1st January 1968 Queen's New year honours
They were announced in supplements to the London Gazette of 29 December 1967 to celebrate the year passed and mark the beginning of 1968. To be honoured, a Gillingham man who has devoted his whole life to education in Kent, and now has been awarded the O.B.E.
Mr. James Downs Rumsby McVie, of 14 Woodlands Road, Gillingham, headmaster of Upbury Manor Secondary School, Gillingham for the past ten years. Previous to this, Mr. McVie was for 15 years, headmaster of Woodlands Secondary Boys' School.
Educated at Barnsole Road School and Rochester Mathematical School, Mr. McVie, now 60, attended Goldsmith's College, South East London, and in 1927 started teaching at Chattenden School, Hoo. Two years later he went to Arden Street School, Gillingham, and in 1942 was made headmaster at Woodlands Road School.
All the pupils and staff of Upbury Manor School were amazed and delighted to hear that our Headmaster had been honoured with an O.B.E. We were riding proud and high in expectation of even better to come.
They were announced in supplements to the London Gazette of 29 December 1967 to celebrate the year passed and mark the beginning of 1968. To be honoured, a Gillingham man who has devoted his whole life to education in Kent, and now has been awarded the O.B.E.
Mr. James Downs Rumsby McVie, of 14 Woodlands Road, Gillingham, headmaster of Upbury Manor Secondary School, Gillingham for the past ten years. Previous to this, Mr. McVie was for 15 years, headmaster of Woodlands Secondary Boys' School.
Educated at Barnsole Road School and Rochester Mathematical School, Mr. McVie, now 60, attended Goldsmith's College, South East London, and in 1927 started teaching at Chattenden School, Hoo. Two years later he went to Arden Street School, Gillingham, and in 1942 was made headmaster at Woodlands Road School.
All the pupils and staff of Upbury Manor School were amazed and delighted to hear that our Headmaster had been honoured with an O.B.E. We were riding proud and high in expectation of even better to come.
The BBC introduced the colour TV Licence on January 1st. It cost £10, which was twice as expensive as the £5 black and white licence. At this time renting a colour TV receiver cost £8, while buying a TV outright was around £300. The expansion of colour TV across the UK was happening gradually, because each region required new transmitters in order to broadcast the programming.
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| New Years day 1968, in the house Kevin Sandy with his little brother shown holding up, my eldest brothers brand new copy of the Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour EP record, released just before Christmas 1967 on 16th December. |
5th January Showing on BBC 2 TV: Magical Mystery Tour premiers in colour. Why on earth didn't they schedule that, ten days previous on Boxing day, in tandem with BBC 1 which could only be transmitted in Black/White.
7th January 1968 This comedy film was released "Follow That Camel" Storyline. Bertram Oliphant West (also known as Bo West) is falsely accused of foul play during a cricket match. With his reputation in tatters, Bo West decides the only way to find his honour again is to join the foreign legion and with Simpson, his trusty manservant, sets off to join up. On their way they meet Sergeant Nocker – sleeping in a bordello just a few hours before he pretends to have been on a dangerous mission. Having this information over Nocker, West and Simpson get an easy ride – however everything changes when all three of them are captured by the anti-imperialist rebel leader, Sheikh Abdul Abulbul. Things become even more urgent when Bo discovers that his lady love, Lady Jane Ponsonby has traveled to the region to find him and has herself been captured by Abulbul.
10th January New term starts, a complete change of class to confront and it was also my birthday. I kept quiet about that fact at school.
1968 Spring-Summer Term Class 4A1; The Teaching Staff
- Mrs Fysh; our Form group teacher; English, Drama
- Mr Thompson; Religious Education
- Mr Askew; History
- Mr Potts; Geography
- Mr Rye; Mathematics
- Mr Carroll; Science
- Miss Lake; French
- Mr Elsegood; Technical Drawing
- Mr Hughes; Art
- Mr Coulson; Woodwork
- Mr Twyman; Metalwork
- Mr McDouall; Physical Education and Sports
- Mrs Hedges; Music
The A1 stream the top spot, rumoured to be full of the brightest minds along with the coterie of ten boys hanging on to their positions at all costs, against newcomers and the socially smart girls. The tension of competition, feeding paranoia, this is when bullying can emerge and it did.
So, having been parachuted into 4A1 at the start of a new term in January 1968, it was a hard bum landing indeed. No one helped me to my feet, I was not receiving the required teacher support from Fysh, to enable me a breathing space to remain buoyant long enough to adapt myself to face the new level of performance demands.
In hindsight, it is now clear where I'd made the wrong decision of direction to follow. I should have chosen to stay in Mr Thompsons' 4A2 class where I was familiar with all the class and the subject teachers. I had much admiration for and the benefit of Mr Thompsons' skills as my form and Maths teacher and for Mr Porter the English Teacher.
My move into the top class 4A1, Mrs Fysh, the form and English teacher. The class was top heavy with about 25 girls and some of the boys had formed themselves into a tight knit gang over the many years of being in the A1 stream. Their skills of psychological intimidation honed to undermine a victim's confidence and therefore to weaken the performance of any new arrival of a pupil promoted from the A2 stream. It was a relentless battle for status, to hold onto a place in the premier A1 class.
One could write a script based on the idea and stage a one act play. Here's a cast of characters to start with...
The A1 gang ringleaders.. Jarvis and Sutton
David Jarvis (Manipulative, sarcastic wit and put downs)
David Sutton (Provocative dares and booby traps set against you) One example remembered, he once pretended to put an earthworm in his mouth and then challenged me to pick one off the sports field and eat it. Of course, I didn't comply!
Adrian Middleton (Ade and abetted in backing up the conspiracy against the victim) I'm surprised by his part in the goings on. I knew him from the Byron road days as a classmate. His elder and my elder brother were old school friends. Didn't that mean anything to him?
Harmless hangers on..
David Day (nicknamed Streak)
David Powell (nicknamed Pug)
Robert Attwood? (Bobcat)
and three other's (names not remembered)
Mrs Fysh (Self promoting, drama progressive, but non supportive where it really mattered)
More about Mrs Fysh later on..
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| Early morning cold and dark, before school, pulling a face when going out to do my paper delivery round |
28th January The 6pm news on the telly. A recovery team is searching for wreckage from an American Air Force B-52 bomber armed with four hydrogen bombs which crashed into the sea near the Arctic air base of Thule in Greenland. Investigators are searching the area eight miles west of Thule for radioactive debris. The accident happened a week ago when the plane caught fire and the crew bailed out before the plane crashed through the ice.
The United States defence department says parts of the bombs have been found. But it is thought the radioactive detonators are still missing. A team of 47 men with dog sleigh teams have been brought in to clear the wreckage. The sea surrounding the crash site has since re-frozen.
One of the scientists involved in the operation said all the wreckage was emitting low level radiation but there was no evidence of radiation on the snow. The risk of contamination is said to be slight - except to those working on the spot who are equipped with protective clothing.
Two years ago, there was a similar accident involving a B-52 over the sea off Palomares in south-east Spain. The plane dropped its bombs over the Spanish coast. It took nearly 80 days to recover the last of the four bombs on board that plane. The Spanish subsequently banned flights carrying nuclear weapons over their territory.
Plutonium specialist Dr Wright Langham, who is serving as a consultant to the recovery operation at Thule, said preliminary indications of the radiation levels showed two of the four weapons had broken. He said: "One point to make is that since the count level is comparable to what we saw in Spain we can equate what we have here to what we had in Spain." Dr Langham has insisted radiation is not a hazard at Thule. Most of the crash site has now been cleared of radioactive debris.
31st January The 6pm news on the telly. The American command in Vietnam has reported over 5,000 people dead after two days intensive fighting. South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu has been forced to declare martial law as communist forces, under General Vo Nguyen Giap, have kept up sustained assaults on several fronts - from Saigon in the south to Hue in the north.
Authorities in the North Vietnamese capital Hanoi, described it as, "a more powerful and more continuous offensive" than ever before. White House intelligence in Washington anticipated attacks over the Tet holiday to celebrate the lunar new year, but they were surprised by their intensity.
Sporadic fighting is still being reported in Saigon but the main hostilities - which began at 1800 local time two days ago - are reported to have ceased. According to US figures, 4,959 Vietcong have been killed and 1,862 captured while 232 American and 300 South Vietnamese troops have been killed with 929 and 747, respectively, wounded.
Last night, a 19-man Vietcong suicide squad blew a four foot hole in the wall of the US Embassy in Saigon and the nearby British Embassy sustained minor damage. Vietcong forces have also attacked the Vietnam general staff headquarters, Navy headquarters, two police stations and the Philippine Ambassador's residence as well as blowing up the radio station in Saigon. Communications are in chaos and commercial flights from the airport have been cancelled.
North Vietnamese - Vietminh - troops have reinforced their siege of Khe Sanh, near the demilitarised zone. Some commentators expect the so-called Tet Offensive will shatter the American resolve and have a similar effect on the US to that on the French after the North Vietnamese victory at Dien Bien Phu in 1954 - which contributed to the Geneva Agreements later that year.
The Hanoi government has offered talks and a seven-day truce if the US stops its aerial bombardments. Documents captured by the Americans show the Vietminh troops have been promised an end to the war by February.
Mr Rye was now my Maths teacher, he was a shock change of style and delivery. His Maths class was already well into the "Calculus" stuff. I'd never heard of it before and just did not understand it at all. This being another example of the A1 stream having a massive head start over me. I wasn't offered extra tuition to catch up and it made me appear as a dumb cluck in class. My confidence and performance in the Maths subject was badly shaken. This should not have happened, as it was supposed to be my strong subject?
It was great to be in a class again with Miss Lake teaching French language, but it was now at a relatively advanced 4th year A1 level compared to the previous two terms coursework in the A2 stream under the charge of supply teacher Mrs Garth. Even I could see in the first couple of class sessions here that there wasn't enough time to catch up with the standard that 4A1 was at, in the short space of the last term before it was time to leave school at 15 years of age. I did try and struggled with it until the very end. Miss Lake was sympathetic to my position and I thank her for that.
4th February The 6pm news on the telly. Another 96 Indians and Pakistanis from Kenya have arrived in Britain today, the latest in a growing exodus of Kenyan Asians fleeing from laws which prevent them making a living. The party included nine children under two, and all flew in on cut-price one-way tickets costing about £60 - less than half the normal single fare.
Omar Sharmar, an Indian who was forced to close his haulage business in Mombasa when the government refused to grant him a licence, estimates he has lost £2,000. "Only Kenyan citizens are being allowed work permits," he said. "I was forced to sell my fleet of lorries and come to Britain to look for a new life."
An airline official in Nairobi estimated that the charter flights had taken between 1,200 and 1,500 Kenyan Asians in to Britain. "We did find some difficulty filling the planes until last week," he said. "But in the last two or three days that attitude has changed, and there doesn't seem to be any difficulty at all now. At the present rate I think this will continue for at least a year, if not more."
Immigration laws in Kenya are becoming increasingly draconian. Foreigners can only hold a job until a Kenyan national can be found to replace them: and more and more cities, including Nairobi, are demanding that the government bans non-Kenyans from owning a shop or trading in municipal markets. If the Kenyan government caves in to such demands, the result is likely to be chaos, as most shops are owned by foreigners, and not enough citizens have the capital or knowledge to run small businesses.
Already, the tens of thousands of Asians, who have until now dominated commerce, industry and most key jobs in the country, are finding their lives made impossible. Although most turned down the chance to take Kenyan nationality when it was offered to them, more than 100,000 did take up the chance to get British passports. They are now arriving at the rate of more than 1,000 a month to start a new life in the UK, a country which most have never seen.
5th February The 6pm news on the telly. Another trawler from Hull has sunk off the coast of Iceland, with all hands on board - it is the third in three weeks. The Ross Cleveland went down in Isafjord, an inlet on the north-west cape of Iceland, in a force 12 gale with a crew of 19. Only one body has been recovered so far, according to authorities in Reykjavik.
Over the past three weeks 60 lives have been lost on British fishing boats in Arctic waters as Iceland is battered by the worst storms since 1925. The 659-ton Ross Cleveland was riding out the hurricane with seven other trawlers.
Hull coastguards last heard from the Captain, Phil Gay, more than an hour and a half before the boat disappeared when he reported the "atrocious" weather conditions. Mr Gay, 41, did not have time to transmit a formal distress signal but radioed to nearby boat Kingston Almadine. He was reported as saying: "Will you come closer? We are over-icing." And minutes later: "I am going. Give my love and the crew's love to their wives and families." Minutes later the boat vanished from the radar and her lights were no longer visible.
A spokesman for Ross Cleveland owners', Hudson Brothers, said: "There appears to be no hope at all, we have to face up to it. It is appalling." He said their boat - built in 1949 - was maintained to the highest standard and was equipped with three new inflatable life-rafts and two lifeboats. The trawler had left Hull on 20 January with a crew of 20 - the cook had flown back because of illness.
