Thirty Years On: September 1980 - July 2010 & The 25th Anniversary Reunion.....

A long time ago in a secondary school far far away......... 


My earliest recollection of having to go to Samuel Southall Secondary School, or "Sammies" as it was simply know as to everyone else in Worcester, was waking up on one groggy September morning in 1980, then subsequently closing my eyes and trying to forget that I had to be at Sammies in the mid-morning to begin my secondary school education. 


My transition from junior school to secondary school wasn't exactly a smooth one. At Elbury Mount I was in my comfort zone, I knew everyone there and to a certain extent at such an early age I pretty much liked all my school mates and teachers. (with the obvious exception of Mrs. Evans) In the springtime of my last (fourth) year at Elbury I failed the eleven-plus exam, and at the tender age of eleven I was convinced that my academic life was all but over. Instead of going to the Worcester Grammar School with all the clever kids and learning interesting subjects like latin, and greek mythology I would have to slum it out at Sammies, maybe learn some french swear words and be 'factory fodder' like everyone else. So the idea of changing schools and taking that relatively short walk to Merrimans Hill didn't exactly fill me with any kind of excitement. I'm the youngest of six, so there wasn't really any exciting school uniform shopping to do! In fact my mum ordered the maroon jumpers and white shirts from Kays catalogue, the rest was hand me downs.


Just shy of thirty years later, on a humid Friday afternoon, I was sat in a college classroom full of computers. I was caught in my usual catatonic state of indecision. I kept thinking to myself, "Do I want to go to the reunion or not?" I had exchanged texts and called one of my oldest and coolest friends from Elbury and Sammies, Mr. Wayne 'Cookie' Cook to see if he was going, but because of Wayne's job, (he's a top banana installing and maintaining boilers) he wasn't sure whether he could make it or not to the reunion. So I thought to myself, "If Wayne goes then I'll definitely go!" So I departed from the college of technology ("The Tech") and headed across town to TK Maxx where I proceeded to spend the best part of an hour trying to decide whether to buy a t-shirt, or maybe take the plunge and get myself a polo shirt. As my wife will quite happily testify to, indecision really is my middle name.... So after much soul searching I settled on a polo shirt, then plodded over to Boots to buy a replacement battery and a film for my camera, and got open-wallet surgery by a chemist in the process. My journey home from town consisted of being slumped on an overcrowded Blackpole bus lost in contemplation, peering out of the window whilst seemingly staring through the various buildings and pedestrians waltzing their way around downtown Worcester. I later sat alone in my bedroom staring transfixed at my shirt, whilst trying to think of a thousand excuses not to go to the reunion. Cookie didn't call me back so I guessed that he was delayed at work. From that moment of clarity I more or less knew that I would be going on my own. 


From the earliest stages of my childhood I've been shy, I'd like to think that if you know me well then you'll know that I'm kind of shy and reserved at first, but it's very different situation once I get to know a person! Its always been a major barrier of sorts for me. There has been many times where I've been walking around Sammies and I've wanted to say hello to people like Julie Foster or Shelley Smith, but could never muster the courage and consequently stayed insecure in my anonymity. One thing that hasn't changed over the years is that I have a strong dislike of walking into crowded places. I can't stand to walk into pubs and I won't even get on a bus if there are too many passengers on there. Its something that has stayed with me all my life and has remained constant. The fear of walking into a room full of people that I haven't seen for so long felt like the kind of hurdle that I didn't want to attempt to negotiate. In my time spent at Sammies (and later at Elgar) there were those of whom I liked, and those who made it their business to repeatedly ridicule and try to humiliate me, along with the many others who these clowns thought they were superior to. I would have sooner have stayed at home than have to endure someone who thought they were better than me, stand there and judge me, whilst wanting to know what I've got and whether or not it was more than what they had. I'm the kind of person that if I like you then I will do anything in my power for you. But on the other hand, if I don't like you then I don't want anything to do with you. Think of it as a "Keep your friends close, and your enemies further still" philosophy.


