'A Squatter's Write' (Part 20) - Dick Sturch's memories of growing up in 'The Camp' in Millwey Rise

At Axminster Primary school my education was progressing. Having started in Miss Hatchley's class, I then moved up into Miss Hunt's in the second year and finally Miss Humphrey's for my third year.

The classrooms were the original of brick construction with an open corridor to the front adjacent to the playground.

I have a few recollections of my early years. Definitely of the playground, which meant freedom until the bell rang for classes to begin.

The first bell was at nine o' clock every morning. When we heard this we assembled in ranks before marching into our respective classroom and sitting at our tables before a myriad of voices answered 'yes' to their name being called for the register.

This procedure took place every day, summer and winter and I can remember on some really frosty mornings, crying with the cold and it was such a joy to get inside and warm my hands on a radiator, although this could be painful as the circulation began to return.

The wooden sandpit stood on legs in Miss Hatchley's classroom was a great novelty and I spent many enjoyable hours playing around it. I always looked forward to the afternoon stories that were read in all the infant classes.

I remember our sing-song voices ringing round the room repeating the alphabet or times-tables as they were instilled into our developing brains by rote. I'm sure, like many others, a real pet-hate for me, thankfully only occasionally, was the screech of chalk on the blackboard. It always sent shivers coursing through the whole of my body.

One lasting memory was singing 'Now is the Hour' in a duet with Pat Turner (I think, if not I do apologise) at a Christmas party for early year pupils. Even now I can't hold a note of music so goodness knows what I sounded like then. Thank goodness no one had the means to record it for posterity.

Both assembly and dinner was taken in the school hall. Most days I had school dinners but if money was tight at home I would take sandwiches instead.

Whether school dinner or sandwiches, I ate them as quickly as possible so there would be more time to play before the afternoon lessons began. Then after two more hours in the classroom came the welcome sound of the bell bringing the school day to a close.

Looking back most of my teachers then were female, middle aged and unmarried. Was it a requisite of the time? I don't know, but it does seem odd now. When I began primary school education, Mr Bond was headmaster but a year or so later, and until I left, Mr Blackburn filled the position.

After three years in the old red brick building I moved into the new classrooms abutting gardens tended by pupils from the senior school. I cannot remember the names of any of these teachers but we now had access to a larger playground though there was a problem.

The chain link fence surrounding it was quite low and when we were playing football during break times the ball would frequently end up in the gardens.

This necessitated someone having to retrieve it and there were two ways of doing this; the very drawn out, correct way, of someone going to the staff room and requesting a teacher to unlock the gate and get it for us, or to climb over the fence and get it yourself. This was strictly forbidden, but much quicker and tended to be how the ball was usually retrieved.

On one particular lunch break the ball had been kicked over several times which eventually drew a teacher's attention who, unfortunately, arrived as it was being rescued yet again from the gardens.

Everyone who was playing football were then lined up in front of the headmaster, who went down the line asking each one of us if we had climbed over the fence to retrieve the ball. I was the only one to admit I had, and for my honesty was dismissed without punishment. The others all had two strokes of the cane across their palms. For once, honesty did pay.

Inspiration

One teacher that really stands out during my time at Axminster Primary School is Mr Pirie. I think, until I entered his class, which was the final one before elevation into senior education, I had achieved very little.

He was a tall man, slightly stooped his hair was snow white, his skin tanned the colour of copper and he always had the aroma of nicotine about him as he was an inveterate smoker. For some reason he took me under his wing and no matter how or what I was doing or attempting to do he always seemed to be there to give me advice and encouragement.

I was never, or ever have been, one of life's academics, but if I was struggling with a problem, mainly arithmetic, he would explain it to me until he was sure I understood it.

There was no doubt I was one of his favoured pupils. Not that I had gone out of my way to be so, but for some reason he thought I was an achiever. So much so that I really did try to achieve, though I think his faith in me was far greater than the ability I had to offer.

Apparently, he once told my mother that I could become anything I set my mind on but I think my mind was set on so many unrealistic ambitions that I really didn't know what I wanted to become.

There were two highlights during my time at the primary school. I was made the boys' house captain of greens (colour that is) and in my final year we won the sports day trophy. The photo taken at this event is of Pat Turner, who was the girls captain, and myself being presented with the trophy, a large oil painting, from Mr Gill, the chair of governors and also the artist who painted the picture.

He was a well-known Axminster notary and owner of Gill's Bakery then situated in Chard Street opposite the school entrance and also Gill's Restaurant that was in Trinity Square.

The second highlight came as a complete surprise. We were in morning assembly and the names of pupils who had passed the 11-plus examination were being read out by Mr Blackburn. I honestly didn't give it a thought, in my mind I was already moving up to the secondary school to join my friends who were already there.

We all thought he had come to the end of the list and were about to start applauding the successful pupils when he said: "Oh, yes, and Derek Sturch".

I don't know how I felt, I think I was in a state of shock; it was totally unexpected. In fact, I'm still of the opinion it was a typing mistake but I do remember who the first person was to congratulate me and shake my hand - Mr Pirie.

He had a huge influence on my determination and self-confidence. He once said to me: "Think how you would feel if you became the person you really wanted to be? Keep feeling it enough and you can be that person." That was an example of the positive thoughts he attempted to engender in me.

One last word on my mentor Mr Pirie – some years later we met at an old boys' day at Colyton Grammar school where his daughters had also been pupils during my time. He was so pleased to see me.

We shook hands and he enquired: "Well Dick, what are you doing now?" I told him I was a representative for South Western Farmers selling farm machinery. Typical of the man he replied: "Well done, but what happened to the pilot you wanted to be?" I told him that I suffered from a fear of heights. We both laughed.

He died not long afterwards but he still lives in my memory today nearly 70 years later. A sign of my true affection and admiration for him. It is a pity more of my teachers could not generate the same positive enthusiasm for education that he did.

——————————————————————

You can submit your own news straight to Axminster Nub News by using the 'Nub It' button on our homepage. This can also be done for free for events on our What's On page and businesses, roups and organisations on our Local List page by using the 'Nub It' button.

Please like and follow our online newspaper on your favourite social media channel. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter. And don't forget to sign up to our free weekly newsletter below!