Memories of a School in Madrid - Runnymede College in 1971

Remembering Runnymede

This post is an indulgence - it will mean very little to most and something to a handful of people who will never read this blog (with the exception of one). If any old Runnymedians do happen, by some miracle of cyberspace, to read this post, please don't leave without leaving a comment!. Not all of us can make it to the school reunions so this will be in lieu of....

(Photograph from school website)

Even today as I look back on my school years I cannot really identify why Runnymede College Madrid was so special to me. Was it myth or reality? Memory is a strange thing - sometimes memories are evoked by the atmospheric feeling of a certain time of year - others by hearing a song from the past. About once or twice a year memories, so fragmented now, of Runnymede and the people I was with there, come back to haunt me. Distant voices like echoes returning to me through the passage of time. It was a time for friendships and heartache, it was a time of learning and a time of growth, physically, emotionally and culturally.

In September 1970 I moved from Germany to Spain. I was excited about the prospect of going to the new school in Madrid - had my parents stayed in Germany I would have been sent to Boarding School in England. Enrolment in Runnymede therefore was somewhat of a reprieve for me. I was totally besotted with horses in those days - this new School offered horseriding as an extra curricular activity. The other enticement was that it was a Secondary School - because of the differences in school years between Europe and Australia I had repeated Year 6 and was the oldest in my school in Germany - I was looking forward to not being older than everybody else.

Runnymede was located in El Viso, Calle del Arga 9 &13. The photograph above of us all was taken in the grounds of No. 13 in the spring of 1971. At that time, the School consisted of two semidetached houses - No. 13 was the Junior School, No 9 was the Office and Senior School. The science lab and library were located in the basement of No. 13. There was a basketball court at the back of No 13 also. No 11 (in the middle) was a residential house for people with disabilities. We were given a three course meal every day which was served in the dining room of No 9.
I was in lower 3A and Upper3A in my 20 months at Runnymede - our classrooms were converted from what must have originally been bedrooms and living rooms in the houses (and most gracious houses they must have been). On Mondays we would combine with Upper3A for sport at the General Moscardo Gymnasium. Mr Arthur Powell was the Headmaster and he was ably assisted by Mrs Powell - they both hold special places in my memory as they were exceptionally kind to me.

Our lessons were based on the British School curriculum - we had many students from all over the world - particularly from the US. Many of the students were bilingual and could switch from English to Spanish in conversations - this is one skill I never mastered but in my older years have now decided I am determined to do. Saturday mornings were the times we went horse riding - one of the highlights of my week. I initially started at El Trebol and as we became more competent we were moved over to Somosaguas where the horses and facilities were better . A particular memory I have is the “singing” on the horse riding bus - the Mendozas used to bring a battery operated record player so that we could listen to music on the way home - the Beatles were just breaking up in those days - “Let it Be’ was a favourite; George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord” and the seemingly never ending “Chirpie Chirpie Cheep Cheep” ......! Then there was the ice skating on Friday nights.

Of lessons - there was Spanish every morning (beginners to fluent speakers); Miss Savage was our form teacher (Lower 3A); Mr Ashworth (Upper 3A); Mr Glyn Jones taught us English and Geography; Mr Ballard, History, Mr Millican, Latin and Art, Mr Owens was the sport teacher and coach for the basketball team. Mr Nelson was our music teacher and also responsible for organising two musical productions - “Trial by Jury” and “Oliver” in my time at the school.

We were a tight knit little community - most of us strangers in a different land. So many have moved on to live in other parts of the world - friends lost over time and distance. The school has moved out to la Moraleja - Manolo (who I used to give piggy back rides to in the playground) is now the Headmaster. It is apparently a thriving school that has tripled in size since 1971. It offers education from Pre-school to Year 13 and I am reminded constantly that time never stands still. For me however, Runnymede College will always be that little school located in El Viso, Arga 13 & 9. I will close by quoting a well known poem that is used by many schools around the world as their pledge - I felt it was very relevant to the Runnymede I remember.

"This is our school.
Let peace dwell here. 
Let the rooms be full of contentment.
Let love abide here-love of one another, love of humankind, love of life itself.
Let us remember that as many hands build a house, So many hearts make a school."

Author Unknown

May the spirit of Runnymede College Madrid continue to live on in our hearts and in our memories.

SOMOSAGUAS 1971
Following are some old photographs of horse riding at Somosaguas November 1971. It was an extremely cold Saturday morning.

