| Memories The following are
some of my memories of my time at pilgrims
Bomb clearance on Seaford head
Seaford Head was a very common place to visit on Saturday afternoons,
visiting War time outlook posts and trying to find anything to do with
the War, However during 1961 this part of the Downs was closed while
the Army did a bomb clearance, finding several UXB's, Yet only a few
months later another was found!. Great play ground for kid's!!
Storms at sea are not uncommon and Seaford
took its share of damage on the sea defences, this of course was a tremendous
attraction to us, seeing waves crashing and exploding into spray. Clambering
over broken sea defences and inspecting the damage to many of the building
on the sea front, many times I returned to the school soaking wet!
Football An entry here from Chris
Knowles from 28th February 1962 about playing soccer against
Bowden House.
I still after all these years have to suppress laughter when remembering
the game. High gale force winds making it virtually impossible to kick
the ball. Pilgrims players puffing desperately on their inhalers having
difficulty running, whilst B.H. players (being partially sighted) having
great difficulty locating the ball and identifying their team players.
I think that my selection for the school team on this occasion most
likely indicated my level of talent. I did very occasionally make it
into the inter-house matches when the kindly house master (Mr. Burnham-
T.D and woodwork teacher) managed to twist the arm of George Smith the
then 'Knights' house captain.
Saturday Afternoons Saturday afternoons
was the time to explore as we had lessons on Saturday morning the Downs,
were a popular place with access only 1/2 Mile away, crossing
a Golf course which lead to higher ground, on one occasion two
of us walked to the high ground and could head a noises in the distance,
we followed the noise and eventually came upon a Hill Climb race, Arriving
at the Top as we did there was no one asking for an admission
fee so we enjoyed the event, Just as we were about to leave we were
discovered by Mr Gooding (the headmaster) who could hardly believe we
has waked so far, any way he allowed us to join his family picnic and
stay for the rest of the event and provided a much appreciated lift
back to the school. On the way back he stopped at the nearest phone
box to inform the school we were with him and would be back late, (Aren't
Mobile phones useful) then took us to a local pub. ( lemonade only !)
Fishing trips During my last year at the
school I became friends with ?? who had a interest in Fishing and with
suitable permission we were allowed out all day on some Saturdays (with
a packed lunch) to pursue the activity, Bus trips to Newhaven were not
uncommon. ( Bearing in mind this was the 1960's was this normal practice
at schools? It's it normal practice now ??)
Assassination of Kennedy
Everyone remembers where they were when they heard of a particular
event, (Where were you when you heard about the events on September
11th 2001) Well I was at Pilgrims when this event took place, I was
Going upstairs when a prefect said "Have you heard the news "President
Kennedy has been shot". Now for the embarrassing bit at the age
of 13 I had no idea who Kennedy was, however I soon learned,!
Neighbours
The building next door was a Holiday home, Not as we might think of
a Holiday Home today but a place for Nuns' to spend some time away from
there normal places. How much rest they got with 50 kids next door is
unknown but very little was ever seen of them!, The schools grounds
were bounded mostly by fields, and the adjoining grounds of a orphanage,
The orphanage was a mixed sex place as there was always interest between
the older boys and the girls next door, on many occasions at assembly
strict instruction were given "No Fraternising" During my
time the school was all boys, with the girls schools elsewhere (however
we did visit it once)
War time relicts
Like any school, equipment was stored away and sometimes forgotten,
Under the stage one day looking for suitable scenery I came across a
folding canoe, The single seater was stored in a ruck sack which could
easily be carried on your back, the wooden frame was assembled in a
leather skin then when the seat was fitted the whole assembled became
ridged, It was a designed and build during the War but who owed it we
never found out!
Bonfire night,
Kids being Kids many attempts were made to keep the fire burning
long after the night, One pupil managed to get some magnesium tape which
after much effort we set on fire, However we were unable to put it out!
--- In Trouble again!
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