Linton Camp woodwork class about 1964.

Alan Waller, kneeling, (unknown), Colin Staples, Peter Hartingdon.

Photo taken outside the wood and metal work classroom, which used to be Dorm 1, converted to classrooms about 1961. That 'pole' I am holding, almost uncaringly, was actually a lamp standard I had made at the insistence of the teacher, Mr. (Donald) Robinson, he was very strict with the dimensions, I had to get it perfectly octagonal shaped, I spent what seemed an age trying to perfect it. Now he was a great favorite amongst just about everybody. He was involved in the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue. This organisation acquired the Grassington Station signal box; this was removed to the car park area at the front of the old station, and used as the Rescues HQ. We would visit with Mr. Robinson who I recall took a group of us boys potholing, Dow Cave as I recall, I particularly remember going through a 'sump'. On these visits we would sometimes be 'allowed' to clean the rescuers equipment. Mr. Robinson lived locally in Grassington in what was something resembling a 'hut', but was most probably a wood cabin deposited on a local farmer’s plot of land. He spent some time exploring the old lead mines on the top of Grassington Moor, I guess along with members of the rescue. May have been a mapping exercise, anyway he discovered a dead body in one of the mines, well away from the entrance and actually up an incline, and laid out with his arms folded on his chest as though the chap laid down to die, photos were shown as evidence, and he appeared to have been a lead miner, as he was dressed in miners clothing of the period. Mr. Robinson also took science. He was most enthusiastic one time, demonstrating a photo copying machine. He explained in great detail how it worked and technology of it all, and was most excited about it, we thought it was magic. I have it in my mind a recollection of a small explosion occurring in the science block during one lesson, involving some chemical or other, Don Robinson, who did not have much head hair, and a bunson burner! During metalwork class, we had a full size coke forge in the class room, very sophisticated, we had all the kit and equipment you could want, well one time I made what was called then, a ''companion set'', this was used in coal fireplaces, comprising of a metal stand holding a little coal shovel, tongs, brush and poker. This was produced from bits of steel/iron. Other items I made included a coffee table, a stool, and other oddities.One project is worth mentioning. We would on occasions go on the River Wharfe in canoes. You have to remember, this school was officially an "Open Air School". All its pupils were sent there due to some form or other of illness, chest complaints of which bronchitis was very common, suspected TB, and other issues that were at the time thought to have improving benefits if the great outdoors were enjoyed more. Bradford, our home town, was in them days a ''soot bowl''. It’s difficult to remember now, but most days you would not be able to see from one end of the street to the other for chimney smoke. When it was foggy, it was pea soup time. Anyway, I digress. Canoes. We made one in woodwork under the supervision of Mr. Robinson. It was a glass fibre affair, based around a wood and plaster mould, and it worked! We also made Skis! Yes we made skis and used them in the adjacent barn field, which had a substantial hill. During ''The Big Freeze'' of 1962 we spent, most of our time on these skis, or sledges we had made.