Mr Arthur Powell giving directions to the riders.

Observing riders....I think.... from left to right...Mrs Powell, Manolo Powell, Michael Bake, Mr Arthur Powell far right.

This was me.

UPDATE 2005 - More memorabilia - Monday Sports at General Moscardo

Thank you to every person who has placed a comment in the section below. As mentioned above, my class (L111A - 1977) along with U111A (some of the 1976 school leavers) were combined for a session of gym/PE at the General Moscardo Gymnasium. I have since unearthed some ancient exercise books of mine from that era and discovered the class lists for 1970/1971 for U111A and L111A. (Apologies for spelling mistakes - they were written by 12 year olds).

Lower 3 A Boys: Stephen Ainslie, Michael Bartos, John Garcia, Jerry Gustov, Joseph Holliday, Eddie LLorca, Rossa McDermott, David Milburn. Girls: Alexandra Bake, Jane Bartos, Lorraine Brown, Cheryl Carmelitano, Annie Eder, Laurie Hanselman, Alison Law, Marley Lunshof, Aileen McKenzie, Pauline Nelson, Jenny Shaw, Claire Wilkinson.

Upper 3 A Boys: Jonathan Arnold, Michael John Bake, Luis Cisneros, Ian Purkis, Manolo Powell, Paul Rodriguez, Paul Sire. Girls: Ingrid Anderson, Christina Brown, Eva Burgoyne, Elizabeth C, Maria Eder, Sylvia Evans, Vicky Gillan, Buti Larres, Esther Marfy, Fiona McArthur, Michelle Menard, Ester Marfy, Anna Morris, Maryse Stam, Sally Webb, Jane Wilkinson.

Junior Sports Champion of the Year - Boy: Ian Purkis

Junior Sports Champion of the Year - Girl: Michele Menard

Update August 2005
Following is a snippet of the INFAMOUS Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep played on the horse riding bus in 1970/71.

Update 2006: Would anyone be interested in attending an "OR" Meet Up in the Southern Hemisphere? An Antipodean Reunion in Sydney, Australia perhaps? Please leave a message if you might be interested...We are still receiving approximately 4 visitors per day to this post and 39 people have left comments. It would be great to make it to 50. The messages you leave may well be found by old friends

Comments

[Pica]

Well, I'm the sixth from left, front row. Guess that blows our cover, Jenny.

What I remember most fondly are the chocolate donuts from the little shop two blocks south.

[Jenny]

Yes, and I'm in the second row, seated, second from the left (looking worried).

[Tvindy]

I wouldn't consider that "an indulgence". Whenever you write about something that interests you, people will usually find something in it to relate to, as I did.

When I was in tenth grade I studied at the International School of Yaounde in Cameroon. It was my first time outside of the US, and I still have very vivid memories of that time and no one to share them with. So I can definitely relate.

It was also interesting that in your school picture, not a single child is sticking out their tongue or making a face or interesting gesture. That photographic feat is pretty hard to accomplish with such a large group.

[Sundeep]

Too young to have been in this photograph but I am an old Runnymedian too and I really miss the school - even though it's only been 2 months since I left the school.

[Jennifer]

I too went to Runneymede and was one of the first pupils when they started. I´m not in the photo though, but I do recognize most of them especially the one sixth from left, front row...

[Miguel Rivas-Micoud]

Memories, memories, funny indeed what some of us remember and how. Perhaps because I was constantly falling in and out of love with one of the Mendoza sisters, I can't remember the record player. I was probably more worried about falling off the horse and making a fool of myself. I do remember the ice skating on Friday nights, however, most likely because my father would often forbid me from going for failing to get good grades, something I never quite managed to do from the first day the school opened in '67 till I left in '70 or '71, I can't remember. Yes, Jenny, it was special for all of us there at that time. I don't believe it will or can be repeated. We can simply be happy knowing that we were there and experienced it the way we did. And hey, I'm still riding horses, and have yet to fall.

[Emma Strawn Connolly]

I attended Runnymede from 1982 to 1985. By that time, the middle house (No. 11) was part of the school. The dining room was the combined basements of Nos 11 & 13, which also doubled as Miss. Balashova's music classroom and the art classroom.

I'm not sure if life really was that wonderful at Runnymede or if the filter of time, like the filter on a camera lens, has improved those memories. Or a better analogy is of fine wine. At the time, the experiences were harsh and sour. But with time and experience, the memory tastes far better.

