartoon included a depiction of Bidge's pea green Singer outside his house (in East Barnet) with said swain escaping from a first floor window.  I hope she was worth it as I am certain that the lad was promptly expelled.  I cannot remember who the lucky/unlucky fellow was but if he's out there perhaps he would enlighten us!

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Most recent reply to this thread: 03 July 2010

THREAD 37
NAME: Adam Lines  

DATE: 18 October 2008

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64

Reminiscing with Alan Jackson (57-64), with whom mutual contact was re-established some years ago, we had a 'whatever happened to' moment, the subject this time being Nigel Wood.  A click on the Google mouse brought up your marvellous site and the memories came flooding back!  Alan's memory of Nigel was how he would, in Dickensian fashion, charmingly characterize his class mates by name - the subject this time being Bob Merridale, who Nigel felt should be a member of the criminal underclass selling dodgy cars (sorry Bob - unless Nigel's powers were indeed prophetic).  My own fond memory of Nigel, apart from him being most of the time on some other planet, was his rendition of There's a V sign on the lavatory door sung to the tune of All the ships came sailing in whilst waiting for Ken Carter to arrive at a lesson.  Happy memories if maybe not such happy days.

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Most recent reply to this thread: 13 February 2014

THREAD 36
NAME: Martyn Day  

DATE: 08 October 2008

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1956-63

I would like to thank Vic for putting up the obituary for Derek Fry on the website.  He was a strange man (D.B Fry that is, not Vic!) and I never truly felt comfortable around him although he never said or did anything to cause me grief.  I remember clearly how at the time of the School plays he would keep the boys playing 'men' and the boys playing 'girls' separate.  The 'girls' dressing room was his domain and all others were told to keep out.  In hindsight I suppose he did it to save the 'girls' embarrassment but at the time it did seem odd.  I think that for all his music and languages he was a rather sad and lonely man.  He was a kind man, too.  Certainly I am not the only boy in the school to receive regular Christmas cards from him and this continued for years after I left.

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Most recent reply to this thread: 23 May 2013

THREAD 35

NAME: Michael Featherstone

DATE: 22 August 2008

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1963-69

It's been a long time since I left QE.  I remember Mr T Edwards headmaster, messrs K and C Carter, Mr smith, French teacher, Mr Shearly, Maths and PE, Sam cox Geography, Mr Pinnock, Mr Wright History, Mr Curry, French, Mr Lowe, Chemistry, Miss Affentranger, Mr Jordan, Mr Purchas, art, Mr Thomas, Mr Farrer, Miss Swan.  I saw Eric Shearly a few years ago in Barnet and was sad that he had died.  Although he had a loud bark, he was very keen on Sport.  Mr Tim Edwards works on Charitable causes, I hear.  Any one remember these times?

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Most recent reply to this thread: 18 August 2017

THREAD 34

NAME: Ian Leafe

DATE: 14 April 2008

CONNECTION WITH QE: Teacher 1985-88

Physics teacher at QE for three years; 1985-88, enjoyable after a fashion.  Wondered if the teachers ever have reunions; to discuss the reprobates they had to to teach or to work for!  It might surprise some of the great minds that were educated there, that some of the teachers were more anarchic than the pupils.  TTFN Ian

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THREAD 33

NAME: Broughton Kid

DATE: 22 March 2008

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil since 2007

I am at QE right now and some of the teachers are fat idiots like specific man or should I say Mr D.  Dr Maricowitz is bare SAFE and so is Mr Price but it can get a bit annoying with the one way system cutting all of the shortcuts away so we have to go all the way around.  It is Secondary State school of the year for 2007 so QE RULES!!!!  By the way Broughton stinks at sports!  [Webmaster's note: Don't worry, Dr M and Mr P - 'bare safe' is good].

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THREAD 32

NAME: Chris Mungovan

DATE: 29 February 2008

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957 - 64

A Quiz: Who said the following?  1) Two sides?  2) The book's wrong !  3) Get your gear and go?  4) Balance of power? 5) On old olympus towering tops a french and german ate some hops?  Answers soon.  Though why I should remember such trivia after all this time is strange, and there's more!

