Elmbridge Teachers & Old Boys
Memories of Elmbridge
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WAITING FOR YOUR MEMORIES
We are delighted to forward the following article that Phyl Furniss has sent to Tony Betts. Phyl is the widow of John 'Paddy' Furniss who was the Headmaster of Elmbridge School between September 1973 and July 1980.
MESSAGE FROM PHYL FURNISS
Tony Betts asked me if I would write a few words about Paddy's time as Headmaster of Elmbridge through the 1970s - 'Not formal' he said, and as I was always the chatty one of our partnership that suited me fine. Paddy would have said that the staff and the old boys should also have their say but he was not one himself for long speeches and presentations. His droll sense of humour was always in evidence but he was a 'doer' who loved his job and I know that he took fond memories of the staff and boys with him when he retired in July 1980.
Despite uncertain times when he was appointed Headmaster, knowing that in due course Elmbridge would be moving to it's new home in Essex, everyone enjoyed being in Cranleigh. Among many happy memories are those of the great sports day weekends which started in Paddy's time when caravans, tents and a large marquee appeared on the playing fields and fun and celebrations included a barbecue at which even staff animals were welcome, though our own dogs had to be on strict diets for a while afterwards! My thanks go to the old boys and parents for these fantastic events.
Sadly when the school eventually closed at Cranleigh the site became part of history but in my memory it will always be kept alive. I feel sure that Paddy and his Labrador, Rory, are always looking down on us.
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My name is David Rowley
I attended Elmbridge from the middle of the summer term 1957, was always known from then on as the new boy.I left in 1959,I had hated school before Elmbridge but suddenly they became wonderful days.
I can remember when I was table leader in the dining hall we were having salad and as usual the lettuce was all smothered in slugs due to the kitchen staffs lack of washing same..
One day when Bertie Blowers was on duty in the dining hall we had salad and he was late in. I cant remember who did it but it was agreed we would change our slug ridden salad for Berties which was of course carefully washed ..
We all watched ,to his feet he got and stormed into the kitchen we could hear the chef saying you cannot have maggots on yours it was carefully washed. Needless to say our salads were perfectly O.K. in the future. Incidentally nothing was said by Mr. Blowers who probably guessed what had happened..
About me I always wanted to be a farmer so after leaving school I joined the town boys training scheme. A place called White Courts near Braintree in Essex of course like I guess many others I found not enough money in farming and left in the late sixties to work in a factory. The factory finished in early 1975 and as I had an H.G.V. class 3 licence Grandfather rights, thought I would try a bit of driving until I could find something better. That I am afraid is what I was still doing when I retired this year.2008 ended up with class 1 driving double deck trailers 15ft.9" high and woe be tied you if you get diverted off the main road. Have been married for thirty years have one daughter and two grandchildren the oldest now 11..
That's a little bit about me I hope this can be put in the right boxes I have some "photos" if I can find them and will send in due course..
Yours David Rowley.
***************************************************************PHOTOGRAPHS FROM BILL OSBOURN
