Raine’s Foundation School Sandra Johnson Tony Fuller Bill Richards Gwynneth Jackson Approach Road 9 Goddington Lane 81 Rosewood Avenue 26 Shandy Street Glevum Bethnal Green Orpington Elm Park Stepney Kirkby Malzeard London Kent Essex London Nr Ripon E2 9LY BR6 9DR RM12 5LD E1 4LX North Yorks Tel: 020 8981 1231 Tel: 01689 826854 Tel: 01708 473821 Tel: 020 7790 9235 HG4 3RS Fax: 020 8983 0153 Fax: 01689 873115 Tel: 01765 658825 FEBRUARY 2000 e weren’t sure how the Old Raineians’ Association be in Dominican Monasteries. Duncan Potts wonders too! would be able to reflect on the death of Wallie. In the The Wareing Trophy and the other trophies given for sport Wend it was thought that it was best left to the members etc. should be in the trophy cabinet at the present school. Mr of the Association, a number of whom had a great affinity with Cain, a jeweller round the corner from the school, inscribed them. Wallie as a teacher not only during their days at Raine’s, but also I remember having them all photographed for insurance purposes. after they left the School. Terry Hemmings (50-57) recalled the field trips with Lee It is hoped to publish a special edition of the Newsletter with Matthews etc. Terry and Val’s parents were active in the Parents’ your memories of Wallie Spooner. Please write to me as soon as Association. This was another good form, especially at making possible to enable us to begin. smoke bombs e.g. Alan Pratt and Mr Goode’s end-of-term The following is the last article I received from Wallie, just greeting! WALTER MARSHALL SPOONER 13TH MAY 1914 - 1ST JANUARY 2000 RAINE’S FOUNDATION SCHOOL 1946 - 1979 after he had read the last Newsletter and I felt Wallie would like Frank Clarke’s (31-35) comments were evocative of my early it to be published. days at the school, immediately after the war. Many of the staff “Read Geoff Gillon’s piece about ‘gifted’ people at Raine’s Frank knew were my colleagues and in due course I succeeded A and I believe that, during my time at the school, 1946 to 1979, all W Davies as the last Senior Master. Does he (or anyone else – the pupils were gifted otherwise they would not have been at ed.) remember Archie Dagger (Head); Arthur Davies (Maths); Raine’s! If I had to name the two outstanding academically then Wilfred Davies (Physics); Frank Luton (Physics); ‘Fussy’ it would be Gillian Malpas from the girls and Gareth Moore from Browning (Chemistry); Henry Wilkins (Chemistry); George Ty- the boys. ler (Maths); Alec Aldridge (French); Don Lyons (German); Gareth’s contemporaries were the best form it was my ‘Nobby’ Clark (Music); Jim Shivas (English); ‘Biffer’ Brough- privilege to teach, starting with the Adlington twins, Alan and ton; Teddy Horne (English / History); Bob Turnage (PE); Charlie John. A number of them went on to Oxbridge and most to Nay (Woodwork). Just pre-war, Engledow (French); Fred Phil- universities, many gaining PhDs. Barford, Barlow, Harris lips (Maths); Wilson (History). Also there was Jim Russell (Lab (English Universities Swimming Captain – Cambridge), O’Sul- Technician) and Albert T?? (Secretary).” livan – a grand bunch. But where are they now? They cannot all TRS NEWS SEPTEMBER 2000 PAGE 2 NEW MEMBERS their pasts! I am also still in contact with Thomas He was also asking if anyone knew the Faye (Head Boy, 94-95) who is working whereabouts of Tony Ashford, Ivor Ward, for HSBC and enjoying being in the world obert Cox (62-68) is the brother of Martin Gregory, and Alan and Ken of business. Rosemary Cox (59-66) who went Perkins? I have very fond memories of my time Ron to Oxford. Robert is still in at Raine’s and would love to hear from any contact with Andree Chambers. · Victoria Harper (88-95), who was others who were at Raine’s at the same School Sacristan, 93-95, was an Associate time as me.” · Anthony Fitzpatrick (56-63) was Member (free membership for four years unable to send any news as he was very after leaving school) and took up our offer · Victor Jarvis (38-45) was put up for busy at the time but promised to send of discounted life membership. membership by Rosemary and Jack Jarvis something at a later date. “In May I finished my Teacher Train- (30-38). Victor later sent the following: ing Degree and I am now qualified to teach “Your letter was a surprise, though I · Martin Frith (56-62) became an ap- Key Stage 1 (scary!). I am now living in knew that Jack had been in contact. This is prentice