Icelandic gunboat Odinn - made infamous during the Cod War - rescued 18 survivors from the Notts County - another Hull trawler - which had run aground at a cost of one life. The 40 men on board the missing trawlers Kingston Peridot and St Romanus are now presumed to be dead.
16th February The Musicians' Union threatens "action to prevent the use of stand-in musicians on records by pop groups." Love Affair acknowledges that singer Steve Ellis' is accompanied only by session musicians (the Keith Mansfield Orchestra). Well, we had suspected for a while that many of the named group bands making records and appearing in the charts, were no more than professional studio backing musicians for vocalists.
Monday February 19th More than 400 women, many dressed in black, marched in a silent protest round Grosvenor Square, London. Led by two suburban housewives, the protesters carried a banner reading: "The women of Great Britain plead for a stop to the slaughter in Vietnam." The two leaders were among a small deputation who handed in a protest note at the American Embassy.
19th February The 6pm news on the telly. Damages are to be awarded under a settlement agreed in the High Court to 62 children born with deformities, after their mothers took the drug thalidomide during pregnancy. The Distillers Company (Biochemicals) Ltd has agreed to pay each of the children 40% of what they were claiming had their court actions been successful. But Distillers, who produced and marketed the drug in Britain, has said any agreement is conditional on all allegations of negligence being withdrawn.
Legal experts estimate between £500,000 and £1.5m will be the likely pay-out, which means each child can expect between £5,000 and £45,000, depending on the extent of their disability.
Mr Justice Hinchcliffe said it was a "fair and just" arrangement which it would be "folly to refuse". "It is in the interests of the infant plaintiffs and their parents, and it reflects great credit on all those who have taken part in negotiating it," he said.
Appearing for the children and parents, Desmond Ackner QC backed the settlement, and said he believed that had the claims continued, "the plaintiffs would have failed to recover a penny piece". He said the claimants faced an uphill struggle to establish that Distillers were in breach of their duty of care to the unborn children - to which there is no legal precedent under English law.
Distillers says it is now considering providing a substantial sum to assist thalidomide children whose parents did not make a claim and who would not normally benefit from this settlement.
It is estimated that more than 400 children in the UK have suffered deformities as a result of thalidomide. But Lady Hoare, founder of the Lady Hoare Trust for thalidomide children, says the money awarded to the 62 children at the High Court falls short of what is required. "Even for this number this amount of recompense can never recompense for the disaster that's happened," she said.
Mrs Fysh, the theatrical darlings bees knees. She had the greatest effect in extinguishing what little confidence I had left to hold onto. I'm sure it wasn't her intention, but her whole teaching approach, style and force of her extrovert personality reduced me to feeling like a worthless nobody. I had encountered Fysh, a year or two earlier, when she held the lower school drama lessons. In those sessions, she would allow us free run of imagination doing odd and unusual things with our bodies on the floor of the assembly hall. "Performance art" I believe it's now called.
So in her 4A1 English class, were the 25 girls and the 10 boys. Most were lively and expressive types, socially wallowing in the atmosphere of cleverness. Fysh pandered to this and especially when it came to her regular set class discussions, she would choose topics for the class to talk about that were of particular interest and appeal to the girls. It was no surprise then that girls had a lot to say in response, dominating most of the discussion time. Fysh, her mantra was "Express yourselves". Well, I being the quiet type, this was going to be fuelling stress for me. Some topics would not have been spoken of in my home in 1968, and here they were being presented by Mrs Fysh to 14 - 15 year olds. I just wasn't ready for it at this time, a lot of it went over my head and I had no opinions to express on some matters. This all added to my feelings of acute humiliation, embarrassment and social awkwardness in class. The controversial topics of discussion would not bother me as an adult, but it was extremely unsettling for me, sitting through an English period with Fysh at the helm. Topics discussed, I painfully remember having to suffer through in silent ignorance were of the themes; "Marriage", "Sex before Marriage", "Contraception and the pill", "Homosexuality", "Age of consent", "The Voting age", "Fashion", "Pop groups", "Relationships of boys and girls", "Your leisure activities".
Wednesday February 21st Red paint was hurled at an American embassy official by students protesting at the Vietnam war. The trouble started when Mr. Robert Beers, the American embassy Press attache, was addressing about 1,000 students on the U.S. policy in Vietnam. He was constantly heckled. Students shouted: "We don't want any more of your lies."
The paint splattered over Mr. Beers, as he was leaving Sussex University. Some of the paint splashed over Mr. Beers's eighteen year old daughter, who had accompanied him to a Vietnam teach-in at the University in Brighton. A police inspector and two university porters escorting Mr. Beers through a lobby were also hit. Outside of the main entrance, he had to run the gauntlet, surrounded by crowds of jeering students. Paint dripping from their hats and coats, Mr. Beers and his daughter dashed back inside the building.
An hour later, students crowded round a police car waiting to take Mr. Beers from the university. As the car drove off, students chased it, throwing eggs. A students union spokesman said: "The culprits will be fined by the Union when we have found them."
24th February The 6pm news on the telly. The South Vietnamese are celebrating the recapture of the country's third city, Hue, after a battle lasting three weeks. Their allies, American Marines, finally reached the walls of the old imperial citadel two days ago wiping out pockets of resistance from the North Vietnamese on the way. But the final assault on the old palace began this morning with the marines firing cannons at the east wall of the palace compound.
The capture of Hue at the end of January by the North Vietnamese Communist forces was part of the so-called Tet offensive - the most powerful and continuous assault in the war so far. The Americans reportedly calculated that the operation to recapture Hue would be a "24-hour job", but it quickly turned into a prolonged battle, with exchanges of mortar and artillery fire. It took 10 days to advance the last 1,000 yards inside the walled city.
American Skyhawk helicopters have dropped bombs and napalm on the citadel. Yesterday because of bad weather, the helicopters missed their target and hit a rocket dump, sending up enormous blue and green flames. US Government aircraft with loudspeakers have been circling overhead sounding surrender warnings.
When the South Vietnamese troops finally broke through into the citadel, all guns blazing and whooping and yelling with delight, they suddenly realised there was no resistance. They found only about 20 civilians left alive and two South Vietnamese soldiers, who had defied detection by the North Vietnamese throughout the siege.
Both sides have suffered heavy losses. The US Marines, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, joined the fighting only 11 days ago but have reported 45 dead and 250 wounded. In total more than 100 American Marines have been killed and more than 700 wounded. Some 440 South Vietnamese soldiers have been killed and 1,900 injured.
The communist forces paid heavily too. The South Vietnamese claim to have killed nearly 3,000 in the battle for Hue, while the Americans say they have killed 1,500. Hundreds of enemy weapons have also been captured.
A British photographer, Don McCullin, told the Times newspaper: "The devastation I saw was incredible. I had never seen a city smashed to pieces like this - with naval gunfire and planes crashing down to rout out a few snipers. "They told me it was once a beautiful city. Well, now it is an ugly city because the streets are littered with bodies that have been run over by tanks."
Elsewhere in the country, intelligence reports say up to 15,000 communist troops are still threatening the capital, Saigon.
3rd March Pop pirate Radio Caroline goes off the air when both ships are removed to Amsterdam for repairs
9th March The Musicians' Union will ban the use of "stand-in musicians on recordings by pop groups" through a "code of conduct" under which "session musicians will no longer be permitted to 'ghost' for beat groups on pop records"
10th March 1968 newspaper report: Illness Stops O.B.E. Trip to Palace
Sudden illness prevented Mr. James McVie, headmaster of Upbury Manor Secondary School, Gillingham, keeping an appointment at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday when he was due to be invested with the O.B.E. he was awarded in the Queen's New Year Honours. Mr. McVie, who is 60 and has been at Upbury Manor for 10 years, was taken ill last Thursday. He was taken to Medway Hospital but the next morning was transferred to a London Hospital. A school spokesman said yesterday (Thursday) there was no cause for concern about his condition.
His investiture has been postponed until the Summer.
On arrival, one man climbed about 15 feet up a tree near the embassy and began to shout "America out of Vietnam". A policeman climbed up after him, and an argument began between the two when the man refused to get back down. The crowds below shouted support for the man when the policeman tried to pull him down. "Stay up. It's a public tree." the crowd cried out. One man called up at the policeman: "Why do you think an argument is more impressive half way up a tree?" This brought roars of laughter.
Violence flared as soon as the third wave of marchers arrived at the square from North Audley Street, swelling the crowed to around 10,000 in number. Rival factions, some carrying American Stars and Stripes flags and the other with Vietcong flags shouted insults at each other across the square.
Here is a colour film short edited from newsreel footage made for British cinema audiences, though I muted the political establishment bias in the spoken commentary narrative and overlaid it with a musical soundtrack to express the feel of the event.
A police cordon circled the embassy and held back the mob as fighting began when the thousands of protesters tried to storm the U.S. embassy. Helmets were sent flying and the police were pelted with stones, flour bombs, and lumps of earth and almost anything the demonstrators could lay their hands on, including paint. Battle raged for more than an hour as fireworks and smoke bombs were thrown into the embassy forecourt. Great chunks of lawn were dug up, with pointed sticks and boot heels, to hurl at police. Stage poles were used as battering rams against the three-deep man police cordon.
The mounted police all armed with the longer truncheons, moved on into the demonstrators to cut a swathe through the crowd. Dazed people were brought out of the melee, their faces streaming with blood. The St. John Ambulance Brigade treated 86 people for injuries, fifty including 28 police officers were taken to hospital. All other demonstrators that had been injured were carried away unreported. At least 117 policemen were injured. Eight police horses received minor injuries, mainly bruises and cuts.
As the demonstrators were being moved out of the square, a huge mob tried unsuccessfully to storm the Europa Hotel. Sticks and coins were hurled at the hotel's windows, smashing several. Then, police were called to the Hilton Hotel, in Park Lane, where a crowd of demonstrators had appeared but they were kept back by charges of arm-linked police.
Soon after 7 p.m. most of the Grosvenor Square area had been cleared of protesters. More than 246 people were arrested and taken into three police stations. The demonstration is believed to be Britain's biggest against the Vietnam war.
The Lessons of Grosvenor Square
by Robert Lacey and Ian Lyon, 'Illustrated London News'
Many invitations to the demonstration were pink, and said "Come armed". But the first demonstrators to reach Grosvenor Square were definitely true blue, British conservative. A tweeded gentleman with an old Etonian tie poked a Union Jack: "Would you like a banner or a flag?" A Godfrey Davis Rent-a-Van handed out placards proclaiming "Solidarity against Communist aggression".
The citizens gathered round a plaque "In memory of John Adams, the first American minister to Great
Britain, placed by the Colonial Dames of America, 1933". A man with a bowler handed out leaflets "One to explain why we're marching, the other to tell us all to be good boys". They were all good boys. The Monday Club marched round Grosvenor Square, handed in their letter of support at the American Embassy and broke into a ragged chorus of "Rule Britannia".
The people in distant Trafalgar Square were the ones the pink invitations were really meant for: longer hair, older clothes, and younger. Someone had got at the fountains so they frothed a vivid parade pink. A bearded lady was selling magazines called Red Front, Anarchy, and Cubana. A girl in a miniskirt with a "Viva Che" badge was distributing white paper headbands from a North Vietnamese handbag: "This is what the parents of Indo-China wear when they mourn their children."
Someone started chanting, "Hey, hey, L B J, how many kids did you kill today?" An Irishman with a bedraggled shamrock buttonhole joined in, until a policeman explained that the St Patrick's Day celebration was at the other end of Whitehall-four hours ago. An American made a very long speech, then burned his draft card. Miss Vanessa Redgrave hoped to hand in a protest letter at the Embassy.
The massive procession moved away from Trafalgar Square to plod up the Charing Cross Road. Pink leaflets were distributed explaining that getting arrested became an expensive matter when the 1968 Criminal Justice Act raised the maximum fine for obstruction from £2 to £50, and so arrest was to be avoided unless it might "contribute to the effectiveness of the demonstration". An underlined sentence explained that the march was aimed against the US Embassy and not against the police. It must have been very difficult for the policemen who were waiting between the Embassy and procession of protesters to see this distinction. According to one constable there were also "two dozen American marines inside the embassy building with machine guns and orders to blow the head off anybody who gets in".
The procession had now arrived at the top of North Audley Street beside the Embassy. Protesters turned to the defoliation of Grosvenor Square. Turf, daffodils, red paint, ball bearings, and fireworks were flying. As the rampage continued, spectators provided a running commentary: there was general bewilderment as to why the procession had been allowed to build up in North Audley Street. Why hadn't it been split up into two and directed round separate sides of the square? Why were Right-wing demonstrators allowed on the pavement shouting, "Bomb the Vietcong!" inflaming the fury?
