| The Language Assistants - Chris Snuggs (58 to 65) | ||
- I have no information prior to 1959 or after 1977.
- There were none in 1970 to 1971, but one in 1973 to 1974 (Yves Costa), after which I can find no reference to any.
- Some "Janus" editions mentioned them in some detail, but others ignored them completely.
- Ours was a small school, and to have two throughout the 60s was a great asset.
- I myself (somewhat shockingly) remember absolutely nothing about any lessons with them, how they were timetabled or anything else, except regarding Fritz Weiberzahn (see below)
- Many were remarkable and contributed greatly to school life (even though I can't remember what myself!).
- Spending a year at WHS must have been a wonderful adventure for them, and a considerable contribution to cross-Channel relations.
- Too late to thank whoever was responsible for enabling their visits, but whoever it was did a fine thing.
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THANK YOU "YOU DID GREAT!" |
Fritz Weiberzahn was our German Assistant in 1963/1964, and the "Janus" report doesn't really do him justice. Lessons with him, I don't remember, but not long after he arrived he formed a jazz-band with a group of 1st year 6th formers. Most of us were not real musicians, but Fritz was a proper pianist, and told us what to play and when. We mostly rehearsed in the hall and performed on several occasions of different kinds. I forget how and why, but we named ourselves "The Feetwarmers". I was never too happy with this rather soppy title: I would have preferred "The Glenn Miller Rejects", but Feetwarmers it was. I think we weren't too bad, but lacked showmanship; one of us should have made witty speeches introducing us and announcing what we were going to play. As far as I remember, we just came on, played and went off!
It was a great exerience, and one I have never come remotely close to repeating since I left WHS. They were a wonderful bunch of guys to play with, and Fritz a really great mentor. David Odell was on drums, and often a bit loud. We never managed to get him to bash away a bit more quietly! When I met his widow on one of the barge cruises in the early 2000s I was very sad to hear that he had died quite young of cancer. He was a lovely guy, but life can be cruel as we know.
We never heard from Fritz after school days, and I often wondered how he got on in later life. If ever you read this, Fritz, you'll know how much we appreciated you and loved the fantastic experience you gave us.
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John Tuddenham (Hansons 52 to 57): Did you come across someone called Becherelle? French teacher - spelling may be wrong.
Chris Snuggs: Subject to my error, I can't find ANY details in "Janus" of who worked in the school before 1959 - apart from the major players. "Staff Notes" began in 1960, and were pretty detailed, except that the FIRSTNAME of staff was seldom given. I always wondered why ... spelling looks right, but not seen the name anywhere ....
John Tuddenham (Hansons 52 to 57): He taught French - he had a room in the main building. We were going to breakfast one morning when he came up the drive on a bike, in a very erratic manner, swerving all over the road - made it to the front door of the main building and staggered in. Story goes he stole the bike after a night on the tiles in Ipswich, but we never saw him again; he "left" very shortly after .....
Chris Snuggs (Berners/Halls 58 to 64): No mention of that in "Janus"! I don't suppose JSHS was amused (or would have been amused if he had found out about it!)
John Tuddenham: I think he fired him ....