1970- A Turning Point.

[Guest]

Checking back the other night on some old diaries and paperwork revealed that,this time in May 1970 I "moved" schools.

Several generations of my Mums family had been educated at St.Marys on Derby Road- but the very Catholic doctrine that existed at this seat of learning did not suit yours truly!

Miss Lambert who was apparently "ill" simply couldn't stand my independent nature and that I had already read all the books laid down in the syllabus.

After locking horns on many issues ( including Vietnam!!)

I vaguely recall not praying for the GI's because my Brothers told me it was a lousy war!

Sister Mary Paul and my Mother soon tired of my behaviour and thru Canon Cummings... found me a new more progressive alma mater(not!!).

So in 1970 I climbed aboard a bus bound for Shelford with my Mother along side,Bowers Avenue...how could I ever forget??

A grey bricked 60's affair tacked onto a red brick Edwardian hellhole- Sister Francis from Cork don't yer'know met us at the gate, morning break had just comnenced- I noticed the red haired school secretary high heeling across the school yard and proceeded to sell Jammie Dodgers from the bonnet of her NSU!!

After much promises and grinning the Witch from Bandon eased my Mums worries and escorted her to the door.

Her driving casuals (shoes) hadn't touched the cobbles- when she pounced!!

Grabbed my sideburns and with a spittle ridden snarl-"now then Donovan, I want this wool gone by tomrrow- or Casey'll do it with a saw"!!

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I watched my fast fading Mum dashing for the 31 bus into town.

I didn't gel and spent the first month in Miss Kaleys class teaching kids how to read!!

A row over John Lennon/The Wailing Wall and animal cruelty earned me a twisted 2 month suspension of availing of NCT travel home!!

Was escorted as far as York Street by Miss Monday.

One song from this fractured time ( my parents were nearly splitting) that I hummed and sang up and down Woodborough Rd- that has always stayed with me was 'For Melanie' by Matthew Southern Comfort... even the lyrics from the inner sheet I scrutinised.

What a strange and terrible place St.Augustines was- I know our friend Siddah noticed oddities too.

For me beating and punishing knocked one devil out ..and two in!!

Anyroad I burnt the diaries and School Reports in the field yesterday- still love that 1970 song though- any other members on here recall school/song scenarios in a similar vain?

[loppylugs 8,429]

Sounds pretty traumatic, Ian. Glad you survived it.

1970 was a turning point for me. I was getting ready to make a permanent exit from dear old Nottingham to the snowy wastes of Canada.

[DJ360 6,733]

Not a great time Ian, but your humour and good companionship prove you survived.

Fortunately, High Pavement almost encouraged dissent, enquiry, rebellion etc... within reason, but you had to understand the rules... My folks were also very close to the edge and I think it was only Dad's illness which stopped it all falling apart completely.

My major dissenting period came after I left school. I was probably enough of a social outcast when I DJ'd 'all that nigger music' at the 360, but when I moved on and messed with 'certain substances' and alternative life styles, I was pretty much seen as subhuman by many. Experience is always valuable though, and can't be stolen.

If you don't try outside the box, you have no reference point.

Odd that you mention Southern Comfort. It was their version of Woodstock which ran endlessly through my head for days before I finally left home and did the 'red spotted hanky on a stick' gig to 'find myself'. Not sure I did that, but I found a lot of other stuff, about stuff. Wouldn't change anything.

This seems right. Check out the comments. I'm 67.

Col

[catfan 14,793]

Very interesting topic this, lets have some more !

[FLY2 10,109]

Sideburns at 9 Ian ! What did your mum feed you for breakfast?

[MapperleyMan 122]

#5

Three Shredded Wheat, no doubt!

[Guest]

Actually if the Pripsin wasn't in me cereal..six Weetabix,my Mungo Jerry hair was loved by all...'cept 'that'one.

[Guest]

Getting back on topic,I would love to read posts of a similar nature,Ian.

[colly0410 1,181]

Until I was 10 I had a very disrupted schooling as we moved around a lot (Gotham, Langley Mill, Meadows, back to Langley Mill, back to Meadows, Chester-le-street, back to Meadows) so was always behind at Trent Bridge & I hated it, seemed to get the cane a lot. (so did lots of others) When I was 14 we Moved to Bestwood Village & I went to Beardall St school in Hucknall & loved it, I wanted to stay on for the 5'th year but Mam wanted me at work for the money I'd bring in, so I started work 6 days after my 15'th birthday..

[FLY2 10,109]

Well I find it difficult to pinpoint an exact defining moment. There have been so many.

Passing my 11+ and attending FFGS was ok for the first couple of years, but I then started to question everything I was being taught.

I loved history, geography, English language and art. The rest. No interest. Maybe a bit of woodwork.

Leaving school in 62, and embarking on the highway of life. Work, unease at home with my parents as I knew it all at 16. Rebellious behaviour with the older lads at work. New found likeminded friends outside work. 60's music. Independence, my first car. My parents wanted me to get an Austin A50 or something similar. I went out and bought an MG.

Leaving home to share a flat with a workmate,but I soon returned home, merely for a warm comfy bed and proper meals.

First love, losing first love. Frying pan into fire. Forest away trips. Retirement....... Oh, the most important.... Finding Nottstalgia.

There you have it!

[nonnaB 4,900]

Big change for me, engaged, married, birth of my daughter and emigrated to Italy. Different sort of life completely. Big family of inlaws whose main concern was to make me feel at home and love me. I came from a very small family so it was very different. New food, new language, different customs and ideas. I was lucky as many girls marrying into Italian families didnt find happiness.

[catfan 14,793]

#9. colly.

My daughter did some of her training at that school & loved the place.

[ValuerJim 277]

My background and formative years were conventional and relatively uneventful. Dad always in work, and mum at home to look after me and my sisters. Lived in the same house from 6 months old until I left in 1967 to seek my fortune; still seeking it. One primary school, one grammar school, a year in work then to uni for three years, then back to work and still working at 70. My mates and I occasionally discuss the most momentous events in our lifetimes, and leaving personal and family, I keep coming back to the fall of the Berlin Wall.

[Guest]

I know 1970 began a new decade..but was the 60's feeling truly gone?

I was only nine and hated school- a Meadow Lark Lemon transfer on my arm and a packet of parmal violets made it tolerable.