A Windsor Home
From about 1966 to 1977 I lived in a house at 74 King's Road, Windsor. It was set behind some grand old buildings overlooking the Long Walk. It was situated in an exclusive area. A narrow drive just off King's Road itself led to not just 74 but also to number 76. Both the houses were apparently designed in a very modern style for their time by an architect who lived at the latter. His name was Edward Whiteley.
I used to visit his wife Beryl now, and again as a child. She was a very idealistic, and intellectual woman. She kept her home spotlessly clean, and there was very little furniture in the place. Sadly, she had no children by Edward.
Sometimes, I would read books aloud to her outside her front door. She notably introduced me to Alice In Wonderland, and Alice Through The Looking Glass. I introduced her to the comic world of Catweazle which was a well-known TV series. I read the book based on it to her, and she was much taken by it. Infact, I actually met Richard Carpenter the author of Catweazle via the Puffin Club, and even got his autograph which I treasured.
We hardly saw Edward Whiteley. Indeed, we used to call him Red Ted as we thought that he might have been a spy for the Communists! Infact, I recall seeing inside his home the large volumes of Karl Marx's Capital. At the time, I did not understand, and appreciate their full importance, but I do clearly recall the white bearded image of Marx himself on the covers. Beryl was also very left of centre too. In this respect, she, and Edward were like two peas in a pod.
My mater, pater, and myself though were very right of centre. My mater would sometimes have arguments with Beryl which may have lead to a rift in relations. As for myself, I in later life moved from right to left wing of the political spectrum as it seemed to be infinitely more ethical than Capitalism.
Anyway, if I recall rightly Edward was the architect who designed the YWCA, or Young Womens' Christian Association next to the drive that lead to our property. It overlooked the Long Walk, and has since been demolished. However, it was originally opened by the Queen, and I recall trying to film the event with my pater's cine camera.
Ofcourse, it must be remembered here that we are talking about the sixties, and the seventies. It was the time of the Soviet Union, and the insanity of MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction) via nuclear war, and pamphlets on the "ridiculous" Protect and Survive. Apart from that, there were the Power Cuts which were a minor "inconvenience". Almost everyday too the News on the television reported strikes as well as the shootings of soldiers in Ireland.......
Anyway, it was at the Windsor home that I had my psychic experiences. The key ones are documented in the article entitled The Realization of the Psychic. They occurred in the main in my bedroom which was small, and comfortable. There was a "cupboard" whose shelves acted as place for my many annuals, and books on history (which included notably writings by R.J. Unstead, and the Larousse Encyclopedias on Ancient/Modern History, and Archaeology, et cetera).
I used to have binders which stored the excellent full colour magazines of Tell Me Why (the "original" large all colour ones). I learnt a lot about the world, and its culture through them. Later on, I "graduated" to collecting Look and Learn. This too was another excellent educational magazine....but Tell Me Why was my original delight.
Ofcourse, like many children of the day I used to collect the splendid TV 21 which produced comic strips of the excellent Gerry Anderson puppets series notably Thunderbirds, and Captain Scarlet which were all the rave.
Once, I recall that Beryl had a friend who worked as a puppeteer at the production "factory" of the series in nearby Slough (on the local trading estate to be more precise). I asked the former to ask the latter what the meaning was of SIG in Captain Scarlet, and was told that it meant Spectrum is Green.
Once as a child apparently, I shot right in front of a car driven by Princess Margaret along with the Queen at a Polo Match. Fortunately, they stopped just in time....
PS. Before living in Windsor I lived in the first half of 1960s in Ditton Road, Langley. It was there that mater, and pater met Bobby Schultz. She was married to a German POW. Anyway, she claimed that she was directly descended from King Henry IV, and the Bollingbroke family. She certainly had a stately air of "superiority" about her which I liked.
