Recollections of an Old (but young at heart) Oswestrian, circa 1952 - EPISODE 2 'NEWBUGS'

Having arrived at Oswestry School the car barely had time to stop on the driveway before Bernard and I were out and running, socks down to the ankles, newly polished cap badges glinting in the late afternoon sun.


Almost tripping up over the ankle length gaberdine macs our parents had bought, thinking The Winalot factor would soon kick in, and precipitating a growing spell, we dashed between the white pillars ( photo ) fronting the Headmaster's house and thus began an 8 year journey. 

We were greeted by the tall, elegant figure of the Headmaster, Mr Williamson, and his wife. Then after tea and biscuits we were introduced to Matron (Miss/Mrs Ellis I think) in her office which smelled of antiseptic spray and carbolic soap; we came to know her as 'Melly Ellie'.

A diminutive lady, she announced to a boy sitting in a chair that we were the PICKUPS! "Ahaaaa..." he said, (this was a boy called Brian Griffiths), "A couple of magnets!".

"Oh no", I said, "but we will be magnates one day". I could tell from his blank expression that this had sailed over his head, and with a "See you later" he disappeared through the open door.

Later in the evening preparing for bed we met the boys with whom we would share our dormitory. There were ten of us, five of whom, including Bernard and me, were new boys (or more commonly referred to as 'newbugs'). We were rowed up together like patients in a hospital ward. Any OO who attended Oswestry in the mid fifties will remember Jack Greves, a good all-round sportsman who became Head Boy and tragically died in a car accident shortly after leaving school. He, along with Michael Cliff, and another boy whose name escapes me, were the others on our side of the room; it seemed a little bit like 'us and them'.

Facing us directly were a couple of boys who were integral to life at School House. Bubbly, energetic, and full of beans, there were identical twins, Danny and Parker, who were as mad as a box of frogs and wanted to be first to do everything. These two were the first to open their eyes in the morning and lead the ravenous Pack through the dining room for breakfast when the bell rang at 8 o'clock, to being first in bed having brushed their teeth last thing at night. Quick at everything, we called them 'racers' in a good-natured way. Parker, if you read this, and I know you ARE out there globetrotting - you never could keep still - do give me a call as perhaps you can fill in the blanks. Sadly, I can't remember the rest of the contingent, but my enduring memory of that first night was of the boy sleeping in the corner opposite me crying himself to sleep.

From left to right: Bernard Pickup, Uncle Pickup, Aunt Pickup and Jack Greves

The following day we would be introduced to The Preparatory Department, a long, prefabricated building that ran alongside the tennis court at the back of the quadrangle beyond the magnificent Horse Chestnut trees, sadly no longer with us. It was there Bernard (aged 9) and myself (aged 10) would spend our first year of schooling, in the company of several boys who would become lifelong friends.