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National races at Parliament Hill in London and elsewhere.
    Although the club track was marked out on the recreation ground at Eton, there was a cinder track at nearby Eton College, that was very little used and was frequently covered in weeds. I did occasionally go there for some training on my own. The site of this track is where the new Thames Valley Athletics Centre, the home of Windsor, Slough, Eton and Hounslow AC is now situated. The new facilities are certainly one hundred per cent better than the old.
    While at school, I took part in various sporting activities including athletics, hockey, boxing and rugby. We had a strong ‘house’ structure and there was tough competition between the houses on a whole range of activities, including music and drama, as well as sport.
    I played my part and took part in the solo singing competition. I chose quite a tough piece for this solo effort; the largo from Handel’s Xerces. It was a very difficult piece and had been selected by the organist and choirmistress, who must have thought I could do it justice. I practised quite hard, singing it from the organ loft at All Saints’ Church, where I was still in the choir. I did not win but did get some points for my house, Burnett, by coming third.
    We had some interesting teachers at the Windsor County Boys’ School. There was just one lady teacher and she taught Latin, but it was reputed that she was well equipped to teach a few non-academic things as well; although I was not privileged to the special tuition and was only in her Latin class for one year. One of the masters had a reputation that went before him, and I remember stories from my brother about his behaviour in class. He was a great Maths master, but was a very strict disciplinarian, and had bouts of violent behaviour, supposedly breaking the arm of one boy, before my day. He did frequently throw the wooden-based blackboard wiper with extreme venom and accuracy at anyone who stepped out of line. Needless to say his reputation was enough to keep order, and every class of boys that ever came in contact with him behaved impeccably. I never had any trouble with him, but then Maths was my favourite and best subject.
    There were some great teachers and characters at school. The Chemistry master was a very strong man and reputed to be an ex-wrestler. He could pick at least two boys, whatever their size, up at a time; one in each hand like weights, and if need be, literally bang heads together. I kept on the right side of him as I delivered his groceries, and his wife was always very generous with her tip at Christmas. The Physics master later became Mayor of Windsor, and in 1958 presented me with an Illuminated Address from the Royal Borough for my contribution to English Sport. My housemaster, who was also my History master and one time form master, wrote a special book on the history of Windsor later in his life, and I featured in his special book where I appeared in the index between the King Edwards and Queen Eleanor.
    I wonder how some of these very dedicated and splendid teachers would have dealt with teaching today, in a world of over protection, lack of discipline, liberalization and legal redress for the slightest assault, real or otherwise, on a pupil?
    Football with a round ball was banned at school, and no one was supposed to play soccer for a team in their own time. It came as a bit of a shock to Mr Fairhurst, the headmaster, when on one occasion boys from the Grammar School made up all but one of the schoolboy football team for the town of Windsor. To make matters worse for him, one senior prefect, who was also a very good rugby player, broke his arm playing in goal with this soccer team. The rule about playing this nasty game with a round ball outside of school, was then reinforced. Maybe some of this rubbed off on me, as I have never been able to get very passionate about the game either.
    The highlight of 1951 was going on the school trip by