Victor Kings photos of Goldings days

These pictures were taken in the machine room of the carpenters shop. For safety reasons the boys were not allowed to use the circular saw therefore it was not switched on when these photographs were taken. Mr Farnham was my instructor and was in the room at the time.

This was a dinner held in Hertford town circa 1954/5. I feel reasonably confident that at the reunion we can fit names to most of the faces.

Graham Ferris, Alan Blackburn and Victor King. Alan was our hero. On his seventeenth birthday he signed pro forms for West Ham football team at Goldings. Prior to the signing we played cricket against the West Ham team and were soundly beaten. Alan’s income rose from three shillings per week in Goldings, to seventeen pounds per week with West Ham. He didn’t forget his two friends in the picture though, and treated us to many Wagon Wheels and tins of pineapple from the Off Licence in Bengoe.

Back row left to right - Unknown. Unknown. King. Brown. Ship. Wainscott.

Front row - Kemp. Unknown. Smith. Munson. Ferris.

Wych Elm Cottage in the background but who’s the gardener?

I am on the right and I think my friend’s name is Jessop. Picture taken on the bridge entering Goldings

Here’s a better picture of Graham seen here with the “boys” outside Barclays Bank. I’m sure their presence caused the bank manager a few anxious moments.

Left to right: Maurice Munson, Graham Ferris, Brown (Forgotten his first name) and “Bombhead”. (I’m really sorry about this because he was a friend of mine and I can’t think what his real name was.) There were many nicknames given to boys (and masters) in Goldings and in most cases there was no malice intended - with the exception of course for the man at the top.

The quality of the photo below is even worse but it pictures me just beating Graham Ferris is the 440. Graham was a very good long distance runner and was champion of the 880, mile and cross county races. For some strange reason I never kept pictures of those events.

Under the direction of Mr Farnham I made the teak garden seat which was presented to the Old Folks Club in Hertford town. Having now reached the appropriate age myself, I am awaiting an invitation to join the club.

The picture on the left is Victor King receiving a trophy on the Sports Day. The quality of the picture is pretty poor but there’s no hiding the distinctive feature of the man behind the desk!!

This was the earliest picture I have during my time in Goldings. It was taken in the swimming pool enclosure. On the left is Charley Piper. I do not know the first name of the boy in the centre but his surname is Cunningham. I am on the right.

A really nice guy. I met him in Plymouth a few years after leaving Goldings. He was on holiday from Australia and as far as I know he is still living there.

Sadly In the Guild Messenger it was reported that Peter died on 8th July 2003 aged 65 years. Peter was admitted to Barnardo's when he was nine years old and spent time at Badgerwood Court (1947 - 52) Goldings (1952 - 55)

I have no idea who this boy is but I recognise the blazer badge.

This is a picture of Victor King receiving the Victorladoram(?) for athletics from the wife of the mayor of Hertford. Left to right: Unknown. Kemp. Victor, Williams. Unknown. Mr Wheatley. Mayor’s Wife. Mayor of Hertford.

Wimbledon Ball Boys 1953. Back row - I recognise the Rev Corbett, Woods, Williams, Wainscott, Ferris, Blackburn, “Snowy White”, Kemp, Tozer Middle row - Munson (looking at the females as usual), me second to the right of the tennis player. Front row - I recognise all the faces but can only put a name to my old pal George Smith on the extreme left.

Wimbledon Ball Boys 1954 I am the first boy on the left in the back row. Other names I remember are: Back row - Williams and Brown. The master on the extreme right is Mr Blackmore and the PT Instructor is to his right. Middle row - Tozer second boy in, Ferris to the right of the tennis players and “Bombhead” on the extreme right.

Front row - George Smith has his usual place on the extreme left and Jessop is the fourth boy in.

Victor at the saw