David Banks
|
I went to
St Clement Danes from 1958 to 1965 with Patrick Whitten, and when I left
school I went into a solicitor's office for five years as an articled
clerk (we call them trainee solicitors nowadays), and in 1971 I joined
my father's firm in the City of London. I ran the firm's
office at Ascot for many years, but I am now back in the City, still practising
as a solicitor, and commuting daily from Maidenhead. I have
been married to Lucy (who came from Ealing) for 30 years, and we have
a son Joe aged 23 who is a trainee chartered accountant, a daughter Amy
who is almost 22 and in her third year at medical school, and a daughter
Rosalind who is 18 and in her last year at Sir William Borlase's Grammar
School in Marlow.
|
Richard
Benjamin
Can
be contacted through Ray Shaw.
|
Currently
living in Newcastle.
|
John Cripps
|
My strongest
memory of Costons is mucking about in the classroom one lunchtime, and
Roy Willis pushing me over, snapping my front teeth on the edge of a desk.
These were my newly grown second teeth. When Mr Kettle found out about
it, he showed me about as much compassion as an elephant with its haemorrhoids
on fire and duly cupped me round the ears. I received an apology from
Boiler the next day; this was probably due to my Dad [Ex Regimental Sergeant
Major- Maurice G. Cripps] taking the day off work, to explain to him the
error of his ways! [Thanks Dad].
I treated
my time at Costons as a big joy ride, and reaped the benefits of my cavalier
attitude ending up at Brentside.
At age 14, I was learning to play the guitar and together with Roy Robinson
played in a local skiffle band.
The only sport I was any good at was Boxing; I became Ealing Schools champion
in my age/weight, and represented Ealing in the Middlesex quarterfinals.
Tragically my father died just after my fifteenth birthday, and I left
School only completing the first term of my fourth year at Brentside.
I started
as an engineering apprentice at Wolf Electric tools in Alperton, and moved
to Ramsgate in 1964 where I pursued my career to become an electrical
engineer.
At the local
dance hall I met the girl who was to become my wife. Cindy & I got
married in 1967. Our marriage was blessed with two children [Tanya now
33, and Johnny now 27], who in turn have given us three grandchildren,
[Encee aged 6, Jamie aged 4, and Luke aged 7 months].
In 1973
I started working on the cross-channel ferries from Dover as an Electrical
Engineer Officer, but was pensioned off from the Merchant navy in 1990
due to an eye defect.
It was as
a very late achiever I sat the entrance exam [at Birkbeck College] to
join Mensa, and became a member in 1994. I am also a member of Mensas
special interest group concerning astronomy.
I am still
playing the guitar, and play in clubs as a duo with my daughter, who has
been on the stage since the age of eleven (see advertising card below).
I became
a friend of Bill W. in 1997.
All in all, life has been a pretty good ride so far.
Here`s to the next 55 years.
P.S. See you at the reunion if we have one!
|
Paul Fiddes
|
After Drayton
Manor Grammar School, I went as an undergraduate to the University of
Oxford (St Peter's College) in 1965. Apart from a year studying in Germany
I have been at Oxford ever since! I read degrees here in English Literature
and Theology, and then took a Doctorate in Theology. I have been teaching
in the Faculty of Theology at Oxford University for the past 28 years,
and have also been Principal of a small college in the University (Regent's
Park College) for the last 12 years. Books I have written are mainly about
the relationship between literature and religion. My wife, Marion, is
a manager in the NHS (and once attended Costons Girls' School); we married
in 1972. Of our two sons, Ben died at age 19, and Barnaby (21) is studying
medicine at London University. Interests (when I have time): classical
music, travelling, canal boats, computers.
|
Collin Flower
|
Left Costons
for Ealing Grammar and eventually on to BT (then The Post Office). Progressed
through Sales, Training and Account Management to end up running BT’s
Sales and Marketing Graduate Management Development Programme for Europe
– taking early retirement in ’92.
While the commercial stuff was paying the bills, I moved to Surrey, met
partner Lin (at a motorcycle rally) and later became a proud father (twice)
– Nicola (now 16) and Catherine (now 14).
After ’92 I ran career/employment workshops for a couple of years
and put together my own CV/Careers advice company (Content First). I am
now working as a Drama/Creative Writing teacher and Science Assistant
in a local Independent Primary School – Mr Kettle would be pleased!!