organ builder after leaving school Bacup in Lancashire (about 20 miles north a rewrite job since I made two good and then, from 1968 until 1971 was at the of Manchester) doing a Careforce year. resolutions at the time of reading it, Guildhall School of Music and Drama. This is a voluntary year out for young namely to respond now, before it all gets From there he becane a post graduate at the Christians between 18 and 25. I work on swept away in the confusion of Christmas, College of St Mark and St John. Martin an estate befriending and helping people in and to do so on the computer, which I use has taught at Eton College and Bradfield the area. all too rarely. Force majeure did the College and was a founder member of the I am still in contact with Evonne second one in shamefully short order, but National Youth jazz Orchestra. He has Markham (Head Girl, 94-95) and Andrea having written it all out longhand in il- also played in many West End shows and Robinson (Deputy Head Girl, 94-95). legible script here I am again in full spate, worked for TV, radio, record companies, They now both live in Manchester (ad- courtesy of my wife-who-is-always-right. etc. dresses please - ed.) where they went to My siblings all went to Raine’s in their Martin was another who is asking for study their degrees. They both gained day: any information on Richard Sinton, music degrees with Andrea training as a secon- George Harry (b 1916) master during his time at Raine’s, as he dary school teacher and now works at Percival John (1919) would love to get in touch with him. Trinity School Manchester. Evonne mar- Annie Barbara May (1925) Martin was at the Reunion where he ried last February and is working in Man- Victor Lucien (1927) - ME met Tony Fitzpatrick (above) who was in chester as a P.A. She is looking for a Pauline Ethel J (1929) Martin’s class through most of his school career change and hopes to break in to the Myself, Victor Lucien, was born in life. They had a good chat and laugh about world of computers (hacker? - ed.). 1927 and we are all still on our feet except George, who died just after the war. SCHOOL SONG On the first day of my first term, all the new entrants were left in the hall until they Many members of the ORA will remember the School Song, which were identified and borne off - except me. began with: I was left and it became apparent that my mother thought that she could dispense Since upon the throne of England with the stupid formalities by now. The First was hailed the name of George School didn’t know or had forgotten that However, few will know that the song was written by a pupil of the there were any more of the breed in the pipeline (let alone two), but still, they school, who went on to be one the country’s foremost dance band- didn’t load me up with any more stress leaders, who was recently featured in National Heritage’s magazine. than necessary. I started classes in IC Henry (later Harry) Bidgood was born on 18 November 1894, the under Mr Loughborough, I think, a ginger, son of George Grant Bidgood, a schoolmaster. At the time he entered raw-boned, very clean Christian whom I Raine’s on 5 May 1908, the family lived at 12 Clifton Road, Asylum quite liked. He taught RI and French and arranged a trip to Canterbury Cathedral in Road, South East London. Harry had previously attended the pres- the cherry season. I got a free seat, so had tigious Aske’s Hatcham School. a little pocket money, to pig cherries with, He was obviously talented early in his life as he wrote the school because I came top at scripture (it was all song when he was in the 6th Form, shortly before he left Raine’s on 31 new to me, and therefore very interesting). July 1912. He went on into what we would now call Higher Education, I offer this tip free to the teaching fraternity! obtaining an Exhibition to East London College to study Music. I remember very little of this pre-war year save that both my brothers spoke very After leaving the College he played in a number of bands before he well of ‘Juggins’ Andrews, but that started his own band, which he lead until shortly before his death in 1957. summer, evacuation swept ordered exis- tence away and memory was a more dif- Tony Fuller ficult thing. TRS NEWS SEPTEMBER 2000 PAGE 3 THIRTY YEARS ON - OGGI, OGGI, OGGI trip. If we girls were not interested in rugby and the nicer of the associated songs and the wonderful team spirit, we soon were.