9 minute read
Andrew Cainey CO82
Old Truronian News
We were delighted to receive a visit from Michael Greenfield CO61 in May. He kindly shared with us his recollections from his time at School and the said visit:
I could have used the old cliché ‘A Trip Down Memory Lane’, but I preferred to call it ‘A Trundle up Trennick Lane’, and it certainly was. I last visited the School in 1964. When you approach the bottom of the School drive, passing Pentreve and Malvern boarding houses, the first view of the impressive main building remains much the same as I remember it in the 1950s.
If my memory serves me right, we were the first year to spend two years in the same boarding house. I started in Poltisco with housemaster Mr. Tonkin (TS 1937- 78), missed Pentreve, and then went straight to Malvern (Mr Worthington (TS 1941-68) being our housemaster for two years), missing Epworth, before going to the main dormitories, on the top floor, under the watchful eye of Mr Penna (TS 1945-79) for another two years.
When you drive up Trennick Lane towards the main car park you start to see the number of new buildings that have been built; I still recognised the older classrooms as they were. Sadly, no running track or outdoor swimming pool now.
We found our way down to Reception, following the arrows to meet Amanda who was to show us around.
A look in the Dining Room, still with its panelled walls, reminded me of serving at table, in the Fourth Year I think. I enjoyed this duty because after we had cleared the tables we had our breakfast, having what remained in the kitchen, more than the rest had enjoyed There may be some who remember the shortlived ‘food strike’. As we left the Dining Room the ‘bell’ sounded; I asked if the old bell was still in use, only to find technology had replaced the open window and rope.
I was able to show both my wife and Amanda the groove in the window sill where the rope had rubbed against the brickwork for all those years.
Walking around the School I was able to reminisce: about the caretaker’s wife cooking the rabbits that we caught using a ferret belonging to one of the day boys; on frosty nights throwing water along the side of the woodwork classroom, top quadrangle, to make a slide for the following morning; during the Spring term a tradition of putting the First Years in the boiler house during morning break time, affectionately known as ‘bashing-up’ term, this was done by the Second Years; going into Truro on a Wednesday afternoon if you had any pocket money left, making sure you had the correct shoes on and wearing your cap in case you were spotted by either a master or a prefect.
Discipline was fairly rigid then, it seems a lot more relaxed now. Our clothes had to be folded and correctly positioned in the cubicles behind your beds and were checked on a Sunday morning before church. Timetables had to be strictly adhered to. Punishment consisted of detention, lines, squares and cubes. Now, as I enjoyed maths, for a small fee, I did the squares and cubes for others. These had to be handed to the prefects for checking at tea time.
There may be a few of you that can remember on Sunday afternoons, crossing the London Road, walking to the main railway lines and putting pennies on them for the train to flatten. Also, going to the girls’ school where they brought us jam sandwiches from their Sunday tea before we went back to school for our tea. Perhaps I shouldn’t mention the rockets we made from rolled-up exercise book covers and filled with weed killer and sugar with Jet X fuses that actually took off when lit.
One would say that perhaps I could have used my time more wisely whilst at Truro, but passing the subjects at O-Level that I enjoyed, combined with the character-building ethos at School, gave me the ability to stand on my own two feet and to be independent, enabling me to achieve my goals in life of becoming an engineering draughtsman, then a mechanical engineer and, eventually, running a manufacturing division of a carpet company in Kidderminster, where I worked until my retirement at the age of 60.
SEVERAL OLD TRURONIANS ARE SET TO PERFORM IN AN EXCITING NEW PERFORMANCE OF E.M. FORSTER’S A ROOM WITH A VIEW THIS AUTUMN IN CORNWALL
Featuring Daisy Newburne Munn CO18, Hugo Usher-Sparks CO18, Steph Blair CO21, Rachel Vaughan CO98, Will Jones CO18, Kya de Glatigny-Hogg and Matt Coumbe CO22.
About the story: On a trip to Florence with her fussy cousin as a chaperone, Lucy Honeychurch encounters the Emersons, a working-class father and son who challenge her to look at the world anew. Passion blossoms in a sea of violets and Lucy’s world is turned upside-down. Returning to England, where society’s expectations close in on her, Lucy has to decide what her life is going to be.
More than a romantic love story, Forster’s ingenious comedy is a study in class and social values. Bodkin Theatre Company have reimagined this favourite classic with their trademark wit and humour, bringing alive an array of colourful characters who at once amuse and confound us. Pompous clergymen, entrenched uppermiddle-class gentlefolk and boisterous uncontrollable youngsters – all of them invite us to witness their follies, but in the end Forster’s sense of humanity demands that we laugh with warmth and compassion.