The police line broke. Battered policemen fell back, helmets rolling on to the earth. Some of the protesters paused: un-helmeted police, tousle haired, looked as young as they did. Mounted police charged forcing the crowds back. "Why don't we go all the way? "cried one constable. So effective was the mopping up that demonstrators joined the spectators. A U.S. infantryman walked through the spectators. They said to him "We're not all like that lot." "Your country and ours have done a lot together." "Very many of these demonstrators are not from this country. They get much more violent with policemen than we do." The infantryman had said nothing, then one of the demonstrators shouted, "Have you been to Vietnam?" "I might be sent there soon." "This afternoon I have picked up a few hints."
Sunday March 17th An Independent British TV company filmed the linked events of the day, and showed a broader world background perspective view and explanation why this was all happening outside the USA Embassy in Grosvenor Square. It was first broadcast the following day Monday 18th March 1968 by Granada Television current affairs programme World in Action, titled "The Demonstration."
28th March A Royal Visit to Gillingham by HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. I was unaware of anyone from Upbury Manor school being allowed time out to see the Queen pass by on Brompton road and the high street. I certainly missed out there.
A film was made by the town clerk of the Gillingham Borough Council. The occasion of the royal visit was the inspection of new installations at the Royal School of Military Engineering, Brompton Barracks.
The Gillingham Borough Archives has this documented as edited from a 16mm original cine film shot by Glyn C. Jones, Town Clerk of Gillingham. To my eyes the poor quality reproduction of picture definition, isn't matching that of a 16mm cine camera? Also there is no soundtrack to the film.
The edited film opens with a view at Gillingham Railway Station, looking west towards the rail lines under Victoria bridge. Police officers are shown waiting on the platform for the Royal train arrival. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh alight from a carriage to be greeted by Lord Cornwallis, Lord Lieutenant of Kent. The queen wears an emerald green coat and turban style hat while the Duke of Edinburgh wears the frock coat, cap and sword of a field marshal. The royal visitors are introduced to Councillor W.F. Harris, Mayor of Gillingham, wearing his chain of office. The Red carpet and carefully arranged floral displays are in evidence adjacent to the station platform side exit gateway to Railway street.
In the next scenes, school children, cub scouts and brownies are seen lining Brompton Road and waving Union flags and holding welcome placards, with Black Lion Field, the Royal Engineers' Ravelin Building, houses in Mill Road and the concrete extension to the Aurora Hotel visible in the background. The royal motorcade approaches with police motorcycle escort, police car and an open-topped army Land Rover. The royal motorcade turns into Prince Arthur Road, and we glimpse the red brick Aurora Hotel on the corner of Prince Arthur Road and Brompton Road.
On the conclusion of their engagement at Brompton Barracks, the royal couple are awaited by crowds at the end of Gillingham High Street opposite the railway station. The motorcade approaches the camera along the High Street, again accompanied by police motorcycle escorts while the crowds are controlled by police officers. The royal couple wave to the crowds from the entrance to the station and the film closes with views of groups of onlookers and crowds at the junction of High Street, Victoria Street and Railway Street.
4th April The 6pm news on the telly. The American black civil rights leader, Dr Martin Luther King, has been assassinated. Dr King was shot dead in the southern US city of Memphis, Tennessee, where he was to lead a march of sanitation workers protesting against low wages and poor working conditions
He was shot in the neck as he stood on a hotel balcony and died in hospital soon afterwards. Reverend Jesse Jackson was on the balcony with Dr King when the single shot rang out. "He had just bent over. I reckon if he had been standing up he would not have been hit in the face," said Mr Jackson.
Police in Memphis were put on alert for a "well-dressed" white man who is said to have dropped an automatic rifle after the shooting and escaped in a blue car.
There were early signs of rioting in Memphis after Dr King's death and 4,000 members of the National Guard were drafted into the city. A dusk-to-dawn curfew has been ordered to ward off disturbances.
The US President, Lyndon Johnson, has postponed a trip to Hawaii for peace talks on Vietnam. The president said he was "shocked and saddened" by the civil rights leader's death. "I ask every citizen to reject the blind violence that has taken Dr King who lived by non-violence," Mr Johnson said.
Dr King, 39, had previously survived several attempts on his life including the bombing of his home in 1956. The charismatic civil rights leader joined the crusade for equal rights for black people in America in the mid 1950s. He first came to national prominence as one of the leaders of the Alabama bus boycott in 1955. In 1963 Dr King led a massive march on Washington DC where he delivered his now famous "I have a dream" speech. Dr King advocated the use of non-violent tactics such as sit-ins and protest marches. In 1964 he was awarded the Nobel peace prize.
5th April. The Small Faces released a record called "Lazy Sunday". Sometime a week or so later on, this was played over the P.A. system during a morning school assembly by one of the class form groups that were conducting the school assembly that day. Whatever the theme for that day's assembly was? The record was to highlight it. A notable feature of the recording, was the sound of a toilet flushing. My favourite part though, was the ending words "close my eyes and drift away" then merging the sounds of birdsong and the ringing church bells, before the fade out. A grand attempt to lift our spirits out of mourning for the beloved McVie.
6th April The 6pm news on the telly. Dozens of major cities in the United States have been rocked by an escalation in the race riots which began two days ago. At least 19 people have died so far in the arson, looting and shootings provoked by the assassination of black civil rights leader Martin Luther King on 4 April. Several hundred have also been injured and about 3,000 people have been arrested - most of those in Washington DC.
Curfews are in place in many areas of the country and National Guard soldiers have been mobilised to help quell the violence which is threatening to engulf the US in a race war. Twelve thousand troops in the nation's capital were called on to help protect fire fighters tackling at least eight blazes started by rioters. Other fires started in Chicago were accompanied by looting and sniping, and at least 20 buildings have been completely destroyed. There have also been 38 arson attacks in Detroit, shootings reported in Pittsburgh and a four-hour gun battle at Tennessee State University.
Dr King's immediate successor, Reverend Ralph Abernathy, has repeatedly appealed for calm. The new head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Atlanta has appeared on television urging people to respect the murdered leader's commitment to non-violent protest.
But United Black Front chairman Lincoln Lynch said black Americans should adopt a new stance. "It is imperative to abandon the unconditional non-violent concept expounded by Dr King and adopt the position that for every Martin Luther King who falls, 10 white racists will go down with him. "There is no other way - America understands no other language," he said.
A national day of mourning in the US for Dr King will take place on 7 April.
7th April The 6pm news on the telly. Motor racing world champion Jim Clark has been killed in a car crash during a Formula Two race at Hockenheim. Clark, 32, was at the wheel of his Lotus-Cosworth which left the track at 170mph (274km/h), somersaulted through the air and collided with a tree on a remote part of the German track.
The twice Formula One champion, who sustained a broken neck and a fractured skull, was dead before he reached hospital. The cause of the accident is not yet known although experts have suggested it could have been a fault in the steering mechanism or rear-axle suspension. Although it had been raining prior to the race, this is not thought to have caused Clark's car to skid.
The 80,000 spectators, who were informed of the accident via loudspeaker some two hours later, were stunned by the news. They spontaneously rose to their feet in silent tribute.
The only witness to the accident was a track marshal who said: "I was horror-struck. Everything happened so fast. The car skidded off to the left and seemed to dive through the fence only 10 yards (9.14m) from me. "It went skidding and somersaulting across the grass and hit a tree with a tremendous thump. "The car seemed to be in a thousand pieces."
The 32-year-old farmer from Scotland, who was not married, had been involved in several spectacular accidents during his 15-year career but had never suffered serious injury.
Tributes poured in from around the world as the news of Jim Clark's death was spread. Fellow racing driver Graham Hill, who was in the same race, said Jim Clark's death "leaves a hell of a gap in the racing scene". He added: "For me as well as for thousands of others, it means the loss of a friend."
Jackie Stewart, also a racing driver, said: "Jimmy's death is probably the most tragic thing in my experience of motor-racing - probably in the history of motor-racing. "Jimmy was not only a famous driver, he was an international personality, loved by all his fiercest rivals."
Clark's body is due to be flown back to Scotland later today. His funeral is expected to take place Wednesday in Chirnside, near his home.
Top Rank Tenpin Bowling, Watling Street. This place, for a while, was the trendy place to be seen at out of school during a craze this year for going bowling. The building used to be the Gaumont cinema, until it was closed down around the year 1961. When I was a young child, I was taken there to see a film called "Darby O'Gill and the Little People". Some scenes in the film were scary.
A sunny day in April, very warm and humid. The A1 gang had lustful eyes on Christine Ward and her friend Elizabeth Stapley, both were 4th year girls not in class 4A1. They somehow persuaded the girls to go sunbathing with them during a lunch break. The chosen secluded spot was the sports field on the grassed bank behind the swimming pool fence. As you are beginning to suspect, after a lot of chat and sweet talk, the now scantily clad girls allowed themselves open for a bit of groping. I have to say, though being there, I took no part in it.
14th April The 6pm news on the telly. A massive student rally in West Berlin has ended in violent clashes between police and protesters. Students blocked the city's main thoroughfare, the Kurfurstendamm, in protest at the shooting last week of one of their leaders, Rudi Dutschke. Mr Dutschke was shot three times outside the offices of the German Socialist Students Federation (SDS). He is still seriously ill in hospital.
Students chanted Mr Dutschke's name interspersed with shouts of "Murderer Springer" - a reference to millionaire publisher Axel Springer. Students blame Mr Springer's papers for inflaming public opinion against them and say the man who shot Mr Dutschke was influenced by views expressed in a Springer publication. Since the attack on Mr Dutschke students have been attempting to hinder distribution of Springer papers which include the mass circulation tabloid Bild Zeitung.
As huge traffic backlogs built up around the Kurfurstendamm police used water cannon and officers on horseback to disperse the protesters. More than 180 people were arrested. Peter Brandt, son of the West German foreign minister, Willy Brandt, was among those detained. Later there were clashes outside three police barracks where marchers had gathered in anticipation of the release of some of those arrested.
Student dissent has been growing for some time in West Germany with the SDS organising sit-ins and non-violent demonstrations. However, more aggressive action has been taken since the death in June last year of student Benno Ohnesorg. He was shot by a police officer during a demonstration against the visit of the Shah of Iran to Berlin.
The SDS is part of the Extra-parliamentary Opposition group set up in 1966. It consists of student associations, trades unions, writers and other who believe there is currently no effective parliamentary opposition to the ruling Social Democrats.
20th April The 6pm news on the telly. The Conservative right-winger Enoch Powell has made a hard-hitting speech attacking the government's immigration policy. Addressing a Conservative association meeting in Birmingham, Mr Powell said Britain had to be mad to allow in 50,000 dependents of immigrants each year. He compared it to watching a nation busily engaged in heaping up its own funeral pyre.
The MP for Wolverhampton South West called for an immediate reduction in immigration and the implementation of a Conservative policy of "urgent" encouragement of those already in the UK to return home. "It can be no part of any policy that existing families should be kept divided. But there are two directions on which families can be reunited," he said.
Mr Powell compared enacting legislation such as the Race Relations Bill to "throwing a match on to gunpowder". He said that as he looked to the future he was filled with a sense of foreboding. "Like the Roman, I seem to see the river Tiber foaming with much blood," he said.
He estimated that by the year 2000 up to seven million people - or one in ten of the population - would be of immigrant descent. Mr Powell, the shadow defence spokesman, was applauded during and after his 45-minute speech. However, it is likely his comments will be less warmly received by the Conservative party leader, Edward Heath.
23rd April The 6pm news on the telly. The first decimal coins are making their way into purses throughout Britain, in preparation for replacing the current system of pounds, shillings and pence by 1971. The five new pence and ten new pence coins operate alongside the shilling and the florin, and will have the same value. They are also the same size and weight.
They caused initial confusion to shoppers, many of whom refused to take them. There was further misunderstanding over the value of a penny. Many thought the five new penny coin was worth five old pence - when it is in fact worth a shilling, or 12 old pence.
Others, though, took the new money in their stride.
"I suppose it will take a bit of getting used to," said one newspaper seller in the City of London, "but I don't think it will bother me at all. I've seen the pictures in the papers and it looks pretty simple to me." But a fruit-seller was concerned that the two new coins were being brought in ahead of the full range of decimal currency. "People will get used to a tenpenny piece being worth 24 pence, and then they will have to change their ideas," he said.
Two of London's biggest stores have given special training to staff in the use of the new coins. One supermarket manager was optimistic about his customers' attitudes to the changeover. "I think they've more or less adjusted right away," he said. "I think, though, they tend to regard them as shilling and two-shilling pieces rather than five and ten pence at this time - I think this will take longer." He added that it would be another six months before price tags changed to reflect the new currency, warning of "absolute chaos" if the change happened overnight.
About 15m 10p coins and 20m 5p coins will be issued to begin with - a small fraction of the number of shillings and florins in circulation. Lord Fiske, chairman of the Decimal Currency Board, said the coins would be in the minority in tills and in change for a long time.
3rd May The news on the telly. Britain's first heart transplant was successfully carried out today by a team of 18 doctors and nurses at the National Heart Hospital in Marylebone, London. The operation, which was led by South African-born surgeon Donald Ross, was undertaken on an unnamed 45-year-old man. It took more than seven hours to complete. The donor, Patrick Ryan, a 26-year-old labourer, was transferred from King's College Hospital and his heart removed immediately after his death.
