And the result was a few memories prompted by the photograph above which shows Elizabeth Capleton unveiling a plaque to the new technology block at what was then Hethersett Middle School. The photograph was taken by an old colleague of mine - Paul Hewitt - and appeared in the Eastern Daily Press and Wymondham and Attleborough Mercury. It is reproduced here with grateful thanks to Archant for permission to use it. If you want to read a tribute to Elizabeth pop along to: https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/tributes-paid-to-hethersett-stalwart-elizabeth-capleton-1-6726575
Elizabeth died recently aged 79 and this photo was taken in 2003. I was chair of governors at the time and can be seen just behind Elizabeth to the right. I tried to identify as many others in the photograph as possible. On the left is the then Head Tim Strugnell and next to him is fellow governor Fred Morrad. The tall chap next to them is Deputy Head Richard Carter and the lady in the trouser suit is one of the teachers, Alex Henderson.
I have very fond memories of my time as a governor at the school, not the least of which was the fight we had to keep the school swimming pool open when it was under serious threat. We also managed to get an old asbestos temporary technology classroom removed and the new technology block built. Another matter was moving the reception and Head's office from the side of the building to the front. Always the primary aim was to provide the best possible education for the children. I'm sure many of them will now have children of their own and hopefully happy memories of their time at the school.
Strangely on my study wall I have an end of year very long photograph of pupils and staff from 2000. Usually these are taken with people in a line, but on this occasion we all had our photographs taken individually and then printed in lines. Go down three lines from me and slightly to the left and you come to a girl by the name of Emma Frost. Emma is now our daughter-in-law. Isn't fate a strange thing!
Tim was an excellent and much loved Head teacher who was very supportive of his staff. Hethersett seems to have been very fortunate in most of its choices of Heads over the years. I remember with affection Viv Horobin at Woodside who also died this year. Thankfully Tim is still very much alive and I believe he is living in Suffolk.
In the early days of my association with the school, we had a hugely active PTA led by Liz Hovey. I was vice chairman or chairman of vice as she liked to refer to it. When Liz decided to retire I ran a mile from taking on the role of chair. She was an impossible act to follow due to her boundless enthusiasm and energy. Liz still lives in the village and can often be found helping out in the family business at Hodge Podge in Oak Square.
There was a lot of madness about the PTA. We organised fetes, social events, discos and much more and had oodles of fun. How many people remember the Turkey Suppers around Christmas-time? These were legendary and sold out for the following year virtually the day after they had taken place. There was always a waiting list for tickets. There was nothing greatly original about them - just a turkey meal and disco - but people loved them as a chance to let their hair down. I know Elizabeth Capleton was a regular attendee.
Two things I remember about the annual May school fete were firstly getting gunged to mark my retirement as a governor and secondly a very strange competition where teachers were driven blindfold to an isolated location in the Norfolk countryside and then had to get back to the school as fast as possible. They weren't allowed to use public transport or have any money. I'm sure today this kind of "homing pigeon" thing would be against health and safety. At times they hadn't reappeared before the event had finished and all the clearing up had taken place! At times search parties had to be sent out to find them. Back at the fete, people would bet on who would get back the quickest.
And talking about health and safety, I remember looking a right mess after appearing in the gunge tank. I was covered in this blue gunk. I think it was made mainly from Smash mashed potato and food colouring. The gunge came out of an elaborate system of contraptions - most of which could be found in a toilet system. It wasn't all that unpleasant but being hosed down afterwards with cold water was. Good days though.
I would love to hear from anyone who has other memories of the Middle School, which subsequently became Hethersett Junior School and then Hethersett Primary School.