I remember my first crush (and no, I won't name names) on the ski trip to Astun. I remember latin classes with Mr. Bennet (Uh, right!) and I remember the strange person from down the street who was always hanging about the front gate. What was his name?

Emma

[rafa]

Hi...hey Emma...his name is (or was!) Beltran...bye!

[Jenny]

Thanks for all your comments so far - keep them coming! It would be nice to hear from a few people who are in this photo eg Class of '76, Class of '77 and class of '78. Alison and I are surely not the only ones still in touch with the School from this era, are we?

[Haidi Mimica]

Geee, were you reading my mind while writing this?? Attended Runny from '77 to '81. It's still under my skin...

[Fiona]

Well, I've just dropped into the RC website after a very long time to find your beautifully written memoir.I thought I had put that old RC ghost to rest after my superhuman effort of getting there after an absence of 30 years but it seems it is not to be..you've captured it so well..chocolate donuts..riding..Arga..ice skating..Mendozas..Chirpee chirpee cheep cheep!..Rivas Micoud..My sweet lord..fade in-fade out- RC long may you run.

[jenny]

Fiona, I remember going ice skating with you and your brother Ken on Friday nights very well! Aussies a long way from home.

[Steve Tarn]

In the words of a certain song from the musical 'Gigi'... Oh yes I remember it well. Particularly the donuts from the shop up the road and collecting the series of butterfly stickers! Oh and the lunches, my brother Graham and I used to help in the kitchen before school, perhaps asperations of going into catering later in life, which we didn't. Fond memories of Jesus and Antonio while slaving over peeling spuds! Happy days.

[Fred Weldon]

I don't know how I missed this before,but the mention of "Trail by Jury" just jarred my memory: I was the male lead,don't know if anyone remembers,but I remember my short time at RC very fondly.

[Marina Obradovic]

Dear Jenny,
I have written recently to our dear headmaster Mr. Powell that the most beautiful memories from my childhood come from the Runnymede College. I thought I was the only one so in love with our old school, calle Arga, the little donut shop, Moscardo,etc.etc. Imagine how thrilled I was to read your emotional description of all that and so much more. I keep reading it over and over again. You really took me back ('dare not count)30 years. It seems like a wonderful dream. Do you remember Eloy, the bus driver and Jose and Antonio, the best cooks in the world?
Jenny, what was your maiden name? I was in Upper 3A in 1972-3.
I have attended Runnymede College from 1971 to 1974. We must have known each other.
Thanks for mentioning all those dear names like Mr. Glyn Jones, Mr. Nelson and other teachers.
I often wonder where are they now and what's happening to them. Remember Miss. Harper (the Math teacher) and Mr. Millican (the Art teacher)?
I feel as if I had left the Runnymede a year ago and not three decades ago.
Thanks, Jenny for sharing O U R memories.

Take care,
Marina

[Marina Obradovic]

Correction: Jose was Jesus, actually

[Alejandro Rivas_micoud]

Hi Jenny, saw my photo (redhead, upper left), I must say that my time in Runnymede was all too short. I started in 1970 and the following year was sent to a Spanish boarding school in Alicante, so I only had 1 year.

I do remember, however, that throughout the years at the Spanish boarding school I longed to go back to Runnymede. It was, without doubt, the best school year of my life.

Unfortunately, with the fortunate exception of Cassandra Constant, whom I met fortuitously upon my return to Spain in 1992, I have lost contact with the friends of that time; Id be glad to re-establish contact!

[Alexandra Smith]

I know this is a long shot but I used to have a pen-friend, Jaqui, who I was in touch with about ten years ago. I'm trying to track her down again. She mentioned that the school she was going to was Runnymeade, Madrid. this was in about 1990 and she would have been about 11 or 12 at that time. If anyone knows of a Jaqui/Jaqueline or Mohita who she also went to school with, please let me know.

Many thanks,
Alex.x

[Patricia Kelly]

Dear Jenny:

Thank you so much for the wonderful memories that you captured with your passage. My sister, Margaret, is in the photo on the right side of the photo with a white headband on (I was older and in another photo). She died in 1995 from melanoma, but had a wonderful gift of making the world a better place through her love for animals. Runnymede College held a very special place in our hearts and a dream come true for me is when I visited Mr. and Mrs. Powell three summers ago. They created a special warm home for many of us when it would not have been easy to do so in a new British school in Madrid back in the 60's, and through their vision made it possible. Perhaps we all enjoyed the microcosm of the world that we could find within its walls, with so many nationalities thriving together. It was really great to have a tour of Runnymede College in La Moraleja and see how Manolo has continued the family tradition of excellence.

