The RLS magazine article about the Iceland visit tells casually how our intrepid six RLSers met "at King's Cross Station, where we were introduced to Major Hannell, leader of the Expedition, and Lord Tweedsmuir, one of the Society's patrons..."
Casual statement... but by Jove, Lord Tweedsmuir was also none other than the famous and incredible John Buchan, prolific author but also on of Britain's most secret intelligence officers, sometimes acting as a link between Churchill and Rooseveldt! Think of it! The writer didn't evenmention any of this... if he was actually aware of it! (Robert Priddy 49-53)

AUSTRIA

Does anyone out there remember the RLS skiing trip to Austria in spring '67 organised by Benson? It was my first trip overseas. It was originally intended only for 5th/6th form but because of lack of demand it ended with 3rd formers like me [+ Rob Bond, Andy Sherwood, any others?] going. Andy Seward was the other master present [with female partner?].  We travelled by coach and ferry and stayed in a tiny village in the Tyrol called Obsteig. As my brother will confirm, skiing is not exactly my forte but it was a great, break from the routine.

Evenings were spent in the hotel bar watching the teachers and older pupils drinking. I'm sure someone fractured a bone or two and had to come home stretched out across the back seat of the coach. (Roger Jacobson)

Harry said I believe it was John White (63er) who broke his leg. Apparently Bongo thought he had only spraIned an ankle and made him walk down.

All true, I went on that trip, and didn't much enjoy it to be honest. Highlights were Bongo's misses falling into an ice-cold stream, trying to stuff the local krauts at what they called "bowling" in the hotel bar, and hearing Strawberry Fields on the juke box for the first time. Low points were mainly sharing a room with Paul Hillman, Jimmy Pollock and Chris Casswell, none of whom were really in my gang, and the bloody awful, yes really awful, food in the hotel - sauerkraut and spuds most days - yuk. I was trying to forget all that, Roger(s). But I guess John White enjoyed it a bit less than me. (Steve Byrne)

Roger J. asked about Benson-led ski trip to the Alps. I don't remember because it was long after my time. BUT, in 3l or 4l (1950/1ish), Peter Benson went on an Easter skiing trip to the Alps with his family and, when a master heard about it, he was asked to tell the class, which he did. Were we all envious!! I think his dad was a solicitor or the like, and they had a poshish house in Herbert Rd., Hornchurch. No one else had anything near as exotic to enjoy in those days. I guess he wanted to revisit when he took the trip again later. (Robert Priddy)

WEYMOUTH GEOLOGY TRIPS

View photos from 1956 trip

I was on the Weymouth field trip in 1962. Weymouth and Yorkshire alternated.I forget the name of the hotel now, but I do recall that at the planning meeting someone (Alan Pender?) read out the name and address, the latter being "Boot Hill, Weymouth". There was a stunned silence and a voice said, "Sir? How many stars does this place have?". Another memory was Cliff Morris standing on a hillock at Box Hill pointing out the landscape. I later came to admire Cliff Morris (who was killed in a domestic accident, drilling through cables after he had moved house), but at the time he was not popular. Someone, I forget who, stood on a larger hillock some way behind him and fortunately upwind where he could not be heard by his "victim". Then followed a skit on Morris's arm movements, with a commentary on the lines of "On the first day, he created the world". Cliff Morris also claimed that a small pond on Box Hill was a swallow hole (no, I forget what that was but it was something to do with chalk drainage). He was followed by the same satirist who insisted in a cockney voice, "Naaaaah, that's a bomb-'ole". Well, it was funny at the time... (Ged Martin)

...regarding the Geology field trip to Weymouth - think it was 72. There was a famous occasion when picking fossils out of the cliffs got too boring so we grabbed the Geology master Mad Fool Davies - great guy, welsh - he used to say 'Barry Johns' and 'rugby' every other sentence, anyway we frog marched him down to the breakers. All jolly good spirits until he tripped on a submerged rock and went under. Totally soaked he was then desperately trying to retrieve his notes and books which were on their way to France. I remember Malcom Brown (65) being up there with his arm, I know Tom Spencer was there (innocently), but who else? We very narrowly avoided getting sent back home. It did help in the A levels though because we coined a pneumonic based on it 'Dirty Rotten Lazy Malcolm Brown Gladly Kicked Mad Fool Davies Twice' - that is a sequence of strata that I've long forgotten but I bet Tom Saunders would know hope he joins. (Greg Cooper)