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Most recent reply to this thread: 29 October 2012

THREAD 31

NAME: David Hooper

DATE: 16 January 2008

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1952 - 59

Memories more positive than negative, not many memories of good teaching.  Being lined up in the gym to be weighed naked at the beginning of each term, the red swimming slips, the traipse to Galley Lane, school on Saturday mornings all made me the fine upstanding citizen I am today!!  However Kelvin Hopkins, John Witton-Dauris, Ferd Fitt, Bev Newman and others still meet up occasionally.

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Most recent reply to this thread: 30 July 2014

THREAD 30
NAME: Stephen Giles  

DATE: 31 December 2007

CONNECTION WITH QE: Inmate 1957 - 64

Does anyone know what happened to Pew (Martin?) Iller who was in the 6th form around 1964.  He played superb rock n roll piano in our school band - The Konmen.  Who else was in that band?  Well, Dick Newton on vocals, Bruce Garvey on sax, Ned Calvert on guitar (he introduced me to making electric guitars!) and a few others I have long forgotten.

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Most recent reply to this thread: 3 July 2008

THREAD 29
NAME: Ian Sadler  

DATE: 14 August 2007

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1951 - 58

Some of your more ancient members (like me) will probably be sorry to hear that 'Alfie' (S. E. Alford), a master at the School (1947 through 1982) passed away on 5 August, following a stroke in early July.  He was my first form master (1A) and in spite of his occasional yelling I found him a good teacher and reasonably fair minded.  For those who might be in the area the funeral is at 2.30pm on Monday 20 August at St. Andrew's Methodist Church in Sholing, Southampton.  Family flowers only but any donations in his memory, which will be divided between St. Andrew's Church and the National Children's Home, should be sent to Jonathan Terry (Undertaker), 101 Peartree Avenue, Bitterne, Southampton, Hants SO19 7JJ

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Most recent reply to this thread: 16 January 2008

THREAD 28

NAME: Anon

DATE: 02 February 2017

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1969 - 73

QE was always something of a mystery to me - I arrived (into the 4th Form) just as the 1st forms were comprehensive and watched as the school tried to come to terms with its somewhat changed status.  Some teachers and ALL the prefects still strutted their stuff in gowns and lines were given out for the slightest misdemeanor.  There was an air of 'old school tie' and 'history' without any appreciation of the great change the School was actually going through.

There were, however, some great characters amongst the teaching staff - Bernie Pinnock, Eric Shirley and Mr Carter, as well as some really sadistic bastards - Able Williams and Mr Thomas to name but two.  And who will ever forget Mr 'Pansy' Patrick the music teacher, Mr Barnett the 1st ever economics teacher and marxist on the staff and Mr 'Gabby' Hayes who earned himself a half page obituary in The Times for his wartime exploits in the RAF during WWII.

I look back with a mixture of nostalgia, loathing and despair at the four years I spent there and wonder whatever happened to others in my year.

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Most recent reply to this thread: 05 March 2017

THREAD 27

NAME: Michael Joyce

DATE: 25 January 2007

CONNECTION WITH QE: Ancestral

In 1875 my ancestor Samuel Joyce went to QEGS aged 11.  He left in April 1881.  In those days QE was in a building in Wood Street, I think.  Does anyone have a photo of that building that they would be able to copy and let me have, please?  This is for a biography of Samuel that I am currently writing.  So far Hertford Archives and Local Studies have not been able to unearth a picture.

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Most recent reply to this thread: 16 February 2009

THREAD 26
NAME: Martyn Day  

DATE: 28 December 2006

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1956-63

I finally went back to the School again in October 2006, after 43 years of absence.  The visit came about as a result of meeting the headmaster John Marincowitz at the Rugby Match held in the summer in memory of Eric Shearley.  I mentioned that I worked in television and Mr Marincowitz asked me if I would care to take part in the annual Careers Fair, giving what advice I could to the Greg Dykes of the future.

It was very strange walking back into the school again after so many years, through that great wooden front door that once I had only been allowed to use on Founders' Day.  The entrance seemed just the same although the bursar's office has gone now - as has the old bursar.  I remember her always being dressed from head to toe in hand knitted clothes!  The rest seemed just the same, tiled corridors leading left and right covered with photographs of cricket elevens and rugby fifteens, gowned prefects and school captains all long gone.  The classrooms seemed the same as well and in my mind still home to those men who once tried to educate me there - Jerry Read, Bernie Pinnock, BOP Wakelin, 'Frosty' Winter, Cox and Dilly and on and on.  Whatever happened to them?

