Born 9th March 1938
My family moved from Plymouth to Northam in1950. I was sent to Bideford Secondary Modern (Geneva) because I had failed the 11+ (the pass rate in Plymouth was 7-9% for boys but in Bideford it was 22-25%). I passed the 13+ exam as did Gerald Rowell from Torrington. The school decided to put us back a year which was a pity as it prevented me from staying for A levels.
My best subjects were art and crafts but I did well at rugby getting into the North & West Devon schools Colts side with just one year’s experience of the game. In Sep 55 ‘Duke’ Norman told me that Bideford Chiefs were short of a centre and suggested that I consider joining them. I had always played at wing forward for the school but gave this a try and stayed until National Service required me.
I achieved 8 O levels and joined the 6th form but when my dad realised I had sufficient qualifications to become a teacher, he suggested it was time to start earning a living. Whilst at school I was awarded colours for rugby (twice) and for athletics and swimming.
I did National Service with the RAF in Germany (Air Wireless Mech) where I was able to play a lot of rugby in winter and athletics each summer and then went to Loughborough College in 1958. I completed a two-year Certificate for Crafts Teaching, then followed it with a supplementary Diploma course for which they gave me an honorary BSc much later.
My first and only teaching post was at Geneva which of course became Bideford College. When I got married to a Bideford girl in 1964, we decided that Bideford was a good place to bring up a family, so I stayed for 38 years. For much of my time I was a Head of Year with responsibility, at times, for over 360 students. When I was at the Grammar School there were only 230 in the whole school.
In 1961 I rejoined Bideford Rugby Club playing for the Chiefs as an outside centre or on the left wing but a spinal injury forced my retirement in 1964.
I became a Methodist Local Preacher in 1963 and still am.
For many years I raced sailing dinghies at the N.D. Yacht Club.
In 1973 I began competing in Classic Reliability Car Trials, in events such as the London to Lands End Trial. I no longer compete but still organise such events.
I was a founder member of Bideford Male Voice Choir back in the 80s and still sing with the Torridge M.V.C.
Bideford Grammar School provided me with great opportunities. I enjoyed it and did not want to leave, but can say the same about the RAF, Loughborough, and even Bideford College so I must be easy to please!
