Memorabilia 4
1. Cap and Scarf
Dave Nicoll sends us this image of School Uniform items from the mid to late Fifties. Thank you, Dave.
Hello again, Mac.
I am attaching a photo of my cap and scarf for the site and possibly posterity! Will try and contact my old mate Les D. who has one of the earlier "ringed" caps and include a photo of this. Thanks for all your hard work; it is much appreciated. Holgate rules!
Dave Nicoll
Pre-1957 a lot of us went over the buck, box and horse. We also went up those wall-bars. We used all the equipment during Tarzan Tag or Pirates. Item from Sid Kenningham. Thank you, Sid. Reference Sheila's "New Block" thesis on the apparatus in the hall, and "Pirates". To date I have never seen such a wonderful "playground". Regarding the brown wooden benches, Sheila, like you I cannot for the life of me recall from whence we pulled them into use. In addition to the wall-bars, can you recall the square climbing frame at the back of the hall? How many ropes were there across the width of the hall, Fourteen? I am now 68.5 years old but given the chance. I wrote in my comment about my lack of sporting attributes. Even in the Gym, the buck, the parallel bars and the box were not for me. 3. Equipment in the Old Gym
If you have any Gym memories, please send them in. What were the stands used for? "Soft landings" were made on those harsh tufted mats. Were they made of coconut fibre?
The stands were used for practicing high jump.
Frank Morley 5. Prefect's Cap from the Fifties
Prefects did not have to wear caps in the Sixties. Is this correct?
Dave McKenzie 6. Ropes
To stray a little - I don't recall any "roped - rings". I would have stayed there all day and night climbing a foot up rope one, two feet up rope 2 etc. to the centre and back down the other side. To swing across on the ropes from half way up the square climbing frame was "greatly frowned upon" but was truly "BLISS!
Even at 68/69 years of age, I would run a mile to re-experience my joy of climbing on those ropes. Even in my days in the Army I never came across such an array, and they certainly were high! I am sure that my "memory" would drive/permit me to repeat the pleasure.
Those benches we knew, were completely made out of planking. One 9" wide atop, one half width on either side and one 9" wide piece with a VEE notch cut out of its at the bottom at each end. With a couple of stringers at 30/60 degrees underneath to stop the ends splaying. Whilst writing I feel I am sitting on one!
Was it last week, or last year, Sheila! It seems like yesterday!
Malc. Thomas
7. Girl's Hat
Item from Alice and Geoff Govier. Thank you.