The puppets (actually the are Marionettes) were the idea of Mr. Rothera, the teacher of class 4:1 for Christmas 1950. My life-long pals John Taviner and Fred Raphael (now sadly both deceased) helped make the scenery.
I did not get on at all with Mr. Rothera - he was obsessed with football and physical training - of which I had no inspirations or inclination whatsoever. So much so that when it came to school leaving, he wrote on my leaving certificate " a boy who will do well under supervision". So I waited until playtime and the classroom was empty, and nicked a blank certificate from his desk and wrote my own!
Later, and after we had left school in 1951, Fred and I formed Pitmaston Old Boys Club, but it dwindled out after about six months or so - probably because we were all expanding into more worldly interests. Fred and John and I all remained good friends up until their passing - Fred became a self-employed accountant, and John and I became motor mechanics.
Among our exploits, John and I raced an M.G at Silverstone (and managed to turn it over coming into Woodcote Corner!) Later, John set up as a self-employed mechanic, whilst I continued my education at night school and day college to obtain formal qualifications, and eventually became an expert witness on road transport and mechanical engineering in the civil and criminal courts. This must have inspired my daughter - who is now a judge.
The head master was Mr. Norwell (for which I now realise was most irrevent) was nick-named "porky norwell", and "Hoppy" Morris was the science teacher. One trick I used to play on him was that as soon as I learned the theme of what our leassons were to be, I'd go straight to Accocks Green library and read up on the subject - therefore astounding him with my "knowledge" in the following lessons. (Yes, Mr. Morris - I now confess it was me who 75 years ago secretly swapped the lime water for tap water so it did not turn milky when you blew CO2 through it, and the class all fell about laughing!).
Mr. Eaton and Mr. Faulkener taught us woodwook, and Mr. Gibson taught metalwork, the latter of which (plus my dad buying me a Meccano set) must have set me on the course to become a mechanical engineer.
Other teachers I remember were Mr. Harlow, Mr.Major, Mr. Harris, Mr. Kagin and "daddy" Allen. I also recall how smartly they dressed and how dedicated they were to their role as our teachers - especially Mr. Harris - who for the last hour every Friday afternoon would sit on the edge of his desk and say "Well, what shall we all talk about lads"?
My two older brothers Edwin and Tom (now both deceased) went to Pitmaston School before me.
Thinking back, they were simple yet happly days, for is in not true that in old-age, it is the smallest memories which become the most precious?
And I'm now 87!