Templewood School.

I was a student here too. Fell head over heals in love with S Dewhurst. Anybody know how or where she is now? Email:info@haasewinkel.nl

I started at Templewood in 1956. We had a longish walk because we lived on the 'wrong side' of the railway off Harwood Hill t he school of that name was yet to be built. My first teacher was Mrs Webb. Other teachers included Miss Brunsden, Mrs Callaghan, Mr Loaway and Mr Carter. I think the head was Mr McKay. Mr Carter took over from him. Classes were very large - at least 40. The dining room had a large mural painted on a wall. We were served those awful third of a pint milk rations. The milk was warm and 'off'. Remember spam fritters and delicious pink shortbread for afters. Infants went into school one end, juniors the other. I remember my mum crying when she left me the first day. The roofs had glass windows in them. One day the teacher opened them and popped out. There was a thunder storm and hail crashed into the room. Mr Carter loved cricket and we played matches against other schools. He didn't like football so we only played one match when I was in Year 6. We played Harwood Hill and I was so paralysed with nerves I could hardly move. We were taken swimming by coach to an open-air unheated pool in Digswell - put me off swimming for life. The playground included part of Temple Wood. We had great fun under the trees. My younger brother Nicholas was also there.He did better at football and played for the town team. I think we had a maroon and gold uniform, including cap and blazer. We were one of the first primary schools to teach French. I was totally useless and was sat at the back and told to keep my mouth shut when visitors came to see this innovation. I clearly remember residential trips. In the last year we went to York, staying in the youth hostel and visiting Cliffords Tower, the Guild Hall and Pickering Castle. I left in 1963, and having passed the 11 plus, I went to the Grammar School, now Stanborough.