Reading from a prepared statement on the hospital steps, a spokesman said: "It has gone uneventfully. The patient, as far as we know, is satisfactory." The man is said to be recovering well but his reaction to the implant over the next 10 to 14 days is expected to be critical. Mr Ross, who was accompanied by the entire surgical team, said the operation lasted around two hours despite the fact they were working together for over seven hours.
The first sign the historic operation was about to take place came at 1150 GMT when Donald Longmore, the hospital's consultant in clinical physiology, was escorted by two police cars to King's College Hospital. At 1330 GMT he drove back to the National Heart Hospital alongside an ambulance, which was carrying the donor and by 1400 GMT the initial stages of the operation were under way. Reporters and photographers were camped outside the building as soon as rumours of the operation started to circulate.
The British operation is the tenth heart transplant to be undertaken in the world since Dr Christian Barnard carried out the first one in Cape Town, South Africa, last December.
Monday May 13th 1968 GILLINGHAM GIRL MURDERED
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| Pauline Dukes |
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| The area view East of Copperhouse "lovers" lane, where the crime took place |
A distraught mother found her 16 year old daughter strangled with a dog's lead on a lonely riverside footpath yesterday. The girl, Pauline Dukes, had taken a neighbour's sandy-haired Cairn terrier, 'Buster', for a walk by the estuary at Gillingham, Kent. Just before Sunday lunchtime she strolled in the sunshine down a narrow lovers' lane towards the mud flats by the River Medway. More than two hours later Mrs. Ena Dukes found her daughter's fully dressed body in a small copse by the river at Fisherman's Wharf.
Pauline had been strangled by the dog's tartan lead and there was no sign of Buster. There were signs that schoolgirl Pauline had put up a desperate struggle. She had cuts and bruises on her head. All around her the undergrowth had been trodden down.
After Pauline's mother found the body, police dashed to the spot and set up a murder headquarters in a caravan at the end of the lovers' lane. In a house nearby "Ferndale", Mulberry Tree Place, 102 Lower Rainham Road, a retired butcher, Mr. William Godmon, said he had called police. Mr. Godmon said last night: "A young man, about 22, came running to my house and told me that he had seen the body of a girl on the mud, and it looked as if she had been badly savaged."
Police were anxious to trace the young man last night. A senior detective said: "As far as we are concerned Pauline's body was found by her mother. We know nothing of a youth finding her." Nearly 100 detectives under Detective Chief Superintendent Harry Cowan, head of Kent CID, were drafted in to begin inquiries. Floodlights were set up last night at the murder scene and tracker dogs were used to search the area. River police were brought in to question boat-owners.
Pauline, a fifth-former at Woodlands Secondary Modern School, Gillingham, left her home in 177 Grange Road to call on her friend, 16 year old Gillian Carron, of nearby 23 Grove Road. Pauline was wearing a brown, crochet knit mini dress, blue cardigan, black calf-length boots and a white raincoat.
Gillian's mother, Mrs. Edith Carron, said: "I was in when Pauline called for my daughter. I told her where Gillian was, and I thought she might go and find her. Instead, she apparently decided to go for a walk with the neighbour's dog."
Gillian, also a fifth-former, said: "Pauline had several boy friends, but none really serious. Her great ambition was to be a policewoman. She was in the middle of taking her examinations. She called for me about mid-day, to see if I wanted to go for a walk with my poodle. I was out, and apparently she went to get my neighbour's dog, Buster."
Pauline was the only daughter of Mrs. Dukes and her husband, George. They also have a son, Richard, 17.
The maps showing the route of Pauline's last walk (route marked coloured in Yellow)
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The riverside end of Copperhouse lane, a view looking West along the shoreline |
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A view of Copperhouse marshes and saltings, the route East where Pauline would have walked |
A big hunt for "Buster" was begun in the hope that he might provide a vital clue to the killer. The dog was found later today, unharmed, in the Woodlands Road area about three-quarters of a mile from the murder scene. It was identified by its owner, Mr. John Earl, of 33 Grove Road, Gillingham.
Detective Chief Inspector Peter Flemming, who is leading the inquiries, said that the detectives were examining the dog for clues. It was earlier thought that the murderer might have taken the dog away. He told a Press conference at Rainham Police Station, Kent, that the name disc, which reads "Buster, 33, Grove Road," was missing from the dog's plaid collar. "We are anxious to find this tag and also to receive information from people who might have seen Buster in that vicinity or between the time he was last seen at 12 noon until the time he was found this morning," he said.
The Chief Inspector also appealed for help in tracing anyone who has attended a doctor's surgery or hospital seeking treatment for dog bite. He said "We are asking about this because Cairn terriers are recognised as being sharp tempered and may bite." He added that an attempt had been made to hide the girl's body under some bushes. The ground had been trampled down in the area and there were slight signs of a struggle. Pauline had a number of minor cuts and bruises, particularly on the head and face.
Detectives were today visiting the dead girl's friends at Woodlands Road Secondary Modern School. They are anxious to discover who her acquaintances were among schoolboys and youths. One theory they are pursuing is that she may have known her killer and walked with him along the seawall to the murder spot.
Murder squad detectives were also anxious to trace and identify a man seen by a number of people in the murder scene area between 12 noon and 3 p.m. yesterday. He was seen exercising a large black Labrador dog. This man is described as being between 38 and 40 years, 5ft. 8in., slim build, pale complexion, dark brown hair swept straight back and clean shaven. He was seen wearing a fawn raincoat and dark coloured trousers and is described as having "staring eyes."
A man is to be charged with the murder of Pauline Dukes. Chief Superintendent James Brownlow, head of the Kent CID said tonight. "We have a man here in custody who will be charged with the murder of this girl. At the present time we cannot give you his name and address. We will do that as soon as it is possible to do so. The man will appear at Chatham Magistrates' Court tomorrow between 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Tuesday May 14th 1968 A seventeen year old factory worker, Peter Vernon Free, of 46 Chilham Road, Twydall, Gillingham, was arrested at his work yesterday afternoon and was charged last night at Rainham police station, with the murder of 16 year old schoolgirl Pauline Dukes.
He will appear at a special court this morning at Chatham. The arrest came after the police, a veterinary surgeon and a forensic expert had examined "Buster," the silent witness of the attack on Pauline. Yesterday "Buster," was brought to the police by three youths, who said they found him late at night and kept him until the morning. The experts examined his claws and took specimens of his hair.
Also yesterday, Pauline, a talented pupil at Woodlands School, Gillingham, was to have sat for the second part of her examination for her Certificate of Secondary Education. She had already passed the first part. Pauline, a dark-haired, well-built girl, was described by her headmistress as a "charming girl and a typical teenager." She was one of the brightest girls at the school and had intended to take a secretarial post until she was old enough to become a policewoman.
Peter Vernon Free, accused of murdering Pauline Dukes, was remanded in custody until next Wednesday May 22nd, after a brief appearance at Chatham Magistrates' Court today.
Detective Chief Inspector Peter Flemming, who is leading the inquiries, said that the detectives were examining the dog for clues. It was earlier thought that the murderer might have taken the dog away. He told a Press conference at Rainham Police Station, Kent, that the name disc, which reads "Buster, 33, Grove Road," was missing from the dog's plaid collar. "We are anxious to find this tag and also to receive information from people who might have seen Buster in that vicinity or between the time he was last seen at 12 noon until the time he was found this morning," he said.
The Chief Inspector also appealed for help in tracing anyone who has attended a doctor's surgery or hospital seeking treatment for dog bite. He said "We are asking about this because Cairn terriers are recognised as being sharp tempered and may bite." He added that an attempt had been made to hide the girl's body under some bushes. The ground had been trampled down in the area and there were slight signs of a struggle. Pauline had a number of minor cuts and bruises, particularly on the head and face.
Detectives were today visiting the dead girl's friends at Woodlands Road Secondary Modern School. They are anxious to discover who her acquaintances were among schoolboys and youths. One theory they are pursuing is that she may have known her killer and walked with him along the seawall to the murder spot.
Murder squad detectives were also anxious to trace and identify a man seen by a number of people in the murder scene area between 12 noon and 3 p.m. yesterday. He was seen exercising a large black Labrador dog. This man is described as being between 38 and 40 years, 5ft. 8in., slim build, pale complexion, dark brown hair swept straight back and clean shaven. He was seen wearing a fawn raincoat and dark coloured trousers and is described as having "staring eyes."
A man is to be charged with the murder of Pauline Dukes. Chief Superintendent James Brownlow, head of the Kent CID said tonight. "We have a man here in custody who will be charged with the murder of this girl. At the present time we cannot give you his name and address. We will do that as soon as it is possible to do so. The man will appear at Chatham Magistrates' Court tomorrow between 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Tuesday May 14th 1968 A seventeen year old factory worker, Peter Vernon Free, of 46 Chilham Road, Twydall, Gillingham, was arrested at his work yesterday afternoon and was charged last night at Rainham police station, with the murder of 16 year old schoolgirl Pauline Dukes.
He will appear at a special court this morning at Chatham. The arrest came after the police, a veterinary surgeon and a forensic expert had examined "Buster," the silent witness of the attack on Pauline. Yesterday "Buster," was brought to the police by three youths, who said they found him late at night and kept him until the morning. The experts examined his claws and took specimens of his hair.
Also yesterday, Pauline, a talented pupil at Woodlands School, Gillingham, was to have sat for the second part of her examination for her Certificate of Secondary Education. She had already passed the first part. Pauline, a dark-haired, well-built girl, was described by her headmistress as a "charming girl and a typical teenager." She was one of the brightest girls at the school and had intended to take a secretarial post until she was old enough to become a policewoman.
Peter Vernon Free, accused of murdering Pauline Dukes, was remanded in custody until next Wednesday May 22nd, after a brief appearance at Chatham Magistrates' Court today.
The Pauline Dukes murder case updates..
14th June 1968 19th July 1968
Peter Vernon Free, of 46 Chilham Road, Twydall, Gillingham, Kent, was sentenced to be detained indefinitely for the murder of Pauline Anne Dukes, of 177 Grange Road, Gillingham, in a riverside copse wood near her home on Sunday 12th May. Pauline was laid to rest, her burial in Grange Road & Woodland Road cemetery, Gillingham 1968.
13th May The 6pm news on the telly. French workers have joined student protests in Paris for the first time with a one-day general strike. About 800,000 students, teachers and workers marched through the French capital demanding the fall of the government under Charles de Gaulle and protesting at police brutality during the riots of the past few days.
This time, police kept a low profile for most of the day but later blocked off bridges across the Seine to keep demonstrators on the Left Bank, the scene of running battles between students and the CRS (riot police) over the last 10 days.
The crowds of protesters marched for four hours starting at the Place de la Republique on the Right Bank of the River Seine. They grew ever larger as they crossed the river to the Left Bank student quarter and up the Boulevard St Michel to Place Denfert-Rochereau. Carrying flags and banners, workers, students and teachers chanted "De Gaulle assassin" and "CRS-SS", comparing the riot police to Nazis.
They have several and various demands. Left-wing students - no doubt inspired by similar protests in the United States and the spring pro-democracy riots in Prague - want reform of the "bourgeois" university system and an end to the "police state". They also called for the release of their leaders, many of whom were arrested after a night of rioting three days ago when students ripped up cobbles from the streets to set up barricades.
Workers have a series of grievances including poor state salaries, centralisation and discrimination. The one-day strike has affected all aspects of daily life in the capital and is spreading out into the rest of the country. Public transport, air travel, power supplies, postal services and manufacturing have been severely hampered.
An anticipated Upbury Manor summer term school class trip to a London cinema film screening, I cannot remember one ever taking place at all. The film 2001, A SPACE ODYSSEY was premiered during mid May at the Casino Cinerama, Old Compton Street, Soho. My thoughts are that this would have been an ideal opportunity for the school to depart from the literary classic novel and to study a subject bang up to date (contemporary). The quest for knowledge of the human origin, evolution, technology and the future of life in the universe. I would have paid anything to have seen that film shown in 70mm projection back then. I suspect Miss Chalkley had cancelled any consideration of a cinema visit, in light of the shock, disruption and mood change, in the wake of the sudden unexpected death of the headmaster Mr McVie in March and in respect and organisation of his legacy arrangements.
24th May The news on the telly. The President of France, Charles de Gaulle, has issued an ultimatum to striking students and workers who have brought the country to a standstill during three weeks of violent demonstrations. In a televised address to the nation, he demanded that the French people back his programme of reform - or accept his resignation. He said the choice would be made in a referendum later this year.
In the speech, he said the nation was "on the brink of paralysis", and warned of civil war if the situation continued. Eight million workers - a third of the country's workforce - are now on strike, at the start of a third week of social unrest. Within minutes of President de Gaulle's speech, riots erupted again in Paris, Lyon, Nantes, Bordeaux and Strasbourg. In Lyon, a policeman became the first person to die in the demonstrations. He was run over by rioters driving a lorry into a line of riot police.
