More Reminiscences of Huish School, by Fred Grummitt

We have received the following notes from Frederick Ernest Grummitt:

From: Fred Grummitt fred@poetfred.co.uk
To: oldhuish@richuish.ac.uk
Sent: 19/02/02 16:36
Subject: News of Old Huishers

This news concerns myself, as I am probably the oldest "old Boy". (I'm not so sure, Fred, but you are certainly our oldest contributor - Ed.) I was sent to Huish's School when I was 9 years old. That was in 1927. I was a boarder and attended the Lower School for a time until I was eleven. This was in the same school grounds, but was just a long wooden hut. Outside the hut were 2 old army cannons. The school motto was "Spe certa quid Melius", I expect that has changed.

Mr. Arnold Goodliffe was our Headmaster. His wife attended to the needs of the boarders, who could not have been more than about 10 in number at that time. I have a school photograph, which includes all the boys & masters at that time It was taken in January 1929 and includes Mr. Goodliffe himself. I doubt if many of the boys in that photo are alive today, I am 85 next July. I left the school in 1932.

My stepfather was a doctor in Churchinford, His name was Archibald Louis George. He married my mother who was a nurse in Upottery. Her name was Ellen Grummitt; I was called Ernest in those days, but that was my second Christian. My first name was Frederick which I chose to use when I was 18 years old. There is much more I could tell, but I await the pleasure of hearing from someone who is really interested. I was a member of the HOBA association, but lost contact after serving in the army during World War 2.

Thanks for your message and the picture of the hut. My pals & I spent a lot of our "break" time crawling under it to retrieve balls. The gun barrels were always full of litter. I remember the scout hut and the bicycle shed and the gymnasium with the caretakers small shop selling bottles of lemonade which had a glass marble stopper incorporated in it, most of my pocket money went on buying tuck there. There was an ex army sergeant, with a typical army moustache, waxed at both ends who used to be in charge of the gym. Any boys who had differences to settle were encouraged to put on the boxing gloves and get them sorted.

It seems you were there quite a few years after me. Some of the masters names were Mr. Rutt (Chemistry), Mr. Wickenden (history), Mr. Illingworth (geography) who played rugby for Taunton. Also Tommy Tate (drawing & woodwork) master. The workshop was close to the Gym. Also a Mr. Burton who taught Latin.

Mr. Goodliffe owned a belt driven Trojan car which had solid tyres. He took us boarders out in it to the Quantock Hills occasionally. Once a term we were all treated to a visit to the cinema, I remember seeing the original Ben Hur & The taming of the Shrew, Both films starred Douglas Fairbanks (senior).

I really appreciated your prompt reply. Sorry but I do not remember Basher Hunt. I look forward to hearing from you again.