Mr. Dickenson- Deputy Head and Art

 

In my final year at Tulketh apart from the forthcoming exams there was the prospect of leaving school and finding a job. About 20% of the school year would go on to sixth form, but further study was not option for me. My parents wanted me to find a job ideally.

In those days before the advent of computers and social media dominating our daily lives. You had use newspapers to look for jobs. One morning in the break I struck up conversation with our new 3rd Deputy Head, Mr. Dickenson as I patrolled the exit gate behind the Metalwork and Woodwork block which was notorious for pupils trying wag off school, or the illicit smoking of cigarettes. Of course me being not exactly what you would call a hard case. Would to save body and soul turn a blind eye to any wrong doing. Fortunately for me it didn't happen often. He asked me what I wanted to do when I left school? I joked about usual ambitions like wanting to be a footballer, pop star, but l was a terrified of the prospect of going into the world of work and all what comes with it. Mr Dickenson suggested that I brought in a copy of the local newspaper every Friday the day after the job section was published and we would look through the ads for jobs and see if there was anything suitable.

I did this for a couple of months before leaving. I did get a couple of interviews from the idea but was not successful with finding a job. But I had a lot respect for Mr. Dickenson taking the time out to help me. He came to the school in my final year and was young for a Deputy Head which I believe he was 32 at the time of appointment. He taught Art if I remember rightly, a keen table tennis player, cross country runner and was from Liverpool.

When I went back to the school on the 3rd of November to collect my examination certificate from Mr. Dickenson we discussed my first  job at Queens Mill Painting Decorating shop over a lukewarm cup of tea and a custard cream which had been served by a new first year attendee. I remember the night because it was poorly attended because of Preston North End's League Cup replay against West Brom possibly? 

On the way home I passed Garry O'Kane and Darren O'Kane's house on Wood Plumpton Road. I knew the family well and Garry's mum came out of their house when she saw me pass..   I showed her my examination certificate which with the three qualifications on it didn't seem a lot for five years I thought and dare say Garry's mum probably thought the same but was too kind to say so. Garry had something else on and missed the presentation night, she informed me..   

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