Banstead Village

Is he still alive?

Note from LNW: Sorry, no idea, but perhaps someone else knows.

Hi, Mr Conley was my teacher in year 4 - 1971-1972. I met him again very briefly outside the village church/ I’m guessing about 20 years ago, I think he was blind. He has since died. He was an excellent teacher.

Was at this school 1975-80. I have several tales about Mr Conley - so I'll send in separate posts.

He was not my form teacher (he took 4C in the 4th year, I was in 4B, Mrs Beatty's class and there was 4A, Mrs Aniss(sp?))

But he did take us for maths and geography.

He was scary at times - gave a few of us a proper telling off for something. But he was an excellent teacher and really cared. Gave me some extra lessons at lunchtime to help me with the Reigate Grammar entrance exams.

I always remember that he often had a copy of the NUT (National Union of Teachers) paper on the side of his desk in 4C in the old 4th year block.

I was out in the High St at lunchtime: I either had to go home for a doctor's appointment or was sent on an errand to buy something for the teacher from a stationers (that happened from time to time - they were very trusting!)

And Mr Conley and one or two other teachers were in the Victoria, in the little glass side annex, having a drink.

They probably needed that after half a day of us ;->>

Also #ThingsThatWouldNeverHappenToday

The 1970s - a more civilised time :)

I do remember Mr Conley at the 4th year leavers party in July 1980. Saturday possibly, immediately after the end of term.

Think he worked pretty hard on that (I guess others did too, no doubt including Mr Roberts the Caretaker). Outdoor games, free access to the swimming pool (such a shame the school have filled that in now - it was instrumental to me learning to swim). And a disco at the end of the day.

Best memory of my entire time!

Before I was in 4C with Mr Conley I remember being in Mrs Annis’s class/ I think it was a mixture of 3rd and 4 th years. The school had been given 4-6 violins and a few of us were chosen to have the first lessons on these violins. It was deemed a great honour so in one way we had no choice.
I continued to play the violin in secondary school- somewhat reluctantly as I’d have rather have played the clarinet. Mr Conley gave a few of us much of his spare time when he coached us for the 11+. This was all for free as I recall but I may be wrong. He was a hard task master but he got results. Everyone looked up to him.

In our final year a in the summer of 1972 the head put on a celebration lunch – on a Saturday – for the netball team and the football team as we had both won the district (I think) champs. I distinctly remember having sausage mash and beans and Peter Bonetti, the Chelsea and England goalkeeper, was our guest speaker. Many of the teachers and parents attended. Unfortunately I can’t remember the name of our netball teacher.

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