Confession from the Chairman’s (driving)
seat.
Like many others, I started driving off road a
few months before my 17th birthday and certainly without permission of the
RPP. (Thank you qualified driver whom I will not name.) I managed not to
bump, scrape or otherwise damage the Hillman but did stall, crash gears and
do my best to ruin an engine.
When I officially started driving I did have the occasional near miss by
forgetting to turn the wheel when going round a corner but otherwise managed
to get to my driving test unscathed. I took it in the new mini, having
borrowed someone’s spectacles, as my eyesight had not previously been
diagnosed as short sighted. Like many others I passed first time. The next
day, I was told that, as I was in charge of the breakfast washing up table,
I was to drive the Commer on the last of the morning drives to
Ingoldisthorpe. It was always the fullest run. Imagine my horror, driving a
small four seater Mini to pass my test with borrowed specs one day and the
next expected to put at risk the lives of thirty passengers, including
staff, as I could not see properly! This could only happen at St Michael’s.
The journey started happily with me not stalling the engine. I drove passed
Heacham Village Hall and took the left bend with no trouble. Then HORROR a
bus was coming toward me! I moved toward the wall on the left forgetting
that you cannot fit thirty people in a Mini. You guessed it, I hit the wall.
On stopping, Henry Taylor and I got out to inspect the damage. There was a
long large gash and dent along the whole of the side. Henry, in his usual
relaxed manner just picked up a handful of mud from the side of the road and
wiped over the damage.
On re-entering the bus Henry said in a loud voice so all could hear. “That’s
alright, Michael, that scratch is an old one. You have done no damage.” I
continued the journey, picked up Peg Hayes-Williams and drove to
Ingoldisthorpe.
For some weeks nothing was said within my ear-shot until RPP stood up after
breakfast and announced that the Commer had been hit by another car while
parked as there was an old scratch and dent and did anyone know anything
about it.
No one said anything. Henry saved me from the traditional six stokes.
Otherwise I would have gained the title of being the school driver to have
the fasted accident after passing their test.
Michael Catterick
I am trying to think of some accidents!!
However, throughout my five years I don't
remember any real nasty ones. There were several near misses though!
Firstly, nearly everyone seems to remember something about Henry Taylor
trying to drive the Comma through the arch at the Shooting Lodge (!) It
won't fit, as the scars which I'm sure still exist will testify. "... I'm
sorry Headmaster, I thought I was driving the minibus!". "YOU STUPID FOOL!"
I think that's how the exchange went. Perhaps best ask someone who was
there, I think it happened just before our time. Another happening which
seems to have been forgotten at least by Simon Pott(!) was that at some time
in the 1960's (I think) when he was driving the L car one icy morning, it
went off the road around the bends in the centre of Snettisham village and
demolished the wall of the Doctor's Surgery.
Alistair Gulland, driving the Diesel Comma, and Jack Owens driving the
minibus would race each other from Heacham to Ingoldisthorpe, usually along
the back roads. I remember clinging on for dear life in the back of the
Comma round the bend by Snettisham Church, I was sure we were going to turn
over as Jack came up another road in the minibus. There were also the forays
into the woods near Snettisham beach. Anyone remember those? Its now called
off-roading!
One morning we walked down from the Shooting Lodge to get on the bus for
breakfast, only the bus wasn't outside the church in its usual place, it was
buried in the porch of the house opposite!!
One very cold morning after overnight snow, the Hillman L car would not
start. Mr Pott asked Jonathan Cave to look at it. "Hmmm, block's cracked
sir", (no antifreeze) "What does that mean?" "er... new engine sir!" At this
Pott went ballistic and almost blamed poor Jonathan for it! …...
It was not uncommon for the buses to race each other up Ken Hill to
Hunstanton. The old red Bristol (four seats across upstairs) was no match
for the newer more powerful ex London AEC though. Woe betide any other
motorist coming the other way! This was long before the road re-alignment
and new roundabout of course.
Chris Gibbs.
I remember the comma over-turning, and
possibly it was Robert Church driving? So long ago! But it seems to me that
we took it all in our stride. The Double Decker got stuck under a bridge en
route to some choir event and we all know who was driving that!
Dorienne Rundall (Perry)
Don't remember who did it, But during the
1957 school year somebody totalled the shooting break by turning it over,
and they had to buy another one. You might ask Clifford
John Tanner
Sketchy thoughts on vehicles and accidents and St.
Michael’s.
Firstly was it Geoff Kimberley who either
mentioned or drove the Wolsley into Lambert’s old shop at the bottom of
Snettisham Hill on the bends? Hopefully someone will know more but it was
certainly imbedded in the house.
At some point someone also hit the pumps whilst going to fill up at
Stainsby’s Garage.
Although not specifically an accident but an incident, after Roger returned
from his heart attack he used to drive the Mini down the path to St
Michael’s Church for assembly (or was he driven perhaps). Having done so for
some weeks the path became exceedingly rutted and when water was added,
sufficiently deep for the low slung Mini to ground. One such occasion meant
that assistance was commanded and whilst the erstwhile pushers did their
bit, Roger, or whoever, gave it some gas, covering all those close at hand
in mud and I’m not sure that one even lost his purchase on the car and
dropped into a puddle.
To aid the Commer’s capacity it had an “extra” added to the middle of its
floor, namely a school form. Boys straddled this and I don’t think I
exaggerate if I say it added probably 20 extra seats (boys are small and can
be easily crammed together).
It would be parked outside the Rectory at Ingoldisthorpe, filled to the
gunnels and, piloted by an inexperienced teenager, exit the gates with
verve. On one occasion the Le Mans style takeoff proved to much for the
locks, the back doors flew open, depositing one or more on the drive.
Fortunately I believe only reputations were grazed.
One Michael Catterick had his first experience of driving the Commer on the
washing up run from the Shooting Lodge. Also carried on the last run of the
morning were the staff who lived in Heacham. So it was Henry, Peg, and
possibly Miss. Redfern who were passengers on that day. After a jerky start
we arrived at the left hander by the Village Hall, and having not had the
pleasure of estimating the true width we scraped along for a couple of
seconds before the brakes were applied with true vigour. The force was
sufficient to propel the staff seated on the near side hard against the
board that kept the plastic seat in position, which was not man enough for
this new task, and as I recollect it one if not two members of staff ended
up on the floor!
Then there was the dance held at Ingoldisthorpe with the girls of Swaffham
Convent brought over by Father Langley. Sadly I have no recollection of the
do, only the journey back to Heacham afterwards.
The Hillman took off with Peter Paxon driving and “Fingers Merit” as one of
the passengers. We followed a little later in the Commer and for some reason
I’m not aware of, also took the back road via Sedgeford. Approaching the
village at the sharp right hand turn, we were flagged down to find the
Hillman upside down through the hedge with all the occupants only shaken up
but also covered in sugar from their load in the rear of the vehicle. That
must have been an interesting interview with Roger, as to why both vehicles
were returning to Heacham on that road. Can’t remember the outcome nor the
excuse put forward. And with a member of staff!
That’s all I can think of at the moment, hopefully someone else will have
recounted the same and between the two accounts a piece for the MITRE will
evolve. Delighted to see the news about Martin, give him my best if you see
him.
Regards,
Ian Dupont.
