Welcome to the Goldings Guest Book ** We APPROVE all messages before they are posted ** Add a message : back to Goldings.org : Search There are now 5796 messages in our guestbook. <<< 1 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 397 398 399 400 401 402 403 404 1160 >>> Viewing messages 1966 to 1970. Keith Tovell formerly ELKINS Congratulation to Alan on his invite to meet the Queen and the Duchess of York. The last time Alan, I and many other Goldings boys met Royals was when Princess Margaret opened the New Mac Andrew Wing all those years ago. Thanks and Well done Alan for all you do. 8 December 2013 - Any more boys from Goldings 1958-61 Reg Longman - Somerset 1947-1950 - longman.rd@gmail.com Hi Dave, (part 2) On a lighter note, I would like to recall a story I used to tell my friends in later years. Reg ‘Scoffer’, John ‘Sammy’ and many others no doubt of our time (late 40s), may well remember the time that a builder had just started to build the new ablution wing. We, the whole school were on the Parade outside the Dining Room waiting to file in for our mid-day meal. I believe Valance was the School Captain at the time. While we were assembled, our attention was drawn to a chap – one of the builders – who was sitting on a big tree branch which he was sawing off because it was overhanging the new ablution site. The funny thing was he was straddled over the part of the huge branch that would fall after it was cut. The whole school was watching and laughing. Don’t ask me if he actually fell or if he was hurt, I don’t know, we were too bent over laughing. Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year to all of you old Dickey Boys and families, which includes you of course David W. 7 December 2013 - Ontario, Canada Reg Longman - Somerset 1947-1950 - longman.rd@gmail.com Hi Dave, Prompted by your recent entry into the Guest Book informing us that David Wheatley had recently provided a brief history of his father, which I have now read and as well, spent several hours reading the ‘History’ section in the Guest Book, which I must say, I found it all very interesting. David’s enlightening information regarding the background of his father and his family was most interestingly written. David, I hadn’t realised, arrived at Goldings just two years before me and is only about 3 years younger. Thank you David, I for one will never forget your father. Each of us who were fortunate to be included into the Goldings family, had, one must realise, just a brief window (with the exception of the 1958 and on, printing apprentices) of about 3 years, in which we participated in the Goldings culture. However, the 3 years spent at Goldings were very formidable years in our young lives, which left us all with lasting memories. Some, including myself, would say that those were among the happiest years of our lives. But the happiness I mention would not have been, had we not have had ‘Pinhead’ as our Headmaster, together with the other memorable and somewhat colourful staff, as our mentors. In reading Mr. Wheatley’s farewell address to Goldings, it saddened me to read the hurt he felt after learning that Goldings – without having consulting him – was to be closed. After all he had done and given for Goldings for much of his life, such lack of foresight by the then Barnardo’s Board of Directors, must have been heart- breaking news, to say the least. Goldings, even today, could have continued on and developed even more, into a type of Public School for the less privileged, such as most of us Goldings boys were, run by a man with the qualities of our principled Headmaster ‘Pinhead’. 7 December 2013 - Canada Alan Dearman - National Council It is with great pleasure that I can inform you all that on Tuesday 10th December, I have been invited to meet both Her Majesty The Queen and her royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall on the occasion of the official opening of Barnardo's new Headquarters at Barkingside. I have been invited both as a Barnardo Ambassador and Member of the Barnardo National Council. It is the later for which I will be representing Barnardo's. It is a privilege and great Honour to have this opportunity to represent all my Barnardo Brothers & Sisters all over the world which includes those from Goldings. Also in my thoughts will be the wonderful staff who have helped us all to reach where we are today. 6 December 2013 - Melton Mowbray Dave Today I was contacted by Melvin Martin,Goldings Old Boy from 1964 until the close,and helped move the Printing equipment down to Mead Lane to continue his trade (printing) at the new address after after Goldings finally closed.Was in Macandrew and then was moved into Cairns after the senior boys took over the Macandrew wing 1965.Names he remembers "Pop Steele" (didn't we all?)Skipper,Jimmy James,Mr Wheatley,and Mr Embleton. Boys names Bobby Mac,David Fall,Macsweeney,Brian Perrier,and the Hills,is hoping to come to his first re-union 2014. 6 December 2013 <<< 1 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 397 398 399 400 401 402 403 404 1160 >>> You can search this guestbook by: Message : - Name : - All : Please type some text: - Guest book sponsored by PC Home Help (01922) 626 366 - http://www.pchomehelp.net -