I was at Spyway from mid-1956 to mid-1961. It was at the end of my last term that the engagement was announced between 56-year-old Geoffrey and the 19-year-old under-matron Beverley. A few days earlier they had set off up the front lawn in full view of the prep room, bathers under their arms, for the Ledge. We all gaped in amazement while brother Eric maintained perfect composure.
The next day the prefects were watching telly with Matron and there was a commercial for luncheon meat showing a happy family at table. Matron, with her usual ascerbic wit, called out across to Beverley - "Well Miss Lawson, you'll be serving that to Mr Geoffrey soon, won't you?" She blushed the colour of a beetroot.
My grandfather and his two brothers went to Durnford from Moray, Scotland. My father, his brother and several cousins also went to Durnford. My brother and three first cousins went to Spyway after me. My father, and some of his friends from Durnford helped to build the lower playing field. I continued to see Mr Eric in Mull after I left and we maintained a friendship more or less until his death.
For me, Geoffrey Warner was a brilliant groundsman and extraordinarily talented man. I also loved Moonfleet and his reading. Eric was essentially a kind man and ran the school ably. I loved the trains and even managed to become one of his favourites.
Spyway was, I am sure a unique school. It had many good qualities. However the darker side has to be included, such as the spankings, beatings, group shaming, humiliation and mocking of individuals at Double. Perhaps worst of all the favouritism, particularly from Geoffrey, who was so biased towards athleticism and winning at sport - defeating the old enemy - "the Squeezerboxeraay" - which ironically closed only in 2007.
For me, the only really sane person at Spyway was Matron. God bless her, wherever she is.
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