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Some Relevant Material
The link below shows King's Road, and the drive leading to 74, and 76. Opposite it can be seen the Long Walk, Windsor.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.475419,-0.605765,3a,58.9y,253.3h,86.3t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s3u2pE7HOSITstzn8l_JINA!2e0
http://thoughtsandvisions-searle88.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/realization-of-psychic.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protect_and_Survive
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catweazle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._J._Unstead
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YWCA
This site and its content © Gerald Sables 2013. Made With Serif WebPlus.
Glynn Court RIP. Died 25 May 2018, aged 94.
Teacher of German & French PJGS 1953-1957
Few members will remember Glyn as he did not stay long with us. He was a Somerset boy and the West Country drew him back after only four years in Yorkshire. His widow tells me he was recruited by ‘Chas’ Elliott who was holidaying in Minehead in 1953!
His university education was interrupted by army service in WW2, where he served in India and Burma. He took part in some of the famous river battles in Burma, including the Battle of Sittang Bend, 26-27 July 1945, the last action fought by a British battalion in WW2. He remained an active member of the Burma Star Association.
After PJGS he continued teaching in grammar schools in the South West. A brilliant linguist and with an encyclopaedic knowledge, he became BBC Radio ‘Brain of Britain’ in 1973. He was involved in local politics and for many years was a member of Somerset County Council. In February 2018, long after retiring, he was awarded the title of Honorary Alderman. He stood twice for MP (Lib) in the West Country, 1974 and 1979.
We were glad to welcome Glyn and his wife Clare to the 70th Anniversary reunion in 2009.
80th Anniversary Great Success
Attended by 200. There was an Enjoyable programme incl historical slide show, 1960s music and an Elvis contribute. Super facilities at the Warmsworth Holiday Inn. See images below, more photos can be found at the Percy Jackson Facebook page.
Obituary
Percy Jackson Pens.
Former pupil Allen Kaye is producing pens made from wood we managed to salvage from Percy Jackson’s. Allen suggested the idea of him being able to produce some items in wood if any could be salvaged. After consulting Wates who were in charge of the buildings they looked for quality pieces of wood within the building and a suitable source was found to be the stairs near the stage, these were removed and saved for Allen. It was thought that these were made of Mahongany, but Allen now thinks they may be Iroko wood. It was planned that the oak doors at the main entrance would also be saved, however this didn’t happen. Allen has used this wood from the hall to create these beautiful pens which are a unique memento of the school, they are in limited supply due to the finite amount of wood and Allen’s ability to produce them, so to avoid disappointment get your order in early, at the time of typing only eleven are available. The profits from each pen will be split between helping to fund this site and Charity, so please support us by purchasing them. Please go to the shop Page: click Here
FLAGPOLES
The only other wood that we managed to salvage was one of the flagpoles. It was intended that one was going to be re-erected opposite the school entrance in the grounds of Northridge School, however the flagpole was damaged during removal and was thought unsafe so they were kind enough to let Allen have it, it is thought to be made of Douglas Fir, it is hoped that this can also be used to produce some items, Allen is experimenting with this at the moment. We hope that we will have something available for sale soon, so keep visiting the site.
It was with sadness that we heard the announcement that former Percy Jackson Head Of History Bill Cavill has passed away. He was appointed head of history in 1967
DEATHS
Doncaster Council’s Report on the school is now available to view online
NEW FACEBOOK SITE
Recently I was contacted by ex-PJ pupil Ken Dickson who offered to create a Facebook site where ex-pupils could post questions, get in touch with old schoolmates etc. I am very grateful for his offer and the site is now online, it’s still in it’s early stages so it might have a few glitches but I hope that people will use and support it, so why not pop along today and post a message. If you don’t have a Facebook account setting one up is easy and straightforward. The link is at the bottom of the homepage or simply use this link: CLICK HERE
PENS
The pens have proved very popular, each one is hand-made by former pupil Allen Kaye and they are selling as fast as he can produce them, currently we are out of stock, but Allen is hoping to produce some more in the near future. Last week Allen visited me and I presented him with a cheque for £135 towards his local charity which helps adults with special needs, so the sale of each pen is not only helping fund work on the archives but also helping good causes as well.
