FAIR
OR FOUL
Some
of the Jarrow Central School web site readers might find this story of some
interest. It concerns a certain gentleman called Albert, (aka Ollie) Overton.
When
I was in third year, I went to the school camp at Barnard Castle. We were very
lucky with the weather because it was hot and sunny the whole week. On the first
morning we were allowed by Mr Overton, to go into town by ourselves and we were
told to make sure that we returned to the camp by 1pm for our lunch.
I
went with my good friend John White and we really had a good time. I stopped at
the Post Office and bought some cards for my mother and sister. I spent far too
much time writing on the cards and as a result, we returned late back at the
camp.
Albert
was absolutely furious. "Come with me " he bellowed. He gave us each a
spade and told us to start digging a hole in the hard ground. I presumed that
this would be for some new latrines and began to dig. Being little and fat was
not the ideal shape for digging large holes in the sun baked ground. I felt very
sorry for John because he had waited for me at the Post Office and it was not
his fault that we were late.
After
several hours and one or two inspections by Mr Overton, he came over and looked
at the very large hole (grave size proportions), pointed his finger at us and
said, "Fill it in."
We
had learnt our lesson the very hard way and we made sure we were not late back
for meals again. I only wish he had brought his cane because we would have been
far better off.
Albert
was a hard man but always very fair and I always did respect him for this.
Sinclair Gordon May 2004