THE staff at Sir William Borlase's School, West Street, in the Spring of 1948.

Back row: G. A. Dewhurst, G.E. Rands, F.J. Davies, C.B. Davenport, F.W. Pierce, A.K. Thomas, R.M. Pitman.

Front row: W.O. Robertson, J.C. Davies, W.S. Booth (Headteacher), Mrs M.Booth, W.F. Jones, R.H. Sage.

With the exception of Mr Rands, all of these masters were still at the school when I was a pupil in the next decade and through to the early sixties, although Mr Booth retired soon after I joined, being replaced by Mr E.M. Hazleton.

Old Borlasians might have fun recalling the various affectionate nicknames for these gentlemen, but I had better not list any here.

The popular Charles Davenport died just a few months ago.

I understand that Russell Sage, former stalwart of the Marlow Players, is still okay and lives down in Devon.

In my first year at the school I was fascinated by the black academic gowns which masters wore all the time.

Many of these were in extremely poor condition and in a few cases torn to shreds!

I never really found the reason for this.

I suppose they were expensive to replace and had to be worn until they fell apart.

Michael Eagleton