For the class of '55-'62 does anybody remember stories about travel to and from school?  I used the 140 bus from Harrow usually, which seemed to work pretty well.  There was a lot of 'gossip' on it, as I recall.  Thinking of it reminds me of how proud I was of my new leather satchel - seems pathetic to recall how important such things were to us in those days!

I used to love jumping off the 140 as it whipped around the corner at Kenton Library traffic lights.  Hold on with your right hand, make sure your left foot hits the ground first and you're off and running.
As long as you remember to then let go with your right hand, of course.

You were lucky.  My family was too poor to afford bus fares.  I had to cross 3 mountains, 2 valleys [in bare feet] and swim a lake 7 miles wide to get to school.
… AND - I went home for lunch.

You think I was lucky?  I had to work in a coal mine on Sundays to pay for those bus fares!

Oh Dear.  You're both making me feel I came from a "privileged" background..  Not only was I able to go by bus and train but I was even able to have school dinners - 1/- a week if I remember rightly.  I either went by 114 or the 18 and then from Canons Park to Queensbury.  I think the fare was 2d or 3d return. About one "new" penny.  Those were the days etc. etc.

Travel to school … I remember it well! I almost needed a passport - travelling in as I did from the distant wilds of North Harrow … on TWO trains!  First the dear old Metropolitan Line from North harrow to Wembley Park, which when I began Downer (1955) still boasted a Ladies Only compartment!  Then from Wembley Park to Queensbury on the diddy little red tube - and I have a distinct memory, on some occasion on the journey home, from Q'bury to W.Park - a girl in my year, or possibly one year above (?) showing me ballet steps, and me trying to copy them - in the carriage!  I didn't dream it, did I - come on, somebody out there please say you remember it, and tell me!!
Another memory - taking a photo on Wembley Park station of a group of 3 or 4 boys, including Jim laxton - the pic. is a bit dim and faded now (like the photographer - who said that??) - and is still in my album.  Sadly, I don't think Jim has e.mail - anyone who is in touch with him, say hullo from me.
I am now a real fan of John Betjeman's poetry, and whenever I read about Metroland, and Suburbia glipmsed from a train window, I can recall so clearly those journeys to school.

Kate Hill (Kathy townhill)

Re: Travel to school
I used the 18 bus to the top of Whitchurch Lane and remember we used to =play Poo sticks ander the bridge and fish in the little brook on the corner - it's surprising how quickly you could get to the school from there when you are late.  I'm sure we could not do it so fast now!

So that was you, Kathy.  I often wondered what became of you.  Did any of the ballet steps I taught you on the Wembley Park-bound train that day pay off later in life?

Oh yes indeed - the hours of instruction paid off, Karl.  When I was helping Rudolf and Margot perfect their plies and arabesques so many years ago - they were actually moved to remark: 'You can only have learnt this from Karl Wiggins'.
I still have your pink satin pumps and frilly tutu … such memories …
Kate.

Does anybody remember an incident on a train journey home which resulted in a boy from our year ('55-'62) getting caned?

I think I recall that.  He bought some bad gear off some moody dealers at Wembley Park and ended up completely caned.

Bob

Give us a clue as to what the incident referred to entailed.

I was 56-63, Rayners Lane, Wembley Park, Queensbury.  Seem to remember someone I think was called Tony Ammon endlessly chatting up the North London Collegiate girls between Wembley Park and Queensbury.

I used to catch the 140 bus to school from the Kenton Library stop.  But more than travelling to school, I remember taking the 140 on weekends in the other direction to London Airport where we used to go up to the rooftop to watch the planes and play on the penny arcade machines they had up there.  Security was not an issue in those days.