Being isolated from their family was a downside to boarding school life but this was compensated by various privileges bestowed by Bugs, Nej and some masters. The Army Training Corps (A.T.C.), forerunner of the C.C.F., was joined by most boys on reaching the minimum age. Boys had their own boots but proper uniforms were issued, together with belt, gaiters and front pouches, which were “bulled”and blancoed to perfection. We were drilled like Army recruits, equipped with a.303 rifle. An important A.T.C. parade was held in 1948, when several Harrison House boys were issued with bugles. We were shown how to respond to various commands but ordered not on any account to try and play them! However, across the road from H.H. was a triangular piece of ground known as Parker’s Piece, which had a small pavilion in the corner. One of the day-boys had a part-time job playing trumpet in a dance band and taught us the bugle. All went well and when the dress rehearsal was held, the bandmaster was stunned to hear three extra buglers – playing! and then recruited into the band. A few boys were allowed at weekends to clean rifles in the armoury, happily pulling “four by two” through and oiling them. The yearly “Field Day” was held at the Altcar Range, when we were marched to Crosby Station and from Hightown to the ranges, where we fired live .303 rounds at targets 50, 100 and 200 yards away.

Sport figured large, with most boys playing rugby and cricket.

Wednesday and Saturday afternoons saw a procession of boys heading for the Endbutt Lane playing field whilst some, unable to take part, had to attend as spectators. During the summer months we were allowed to go, after prep, to Bootle Baths or the plunge pool at Southport for a half-hour swim.

H.H. boys were allowed to leave the house during daylight hours and were officially ‘bounded’ by St. John’s Road and Coronation Road, but this was sometimes exceeded, notably when a rubber warehouse caught fire at Seaforth Docks, seen from the Overhead Railway station, and when the Aircraft Carrier “Ark Royal” was launched in 1950, watched from the New Brighton Ferry.

For several months a few of us published “Harrison House Times”, a single quarto page produced after prep and sold for 1d a time. The master page was written with purple hectographic ink, which was then laid on a bed of gelatine in a biscuit tin lid and it was possible to take fifteen copies before they became illegible. It would be interesting to know if any boy took up journalism!

Comedy and Fine Dining provided the opportunity for a mini reunion when Nigel Rees (OC) visited Saddleworth to entertain members of the Saddleworth 91 Club with his reminiscences of his professional association with the uniquely talented Kenneth  Williams.  Amongst  the  diners  at  the  award  winning  White  Hart  Hotel Lydgate was Old Crosbeian Graham McGuffie (1960-1967).

Nigel’s brilliant mimicry and his unique encounters with Williams held everyone’s attention and there was time to enjoy some reminiscences and a photo opportunity.

Graham McGuffie (1967 Leaver) and Nigel Rees (1963 Leaver) at The White Hart, Lydgate, Saddleworth
following Nigel’s entertaining tour de force, “Camping with Kenneth”

I was brought up in Hightown, a very small place ten miles outside Liverpool and joined Merchant Taylors’ Schools in 1931, when I was 11 years old.

I played golf from about the age of 14.   At that time our Chemistry Master, Dr Duncan, used to play every Wednesday afternoon with a pupil called Ronnie White who later became British amateur champion.

In Hightown we played regularly during school holidays at Formby Ladies Golf Club where we had a concession to play all day for a shilling (10p!).   In the summer we often played three rounds a day finishing in moonlight.   (Oh to be young again…)   One of my pals that I played with did an albatross once when we were about 15 years old!

My career consisted of a Higher School Certificate, followed by a degree in Electrical Engineering at Liverpool University.  The Second World War broke out after the first year of a three year Course and we were told by the War Office official to finish our Course as trained engineers would be necessary to rebuild the country after the war.   I carried on for my Master’s Degree and gained a two year Apprenticeship at the English Electric Company in Stafford.

After the war my work took me to the London area and I lived in Essex.   I joined Romford GC and played there until my eyesight failed.   My wife was also keen and we often played together.   My daughter is very good and played for Gloucestershire some years ago.   She still plays off a handicap of six – so I suppose you would call us a “golfing family”.

My ambition at the time was to play every golf course in the country – because of the difficulty of playing new courses – but of course that was obviously not possible.   I got my handicap down to nine and my wife played off 15.

If anyone is serious about starting to play golf, I suggest they have proper lessons from a good professional, and don’t worry about bad shots – it is the next one that matters.   It is good to be able to play golf.

I will always be grateful for the education given to me by Merchant Taylors’ Schools.

Sadly my career took me too far from my old school to allow me to participate in school activities, particularly the golf, but one can’t have everything!

My chemistry master was a nice chap but I never reached a standard to play with him.

J Malcolm Worthington (1931-38)