– and loving every minute.
Most of my spare time is devoted to the London Motorcycle Museum in Greenford
(just a few hundred yards from the old school). Our founder, Bill Crosby,
is an old friend and, together with other similar-minded friends, we opened
officially in May 1999, becoming London’s only motorcycle museum.
|
Keith Harris
|
Like many
of my friends from Costons I moved onto Brentside Sec. Mod. It just was
not the same as our junior school, it somehow lost its local feel. I stayed
the compulsory four years and left a little wiser, although looking back
I missed out. I wanted a career as an electrician which I was unable to
obtain and as I enjoyed food so much I became a chef and joined Hoover
Ltd at Perivale. Whilst attending Ealing Catering College, I got into
the 60's club scene - the Marquee in Wardour Street, the Ealing Club,
Eel Pie Island and various other notable venues. The weekly Thursday night
at the Oldfield Hotel, Greenford was not to be missed as The Detours would
be on stage "live" - they later became The Who.
I stayed in catering until 1996, progressing to Area Operations Manager
with Letheby & Christopher, having lived in various parts of the country.
My job has taken me to some of the leading horse racing courses - Ascot,
Chester, Aintree, Newmarket, Haydock and many more. I was also based at
Manchester Utd football club for 3 years and also worked at Spurs and
Arsenal and organised many varied outside catering events. After suffering
an illness, I became a Wine & Spirits Manager until I moved to Lincoln
in January 2001.
My hobbies are collecting wines (and of course drinking them), D.I.Y.,
supporting Brentford Football Club since my days at Costons and spending
my spare time with my wife, Jane.
|
Richard
Haynes
|
My memories
of Costons include David Banks teaching me to play chess and then proceeding
to stuff me for the next year or so. My less intellectual moments (most
of the time) were spent playing football with my mate Pelham both in and
out of school. The only bunging I remember was bunging tennis balls stuffed
with love letters over the roof into the girls school playground - I still
have a fondness for pony tails!
I was allocated a place at the dreaded Brentside Secondary and my mother
cried for a week. After the first 2 years it was actually quite a good
school and by staying for 6 years I managed enough GCE passes to get a
good job as a trainee quantity surveyor.
At Brentside my close friends included Graham Waite, . Benji, Michael
Axten, and Keith Williams and we seemed to play endless football matches.
Although Graham White was in my class for 10 years of my school days we
did not become friends until the last year. Graham and I played football
together for many years after that and our wives also became close friends
until Graham moved away to the North Pole (was it only 8 years ago?).
I married Jennifer in 1970 and we have 2 children (Daniel 27, and Gemma
25). I started my own business in 1977 and recently both of my children
have joined the company - retirement is now on the horizon - if somewhat
distantly. We have 2 ceramic tile shops, an import/distribution company
and a contract company which fixes tiles to about 1000 new houses each
year.
I have enjoyed playing sport throughout my life including badminton, squash,
golf, and of course my beloved football which I played to a reasonable
standard until I was 42 years old. I discovered skiing late in life and
I will be on the slopes again in February. I also play indoor tennis once
a week - as a prelude to a visit to the village pub. I live in a village
called Sarratt (near Rickmansworth) and I am currently a Parish Councillor
- responsible for footpaths and allotments
would you believe (real Vicar of Dibley stuff!).
|
David Hills
Address
and telephone number available from Pelham.
|
Alive and
well and living in New Jersey, USA. Suffice it to say that part from a
few teeth my body parts are remarkably intact. I stand at 5'11" ,
weigh 11.5 stone and can still tie my own shoes. I visit the UK about
once a year. (and respond to letters at about the same frequency - Ed)
|
Hedley Knibbs
|
I went to
Latymer Upper School, and then to Oxford University, where I did Geography.
