Memories of my Alphington childhood 1935–1949 – Chapter 4
Alphington Village School
Photo by Rowena Jay. Copyright © Rowena Jay.
Alphington Pupils mid to late 40's. My Sister Wendy Miller is middle row far right
School Photos
Alphington Pupils mid to late 40's
School photo
The Head Masters House
Private Collection
Alphington School 1949
copyright of The Scholastic Souvenir Co Ltd
A school day memory best forgotten!
By Philip Miller
The pond
One memorable event at Alphington School was the occasion I finished up in the School pond. The school garden was in Ide lane where the boys were taught vegetable gardening. We also had an ornamental pond. This day I was given the job of cleaning around the pond under the instruction of one of the big lads, I think he was a prefect, who was a bit of a bully. He was hounding me, and it got to the point where I had had enough, he was stood with his back to the pond, I gave him a shove, he fell backwards into the pond but not before he grabbed me so we were both floundering in the water and soaked to the skin!
The headmaster was Mr. Patten, a new young head recently out of the Royal Navy. He sent us back to the School House to his wife. She had us undress and hang our clothes on the fender surrounding the fire place. For a couple of bashful lads this was somewhat embarrassing. She was a young good looking woman so it was probably even more embarrassing for the 15 year old lad. (I know his name but better not print it here).
When we had dried out we were called before Mr. Patten to explain ourselves, needless to say I was blamed but it must have looked rather odd to the head having this great big 15 year old youth blaming a little 10 year old. It didn't end there as the Bully sent his mum around to my mum and not to let the matter rest she came to the school to see the Headmaster. What fun. Another blot on my school record.
The school garden today
Years later I looked for the school garden when I visited Alphington. I should have realised that it is now built on. I hope the owner grows first class vegetables; it was a very fertile plot.
Philip Miller's memories continue in chapter 5.