Memory Lane 25

September 2025, John Boston writes:  

I was a member of the class when Mr Komatsu (I didn’t know his name was Ron, we always referred to him as ‘Koko’) set fire to the Lab.  He had been telling us about yellow phosphorus and had some in a jar of water. He picked a lump out on the point of his pen-knife blade and waved it about as he spoke.  Inevitably the water evaporated and the yellow phosphorus behaved as advertised.  While he was explaining himself to Dr Watson the Lab Assistant, who I think was called Mr Kurowski or similar, put the fire out.  I think this lesson stands out amongst all those that I sat through.

This leads me to think about the various support workers that must have helped St Nick’s to function.  Mr Kurowski (?) appeared in about 1959/1960 I think but I have never seen him referred to.  As I recall, Mr Parsons the Caretaker lived in a house within the school grounds by the gates onto Norwich Road.  He is in the 1956 panorama photo but also seems to have disappeared from the record in later years.  I suppose there must also have been admin/secretarial staff.  Are they recorded anywhere?

In the early days, the playing fields went all the way down to Joel Street with just a chain link fence at the boundary.  I can still remember watching the traffic while fielding when playing cricket.  I think there is housing along western side of Joel Street now – did the school derive any financial benefit when the land was sold off for building?

HEALTH WARNING – a dodgy subject.  The illustration on the front cover of school magazines before 1965 was said to be from a woodcut by Bomber Plenderleith.  At the time and even in my innocence (and we were unbelievably innocent back then) I always felt a little uncomfortable about an adult male – and a Bishop at that - towering over three young girls in a bath.  Maybe that was why the illustration was changed from 1965 onwards.

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From early 2023, John Boston writes:  

When I started at St Nick’s in September 1956 I was arbitrarily put in the D stream, where I resolutely stayed for the next 5 years, despite the best efforts of the founding staff. My five particular friends were Peter Hilburn, David Goodwin, Tony Barker, Michael (Fuzz) Piears and Mervyn Peck. The ‘Gang of Six’ stayed in touch over the years until Peter died in 2001. Mervyn went to live in Bahrain where after many years of ill health he died in early 2023. Michael retired to Portugal although he was a regular visitor to the UK when he, Tony, David and I would meet up when we could. The last time we did so was in November 2018 since when we have lost both Michael and Tony. So now it is just me and David meeting up for a pint and a natter 2 or 3 times a year. Our next pub lunch will be in the Spring when we will raise our usual glass to Absent Friends – not only from amongst our own group but to all those we knew at St Nick’s and with whom we came into occasional contact over the years.

Looking at the website I was struck by the 23 February 2023 photo – I can just smell the wet, muddy rugby kit even after all these years. There is a pupil photo taken by Ian Parker, stated to be 1957/58. I am sure it is Clive Mitchem second right, but he looks older than he would have been if the date is correct so maybe a year or two later? I am certain I also remember some of at the other faces, particularly the person third right but his name escapes me.