The boys I eventually got to meet that evening also seemed just the same - just as polite, just as enthusiastic, just as funny, just as cheeky, just as confused and naïve as my own generation.  The only difference was instead of endless white faces there is now a mix of Black and Asian faces too, and the place feels better because of it.

I came away from that evening with a clear sense of closure.  Although it seemed to be the same place where I spent 7 years of my young life I could see that I moved on and so has the school.  There was also a profound sense of gratitude.  That school made me what I am today; good or bad, and because of that there is a debt that I cannot pay.

I urge everyone to go back and walk those long, memory laden corridors one more time.  As Bob Dylan once said, "You can't know where you are going until you know where you've been."

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THREAD 25

NAME: Mike Carter

DATE: 10 November 2006

CONNECTION WITH QE: (very) old boy

I think if push came to shove it would be hard to find any old boy of any school willing to admit they enjoyed their time at school.  It is only with the passing of time that we start to look at our school days with some nostalgia (which isn't what it used to be) and no doubt through rose tinted spectacles.

I cannot say I was aware of racism in my day but then we weren't aware of it as we are today.  Name calling was always present as it is today but I think when you can look back over several decades then perhaps being at Queen Elizabeth's wasn't that bad after all.

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THREAD 24

NAME: Anon

DATE: 12 September 2006

CONNECTION WITH QE: Former pupil

I started late in QE i start late in year 9 and my other school was dubbed the worst ever school, but the facilities and teachers were much better, the teachers were more dedicated and caring and the facilities involved many computer rooms libraries sports stuff.

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THREAD 23
NAME: Stephen Giles    

DATE: 07 September 2006

CONNECTION WITH QE: Former inmate

Who remembers music lessons with Dickie Whittington?  I'm talking about the late fifties of course.  We were subjected to hideous classical 78s, all carefully placed on the turntable by Jackson, his favourite - until one day he put on Rock Around the Clock instead!!!  Dickie went absolutely crazy.  He always called me a thundering (possibly fundering) nuisance.

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Most recent reply to this thread: 07 April 2009

THREAD 22

NAME: Ilai

DATE: 06 September 2006

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 2004-11

Hi every1  i am still at school and just was wondering if any of you guys new of any secrets about the school i did not know about.  PS. BROUGHTON ROCKS

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Most recent reply to this thread: 01 August 2010

THREAD 21
NAME:Stephen Giles    

DATE: 16 August 2010

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64

Do they still have the same lines system at QE?  I remember that I was given my first lines by Johnny Hoskison in a French lesson.  There was almost an element of street cred after one had been given lines.  In Underne House, Poker Pearce set the "house limit" for lines received in a term, which if exceeded would result in the cane.  I also remember paying a boy to forge the entry on the top of lines paper to avoid a record in the lines book!

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Most recent reply to this thread: 12 September 2006

THREAD 20
NAME: Nigel Palmer    

DATE: 06 August 2006

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1954 - 1962.

I can recommend Edward Blishen's autobiography Sorry Dad (Hamish Hamilton, 1978).  Part 3 is a thinly disguised portrait of life at QE in the 1930s.  The names are changed but not much - QE is "Queens", Barnet is "Barton".  1930s may sound like ancient history but it could be a description of QE as I knew it in the 50s (and later?), especially the cruelty and the snobbery.  The first couple of years he was there were in the old building in Wood Street.  And "Sandy Spring" is clearly "Frosty" Winter as a young man.  Out of print, of course, but available via Amazon, etc., or though your local library.

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Most recent reply to this thread: 10 December 2007

THREAD 19

NAME: John Bibby

DATE: 31 May 2006

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1955 - 1959.

Reunion, anyone?  Rivetting memories, guys!  I can't believe the place was as bad as we make it out to be ... otherwise how could we be such sane, upstanding individuals?  :)

I'd lie to meet up with my contemporaries - it's just over 50 years since I first went there, and won't be around for much longer!

