Following the sad news of David Hatherly's death, Pat Bird has sent a photograph (jpg, 116.5kb) of a party of his friends in the Cheddar Gorge. The picture includes Dave Hatherly, Spike Paynter, Pat Bird, Patrick Nye and Peter Gedling. Pat records that they had set out to visit Wells and Bath but their 'steam ran out' in the Gorge and they returned to Taunton.From a school magazine from a slightly earlier period here is David's own account of a coach trip to Bath. This evidently had a classical theme as the two masters who accompanied the trip both taught Latin and a visit to the Roman Baths was - of course! - included. David's keen sense of fun is well illustrated by another of Pat's photographs (jpg, 110.4kb) showing a seated DGH in the Chapter House at Wells looking every inch the gluttonous bishop and surrounded by a few of his lean and hungry 'canons' - considered by Pat 'not to look so well into the part!'.
From The Huish Magazine Spring Term 1950A VISIT TO BATH
WHEN it was arranged that we should visit Bath, a city unfamiliar to most of us, there was great excitement in our Form Room. We learnt several days before the great moment arrived that Mr. Allen and Mr. Eele would accompany us, and this slightly dampened our spirits, but when we found that Mr. Allen was going to leave "BattleAxe Bill" behind they soon revived.
The whole of the outward coach journey, through Glastonbury and Wells, was made in a violent rainstorm.
We went to the Spa, which lies under the shadow of the stately Abbey, and after crossing various corridors and descending a staircase, we had our first glimpse of the old Roman Baths. Gold fish swim to and fro in the mineral water contained in the large pool, and one of our number delighted himself in tickling them, but failed, having no experience at the art. Several cameras were taken and snaps were secured of all the prominent sights of the baths and museum. Anyone who has visited these baths will know the splendour of their appearance. We then visited the Pump Room, a huge hall containing a fountain where one can drink the famous mineral water. It is pale brown in colour, warm to the palate, and the taste caused many of us who sampled it to pull wry faces.
We passed to the magnificent Abbey and the beauty of its building and decoration. The nave is almost three times as high as it is broad and rises some seventy feet into the air. The windows are very large and are of the most exquisite stained glass. They are a truly wonderful sight though some were badly damaged in German air raids.
Having eaten a meat pie and a packet of sandwiches for lunch, one of the smaller members of the class found himself with a spare pasty, which he tried to sell; but, deeming this dishonest, he decided to eat it. If anyone has experienced the replete feeling of a full stomach and finds he has to pack more away, he will understand the attitude taken towards the pie. It was slowly chewed and munched, and finally half was thrown out of the window. No article of food would, however, stand that amount of mauling, and the result was that a great mess lay on the floor and lower limbs of the culprit and his neighbour, and when Mr. Allen remarked on the morrow that Messrs. H-m and M-g- had not particularly behaved themselves, one amiable youth piped out, " They sure were ' messers ' with that pie, weren't they?"
During this time, however, we made a tour of the city in general. We passed over Pulteney Bridge, which is one of the few bridges in Europe with shops actually on it. We also saw the famous Circus and Royal Crescent.
At about 2 p.m. we left for home, stopping in Wells for 40 minutes. Most of us went in ones and twos to see the museum and the Cathedral, and except that four or five others and I found ourselves at the top of the central tower when the coach was due to move off, nothing much happened.
We left Wells at about 3.15 and arrived back in Taunton at 4.20, after spending a very enjoyable day lounging in a coach and wandering round an old and interesting city.
D. G. HATHERLY, IVH.