I too fondly remember the ice-skating, the riding on Saturdays, and the many fine teachers such as Mr. Anthony, Miss Dilworth, Miss Harper, and of course, Mr. Powell himself. It is interesting to go by the neighborhood of the Church of Santa Gema and still see Arga 13 standing there, unlike the original premises of Runnymede College 1967-1969 which I understand have been replaced by a new development.

[Rossa McDermott]

Funny to read some of the comments...brings back many memories which are still with me today. Every time I travel to Madrid and drive in from the Aiport into town I look down towards our "gym" in Moscardo.

I went to RC after Numont and St Michael's and came with some others like Sarah Coates, Sarah Morris and Joe Fernandez (who left Numont) and came to RC a few years later. Also have memories of Stephen Ainslie, Joseph Holliday, Juan Garcia and many others. Teachers like Cecilia Guillen, Miss Shaw, Mr Owenswho taught us basketball - or tried. I remember Jennifer Roberts was in a movie as well, a sad story about a man and his dog in the snow.

I also remember having a row with Graham Tarn in one of the swimming races and losing a medal because he had pulled my leg and slowed me down in the pool in Conde de Orgaz! Can I still sue or should I bury the grudge by now....

Darius Menards mother used to to teach my brother at some stage as well -maybe in Numont? Lots of names trigger various recollections.

Anyway I went to Ireland to boarding school in 1972 and lost touch with people. Never a priority at the time but recently it has been fun to go the RC website and reminisce and catch up.

Never realised or appreciated at the time what a great place Mr & Mrs Powell had set up. Well done and testament that RC is biggre and better now.

Rossa McDermott

[Alexandra Bake]

I too have many fond memories of Runnymede, it is my brother Michael who is in one of the horse riding photos - I'm sure I'm there too lurking in the background. The memories are flooding in... thank you for spurring them on.
Does anyone remember that song we used to sing and can they fill in the blanks?
"we are pupils of Runnymede College
we something our jackets and ties....
we all proud to be scholars of a school with so proud of a name, tho the teachers complain of our writing where King John put a cross for his name....
Twowheels on his wagon and he's still rolling along, the upper fifth are after him first for music and then for gym and they are singing this merry song.

[Pica]

Sandra: I am So GLAD to see your words here, have been wanting to re-establish contact with you. Here's the Bull/Towillis ditty, according to my fading memory banks:

We're pupils of Runnymede College
You can tell from our jackets and ties
We bought them from Galerias Preciados
You can see they're not quite the right size

But we're still proud to be scholars
Of a school with so famous a name
Though the teachers complain of our writing
When King John put a cross not his name....

Twowheels on his wagon
Rolling up the hill
The Upper Third are after him
Music first
And then comes gym
And they're singing this happy song:

Vallehermoso gives us a thrill
If it gets much colder it'll give us a chill
Running and jumping and having a fall*
From Runnymede College, that'll be all
OO-OO-OO-OO OO-OO-OO-OO
From Runnymede College, that'll be all!

I have to confess I haven't thought about this song for DECADES but clearly there's a lot left in the old noggin.

Love and hugs,
Alison

[Hitesh Sawlani]

I left Runnymede 6 months ago, during the last few months I couldn't wait to leave but as soon as it became September, and I wasn't going to my "first day of term" as I had been doing for the last 10 years of my life, i realised how depressing the thought was of leaving school! Oh well, like someone above said, no more Mr.Bennet! (Nothing personal).

[Ingrid Anderson]

How wonderful to find this site! I went to Runnymede from 1969-1971 at Arga 13, and am in this photo.
I have such fond memories of the school, the hot lunches,among many of the teachers-a Mr Milton taught Latin,a Mr Towillis, a Mr Grier,a Mr Glyn Jones,I played a part in the production "La malade Imaginaire" and also rode at Somosaguas.
My year friends included Maria Eder, Eva Burgoyne, Sally Webb, Eileen MacKenzie, Fiona McCarthy (another Australian)Derek Morrissey,Michele Menard,Patty, Luis Cisneros, Manolo Powell and many others.

[Luis de Avendaño]

The words to the Runnymede Medley (Bull/Towillis ditty) can be found on the Class of 76 website at http://www.avendano.org/rc25/runnymedemedley.html