The largest demonstration was in Paris, where an estimated 50,000 workers followed the traditional workers' route from the Place de la Bastille to the Place de la Republique. They were cheered by crowds of spectators who lined the pavements.
But violence erupted when students broke through police cordons guarding bridges across the Seine. Armed with Molotov cocktails, they advanced on the French stock exchange, the Bourse, shouting "The Bourse belongs to the workers!" and "Occupy the Bourse!" They broke down the doors of the building and smashed windows, stuffing burning rags inside. As students on the street outside sang the Communist revolutionary song, the Internationale, the Red Flag was hoisted above the building.
Police used tear gas to cut a passage for fire engines, but rioters made barricades of overturned cars and linked hands around the vehicles to stop fire fighters running out their hoses. By 2230 (2030 GMT), however, the fire was out, leaving the main floor of the stock exchange badly damaged. Running battles between the police and demonstrators are continuing, with casualties already in the hundreds.
The Latin Quarter of Paris is effectively a siege camp, and there is no sign of an end to the demonstrations which are already being called France's second revolution.
29th May The 6pm news on the telly. Manchester United have become the first English club to win the European Cup beating Portuguese side Benfica by four goals to one. Ten years after the Munich air crash, which killed eight of Matt Busby's young team, Manchester United have reached the pinnacle of European football.
Celtic became the first Scottish and British club to win the cup the previous year. United's star player, George Best, was named European Footballer of the Year - just a fortnight after being named the football writers' Footballer of the Year.
Tonight's match at Wembley was watched by a crowd of 100,000 and an estimated 250 million TV viewers. It was the biggest television audience since the World Cup final two years before. As both teams wear red kit, United opted to play in their blue away strip for the game.
The first half passed in a flurry of fouls before Bobby Charlton headed the opening goal in the second half to make it 1-0. With only 10 minutes left to go, Benfica scored the equaliser - and very nearly won the match when their feared striker Eusebio broke away from Nobby Stiles, the player tasked with marking him, and blasted the ball towards the net. But it was saved by keeper Alex Stepney and the game went into extra time.
Two minutes into extra time Best put United ahead again, slipping round the keeper and gently tapping it over the line. It was followed by two more United goals, from 19-year-old Brian Kidd and captain Bobby Charlton, taking the final score to 4-1.
Manager Matt Busby said: "They've done us proud. They came back with all their hearts to show everyone what Manchester United are made of. This is the most wonderful thing that has happened in my life and I am the proudest man in England tonight."
Busby was seriously injured in the crash which claimed the lives of his so-called Busby Babes and there was speculation at the time that the club had been so badly damaged it would have to fold. But they struggled on to complete the 1958/59 season and when Busby returned to the manager's role the following season he began the task of rebuilding the side. The club won the league in 1965 and 1967, but today's win marks the pinnacle of the club's achievements.
Charlton and Bill Foulkes were the only survivors of the crash who played in today's final.
4th June The 6pm news on the telly. It's Seagull Week in Dover. This is not, as you might expect, a celebration of the bird whose cry evokes the fresh sea air, fish 'n' chips on the prom and the White Cliffs looming over the ocean - but a purge of a creature regarded as a noisy and dirty pest. The birds had the nerve to move from the world-famous cliffs to nest in the comfort of the chimney pots and roof tops of the town centre some years ago.
One theory suggests they were frightened away during the war by explosions in the Channel - another that they have been encouraged in by bird-loving townspeople who are feeding them. Whatever the reason for the gulls' invasion, today residents and workmen are starting to remove hundreds of nests and eggs on Dover's buildings.
And this work is no laughing matter - it can be dangerous, especially if the eggs have hatched and the chicks are disturbed. Then the egg-snatchers are likely to be dive-bombed by protective mother gulls. The three-day annual event to rid the resort of gulls began in 1960 when Dover's Chamber of Commerce decided to tackle complaints of a deafening dawn chorus not to mention soiled cars and clothes.
Most Dover residents support the campaign, led by its organiser Arthur Blackman. He told the BBC: "It's a great embarrassment for people in summer dresses - or any dress, come to that - having their clothes spoilt with these horrible birds."
Early summer of 1968, aerial filming of RAF and Luftwaffe fighter aircraft for the "Battle of Britain" film. They were flying over the skies of Medway towns. I watched some formations of a few Spitfires and Hurricanes fly over while I was walking along York Avenue, alongside the Medway hospital.
5th June The 6pm news on the telly. Senator Robert Kennedy has been shot and seriously wounded shortly after giving a victory speech to celebrate his win in the California Primary in a Los Angeles hotel. Mr Kennedy has been taken to the Hospital of the Good Samaritan where he is undergoing emergency brain surgery.
The 42-year-old senator was greeting hotel workers while being escorted through the pantry of the Ambassador Hotel when a gunman, named as Palestinian immigrant Sirhan Sirhan, fired shots from a .22 calibre gun. He was was reported to shout "I did it for my country" after carrying out the attack. The 24-year-old was immediately set upon by Mr Kennedy's bodyguards and then arrested and taken away by police.
It is thought Mr Kennedy's well documented support for Israel led to the attack. Five other people were also injured but not seriously. Mr Kennedy was on his way to a press conference in the hotel.
A witness said "Pandemonium broke out because it was a really narrow passageway - probably only about four to five people abreast could get through. Everyone was trying to get in there. It seemed like an awful long time before the ambulances got here."
Mr Kennedy is favourite in the running to be named as the Democrat candidate in the next election.
Robert Kennedy is the younger brother of President John Kennedy who was assassinated in 1963 as he travelled in an open-top car in Dallas.
8th June The 6pm news on the telly. A 40-year-old man has been arrested in London in connection with the murder of American civil rights leader Martin Luther King. James Earl Ray is being questioned by police after he was arrested by Scotland Yard officers at Heathrow Airport as he tried to board a flight to Brussels. He was charged at Cannon Row police station with possessing a forged passport and having a firearm without a certificate.
The Justice Department in Washington announced it would be seeking Ray's extradition on a murder indictment brought against him on 7 May in Memphis, Tennessee. The British Home Secretary, James Callaghan, is expected to authorise the institution of extradition proceedings against Ray.
Tight security precautions are in place at Bow Street Magistrates' Court, where Ray is due to face the charges today. Members of the public and press will be searched for firearms and other weapons before they are allowed to enter the court.
The FBI said Ray was an escapee from Missouri State Penitentiary, who had been on the run since 23 April 1967. He had been serving a 20-year sentence for armed robbery.
Dr King was shot on 4 April while standing on his hotel balcony in Memphis and died later in hospital. Police quickly identified Ray as the chief suspect. He was renting a room in Memphis close to the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King was shot. He had served a string of sentences for offences ranging from drunkenness in the US Army to burglary, armed robbery and forgery. He was discharged from the army in 1948. He fled the city shortly after the shooting and was traced to Europe where he was eventually apprehended in London.
11th June The 6pm news on the telly. French student rebel leader Daniel Cohn-Bendit has arrived in Britain stirring up fears of campus unrest. The 23-year-old law student from Paris has been given permission to remain in the country just 24 hours but he has already threatened to defy the authorities and out-stay his welcome.
Mr Cohn-Bendit - who is a German citizen - was expelled from France on 21 May for being the ringleader of the French student demonstrations, which almost brought the country to a standstill last month. Angry about the Vietnam war and political stagnation, he led the occupation of the university at Nanterre and students at the Sorbonne quickly followed. The violence which police used to suppress the protesters brought French workers onto the streets in their support.
A "back me or sack me" speech from President Charles de Gaulle led only to more violence and eventually order was restored on 29 May when tanks were ordered onto the streets of the outskirts of Paris.
Mr Cohn-Bendit, also known as Danny the Red because of his red hair, has today staged a sit-in at the BBC's Television Centre building in Wood Lane, West London. In an interview with the BBC, he denied coming to Britain to cause trouble and shrugged off news of death threats made against him. He said: " Two years ago I came here and nobody said a word, it is strange, they are telling me I am only allowed to stay 24 hours. "We don't care about frontiers and I don't know how long I will stay, it depends what I have to do. I don't see why I shouldn't stay longer. I think it's a free country."
Rioting has been continuing in France, though on a lesser scale than before. There has also been speculation the rebel student was planning to stir up trouble here. Mr Cohn-Bendit said: "It is very interesting what people think I am doing. I should be really better than batman or superman. It's really amusing. They think I am organising world revolution." He blamed the French police for provoking the protesters.
The events of the recent Paris students uprisings and civil unrest with the political turbulence that shook the foundations of the French republic are shown in this 16mm cine film documentary. The narration language is American English.
18th June. The Royal Shakespeare Company on a regional tour of schools and colleges gave a performance of their production of the play "The Theban War" on the theatre stage in the assembly hall at Upbury Manor Secondary School, Gillingham, Kent, for one day only during school hours. Mrs Fysh [boo!],...yes that's her...our teacher, would have included this as part of the syllabus of our year 4A1 class drama/literature studies. Our class group was seated in the audience, but with only a few weeks to go until end of term and the welcome long summer holiday break looming, I decided to skip her work study schedule on it and flunk out. At least 4A1 were spared the task of shifting and arranging all the available chairs into the assembly hall prior to curtain up.
21st June The 6pm news on the telly. The Egg Marketing Board should be scrapped and a free market established, according to a report published today. The report, compiled by the government-appointed Reorganisation Commission Marketing Board, also said an independent authority should be set up to oversee the industry. It also said the Little Lion trademark stamped on eggs should be dropped.
But many smaller egg producers fear the move, which also includes the withdrawal of a £22 million subsidy, will put them out of business and free pricing will mean greater market fluctuations.
The report comes in the wake of huge criticism of the Egg Marketing Board's policies during its 12 year existence and a major reorganisation of the entire egg industry is now expected. The Egg Marketing Board, which was set up in December 1956 to stabilise the egg market in near slump conditions, currently handles 8,280 million eggs every year. But the commission claims that, not only has the board failed to achieve market stability, it has shielded many producers from a competitive market which, in turn, has led to inefficiency and poor quality.
The report says: "Our broad conclusion is that the board has not achieved the objectives defined for the scheme at the time of its promotion and that its operations in recent years have not been in the best interests of producers or consumers generally." The total expenses of the board, according to the report, has risen from £14.7 million in 1958 to £23.8 million in 1968, but its income fell by several thousand pounds.
During the past decade the board has spent more than £12 million on advertising, which has included famous slogans like "Go to Work on an Egg". But the lion logo has ultimately been viewed as unsuccessful and has failed to convince consumers of the quality of eggs. Most housewives, says the report, would prefer to buy "farm-fresh" eggs.
The Minister of Agriculture, Cledwyn Hughes, has given organisations affected by the recommendations in the report until 31 July to submit their views.
24th June The 6pm news on the telly. The country's rail network has been thrown into disarray by the National Union of Railwaymen's (NUR) work-to-rule. The union, which rejected a last minute pay and productivity offer by British Rail (BR) on Saturday, began its work to rule and ban on overtime at midnight last night. Frustrated passengers were left stranded at train stations overnight as services, not due to arrive at their destination until after midnight, were cancelled from 2200BST yesterday.
The Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (Aslef) is expected to join the dispute today, which will inevitably cause further cancellations and delays. The chaos is expected to become worse as the week progresses as more than 20 per cent of railway work is carried out on overtime.
Barbara Castle, Secretary for Employment and Productivity, has made it clear the government will not intervene in this latest dispute. But the government has said that contingency plans have been drawn up to ensure all essential supplies and services are maintained. In major cities around the country emergency car parks are being opened and in London parking meter charges and time limits are being suspended. The AA is operating an emergency control centre in Hyde Park.
On Saturday BR put forward a last minute deal which would have seen all but a handful of workers receiving a three per cent pay increase. But to meet the £8.5m cost of this increase BR required the unions to allow cleaning work and some porters' duties to be contracted out. The NUR rejected the offer by 20 votes to three and is maintaining its demand of a nine per cent pay increase for all 300,000 of its members.
Leonard Neal, British Rail Board member for industrial relations, warned that the go-slow would bring "grave consequences to the industry, to the travelling public and, not least of all, to the railwaymen."
26th June 1968 This film was released "The Thomas Crown Affair" Storyline. Four men pull off a daring daytime robbery at a bank, dump the money in a trash can and go their separate ways. Thomas Crown, a successful, wealthy businessman pulls up in his Rolls Royce car and collects it. Vickie Anderson, sultry and shrewd, an independent insurance investigator, is called in to recover the huge haul. She begins to examine the people who knew enough about the bank to have pulled the robbery and discovers a remote link to Crown, making him a suspect and possibly the mastermind planner of the perfect crime? She begins a tight watch on his every move and begins seeing him socially in her attempt to find the truth and evidence that will entrap him.
