I began at Burford school in the second term of 1971, I believe before even Mr Glovers tenure as headmaster had begun and I have a number of memories of that time that I may still share.
Beginning half way through a school term is not a perfect place to be positioned, friendship groups have already been formed, pecking orders established and predictably I was destined to remain a bit of an outsider, having moved to the Cotswolds from Surrey.
At that time, the first year Bufordians were educated at the bottom of Burford hill, in what I believe is now the boarding quarters and where male boarders where at that time housed and fed. At that time the buildings had a perceived resemblance to the WWII prison, Colditz, and was so referred to by many.
I remember lunch was served there, to tables of 8 in large trays, distributed from the head of the table by a chosen few.
There was at that time (and possibly still is) a central courtyard behind the street entrance doors, classrooms were, I think, on the first floor, overlooking the courtyard. I remember morning breaks being punctuated by the arrival from the local bakery, of a wooden tray of freshly baked and still hot, currant buns, available for the princely sum of 1 new penny each.
That cold winter of 1971 was certainly made a little warmer by the consumption of regular hot currant buns. I later discovered other joys of the local bakery, especially the Lardy cake, but that’s another story…..