'This is a very nosy boy!'

Chas and I were both at Garendon Secondary Modern School Loughborough in 1956.  We were not in the same class, but we were in the same year, and as such we did a lot of hanging around together.

Teachers in the school were normally given nick names, and one I came to regret was ‘Old Stones’.

Chas and I had been patrolling the streets of the town one evening when we chanced on the sight of ‘Old Stones’ through the window of The Gate Inn - a notable public house on Nottingham Road.

We gleefully speculated on the length of time it might take for ‘Old Stones’ to down a few pints and come staggering out.  What we failed to understand was that ‘Old Stones’ had looked out of the window and spotted a pair of inquisitive young boys!

At least two weeks later, while standing in line with the rest of my class, I noted that ‘Old Stones’ was to be in charge of our next lesson.  Suddenly spotting me, I was extracted from the line by my right ear and subjected to the comment, “Here is one of the boys that I have been looking for!”

While the remainder of the class stood wondering what it was that I might have done, ‘Old Stones’ delivered a swift clip to the back of my head.

"This is a very nosy boy,” (a pause for reflection). “What teachers do in their own time is none of your business!” (second clip delivered).

Chas never said anything about the event, or whether he was found and admonished.

Today I might expect to be called before the school head and advised that my behaviour was “not appropriate” (whatever that means exactly)

Have a pint on me ‘Old Stones!’