School Memory – Daniel Stewart’s College 1950s and 60s

This week’s memories are being shared by Tom McGowran, a 1966 Daniel Stewart’s College leaver. Tom says:

Since I was not taking French or Latin I studied more technical drawing. The college then had a very good woodwork and metalwork department. I made a tea caddy spoon and a shoe horn amongst other things. I remember that a go-kart was designed and was being constructed but I unfortunately left before its completion. The department was well-equipped and my father donated his father’s lathe to add to the inventory.

Whilst I was at school we formed a car club and made visits to local garages and showrooms in the vicinity. Two visits come to mind – there was a Renault dealership nearby and we were invited to look over a Renault 4L. I recall that as I touched the front headlight it fell off in my hand! (Ed note – that’s what they all say!)

Another visit was made to Rossleigh’s Garage which had a Triumph Herald demonstration rolling chassis with a cut away engine. They donated this to the school. We had lots fun exploring how engines and gearboxes worked. They also had a Rolls Royce Silver Ghost which they demonstrated by balancing a coin on the engine and it ran so smoothly it did not fall off!

I particularly liked the Art Department. So far as I remember it was run by the pipe smoking George Blamire. Quite a character who was also heavily involved in the Army Cadets.

As you entered the vestibule of the Department there was a flat bed letterpress printing machine that was used on occasions to print small posters. Some years later I donated an Arab treadle printing machine together with a cabinet of type. Now all of that will have become museum exhibits!