This is Tonbridge: 1960-1970

Tonbridge School archives presents:

THIS IS TONBRIDGE: 1960-70

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or almost 500 years, commonplace materials have provided essential clues to interpreting Tonbridge School’s rich and substantial past. Through letters, diaries and unpublished writings of many types, as well as through the audible, visual and electronic records of recent times, researchers and historians have been able to trace this school’s proud heritage and preserve it for future generations of Tonbridgians.

Your personal stories, scribbles and souvenirs are of enormous historic and cultural value, and when shared, becomes a part of our community’s collective memory.

It is with great pleasure therefore that I present you with this memory book of Tonbridge School in the 1960s, developed to mark the 2019 Reunion of OTs that experienced this colourful decade first hand.

Thank you to all of the OTs who generously wrote in and contributed their memories to this project, and for helping us capture these years, which saw dramatic changes at Tonbridge.

James Priory Headmaster

TONBRIDGE SCHOOL IN THE 1960s: A timeline of events

1960

1962

School awarded holiday in honour of the royal wedding and birth of HRH Prince Andrew

Revd. Waddy resigned as Headmaster and Michael McCrum is appointed

1964 The Smythe Library and Cloister is opened by HRH Princess Alexandra

Terriers on parade for the first time, since the new activity's creation

TONBRIDGE SCHOOL IN THE 1960s: A timeline of events

1965 The school uniform changes; the lovat suit becomes dark grey

The whole school visits London for Winston Churchill's funeral

1967 The first Senior Student House is opened

Compulsory Corps is abolished, and CCF is introduced

TONBRIDGE SCHOOL IN THE 1960s: A timeline of events

1968

1969

The school's new climbing wall is unveiled

The barge is made compulsory only on Sundays

1970 'High Trees' bequeathed to the school by H S Vere Hodge – now the Second Master's home

Michael McCrum retires and is to be succeeded

by Dr. Robert Ogilvie

TONBRIDGE SCHOOL IN THE 1960s: The Common Room

One cannot leave Tonbridge, or remember Tonbridge without finding oneself standing on the ‘Head’, on a sunny evening, looking across toward the school.

This was the view I had of Tonbridge on that first September evening I arrived. The chapel and library stand there as covers to a book; the chapel, of imperious Victorian architecture, the only place where the school daily unites, symbol of venerated tradition and Christian heritage; the library, the modern building with its academic and structural roots in the past, the illuminator filled with thousands of many-coloured lights. Between them lie the pages filled by classrooms, notice boards, and assembly halls; the proving grounds, the reality between the ideals. The serenity, the grandeur, and dignity of the scene symbolises what is best in Tonbridge.

Prologue by an American Exchange Student Tonbridge, a progress report written by the boys

TONBRIDGE SCHOOL IN THE 1960s: Your stories

“When I became a school prae, the time came when I was obliged to read the Lesson at the morning service. I was told that I should prepare for this by seeking advice from Dr Bunney, the Director of Music. (He and I had a mutual antipathy as I was part of the move to introduce jazz music to the school, and he put every possible obstacle in our way, even forcing me to cancel Terry Lightfoot and his Jazzmen, who had agreed to do a concert in Big School for £25).

To his credit, he put these differences aside and gave me sound advice – literally, sound advice. In particular he told me to speak out, so that each word rolled round our magnificent chapel, and above all to speak slowly and clearly. I was slightly discomfited to find that the passage chosen consisted of a long list of mortal sins, including many carnal sins mentioned in polite society only in hushed whispers, if at all.

Nevertheless, I carefully followed instructions and let each word hang in the air. I had the full attention of the whole school.

It happened that my first lesson after Chapel was with the Headmaster, Canon Waddy, a man for whom I had great respect and who always seemed to look on the bright side. As I entered the classroom, I asked him if it had gone all right, to which he replied "Well, you might at least have taken them two at a time".

Peter Morgan (PH 56-61)

the passage chosen consisted of a long list of mortal sins, including many carnal sins mentioned in polite society only in hushed whispers, if at all.

TONBRIDGE SCHOOL IN THE 1960s: Your stories

“I have one especial memory of a history class with Roy Ford. The classroom was at the top of an old building. Roy was late and as we were waiting for him, we were sitting idling the time away with casual chatter.

Suddenly Roy burst in, somewhat breathless from the climb, and observing our idle chatter, roared out: “Boys, boys, what is it that all great men have in common?” The class immediately went silent. After some 15 seconds of complete silence, Roy bellowed out: “Energy, boys, energy: that is what all great men have in common”. Clearly, none us was destined for greatness.

At sport, I played for the school in cricket, rugby, hockey, squash and fives. At cricket I had the great fortune of scoring a hundred against Clifton at Lords in 1960 and then captaining a very competent side to victory over Clifton at Lords in 1961.

My main memory of rugby is much less favourable, indeed highly humiliating. At the end of the December term 1960, the first XV visited Ireland. We were playing in Belfast (same latitude at Glasgow) high above the town on a bitter windy and cold afternoon. I was playing at fly half.

