Just been talking to my Mother and have to share this - especially for ex Rowley folk.
My nephew has just successfully completed an HNC in electronic and electrical engineering at Telford College (TCAT). My sister worked in the library at TCAT for several years so between them they know the place well.
I was suprised to hear that they agreed that the Principal at TCAT bears a close resemblance to Captain Mainwaring of Dad's Army both in appearance, attitude and mannerisms.
I immediately remembered that at one stage we at Rowley had managers including Miss Diane, Swiss Don and Captain Square of the Eastgate Platoon. I think this is brilliant - is it just me?
We had a scally on the staff at Rowley who kept a tally of how often each of these managers ventured into the staff room to mingle with the other ranks.
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In the staff room in the old days, there was also a map with a little flag on a pin, which we used to show where the principal was (or said he was). Can't remember if it was of Britain or the world.
This then led on to the creation of the post "Principal in Residence", agin I can't remember if it was ever filled.
One Christmas our Vice Principal ran a sweep at the end of term ‘do’ and we had to guess where exactly the Principal was in London that day.
First prize was a ticket in a Readers Digest raffle with a car as prize. Ian Hudson won - a bit unkind I thought as he had just had his car stolen. What wits we all were in those days!
Does anyone remember the Principal going off one summer on a tour of American schools?
A well known FE manager, Swiss Don, once told me:"You know, running any post-16 institution is like making love to a beautiful woman. You must first tell it what it wants to hear, promise it the earth, give it fine wines and Belgian chocolates. Then when you have gained its confidence, give it a right good seeing to". Belgian chocolates were in short supply in Blackheath, so I was never able to put this to the test.
I am told that Swiss Don now runs a secondhand car business somewhere in Fenland.
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