I scanned down at my list of friends from Elgar on Facebook. the quiet echo of my conscience went from a murmur to a whisper. The seeds of doubt were sewn earlier in the week when I got an e mail from Louise Peffers (Evans) asking if I was going on Friday. Louise is a dear friend of mine, who I hold in high esteem, and the thought of missing my old friend was difficult to take. I gazed at the profile pictures of my Facebook friends, I looked at the images of my friends like Steven Johnston, Angie Roddis, Neil King, Julie Foster, Vanessa Glisson, Susan Patrick, Shelley Smith, Sharron Price, Richard Ellis, Joanne Roberts, Steven Smith, Sharon Jackson and many other pics. They were all the motivation I needed.


As I walked up Astwood Road, I made it over the brim and took in the memories of my old school friends who lived in and around the hills (Rainbow and Tunnel) and passed a couple of my old school friends houses en route. As I sauntered down Rainbow Hill I felt the same range of emotions that I did back in September 1980 when I took the short, but steep amble from my domicile to  Samuel Southall Secondary School. I remember reluctantly stepping out of the front door of my house via Church Road and onwards to sammies. There was some kind of nervous anticipation, mixed with a foreboding sense of nausea at the thought of walking into a playground chocked full of rules, conformity and kids drowning in a sea of maroon blazers and other colour co-ordinated school attire. The forlorn figure of Simon Peters was the first person from Elbury Mount who I saw treading water in that maroon toned oceanic playground back in 1980. Fast forward to 2010, and it was the solitary figure of Mr. Neil King (Sid) who I caught in my peripheral vision standing outside the Pheasant.


I took a deep breath, and with trepidation, sauntered into the lion's den. I was immediately welcomed by a friendly face. I think if I ever wrote a script of who I wanted to meet first at the reunion, Steven Johnston might have very well have been one of suspects at the top of the list. Back in 1980, in that draughty Sammies main hall, our two names were called out, and we ended up amongst others in our form called 1-2. Steve was a great friend of mine at Sammies. In retrospect, I think that more or less all my class mates in 1-2 were on the whole a great bunch to be around. I was quite fortunate to have such a great number of characters in my class. Our form tutor was Mr. Davies, who to be fair, wasn't exactly a barrel of laughs to be around, and I think that helped galvanise us as well as a classroom full of nervous eleven year old kids who were slung together could be.

From Back L-R Mark Zikking, Arlette Mayo, Jo Roberts, Ruth Rice, Sharron Price, Wayne Cook.  

From the moment I set eyes on Steven Johnston the night just went from one hectic noise filtered conversation to another! It was great to meet and speak to old friends like Kevin 'Striddle' Stride and Mark Zikking. Striddle was also in 1-2 with me, and was and still is one of the most amazing characters I ever met at Sammies. Kevin was upbeat, and had a knack for making funny, astute observational comments about anything and everything. After an hour of listening to one of Mr. Whittle's historical diatribes Kev was just the tonic I needed!! What can I say about Mark Zikking? Well, I knew Zik from Elbury Mount, and we were always playing football together at in the Elbury playground. Zik is a lifelong Derby fan and always used to give me grief about Crystal Palace FC. Which is something he continues to do with aplomb!! On numerous occasions I've walked home from Sammies with Zik down Green Lane, and talked non-stop about music! Speaking as someone who spent his teenage years and beyond locked in a deathmatch with all music genres it was a revelation to listen to other informed opinions about music that I liked. I'm pretty certain that when I first to I went to Tramps on a Tuesday night, that I went down there with Zik! 

From L-R Darren Douglas, Sharron Price, Ian Bedford, Joanne Roberts, Paul Davies, Shelley Smith, Arlette Mayo

