Hello to all old West Mark Camp School Pupils.
Just found this chat room and signed up.
I only attended the Christmas Term in 1952 when I was 14 years old, I'm the youngest of 3 boys and I've never figured out how I came to go to West Mark, while neither of my older brothers did, and I have no recollection why I went in the first place; at the time I was a pupil at Chamberlayne Wood Road Secondary Modern School, Kensal Rise, NW10, I finished school at the Christmas in 1953 as I turned 15 in the november..
I would like to second the many previous comments about how good West Mark was, and others happy memories, I remember the experience with great affection, I loved being there except that I was never any good at sports, and my pet hate was the cross country runs in the cold, wet, & mud, and if my memory serves me well I was always among the back markers.
However I loved the practical way history was taught, with Excursions out as already mentioned.
One that stands out was when we visited the Naval Dockyards at Portsmouth, besides being shown over HMS Victory, we were also shown over the aircraft Carrier HMS Warrior, what an experience it was standing on that huge deck!
I also remember after our trip to Chichester we all went round to Mr Keatings home in Chichester for tea, I know he could be a bit of an ogre, but I liked him very much.
IF you look on Friends Reunited site, a while back I posted that I have the school magazine from the Christmas Term 1952, which had been produced by the pupils, at the time I had everyone I could sign it, also listed were the staff and their positions. and I posted these names on Friends, I've never had much of a response, although I offered to copy the magazine if anyone was interested, not receiving any requests up to now, I haven't bothered to copy it.
This evening I've been on a real nostalgia trip with Brian Waxman, who was also at West Mark in 1952 and beyond, Brian rang me and it's the first time I've spoken to anyone who was at West Mark for best part of 60 years, and we were talking for over an hour!
I don't remember too many people from back then though, but Brian and myself intend meeting up in the near future, he lives in Amersham and I live in Silsoe Bedfordshire, so not a million miles away.
I was in Buriton , and my best pal was Vivian Harris who came from Tottenham, not too long after both of us had returned home I cycled from my home at Kensal Green, to Tottenham to meet up with Viv, I think I kept in touch for a while, but shortly afterwards my parents broke up & I went with my Mother to live near Leighton Buzzard Bedfordshire, so we lost touch, assuming he hasn't fallen off the perch I'd love to meet up with him, so if anyone has any information would they please let me know.
I went back to West Mark about 10 years ago and was disappointed to see hardly anything left, although I think a new house had been built there, the Dell is still there and we drove past the church which was our sunday morning destination, and it was just if if the clock had been turned back 60 years, what happy memories, and I think how lucky I was to go there.
I note from the National Archives site that Hampshire Records Office have the files on West Mark for between 1949 and 1955 when it closed, does anyone have a copy, to save me having to contact them?
I think the idea of a reunion for all ex pupils that can still get around! is a great idea and I'd be interested in helping to put something together if there's enough interest in a reunion, in or around Petersfield seems the obvious choice?.
Brian Hilton