OTHER SCHOOLS IN THE AREA

 

I was not aware of any joint dances with RCHS, and certainly never invited to any, but if anyone is interested in refreshing memories of 'old flames',

I have that school's scroll photos for 1944, 1949, 1952,and 1954. (Eric Barker---1952-54)

I seem to remember that in the period 1954/56, social evenings,  as they were called, were held once a fortnight during the Winter at the RCHS. They were for the 5th and 6th forms of both schools. They were very formal.  Strict tempo Victor Sylvester records of waltzes, quicksteps and foxtrots were the mainstay with Daisy, keeping  an eye on everything  from her perch high up on the stage. At the end of each evening there was a prayer

and an epilogue provided some times by one or two of the boys and sometimes by the girls!    It all sounds extraordinary now.      

I also recall that by 1956/57 occasional dances were held at the RLS. They  were much more free and easy  with live music from Graham Bond and co among others. By this time there was plenty of rock and roll and jazz  and petticoats!  I believe that these dances were not restricted to RLS and RCHS  I hope that this helps. (Geoff Smith 50/57)

 Talking of the Hornchurch Grammar louts... The RLS had its "school pub".  It came to our ears that Hornchurch Grammar laid claim to Fellas Ice Cream Parlour on Billet Lane as their "school ice cream parlour".

The challenge was just too great!  Although Billet Lane was hardly within the RLS locality I remember a month or so of scuffles and adolescent posturing and posing in the summer of '60(?) '61(?) when the RLS (or at least some of them!) made a takeover bid. I think Mr. Fella was quite enthusiastic - he sold a lot of ice cream! (David Maltby)

Gentlemen of a certain age might like to know that there is a 1956 photograph of the pupils and staff of the said educational establishment for young ladies on the 'Romford Now and Then' website. Go to http://www.romford.org, pick 'Schools' from the left-hand menu, then 'Past', then 'Heath Park Girls Secondary' and follow the instructions there. (Andy Lee)

Brentwood vs RLS: Chris Stratford wrote: "Talking of the lesser public school Brentwood, did anyone else end up at the Liberty like me rather than go to Brentwood as a day pupil? I was put up for a scholarship exam there but only won a partial scholarship, which my parents were keen for me to take even though it would have meant them being really pushed to meet the financial end of the bargain on their side."
Me 2. Hard to believe I was that keen at the time, but I won a scholarship to Brentwood Boys and Chelmsford King George Vth (unsure of name, now) from my junior school Hogarth in Brentwood. I wrote RLS 1st on my preference list. ECC put it 3rd on their recommendation list to my parents - who would consult a boy? – but they supported my choice. Boy, am I glad now. I found the Lib tough enough with rules, and I just know I'd have been expelled from the other two.
Whatever good or bad one can say about the Lib, I'm glad the environment encouraged us to develop free spirits, even though the establishment clearly were not impressed when said spirit was exhibited against them. The result for me was to bail out after 5th and On-On (yup, a hasher) to Rush Green for 'A's. Passed with glory and won a fully salaried sponsored degree, so it seemed to work out as a good plan. It's funny, but the Lib heritage gave me the framework I needed of self-discipline to work in the College environment where discipline was not imposed, yet had I stayed on at the Lib I would have been choked by the petty rules and restrictions and the whole silly schoolboyish-thing - as I saw it then at 16.
Jake Coles, though I fell under the swish many times, gave me great moral and teaching support during my last Lib year - I bet many find that hard to believe if they remember me - and not only dedicated many hours of private maths tutoring (to his wildest rebel, note) but also dedicated much time to talking me through the idea that you only find freedom through "discipline". I Translated this a few months later to "self-discipline" and have never looked back with other than fondness in the end for a man who I then thought made my life hell for many years previously. Same goes for Mr Franklin and private art tutoring.
"It's never too late to have a happy childhood".
The little rebel in me couldn't leave college without a final jibe at The Establishment, and just for the hell of it I took a joint Oxbridge scholarship exam and won places at both. .... and then went on instead to a Polytechnic, employed in the Defence
Industry. Cool! I never did feel the need to see my name in gold letters at the back of the hall. Anyway, I had no parental support, so I preferred the pay-check.
Oh well, hope I didn't ramble too long. Does anyone else feel the same looking back, that although it was agony there was a lot of good to be gained by making it work yourself and not asking society for a free meal ticket to success? And did anyone else find themselves actually liking and respecting Jake by the end of their sentence? (Ian Macauley).