Whenever the opposite fly half had the ball, he ran around me. Whenever I received the ball, he crash-tackled me. After about 20 minutes, our rugby master, Dick Bradley, yelled out for all to hear: “Start playing rugby, Abelson”. It was some comfort to learn a little later that I was playing opposite Mike Gibson, one of the all-time great Irish rugby players. But I can still hear those words in my brain, even today".

Peter Abelson (MH 56-61)

After about 20 minutes, our rugby master, Dick Bradley, yelled out for all to hear: "Start playing rugby, Abelson.

TONBRIDGE SCHOOL IN THE 1960s: Your stories

"Colin Cowdrey walking up the aisle of St Augustine's Chapel to preach with his arm in plaster. His arm had been broken the day before by West Indian fast bowler, Wes Hall, while batting for England in the Test Match at Lord’s. In those days there was no play in Test matches on a Sunday, and Colin took the opportunity to come down to Tonbridge to give a sermon.

His theme was courage in adversity. The following day Colin practised what he preached by walking out to bat with his broken left arm in plaster from wrist to elbow to help try and salvage a draw. He managed it without having to face a ball and left the field acknowledged by cricketers everywhere, and by proud OTs for his heroism.

The truly arresting sight for 530 teenage boys of a stunning 19-year-old budding actress by the name of Julie Christie, wearing a newly fashionable miniskirt as she walked into chapel for an end-of-exeat Sunday evening service. Acknowledged as one of the great screen beauties to emerge in the Swinging Sixties, Julie had an understandably hugely popular brother, Clive, in Parkside. Just two years later, Clive’s impossibly beautiful sister who had dazzled us in chapel was the toast of Hollywood winning the Best Actress Oscar for her starring role in the film 'Darling.'

My history teacher Roy Ford stating on my report: “His writing is wooden and unimaginative.” It almost certainly was. But many years later at an OT reunion, Roy enquired how life was treating me and I was able to tell him I had written 14 books."

Tim Ewbank (Sc 58-63)

Colin Cowdrey walking up the aisle of St Augustine's Chapel to preach with his arm in plaster.

TONBRIDGE SCHOOL IN THE 1960s: Tonbridge School Shop and Avenue

TONBRIDGE SCHOOL IN THE 1960s: Your stories

"In the 1960s the pinnacle for all boys who were keen on cricket was selection to play at the end of the Summer Term in the 2-day match at Lord's between Tonbridge and the Bristol school Clifton College. Tonbridge had enjoyed the privilege of this fixture at Lord's since the beginning of the First World War. My turn came in 1966 but, in keeping with the times, the MCC were considering ending school fixtures at Lord's and two years later the last ever Lord's Tonbridge v Clifton match was held (albeit just a oneday match). Of the several schools that had played Lord's fixtures, only the Eton v Harrow match survived, as it does to this day.

By the standards of previous years, the team of 1966 was not a strong one, yet enjoyed a season with as many victories as defeats. The match against Clifton was drawn amid some controversy over a declaration (there was no "overs cricket" in those days, so to win, you had to bowl the other team out if they were batting second). Nerves played a part in these matches as it was such a huge occasion for all the boys who took part that some performances were not as strong as normal.

Afterwards the team were invited out to dinner at a hotel in Mayfair.

The first course was prawn cocktail, a dish I had never experienced before but managed to eat without mishap, but as the evening wore on it became clear to me that it had had a bad effect on my digestive system. I had to return home to Canterbury by the last train at night from Victoria, arriving well after midnight. During the journey through Kent I felt more and more ill but managed to walk home from Canterbury East station. On arrival back home where my family was asleep, I was violently and noisily sick, but did not wake anyone. I remain very wary of prawns to this day."

Gerry Morgan (PH 61-66)

"When I started at School House, Harold Wilson was prime minister and 'Sgt.Peppers' was top of the album charts. Mr Michael McCrum was headmaster and housemaster Of School House. At that time, it occupied the ‘Top Floor’ and some rooms, including a large dining room, on the ground floor. Mr McCrum was a tall man of strong refined appearance, a good reflection of his character. He could be very amusing and amenable but could also command respect and authority with ease. He made a point of knowing every pupil in the school, as everyone there at the time will know, seeing them after chapel until committed to memory.

As School House Novi we were introduced to him firstly by having breakfast with him and his wife Christine. This was in their personal dining room, a grand affair with a choice laid out in silver serving dishes on the sideboard, rather like a privileged Victorian household. The atmosphere was very informal.

We also spent an evening with them in the Skinners library. He gave us a commentary on how he had this beautiful room decorated. The centrepiece was an important Adams marble fireplace which he had sourced from a stately home. The rest of the room was decorated to reflect the same style of this. It all worked very well.

After tea we moved aside the furniture so we could play indoor bowls, with properly biased miniature bowls, this was a lot of fun! They then got the record player out and played their favourite popular songs, with surprising choices. Mrs McCrum’s favourite was ‘California Girls’ by the Beach Boys. To her, it summed up the laid-back American dream. I can’t remember any more they played, it was a long time ago. They loved to entertain and were great company!"

