WHAT A SAD END to such a wonderful memory of happy days
spent by a great many of us at the Paston School. The once-proud,
gated entrance to the School Field lies overgrown, through years of
disuse. Still visible is the arched woodwork at the top, with some faded
wording, but it is no longer possible to gain access to the field through
the gate, which has been almost forgotten by time.

“There were no concrete posts or railings in our day, as there was
little road traffic passing the gateway, unlike today. The only sound
heard was the excited chattering of the boys as they ran up the two
or three steps leading to the gate, or the earsplitting noise of steam
being exhausted from the safety valve of a B12 engine on the railway
bridge next to the School Field!”

Gone are the hordes of boys of all ages, chattering away in small groups
as they ran up the steps and through that once-proud gate, looking
forward to an afternoon of games; gone is Maggie’s lady’s bike propped
up by the roadside; gone now too is the Pavilion with its thatched roof
– dare I admit to some minor vandalism?

“The thatch on the Pavilion roof made a nice implement to wield
against other boys, or so I discovered. We would have fencing
matches with each other, until old Ted the Groundsman came along
and gave us a ‘clip of the ear’. Touché.”

My days spent at the Paston School seem such a long time ago now,
although, at the time, I often wondered if it was worth it, however
looking at all the trouble on our streets today it occurs to me that the
learning offered us scholars and the discipline instilled into us cadets at
the Paston School gave us not only respect for fellow man and
property but also a pride in ourselves – something that is sadly lacking
in a great many of the youth of today.

“So will we strive, so will we dare,
In all we say and do,
From good to better everywhere,
De Mieux En Mieux Pour Tout.”

Today, 30 August 2007, on a visit to my old haunts in North Walsham
and a nostalgic return to The Paston School (College), I have just
learned that it is about to be relocated on the remaining part of the
School Field and that building would should start soon.

The end... ...of the Beginning.

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