Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Mr & Mrs Chopping and Mr & Mrs Walker - New staff photos!

Keith Ison and Mick (Dragan) Gajic to a ride out to Cleobury today (Weds 21st December 20110) to deliver a Christmas card to Mr and Mrs Chopping and while there acquired a couple of photos before moving on to Clee Hill to visit Mr and Mrs Walker (art).

Mick and Judith Chopping married 50 years ago - great photo!

Mick and Judith Chopping - Golden Jubilee Cake

Mr and Mrs Walker - Art teacher today.

Good work Keith and Mick!

I think this comment was submitted by Dave Irish, the comments are not displayed on here anymore for some reason so I'll add it into the post.

"Mr T Walker a popular teacher with a unique character who contributed to all aspects of the school. He was not only a good art teacher with great skills but organised school trips (the annual canoe trip down the River Wye which would never get past heath and safety now) but also theatrical events which included everything from scenery painting to being the director/actor. Oliver being his Tour de Force both in terms of production and his thespian skills, Terry taking the part of Fagin, "You've got to pick a pocket or two". The art room was a bit of a sanctuary from the rest of the school a creative area where dreams were made possible through painting and drawing. Anyone who was genuinely interested in art could be usually found working in the room after school and at weekends. Gilbert and Sullivan operettas were always dear to his heart and I am aware he was part of the Gilbert and Sullivan society in Leominster which put on regular productions at the local theatre. Unfortunately Terry's health has suffered in recent years but through this he has still maintained his sense of fun, we all wish him well and thanks for the memories."

9 comments:

  1. Congratulations, Mick and Judith, on your anniversary. Happy memories of working with you, at the School, Autumn 1959 - Summer 1961. - Colin Partridge.

    Now we are old we understand the follies of our youth and realize they were similar to those of our pupils.

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  2. I recall Teryy W/Booming voice and ego to match/Good teacher but probably should have been a prof artist/scared me and this is not what teaching is about/oh, I recall your green sports car in 64 ish.

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  3. Is that the highly thought of Mr Partridge, related to mugwump, guardian of the 'conkerbonker, candlelit reader of 'The Hound of the Baskervilles',elicitor of ludicrous excuses for being nominally late for meal times, and all round 'good egg'?
    If it is, many greetings to you, I sometimes wonder whether you contributed to the writing of 'Dead Poets Society'?

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  4. For Colin Partridge. I started the year after you left, so never met you but have heard about you via David Partridge. I looked you up on Google and noticed all the books you've published and note you became a professor at the Uni of Victoria. I'd love to do a post about you on here, if you'd like to send more biographical info and covers and info on your books / memories of Cleobury and career. email address wyrefarmed@gmail.com best wishes - Trev Teasdel

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  5. Perhaps Mr Partridge's greatest legacy ought to be as the originator of virtual corporal punishment. The punishment would take place in the masters study, the cane was used to violently thwack a convenient pillow while simultaneously the miscreant screamed a blood-curdling but entirely bogus howl of pain.
    The miscreants would be so delighted with the procedure they were unlikely to re-offend, while the uninitiated pupils within earshot were so terrified that they too would remain on their best behaviour.
    Effectiveness total; Violence nil.

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  6. TJ Walker - if you see this, Simon Hull and I worked on your ceilings for two weeks at your Old School House conversion during Summer Holidays of ,78. I remember you being enthusiastic about a Tennis court (or was it squash)you that were planning in your back yard. you really looked after us during our working vacation and I thank you for that. We slept in a Caravan outside the Art Room under the tree that was full of bats. Mick Chopping (Chemistry - "Thank your luck stars, my lad") was breeding pheasants in the field next door (although he wasn't there at the time) and I am pretty sure that Mr Cummings (Biology) gave us a glass of his home made wine on one evening (we had technically left school after all). That school was definitely haunted as we wandered around the yard trying to locate the sound of children at play...to no avail! Eery stuff You and the Cummings, were the only ones there at the time I think. Fond memories..Thank you for my Art inspiration. What an Artist you coached in Paul "Harry" Doyle - Good Health to you and Judith and family.

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  7. Mr T Walker a popular teacher with a unique character who contributed to all aspects of the school. He was not only a good art teacher with great skills but organised school trips (the annual canoe trip down the River Wye which would never get past heath and safety now) but also theatrical events which included everything from scenery painting to being the director/actor. Oliver being his Tour de Force both in terms of production and his thespian skills, Terry taking the part of Fagin, "You've got to pick a pocket or two". The art room was a bit of a sanctuary from the rest of the school a creative area where dreams were made possible through painting and drawing. Anyone who was genuinely interested in art could be usually found working in the room after school and at weekends. Gilbert and Sullivan operettas were always dear to his heart and I am aware he was part of the Gilbert and Sullivan society in Leominster which put on regular productions at the local theatre. Unfortunately Terry's health has suffered in recent years but through this he has still maintained his sense of fun, we all wish him well and thanks for the memories.

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  8. Terry John Walker AKA TJW
    Fond memories of you from back in 1972.
    Your unique style and approach to teaching kept all of us on our toes, but we were so respectful of you because of it.
    Your a real character that is talked of anytime COCBS comes up in conversation.
    Terry you made a lasting impress on many of us and helped build confidence in children sent away from home at a young age and was much needed to get us through those early years with your clever ways to bring out the honesty and integrity much needed.
    Often cancelling punishments due to us honestly owning up to our crimes, made such a impression on me at the time and the message still remains with me to this day.
    In many ways the your role of Fagin in the school play Oliver was played out in real life in Blount house looking after all us urchins.
    Thank you from a ex-pupil of Blount House.
    Russell Hemmings (JB9 ) 1972-1977

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  9. Sadly, if you are not aware Terry, Mr Walker, sadly passed away recently. Our thoughts are with his family, particularly Jan and his two daughters and the many friends he made throughout his life, including those students who attended the school. His enthusiasm, his love of life and art, was infectious. Many who attended the school, benefited from his art and thespian skills, having produced and managed such memorable productions as Oliver. His Fagin rendition still resonates until this day. On a personal note, I count myself fortunate, to be taught and guided by Terry throughout my school days. Terry’s memory will never die but be with us, forever more.

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