tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37291817.post7524160412775591360..comments2024-03-27T09:13:32.912+00:00Comments on News From Nowhere: Take A Seat, It Looks Like Bert Was RightAlan Burnetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01015127443616786425noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37291817.post-85283038363127888602012-11-30T13:24:40.974+00:002012-11-30T13:24:40.974+00:00I was at Fircroft in 1963-64 and was very great fr...I was at Fircroft in 1963-64 and was very great friends with Bert, despite his slave-driving. My mate John Higgins and I regularly went with Bert to watch Aston Villa home games. When I told Bert that my team (West Ham) would win the Cup in 1964 his response was "We've 'ad it pinched more times than yoh've wun it!" - but we did win it and now we've won it more times that villa had it nicked! <br />My year at Fircroft was the happiest and most exciting time of my life. I learned so much from the teaching staff - particularly Frank Burchill and Wilf Leighton as well as from the huge store of knowledge and intellectual rigour exerted by the other students. At Fircroft you needed to be able to back up statemments both factually and intellectually. Hoppy was a great guy and absolutely perfect for what was not an easy job. I well remember his calm response to my scoring a direct hit on him with a water bomb I dropped from the roof and intended for one of my mates. Unfortunately I was too busy trying to think of a good story to remember exactly what he said - but I do remember that it was (typically of him) witty as well as pointed.<br />Our little gang of trainee alcoholics would often take Mrs Hopkins down the Pub (was it the Oak?) when Hoppy was away and then all trundle back to Chateau Hopkins and put the world to rights until the early hours of the morningAndy Tyackenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37291817.post-5904922242511466062012-04-24T20:15:07.037+01:002012-04-24T20:15:07.037+01:00i was at fircroft 1990-91. i remember helene very ...i was at fircroft 1990-91. i remember helene very fondly. before leaving fircroft i decided to relieve the library of some mainly left wing books, packed in to a suitcase. weeks later i had a knock on the door at my home address, yes helene had come to collect the books. she was not at all annoyed and stated that at least fircroft had given me a tast for reading. eugeneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37291817.post-1119968444324923262009-06-02T08:57:07.805+01:002009-06-02T08:57:07.805+01:00Great to read of your Fircroft times Alan and am r...Great to read of your Fircroft times Alan and am really sorry that I didn't see them before the little pamphlet I've put together for Fircroft's centenary went to the printers.It does have a picture of Bert the gardner though!<br /><br />Helene Pursey- Guidance Tutor and ex-librarian at Fircroft.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37291817.post-42226039560435611462009-03-26T09:08:00.000+00:002009-03-26T09:08:00.000+00:00Hi Alan,I was at Fircroft 67/68 but memory is a bi...Hi Alan,<BR/>I was at Fircroft 67/68 but memory is a bit you know and I'm not sure if I recall your name. Icertainly recall the events you essay so charmingly.<BR/><BR/>Todday I learned of the 2008 fire and was in tears. But it sent me on a web search which is proving deliciously fruitful.<BR/><BR/>Many thanks for your contribution.<BR/><BR/>Denis GrantAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com