Have to cop a guilty plea on this one, I'm afraid, as one of those responsible and Malcolm Brown (with whom I still exchange Christmas cards) was most certainly another. I remember it took quite a few of us to drag him in - the man had the strength of an ox - but only a handful of us owned up once he emerged spluttering from the waves. I've never known such silence as that which descended on our van on the way back. 'Dai' had steam coming from his ears, as well as his sodden trousers once he got the van's heater working. Back at base, the other masters were quickly appraised of the event and were all for bundling us on the first train home, including 'Sus' Pender, who I always regarded as being a really decent bloke and good teacher but who quite surprised me with the strength of his anger towards us. 'Dai' argued that it was an inappropriately harsh punishment and said he would deal with matters. Remember, we used to have a brief debriefing each day after dinner/tea/supper* (* delete as appropriate to your current social standing) before heading for the pub. That night 'Dai' delivered a very stern lecture and said we were all grounded for the rest of the week and that such debriefings would be extended henceforth to cover the remainder of the evenings after dinner/tea/supper. Less than 10 minutes must have passed with us morosely feigning interest in our notebooks before he looked up, smiled and said "Sod this - you can take me down the pub and each and every one of you can buy me a pint then we'll say no more about it". Top bloke, was 'Dai'. Other random reminiscences of the trip include me, on the same beach, almost coming to a sticky end, literally.

There had been a great deal of rain before we descended on Lyme Regis and I blithely started to walk across one of the land slips for a laugh unaware of how deep the damn thing was. I began to disappear from view and had to be dragged out, having sunk up to my waist. Ruined a perfectly good pair of Levi cords... Accommodation was not available to one and all at our hotel in Weymouth, and I was one of those assigned to what amounted to little more than doll's houses out in the back garden. What they lacked in size and comfort they made up for with the opportunity they provided for staying out exceptionally late, as a curfew was a lot harder to impose (on the basis of the masters being too lazy/p****d to bother to go out into the garden to check on us). Tony Fisher, mentioned recently, was in my doll's house, I recall. We didn't have to put up with any of his experimentations with explosives, but even worse was his insistence on continually singing the latest release by his 'favourite' artist - Telegram Sam, by Marc Bolan.

Tony was a good friend, and we occasionally visited one another's houses - and that of John Mann - to play chess - but how he never got throttled for his Bolan impersonations I will never know. Nigel Sole was another fellow occupant (didn't he have a brother Richard – i.e. R Sole - at another school, no kidding?) and was the victim of a first-night debagging (by outsiders, I hasten to add) when he was given what might now be called the Lynx effect, with copious amounts of under-arm deodorant sprayed onto his family jewels. Poor Nigel groaned throughout the night and I've always wondered whether he was in genuine agony or being somewhat dramatic (has anyone sprayed their family jewels, accidentally or in the interest of scientific experimentation? If so, perhaps you can enlighten me as to whether Nigel's pain would have been real or not...) Finally, I remember downing as many as eight pints a night at the local hostelry in my first bout of sustained drinking but know not either how I (a) had sufficent funds for such revelry, or (b) managed to arise from my bed the next day. I do remember causing some merriment among other revellers on the Saturday night when some of us returned to the hotel to watch Match of the Day. I quite innocently asked why Leicester's pitch was sloping even more than Yeovil's notorious old ground, unaware that I had slumped from the sofa and was watching the box from the lounge floor.... (Chris Stratford)

The trip stopped off at Box Hill, Dorking on the way down to the West country. I remember visits to Chesil Beach/Portland, Lulworth Cove and seeing the 'Hill Figure'. I have been back since to see them all. (Chris Fribbins)

I do remember the White Horse, as I had visited the area on many family holidays, staying at a caravan site at Osmington Mills. Was that it? (Chris Stratford)