EX-PUPIL REQUEST
Today I was contacted by former pupil John Riley who now lives in New Zealand, he was a pupil at the school between 1949 and 1951. He has sent some memories which I have added to the memories page, but he would also like to contact his old friend Stanley Doyle.
So if anyone has any information regarding Stanley could they contact me and I can pass it on to John.
WYAS REPORT
Doncaster council commissioned WYAS (West Yorkshire Archeological Society) to prepare an archeological report on the school which was published several weeks ago. After ex-pupils viewed it they noted some glaring errors. Eventually Janet Kitson Roberts managed to convince Andrew Mowforth of Doncaster Council to allow us to add an errata list. This has been a real strain on Janet as she is in poor health, not only is she noting errors, but also trying to locate the correct details which can make Miss Marple’s job look easy by comparison. If anyone has any information regarding the dates and uses of buildings behind the gym near the sixth form block for Adwick School and the building which formally stood where the new boiler room was, could you get in touch. Time is running short
SCHOOL MEMORIAL
For the past few years since the announcement that Percy Jackson School was to be demolished, negotiations have been taking place regarding a permanent memorial for the school. It was suggested that the New Outwood Academy school would include something similar to a Memorial Wall that some other schools have. Janet Kitson Roberts has been making great efforts in this quest and I have done my best to obtain materials and support her. I managed to salvage the flagpoles & the railings from the entrance to the school. Sadly the flagpole was too damaged to be reused and so the wood will be used to make items for sale. The railings were badly damaged during removal, but I retrieved them and they were later collected by the academy, however since then there has been no word on any memorial and one has to wonder how much enthusiasm Outwood has for this project. However be assured neither Janet nor myself will curtail our efforts to ensure a proper fitting memorial to the school is created.
PENS BACK IN STOCK
We have a small number of pens available for sale, so if you would like one, don’t delay, contact us as soon as you can.
DEATH
Sadly it was reported that former Percy Jackson teacher John Fay passed away on the 17th December, he was 86 years old. He was a local lad being born at Stainforth and after studying at Manchester & Oxford he taught Latin at several schools one being Percy Jackson in the 1960’s . After leaving he became headmaster at St Thomas Aquinas in Sunderland in 1969 and then moved to Carmel School in Darlington where he was very popular. Former pupil John Moorley had this to say of him.
"John Fay taught me Latin at the Percy Jackson Grammar School, near Doncaster, from 1962 to 1966. We were a lively bunch and he kept us all engaged with his good humour despite the relative dryness of the subject and the timetabling which was exclusively in double periods. Many of the scripts concerned stories associated with Roman Gods. My fondest memory was asking Mr. Fay “How did people know what was the Gods were doing? What was the source of their information?” Mr Fay replied “Well - the Gods just told them”. I have always remembered Mr. Fay with fondness and gratitude,
John Moorley
An Obituary appeared in the Northern Echo, you can read it via this link: http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/11697558.Tributes_paid_to_Darlington_s____gentleman_of_the_old_school___/
You will be sad to learn that Edward Whiteley passed away last Sunday evening in Basingstoke, with heart failure. He was 85. I have attached his photograph.
He was born in Huddersfield, but his family shortly moved to Doncaster. He spent the years during World War 2 at Percy Jackson grammar school. In his leaving report of 1945, Mr Field, the headmaster, described him as: ‘An excellent student . . . he has shown particular interest and aptitude in Art and I have every confidence in recommending him as a student of Architecture. He is quiet and gentlemanly in manner and is of excellent character and conduct.’
In 1949 Edward began his career in London with Hening And Chitty of Gower Street, then with Dex Harrison in Kensington. He received his DiplArch from Leeds in 1951 and was elected an Associate of the RIBA the following year. He won a Hoffman Wood architectural scholarship in 1950, enabling him to study architecture in Europe in 1951 and again in 1954, during his National Service.
