And now for the Big Conversation!

This is your opportunity to discuss your time at, and/or your connection with, Burford School... Write about your memories, ask and answer questions, trace old companions, find out what you always wondered about, suggest what TOBA might do next... The floor is entirely yours!

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Paul Hook

Sep 22, 2024

“Pecker” Pearson would be proud!

in Afterwards

I was in the “Ag” department at Burford Grammar School and Mr. Pearson was the head of department.

We gave him the nickname “Pecker” because of all the chickens, not very flattering, but kids are kids. He always said “What are we going to do with you Hookey?” almost despairingly. Well I passed my GCE in Agricultural Science so he did a great job. When I retired from being an airline pilot my wife and me moved to our little farm on Mindinao Island in the Philippines where we grow Bananas, Coconuts, other exotic fruits and Coffee. Of course we grow our own vegetables too, so thank you Mr. Pearson for giving me the knowledge to be self sufficient in this field. Again Burford improved my life.

8 comments

Comments (8)

Paul Hook

Jan 24

When I arrived,around 1960, there was a Ag Science prefab by the farm. I still remember sitting there while “Pecker” bashed Mendels Theory into my head.

Peter Surman

Jan 24

Replying to

Still there in the 70/s

I don’t know what year mr fleetwood started

Sorry to hear about mr Henderson passing away

Must have been a good age

Gordon Pound

Jan 13

Yes, Mr Pearson was an interesting character. He joined the school about the same time as I did and my years were priviledged to see what he introduced to the farm and the Young Farmers Club.

Peter Surman

Jan 23

Replying to

What year did pecker start

He was a rare character

Made the farm very successful and great fun

Gordon Pound

Jan 23

Replying to

I'm pretty sure Pecker started at Burford around thetime I joind IIISp in September 1952. He was based at 'Top School' to be near the farm, the GCE agricultural science classes were taken at 'bottom school' by the woodwork teacher! We boarders were required to attend a religious service on Sunday mornings and as I claimed to be a Congegationalist I, along with a few others, attended the Methodist Chapel in the High Street where Pecker was a stalwart. Occasionally he would invite some of us to his home for Sunday tea and collect us from Lenthall House in his Jowett Jupiter. You may remenber that he was a fidgety, impulsive character and that's how he drove!

Peter Surman

Jan 02

Peter SURMAN

What years were you at Burford school

Paul Hook

Jan 13

Replying to

1960 to 65 as far as I recall at 78!

Richard Martin

Sep 23, 2024

That's a great memory, Paul... Thank you so much for posting, and do keep returning.