While we were there somebody (I can't quite remember who) spotted that the German "progressive" outfit Faust were playing for one night only in Weymouth at the theatre at the end of the jetty. This was too good an opportunity to miss so about 4 or 5 of us hatched a plan to feign all sorts of illness (the blame for which was being firmly laid at the door of the hotel "chef") so we could bunk the nightly "Sus & Groom" session at Weymouth college to take in the said event. All went well until we arrived at the theatre in assorted Tie-dyes, Loon Pants and Afghan Coats etc. Although we were somewhat puzzled by the lack of similarly attired young sorts at the venue we ventured on undeterred (after all, this was sleepy Weymouth) and marched straight into the foyer where we were confronted by a throng of shocked Dinner Suited types with their blue-rinsed Bints and discovered that it was Faust the Opera not Faust the Rock Band that was on. It was exit stage left and back to the pub and another round of Badger Bitter! (Steve Hyde)

I remember my two field trips; the first to Weymouth and the second to Ingleton (Poor old Coathup, P; his memory really is shot - that's Pr*f*cts for you I suppose.) I forget (Oh crumbs!) the name of the hotel in Weymouth but it was on Boot Hill. It was a real rabbit warren of a place but I remember some lovely Regency Prints on the walls. I do hope Alan Guy is proud of me. On arrival in Weymouth we were told by whoever was in charge that as most of us were not yet 18 we were not to visit the local pubs. That evening in the pub we bought him a drink. Our field trip to Weymouth also used a hotel in Boot Hill (1962). I'm afraid I can't remember its name either. (Robin Hackshall)

Weymouth had the advantage over Austwick (the village which served as our base in the Yorkshire Dales in 1961) in that it was so much easier to escape the view of the masters and to visit the many pubs there. Austwick had only one pub and a visit by RLS boys would have become instant news, although we did risk it one night. We also seem to have had rather more primitive accommodation that later trippers to Yorkshire - we took over the village hall and did our own catering. There were rosters for making packed lunches (the sandwich menu was Cheese & Chutney, Pilchards or Jam, as I recall) and for cooking the evening meal (I was largely responsible for burnt Ambrosia Creamed Rice one evening). We all had to take our own camp beds, or whatever, for use in the main hall, the masters using another room. Poor old Bob Horn took an air bed which had a pronounced leak and it was a regular event to hear him blowing the blessed thing up if you happened to wake up during the night. I've still got some photos of these events somewhere. (Bob Tucker)

AUSTWICK

Go to photos of 1955 trip  and to the 1960-61 trip

I was lucky enough to be on the very first RLS geolgy field trip run by Dan Reekie and that also was in Austwick. It was 1949. I am sure we covered much the same ground..literally. Some advice from Newth before we left (to his beloved Yorkshire) included " because of the height of Austwick you may initially suffer from nosebleeds"!! Austwick is about 500 feet asl so either Newth was ignorant of physiology or else ultra cautious!
On that trip one of us drew with pencil on a piece of slate a reasonable likeness of a graptolite. Dan R. was shown it and was ecstatic. It alone had made the whole trip worthwhile. It was some time before we plucked up the courage to tell him the truth. Boys can be cruel! Happy days (Bernard Coe 43-51)

