You don’t hear of Chateau Lafite producing immortal wine within a few years of its foundation, and the same applies to West Buckland. The Rev’d Thompson, who was the school’s first head, reigned for 30 years and built the school from nothing, but somehow he does not come to mind as “great” when a student of WB history contemplates it.
But the Revd. Harries does. The school was nearly fifty years old when he was enthroned. And that was nearly that; the school was in dire straits. “Ernie” (everyone called him that) saved it. And went on to develop it for twenty seven years, surviving crises like a world war and a world depression.
Memories of him are legion. Stories stuck to him like glue. Caning a boy and then taking him for a walk around the campus. Fathering three sons in two years (try that). Being remembered, when he was interrogating a boy, for the tiny hair “bobbling on the end of his nose”. Coaching rugby in his sixties and insisting that the boys should tackle him. (hence the title of this piece.)
As with Chateau Lafite, you roll the memory of him round the tongue.
Berwick Coates
About the author...Berwick Coates was educated at Kingston Grammar School, and read History at Cambridge. Since then, he has been at various times an Army officer, writer, artist, lecturer, careers adviser, games coach, and teacher of History, English, Latin, and Swahili. He has published nine books, ranging from A-Level History and popular history to memoirs, humour, cartoons, and light verse.
He has taught every age and every ability from primary remedial to Oxbridge entrance. He has lectured to audiences of all ages and backgrounds, on subjects ranging from Alexander the Great and Hannibal, through medieval and early modern history, to the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
His latest book is a collection of fifty views of Christmas (illustrated by himself), entitled 'The Perfect Christmas Present'. He has also written four historical novels and one modern one. He is at present finishing a book of teaching memoirs.
A range of Berwick's books are available to purchase on
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