"There WERE Romans at Fossdene 1971(ish)"

A review of Fossdene Primary School by Mark Hales written on Tuesday 6th of October 2009

Quite by accident, I saw this site and these reviews, in particular Andrew P and the Romans... I was the other Roman. You almost got the name right. It's Mark Hales. I left in 1972 when I moved to Eltham. Andrew, like me would have been in Miss (Liz) Coopers class. Before her we had Mr Hartley who let us do the Roman Legionaire costumes in cardboard for a school play. Before him, we had Miss Oldham, Miss Roe (Or was it Rowbear,? One or the other?) and Miss Fagg. I never attended nursery there, so Miss Fagg was my first teacher in 1968 or so. I remember many of the kids and to this day(I'm 46 now)am still in touch with Caron Bateman, now Davey.

I remember Andrew Pete (obviously) , Jimmy Grindlay (went to my senior school as did Kevin Snell)Mark Froud, Mark Lovering, Claire English, Karen Geno, Robin Wilkins, Glen Ward, Jamie Dunning, Sandra Balkaran, Don King, Dominic ?, Bobby ?, Angela ? some twins whose name escapes me and few vague "others."

Miss Roe (Rowbear?)used to read us Brear Rabbit stories at the end of the day ('68/69?)

I remember Apollo 11 moon landings one night and Miss Roe (Rowbear?)being massivly enthusiastic about it the next day.

I remember, when we became juniors we were allowed to play in the lower playground. A good hiding place being that hole with no door just below the steps to the lower entrance...

I can remember always being curious in the covered section of the lower playground. What was behind those locked doors? On reflection, boiler room, probably.

The caretakers first name was Les and he used to go fishing with my Grandad.

My Grandad (1913 - 1985)also went to Fossdene post WW1 to that small building at the top of the lower playground. Apparently, it was a wood or metal workshop in the 1920s?

Who remembers playing marbles on the manhole covers? The ones with the raised diamond patterns?

And that tower next door. Phillips Cables? They made maritime telephone/telegraph cables and the smell from it was very distinct.

So many memories of nearly 40 years ago and I have trouble with 40 days ago... Ah well... Back to the land of dreams.

I welcome anyone to mail me if you want a memory jogging.

Mark..

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