MEMORIES OF THE OLD LIBRARY ROGER TYLER

(RGS 1944-1952)

I used to shoot .22” rifles in the range above the hall (now known as the Old Library). Chemistry and Physics labs were in the small corridor leading out of the back of the hall, which gave access to the rifle range. The corridor led to the back stairs which took you down to the woodwork shop and the cloakrooms and to the door which went outside.

Memories of the hall were that we had assembly there each day. There was a big stage at the southern end with a piano at one side. The masters and mistresses used to file in once we had assembled and the headmaster stood in the front to take the meeting. The whole school filled the rest of the space. We sang a hymn, accompanied by the piano, which was normally played by Mr Thomson, the Music and Woodwook teacher. We also had a reading from the bible and prayers. Then there were notices and other items before we filed out to go to lessons.

The hall served as the gym and we used to do PE there as part of the curriculum. In both sides were wooden wall bars which we had to perform on and there were three ropes attached to the ceiling which we had to climb. Various pieces of equipment were stored behind the stage. Also, there was a frightening piece of apparatus called a “Window Ladder” which hung from the roof. It was a wooden frame and was suspended from the roof by ropes. The idea was that you lowered it down and then climbed up into it and wriggled your way through it, I was too scared to do it and I don’t remember it being used.

Once a year we had a concert and, as a member of the school choir, we used the stage to sing to the parents who attended the concert. I certainly remember singing the Hallelujah Chorus and Drakes Drum on separate occasions. It also served as a theatre for stage productions and revues.

I recall a play called Lady Precious Stream, in which a boy called Tony Hidden played the female lead. He eventually went on to be an eminent QC or senior judge. I can remember a show, written by me, which was a send up of the In Town Tonight programme and in which I dressed up in my father’s suit to be the announcer. I interviewed various people in a series of sketches.

Also, a school show in which the characters sat beside an unexploded bomb

Do you have memories of your time at Reigate Grammar School that you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you – email the Foundation team at foundation@reigategrammar.org customer contact services throughout the group which took me to America, mainland China and the Philippines. which eventually went off. One of my friends specialised in making explosives and provided the necessary material to create an explosion – all this in a crowded hall full of people! Health and Safety would go bananas nowadays, but in the 1950s it was deemed to be Okay!

From humble beginnings to my executive position, I also managed three London Marathons and 25 London to Brighton bike rides. I was also Chairman of Reigate Round Table, 41 Club, the Reigate Fuel Bank and The Old Reigatians Association. For three years after I retired, I worked for the Citizens Advice Bureau as a volunteer on their Access programme. My motto throughout all of this was “If you can dream it, you can do it”. I still believe this.

That’s about all I can remember. Happy days in the gym at RGS.