To briefly sketch my post-Wennington life, I attended the Royal Manchester College of Music (as it was then called)-full time for the first year, then (supposedly) jointly with the University of Manchester Music Dept. Without going into details, I got into some pretty 'hot water' there, too, except that I probably handled my 'crises' a little better when still at Wennington. I 'salvaged' a Music degree, but probably didn't think it was worth all the aggravation at the time………I moved on to Leeds and eventually found my 'niche' as a Piano Tuner / Technician. Around 1977-8. I was working with somebody who'd been a Wennington pupil in its last year (1975). I tended not to talk about the place on a daily basis, but we talked enough to exchange views etc. A little later on, at the same company, we used to have some visits from Frank Leafhead (Who by then had become a Piano Tuner). I remembered him as a part time Games teacher in the early part of 1962. I have to admit however, that I let the opportunity go to reminisce about Wennington; I just talked 'strictly business.' Later still, I met Roger Gerhardt at the Swarthmore Centre in Leeds. (He was probably close to retirement by then) This time we were both students taking evening classes.

Even later, in London, there might have been yet another Wennington pupil working for the same company as I was. However, his stay was short and sweet (he was in a different location, so I never had a chance to ask; -- as it was, his name was familiar, but I couldn't recognise him). Around the same time ,I attended the June 1989 Reunion (see above).

In 1990 I left England for Minneapolis, (City of Lakes) in Minnesota, (Land of Ten Thousand Lakes) and married a Californian. For such a land-locked place there is quite a bit of water- or ice, depending on the season! I continued with my Piano work on a part-time basis, but had to supplement it with 'other things.' For the last few years, I've been putting Component Packaging Machines together and have returned to playing more in my spare time. My choice of listening remains mainly Classical (if I can find an alternative to the 'Classical McLite' that seems to be all too prevalent here), but from a playing perspective, I prefer Ragtime or Novelty Piano. Apart from the Internet, the only Wennington pupil I have contacted in recent years, is the composer, Nicholas Maw (There. I've named one at last!) His music is played regularly, if not frequently here; One year, he had written a Solo Violin Sonata for an eminent Twin-Cities Violinist, which resulted in an hour-long radio programme about him. The next time he was in Minneapolis, for a performance of one of his works, my wife and I went (somewhat untypically for me) backstage to say 'hello'.

Last thoughts must be about the place itself. I remember travelling South on the A.1. in a bus, around 1973. Eventually I would catch sight of the School; the excitement welled up in me as the building appeared, disappeared then reappeared on the horizon.' Had I been driving (I didn't in those days) I would undoubtedly have 'swung by.' By the time I had got home, however, those feelings had died down. It would be about 26 years before I visited the grounds, about two months after the June 89 Reunion. I was fortunate to catch the place when it was still intact. Though it was obviously still occupied, there didn't seem to be anybody about, so I wandered around, peacefully, trying to remember all the sights. I have to say, I was glad to see that the Sixth Form Hut had gone;-- the Courtyard looked much better for it. Almost six years would pass before I'd go again; this time, I was shocked to see the dilapidation that had occurred (I suppose I should have 'twigged' as I was negotiating the three-foot potholes that were all over the drive). I would make a further visit about three years after that, but found the place in only marginally better shape.

Wennington must have influenced me, directly or indirectly, more than any other factor in my life, although from this standpoint I would say - given the 'melting pot' of life - that the indirect/subtle influences are the more important now. It has been a privilege to share my thoughts with you.

Andrew Barker (Woofer) 1961-68.

Minneapolis August/September 2001.