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Most recent reply to this thread: 13 September 2006

THREAD 18

NAME: George Christopher

DATE: 09 May 2006

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1977 - 1982.

Sorry to disagree with most of the threads, but I look back on my time at QEBS with fondness, even if I did get into a hell of a lot of trouble whilst there.  I suppose the fact I enjoyed all the sports activities helped but it was never really that bad, as I remember.

Were any of you who are reading this at QEBS at the same time as me?  Did you go on the school trip to Russia that turned into one vast drinking trip?  What about the annual rugby trip / tours to Wales?  Come on guys, put your rose coloured specs on and remember the good times, not just the bad ...

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Most recent reply to this thread: 21 January 2014

THREAD 17

NAME: Anon

DATE: 01 April 2006

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 2000 - 2005.

You know what?  QE wasn't that bad.

The cross-country runs, the muddy rugby games that I pretended to take part in, the mouldy swimming pool, whatever.

I sit here, living out my rock'n'roll fantasy life better than I could ever imagine, and yet I regret quitting after GCSEs.

Without naming names, we got to watch porn in certain classes over the projector.

We learned about the differences between tripping on DXM vs Codeine, the most efficient way to make a bong and how to synthesise meth.

I can safely say I did f*** all work for five years, especially when compared to the amount I'm supposed to be doing this year.  But there it is I guess, the QE entrance exam was non-verbal reasoning which I aced, and I was able to coast for five years.  I dunno.

Also, going to a Sixth Form with no real dress code actually makes you appreciate how easy, smart and useful wearing suits is.

Sure the rules may have been too tight in parts (no hair below the collar), but we got away with so much shit.

Class A drugs had been dealt out of the lockers, cigarettes were smoked pretty much anywhere on site that we dared.  For most of Year 11 half the year was stoned or drunk every day.

Not to mention the blatantly racist, violent confrontations that took place pretty much every day (I probably ended up saying "Paki" more than  Yes Sir" by the end of it).

I dunno, mixed reactions.  Nostalgia.

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Most recent reply to this thread: 10 September 2009

THREAD 16

NAME: Danny Keogh

DATE: 17 October 2005

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1992 - 1999.

Whilst there are mixed feelings toward the school, I simply wish to pass on the following information.  It is high unlikely that anyone who went to QE will not have a memory of Eric Shearly.  He did after all have an active connection with the school for over 75 years.

There will be a Rugby match in memory of him on Sunday 20th November at the School, kick-off early afternoon, probably 1.00pm.  I am informed by Uncle Maughan that the match itself will be a staff v. pupils games, former and serving teachers, pupils from any time period.  (Playing is not compulsory).  There will be a lunch of some description after the game.

For more details email me.

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Most recent reply to this thread: 23 February 2017

THREAD 15

NAME: Anon

DATE: 16 October 2005

CONNECTION WITH QE: Present 6th-form pupil.

I go to QE now and it was really interesting hearing about how it was back in the 50's on your personal website Vic.  I can officially say...it has not changed much!!!

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THREAD 14

NAME: John MacConochie

DATE: 01 October 2005

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil, 1955.

I wonder if anyone remembers me?  I started at QE school Autumn 1955 but was quickly expelled by Christmas the same year, then was sent to Clark's College, Finchley, but left by the back toilet window.  Was recaptured and flung into the black hole of Elizabeth Allen School for young malcontents.  GOD!  How your well written words on your personal website bring back so much of the hateful "Brick in the Wall" mentality that made the British educational system of our generation so deliberately dark.  Thanks for the memory.

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THREAD 13
NAME: Stephen Giles    

DATE: 27 September 2005

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil, 1957-64

I was amazed to see the picture on Dave Selway- Hoskin's website [no longer available] of the staff at QE in 1961.  At last I can put a face to all those characters I have often spoken about to my wife, who went to Northlands, still one of the top schools in Buenos Aires.  I wonder how many of those teachers are still alive?  I would imagine that few of them would last 5 minutes in the current regime of political correctness and racial equality!  I would be interested to hear from any OE's who remember me from that time.  I'm still playing guitar 40 years on, in fact I remember doing gigs during my A‑levels which I failed miserably.

