Basil and the Walnuts, circa 1947

Basil Shier writes:

I have been gathering walnuts from under my tree which was propagated from a single nut eleven years ago. Gathering the nuts without gloves does stain one's fingers a dark brown and this brought back certain memories for me.

Just two stones' throw from where I now live stands a walnut tree which is all that remains of Brown's Farm where I was brought up. The farm and buildings were subject to a compulsory purchase order for accommodating what is now Heathfield School.

In 1947 I was attending Huish's Grammar School and at a double lesson of physics Mr. 'Bobby' Pleass, the physics master, whilst checking my work said, "Shier, you've been smoking". I replied "No sir, it's walnut stain". "We'll soon see about that", he said and marched me into the next room - the Chemistry Lab. Mr. 'Ginger' Rutt, the chemistry master then set about a series of tests on my fingers and concluded the brown showing was nicotine stain. Mr. Pleass searched my blazer and found 10 Craven 'A' cigarettes. He confiscated these and said he would enjoy them himself. You can imagine this caused great hilarity in the class plus embarrassment to myself. A letter from my mother would not convince Mr. Pleass they were not mine.

In 1951 and my first leave home from the R.A.F. I walked into the Phoenix Hotel and saw just two people at the bar, Mr. 'Ginger' Rutt and Mr. 'Fingers' Allen the English and Latin master. Mr. Rutt recognised me straight away and called me over. He bought me a pint of the brew they were drinking and after a long conversation put his hand on my shoulder and said, "By the way I have a little confession to make - it was walnut stain".

Years have now gone by and I was watching an episode of 'This is Your Life' featuring the famous Arthur C. Clarke and Mr. 'Bobby' Pleass appeared on the screen having been Mr. Clarke's physics master. It was revealed that he had passed away just a fortnight prior to the programme going on air.

I told my family this story and also that having been initiated into the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes I was most surprised to find myself in the exact position where I received six of the best from Headmaster Lt. Col. E.H. Peel Corbin for being out in the town without a hat and chatting to a young lady from Weirfield School. Mr. 'Ginger' Rutt had seen me on his way back from dinner!

Basil would be pleased to hear from any contemporaries. I will forward any replies.