In 1959 he moved to Windsor, joining Edgington Spink & Hyne, where he would become a partner in 1964 and later, senior partner. He lived in Kings Road with his wife Beryl, in a house he himself designed. He was appointed domestic architect of St George’s, Windsor, responsible for the Deanery and the adjacent apartments of the Garter Knights. He was a Friend of St George’s Chapel, and a life member of the YHA. He became a magistrate in 1973, a position he held for sixteen years. In 1994 he moved to Basingstoke and we had been together ever since.
Notable buildings of his included the RHM headquarters and the YWCA hostel in Windsor - both demolished recently, much to his horror. He also designed the Edinburgh Gardens housing scheme, the Pine Lodge Thames Valley hospice (both in Windsor) , a house for the headmaster of Harrow School, and Fulbourn Hospital in Cambridge.
As a student, he had measured Brodsworth Hall in Yorkshire, with accurate drawings. He returned there as a visitor in 1998, and offered the drawings to English Heritage, so that they could restore some badly eroded limestone carvings as part of a comprehensive restoration of the building, including the original owner's monogram. In appreciation, English Heritage awarded him life membership.
Edward suffered a heart attack in Paris in 2004, but seemed to recover well. Eventually, though, this, combined with the other difficulties of old age, caught up with him. But he put up a brave fight to the end, always keeping a keen interest and enthusiasm for what mattered to him: visits to concerts and the theatre, and membership of a local weekly play reading group in Basingstoke.
Edward Mitchell
PS: In 2011, Mr Whiteley signed a petition to save the original Woodlands building. I have just seen in your website that it was demolished in 2013. I am only glad that he never learned of this mindless and wanton act of vandalism. (EM)
The following is from Thamesweb, and deals with The Long Walk.
The Long Walk
Updated September 2008See also
Home Page | Panoramic View | Home Page |
 The Copper Horse on Snow Hill, and the view north along The Long Walk towards Windsor Castle and the George IV gateway. This picture was taken in the 1930s and shows the young Horse Chestnut and London Plane trees shortly after the replanting of the Long Walk. The removal of the old trees along the full length of the Long Walk was not completed until 1946. |
In 1859 a Commission, of which the Duke of Bedford was President, inspected the Long Walk, and recommended ("...after mature consideration...") that the old trees, when dead, dangerous, or decayed, should be gradually replaced by young elms between the Castle and the Double Gates, adjacent to Park Street, but from that point to the Statue of George III on Snow Hill, the soil proved unsuitable for elms and so there should be a gradual substitution of oak for elm in that part of the avenue. This plan was therefore adopted on a small scale in 1861, when a small enclosure was planted with oaks on the east side in the line of the Avenue. In 1879, three other enclosures were formed on the same principle, one either side of Snow Hill, and another opposite the plantation created in 1861. Elms were felled and replaced with Horse Chestnut and London Plane working north from the Copper Horse end, significant work being undertaken in 1921 and in the early 1930s at which time the decision was made to widen the distance between the lines of trees on each side of the avenue.  Many of the trees by this time were in need of replacement.  
Following an outbreak of elm disease at the beginning of WWII, the avenue at the northern end was felled in 1943, work starting on 30th August of that year, with the entire replanting completed by February 1946. The avenue as we know it today at the northern end dates from that time, planted with London Plane and Horse Chestnuts. The original plan was to decide after a period of thirty years or so which species to retain, but during the subsequent thinning in the 1970s, the mix was retained.   Arriving by road from the south-east, from Old Windsor, you will cross The Long Walk and enjoy views up and down the avenue, towards the Copper Horse southwards, and the Castle to the north. NB There are no official parking places nearby, and cars and cycles are not permitted to ride along the Long Walk. If arriving by coach the driver will slow down for a few moments to allow photographs but will be unable to stop. Car parking may be possible in the side roads to the west, but the best plan is to park in one of the town centre car parks and walk east from The Guildhall past the Parish Church into Park Street, entering the Long Walk through the Park Street gateway, middle left of the picture above and below.   cut down in 1943 and replaced with young saplings  a second, outer avenue of younger London Plane
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