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Most recent reply to this thread: 25 August 2017

THREAD 12
NAME: Stephen Giles    

DATE: 27 September 2005

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil, 1957-64

Hi, Vic.  It was fascinating to read your description of the time you spent at QE Boys on your personal website.  I was there from 1957 to 1964, so we overlapped slightly.  I was in Underne House with Poker Pearce as housemaster.  Alfie was my first form master in 1957.  Other memories - Eric Shearley yelling from one end of the corridor to the other; School Captain Fyler - a particularly sadistic specimen, the fat geography master and of course Ernie Jenkins with his "half term reports".

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Most recent reply to this thread: 18 August 2017

THREAD 11

NAME: Fred

DATE: 08 September 2005

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil, 1972-79

Like many others, I hated the place and it hated me.  Even though it had recently gone comp there was still the ridiculous pseudo public school air about it.  Took me several years to recover from the experience.  I've often wished they would, by some weird circumstance, invite me to the school for some reason so I could tell them to get stuffed!

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THREAD 10

NAME: Anon

DATE: 20 May 2005

CONNECTION WITH QE: Current student, Leicester House

I'm in year 7 and I've been at the school for just 9 months.  It's alright and the sports are alright.

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THREAD 9

NAME: Anon

DATE: 02 May 2005

CONNECTION WITH QE: Current Sixth Form student

QE today....

Well, I can tell you this.  Our school has the highest teacher turnover on record and as a result, boys aren't doing as well as they should do.  Reasons: 1) Staff are using our school as a stepping stone to gain a reputation and then be hired by an independent school.  2) Some staff believe the school's way of dealing with staff is incorrect.

The draconian system that exists in QE has only been doubled by the fact that all the playgrounds are shared by two year groups.

However, I have to object to the idea that our school has a negative effect on us.  That is not true!  It has recognized its failings and has improved considerably and has set to do so.  Teaching is so much more diverse and interactive and I am sure the boys would prefer this to the alternative that OE's have mentioned here on this forum.

Quite a lot of you dislike vehemently the senior management.  However, I feel they are instilling a sense of discipline that is ebbing away at a fast rate in our society.  And to the person who said QE is trying to be a private school - it is NOT!  You know the funding our school receives, and that it is nothing compared to other schools.  You should also know, that even in these harsh conditions, QE is actively providing resources comparable to independent schools.  If you think you could have gone to a local comprehensive school and got the same amount of resources, think again!

OEs and QEs, some of you undervalue this school's importance in giving us a standing in education, society and in life.

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Most recent reply to this thread: 09 December 2013

THREAD 8
NAME: Martyn "Daisy" Day  

DATE: 02 April 2005

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil (Leicester House) 1955-63

It wasn't a totally happy time for me - the six day week, the red bathing slips, the compulsory rugby, the standing on a sun drenched field waiting to say adsum for old Jenkins, the Latin, the detentions, the incipient snobbery blah blah - but when I think back, surprisingly it is only the happy memories that come through.  The informal guitar sessions in the hall at lunch time, Mr Wingfield's stories about how it felt to be shot - and he showed us the wound, how Mr Hoskins' (Hopkins?) crepe soled brothel creepers squelched when he returned from swimming lessons, the last day of Christmas term when some wag trampled the word "mojo" in the snow outside the school and nobody knew what it meant.  Eventually Mr Reid decided it meant "Negro love amulet!" Years later standing high on a ridge in the Andes I suddenly realised that I knew that the valley beneath my feet was glacial because Mr Dilly had told me so and the forest within it was an equatorial rain forest because he had told me that too.  Then it struck me that everything I knew and valued and loved - music, books, films, humanity, everything, was because a group of men had taken the trouble to show them to me and tell me they were worth appreciating.  Queen Elizabeth's might have been weird but in retrospect it was worth it.

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Most recent reply to this thread: 02 April 2015

THREAD 7

NAME: Anon

DATE: 30 March 2005

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1990s

"In reality, from my first to my last day at Queen Elizabeth's, I experienced the place as a vile prison full of nothing but nastiness, stupidity, ignorance and pettiness.  It seemed to me to be a very clear example of how the world should definitely not be." [He's quoting me from a page of my personal website - webmaster].

