1957 was a good year for me! I had a model railway around my room. I had the East Coast main railway line a 5 minute bike ride away. I had friends Richard and Pat, and I was often invited to accompany Pat on day trips to the coast, or to other places simply to train spot.
I could bike to both Peterborough stations and, if I didn’t have any money to get onto a station, there were places nearby where I could see the trains. I was eventually allowed to borrow Dad’s camera and so, on one occasion, I parked myself under Crescent Bridge (immediately south of North Station) and waited for something really good to come along! It didn’t take long!
With driving wheels well over 6ft in diameter, one can probably imagine the visual impact on a 10 year old lad!
Life at school was “okay” (note lack of enthusiasm). I really had no problem with it other than I had to go there when I would rather be going to Walton Crossing! School was however starting to become a serious issue with Mum and Dad (more so Dad). Apparently I would be having an 11+ examination soon and I was clearly expected to pass!
1957 School Photograph
(This was my favourite sweater. It was knitted by Mum and was maroon and grey. I was now a monitor at school and therefore proudly displayed my “Monitor” badge.)
Valerie had passed her 11+ exam earlier and now went to a girls Grammar School. She even got a really nice new bike just for passing. A Raleigh New Yorker with straight handle bars!
Dad, in his usual tactful manner, made it quite clear to me that I had to pass that exam and, if I did, I would also get a new bike. I could pick out whatever bike I wanted, but I had to pass that 11+ examination!
A New Direction Perhaps? 
What a special sweater to have and I bet you made a very good monitor. Probably no one got by you!
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It was a very special sweater. As for being a monitor? I cannot remember doing much of anything!
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‘I was now a monitor at school and therefore proudly displayed my “Monitor” badge.’ Hehe.. Such an innocence! 🙂
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The benefit of being only 10 years old! 🙂
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You were a handsome lad at 10 years of age. The train photo is very good. I love B&W.
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Well thank you Yvonne. 🙂
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I remember sitting my 11+ and going to grammar school (1967 – 72), where I was put in a class with no-one else from my school, and constantly compared to my sister by the staff. I hated it.
Love the sweater. My Mum used to knit for us too and I had a smashing chocolate brown and pink cardigan which I absolutely loved!
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I knew nobody else either. Richard did not pass the 11+. Pat did, but his parents sent him to a “rival” Grammar school (there were two boys Grammar schools in Peterborough).
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So….did you pass? Or is that the next chapter?
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Sssssssh ………… Yes to both questions.
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Woo hoo!
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Fabulous sweater! I hope you still have it though I know realistically that’s not likely but it is truly lovely. 😉 Love the locomotive photo. There’s something positively fabulous about B&W train photos.
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Yup! Sweater long gone. I guess B & W train photos capture the era that they were in. We didn’t get a “colour camera” until the early 1960’s!
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