I think if I had to pick someone from my days at school with whom I have known near enough all my entire school life, then one of the first names would probably be Alan Mansell. I've known Alan from my days at Elbury Mount Infants, to Elbury Mount Juniors, and right through to his breakdance days, and to that dark day when he broke my nose with a cricket ball at Sammies! We were playing our cricket house matches, and Alan and myself were both in the Wulston cricket team. I had played cricket with Alan for quite a few years, and I knew that he could bowl the ball at a rapid pace, so bearing all that information in mind when he decided that he wanted to have a practice at bowling I told Alan that I would be his wicket keeper. Alan then tried to give me some good advice, and told me not to bother, but of course, I knew better. So Alan did his usual accelerated run up, stuttered at the line and in a high speed perpendicular motion delivered the ball down the pitch. I stood there hypnotically (or stupidly) as I seemed to be caught watching the flight of the cricket ball in slow motion as it made its way like an exocet missile to where I was stood. I stopped the ball, but unfortunately with my nose. All I heard was a dull thud, and a crack!! My nose then proceeded to explode and I had to go back to the changing rooms and mop the blood out of what was left of my nasal passages!! Our PE teacher at the time was Mr. Johnson. He told me to go to the changing rooms, get cleaned up and get changed. But I decided to go back down and still played the cricket game!! 
So the moral of the story is never volunteer to catch a cricket ball with Alan Mansell....


It was a real unexpected pleasure to meet both Diane Houldey and Claudine Jones again. Diane and Claudine were both stuck with me in 1-2!! Diane was quiet, but when she did speak, was engaging and had an incredible sense of humour. Claudine was kind of similar to Diane, she was tall and had the most beautiful natural wavy hair. When I saw Claudine for the first time at the reunion, her hair was straight. It felt so strange to see Claudine like that! Diane and Claudine still are absolutely gorgeous, and I enjoyed every minute in their company at the reunion.


Thinking about "gorgeous" reminds me of Joanne Roberts and Sharron Price. I have a lot of happy memories of Joanne and Sharron at Elbury Mount Infants and Juniors. Joanne Roberts was always a good friend to me, and someone whom I have always adored with deepest affection. As if to compliment this, Sharron Price is another person with whom I hold in the highest regard. Back in my Elbury days I used to like to talk to Sharron and Joanne. If there is such a thing as poetic justice then the fact that they are seemingly inseparable is proof enough for me. Every time I look at Joanne and Sharron, they seem to look more beautiful than before.


By contrast, Richard Ellis and Steven Smith are not beautiful!! Richard "Reggie" Ellis started at Sammies in the second years, as I think Steve may very well have done too? Mr. "Frank" Mason was our form tutor back then, and after meeting Richard for the first time I decided to take him under my wing!! I more or less shepherded Rich around the Sammies and kept him out of trouble until my work with Rich was done, and the rest is history!! As everyone knows Richard Ellis is an awesome character, and was a pretty decent footballer too. For as long as I knew Steven Smith at Sammies, I expected two things: No. 1. That whenever he saw me, he would call me "Chalky Whitely" (A character from out of Coronation Street....) and that one day Steve would be in the army. One Wednesday night, after playing skittles I was at the chip shop at Rainbow Hill, and I saw Steve. He told me about how he was in the army and etc. and quite honestly it came as no surprise! Sometimes you look at people and you just have an inkling that they're destined for great things, and Steven Smith would definitely be no exception to that case.


Back in my days at Elbury Mount, I heard a story about a scottish girl called Angie Roddis who was in Mrs. Evans class. With the possible exception of my mate Graham Dargie, I'd never really met anyone from Scotland before and was curious to see her!! I also heard that she could look after herself, and as a ten year old it kind of made me a little wary of Angie!! Can you imagine my surprise at that Elbury Mount playground when I first set eyes on this beautiful, darken haired angel.......? I thought surely this isn't the same Angie Roddis who'll beat me up? I think she probably did punch me at some point at some point! I was so happy to see Angie again at the reunion, and I actually plucked up the courage this time to speak to Angie too!

From L-R Julie Foster and Sharon Jackson

Julie Foster and Arlette Mayo were two enigmatic mysteries to me. In the fourth years Arlette was in my art class. (with Mr. Ryder) I'm not entirely sure if Julie was in any of my classes at all at Elgar? But to me Julie was instantly recognisable because her distinctive red coat, which seemed to compliment her beautiful blonde hair. I would often see Julie, and I seemed to always watch Julie in slow motion as she glided serenely like an earthbound seraphim around the school campus. 

Julie and her red coat!

One thing about Arlette which always stood out to me was her wonderful smile. Arlette was a very welcome diversion in art, along with Ying (now Theresa) who were a pleasurable alternative to listening to Wayne Jackman who was also in our class. Jacko's sole purpose in class was to distract me, and wanted me to do anything apart from art. He really didn't care less if he passed his art exam or not! By contrast to the serenity of Julie and Arlette, Jacko may probably have been some kind of mischievous imp/demon in human form!

