I Recently had the good fortune to be sent, by a relative living in Tavistock, two photographs submitted by Mr Ivan Mead, a former pupil at Princetown School. As I was referred to by name in the second photograph, showing a prize presentation on sports day in the early 1950s.

I felt encouraged to respond by informing those of your readers associated with Princetown and the school in those days that I am alive and well and residing in Brighton Marina.

Upon reflection, I have realised that most of those pupils for whom I had responsibility would, by now, be 'pensioners' themselves. The 'seniors' I took for games and swimming will now be in their 70s. This would include Joe Phelan and Mary Ellicott from the photograph. I have an ever-present reminder of the passage of time since those days as my own son was born during my sojourn at Princetown and he is now seriously contemplating his own retirement.

I have, over the years, pondered the fortunes of, not only the 'seniors', but also those of my own class of 'pre-scholarship' children. Several of their names linger in my memory but I would deem it inappropriate to mention them in this letter. My days at Princetown were happy ones, not only 'at school' but also sharing in the life of the village. Badminton and school concerts in the no longer existing village hall. Gymkhana committee meetings in the Devil's Elbow and helping out on the 'Day'.

I also quite clearly remember taking several of the older boys for a walk on the moor one Saturday. We came upon a weather balloon which had landed by parachute. We brought it back to the village and eventually returned it to the appropriate address for a small reward, which the boys shared.

They were happy days indeed. Pleasant memories are always stirred whenever I visit the museum in what I shall always remember as the 'Hotel'.

My post at Princetown was my first job after completing war service and teacher training. Whilst there a particular episode occurred which influenced my choice of post for the remainder of my career. That episode led me to spend the final 30 years of my teaching in 'Special Education', now known as 'Special Needs'. They were spent at a residential special school for children with epilepsy.

To return to the person whose actions have prompted me to write this letter, I think I can visualise Ivan and if my memory serves me correctly he lived up by the entrance to the North Hessary television mast. Every time I take the road from Princetown to Tavistock I am reminded of those pupils who were bussed up to school from Merrivale and of whom I think Mary Ellicott was one.

I hope you will excuse the reminisces of a latter day 'Mr Chips'. I have always had and will continue to have a very warm spot in my heart for those I met and came to know and hopefully influenced in a wholly positive way during my short stay in Princetown. This applies not only to the pupils I taught but also to the numerous other people I came into contact with.

My regards and best wishes to all who came to know me during my stay at Princetown and remain in the area to read this letter.

T H Murch

Merton Court

Brighton Marina, Brighton