Monday 15 February 2010

Mr Morrish's domain...



This is almost certainly the Music Room, where we could sing to our hearts' content, and also do 'art' under his watchful, often appreciative eye...

O.K. then What happened on Fridays in one of the form years? (see first response in posts below...)!

He really was a great chap, and so his wife was - tending for the youngsters like a Mother Hen. They really loved teaching us sprogs. His son was an accomplished viola player, and also a charming, friendly man too.

Who can remember 'Hoot silence' then...!

Come on, there must be someone...?

11 comments:

Mike Armitage said...

Fridays (as Peter Wigglesworth told me in no uncertain terms), were : -

"French, Art,
Fish, Tart".

And he was right!

Simon Tuite said...

I'll try again (still blundering my way around this site I'm afraid). You'll have to explain Hoot Silence, Mike.

Yes, that was definitely the Music Room. I'll have another go at putting names to faces, but will need help from you lot. From left to right: -, Seymour, Bourne, -, Packman, Whyte, -, -, Dyer, -, Antoni.


Packman, the tall guy at the back, was equally fascinated by JCBs and birds (the feathered variety), and used to show me where there were birds' nests in the hedges around the playing fields. I was guide (or whatever the term was) to Antoni when he was a new boy. His Dad ran a restaurant in Hastings.

I have to differ with you about Mrs Morrish (Minnie Mouse). I found her bad-tempered and spiteful! The son, Robin Morrish, gave a wonderful violin recital of Saint Saens' Rondo Capriccioso at a Christmas concert, and I think by then was a music master at King's Canterbury, where I later went.

Mike Armitage said...

Probably right about Minnie Simon, she never taught me so I never knew that!

I don't think you're blundering at all, it is strange at first, but after a few years, it really is great fun - especially when you can comment on the political blogs, where some real comments happen...

Do you remember Charles and Bill Guest at Kings? Old chums from way back!

Simon Tuite said...

I've long forgiven her, but she had the power to terrify an eight-year-old. I can still remember her childish handwriting, with a broad-nibbed pen in turquoise ink. GB made much of the fact that she was Montessori-trained, and although it's a respected and popular teaching method, I've ever since had my doubts about it!

Alan Hilder was in the same category of scary teacher, but he was always kind enough to give me his empty tins of Gold Block pipe tobacco.

The Guests don't ring a bell. When were they there, and do you know which house?

Simon Tuite said...

P.S. You'll have to explain Hoot Silence. Something to do with Coddy Morrish?

Mike Armitage said...

Alan Hilder could be pretty fierce at times, and often downright rude, but in fact, I quite liked him.

He had a pretty sad existence living in that tiny lodge with his sister! He gave me half a crumpet once when I had to take something down to him there, so I've forgiven the angry bits now!

Charles Guest was at Kings until about 1964/5 I believe; may be before your time. His brother Bill was younger though.

Mike Armitage said...

"Hoot Silence" was indeed Mr Morrish's stentorian bellow!

It was of course, "On Silence", but some wag asked him in prep why he said it to sound like 'Hoot Silence', and it's forever embedded in my memory!

Simon Tuite said...

I didn't go to King's until 1965, so I probably missed the Guests.

Stuart Roberts said...

I think I might be able to add a couple more names to the list of singers. The bnoy on the extreme left is Wheeler, and between Bourne & Packman is the elder Hodges. To the left of Tim Dyer is a Smith (I think).

Mrs Morrish was pretty scary, and more often than not, rather sour tempered. There is a photo of her in the theatre on my flickr stream.

Howard Kidd said...

Second from the right in the photo of the Music Room is Nigel Kidd

Scrobs. said...

Howard, great to hear from you!

He was your brother?

Any more news?

Best wishes anyway!