That pretty much sums up my experience of attending this hell-hole in the 90s, I can honestly say that QE was the worst five years of my existence.  I always had, and still have, the feeling that QE was far more concerned about its league position and image rather than actually educating and inspiring pupils to achieve anything significant.

I hated every second of it, from the very first day when (then headmaster) Eammon Harris humiliated a boy in the opening day assembly for the heinous crime of wearing a white shirt, through to the very last day when my friend and I were sent back to school for detention having been caught by Eric Houston and one of his prefect stooges on their routine drive around Barnet.  Our crime? standing in my friend's front garden at 4pm wearing t-shirts instead of uniform.

I also hated the embarrassment and humiliation which a lot of us had to put up with from our 'rivals' at Ravenscroft, East Barnet etc due to the school's insistence that we carry briefcases because QE is a school for 'gentlemen'.  Obviously not in touch with the mindset of the teenage boy.  Their idea: we look like upstanding respectable young boys.  Everyone else's idea: we look like excellent targets for abuse.

I also, like many, hated the fact that unless one was exceptionally academically inclined or good at sport, you were at best ignored, or otherwise vilified by the staff and sports boys Needless to say, the vast majority of those sports boys I knew are now a bunch of fat, coarse "I'm a real geezer" lager louts who all still live in Barnet and still dish out verbal abuse to other ex-pupils they might spot, despite having left school TEN YEARS AGO.

I pity anyone who is unfortunate enough to attend the school now, I don't know if things have changed, but judging by what I read and hear, it was just as bad before I went and continues to be so.

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.  I will be back.  For the record, the other house was Pearce (purple tie).

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Most recent reply to this thread: 17 January 2015

THREAD 6

NAME: Orlando Nelthorpe

DATE: 1 March 2005

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1969-71

Put me out of my misery.  I've been trying to think of the fourth house at QE.  There was Leicester, Holyrood, Stapylton and...???  I was a Leicester boy.  And which colours were for which (I remember Leicester was yellow!)

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Most recent reply to this thread: 26 January 2015

THREAD 5

NAME: Anon

DATE: 12 November 2004

CONNECTION WITH QE: Present pupil

I am a pupil at QE right now, in year 9 in Leicester House.  Believe me, you do not want to be at the school right now because it is a nightmare.  There is a lot of racism towards other races, and even though you cannot be caned, humiliation is just as bad.  Probably the most racist teacher in the school is ----------.

Hope this has provided you with an insight into the school today.

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Most recent reply to this thread: 01 October 2005

THREAD 4
NAME: David Selway-Hoskins  

DATE: 20 October 2004

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1950s

You are correct about my acting ability [see notes about the former school mag]. A debut as Calpurnia in JC was a false start to a non-career move.  I think I was only picked because my voice broke fairly late..

 Despite the bad times as a non-sporting pupil, I have to say that the School had a good effect on my career.  Through a contact of Ken Carter's I secured an engineering apprenticeship at Rolls-Royce which stood me in good stead through my engineering career.

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THREAD 3

NAME: Terry Greenham

DATE: 25 September 2004

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1954-60(?)

I know that I only ever stayed at the school because, as a boy from a council house my family were so pleased and proud that I had made it to QE.  I recall that I was fearful that somehow my home address and my Dad's job (he was a postman) would be found out by some of the others and I would be ridiculed.  I think that I got better at becoming a malingerer after the third form and the last part of my time at the school was a bit more bearable.  Mind you for many years I carried a strong desire to go back and get even with 'Tiger' Timpson for the times he gave me the cane.

I can remember that you [i.e. the webmaster] used to have an ability in Latin that was far in excess of any interest that I managed to maintain.  I still have no idea about the ablative absolute but due to Mr Whitely's intense belief in teaching by rote I can still decline bonus, so long as nobody is listening too carefully.  I always remember that Mr Whitely used to be in charge of the 'pound' and we used to have to pay a penny to redeem lost items (that was of course if you couldn't wriggle said lost item, or one similar, out through the wire mesh of the pound's basket).  Some wag said that MrWhitely's motto was to "take care of the pennies and the pound would take care of itself".  I always thought that was clever.