I remember Auswick, about 1960 on an ecology visit. A few things: A lot of gambling went on in the VIB hut and, although I didn't participate (honest) I devised a simple, not-always-winning communication system for my friends, which they used with devastating effect for brag. They didn't pay me. I watched them win small fortunes (well £1 12s 6d). While watching others play and aware of the potential to cheat, I noticed the coach driver who took us to Austwick won every time. I then noticed the clock on the back of his cards. When I said to the boys that they insist on using their cards he soon stopped playing. Not a popular guy. I remember it rained every single day. I remember being absolutely drenched at Malham Tarn and on a limestone pavement. Sketch it! Sketch it! Said the teachers. Quadrants in the rain. I remember the very poor food (I think we cooked it ourselves) and we went to the only pub to get warm (with Willie Griffiths, Dan Reekie and the other teachers, dammit). I remember somebody nicking and reading Smither's diary (whoever he was) and how all the sleepy boys laughed when he had written 'cleaned both cars'. Oh! lardydah! (Got two myself now, how times change) I remember about 20 of us sitting with backs against a dry-stone wall on Pen-y-ghent. (Which was actually very wet). After lunch, every single one of us simultaneously queued to cross over the wall, to stand against it to relieve ourselves. We then queued to cross back to collect our stuff to move on. The sun shone, briefly When we left we looked really, really bedragged, it had been so wet. We drove through the night and I asked to be put down in Huntingdon so that I could hitch-hike across to my Rellies at RAF Mildenhall where the rest of my family were, er, celebrating. I was put down at 0400 and left to my own devices. It had stopped raining. The first arrival was PC Plod, a bike, alone, who simply asked what I was doing sitting on the walls of a boys remand home! Had I escaped? The second arrival was an American in a huge LHD vehicle who worked at RAF Mildenhall. Luck. And what a long way! Who would leave a 16 year old to do this today? Who would take the responsibility? Was I or my family or teachers daft or sump'n? On that coach, Roger Ellis, who was asked to get his organ out (he played the harmonica) to entertain us, told us the joke about the cannibal who passed his brother in the street, one of an amazingly small number of jokes which I remember to this very day. But I enjoyed it immensely (David Silverside)

Austwick 1967. Heard all about 1961... Were we the last group to use the village hall? (Peter Robinson)

INGLETON - NORTH  YORKSHIRE

 Read letter announcing field trip View photos from 1972-3 trip View photos from 1990-1 trip

A botany specialist who also did some biology "aka the penguin", I don't know his years of service, but went on field trips with him to Yorkshire, and the Weymouth area, he was a true botany fanatic; reminded me of the late lamented Kenneth Williams at his geekiest best, creeping up on unsuspecting green things and inspecting their sexual parts under his magnifying lens. (Dave Chester)

Thanks for reminding me of Geoff Kemp's surname. He's on a pic I took on the Ingleton Field trip of '73 and I couldn't for the life of me remember his surname. At least I think it's him - cross between Sting and Adam Faith in his Budgie period - would that be Geoff?

I remember him as a laugh-a-minute comic who got up to some extraordinary exploits in Ingleton, not least hiding in a master's wardrobe ( the master's name escapes me) and waiting for the light to be turned off before emerging yelling and screaming and making good his escape amid the master's terror. (Chris Stratford)

I seem to remember that it was ? George Jones? the other biology master, who was terrorized during that field trip to Ingleton. It was memorable for the sight of JPC almost falling down the largest cave system in Europe. He survived. (Tony Williams) George Jones was the master I had in mind whose bedroom wardrobe Geoff Kemp leapt from at Ingleton. Nice to have it (virtually) confirmed. (Chris Stratford) Ad. Ingleton: when are we going to see the photos of Ingleton 73? my abiding memory of that is getting caught climbing out on to the fire escape at about 11 at night in an attempt to get down some local nightclub, and convincing jim hardy we were conducting a safety check of the facilities to ensure that the well-being of the group was assured. I also recall something about Steve Menzies climbing out of a window and perilously clambering/balancing along a windowsill to get back into our room which we, in our cups, had managed to lock ourselves out of - seemed like a good idea at the time tell me - was Geoff Kemp the guy a year below us who spent an entire evening with at Ingleton coming up with over 200 synonyms for the word penis? years ahead of our time - we could have started viz in 1973. Roger Melly profanosaurus - eat your heart out (although I must confess the mapatasi was a new one on me). (ash howe)

The hotel in Ingleton was much larger. I believe that the toilet is probably now in the Victoria and Albert Museum as it was of an old circular design rather than the egg shaped sort that you get now. I was on the Geology bit of the trip and still remember most of the places we visited, even without the help of my note books which really do bring it all flooding back. I only recently gave away (to a school) the fossils and rock samples that I collected but still have a large fossilised Jurassic oyster and a sharks tooth. In Yorkshire the big-end went on the minibus that we'd hired so that the geologists had to come back on the main coach. This didn't stop us using the minibus for all our visits whilst we were up there. Of the teaching staff on the trips I can only remember Tony Davis and of the students John Constable but I'm sure that there were more than 3 of us. (Robin Hackshall)

