A Coventry Kid's Tale

Chapter 6: Approx 9 years of age to 10 years

So back to school he went to continue his learning. Reading and writing he had mastered but the times table was to defeat him for years, the poor child knew how many pennies to the pound but could not times 10 x 12. If they had asked him how many pennies there were in ten bob, the answer would have been immediate, 120. This is how the child eventually conquered the times table, by turning everything into pennies. The child's brain at last was starting to grow. Needlework, dancing, carpentry and drama school (the child had once been a pirate in the background, no one could see him), nothing was to defeat him.

The headmaster, Mr. Thomas, was to leave the school and a Mr. Wragg was to become the new headmaster. The first thing he did was to introduce swimming lessons. This was to be a boon for the child, if he learned to swim he would not drown in the canal (cut). For these swimming lessons the children were buzzed to President Kennedy school, for this school had its own indoor pool. After three weeks of swimming lessons he could now swim to the bottom. "That's fine" said the instructor, "you can now go to the 10ft end next week".

The following week the child stood with knees knocking and teeth chattering. The instructor said "dive in, no jumping in". The poor child could only just swim never mind dive!! In the child dived with a mighty clap and splash, only to return to the side with a red chest and stomach from his belly flop. Not to be deterred, week after week he strove to do his best until finally he took his first swimming test. "Passed" the child was elated, now for the Olympics. (The child always did have these thoughts of grandeur). The second swimming test was passed not long after, but the third test was to elude him for years.

On and on the learning went, it was relentless. The poor child tried to learn how to play the recorder, what a waste of time, but when it came to learn in the playground about playing cards he was to excel, marbles was another favourite game. It seems he learned more in the playground than the classroom. The one joy in the classroom was the taking of the morning register. Miss Webster, a very well endowed teacher, would lean over her desk to call the names. Now that sight was something to behold (hold being the right word). Every morning for a whole year, it's a wonder the child did not go blind. (Mind you he does need glasses now). She would slowly lean over her desk, the child would slowly rise out of his chair, his eyes never averting from (that's enough of that)!!!!!!!!!!!
The child was not slow in learning about the facts of life!! (all from the playground) wink.