I could have made more of my education, I am sure. I actually got a place in Prendergast but my mother, rightly or otherwise, thought a grammar school would prove too expensive and so I went to Churchdown instead. I was top of the class in English and French and bottom of the class in maths. Perhaps, as I said before, it was the uninspired and soporific teaching which caused my early promise to be stunted. Or perhaps I was just too lazy.
Mrs Gatehouse was certainly memorable and, like you, I was terrified of her.
You are also correct about the community feeling on the Downham of our youth. There was always a neighbour who would have me in when my mother had to go out to work and considered me too young to be left alone in the house. I particularly remember how the neighbours would be as quiet as possible when I was on night-duty. I am sure half the street crept around just so I wouldn't be disturbed. Can you imagine that happening these days? So, for notable Downhamites, I nominate all those kind neighbours of yesteryear - truly the salt of the earth.