It's nice to trace back the evolution of 'Long-Haired' Lawrence as we knew him in 1976. During the1976/7? field trip to Ingleton, whilst the Geography group went off to classrooms for a evening debriefing, we Geologists did our "work" in the pub. I seem to remember Yates & Jacksons being the favourite beer at the time, sadly no longer brewed. (Ian Puxley) See also under G. Lawrence Masters anecdotes 1970 

I seem to remember that it was ? George Jones? the other biology master, who was terrorized during that field trip to Ingleton. It was memorable for the sight of JPC almost falling down the largest cave system in Europe.  He survived. (Tony Williams)

George Jones was the master I had in mind whose bedroom wardrobe Geoff Kemp leapt from at Ingleton. Nice to have it (virtually) confirmed. (Chris Stratford)

KENSINGTON MUSEUMS

Peter Cowling wrote: I recall a trip to the Russian exhibition, which was probably in Kensington. It was shortly after Yuri Gagarin orbited the earth, so it must have been in 1961. The most memorable aspect of the visit was being able to buy Russian cigarettes, which had a built-in holder, consisting of a cardboard tube, and (as we found out later) were not very nice. (David Silverside)

The Natural History Museum: I was roped in as a 5th former to help escort a coach full of rowdy 3rd formers on a day trip to the London Natural History Museum. "Herding cats" doesn't come close. However I got the opportunity to learn what I think is called "The Engineer's Song" on the way back and was amazed that the staff present were so tolerant. (John Phillips)

I recall a trip to the Russian exhibition, which was probably in Kensington. It was shortly after Yuri Gagarin orbited the earth, so it must have been in 1961. The most memorable aspect of the visit was being able to buy Russian cigarettes, which had a built-in holder, consisting of a cardboard tube, and (as we found out later) were not very nice. (Peter Cowling)

PARLIAMENT

School trip to the House of Commons...I also recall a trip which would have been in about 1954, I think. We were all amazed to see that the chamber was virtually empty,also that W. Churchill appear to be asleep with his feet up (TT)

There were few class trips during my school years. One was led by Dan Guy to the Houses of Parliament for sixth-form British Constitution class. We walked around to Gidea Park station for a train to town. The long-serving MP for Romford (?Laver for Labour) took us on a tour of the building. After lunch we joined the queue to enter the visitors' gallery, and after a few hours managed to gain entry to hear a few squabbles between the contestants. Such is democracy.
This was probably an annual excursion, for I happened to be travelling home in the Circle Line car that the returning party joined a year later, when I was returning from work. Guy still had his smile despite all the taunts of another year of students! (John Hawkins)

1971/72 British Constitution - field trips with Dan Guy. House of Commons: We witnessed an outburst from one of the maverick MPs of the time, Arthur Lewis (West Ham North), who interrupted proceedings, waving a copy of that day's Evening Standard, demanding to know why a Government Minister had made an announcement to the press before telling the Commons.

The local MP (was it Ron Ledger?) was not available to take us on the tour of the Houses of Parliament, so Dan switched to Plan B and we spent the morning of the Commons trip at the Old Bailey.  The odds are you will get a pretty tedious session, but not us!  We found ourselves in the gallery for the "Angry Brigade" trial - there a few feet away from us the most wanted men in the land and a case that was national news.

Romford Magistrates Court in the public gallery - an entertaining morning, ending with Dan buying us all tea and buns at the little tea room near the Town Hall (possibly called The Tryst and long ago demolished?)  The tea-room bit probably sounds as though it belongs to an earlier generation, but I assure you it happened in 71/72.

Romford Town Hall for an evening Council meeting.  We witnessed opprobrium in the public gallery matched only by behaviour on the part of some of the Councillors themselves which might not have been out of place in one or two RLS classrooms of the day.  What was the big deal?   I think it must have when selective vs comprehensive education was causing huge controversy and feelings were running high in the Borough.

