John Ogden (FS 51-56) recalls some days in the 1950s to accompany photographs he has sent.

“I was on Foundation South and had received a Christmas present of a Paxette I.35mm camera and a developing tank. As a member of the School Photographic Society I soon learned how to use both, and some of the photographs taken by this camera show the building of the Memorial Hall in 1953 along with its official opening in July 1954 by the Minister of Education, Miss Florence Horsburgh on Speech Day. Also present was the Bishop of Carlisle, who I believe was then Chairman of the Governors. One photograph shows Miss Horsburgh presenting a prize to J.H.M. (James) Kennedy (FN 51-55), a keen sportsman on Foundation North, after she had declared the Hall open.

The photos largely speak for themselves but there were several details and happenings worthy of mention. The Hall itself was heated by a hot-water system above the auditorium acoustic ceiling; this was a pioneering system which I haven’t seen repeated anywhere else. The flooring was of hardwood tiles glued in parquet herring-bone pattern to the concrete slab floor. 

The first rainy week after the Hall came into use, many wet shoes caused the wooden floor to swell and rise from the concrete as the glue gave way and eventually the whole floor had to be re-laid. 

The stage proscenium, made of large sheets of veneered plywood, was unique in that it could be enlarged or reduced vertically or horizontally by a system of ropes and pulleys. I often wonder how often this has been used. In the wall of the classroom near the steps to School House at the library end of the building was a rectangular hatch which could be used for a variety of purposes: for projection of films onto a screen on the stage; for the control of a variety of recorded special sound effects, or music for plays which were actually being performed on the stage. One of the photos shows the plasterer working near to this hatch.

The very large stage curtains were a present to the school from Miki Sekers (later Sir Nicholas T. Sekers, MBE) who, with his cousin, came to West Cumberland from Hungary and in 1938 founded Hensingham Silk Mills. These curtains had a shiny silk side intended to face the auditorium and a duller side. Unfortunately the shiny side was not compatible with the stage lighting and the curtains had to be turned round to get an even effect. Sekers Fabrics celebrates its 80^th anniversary this year, and produced the fabric for either Her Majesty the Queen’s wedding dress or her coronation robe. Unfortunately I can’t remember which!”

Please click here to see John's photos.

 

Home

The St Beghian Society    
St Bees School,    St Bees,    Cumbria,    CA27 0DS.

         Tel: (01946) 828093      Email: osb@stbeesschool.co.uk      Web: www.st-beghian-society.co.uk