Mrs Fysh was unimpressed by me in all respects, dismissing my character in her end term report using this weasel phrase "I hoped he was hiding his talents behind a shy outward appearance, they remain hidden". The major disappointment in Mr Rye's Maths class, the peer pressure struggle with the 4A1 boys gang, they gave me the nickname "Slug". All this combined into a shockwave and I became withdrawn, my other academic subjects suffered too, moving to a low point. The only things left for me to be proud of was Art, Woodwork and Athletics. After the death of Mr McVie and the six months of the torture in 4A1, I was greatly relieved by the arrival of the long Summer holiday of July to September 1968.
4th July The news on the telly. Yachtsman Alec Rose received a hero's welcome as he sailed into Portsmouth after his 354-day round-the-world trip. The 59-year-old was escorted into Portsmouth harbour by 400 motor-boats, yachts, catamarans and canoes blowing sirens and whistles.
A crowd of more than 250,000 people had gathered to congratulate the Portsmouth greengrocer on his 28,500-mile solo trip around the globe. A gun was fired as Mr Rose crossed the finishing line in his 36ft pale blue ketch 'Lively Lady' at the Royal Albert Yacht Club, Southsea, at 1152BST today.
And as the weary sea-farer stepped ashore at 1233 BST the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor F A Emmery-Wallis, presented him with a telegram from the Queen. It read: "Warmest congratulations on your magnificent voyage. Welcome home - Elizabeth and Philip." Prime Minister Harold Wilson also sent a message of congratulations.
Mr Rose and his wife, Dorothy, were then taken by Rolls Royce to the Guildhall where the couple spoke to waiting reporters. Mr Rose revealed how at one point during his journey he had lain unconscious below deck for two hours after being overcome by fumes as he tried to repair an exhaust pipe. He said: "I said my prayers quite often on this trip. "I felt there wasn't much difference between me and eternity. At times my prayers were answered and the yacht and I got through."
When Mr Rose and his wife arrived home at their greengrocery shop in Osborne Road later this evening they were again met by jubilant crowds singing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow."
Alec Rose, who set sail on 16 July last year, made stops in Australia and New Zealand during his trip. He had saved for many years to undertake this epic voyage and was given no extra financial help.
Coming soon, a new local newspaper, the EVENING POST
Friday 19th July 1968 After more than two years of planning, the Kent Messenger Group newspapers announced it is to launch an evening newspaper for Kent. It is to be called the Kent EVENING POST, the new newspaper will reach its full county wide distribution in the autumn. Initially the printing will be done at Kent Messenger's offices and works at Maidstone. The newspaper will be available throughout Kent and at the main London railway stations.
Next spring the Kent Messenger Group will operate from a new factory and offices at Larkfield, near Maidstone. These are to be among the most modern in Europe. All their publications will be set by computer and printed on the latest web-offset press. The most modern production techniques are to be used to bring out the news and pictures quickly and clearly. Special features will be highlighted in full colour.
Plenty of new jobs available: Setting up the staff and distribution network
The first edition of the EVENING POST is to be launched Tuesday 6th August. This will serve the 200,000 people of the Medway Towns - Chatham, Gillingham, Rochester and Strood. The Medway Towns edition will feature all the important local news, pictures and sport of the area as well as the main national news stories of the day.
During the launch period it will be published on five nights a week - Monday to Friday, and will be priced 5d (fivepence). After the launch a Saturday paper will also be published. The EVENING POST replaces in the Medway Towns the Kent Messenger Group's weekly paper, the Chatham Observer which will then cease to exist.
26th July In London: Minister of Technology, Anthony Wedgewood Benn announces a plan for the UK to convert to using metric measurement.
Tuesday 6th August 1968 the Kent Messenger launched a new evening paper, the Chatham, Rochester, Gillingham EVENING POST. Jennifer Kirk was the junior agent delivering to our door.
21st August The 6pm news on the telly. Dozens of people have been killed in a massive military clampdown in Czechoslovakia by five Warsaw Pact countries. Several members of the liberal Czechoslovak leadership have been arrested, including Prime Minister Alexander Dubcek.
The Soviet news agency, Tass, claims "assistance" was requested by members of the Czechoslovak Government and Communist party leaders to fight "counter-revolutionary forces". But in a secret radio address, Czechoslovak President Ludvik Svoboda condemned the occupation by Warsaw Pact allies as illegal and committed without the government's consent.
US President Lyndon Johnson said the invasion was a clear violation of the United Nations Charter and that the excuses offered by the Soviet Union were "patently contrived". "It is a sad commentary on the communist mind that a sign of liberty in Czechoslovakia is deemed a fundamental threat to the security of the Soviet system," he said.
The Czechoslovak authorities have ordered their vastly outnumbered army not to fight and are appealing to the public for restraint.
Czechoslovakia's abortive path to freedom began when Mr Dubcek, a Slovak, became Communist Party leader in January. A programme of wide-ranging democratic reforms had been gathering pace in the face of Soviet disapproval and the rebirth of social and political freedom became known as the "Prague Spring".
In the capital of Prague today, crowds of people gathered in the streets chanting support for Mr Dubcek and imploring the foreign troops to go home. Much of the resistance was centred around the Prague radio station. As the day progressed, Czechoslovak youths threw home-made missiles and even tried to take on Russian tanks. Reports say some tanks and ammunition trucks were destroyed, but Soviet troops responded with machinegun and artillery fire and at least four people were shot dead.
In the Wenceslas and Old Town Squares, hundreds of youths made barricades out of overturned lorries to try and halt the advance. Soviet and eastern block commanders have now imposed an overnight curfew and are threatening to shoot on sight anyone caught breaking it. All rail, road and airline routes out of Czechoslovakia have been closed as troops continue to enter the country - now estimated to number nearly 175,000 men.
22nd August 1968 This offbeat crime film was released "The Strange Affair" Storyline. When young rookie P.C. Strange falls for an under aged girl Frederica (Fred), he is unknowingly compromised by her aunt and uncle, a pair of pornographers whom secretly filmed the couple in bed. Meanwhile, using underhand tactics, the seasoned Det. Pierce is out to catch mob boss Quince and flush out all the high ranking corrupt officers in the London Metropolitan Police. Soon enough both plots intertwine.
While still in a state of uncertainty and of my future prospect in going into a fifth year at Upbury, I heard this perky song played on the radio which really in a strange way cheered my soul. It's a cover version of a Simon and Garfunkels' song from their 1968 LP record 'Bookends'. This cover song was released August 23rd 1968 by Lois Lane, titled "Punky's Dilemma".
30th August 1968 This film (made in 1966) was released "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" Storyline. Blondie (The Good) is a professional gunslinger who is out trying to earn a few dollars. Angel Eyes (The Bad) is a hit man who always commits to a task and sees it through, as long as he is paid to do so. And Tuco (The Ugly) is a wanted outlaw trying to take care of his own hide. Tuco and Blondie share a partnership together making money off Tuco's bounty, but when Blondie unties the partnership, Tuco tries to hunt down Blondie. When Blondie and Tuco come across a horse carriage loaded with dead bodies, they soon learn from the only survivor (Bill Carson) that he and a few other men have buried a stash of gold in a cemetery. Unfortunately Carson dies and Tuco only finds out the name of the cemetery, while Blondie finds out the name on the grave. Now the two must keep each other alive in order to find the gold. Angel Eyes (who had been looking for Bill Carson) discovers that Tuco and Blondie met with Carson and knows they know the location of the gold.
2nd September Bank Holiday weekend violence flared at Margate as mobs of youths battled with police on the promenade and hurled bottles at passing cars and through shop windows.
One policeman was taken to hospital after his glasses had been shattered in his eyes.
The south coast was given a dramatic hooligan alert, from Scotland Yard. Then hundreds of youths on motor scooters roared into Margate and the battle began. Police reinforcements were drafted into the town to control them.
Scotland Yard had telephoned seaside towns on the south coast to warn local authorities of the invasion.
Many of the youths and girls spent the night on the beaches.
A police spokesman said "They are prowling around in small groups. We are just waiting for somebody to light the fuse."
About a 100 youths suddenly charged into streams of slow moving traffic in Margate's Marine Terrace. The police said "Several of them were knocked straight up into the air by passing cars. They picked themselves up with blood streaming from their faces and ran after the rest of the pack. It is just mass hysteria."
Between 100 and 150 youths on motorbikes and scooters arrived in Folkestone, but a senior police spokesman said the situation had been contained so far "without serious incident."
Extra police were drafted into Bournemouth. All rest days in the Dorset and Bournemouth force were cancelled. Several hundred policeman were standing by.
After the dreadful last term in form 4A1 and the long Summer holiday break to lick my wounds, I began a new life in September 1968 with the 5th Form group.
1968/69 5th Form group; The Teaching Staff
- Mr Dan Willis; Form group head teacher; English
- Mr Rye; Mathematics
- Mr Carroll; Engineering Science
- Mr Elsegood; Technical Drawing
- Mr Twyman; Metalwork
- Mr McDouall; Athletics team
Dan Willis was the 5th form group teacher and also our English tutor. He was a vast improvement over Mrs Fysh and was not an unsettling influence on my confidence. Most of the courses were for CSE exams with some GCE O level ones for those that felt they were ready to tackle that level of coursework. I've looked at my old progress report sheet from the 5th form. It lists that I was doing G.C.E. O level Mathematics, C.S.E. English, C.S.E. Engineering Science and Athletics. Dammed if I can remember for sure who was my Maths tutor for that year. Could it again have been Mr Rye? Mr Carrol was our tutor for the Engineering Science course. Mr Willis commented that I showed particular promise in Mathematics. So I was mistaken to think that it was in the 6th form that I began the G.C.E. O level Mathematics course, as I previously wrote about. Now I believe it was for this year I signed up for the O level course. There must of been some non exam courses I was also doing to fill the time in during the school day. The 5th form had it's perks, there always seemed to be during the day, at least one "free period" of unallocated time to occupy yourself with in private study in the form classroom or just lark about as we often did. It was almost like being in college, but not quite there yet and we were still required to wear the full uniform. As a departure from Tomato Red, the optional uniform pullover and cardigan colour, for 5th and 6th formers, was Maroon.
At the end of a morning assembly in the first week of the term, there being a blizzard of announcements, relating to school activities, mostly of a yawn invoking interest to those of us long served inmates. Also, about this time, new prefects and possibly a head boy and girl are publically appointed from the 5th and 6th form groups to replace those that left school at the end of the previous school year. Like the electoral register for jury service, you never knew when or if your name would be chosen for the duty. Miss Chalkley, the headmistress, rose from her seat on the stage after the last teacher had finished speaking. Stepping up to the rostrum, placed a sheet of paper on it to read from. This is it, we guessed right, it's the new prefects listing including the naming of a new head boy and girl. The ceremony began, each name was called and in turn the named would emerge from wherever they were positioned in the hall, walk up the side steps to the stage, turn right through the side entrance to the stage. They would then walk to the centre stage to receive the honoured prefect badge, then engage in a handshake with Miss Chalkley. I'm not sure, but there may have been applause after the handshake. The new prefect, smiling and flushed faced, would then leave the stage to go and stand at the side of the hall near the entrance to the dining hall, then the next named would be called up and so on. The last two names on the list were that of the new head boy and girl, their shield shape badges much larger, showing "Head Boy" "Head Girl" to reflect their top status. At the end of the ceremony, I was still standing, with my group at the back of the assembly, as Joe Bloggs, no badge, 5th form. Among the new batch of prefects were Keith Sharman, Jenny Ballard, Laura Wheeler, John Weir, Mary Whibley, the head boy Martyn Adley?, head girl I can't remember who she was?
Other names from the days of my fifth year are; Karen Poore, Mary Mclory, Christine Yianni, John Mason, David Sutton, Cynthia Hooper, David Jarvis, Linda Watling, David Day, Kathryn Wells, Adrian Middleton, Lynne O'Halloran, David Powell, Andrew Biddle, Gillian Smead, Bruce Amos, Peter Ingram, Steve Knight, Anthony (Tony) Brittain, Elizabeth Stapley? Christine Ward? and other girls, names now forgotten.
The boy Tony Brittain was noticeable because of his small deformed arm, which I believe was caused by the effect of the Polio virus epidemic on some infants in the 1950's. His arm was permanently bent as if he were carrying it in an invisible sling. That did not seem to deter him from being good natured and outgoing, taking part in some sports activities and athletics.
I knew that I had to overcome the social shyness affliction that had dragged me down in form 4A1. The atmosphere of being in a group and not in competition for the top position in the class streaming grading system, was a progressive change from the first 4 years of my schooling at Upbury. The house system though still applied to all the pupils, even 5th & 6th formers. Therefore there remained that element of inter-house competition throughout the school. I was still in Nowell house and subject to all the rivalry and competitive events and activities arranged during the year. I involved myself in athletics, team training for events hurdles, high jump, steering clear of team games football, rugby, cricket because I had no interest at all and therefore useless as a player.
