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I went into the Royal Tank Regiment and with my Cadet experience soon learnt the ropes of Army life, passing out of basic training as top recruit. I became my Squadron's Signals NCO and then a Tank Commander. During this time I was representing my regiment at football, basketball, table tennis and athletics. I then took off in athletics in a big way and represented the Army in various meetings all over Europe. By this time my Squadron Leader suggested that as I was away from my tank duties six months of the year with the Army athletics team, I should take up sport full time. So this is what I did by becoming an Army Physical Training Instructor (PTI). I specialised in the 400 metres and long-jump and it was in the 400 metres that I represented England a couple of times in International Triangular Meetings. I decided to leave the Army at the end of my signing on period (10 years in all), having enjoyed every minute of that time. (If Bob Newton, Goldings PE teacher during my time, gets to read this, thanks Bob for a solid grounding in sports.) On leaving the Army I applied for a job in a sports centre in Norwich where I live. I had to wait for a vacancy to arise so I took on various jobs for a couple of years, and coaching and competing in local teams in my spare time: Then the job I was after came along which was on the staff at the sports centre at the University of East Anglia here in Norwich, and that is where I am to this day where I am now the manager of the centre. I would just like to say here that my immediate boss, the Director of Physical Recreation, Haydn Morris, himself an ex-British Lions and Welsh International rugby player, has been very encouraging in my attending these Goldings Reunions by making sure that I get the weekend off to attend (being a sports centre we are open seven days a week). I still enjoy a very active sports life, joining in the students' teams and I am Secretary of the University Tennis Club. I have a small gym at home so I am able to work out with weights about five times a week. We are open to the public as well as about 5,000 students, so the centre is a hive of activity seven days a week. I for one can say that I am doing a job of work which is also a great pleasure. Before I close this article I would just like to thank two people who, although they do not know it, were very instrumental in me writing this article and they are Bill Charlton and Jimmy James, who through their hard work in organizing the Goldings Reunion have encouraged me to re-establish my contacts with Barnardo's and Goldings in particular. There is no doubt in my mind that it was the basic, firm discipline and competitive spirit that I gained at Goldings that stood me in good stead for my future career. I would also like to say to anyone out there who reads this article and was at Goldings during my time, I would be glad to hear from them. Please contact me through the After Care Section. Lastly I would just like to say what a charming and dedicated couple I found Collette and her husband, and I wish Collette every success in her new job as Head of After Care. My very best wishes to all Goldings Boys wherever you may be. EDDIE BUDD
Article reproduced from
The Guild Messenger 1987/8 Edward Budd (Goldings), who is serving in the Army in Germany, has won eleven medals and trophies in one season and is currently the Regimental and Brigade 400m. and long jump champion. We are pleased to publish a photograph of Edward with some of the medals, etc., that he has won. He has been chosen to represent the Army in an international match against the German Army and the Dutch Army and we wish him every success. Article called Little Wimbledon 1961 click here |
My
name is Edward Budd. I was at Goldings from 1960. I was in the boot and
shoe department and a member of Pelham House. I left Goldings at the end
of 1963 as Senior House Captain (the title of School Captain had ceased to
exist by then). I had enjoyed my stay, and also the experience of the
Cadets and discipline which was going to stand me in good stead later on
in life, because six months after leaving Goldings I went into the Army,
seeking more adventure than I would have had in the shoe trade.