Page 14 - Abingdon News

ARTS
14 January 2014
OU OF THE PAST
Joe Talbot’s weekly 50-question test
on a Friday morning in the 4th form.
It was quick "re stuff, and the one-
word answers were written on strips
of quarto paper. Completed papers
were exchanged, answers given,
and positions in the lab changed to
correspond with the results, and to
be carried through to the next week.
Fearful stuff on the day, but "rm
foundations laid throughout!
Nick Bell OA 1966
Memories of Science at Abingdon School
Asked for memories of their science lessons at Abingdon, OAs responded in their hundreds. Here is a small selection of their replies.
If you would like to read more go to www.abingdon.org.uk/science_snippets
During WW2, we were going to
study the preparation and properties
of Chlorine gas. Mr Gray told us to
bring in our gas masks and during the
experiment we put our heads in the
fume cupboard. As a result, my ginger
hair was bleached several shades
lighter, but only temporarily, unlike
my father in WW1, whose chest was
affected for the rest of his life.
Rodney Deval OA 1945
Chemistry with Mr Coleman:
“Bowman, "ve minutes in the fume
cupboard...”
(A threat never carried out)
Phil Bowman OA 1990
Double Physics. John Horrex lugged his
huge Ferrograph tape recorder onto the
demonstration bench. “Something special
on the BBC 3rd Programme last night.” It
was the "rst broadcast of Under Milk Wood
by Dylan Thomas. I still quote phrases
that I vividly remember from that amazing
experience of real education.
Peter Willis OA 1961
I remember Biology with Joe Talbot and
Bill Potter vividly. Beautiful chalk drawings
on the board and three essays per week
for A level. And who could forget Mr Gray’s
unique Chemistry classes. I am still enjoying
my career in microbiology 45 years on, now
as a Professor at Aberdeen University.
Harry James Flint OA 1968
The legendary
Dr Gunn and
his Land Rover
of destruction
ferrying in
fresh fauna for
dissection, a
very real and
grounded
education.
Tom Sykes
OA 2002
Tom Ayling ...
teaching the A Level
chemistry set, had to
take to his bed with
a bad back. But the
show went on, and I
remember the class
going to his home
and sitting around his
bedside where he led
a revision session.
Rob Jones OA 1987
I wasn’t much of a scientist, but I enjoyed
Chemistry with Mr Sewry, one of the
kindest men I have ever met and a "ne
gentleman. When paper was handed out
for a test, one boy requested a second
sheet. Mr Sewry responded irritably:
“Seventeen sheets of paper for seventeen
boys! Who’s taken two?”
John Howard Walker OA 1969
Wooly Woolnough’s Wonder Weapons!
Fantastic demonstrations of electromotive
force, with bits of wire !ying across the
room. Great for capturing our attention.
And looking at Saturn through the
re!ector telescope on the (then !at)
Science Block roof.
I now have a re!ector of my own!
Hereward Tresidder OA 1972
Bill Potter John Horrex Joe Talbot
Mervyn Gray
Freddie Sewry Brian Woolnough