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Dear Peter,

It must be a time of life thing, or just a means of passing the hot summer nights here in West Africa, that I find myself yearning for my roots, so I was delighted to see your article posted recently showing the picture of 3A. Hopefully without risk of being libellous, I can't resist a bit of an addendum and pointing out an error or two. I do agree with your sentiment - that the generation didn't stick with it much at least over our adult years. I kept in touch with some (from the other two forms of the year as well), but have had no contact with anyone now for many years. Maybe we all just didn't like each other that much, but I don't think so. The banter, rarely malicious, was sharp witted and the class relatively harmonious as I recall. Anyway, I feel compelled to point out that James Walker (actually in full James Arthur Christopher Walker) was appropriately named 'Wack', Mark Welch was often 'Squelch', Meaty Sanders was not , in fact, Philip, but Richard (he became an air traffic controller I believe). I am vague on this one, but Martin Yates was, at one time, 'Plates'. So, grateful for the article, and I am with you.......don't let the generation be lost....we were pretty much the last remains of the Derby School as was before our elders and betters 'restructured' the local education system and changed the heart and sole of the school forever.

With best wishes, Graham Scotton (occasionally 'Scrotum', but it never stuck.......) Luanda Angola 6th January 2008

Cheers for that Graham - the articles on this site are intended to encourage feedback, and this is a definite result, and long-distance too! Good to hear you are 'alive and well' in Africa. Thanks for the nicknames - which I remember now prompted - and for confirming doubts about 'Meaty' Sanders' name - amendments have been made. By the way, also on this site you'll see articles about Gayton School, and some pics you may feature in. Also a piece about Blagreaves Lane. I'll alert Ian Methven (Teacher in Derby) to your posting, as I still have a regular pint with him. I bump into Steve Powell now and again - in your younger days your only real rival on the running track I seem to recall - and sit next to Steve Swanwick (Quality Assurance Manager in aggregates!) at DCFC home matches. Also I'm in touch with David Holmes (Teacher in Madrid), and occasionally Dave Millington (Teacher in Stafford) and a few others - there's an education theme developing here! Not me though - I was for twenty odd years an Estate Agent/Property Surveyor before chancing my arm as a full-time freelance writer, which is what I still do. Thanks for the posting anyway - good to hear from you, and maybe others will follow suit!

Peter Seddon Derby 6 January 2008

Dear Peter,

Thanks for setting up this article. I came across this by accident via google when trying to trace family members. The photo is brilliant and reminds me what a long time ago all the activities you refer to, took place. I remember both you and Graham very well, with affection. In particular, the many athletics meetings and rowing events Graham, I and many others took part in. Including sinking an '8' at the head of river race on the River Trent on a freezing Saturday one January. We were 'warmed' with a shot of whiskey via our sports master Woods? Needless to say, this event didn't put us off, and we continued our mediocre pursuit of rowing success for a while, with the likes of Stokes, Potter and others. In fact, somewhere I have a photo, from the Evening Telegraph, showing ourselves on the landing stage at the Derby RC regatta when were about 15.

On the running track, Graham was always the 100yd winner, I could never get passed him!!! Therefore I entered the 200yd, on the basis that Graham didn't! We also indulged in gymnastics, resulting in a couple of displays at a childrens home in Allestree.

Do you remember any of this?

Funny how we all lost touch when we had some terrific times. Remember the weekend on Kinder Scout as part of the Cadet force activities?

Look forward to hearing from you.

Regards

Martin Rasdall Littleover, that's England! 01332 760976 koogas@tiscali.co.uk

Peter Seddon replies: Just picked up your posting. Good to hear from you Martin, and thanks for that. Another response -that's three of us alive anyway. Of course I remember you very well, particularly your gymnastic prowess which put us all to shame. I couldn't vault or flik flak, struggled to climb ropes, didn't row, was a hopeless swimmer, generally loitered at the back in cross country and wasn't in the CCF. Then again, I did play in football, cricket and tennis teams, activities which seemed to pass you by - guess our sporting talents lay in different directions. So I actually don't recall the events you mention - not because I have a poor memory, but because I just wasn't there. Me on Kinder Scout in military uniform? No - I was probably watching the Rams! I do remember 'Loggy' Wood of course - made us go round the shower circuit even when we weren't dirty - and twice if we didn't get wet - without towels too! Let's see if any others of our era surface - thanks a lot for taking time to respond.

Peter Seddon Derby, 28 January 2008

Peter - I will be in the UK around the 10th Feb. Martin and I are planning to meet and catch up after all thes years if you'd like to join us. Graham.

scottong@bp.com