Took a teaching diploma at Lancaster, and then went to Sheffield to teach
in 1969 - and I'm still there. Currently I'm an Assistant Head at Ecclesfield
School, a big comprehensive (1750 kids) in Sheffield. I visit London periodically
as I'm also a Chief Examiner for Edexcel, which means I write GCSE exam
papers. I've been married since 1976 to Jan, who I met in Sheffield and
who teaches in another secondary school. Our son Jamie (19) has just started
university, and daughter Livvy (17) is a sixth former, so I
can't retire yet. Interests include travelling and watching soccer (Sheffield
United these days, which is a come-down after Man United and even Fulham
in earlier times). I still have most of my teeth (I keep them in a drawer),
but very little hair and a dodgy knee: I "did a Ronaldo" (ruptured
knee tendon) playing football two years ago, and later fractured my knee-cap,
although after pretty regular gym trips I hope to be able to ski again
next spring.
|
Keith Marshall
|
Most of
my secondary education at Chiswick Polytechnic. Went on to take a Physics
degree at QMC London. Married a girl I met at the Poly, still happy 34
years later. Two children and three grandchildren. Spent most of my life
since college on and near the sea. Returned a year ago from an eight year
circumnavigation in a boat I built. Current interests, running, fixing
things, planning adventures. Living in Iver, Bucks at the moment.
|
Alan Pearman
|
Left Greenford
for Reading School in 1958, where my main interests were sporting. Ran
for Berkshire Schools cross-country and was Reading District Schools 880
yards champion. Birmingham University in 1965, studying Economics and
Econometrics under Professor Alan Walters, later to be Margaret Thatcher's
economic adviser. Then to the University of Leeds for postgraduate study
in transport economics and planning.
Member of
staff at Leeds since 1971. Presently Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University
and Professor of Management Decision Analysis in Leeds University Business
School. Academic research and teaching interests relate to trying to understand
what individuals and organisations can do to improve the quality of their
decision-making. Applications are in the private sector, but also to public
decision making in transport and in relation to the environment.
Married
Jennifer in 1972. She works at Bradford College as Basic Skills co-ordinator
for the College. Two sons: Matthew (1977) now training as a fire-fighter
with the West Midlands Fire Service; Thomas (1980) studying in Leeds for
a degree in English and Media Studies. Work is (almost) all-consuming,
but I still run to keep fit. Recently forced to face the reality that
both sons are now faster and fitter than I am. Occasional pilgrim to Elland
Road, but my footballing heart lies in Anfield.
|
Roy Robinson
|
After getting
parole from Brentside I went into the motor trade which I found out was
a dirty business to be in so I became a 60's pop musician. I went to Italy
as a professional bass guitarist in a group called The Eccentrics - also
made a record which I am sad to say did not make me my fortune. After
a couple of years decided the starving as a musician was equal to being
in a dirty job so I went back to the motor trade. I worked my way up to
Managing Director of a group of garages only to be made redundant so that
the owner's son could take my job. I then decided that I had enough of
working for someone else so I started my own used car sales company, which
is where you find me today. Within those years I got married and had 2
children (both girls) and now have a wonderful grand daughter, also lost
a lot of hair.
|
Chris Rogers
|
Left Costons
for Drayton Drainholes in 1958 and after seven years of chasing girls
went to Portsmouth College of Technology and got a degree in Botany!!!!!
However the best experience for life was running the College Rugby Club
for three years.
Decided to get into rubber in 1968 (I only type the words, I don't make
moral judgements - Ed) and joined Michelin Tyres. Progressed up the ladder
and found my niche in 1975 when I became PR manager. Got bored after 22
years of Mr Bibendum and joined Honda in 1991 to look after Product PR
for Europe, Middle East and Africa. Currently I am establishing a Corporate
Affairs Department for the European operations and spend two weeks a month
in Brussels. Have had and am still thoroughly enjoying my career.
|
Ray Shaw
|
After leaving
Horsenden Secondary School I went into engineering, eventually spending
many years in production management with company in North Acton manufacturing
metering equipment
The sixties were spent doing what I reckon most of us did. Having a good
time. Anyone remember the Crawdaddy Club, the Cromwellian, Speakeasy,
Eel Pie Island, weekend Jazz festivals etc ? Good times !.
In 1968 I met Eve, we have been married now for almost 30 yrs and have
two children, Christopher born in 1975 and Kate born in 1979. Christopher
went to Sussex University and now works in IT. Kate works in retail management
with John Lewis.
We had the usual traumas raising the children. Apart from the regulation
illness, there were trips to casualty following bicycle falls, Kate being
retrieved by a fishing boat after she’d floated out to sea on a rubber
dingy, plus the odd car crash or four. Kate seems to have a notice on
the back of her car that says ‘Hit Me’. A drunk driver wrote
off her first car after 5 days.