From L-R Mark Zikking Jason Head Kevin Stride Sharron Higginson

One of my more embarrassing moments on the night was when I talking to someone who was telling me all about my family. I kept looking at her face, and thought to myself that that I knew her from somewhere, but I couldn't remember who it was? As I listened intently I kept trying to think of who she was, and in my desperation I decided to take a photo. I looked through the lens and was ready to take the photograph. From out of nowhere the name Anne-Marie Bornio (sp) jumped out at me!! Anne-Marie lived just up the road from my house, As if to compound my memory I even walked past Anne-Marie's house on my way down to the reunion!! But it wasn't until the very last second that I recognised her!! Anne-Marie still has that lovely wavy hair and beautiful eyes. Back when I used to see her at school and on Astwood Road I was captivated by her, but was far too shy to say anything...... 
Errr.....well that was embarrassing moment #560,034 on my list.

From L-R Sharron Jackson Kevin Stride Angie Roddis Mark Zikking

I think that maybe one of the most naturally gifted footballers I have ever seen at Sammies who I personally known was Darren Bullock. Back in my Elbury days I used to play football over Brickfields Park, and Darren was always over Brickies playing footie, and was usually along with Michael Perry!! Darren was an amazing character with it too. The last time I saw Darren he was at Worcester City FC. I was so chuffed for him when he played at Huddersfield and later at Swindon Town. Darren Bullock lived the dream and I have so much respect for that. Although I maybe a little jealous that Darren's got his own entry on Wikipedia!

Another happy surprise was seeing Zoran Vukasovic again. We were in the same group for english literature, and I always remember going with our english literature group, along with with Mrs. Clayton to watch the play Anne Frank at a school in Hagley. Let's be honest, when you're going to watch Anne Frank it's not exactly going to be a laugh a minute really is it? But Zoran was a great kid to be around, he has a very sharp wit, which kind of made the subject matter of the play a little more bearable, and lightened up the evening! Mark 'Den' Davis noticed that Zoran's dad had a van parked on Hollymount Road with the sign 'V. Vukas' painted on the side. And Den being Den, proceeded to remind Zoran about it at every opportunity he got! So consequently, whenever I travel through Hollymount Road I always think of Den, Zoran and his dad's van!


I always like to read Kevin Sanders-Broomfields's posts on Facebook, he has a keen sense of humour, and has makes interesting quips and observations which always seems to make me laugh. To see Kevin again was an immense pleasure for me. Much in the same vein is Paul 'Poopsy' Davies. I knew Paul from Elbury Mount, and in the aftermath of the Sammies and Perdiswell amalgamation,  I saw Paul again for the first time in years. He was and still is one of the finest characters at the new Elgar that I encountered. I think of all the people I've ever talked to on Facebook, Paul has to be one of the most quirky, truthful and down to earth mates I'll ever know. Paul more or less has the same warped sense of humour as I do, which is so very disturbing on many levels......


Ian "Beds" Bedford was in my physics group in our fourth and fifth year, along with our teacher Mr. Tavender, and with a strong supporting class that featured Darren Brown, Christopher Brace, Jason Head, Steven Cook, Steven McCarthy and occasionally, Victoria Ainsbury. As many of you know Ian has always been a very cool fella. For many a few years Ian sold me a lot of electrical gadgets in his time at Dixons. It was awesome to see Ian again, and to me he has hardly changed at all since I last saw him, and I mean that in a good way!  


Lisa Allen was someone who I tended to see around school, and was another person who used to live down the road from me. Usually if I saw Lisa she was in the company of another special person, Lorna (Heeks) Dangerfield. Its funny in a sense that I probably saw more of Lisa outside of school than in it!! It was a delight to see Lisa again, she still has that beguiling smile and beautiful eyes. Lisa was in good company at the reunion, Susan Patrick and Karen Smith were also at the reunion, along with Tina Tunstall,  Janice Kemp, Debi Smith, Jane Brace and Lynda Hodgetts. 


