Charney Hall School, Grange-over-Sands

Friends at state schools couldn’t understand why I had so many more days holiday than they did. Neither did I. But what I did believe was that I deserved them. Why? Because I needed the emotional break and the space away from school! No doubt the masters and headmasters, if pressed, would have agreed too…however with friends back at local schools and days to spare, generous school holidays could lose their appeal. Conversely in the Charney term there didn’t seem to be much spare time. Everything took place in strict accordance with the school curriculum but somehow we managed to have some opportunities for recreation. Perhaps there were specific times of the day set aside, but I can’t remember? Of necessity, pastimes, if ‘hardware’ was involved, had to be space efficient. I don’t recall having a locker or safe place to store personal possessions except under the lovingly carved sloping desk top in the classroom. Hence favourite games were for example pocket chess and Owzthat. I n the 1...