Courtesy of her daughter - Marise Morland-Chapman

Ruth Langston (married name Morland-Chapman)

Miss Evason at Tech Reunion Dance - 1984

My Mum, Ruth, was at The Tech when WW2 broke out. She was excellent at art and wanted to become a dress designer, but at the start of the war she had to go into essential services and worked for Post office telegrams. The art teacher, whose surname I can't remember offhand, promised she could return and finish the course when the war ended but, by then, she was married.

She stayed in touch with many of her friends from The Tech, the one I knew best was Margaret Stone, who was also my godmother. She taught the piano for many years from her house in West Wycombe Road.

The WTI had an old boys' club (not sure if that was what they called themselves) and my mum was treasurer for several years. They turned out in force to revisit the school building when a wall plaque was unveiled. This would be around the year 2000. The club had annual reunion dances at Wycombe College (its older building) and I gatecrashed a few times, as my Dad's band used to play there for free, and it was one of the few times I could get to hear them.

Several of the Old Tech teachers moved to Lady Verney, and thus taught my Mum AND ME !!. Some of them I remember, namely, Miss Roberts (deputy head), Miss Thomas (history), Miss Evason (French), and Miss Punter (English) who came out of retirement as there was a shortage of staff.

My bedroom in Railway Place used to overlook the - I can't say playground, that's for youngsters - Quadrangle? An expanse of concrete between the main building and the long thin one-storey buildings at the back.

I particularly liked to see the girls in their summer uniform, navy and bright yellow. I hoped I'd go there one day as my favourite colour was yellow. I also liked to see everyone dressed up when there was a dance - usually Eric Wakefield's band.

Sadly I never had a chance to go to The Old Tech, as the year I passed the 11-plus it became boys only, and the girls went to Lady Verney.

An ex-neighbour of mine, Gerald Harmsworth, was the son of The Caretaker at the school in the 1950's and maybe beyond, so he actually lived at the school during that time.

I would welcome any communications from anyone that remembers my Mum - Ruth Langston, or Me - Marise Morland-Chapman.

To clear up any confusion that may arise, Ruth's maiden name was Langston and her married name Morland-Chapman. I'm still using my maiden name, Morland-Chapman. In case you're wondering, having a double surname doesn't mean we're posh. My dad came from a family of theatrical entertainers, Morland was their stage name, Chapman their real name. To avoid mix-ups they just put the two together !

Marise

To get in contact with Marise just send an email to The Administrator and it will be passed on to her in the strictest confidence.

COMMENTS :

Courtesy of John Warner - 1961 to '66

I recalled the caretaker Mr Reg Harmsworth. He was caretaker whilst I was at The Tech and he would probably have been there until around 1964-65 when he left and became caretaker at Wellesbourne School. My father was the groundsman at Wellesbourne and became friendly with Reg Harmsworth and I remember him telling me that one of his reasons for leaving the Tech was his dislike of Harry Ward.

One of Harry’s punishments was to assign the errant boy to assist Mr Harmsworth with janitorial duties after school. A little unfair on Reg Harmsworth I felt. I always found Mr Harmsworth to be a friendly enough sort. A Mr. Davis (Davies?) took over after Reg Harmsworth left.