Ian. I followed a similar path to you albeit one year behind, leaving in the 5th for Rush Green. Did I come to like and respect Jake? Like hell I did. (Richard Hall)

I too was put in for the Brentwood scholarship exam, but (serendipitously it would seem) failed miserably. One answer in the general knowledge section where I suggested Twiggy was a cricketer just about sums up my effort. (Chris Boivin)

The Friends Reunited service is not only a rich source of potential RLSOldBoys No! No!  It offers much more ... Romford County High and Heath Park girls' schools have their own entries (so to speak)! (Andy Lee)

I am a. concerned and b. envious of the Steve Roberts who left Daisy Bubbers in 1958. How, if you'll pardon the innuendo, did he affect entry? Had it been me I would have died a wrinkled old man at the age of 22, with a smile on my face, and the undertaker unable to place the lid on the box. (Phil Kingham)

I was a '65 to '70 rebel who opted out of 2 more years of purgatory to get my 'A's at Rush Green Tech, - where there were girlies all around - where I could grow my hair - where I could simply stop feeling and looking like a schoolboy I need to purge my conscience of 31 years and say "Sorry" for being a deserter, but I certainly was one of the most vociferous and active rebels that helped the rest of you lucky bar stewards have an easier time of it. Just looking at the picture of the 1971 prefects tells me we achieved something with regard to hair length. I drove the hair campaign to ridiculous lengths (pun intended), setting up meetings with the school council of governors. Not only did this produce changes, but I also ended up ****ing with Councillor Ward's daughter. Ever the opportunist. No we weren't yet 16! Still, hope I'm forgiven for getting a life and welcome back to the folds of the, and I quote, "Cream of the Cream of the Cream". (Ian Macauley)

...with reference to the local girls schools: The green uniform mob was RCH. My sister went there from 64 to 71 and she wore it(also was a BP, gold braid tassle on beret ,the whole 9 yards).The other schools are as follows; URSULINE BRENTWOOD HORRID BROWN AND ORANGE - ST MARYS BRENTWOOD DARK BLUE MAINLY SPOTTY - HYLANDS HORNCHURCH SH*TTY REDDISH COLOUR (SECONDARY MOD SO KNICKERS OFF QUICK)! - HORNCHURCH GRAM. LIGHT AND DARK BLUE - HEATH PARK BLUE. (Richard Marsh)

To add: RCH: Green PE knickers (why do I not connect that to the outer garments?) Brentwood County High, Blue Jacket, light blouse, long BORING pleated skirt. Brentwood Ursuline (and I take full marks for exhaustive research in this matter, living as I did later in Rose Valley): "The normal day uniform was brown with blue and gold stripes as in the famous blazer -still in use. The boarders wore a grey version with a blue blouse for after school on weekdays, and also had a royal blue version with a cream blouse for Sunday wear and for `best`. There was quite a lot of changing to do if you were a boarder -dress codes were quite strict". So where were we guys? The ladies were teaming up with us on Sundays in Royal Blue attire? Were we too shy to be seen in our Sunday best? You bet! Oh, there were some darkish blue outfits around Raphaels Park after school as well as in the pub next to the blues club in Romford Market (late sixties). Which school was the dark blue? (Ian Macauley)

North Romford Comprehensive or Chase Cross? (Bill Broderick)

On the subject of schools, anyone remember the secondary school in Collier Row? From the roundabout (at least, as it was 30 yrs ago...!) go about a mile along Collier Row Rd (passing Sainsbury's and Ramsden Dr. on right) and take a right hand turn (maybe opposite a pub that I can't remember), and the school was probably a mile down that road. Any help appreciated...(Les Farrow)

Do you possibly mean Forest Lodge Comprehensive? I think it used to be called Lodge Lane Comp. (it was in Lodge Lane) but changed its name like so many others. I think it may be defunct now. (Vince Leatt) Abbs Cross was left off the list - several little cuties (one in particular) there in their Black and Emerald uniforms. Quite a long bike ride from RLS to meet her on the way home from school though! (David Maltby)

Bush Elms was where the girls were at not Hylands! As i only lived round the corner I should have known that. Incidentally my house then was only 2 doors down from RCH and I could peruse the netball courts and playground from my bedroom window! What joy. (Richard Marsh)

...anyone remember the secondary school in Collier Row?  From the roundabout (at least, as it was 30 yrs ago...!) go about a mile along Collier Row Rd (passing Sainsbury's and Ramsden Dr. on right) and take a right hand turn (maybe opposite a pub that I can't remember), and the school was probably a mile down that road. (Les Farrow)

Abbs Cross was left off the list - several little cuties (one in particular) there in their Black and Emerald uniforms. (David Maltby)

Forest Lodge Comprehensive?  I think it used to be called Lodge Lane Comp. (it was in Lodge Lane) but changed its name like so many others. (Vince Leatt)

Gentlemen of a certain age might like to know that there is a 1956 photograph of the pupils and staff of the said educational establishment for young ladies on the 'Romford Now and Then' website.  Go to http://www.romford.org , pick 'Schools' from the left-hand menu, then 'Past', then 'Heath Park Girls Secondary' and follow the instructions there. (Andy Lee)