 | Rutlish 1957 - the 50 Year Reunion |
| Rutlish 1957 - the 50 Year Reunion |
J R Blenkinsop
Notes and MemoriesJ R Blenkinsop was Headmaster from 1942 until 1970 when he died at the age of 63 (although he was inactive after admission to hospital in March 1969). Throughout our time at Rutlish, he taught very few lessons and was best known to some for his administration of corporal punishment by the cane.See memories of Mr Blenkinsop by Mike Bartlett, Dudley Brown, Nick Bryant, Derrick Pope and Peter Watts Norman Wells (1961 joining year; Friends Reunited): Did he have a Christian name? Probably not, as he was known universally as 'Dobbin' or 'Champ' in view of his horse-like features. Was a martyr to his shifted vowels, from which I believe he died shortly after I left. 'Anyone' was pronounced 'Innywen', for example. He had a rather nice panelled study in the Manor House (or 'Menner Hice') if I recall, filled with Mr Chips style paraphernalia, like old school photos, piles of exercise books, trophies, canes etc, which would have been a dead giveaway on Through the Keyhole. Fed up with being interrupted, he installed a traffic light system outside his office. Red meant 'Do not disturb, I am whacking someone', yellow meant 'Wait, I am about to whack', while green was for 'Come in for a whacking'. John Barringer (1954 joining year; Friends Reunited): Headmaster, also known as "Champ" on account of his enormous chin which compared favourably with the size of the chin of Champion, the wonder horse, a programme on tele at the time. The late John Rostill (Shadows bass guitarist) could do a very passable impression of champ by using his tongue to push out the lower part of his jaw. Champ gave me three whacks with a slipper when I was on a "B" card(Remember the monthly letters?), and another time when I went in for a caning for some minor misdemenour, he let me off when I couldn't bend over far enough because of a strained back. John Major (1954 joining year; The Autobiography): Mr Blenkinsop, the headmaster, was unimpressed when I ignored his valuable Latin tuition to concentrate on rugby trials, but he was too wise to take the responsibility away from me. Anyway, he had probably given up trying to teach me Latin. John Major (1955 joining year; The Autobiography): I ... went to the headmaster to tell him I was leaving school. He seemed to bear my impending departure with fortitude, and did not object. Nor did he ask whether my parents approved – which was fortunate, since I had not informed them. When I told them later that the headmaster was content for me to leave they did not protest. They had too much else to worry them. Lawrie Hall (1959 joining year; Friends Reunited): Some people have wondered whether Dobbin (Blenkinsop) actually did any real teaching - well, all I can say is that he did his best to teach RD (1963) to appreciate Shakespeare - largely Henry the fifth. Somehow the horse-like countenance overcame the patriotism, but helped at least 20% of us to pass English Lit with a 'E' - and continue to the Manor House to A level. Good old Dob. Colin Brock (writing in Rutlish School The First Hundred Years, page 31) John Blenkinsop was by now an ailing man, and was hospitalised in March of 1969, Hubert Walker becoming Acting Head. In October of the same year it was announced that the Headmaster would retire in the Spring of 1970, but in the event Mr Blenkinsop died on 17 March. The Headship was advertised and Mr R B Coyle was appointed as from 13 April 1970. FootnotesMr Blenkinsop is the person in the following records which indicate that contrary to rumour he had a Christian name - and it was "John":
|
|
