Vernon Platts (ON 1949-1956)

Nostalgia and memories come with old age.

I was lucky to receive a county scholarship in 1949 which paid my fees and bus fares from East Leake village. The headmaster was the imperious Dr C.L.Reynolds, who was succeeded by Mr. K. Imeson. Both were held in high esteem and awe. That was the beginning of enjoyable learning and sporting activities. I joined Rev. Stevens' 3Red, but was moved up to 3B at the 1st half term. Then I had to start Latin and catch up the class by Christmas. Being big and strong, I played for the U13 XV, then U13 cricket XI, taking 6 for 6 against H. Mellish.

When in Mr. Thomas' L5B, I was again well ahead in 1st half term grading, but refused an upgrade to L5A because I wanted a school prize; I was already in all A stream classes. Curriculum choices had to be made early, so I opted for maths, physics and chemistry, while continuing with Latin and French. I would have liked to learn German too as I enjoyed foreign languages, but it did not fit the syllabus. Latin taught me English grammar, and was useful knowledge in later life. "Tubby" Hardwick taught analysis of English clauses enthusiastically; it seemed so logical, and I remember iambic pentameter from his poetry lessons. Reading Shakespeare and Chaucer seemed like an odd foreign language, and I could not write a good essay or comprehension for my life. However, I did pass English Language and Literature at "O" level. French was easy after a school exchange visit to a rich family near Grenoble (Annecy school exchange). How many remember Tubby's frequent reprimand of any pupil, "O puer, stulte stultissimus es"? Dr Reynolds taught calculus etc. for O level additional maths to a very respectful class.

Sixth form was a good life academically and socially with somewhat shy dancing classes at the Girls High School, and lunchtime walks in the Arboretum rather than visiting the little shop on Forest Road or football in the front yard.

Dr C N (Cy) Jackson was a popular and very successful A and S level chemistry teacher. Mr. Chettle, with his quiet cultured speech, was a keen enthusiastic maths teacher, who once commented that after learning probabilities, I would never fill in another football coupon. He was wrong for another year, as I understood combinations better. Mr Ken Raw (Squadron Leader), who lectured physics more like university classes, advised me to consider chemical engineering rather than chemistry at university. That was a decision I never regretted. I had applied to Birmingham university to study chemistry, but they considered me too young, which was strange until I realised NHS did "O" level in 4 years, whereas grammar schools took 5 years.

 After good A and S level grades, I stayed in 3rd year 6th form during 1955-56 for higher level academic studies. Highlights of that year included extra voluntary chemistry practical work on Monday evenings before the dancing class. In that last school year, I regained my place in the 2nd XV as jumper in the lineouts and learned corner flagging as a no.8 of the pack. I preferred to push opposing wing 3Qs into touch for our throw-in instead of tackling. In the Easter term, I was no.2 high jumper in the athletics team, so I didn't have to do the disliked cross country run. Also, indoor net practice took place in the garage for prospective 1st XI cricketers, so the team was almost fixed by April. 1956 was a very enjoyable summer with talented cricketers under captain Stu Unwin and coach Frank Woodhead. We were unbeaten against other schools, held Notts 2nd XI, and nearly beat a strong MCC team with several older test cricketers ( lost by 1 wicket after my 5-46) in the very first match between NHS and an MCC team. Nine of us had county trials, 6 played for Notts Schools and 2, Stu Unwin and Billy Hotchin, played for England schools. We rarely batted a full innings, so I had only 4 not out knocks.

I very much appreciated the excellent teaching I received at NHS. Probably my only regret was not joining the CCF, because it would have made me late for the village scout meeting. What a poor excuse in retrospect.

After 6 years at Manchester university, I joined Joseph Lucas Co. R and D division in Birmingham for 2+ years. The company encouraged learning foreign languages by significant bonus payments, so I passed London College of Commerce exams in French and German. The next 28 years were spent at ICI Billingham in the North East, managing and improving potentially hazardous chemical plants. Ken Raw was right; I had found my forte. Returning from project team visits to Japan in 1988-90, I took dog-leg flights to Hong Kong and Bangkok, where I was fascinated by the culture and Thai alphabet that I could not read. I decided to learn Thai from a book, and returned to Thailand for short holidays. In 1991, ICI sent me to complete a consultancy contract at Thailand's first petrochemical complex. After returning and agreeing delayed early retirement, I spent an enjoyable 8 months as project engineer at ICI Clitheroe. Then, I joined a small Thai chemical company for 3 years. That was an experience! Luckily, ICI Thailand knew my Bangkok address and invited me to join a project team in south Bangkok, followed by a works consultancy. Next ,I was sent as executive works manager of ICI Paints (Dulux), Thailand for 5 years before retiring again. Shortly, I received an unexpected call from a Bangkok university inviting me to lecture chemical engineering part-time. My Thai government contract expired on my 70th birthday, but I was soon recalled privately as part-time English specialist for the whole of Faculty of Engineering for 12 years up to the outbreak of Covid. Mr. B E Towers, one time my English teacher, would turn in his grave at such a thought. I still proofread research papers for many Associate Professors at the university before they submit articles to international journals.

And now….

I have 2 sons and a daughter from my first marriage in England and I am settled in northern Thailand after 30 years with a Thai wife.  I have not visited the UK or NHS for many years, and do not expect to travel far again.