Norwich House
1958 - 62

I spent my first year in Plymouth House; the Rev Wilkinson and his family were the House Master and Matron. We all got a rude awakening when we found out where the senior school was located. Nearly a mile up hill in all weathers!! It was like army fitness training - lugging satchels, books and P.E. kit. So having survived that early discipline, we were prepared for the transfer to the senior houses.

I was entered by Plymouth House to run in the senior cross-country, having won the juniors race. I can always remember Butch Turner [as he was affectionately known] saying, on my arrival at Norwich, everyone thought I was imported because, at only a pint size 4ft 11ins, how did I manage to come 8th in my first year? I had come from a poor background in Birmingham, and we used to run around the house blocks near the factories in Northfield - avoiding trouble of course! Like the loneliness of a long distance runner.

Norwich under the guidance of Pauline and John Turner was very motivated in trying to achieve the best within the school. Life was hectic: the sound of the early bell got all the dorms springing into action. Any slacking saw you with extra house chores, in addition to the regular jobs we had to do before leaving for "Top School", as it was termed. All new boys went into the junior dorm, and further around that magnificent wooden landing the other two dorms were located, middle and senior dorms approx. 10-12 lads in each.

Norwich House opened for boys in 1906

Polishing those floors and stairs were an everyday event. Applying the polish with those heavy brushes [Ronak] on the end of a six foot pole soon built up your strength, then to put rags underneath was further agony - so it was a good deterrent from getting detention! Those prefects had all been through the same experience, so they knew how to make it hurt. One other job sticks out in my mind was cleaning the bootroom area, with that terrible Red tile polish! It took ages to shine up, and with being the main entrance into the house, all the shoes and sports boots etc. were kept there. If you were unlucky, detention was cleaning all the boots and shoes, a memory no one forgot!

It would seem that all the senior houses had in the summer months those unforgettable COLD BATHS. Mr Turner - "Butch" - would supervise standing at the bath area to ensure everyone took that very brief plunge, it certainly woke you up!!

Pauline Turner was like a mother to us all, ensuring we all had clean uniform, and was the organiser for referral to the doctor or dentist. She was also the very important holder of our pocket money accounts, issued once a week that we could use at the Tuck shop up at top school.

After the early morning chores we would all make our way to the Dining Hall, that was set out in house tables, with either a house prefect or teacher issuing out the meals. The tables were set out like the dorms with the juniors sitting together until we went up a year. It was frowned upon if you did not eat all your meal before you. We all had food we disliked, there was always someone to eat seconds, and I suppose looking back this was the communication centre as all the houses plus Teddie Cooper would be there at most meal times.

Assembly, Church services, Classes, Hobby clubs soon occupied most days including Saturday morning . Then there would be scouts or the cadet forces one could join, so it was good to get some free time. I was keen on Rugby, and our Saturday afternoons was sports and inter-house competitions. I owe the assertiveness of Big Baz Benson for teaching us how to swim, and what a view, we never appreciated at the time, of fighting the water.

Returning after tea to Norwich, we would a have little time before the couple of hours of "Prep" time. This period had to be attended, a bit like a roll check. The 6th form prefects would be in charge, ensuring no talking or moving around took place! One memory I have is of my early morning running partner "Pugsly" sitting at another table and I deciding to flick an ink pellet, using a bit of blotting paper dipped in the ink, and using my flexible ruler aimed at Pugsley's ears. Whilst keeping an eye on the prefect, I took aim and the target was hit - sending ink not only over his ear, but over his class prep work. Thinking I had got away with it, to my horror a little tap on the window from the assistant house master Mr Gentry was my downfall. Only a couple of minutes passed - when the prep room door opened and a large finger jesting in silence beckoned me to the hall outside. Mr Gentry was a big man with an equally big slipper, six seconds it took to have six sharp whacks. Then having to enter silently and to sit on a very sore spot much to "Pugsley's amusement ". I never did manage to beat him in the school cross-country, but the house won many trophies simply down to John Turner's enthusiasm and attendance on the touch line urging us with that tone of his. I would often hear in the house, "Wingfield - what on earth are you doing, boy" sometimes in playful gestures leading me by the ear.

Once the dreaded prep had finished we were allowed into what we knew as the "common room" where we could read, have games or, as I remember, listening to those plastic 45s of that great era of pop songs on the small Dansit record player - probably a collectors item now. Rock and roll, many being played today, take me back to the hill. During these periods of an hour or so I can remember each dorm forming a sketch or song for the concert nights we were encouraged to do. Dad's Army was our sketch one term and, considering the limited equipment we had, Norwich lads had some great shows put on in the main hall of the house. Several years ago I went to look at old Norwich [which is now Plymouth]. There are now dorms for the girls downstairs, junior boys' dorms upstairs, carpets, and no wooden floors to polish. However, the voices and the smells of those polish years still lingered there.

Recent picture of Plymouth House which was once Norwich.

Finally it was sleep time - or so the house masters thought. We have great memories of midnight feasts, often Butch coming round to shut us up. There is lots more I could say, but not put into print. I would hate to be told I was putting ideas into the present school scholar's heads. We, the old boys, will for ever be grateful for getting the opportunity to have our school days at Kingham Hill. It gave us the various skills and aims in life to succeed. I am still in touch with Pauline Turner; each year we send news to each other. Thanks to Pauline and John we have such memories and are thankful to all the staff then and now for the dedication to Kingham boys and girls.

Ken Wingfield M.B.E.

•  May I too just remember two brothers who were very much thought of in Norwich House history: EARLE and BRINCKLOW. Both lost their lives doing what they enjoyed - sailing and motor-Bikes. I knew the circumstances of these events and it goes without saying all Norwich Boys who knew them will never forget the huge sadness and void that remains to this day.