Harry Botton's Visit - April 1997

Harry Botton (Barry, South Glamorgan) wrote to tell us of his enjoyable and instructive afternoon with Dave Brittain and thanks him for sparing the time to show him around the School. He visited on 18 April 1997 and thought he would enter the School through the Grammar School door, but later was informed by "the beautifully modulated voice of the school secretary" that the door is kept locked. Harry had hoped to re-enact some of his more furtive entries in the 1930's through that self same door while morning prayers were in progress in Forms 1 and 2. With the front door and the locker rooms in full view of anyone stationed at the glass-panelled form room door, and with most of the masters congregated at that end of the building, it was virtually impossible to creep in unobserved; yet we continued to try in the hope that one morning the keeper of the form door - usually 'Chips' Morris - might be fully occupied in his devotions. With Mr Brittain as my guide, I toured that part of the building so well known in outline from pre-war days, peering into form rooms where I once sat and now replete with busy computer screens, and not a desk in sight - oh yes, just one. In a prominent position, situated near the Head's study, stands a solitary desk painted black - an academic equivalent of the medieval pillory and stocks - awaiting the pupil foolish enough to be implicated in some peccadillo and failing to comply with the eleventh commandment.

In the company of a small group of personable and erudite young ladies, I was initiated into the mysteries of the Internet. Meanwhile Mr Brittain was informing me that face to face speech was possible and available on the ISDN - whatever that means. Please forgive my ignorance, but we of the pre 1940 survivors have difficulty in identifying and translating some of these cryptic symbols.

I watched, I listened, I marvelled and came away with the conviction that at least one of those young ladies would grace the business pages of the better class dailies.

On to inspect an older craft, that of carpentry. I was reminded of my efforts in the woodwork shop across the road where I struggled to complete a bathroom cabinet under the watchful eye of Mr Watts. 'Timber' Watts also presided over a stretch of land, behind the workshop, which was divided into small plots which he encouraged us to cultivate - with varying degrees of success. I remember him giving us a demonstration of rose budding.

The present day woodworkers showed a remarkable degree of skill among the products on view and it was good to see that one of the old crafts had not been forgotten.

So the Boarding House has been reprieved and removed from the clutches of the developer and those who would demolish, what, in my opinion, should be at the very least a Grade II building among the number of Lincolnshire listed buildings. Long may it continue to be used for the benefit of the School.

Finally to the playing fields, suffering from a lack of water and perhaps - dare I say it? - too many feet.

Some years ago when I heard that Brigg Grammar School had become a co-educational establishment I shuddered mentally and pictured Sir John, our worthy founder, spinning in his grave for the second time this century.

However, I realise now that my fears were groundless. Judging by what I saw and heard on 18 April and what I have gathered from the Head's Notes and perusal of the 6th Form 'A' level results, the School is very much alive and kicking. As Messrs Lerner and Lowe were once heard to remark, 'Thank Heaven for little girls!'

My thanks and good wishes to Mr Brittain and to all who made my visit such a pleasant one - even to the extent of re-producing the complete School magazine for December 1931 in which I managed to contribute a few rhyming sentences.