County Hall - notable for a trip in Dan's Morris 1100, which at the time seemed far more exciting than the guided tour, and then an afternoon in the public gallery for the Greater London Development Plan Enquiry, which could not match the dramatic tension of the Old Bailey. (Tim Knights)

WINDSOR CASTLE

I have looked at my photo collection and cannot find an interesting photo of Windsor Castle i.e. with people - anybody can find much better photos of the castle than mine. But I did come across a photo of HMS Victory in Portsmouth (no people), another school trip, I believe.
I also remember the boys coming back with the Russian cigarettes and they were laughing at the bizarre nature of diddy fags at the end of long cardboard tubes. I have had the pleasure of visiting Moscow in winter and know why these strange coffin nails exist. Russians smoke in the street and the long tube stops their gloves burning. Makes sense. (David Silverside)

I recall a visit to Windsor Castle, my first and last, possibly about 1956. We also went on a boat trip. I believe I have a poor-quality photo somewhere. I will look it out. That summarises my recollection. Some impression, huh? (David Silverside)

HAMPTON COURT

I have some vague memories of a class trip to Hampton Court which must have been in my early years at RLS.
We took a coach to Westminster pier and then a boat down the Thames. Unfortunately the river was at a very low tide, so that the boat had to proceed at caution. As a result there was concern that we would not see Hampton Court before nightfall, and we abandoned ship at Kew.
The class then lined up at a bus stop. Along came a red double-decker bus, and I recall a teacher asking the conductor for 2 adults and 40 children to Hampton Court! The conductor retreated to the open rear platform to reel off dozens of tickets from his machine, several times loosing track and having to count the printed strip again and again. It flew like a streamer from the open doorway as the bus progressed.
We must have had some time at the Palace before being met by the coach for a return trip to Gidea Park. That is the sum total of my recollection! Was this an annual trip? Does any other member recall such an adventure? (John Hawkins)

SS DEVONIA
View photo from this trip

In 1965 (I think) a number of 1st, 2nd and 3rd formers went on an "educational cruise" on the SS Devonia. I have some photos in my archives which I may (when bribed or intoxicated) share. There was a film made of the event, which, having been to sea, I never got to see. Does anybody know if it survived. Does anybody else have photos or memories of the cruise? (Doug Newlyn)

I vaguely remember that one of the RLS teachers who accompanied this trip enjoyed it so much that he obtained a full-time teaching position on the ship. Can anyone confirm this and supply details of the man concerned? (John Hawkins)

David Wilcockson, the Chief Education Officer for Havering in the sixties, went on a number of trips on the Devonia and was known in some quarters as 'Devonia Dave' or 'Sinbad'. (J. Alan Smith)

Devonia: "Mr J. 'Slim Jim' Heaton Latin; (1959 - after 1962) I have a feeling the Devonia was on a Mediterranean cruise, so perhaps he took to teaching Roman history on the ship. (JAS)

SS UGANDA

In 1968, local schools were offered places for a cruise on the SS Uganda (later to achieve fame as a hospital ship during the Falklands conflict). The cruise lasting for 2 weeks, started at Southampton and visited Cadiz, Casablanca, Funchal and La Corruna, although the chief highlight was that pupils from RCH attended. Was anyone else on this trip? (Richard Hall)

Certainly do remember the trip on the Uganda (and the RCH attendees!). It was shortly before I left RLS, and for my sins I have it in the back of my mind that Jake (who also went on the cruise) made me a p*e*e*t for the trip as there weren't many on it! By the way this wasn't too long after Jake had made his infamous announcement in assembly that "there will be a mass debate in the hall after school............." The only time I ever saw him smile in assembly. Does anyone else remember that? (Mark Husler)

SNOWDONIA

…trip to Snowdonia with our favourite R.E. teacher God help me. Anyone else remember the trip to Snowdonia in the blue BMC,the blue BMC, sung to the tune of Yellow Submarine I recall. (Martin Stillwell)

I went on two Snowdonia trips with our favourite R.E. teacher, 3rd and 4th years, that being 69 and 70. Mostly I remember: bad weather (it was Easter), some scary moments such as scaling packed ice slopes with several hundred feet vertical drops below should we lose our footing, being too young and inadequately clothed, and very exhausting treks. However, I do believe it was "character building" and most holidays since have seemed rather tame in comparison. Also remember getting car sick from sitting sideways in the back of the BMC. I don't remember any problems with Reynolds and I'm grateful for the experience and being introduced to Snowdonia. (Cliff Jones)

Snowdonia - the herbie bog trots: Martin Stillwell asked: "Anyone else remember the trip to Snowdonia in the blue BMC, the blue BMC, sung to the tune of Yellow Submarine I recall."