Our other Latin teacher was, of course, 'Winkie' Wingfield who was susceptible to the odd 'red herring' about Roman warfare which could often allow one an opportunity during his period to get on with uncompleted homework.  Many. many years later over here in NZ I heard a radio play by a Rex Wingfield and I made contact to check if it was the same 'Winkie' that I knew, but it turned out to be another author of the same name.

Another teacher who believed in the 'rote' method was 'Johnny' Hoskins/ Hoskinson (?) who taught French.  Again I can still remember some parts of a passage he made us learn.  It started "Il y a trois semaine j'etais en train d'ecoute la radio" or words to that effect.

As I the names come into my head.  I am thinking now of 'Dickie' Whittington (music teacher extraodinaire).  'Dickie' used to sit on a wooden chair and he had the habit of holding on to the chair as he walked sort of duck fashion from his desk to the record player.  I remember one day when one of the class put a drawing pin on his chair before the music lesson started and didn't have time to retrieve it before Dickie entered the room.  Dickie, quite a large man, came in and we sat in trepidation as he took his seat.  He sat down and nothing happened!  Dickie used to give us tests where we had to determine, or perhaps guess, the notes and the length of the notes, he was playing on the piano.  The last note was always 'doh', always 'four', and always the only one I ever got right.

The music room doubled as the art room where I recall being taught by a Mr Purches. 'Frosty' (Mr Winter) of course was charged with imparting his knowledge of history.  One day he suddenly decided on a history test.  The unexpected swiftness of this decision denied any opportunity to prepare cheat notes and I managed only to write my name and the date on the top of the paper.  I had absolutely no idea what the questions were about.  'Frosty' had a penchant for pulling the short hairs on the back of your neck, those short hairs having been sculpted by the deft hands of 'dribbling Tom' of the hair salon down the alley behind Flaxmans in the High Street.  Those of you who had the misfortune to be a customer of 'dribbling Tom', will know he got his name due to his propensity to dribble down and off the end of his pipe as he cut hair.

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Most recent reply to this thread: 03 August 2007

THREAD 2
NAME: Nigel Palmer    

DATE: 24 September 2004

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1954-62

I started at QE in 1954 (50 years ago!) in Form 1B - room T - form master Ken Carter.  Peg no. 148 ( stamped on my kitbag).  Much of the teaching consisted of the master reading from a textbook or making the class repeat paradigms by rote.  I remember Ernie Jenkins (headmaster), Bernie Pinnock, Jack Covington, 'Poker' Pearce, 'Frosty' Winter, 'Sam' Cocks and 'Tiger' Timson.  Old Mayes was the caretaker and he had an assistant, Sam.

Random memories: playing rugby on the Gun Field, picking stones out of my face after being tackled; shouting "School!" when supporting the First XV; wearing a red slip as a non-swimmer ( to pass the test we had to jump in at the deep end and swim a length).  Early friends were Vic Coughtrey, Tony Bolden, Jim Gurnett, Brian Hond and Arnold Segal.  Then later, Chris Martin and Gerry Hunt, when we were compelled to take classics, despite all protests to the contrary.  There was an underground magazine in the 6th form - the Isotope.

My career, after Exeter University, has been as a Librarian Institute of Classical Studies, London Zoo, Health Education Council and (for 30 years) St.Mary's Hospital Medical School.  I'm retired now, but still running half marathons, playing tennis and badminton, watching Spurs and following the Royal Shakespeare Company.

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THREAD 1

NAME: John Bibby

DATE: 31 August 2004

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1955-59

Thanks Vic for putting this site up.  I found your personal site rivettingly good.  It certainly reinforced my NEGATIVE memories of QEBS (stuffy, bullying, trying-to-be-posh-but-not-quite-making- it).

After leaving QEBS for Hull, I went to a distinctly un-posh mixed grammar, where I was much happier, and FLOWERED and SUCCEEDED.  (I was always mid-range at QEBS, yet the Hull school got me to Cambridge so QEBS can not have been all bad!)

Among POSITIVE memories of QEBS are some good friends (Nick Pollard who died recently, and others I have not seen since 1959 - I'd love to hear from Harry Johnstone, the Sinclairs, Tim Dunningham, Peter Connor, Andy Smith, Jim Bradford, Edward Millar, Stuart Quin and anyone else who remembers me).

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Most recent reply to this thread: 31 August 2014