The Verney

Verney News
The coming of spring and the beautiful weather of the past two months has the Verney looking at its best. The setting is most
attractive and we used this to the full when at the end of May on a pleasant evening we held a "barbecue" on the tennis court.
Everyone enjoyed themselves and the boys certainly worked to make it a success. Colin Addinall and Jim Murrell cooked the
"hot dogs", Bob Bone and Mick Kerr "flogged" the "pop" and crisps, Ted Townsend was the "char walla" and Tony Lydford
collected the "gate" money. During the evening we were entertained by the skiffle group. We were also aided in our efforts to
please by an accordionist, Mr. R. Head, and a pianist, none other than Mr. Mondin.
Arthur Robertson did a good job with the records for dancing. We were all most grateful to Mr. Wilkins for his help.
We may hold another later in the summer with the condition of entry being "fancy dress".
Lodgings are becoming rather difficult to obtain locally and we find our boys are staying a little longer which in its turn is causing
a bottleneck for new apprentices, and in order to alleviate this we are increasing our numbers. The first to join us as an addition is
David Goldsmith—we hope he enjoys his stay with us.
We are very pleased to welcome Mrs. Cruickshank as cook to our establishment, as well as her doggy friend "Boy", who is already
a great favourite with the lads. We hope their stay with us will be long and happy.
Early in June we had a week-end visit from Mr. Tucker which we all enjoyed very much, particularly his stories, not to mention his
tennis.
R. N.
Goldonian Summer 1959

VERNEY NOTES

THE PRINCIPAL activity at the Verney is the coming and going of people, unfortunately there is more 'going' by staff
than boys. We were terribly sorry to have to say farewell to our cook this term, Mrs. Tomlinson; she was a delightful
person and a splendid cook.Owing to a fatal car accident in which her daughter was killed Mrs. Tomlinson had to leave
to take care of her granddaughter. We all wish her well for the future.
However, Mrs. Tomlinson was quickly replaced by Mr. Long, who transferred from our branch home at Leicester to }oin
us as cook. Unfortunately Mr. Long had greater desires for the duties of housemaster and left us in November to join the
London County Council in this capacity. We wish him well in his new job.
We also said our farewells to Willie Hewitt this term, who left us to go into digs. He also has plans to be married at the end
of the year and we all wish him and his wife to be, much happiness.
Guy Fawkes never knew quite what he started three hundred years ago, but if nothing else it gives us an excuse at The
Verney to have a bonfire and thus dispose of the rubbish and junk which is inclined to accumulate over the year; a
pleasant evening of fireworks, toffee apples, and hot dogs was enjoyed by the boys and guests.
We welcomed Chris Berry to the flock last month and hope he enjoys his stay with us.
My family would like to take this opportunity to thank the boys and staff at The Verney for their co-operation over the
past year, and to wish every reader of the School Magazine a joyful Christmas and a happy New Year.
R. N.

A DAY AT THE VERNEY
'RISE AND SHINE'. Every morning this is the way we're greeted as Mr. Newton does his rounds at 7.15 a.m. A couple of boys hurry to
get up and get to the sink for their morning 'sprinkle'. Others try to have a couple of minutes longer in bed, but aren't usually successful
as Mr. Newton knows it all. The 'early boy' and the 'toaster' go down stairs to the warm paradise of the kitchen to get our breakfast laid
up. Mrs. Kemp then asks the 'early boy' to 'ring Mr. Newton and bash the gong'. We crawl down the stairs and settle down in our seats
for breakfast. 'Can we say grace?' Mr. Newton says 'I''or what we . . . ' 'Amen', and breakfast has begun. After breakfast, into the
common room to 'light-up' and sit down until 8.30 when we go to work. 'Half-past; coming up?' And everyone enthusiastically (?)
rushes off to work.
Passing the Waterford bus stop a few 'good mornings' with a few put on smiles are exchanged. Three boys pass on their bikes and shout
such things as 'woop' and "ning". Up Goldings Lane and down the drive into the Printing Department. 'I'm :n, Mr. Stevenson' utter a few
people so as to be marked on the time sheet. Then we all settle down to work until our 10.30 a.m. break when once again it's 'light-up'
time. 'Fags' finished, it's back to work until 12.15 p.m. when we trundle up to the School for dinner. Usually
we sit for 15 minutes in the wind-tunnel type corridor until cookhouse is blown.
After dinner it's time for our game of football. No one is willing to take the responsibility of picking a team and the usual remarks of 'I
picked up yesterday (or three weeks ago) so it's someone else's turn'. But eventually the teams are picked and we're off. 'Goal' someone
shouts, 'never, it hit the post' (usually a pile of jackets) so there is a dispute over that. 1.25 p.m. so it's back to work, where half an hour
is usually spent 'cooling off'. At 3 p.m. back down for a smoke, and then work again until 5 o'clock.
Tea is usually at 5.30 p.m. and then after tea we retire to the common room and wonder what to do with ourselves until 'lights-out'
at 11 p.m. Some go up to the Club, others (the luckier ones) go to the pictures, while the rest either watch TV or listen to records.
Two nights a week we go dancing so there's no trouble there. 'Who's going to help get the supper up?' someone asks. No reply so
he does it himself. 'Suppers ready' and everyone jumps up for dining room. 'Arter you with the grog', 'Pass the marg', come the requests.
Then back to the common room, until 10.45 p-m- 'Right-ho lads', Mr. Newton says, and everybody drags themselves up to bed.
'Good night all', and another day at The Verney comes to an end. But nevertheless, it's a grand life (if you don't worry).