The Paget Family Ghost
In memory of Peter Lamb
The account below has been taken from a booklet containing the memories of Peter Lamb, a student between 1936-1944. It has been shortened due to the large amount he had written.
"...The talk of the ghost of a Paget family girl who was supposed to have drowned in the College grounds and whose spirit was supposed to pop up from time to time.There were occasions where pet newts were kept, and found, in desks.
...Some people were outstanding for some reason or another. John Halfpenny, a name that comes to mind for more reasons than one. It was his musical ability that caused him to get into trouble with the head teacher of the time. Brother Michael, nicknamed 'death' because of his sallow and pale complexion, happened to be passing the form where John was playing his penny whistle to the delight of the members of the class. John was ordered out of the class and made to play outside the door. After a tune or two Brother Michael threw a penny onto the floor beside him. The embarrassed John went crestfallen back to his place.
...The occasion arose when I hadn't done my Latin homework which was due to be handed in later that morning. I asked John Lyons (a clever lad on whom I could rely for a good translation or whatever) if I could borrow his homework to copy. He agreed and I copied it except for one error which I corrected and achieved a 100% result. Unfortunately I didn't tell John, and I lost a good friend. He was quite rightly furious with me.
...Some people just disappear after school...Raymond Edward Charles Michael Palmer comes readily to mind. The litany came out after every admonishment and there were many that Brother Godric had to give him. The joke always landed back in Palmer's lap. Brother Godric never used physical punishment; his sharp caustic wit was enough. I think that Raymond eventually joined the navy, sadly to be sunk without a trace.
...Snow and ice seemed to be common in the 1940's...It is recorded that Brother Godric actually organised snowball fights. Slides were a matter of course. Some extended up to 30/40 yards long, carefully tended by the Brothers overnight to make sure they were available the following morning (frost permitting)."
"...The talk of the ghost of a Paget family girl who was supposed to have drowned in the College grounds and whose spirit was supposed to pop up from time to time.There were occasions where pet newts were kept, and found, in desks.
...Some people were outstanding for some reason or another. John Halfpenny, a name that comes to mind for more reasons than one. It was his musical ability that caused him to get into trouble with the head teacher of the time. Brother Michael, nicknamed 'death' because of his sallow and pale complexion, happened to be passing the form where John was playing his penny whistle to the delight of the members of the class. John was ordered out of the class and made to play outside the door. After a tune or two Brother Michael threw a penny onto the floor beside him. The embarrassed John went crestfallen back to his place.
...The occasion arose when I hadn't done my Latin homework which was due to be handed in later that morning. I asked John Lyons (a clever lad on whom I could rely for a good translation or whatever) if I could borrow his homework to copy. He agreed and I copied it except for one error which I corrected and achieved a 100% result. Unfortunately I didn't tell John, and I lost a good friend. He was quite rightly furious with me.
...Some people just disappear after school...Raymond Edward Charles Michael Palmer comes readily to mind. The litany came out after every admonishment and there were many that Brother Godric had to give him. The joke always landed back in Palmer's lap. Brother Godric never used physical punishment; his sharp caustic wit was enough. I think that Raymond eventually joined the navy, sadly to be sunk without a trace.
...Snow and ice seemed to be common in the 1940's...It is recorded that Brother Godric actually organised snowball fights. Slides were a matter of course. Some extended up to 30/40 yards long, carefully tended by the Brothers overnight to make sure they were available the following morning (frost permitting)."