Any bell-ringing alumni?

Bernard Gildersleve (Brown’s, 1935-40) has written in to share his memories of Alleyn’s. ‘When I started at Alleyn's in 1935, aged nine, we young boys were all expected to sing and the sound of arpeggios used to float over the quad – which was WJ Smith doing his stuff. I am indebted to him because I enjoyed singing and, after wartime service in an MI6 unit of the Royal Signals, I sang tenor in the City of London Choir for years. On retirement, my wife and I moved to Beaminster in West Dorset and I sang with the Dorchester Choral Society, again for many years.

‘Another hobby – I am an enthusiastic church-bell ringer. Are there any bell-ringing AOBs out there?’ If there are, contact me and I can pass on your details to Bernard.

Memorial Garden

Alumni’s memories of the Memorial Garden still come in. Mike Gilbert (Tulley’s, 1944-50) remembers that the gates to the Memorial Garden were made from a plan drawn by John W Hoar (Tulley’s, 1944-51) – apart from the crest. Mike writes that ‘John very carefully and accurately copied those gates from those at the entrance to the Foundation Chapel in Dulwich Village.’ Mike, a Rossall evacuee, also goes on to remember ‘one Saturday or Sunday evening in James House at Rossall when [Mr Haslam] organised a session of progressive games for we young residents – a most enjoyable event which I’ve never forgotten some sixty years later!’

Michael Smith (Brading’s, 1949-56) too was reminded of memories from 60 years ago. The article mentioned that Mr Haslam took his class on 'long country excursions to collect wildflowers and specimens of tree leaves.'

Michael joined Alleyn's in 1949, in Mr Haslam's class 1A, then housed at the end of the old 'Tin Tab'. ‘I have fond memories of his weekend nature trips in the countryside outside London. I am taken back to a sunny, windy morning: a dozen excited 11-year-olds, mums' sandwiches in satchels, disembarking at an isolated country railway station. The boys would follow Mr Haslam and, ‘as if by magic, every few yards we'd discover some wonder of nature and Mr Haslam would stop, and we would gather round to study, discuss and admire -- a colourful wild flower, a repulsive-looking toadstool, some exotic insects, a chaffinch's nest....

‘Our nature-study trip was an exciting series of magical discoveries…. Mr Haslam was not a "teacher" in the usual sense of the word. He had the gift to sublimely transfer his passion for his field to his pupils – effortlessly. In my years at Alleyn's I experienced four such "teachers" who had this extraordinary gift. In addition to Mr Haslam (nature), the others were Doc Gascoigne (biology), Doc Giles (literature) and Michael Croft (drama). I wonder whether other AOBs from this period would agree?’

Barry Hirst

If asked what the Emeritus Professor in Fine Art of Sunderland University, Barry Hirst’s (Brown’s, 1945-50) most significant influences were, he would ‘without hesitation’ nominate two members of staff: Freddy Goldner (Maths), the Brading’s Housemaster, and Ken Spring (Art).

Barry explains: ‘Games was scheduled for two afternoons a week. After Freddy’s intervention I had games for one afternoon. The second was taken up in personal tutorials. I was steered step-by-step through the first principles of arithmetic, algebra and Euclidean geometry. Though I wasn’t convinced at the time, I think I owe Freddy Goldner a great deal for his salvage work on my behalf. Maths made up the minimum number of subjects I was to need.

‘Ken Spring had established a clear identity for art within the school. With his help and support I went on to Camberwell School of Art, and later to the Slade School: all this in direct opposition to my parents’ plans.

‘Nowadays, I spend all of my time painting. This is what I do. I don’t think that this would have been the case without the help of these two members of the Alleyn’s staff. I owe them a great deal.’

Were you one of the sopranos who sang for Benjamin Britten?

Neil French was told by fellow AOB, Peter Coysten (Dutton’s, 1953-61), of Alleyn’s pupils participating in a musical event with Benjamin Britten. Further research in the Archives revealed that in 1956 no fewer than 40 sopranos from Alleyn’s went to Decca Gramophone Record Company’s studios in St John’s Wood to assist with the recording of Benjamin Britten’s ‘Let’s make an Opera’ under the direction of the composer himself. This must have been something of a coup for the School and obviously a very memorable event for the pupils concerned. Neil wonders whether anyone might have a copy of the recording – or information on how we might find one?

Help with faces

Prompted by the item about Frank Haylett (Roper’s, 1953-60) which appeared in the last alumni ebulletin, Chris Nelson (Cribb’s, 1954-61) and Ian Collie (Roper’s, 1951-59) have sent in a photo to see if anyone can remember these faces – in particular the corporal on the left. The others are: L-R Hugh Brunt, Row Rickwood and Frank Haylett. Any answers to me in the Alumni Office. Chris has also supplied a photo of the school’s CCF dating from this time – click here for the link to see it on the Club’s website – and wonders if anyone can remember everyone’s names?
 

© Alleyn’s School, Townley Road, London SE22 8SU