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.

I’m sorry I was not able to make the reunion this year, but I now live on Mindanao Island in the Philippines. When I was at Burford two people encouraged me to follow my dream to become an airline pilot. “Sammy” Samules (Science teacher) and “Hank” Edmeads (Boarding house master) I am sure would be happy to know I ended up as Chief Pilot for the Royal family in Saudi Arabia. I am nearly 78 years old now, and still thank the good Lord for my education at “Burford Grammar School” as it was then. Wonderful to see the school is going from strength to strength. God bless, Captain Paul W J Hook (Ret.)