Life at Suntrap, in the late 1950's as seen by Roy

Memories: Being at Suntrap around the 1957/1958 period, I remember happy days within a nice school as it was and as I remember. I remember teachers such as Mr. Coombes, Mr. Brookes and Mr. Campbell.  I vaguely remember kids such as Elaine Green and Alan Paterson.  No other names hit me at this time. I remember going to IOW and Alum Bay for the colored sands.  I used to love the scrambled eggs at Suntrap and later found out that they were probably powdered eggs and not real, real eggs.  Oh well! I used to get a brown paper parcel every week from my Parents and low and behold inside, apart from sweets was my favorite Beano and Dandy comics!!!!  OOngha! The beach was and still is pebbly.  The local fish shop is still there and I fondly remember my monthly visits from my Mum and the highlight was "Fish and chips" and a bottle of Pepsi!  Yummy!  Nowadays, my kids take a coke for granted.  It's like accessing tap water to them.  Oh Vay! I was and am still a red head, loved soccer and writing.  I first learnt how to write a letter thanks to Suntrap and it started: Dear Mum and Dad, I hope this letter finds you well and happy.  How corny nowadays, but hey!  That was when I was six to seven years of age.  Seemed cool at the time!!!! Pocket money day was when Mr. Brookes, with his Robert Mitchum chin, would thrust half a crown in my hand and I was rich for a day, then off to the nearest tuck shop in the village. A highlight was being selected to go to "tea" on a Sunday with one of the old age pensioners who lived alone nearby.  Very pleasant little boy was I.  NOT! So, there are some thoughts of Suntrap, which I recently visited in February 2001.  The old "Lifeboat" building is still there but not used for that any more.  As for Suntrap, just the front building is there and being used as flats/apartments.  A long way from here in New Jersey, USA, where I now live, Mr. Brookes, whom I met on my visit, lives right next door to the pub which is between Suntrap and his house.  Oh what bliss if I lived there. I'm called Roy today but my real name is something my Grandma named me- Royston... Yukadoodledandie!!!! Author: Roy Stapleton Posted: March 3rd 2001