A Room with a View is on at the Minack Theatre from 10 – 15 September (tickets can be booked at minack. com) and at Trebah Gardens on Friday 2 September:
trebahgarden.co.uk.
A CORNWALL-BASED ACCOUNTANTS HAS ANNOUNCED THE ARRIVAL OF
NEW PARTNER TO THE FIRM: OLD TRURONIAN JAMES PEARCE CO91
After more than 12 years working as an equity partner at Creaseys in Tunbridge Wells, James is bringing his wealth of experience to Cornwallbased accountants Lang Bennetts.
James joins Becky Thomas, Daniel Orasnjak and Helen Hood as a partner, following the retirement of Colin Truscott and Jonathan Mashen who continue to act as consultants. Having grown up in Mawnan Smith and attended Truro School from 1984-1991, the move represents a return to home territory for James, whose previous role helped transform the business he worked with. Before that, his career included nearly a decade with two of the ‘Big Four’ accounting firms and six years as a partner with top-20 national firms.
James said, “Lang Bennetts is a wellestablished firm with an excellent reputation, and I’m excited to be part of the team. I’m passionate about properly understanding clients so that the advice provided is tailored to individual circumstances. Lang Bennetts has long been known for its expert, personal approach, and my new partners and I look forward to building on that solid foundation by continuing to ensure every client gets the help they need to prosper and thrive.”
Started in 1935, Lang Bennetts currently has offices in Truro, Falmouth and St Austell. Partner, Becky Thomas, said, “We’re delighted that James has joined us. His knowledge and experience are outstanding and will doubtless make a key contribution to our business and its ongoing development.”
ALISON MORTON CO80 AND DAVID MORTON CO82 VISIT THE SCHOOL
In May we were glad to welcome back Alison Morton CO80 and David Morton CO82 for a school tour. Alison told us that David was Head Boy three years after older brother, Nigel, class of 79. He was thrilled to see the Head Boy board during the tour.
JERRY BARNES REUNION CO79 IN JUNE
In June, Jerry Barnes CO79 organised a minor school reunion, nearly 50 years after first meeting at Truro School in September 1972.
Jerry told us, “we are all years 1972 to 1979. From left: Graham Keast, Andrew Carter, Billie Hunter, Paul Triniman (our generous host in Dorset), Jerry Barnes and Bob Bray. Sadly, Paul Doughty and Rob Lomas couldn’t make it at last minute. Long day and evening of stories, catch-up and many beers.”
CLASS OF 72 REUNION
Left to right: Davie Hicks, Nigel Williams, Pete Winkler, Andy May and Charles Barnecut.
In May, we heard from Nigel Williams CO72 who shared with us the news of a small class of 1972 reunion in Falmouth to remember 50 years since leaving Truro School.
We heard from Ken Pye CO57, who shared some photos from his time at School and his life more recently.
A picture of the Pentreve ‘Dormy’ play c.1956; the bond ‘girl’ is John Rhys Davies, who later thanked me for starting his acting career. Martin Fido (later a Professor) and I produced it and spent all of our 10s allowance on the wig!
My good friend and fellow Londoner Viner (on left) and me throwing our mortarboards into the river from the bridge, slightly precarious, on the last Sunday of term (1957) after marching through town from our last service at St. Mary’s.
Jack Williams and me (I am still in touch with him). in Australia we were both apprentices with De Havillands; I am very proud to be exDe Havilland. I became an aircraft designer on Airbus, 125 biz jet and, finally, the 146; coincidentally, the Queen’s Flight have just retired their last two. Unusually, I had a difficult task on these a/c in finding space for clothes! The TQF guys said ‘our ladies do like their hats’! This was when Diana was part of the royals. I later got a patent for emergency evacuation from the 125, still used by the Japanese Defence Force to drop life rafts! The Wardens in 1954 at the back of the Wardens’ Hut.
Last day at Truro: me on clarinet, Hancock on cornet and Johnson on trombone outside Epworth. Some of us jazz fans would ‘sit in ‘in the eve in the small room by the tuck shop to play jazz. We weren’t very good - I think our favourite L.P. was Louis Armstrong plays Fats Waller. I live near the Cleo Laine Dankworth Stables venue so can still hear good live jazz. Although retired, I work as a volunteer at The De Havilland Museum restoring a De Havilland Rapide. Many of my friends came from the Scillies flying by Rapide from St Mary’s to St Just; better, they said, than the Scillonian, which rolled alarmingly! (Flat bottom.)