In the late eighties an opportunity arose to move into sales management
Thinking that selling was a lot easier option than having to manage production
(wrong !) I moved. In 1993 having spent almost 30 yrs with the same company
I was made redundant which focused the mind quite considerably.
However, after 6 months I was able to resume my career, again in sales
management with a company that was once a competitor. I am still there
today.
During the early nineties I was a member of the Duxford Aviation Society
and Sundays would find me driving up to Duxford Airfield, Cambridge with
my bag of tools to give ‘care and maintenance’ to the
exhibits although really all we did most of the time was have a good time
and watch the flying. Redundancy put paid to that!
As you can see I am still working and probably will be for the duration,
spare time nowadays is spent dragging myself to the gym a couple of times
a week working as a motor mechanic on the family’s three cars and
taking as many holidays as possible.
I am still in contact with a couple of our old classmates Richard Benjamin
and Collin Flower, and hopefully they will be contributing to the site
at some time. They may even write about the holiday we spent on the Norfolk
Broads way back in 1965….. I can’t even visit Norwich today
without the feeling of embarrassment coming back.
That’s a summary of the past 40 yrs…. Here’s to the next
!
|
Ian Shipman
|
My Dad emigrated
to New Zealand in 1955 and my 3 brothers, a sister and Mum joined him
in 1957. It was sad to leave England but happy to be reunited with Dad.
NZ is a fantastic place to have grown up in - hunting, shooting, fishing,
tramping, skiing, surfing, sailing etc.
Initially we lived in Auckland where I completed my secondary schooling
and learnt to play rugby. In 1972 I completed an Agricultural Degree at
Massey University and played for the Varsity A rugby team.
Now I am a farm consultant and farm valuer and all being well likely to
be so for some time yet. Still playing tennis once a week to keep fit.
I live in Palmerston North on a small block of river silt land, raise
a few beef stock, garden and dog etc.
My wife Ann is a Palmerston North lass and we have 6 children, the youngest
of whom is Kimberley (16 yrs old).Next month she will be the only one
left as our son Conroy is off to America for 3 months before going to
Ireland and then England. I have 2 daughters in Australia, one in Auckland
and another in Wellington who is going to China with the Royal NZ ballet
Co. at the end of the year.
I haven't been back to England since 1957, but look forward to the day,
perhaps in the next year or so. Have to save some money first. Then maybe
catch up with you and some of the old mates.
I remember the conkers and the vinegar we used to harden them up to make
them last. Also I remember walking home from school with my brother Paul
stopping him from prising chewing gum off the pavement and smoking the
cigarette butts. Also going round to David Williamsons. One day I pinched
the teacher's rubber and got the strap from Mr Double Trouble.
|
Bob Stanbrook
|
After Coston
I went to Greenford County Grammar and was lucky enough to meet my future
wife, Angela there. We have been very happily married since 1968 and still
living in Northolt. Our two children (daughter and son) both live locally
and we also have two lovely grandchildren. Following school I joined Taylor
Woodrow as a Data Processing trainee and have continued to work in IT
ever since. I played football for local clubs for many years (including
vets matches in my fifties), as well as coaching and managing in later
years. I now enjoy running, having sparked an interest by running the
London Marathon when I was 50.
|
Graham Waite
Can be contacted through his sister Pauline Fitzgibbon at:
|
On leaving
Costons I spent 5 years incarcerated at Brentside with a number of old
Costonians soaking up knowledge without expending any particular effort.
On my release I entered Twickenham Art College together with Richard Benjamin
where we spent 4 memorable years changing the world by growing our hair
long and kick starting the social revolution of the sixties. We did precious
little drawing or painting during this period, devoting our time instead
to a whirlwind of social activities.
Cast out into the world at 21 with no desire to enter the field of commercial
art I took a temporary job as a stock room assistant in a fashion house
while London was still just about swinging. I stayed for nearly 2 years
during which time I met Stephanie and a man landed on the moon , one giant
leap for mankind persuading me it was time for a tentative step by Graham
Waite. Turning my back on trendy London I obtained a position as computer
trainee with a multi national company in Willesden and went on to marry
Stephanie in 1973.
This was in the days of third generation computers and happily it turned
out I had a natural aptitude for using logic so for the next 13 years
I rose through the ranks until I found myself operations manager in a
mainframe installation which was about to be superseded by desk top technology.