Darren Wells is another person I've known since my days at Elbury Mount, and in the last 2 years at Elgar we were in the same form together. Our form tutor was Mrs. Rogers, and in our class amongst others were Richard Weston, Rob Lewis, Paul Gummery, Phil Young  and Michael Barrow. 


Louise Peffers (nee Evans) is someone who I hold in high regard and have affectionate memories of. Back in my early childhood in the mid seventies I lived in Cherwell Close, and Louise lived three doors away from me. As a matter of fact Robbie Meiklejohn lived next door to Louise, and Karen Woodward lived next door to me! At the age of five or six, Louise and her mum taught me how to play cards, and in the process also taught me how to count!! I eventually moved away from Cherwell, and over to Astwood Road, then later when I started at Sammies I had the pleasure to meet Louise again. In my third year at Sammies friends like Louise, Richard Ellis, Michael Perry, and Chris Brace were very special to me, and that in no way diminishes my other school friends at Sammies. Thanks in part to Alan (Mansell) posting pictures of Louise (!!) on Facebook I was able to say hello and re-connect. I don't think she's changed one bit. I still think that she's grounded, and has a great attitude to life. It makes me so happy to see how well she has done well for herself. In retrospect it  made my going to the reunion all the more worthwhile just to see Louise.

In Memorium to David Ballard who sadly left us in 1996.

A poignant part of the night for me was talking to Nicolette Platt and Paul May. Nicolette is the sister of David Ballard who sadly died in 1996. Both David, Paul myself went to Elbury Mount together, we all lived by Brickfields Park, and used to get up to all sorts of mischief together!! Paul and I were both in Mr. Baker's class in my second years at Elbury Mount, and at a time where I was inserted into a classroom full of kids a year older than me, Paul was a great friend. Paul lived near opposite to Dave, so usually if I went to play footie with Dave then Paul was there abouts too!! I have so many happy memories of Paul and Dave, and his family. It was great to see Nicolette and Paul again, even if it did feel kind of bittersweet, but the memory of my mate David Ballard will live on.


            
There were those who I saw at the reunion, of whom I never got the chance to speak to. Two of those people in question were Sharon Jackson and Shelley Smith. I always take time to read both Shelley and Sharon's posts on Facebook. Their posts are of all descriptions, and usually they get quite a lot of feedback, which are fun to read. Admittedly Sharon was busy dancing when I saw her at the reunion, so I missed my opportunity to say hello! I missed Graziella Rainsford, who was one of the first people from Sammies who I first tried to look for on Facebook. I also missed Sharon Edwards and Vanessa Glisson, who also used to go to Elbury Mount back in the day. I saw Darren Poolton throughout the evening, and briefly got the chance to say hello to Tony Watson and Andrew Harper.   


September 1980 was the start of my secondary school journey, and to a larger extent the first tentative steps into a larger scary world. In July 2010 I relived those same lingering feelings of self-doubt, anxiety and insecurity as I did on my first day at school. In 1980 we were all young, irrelevant and naive. In 2010 we are all a lot older, worldly-wise and maybe just a little less naive. In 1980 I thought that my school life was over before it had begun. In 2010 I'm at college and wish that I'd have paid more attention at school. I tend to think of my friends at Sammies and later Elgar as being the bedrock of my childhood. They were what helped me make sense of a crazy world, and put up with my good moods and bad. After leaving school I never got any kind of closure. I've often spent many an hour thinking about my friends at Sammies and Elgar, (particularly when I was in the USA) and consequently ruing the fact that on my last days at Elgar and beyond, that I never took the time and effort to keep in touch with my friends. 


After temporarily overcoming my own personal demons like indecision and self doubt. I'm glad that I went to the reunion on Friday. It was nice to share in the memories of all my old school mates. It wasn't easy for any of us from 1980 to 1985. We were all rounded up and branded, then collectively catapulted on a crazy journey for five incident packed years of our lives. To encounter my old friends again and relive our shared past was an amazing experience which I will savour for many a day.


A big thank-you goes out to Ian Bedford and Alan Mansell for organising the reunion.


I would also like to express my gratitude to Julie Foster, Karen Smith and Rachael Hemming for allowing me to use their photos.