15th September 1968 This film was released "The Graduate" Storyline. Ben has recently graduated from college, with his parents now expecting great things from him. At his "Homecoming" party, Mrs. Robinson, the wife of his father's business partner, has Ben drive her home, which leads to his seduction and an affair between the two. The affair eventually ends, but comes back to haunt him when he finds himself falling for Elaine, Mrs. Robinson's daughter.
16th September The news on the telly. The first day of the new two-tier postal system has had a mixed reaction from the public, with some queuing to buy the new 5d first-class stamps and others complaining the new system makes sending letters more difficult. The Post Office is promising overnight delivery for letters with a five pence stamp on, while four pence buys you a slower service. It hopes to raise an extra £25 million from providing the new service, as well as levelling out the workload for postmen.
At one central London post office, there were long queues as counter clerks explained the new system - to the dismay of some customers. "I just don't think it's worth the increase," said one man. "Not when you see all these queues here, a number of positions not manned and people standing around. I just don't think it's worth it."
The biggest impact has been on businesses, which account for about 75% of all mail.
John Pegnall, the secretary of the National Chamber of Trades, said most were angry at what he called a "confidence trick" played on them by the Postmaster General, John Stonehouse. "He's rather hidden the fantastic increase in charges - 33.3% in that particular rate... in the pretence that there's a fantastically good new service being introduced, when there's nothing of the kind," he said.
At the National Provincial Bank, which sends out millions of letters each year and spends over £500,000 on postal charges, there was concern over the extra costs in addition to the expense of a first-class service. "A decision has got to be taken for every letter for which post it should go by, the envelope has to be marked, the postal clerk has to see this mark and stamp it accordingly, and so on," said the bank's deputy Chief General Manager, Marcus Young. "So it stands to add to the complication of what is already a complicated operation." Several businesses, including the BBC, Esso, British Petroleum, and Gillette, have instructed staff not to send letters by the 5d rate unless absolutely necessary. But after the first day, the Post Office said it was encouraged by the take-up for the new rate of postage.
27th September The 6pm news on the telly. The American hippy musical "Hair" has opened in London - one day after the abolition of theatre censorship. Until yesterday, some of the scenes in the musical, written by out-of-work actors Gerome Ragni and James Rado, would have been considered too outrageous to be shown on a stage in Britain.
The show, billed as an American tribal love-rock musical, first opened in New York on 2 December last year. Many were angered by scenes containing nudity and drug-taking as well as a strong anti-war message at the height of the Vietnam conflict and the desecration of the American flag on stage.
The show's transfer to London's West End would not have been possible before the new Theatres Act which ended the Lord Chamberlain's powers of censorship dating back to 1737. Prime Minister Sir Robert Walpole introduced play censorship to silence shows like The Beggars' Opera which contained biting anti-government satire.
The new Theatres Act does not give playwrights a completely free hand. Strong language and obscenity will still be liable for criminal prosecution. Hair does contain some blasphemous and sexually explicit language. But the scene that has aroused most controversy in the musical so far is where the cast appears on stage in the nude, emerging from beneath a vast sheet.
The director of the London production of Hair, Tom O'Horgan, said: "I think that the famed nude scene has been greatly over-emphasised. "It has very little importance in the show itself and much of the publicity has obscured the important aspects of the play, which are also perhaps shocking to people because they deal with things as they are. We tell it the way it is." Asked whether the timing of the opening was significant, he said: "We couldn't have done the play the way we're doing it prior to this time without drastic modifications."
The cast of the West End production appeared on Eamonn Andrews Independent Television show last night but decided against performing the nude scene. Mr O'Horgan said it would have given the wrong impression of the show.
Hair had a shaky start in New York. Its first two runs were cut short before producer Michael Butler became involved. He brought in Tom O'Horgan as director. It took three months to re-vamp the musical - and when it finally appeared at the Biltmore on Broadway it had 19 songs in the first act compared with just nine in the original production.
2nd October The 6pm news on the telly. More than 25 people have been killed during a vicious gun battle in Mexico City just days before the Olympic Games are due to begin. Thousands of students had gathered for a meeting organised by the National Strike Council in La Plaza de las Tres Culturas in Tlatelolco to protest against the military occupation of the National Polytechnic Institute.
The protesters, many of whom were women and children, had been planning to march through a working-class suburb of the city, but by early evening military personnel in armoured vehicles had surrounded the square.
The Mexican government say "agitator groups" among the students began shooting at the crowds from buildings, which resulted in a 90-minute gun fight. General Marcelino Garcia Barragan, Mexico's defence minister said the army began firing into the crowd in self-defence after they found themselves targets of sniper fire from buildings in the square. But several eye-witnesses claim the army entered the square in seven or eight armoured tanks and began shooting first. After the fighting had subsided dozens of bodies lay strewn across the square, many more were injured. More than 500 people have been arrested.
The violence follows weeks of demonstrations by students demanding democratic reform and social justice. They have used the international focus on Mexico City because of the Olympics to promote their message. In September, President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz, in a bid to suppress the protests and cause minimum disruption to the Olympics, ordered the military occupation of the National Polytechnic Institute in Mexico City.
At this stage it is not clear whether the 7,000 athletes, currently preparing for the Games 11 miles away from Tlatelolco in the Olympic Village, are in danger. It is the first time the Olympics have been held in a Latin American country.
Lord Exeter, British vice-president of the International Olympic Committee told the Times: "The riots have nothing to do with the Olympic Games. The students are not protesting against the games but against the Mexican government."
5th October The 6pm news on the telly. Police have used batons and water cannon to break up a civil rights march in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. At least 30 people, including MP Gerard (Gerry) Fitt and some children, have been injured.
Reports say police tried to disperse the protesters by using their batons indiscriminately and spraying water from hoses on armoured trucks. The demonstrators retaliated with petrol bombs. A number of bonfires were lit in the Bogside area and when a fire engine arrived, the crowd turned on it and threatened to set it alight.
The march, organised with the support of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA), was held in protest at alleged discrimination against the majority Nationalist (and mainly catholic) population in Londonderry by the mainly Protestant Unionist-controlled local authority. The trouble began when the march headed for Duke Street, a road declared out of bounds by the Northern Ireland Minister of Home Affairs, William Craig. When the protesters turned into the street they were confronted by a barricade of police officers, in rows three deep, all armed with batons. Loudspeakers urged the crowds to disperse but the calls went unheeded. Violent skirmishes broke out and very quickly the street was filled with police wielding batons against men, women and children
In the chaos the Stormont and Westminster Republican Labour MP for Belfast west, Gerry Fitt, was struck down by a baton. He was hurried to a police car with blood pouring from his head and taken to hospital, where he later received stitches. Mr Fitt told reporters: "I was a marked man before the march started. These were stormtrooper tactics at their worst. They hit me once, but that wasn't enough - they had to have another go, and this was the cause of the wound which had to be stitched." Mr Craig has said he is satisfied there was no unnecessary brutality. He rejected suggestions that police had used their batons improperly.
NICRA formed in February 1967 to call for a number of reforms, including an end to the perceived discrimination against Catholics in the allocation of council housing and public sector jobs. It wants the introduction of one man-one vote, rather than one vote per household, which was also seen as discriminatory against Catholic homes with multiple occupancy and an an end to gerrymandering electoral boundaries which in Nationalist areas like Londonderry has led to the return of Unionist-led authorities. And it wants the repeal of the Special Powers Act, which was aimed at suppressing the IRA and gave police the power to search any property, and was therefore seen as discriminatory against Catholics.
6th October On the South Coast: Pop pirate radio stations, Radio Free London, Viking Radio, and Radio Tower broadcast briefly in defiance of the government's ban
17th October The 6pm news on the telly. Two black American athletes have made history at the Mexico Olympics by staging a silent protest against racial discrimination. Tommie Smith and John Carlos, gold and bronze medallists in the 200m, stood with their heads bowed and a black-gloved hand raised as the American National Anthem played during the victory ceremony. The pair both wore black socks and no shoes and Smith wore a black scarf around his neck. They were demonstrating against continuing racial discrimination of black people in the United States. As they left the podium at the end of the ceremony they were booed by many in the crowd.
At a press conference after the event Tommie Smith, who holds seven world records, said: "If I win I am an American, not a black American. But if I did something bad then they would say 'a Negro'. We are black and we are proud of being black. "Black America will understand what we did tonight."
Smith said he had raised his right fist to represent black power in America, while Carlos raised his left fist to represent black unity. Together they formed an arch of unity and power. He said the black scarf represented black pride and the black socks with no shoes stood for black poverty in racist America.
Within a couple of hours the actions of the two Americans were being condemned by the International Olympic Committee. A spokesperson for the organisation said it was "a deliberate and violent breach of the fundamental principles of the Olympic spirit." It is widely expected the two will be expelled from the Olympic village and sent back to the US.
In September last year Tommie Smith, a student at San Jose State university in California, told reporters that black members of the American Olympic team were considering a total boycott of the 1968 games. He said: "It is very discouraging to be in a team with white athletes. On the track you are Tommie Smith, the fastest man in the world, but once you are in the dressing rooms you are nothing more than a dirty Negro."
The boycott had been the idea of professor of sociology at San Jose State university, and friend of Tommie Smith, Harry Edwards. Professor Edwards set up the Olympic Project for Human Rights (OPHR) and appealed to all black American athletes to boycott the games to demonstrate to the world that the civil rights movement in the US had not gone far enough. He told black Americans they should refuse "to be utilised as 'performing animals' in the games." Although the boycott never materialised the OPHR gained much support from black athletes around the world.
24th October This filmed ITV network "This Week" documentary shows the campaign preparations being made by some political organisations and radical fringe group activists, before the planned October 27th Anti Vietnam war demonstrations in London.
27th October The 6pm news on the telly. Trouble has flared in Grosvenor Square, London, after an estimated 6,000 marchers faced up to police outside the United States Embassy. The protesters had broken away from another, bigger, march against US involvement in Vietnam but were confronted by a wall of police.
The breakaway group, led by the Maoist Britain-Vietnam Solidarity Front was almost thwarted by the march organisers who were aware of the plan and feared violence would erupt. Once in Grosvenor Square the protesters formed a human chain and charged at the police wall but failed to break through and, after three hours of stalemate, they all dispersed.
In the streets surrounding the square fireworks and other missiles were thrown but no injuries were caused and police considered them to be isolated incidents. The rest of the march, organised by the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign (VSC), continued peacefully to Hyde Park.
At Downing Street, Tariq Ali of the VSC, handed in a petition, signed by 75,000 to ask the government to stop supporting the US in its war against Vietnam. The Home Secretary, James Callaghan, praised the demonstration saying "self-control was shown by the mass of the demonstrators". He also praised the discipline and restraint shown by police. "I doubt if this kind of demonstration could have taken place so peacefully in any other part of the world," he said.
Security for the march was high. A thousand-strong team of police was stationed outside the US Embassy and policemen lined the route of the march with back-up following in coaches. The turnout for the march was around 25,000, half the number predicted by police and organisers. But, far from being disappointed at the low turnout Mr Ali said; "This is not the end. This is the beginning of the campaign."
ZOKKO! series 1
Prior to 1968, neither the BBC nor ITV had really paid much attention to Saturday mornings. Although attendances were already dwindling, there still remained a strong and long-established tradition of Saturday morning cinema clubs, which provided young audiences with several hours worth of cartoons, serials and onstage games and entertainment. The TV broadcasters saw little point in starting up transmission for the benefit of an audience that would mostly be otherwise engaged. The usual practice was simply to run an old film serial or an imported cartoon series after their transmission tests early in the morning, then possibly another before sports programs started at midday, and leave screens blank for the remainder of the morning.
Over the summer of that year, as part of a general overhaul of their output instigated by incoming departmental head Monica Sims, the BBC Children’s Department began to look into the idea of introducing structured programming to Saturday mornings. Eventually an experimental 13-week slot was decided on, and Children’s Department veteran Molly Cox was asked to come up with a suitable format in collaboration with newcomer Paul Ciani.
The thinking being, was to move away from a format of genteel and frightfully well-spoken presenters introducing short filmed items on wildlife and “improving” hobbies. Cox and Ciani, were acutely aware that this timeslot would require something more capable of grabbing the attention; Saturday children's cinema across Britain had been a rowdy, colourful affair with plenty of action and comedy, and there was also the likelihood that ITV would quickly follow suit with something more dynamic. To this end, they decided to drop the idea of a human presenter altogether opting instead to pack as much action, comedy and pop music as possible into the available timeframe.
The show was introduced by a lengthy Radio Times piece urging viewers to, “Place a regular order with your television set NOW!” (accompanied by an eye-catching Roy Lichtenstein-like pop-art illustration proclaiming “BWAMmM it’s ZOKKO!”), Zokko! began its first 13-week run on 2 November 1968.
