BRIEFINGS
Pauline Memories
Nicholas Parsons – you have Just a Minute on your time at St Paul’s Paul Ganjou (1960-65) met Nicholas Parsons CBE (1937-39) in the last year of Nicholas’ long life. They talked about his time at School. The happiest days: ‘there is an old saying “School days are the happiest days of your life” and this was certainly true of my time at St Paul’s and Colet Court (St Paul’s Junior School). I was usually the last boy in the playground to catch the tram home, which was then in Clapham. Later we moved to
Hampstead and then it was just a short walk from Olympia and the number 28 bus – much easier.’ Teachers: ‘I have a theory that those who take up teaching as a profession either do so because it appeals as a pleasant job, or they are committed to passing on knowledge and learning. I was fortunate enough to have 3 teachers with this latter gift – all classics masters so I happen to excel at Latin and Greek.’
‘Tommy’: ‘In my final year, before I was moved away from the school early, dictated by the outbreak of war, I was taught by TL ‘Tommy’ Martin, as he was affectionately known by all. He was a slightly larger than life character of corpulent build, but had a real gift for teaching and imbuing his pupils with a desire to learn. I often think that whatever self-education I may have acquired since that the foundations were laid by this exceptional teacher and I still remember him with great affection.’ Sport: ‘I am not an academic; my great love is sport and my two schools gave me the chance to express myself in various activities, including cricket and fives and rugby. It was the latter game where I excelled and I was selected to play for the 2nd XV when I was only 15 and then for Glasgow University and reached a very high standard.’ Boxing: ‘I also boxed – as did most boys at the school – under an amazing teacher called Bo Langham. St Paul’s was then the premier boxing school in the country and the 1st Team often beat Sandhurst.’ Paul Ganjou was at School 21 years later and was also taught to box by Bo Langham. Both he and Nicholas won boxing ‘Colours’ and shared 2 other coaches – Bill Williams and ‘Buster’ Read, both ex-pro boxers.
04
ATRIUM
SPRING / SUMMER 2020