Seizing the moment I retired from the commercial world and became a self-employed
artist specialising in oil painting. I used redundancy money to purchase
a steam roller which I have rallied at various events ever since. To this
has been added a vintage car and a vintage tractor.
Stephanie shares my hobby to the extent of driving and maintaining our
engine and together we help organise the famous Woodcote rally. I am also
a casual collector and have substantial collections of Dinky toys , die
cast models, OO guage railway equipment, books, golden oldie pop recordings,
clasxical music, vintage radio sit-com recordings and general memorabilia.
I am sometimes to be found at steam rallies in the summer, either driving
an engine, commentating in the arena or more likely in the beer tent.
I remain happily married and now live in Woodcote, a rural village in
Oxfordshire.
|
Pelham West
|
After Ealing
Grammar I joined Abbey National and worked for them for 31 years in various
IT positions. I took early retirement in 1997 and now spend my days on
my interests and hobbies e.g. golf, jukeboxes, saxophone. Married Diane
in 1971 and we have twins (boy/girl) who are currently at university.
I live near Towcester in S. Northants.
|
Graham White
|
Like others who left Costons in 1958 I was one of those
'sentenced' to a secondary education at Brentside. In reality it wasn't
that bad and a number of us stayed on into a 6th year and gained sufficient
GCE passes to either continue into further education or commence jobs
that offered some future.
In my case, I embarked on a career in the Civil Service,
joining the then Board of Trade and progressing, via the Department of
Energy, to the Department of Trade and Industry. This included spells
in the late 1960's/early 1970's working in Ministers Private Offices and
on commercial relations with Eastern European countries. However, for
the last 25 years I have been involved in various aspects of the UK offshore
oil and gas industry and 8 years ago moved to the NE of Scotland when
the DTI opened a new Oil and Gas Office in Aberdeen. Here, as the North
Sea oil and gas industry enters maturity, I am responsible for the development
and implementation of UK policy on the decommissioning of redundant offshore
installations. The work regularly takes me to Norway, Brussels, Paris
and back down to London. Occasionally I visit some of the installations
- fun if you enjoy survival suits and helicopter trips.
I married Barbara ( an ex-Drayton Manor Grammar School
pupil) in 1970 and we have two children, Sarah aged 20 and Robert aged
17. After years of suburbia we now live in a small rural village on Royal
Deeside. Cold in winter, frequent snow but some stunning scenery.
Sport has always featured prominently in my life and
during Costons days and for a number of years after it was football. I
played for various teams in the Greenford and Ealing area, generally in
the company of Richard Haynes and on occasions encountered Bob Stanbrook
on the opposing side. In my mid-twenties I began playing squash and this
rapidly replaced football. I was Captain of the Civil Service Squash Club
for a number of years and played in the Middlesex squash league for the
Herga Squash Club in Harrow. Now living in Scotland my passion is golf
and have spent most of the last 8 years working on my handicap (currently
12). With the Cairngorms on my doorstep hillwalking is also a favourite
pastime.
|
Patrick
Whitten
|
I flirted
with an academic career during a postgraduate period before going legit
- market research - not starting work seriously until I was 26. After
various jobs I was asked to set up a company called CIT in 1981, and was
lucky enough to buy it out two years later. Over the past 20 years it's
become an international media and telecoms research,publishing, and database
business.
I married Jill (we met at university) way back in 1968. trangely enoughwe've
now been wed for 33 years, without remission. There are twodaughters,
Emma, 32, and Abigail, 31 (Emma runs the business) plus four grandsons
- James and Fabian (both 7), Alec (6) and Matt (4). We moved
to Devon 15 years ago, though until last year kept a flat in London, working
there part of the week.
We're small
racehorse owner/breeders (Abby runs that side of things). There are three
mares and two foals at Hatley Park, but our best horse in training is
Torosay Spring, who we bred ourselves. We're hoping for some black type
next year. I'm a member of the Racehorse Owners' Association Council and
a strategic adviser to the British Horseracing Board, which gets me up
to London every week to counter the cloying
provincialism of Devonshire village life. If there's any spare time it
tends to go on maps (International Map Collectors' Society) or just walking,
mainly locally round the coast or in Scotland.
|