Meanwhile, the variety acts simply turned up and did their stage performance within the very cramped confines of the Zokko! studio, doubtless causing severe logistical problems for the numerous jugglers. Even the basic list of artistes who appeared on the show makes for fascinating reading, featuring such evocative and long-forgotten names as The Tumblairs, The Skating Meteors, and The Breathtaking Eddy Limbo and “Pat”. A handful of more established acts would also show up including conjuring legend Ali Bongo; veteran brother and sister variety performers Johnny and Suma Lamonte, whose acrobatic skills saw them in regular demand as guest turns on light entertainment shows; visiting American Phil Enos and his Amazing Comedy Car; and popular illusionist and judo expert Geoff Ray, who though now retired still proudly includes Zokko! on his CV. Most notorious however were Arthur Scott and his Performing Seals, who left the tiny studio reeking so strongly of fish recording was disrupted for days afterwards.
If this all sounds like a rather mind bending assembly of entertainment, its disorientating nature was amplified to nightmarish and jaw-dropping proportions by the adoption of a deeply psychedelic “swinging London” visual style, complete with flashing designs that looked garish even in black and white, captions written in lettering that would not have appeared out of place in an advert for a Carnaby Street boutique, and crash zooms of a modishly redesigned poster of Lord Kitchener. Even by the standards of the day this was a visually arresting approach, but the target audience seem to have taken it in their stride and Zokko! proved highly popular, with so many viewers writing in about the programme the production team eventually had to start sending out postcards “from” the talking pinball machine.
Indeed, Zokko! proved popular enough to be repeated in full in the regular Wednesday afternoon children's schedules from 6 August 1969, and Brian Fahey’s catchy theme music was released as a single, with the Band Parade music from the show on the B-side. While the BBC had reverted to their regular Saturday morning pattern of a lone edition of Deputy Dawg once the series had finished, a second series of Zokko! had been planned from very early on, and indeed would follow virtually straight on from the repeat run.
3rd November Bruce Reynolds (Great Train Robbery suspect) has been arrested after 5 years on the run
6th November The news on the telly. After a day when the United States appeared to be on the brink of a constitutional crisis, Richard Nixon has finally emerged as the country's next president. It was not until midday EST (1800 BST)) that Democrat Vice-President Hubert Humphrey conceded victory to the Republican candidate.
The announcement came after a full 24 hours of waiting when at times it seemed any of the three presidential candidates could have won the race to the White House. At the latest count, only 25,552 votes separated the two front runners. Mr Nixon and Mr Humphrey have each won 43% of the popular vote. The third nominee, George Wallace, running on his own American Independent Party ticket, made early gains in the Southern states for his segregationist views and calls for the use of nuclear weapons in Vietnam.
At a news conference this afternoon, Mr Nixon, surrounded by his family, appeared in a packed ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria hotel. He praised his opponent's "gallant and courageous" fight and pledged to "bring us together" in a united country. The president-elect did not dwell on the closeness of the race. He told reporters he had received a "gracious" message of congratulations from Mr Humphrey and had spoken to him on the phone. He had also been congratulated by President Johnson and the two men had pledged to work together for a smooth transition of power.
The president-elect clinched his winning margin in the electoral college by taking Illinois - the same state which cost him victory against John F Kennedy eight years ago. Illinois's 26 votes have taken him above the 270 majority required - although not all the electoral college votes are in yet.
However, Mr Nixon and the Republicans failed to win majorities in Congress. It means he will have to run the country with the legislative branch controlled by the opposition. The Democrats will provide the leaders for the Senate and the House of Representatives and they will also have majorities on the committees.
Only three out of the previous 36 presidents have not had control of Congress. The last was Dwight D Eisenhower who suffered considerable frustrations and limitations on his powers as a result. Mr Nixon's election represents a dramatic comeback for the man who was Mr Eisenhower's vice-president and went on to lose the presidential race to Mr Kennedy in 1960. He lost the race for Governor of California in 1962 and returned to New York to work as a lawyer until returning to politics for the election campaign of 1968.
9th November The Musicians Union has banned the American group, the Nazz, from recording in Britain. After a brief trip to England in October 1968, was cut short by visa problems and lack of union work permits, Nazz then returned to the U.S. They then made the recordings, which being for their second LP album, originally entitled Fungo Bat, in Los Angeles in late 1968 and early 1969. (A fungo bat is a special baseball bat used only for practice; it is not intended to hit pitched balls.)
26th November The 6pm news on the telly. The new Race Relations Act has come into force, making it illegal to refuse housing, employment or public services to people because of their ethnic background. The Act has extended the powers of the Race Relations Board to deal with complaints of discrimination; and set up a new body, the Community Relations Commission, to promote "harmonious community relations".
Presenting the Bill to Parliament, the Home Secretary, Jim Callaghan, said, "The House has rarely faced an issue of greater social significance for our country and our children."
One of the most controversial areas of the Act has been the exclusion of government services, such as the police, from legal proceedings. Opposition MP Quintin Hogg said it was unfair to treat private employers more strictly than public employers. "Why should the ordinary subject be liable to an action for damages, as the Home Secretary has decided that he should be, but the Home Secretary get off scot free?" he asked the Commons.
Race has become a major issue following the speech in April of the right-wing Conservative MP, Enoch Powell, against immigration into Britain from Commonwealth countries. He spoke of a "river of blood" should immigration continue, and his remarks caused outrage among MPs. Mr Powell was sacked from the shadow cabinet soon afterwards for his racist views, but the government was taken aback to find some sections of the media applauding the speech. Thousands of workers staged strikes in protest and marched to Downing Street in support.
Mr Powell's speech came after the sudden influx of Kenyan Asians into the country, driven out of Kenya by draconian laws denying them employment. At the beginning of the year, up to 1,000 Kenyan Asians, who hold British passports, were arriving in Britain each month.
Amid growing unrest, the government rushed through the Commonwealth Immigrants Act in March, restricting the number of Kenyan Asians who could enter the country to those who had a relative who was already a British resident. The new Race Relations Act is intended to counter-balance the Immigration Act, and so fulfil the government's promise to be "fair but tough" on immigrants.
30th November The 6pm news on the telly. Shopkeepers could face prosecution from now on for not telling the truth about goods they are selling. The Trade Descriptions Act - which comes into force today - makes it a crime for a trader to knowingly sell an item with a misleading label or description.
Weights and measures inspectors who are policing the new guidelines have the power to issue fines to shops and other traders found to be breaking the law. In cases of repeat offending or a more serious offence, the retailer could face imprisonment.
The alarm has already been raised by the Gramophone Record Retailers Association, which says many long-playing records, or LPs, have been labelled misleadingly as "stereo" when they are not, in fact, genuine stereophonic recordings. Angus McKenzie, technical officer of the association, has warned retailers they may face prosecution under the new act.
Many of the larger department stores say the new law will not make any difference as they already insist on accurate labelling. But in one London department store, Selfridges, salesmen have been given a briefing on how to mark up price reductions for the forthcoming January sales. Only products which have been on sale in store for 28 days in the preceding six months at a higher price can be marked as genuine reductions.
The Trade Descriptions Act replaces the Merchandise Marks Act which has been in place since the mid-19th century dealing specifically with the regulation of trade marks.
Weights and measures spokesman Leslie Griffiths said: "From the point of view of the traders, I hope they won't envisage a reign of terror. We shall act as much as we possibly can in an advisory capacity. "Of course any case of deliberate fraud or gross carelessness will be put before local authorities and they may recommend legal proceedings, but by and large we shall endeavour to administer this act by advice and persuasion."
Some retailers have expressed concerns about the damage the act will do to trade. There has also been some criticism of the act for failing to provide adequate protection for the consumer who purchases faulty goods by way of compensation.
17th December The 6pm news on the telly. An 11-year-old girl has been sentenced to life in detention after being found guilty at Newcastle Assizes of the manslaughter of two small boys. Mary Bell is said to have strangled the boys, aged four and three, "solely for the pleasure and excitement of killing".
The jury heard Mary, also known as May, was suffering from diminished responsibility at the time and therefore found her not guilty of murder. Her accomplice, known only as Norma, aged 13, who had been jointly charged with Mary, was acquitted. As the verdict was read out, Mary broke down and wept. Mr Justice Cusack described her as dangerous and said there was a "very grave risk to other children if she is not closely watched". Mary's mother and grandmother, who were sitting behind her on the benches, also wept when the verdict was announced.
Martin Brown, aged four, of Scotswood in Newcastle was found dead in a derelict house on 25 May. The body of Brian Howe, three, also of Scotswood, was found on waste ground near his home two months later. The two girls, who were playmates, also lived in the Scotswood area of Newcastle. They denied the charges.
The court had earlier heard Norma give evidence in which she described how Mary had tried to strangle Brian Howe. She said Mary ignored her pleas to stop hurting the boy so she left them and next time she saw Mary she was on her own with Brian's dog.
Jurors were told despite the age difference, Mary was the more dominant personality with a very worldly attitude. Rudolph Lyons QC said: "For example, when she was being questioned by a detective chief inspector about a charge of murder she said to him, 'I'll phone for some solicitors, they will get me out. This is being brainwashed." He said she also tried to throw suspicion onto an innocent boy in a "very cunning and insidious manner". He continued: "Both girls well knew that what they did was wrong and what the results would be."
Home Office psychiatrist Dr David Westbury told the court Mary had a psychopathic disorder for which she needed treatment. The judge said: "It is a most unhappy thing that, in all the resources of this country, it appears that there is no hospital available that is suitable for the accommodation of this girl."
Mary is being held at a remand centre. It seems likely she will be sent to an approved school where she will be held in a secure unit.
19th December 1968 This film was released "If...." Storyline. Set in a British public boarding school in the late 1960s, a school of old customs dress and traditions. The pupils return for a new term. Mick Travis, Wallace, and Johnny are three non-conformist boys in the lower sixth form, their penultimate year. They are watched and persecuted by the "Whips", upper sixth formers given authority as prefects over the other boys. The junior boys are made to act as personal servants for the Whips.
The headmaster is somewhat remote from the boys and the housemasters. Mick's housemaster, Mr Kemp, is easily manipulated by the Whips into giving them a free hand in enforcing discipline. Some members of the staff behave bizarrely.
One day, Mick and Johnny sneak out and steal a motorbike from a showroom. They ride to a café staffed by The Girl, and Mick fantasises a nude wrestling encounter with her. Meanwhile, the other boy flirts with a younger boy, Bobby Philips.
The three boys drink vodka in their study and consider how "one man can change the world with a bullet in the right place". Their clashes with school authorities become increasingly contentious. Eventually, a brutal caning by the Whips spurs them to action.
In a surreal sequence, they discover a cache of automatic weapons while cleaning out a storeroom. The Girl appears and together they commit to revolt against the establishment. On Founders' Day, when parents are visiting the school, they start a fire under the hall, smoke everyone out of the building, and open fire on them from the rooftop. Led by the visiting General who was giving a speech, the staff, boys, and parents break open the armoury and fire back.
The headmaster tries to stop the firefight and calls for peace. The Girl produces a gun from her belt and shoots the headmaster through the forehead. The battle continues, and the camera closes in on Mick's face as he keeps firing. The screen fades to black, gunfire is heard, and "if...." is seen in red letters.
24th December The 6pm news on the telly. The Apollo 8 spacecraft has taken its crew of three astronauts safely into orbit around the Moon, the first manned space mission to achieve the feat. The climax of the mission began at 0959 GMT, when Frank Borman, James Lovell and William Anders were about 78 miles (125 km) from the Moon.
Right on schedule, the crew fired their rocket engine to send Apollo 8 into the first of 10 elliptical lunar orbits. The engine burned for just over four minutes, and then suddenly the avid audience of television-watchers on Earth had the first-ever eyewitness account of the lunar surface from astronaut James Lovell. "The moon is essentially grey," he said. "No colour. Looks like plaster of Paris. Sort of a greyish beach sand."
Shortly afterwards, the spacecraft passed out of contact with mission control in Houston, travelling into the dark side of the Moon - never seen directly by humans before, as it always faces away from the Earth. There followed a tense 45 minutes in which radio communication was impossible - a drama which will be repeated on each circuit around the Moon. Once back in contact, Apollo 8 then fired another engine, sending it into circular orbit 69 miles (110 km) above the Moon's surface.
About two and a half hours afterwards, the astronauts beamed back the first television pictures of what they were seeing. As the pictures flooded in, the astronauts broadcast the first words of Genesis, describing the creation of the world. They then signed out: "From the crew of Apollo 8, we pause with good night, good luck and merry Christmas and God bless all of you - all of you on the good earth."
A very British account and discussion from BBC TV [edited] live commentary of the Apollo 8 mission
with the first televised view from lunar orbit
All three men appear to be in good spirits and health. They have been able to sleep and eat according to schedule, although the food, in plastic packets divided into small "bites", apparently tastes as bad as it looks. One of Captain Lovell's first comments today was, "Happiness is bacon squares for breakfast." They were told by Houston control, "You can always bring them back if you have any left over."
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| Relaxing after the Christmas holiday, (with hidden microphone) and making tape recordings of family conversations during the day. I think these recordings were soon wiped when they realised what I was up to. |
