Swanley Comp

A Memory of Swanley.

My name is Phil Kincaid, born in 1962.
I attended Swanley Comp for most of the seventies and it was a brilliant school. It suited me down to the ground. The teachers there encouraged individuality and nurtured my artistic nature. The visual and performing arts - being such an important part of me - were dominant at the school. The headmaster, Dr Henry, played Cor Anglais in the school windband and orchestra. Every year we had a major school concert, a dance festival, a musical and a Shakespeare. Of course, Christmas was also a major event. The music department was run by Mr Stubbs (affectionately known as Mrs Tubbs) and I can remember he took the lead in the school's production of 'The Beggar's Opera' along with several English teachers and others. It was in these buildings I developed my love of music and performance (my first drag act took place there - myself and Julian were Nut and Bolt ('screw was otherwise engaged') half sisters to Hinge and Bracket) and I could easily get out of PE by saying I had a music lesson and go off somewhere to smoke! All the music teachers were my friends!
The art department was also second to none. The facilities were superb and the teachers just wonderful. Gloria Wright- in charge of ceramics- was absolutely my best friend. When she had a period off she would shut the blinds and tell me to skive the next couple of hours so we could make pots and natter. Also, when Andy and I took our 2 day ceramics practical exam, let's just say,well, it was the 70s and there were certain things then that encouraged one to be more creative. We both got As.
There is so very much I could say about that wonderful, inspiring place. How lucky I - and I guess many others - were.
There are people I would love to get back in touch with if there is a way........
Dave Sertees (music teacher); Beverley (music teacher); Gloria Wright (ceramics teacher); Dave Minton (art/print teacher); Paul Allum (head of art); John Webber (music teacher); Marie Coproulu (history teacher)
And fellow students there (who I haven't yet found on Facebook) including;
Linda nee Smith; Chris Gorham; Bob and Malcolm Bainsfaire; Emma nee Hayes; Anita nee Laybourne; Graham Laybourne; Anne nee Goatham; Simon and Steve; Jeff Attenbrough; Russell ('Chunky') Miles; Graham Anns, John O'Conner and anyone else I spent a lot of time with.
Happy days indeed.