Woodlands School

Hi Barry and good to hear from another Woodlandite. Going by your dates, you were there a year before me, so I guess our paths would not have crossed very much? Do you recall a maths master called Bates (cannot remember his first name) from Brook?

Hi Chris and I hope that you are well. What years were you there and what house were you in?

Hi Mick, I am very well, thank you. How are you? I attended Woodlands from 1963 to 1965 and I was in Brook House. I was also at Henry Parkes prior to that with you.

Hello Barry, In RE: Post 313. I attended Woodlands from 1963 to 1965 and was also in Brook House. Were you there when an incident occurred between Sooty Corbett and Johnny Blackstock's younger brother Mike? It was toward the end of the school year and during a moment of temporary insanity, Mike (I believe that was his name) squared-up to Sooty and refused to obey him. Quite an argument ensued and as the two moved in closer, Mick suddenly raised his fists and that was it, Sooty grabbed Mick around the neck and spun him around dragging him down the isle yelling "he raised his fists". What on earth possessed Mike to go after Sooty, of all people, I do not know. It was quite the talk of the school afterwards.

Hi Mick, I'm afraid not. I do remember Barker being the form master for the 2nd form (I think) and Sooty was form master for the 5th form. There was another much younger teacher. I'm sure he taught brickwork, metalwork or some such craftand it was in the in the bottom of the science block but I can't remember his name. After reading through these pages it's strange how some of the names bring vivid memories flooding back and others just leave me wondering. It would be hard to forget Sooty or Barker, for very obvious reasons, but I remember Mr Bolland and his troubled son. These days he would probably be diagnosed with ADHD or Autism but unfortunately 60 years ago he was just naughty. I also remember my first meeting with Mr Trollope. I made the mistake of stepping on the grass, he made me apologise to the grass. Luckily, for me he was not a mind reader.

I don't remember this but I wish I had witnessed it. I do vaguely remember the Blackstock brothers though and if I'm right the younger brother was only a little guy. It doesn't really surprise me, a lot of the teachers at that time seemed very keen to inflict humiliation and pain at every opportunity so a students temporary loss of sanity would be understandable BUT to to go up against Sooty is like matching Mother Teresa with Genghis Khan. I can't remember any students who came close to being a match for Sooty Corbett. A pity we didn't have the internet and YouTube 60 years ago.

It is good to hear from you, Barry. Perhaps some other names will come to mind.