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Memory Lane 24

May 2025. David Asplin looks back on the last sixty years...

It does seem strange that it is almost 60 years since I first entered St Nicks in 1967. On the

other hand, I still feel a bit like a youngster in that both my parents are still alive, mentally fit - if a bit wobbly on their feet - and have just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. I hope they have passed their genes on to me!

So much water has passed under the bridge but my life has been steered by my experiences at the Old School. Messrs Armstrong and Plenderleith taught me the woodworking and craft skills that I have used throughout my life (I am a surprisingly good water colourist even if I say so myself!). Mr Thompson and all of the engineering and scientific staff steered me in the direction of a technology-based career, the language folk inspired in me a joy of speaking foreign tongues (I can say "Two pints of beer please and my friend will pay" in 13 languages....). I must also recall Peter Cahill who not only taught me to play rugby but also Liar Dice on a school skiing trip to Switzerland when we were both holed up with sprained ankles. And I must not forget Ian Collier who gave me a love of drama (and I am still treading the boards today) and of course allowed the boys to mix with the girls of

St Mary’s during school plays - a rare (and enjoyable) event indeed........!

After school I went straight into the RAF where I served for 22 years as an air defence controller in the thick of it - warding off the Russian hoards as they tested the UK’s air defences. I was lucky to live all over the world including Germany, Cyprus, the Far East, the

Falklands and the Outer Scottish islands. Afterwards, having vowed never to have anything else to do with the military, I was employed for a further 20-odd years in defence industry, again living in some exotic places including Oman, Saudi and France. I ended my time in employment as global sales director for a large explosives company (setting off bangers

each November under a River Pinn bridge may have had an influence......).

I moved to south-west France just over 10 years ago with my (second) wife – Sarah – where we ran a very successful gite and campsite business in the Charente for 8 years. I am now fully retired, but am still using all of the skills and knowledge gained from St Nicks. It has certainly been a life experience not to be missed and in most ways, I think I have landed on

my feet given the turmoil that seems to exist in the UK at the moment! Mind you, I do miss pubs......

I am sorry that I was unable to join the 70th anniversary festivities and indeed other informal get-togethers but I raised a glass of very nice Saint-Émilion (well, it’s only 30 minutes away from where I live) to all SNOBs on 13 March!

Cheers - Santé!

David Asplin

SNOB 1967-1974