RETIREMENT OF CAPTAIN A. P. CULVER

THE HEADING to this report may not instantly bring to mind the personage to whom it refers, but for once I feel that 'Skipper' should be given his full and honourable title.

It is very sad, and as yet unbelievable, that the ever cheerful, never flappable character is no longer within our precincts, but time waits for no man, not even Mr. Culver, and with his health some what below par Mr. Culver collaborated with his doctor and shook the dust of Goldings from his feet a few months earlier than is usual.

Many readers will be aware of the honour bestowed on Captain Culver in 1958, when Her Majesty graciously approved the award of the Army Cadet Force Medal and Certificate for his services to the force, an honour richly deserved. Apart from his activities as Cadet Officer, his main role at the School was that of Housemaster, and in particular, Somerset House, up until a year or two ago. As all boys, past and present, will know, we have a very live Social Club here at Goldings, which is responsible for evening entertainment for the boys and staff during the winter months.

Once again Mr. Culver has been well to the fore with his services, having held the position of secretary for 15 years. At the farewell ceremony, Mr. Wheatley paid tribute to the great work Skipper had done for our School over the last 25 years, having turned his hand with great efficiency to the majority of jobs within the School, including teaching when staff was scarce. Without a doubt his greatest personal contribution was the formation of the Army Cadet Company in December 1945, and which has continued to flourish ever since. Mr. Wheatley made reference to the number of letters he himself had received from Old Boys, all paying tribute to the influence 'Skipper' had bestowed upon them.

At the conclusion of Mr. Wheatley's tribute, he presented Mr. Culver with a plaque as a visible token of our esteem, and a cheque on behalf of all members of the staff. On behalf of the Social Club he presented Mr. Culver with an illuminated address signed by all members. Finally, Robert Buggs, on behalf of all boys and apprentices, handed over a silver tankard with a few well-chosen words for 'Skipper's' ear only!

On behalf of all late members of staff and Old Boys I  would like to wish our old friend a very long and happy retirement, and conclude this very inadequate appreciation with his new address, so that his old friends can continue to correspond with him.

Mr. A. P. Culver, Copthall Guest House.

N. T. POWELL
From Goldonian Vol . XXI  Number 1 1966

OBITUARY

Captain Albert P Culver.

A man remembered most affectionately by hundreds of Goldings Old Boys, 'Skip' Culver, passed away 15 July 1990 aged 86.

He joined the staff of the then William Baker Technical School in 1931, taking the position of storekeeper till 1936. He then joined the army, after completing four years as a regular soldier, seeing service in India, China and Malta. He re-enlisted on the outbreak of war, serving a further six years.

Returning to Goldings in 1945 he became a housemaster, he also formed a detachment of Army Cadets at the school and very quickly the small squad grew to company size and Albert Culver became a Lieutenant.

The company then formed its own bugle band, a retired drum-major being responsible for their training, and that unit also, in its own right, became a very efficient unit, very much in demand to attend functions throughout the county of Hertfordshire.

Albert Culver was promoted to the rank of Captain and Her Majesty the Queen graciously approved the award of the Army Cadet Force Medal and Certificate for his service to that force in 1958.

A mild-mannered man, 'Skip' probably influenced more boys than any other member of staff at the school to become mature and capable members of society, and many of his cadets joined the services when they left the school.

R. S.

BARNARDO'S HQ 28 NOV 1990 AFTER CARE

Since I have been doing this website skip and a few other masters keep cropping up in the stories, they all seem to remember skip with affection as I do.

Frank Cooke

Frank remembers Skipper

Skipper had set about after the end of World War ll organising an Army Cadet force for Goldings. He told me one night in his study / rooms, I had gone for an interview to progress from bugle to drums, he advised me that if I did get the position I would not have to let the band and school down by not attending practice sessions, as the position of drummer within the band was limited to those who attended practice sessions. He was trying to glean why I wanted to move from playing the bugle to drums. He offered me a mug of camp coffee and started to tell me how Goldings had been accepted into the Beds and Herts A.C.F and from day one Goldings had a knack of winning most A.C.F events and the corps of drums was no exception, we always seemed to come out top and it was not out of pity as we were Dr. Barnardo's boys, we were good, and put on a good show, and the only way to continue was practice, practice and more practice, and that if I didn't show keenness I would be back, on the list and playing the bugle. He quickly added, playing the bugle is not a punishment as they are as needed as the drums. But he added he only has so many places. I think I know what clinched it for me, getting the place.  I said I felt I could not play the bugle as well as I could play the drums so I feel I would be better used playing the drums. But added if you feel that I am needed in the bugle section it’s not a problem, but I would be happier playing the drums. He said he would let me know as he had other boys to see. Skip then went on about the start of the A.C.F. and how it was like a ‘Dads Army’ with broomsticks for rifles and no uniforms. The thing is like most House Masters; Skip also had to look after about 75 boys in the house and do these extra activities to keep us all occupied and out of trouble. The next practice session, I was called out at the end and told, next week you are in the drum section so I was to go to the quartermaster and exchange the bugle I had lovingly polished for a side drum I was to re-build.

Frank Cooke remembering Skip