Yes yes Martin (hello by the way not seen you in the Fleece for a while). These were of course the Herbie Bog Trots. A great highlight of the year. Risking life and limb on the Glyders by day and avoid other risks at night with only a sheet sleeping bag for protection. There was a regular group of diehards on these trips - John Bosdet and others who escape me now - we never lost anyone but it came close once when the mist came down and we lost the path and ended up on the wrong side of the mountain miles from the blue BMC. One summer we went to Scotland and for some reason that was extremely worrying at the time - everyone else went on a ferry trip from Oban in the evening except Derek Reynolds and me. He had decided I should stay with him to walk round the fish market? Strange chap. (Greg Cooper)

LEVERKUSEN

German exchange was Leverkusen (Carl-Duisburg-Gymnasium if you want the full name of the school). I'm not aware that there was a French exchange. People (like me) went to the Paris Easter School, with the return being a Summer School held in Colchester (I think) and then also in Romford (RLS plus RCH) from 1953 (I think). This was a county-wide arrangement, not based in a single school. (Graham Jackman)

Roy Armes and Joe Levy both feature in current exchanges.  I recall being with both of them and others on a German exchange to Leverkusen in August 1961.  Roy Armes was wet behind the ears then having just arrived out of university and had clearly not become the somewhat unpleasant character others have subsequently described. RA had a baptism of fire on this trip with Messrs Levy and Gassner (from 2G) pulling the communication cord bringing the Ostend to Belgrade express to a screeching emergency halt in the middle of the German countryside.  Messrs Gassner and Levy failed to impress the many uniforms with high peaks, or RA, with  their claim that the unscheduled halt was necessary because Gassner had allegedly lost his glasses out of the window!   RA had to pay a fine on the spot and the incident made headlines in the local newspapers in Cologne together with a cheerful photo of Messrs G and L - amazingly I still have the clipping. The visit was also notable for the fact that the Berlin Wall went up whilst we were in Germany and, more importantly from a personal development perspective, I was able to buy a copy of Lady Chatterley's Lover – in English fortunately! A very broad educational experience. (Malcolm Paul)

The Leverkusen Exchange trip in 1961 was mentioned recently - in particular the pulling of the communication cord by the little darlings from 2G as the train approached the German border. Hon. Member Paul has supplied the newspaper cutting - thank you Malcolm - which is now filed in ... School Years ... 1960-61. Unfortunately it's in German (of course it is! - why was I surprised when I opened the envelope?) and my now distant five years tuition in the language is not up to a full translation. Any offers? Lehrer Armes, Direktor Newth und "der Royal-Liberty-School in Romfort" are all mentioned. I have, however, (with more than a little help from the Altavista Babel Fish Translations service - http://world.altavista.com/tr) attempted an interpretation of the caption to the photograph ... ahem ... "The Dalmatian Express was stopped before the German boundary in Belgium. The young Englander on the left [believed to be ? Gassner - Ed.], in a group of 20 exchange students with Leverkusen, had by the wind the eyeglasses away-torn. They were not found. His friend on the right [definitely Joe Levy - Ed.] helps out now with his own eyeglasses, and more like a blind chicken in the area gropes." (Andy Lee)

I also went to Leverkusen with an RLS exchange group...it was in 1956. And very enjoyable it was too. Peter Mitchell was also in the group. When I saw him recently at the '51 reunion he mentioned that he was still in touch with his German counterpart. I also had a contact with my German exchange friend many years later. Our ' leader' was Chips Carpenter,whose knowledge of German did n't really convince us,let alone the locals. Tug Wilson would probably have been more convincing. We visited the Bayer factory,and were given beer and cigars ! None of us at the time knew anything about the famous past history of that company ! We attended a Grammar School for a few days....the Karl Duisberg Gymnasium & also played football against them. I remember that Peter and I were lectured in class in German by a middle-aged teacher about the weaknesses of the British. Plus ca change. As I later lived and worked in Germany for a long time, I am happy to translate for Andy if still required. (Terry Turner)