Richard Barrow (Sc 67-71)

TONBRIDGE SCHOOL IN THE 1960s: Your stories

"Michael McCrum striding magisterially through school corridors in mortarboard and gown, breaking down in his classroom under the Smythe Library as he read from James Joyce's 'Ulysees' to a rather underwhelmed Upper Sixth Form, and almost in tears in Chapel when he spoke about the way he felt he had failed to make enough of the spiritual dimension of the school; CCF Field Days in Ashdown Forest which could almost have come straight out of 'If' (I even seem to remember someone actually managed to shoot himself through the foot by firing a rifle when it was resting on his boot); stirring hymn practices with Dr Bunney; animated political arguments with my strongly Tory housemaster, Beaky Wood, at lunches in the Grubber while at the same time having my essays castigated as 'worthy of Daily Telegraph editorials' by the staunchly socialist Geoffrey Parker; superb and inspiring Lower Sixth history teaching from those two contrasting personalities, Dick Bradley and Roy Ford; being thrown out of a physics class for waving and making faces at the lab assistant, Geoff Sales; trying somewhat unsuccessfully to combat the cult of athleticism and compulsory sport by stationing myself in the long grass as a very distant fielder during cricket games, avoiding if at all possible the rough and tumble of the scrum in rugger and attempting to engage Tim Francis in a long philosophical discussion on why I should not be having to do gym; earning a very mild-mannered and courteous rebuke from Mike Bushby for not printing the full results of all cricket matches in the Tonbridgian during my editorship; it is amazing that I ever made it to the dizzy heights of school prefect where I remember solemn and serious Niven Room meetings under the leadership of Lord Lisvane.

In truth, I loved every minute of my time at Tonbridge and remember wandering disconsolately through the Lower Memorial Corridor on my last day wondering if I would ever be so happy again. They were great days and jolly days."

Ian Bradley (WH 63-68)

"This Tonbridge School choir photo was (I think) taken in Summer Term 1969, before Dr Bunney retired. I am standing immediately behind him in the centre of this photo, having been auditioned by him as a Novi in Autumn 1965 to sing treble. He was quite an exacting Choir Director, achieving a surprisingly good sound out of us, as I discovered in my first term when he selected me to sing the treble solo in the carol service for 'Once in Royal David’s City'�.

Stuart Anderson (FH 65-70)

TONBRIDGE SCHOOL IN THE 1960s: Your Photos

"School House Praes in 1963, who were in the habit of going up onto the tower roof in sunny weather. Pictured are Robin Gilbert (PH 58-63), Andrew Samuel-Gibbon (Sc 59-63), Philip Young (Sc 58-63) and Sir Christopher Bellamy (Sc 59-64). The bike pictured on the right is mine, and note the way one carried a 'Barge' (Boater) in a clip designed for a tennis racket. This had to be 'worn down town.'"

Richard Malins (Sc 58-63)

Left: Robin Doveton (Sc 58-63) Right: Graeme Livingstone-Wallace (Sc 58-63)

Above: George Hardie (Sc 58-63), John Moir (Sc 6064), Paul Weller (Sc 60-64)

TONBRIDGE SCHOOL IN THE 1960s: Your photos

"These pictures show various of The Sheiks, the Ferox Hall group Andrew Ferguson (60-64), Charles Bone (Hay, 60-65), Michael Swann (60-64) who promoted and collected money at the School Fete. A poor one of me collecting money!"

Howard Davies (FH 60-65)

"Impression of a House Shout."

Christopher Reid (PH 62-67)

HELP US PRESERVE HISTORY Tonbridge School Archives

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ince its foundation by Sir Andrew Judde in 1553, the school has amassed a rich (almost) 500-year history, coloured by some exceptional headmasters, staff members and students.

The Tonbridge School Archive exists to collect, catalogue and preserve this tremendous history, and maintains records of all kinds from its base in the Nicolson Wing.

There are so many ways that you can help us in our efforts to conserve the school's tremendous heritage. We are always delighted to hear about material donations or deposits to the archives. We collect all types of Tonbridge School memorabilia, from photographs to recordings, printed materials to hand-written letters; as long as it links to the history of the school, we will happily accept your donation.

We understand many of these materials carry enormous

sentimental value, and are able to digitise and return any materials you wish to keep hold of.

You can also support the Tonbridge School Archive by giving a financial donation. Every donation, of every size helps us in our mission to make the school's historical data more readily available to staff and pupils - past and present - and external researchers.

To find out more about how you can support the project, please contact our Archivist:

Beverley Matthews Tonbridge School Tonbridge TN9 1JP E: Beverley.Matthews @ tonbridge-school.org T: +44 (0) 1732 365555

Cover Photo: "A break from our bird watching at Dungeness."

Peter Russell (Sc 58-63)

Tonbridge School High Street Tonbridge Kent TN9 1JP +44 (0) 1732 304253 tonbridgesociety@tonbridge-school.org tonbridgesociety.co.uk tonbridgeconnect.org Tonbridge School is a registered charity No. 1099162