I produced the first printed, colour edition of the OEA Newsletter No 82 in Winter 1998. Prior to that, the newsletter comprised 3 or 4 ‘roneod’ pages stapled together. I have been a Mac user since I bought the first Macintosh computer in 1984, and it is still carefully stored in my loft.
By 1998, computers were installed throughout my company, and I was a pretty competent user. I was on the OEA Committee at the time, and I proposed that we should prepare the newsletter using desktop publishing; issue number 82 was the result.
A couple of interesting extracts from the first editions:
“Advertising: We propose to continue with the present format of the Newsletter, and you will have noticed that among our advertisers we have attracted two prestigious companies – Mazda and Asprey and Garrard.
This is not really surprising in view of our rates – just £100 for a monotone page, and a modest £150 for the full colour back page.”
“This Newsletter comes to you in the traditional way….words printed on paper. But it will not have escaped your attention that there is something called the internet, which does everything electronically. In the last edition we gave you details of the School’s website…www.rmplc.co.uk/eduweb/sites/emanuel. “
Petersfield and VE Day
The photograph that appears under 1939 in the Celebration of 430 years article was taken on 8th May 1945 (VE Day). I think I am the last survivor from that photo!
8 May 1945 – VE Day in Petersfield
The morning assembly was held at 9.30 at Churcher’s College, and everyone was dismissed for the next two days. We all rushed out of the college, down Ramshill and on to the High Street, ending up in The Square. Eventually the Headmaster arrived and I finished up standing close by him in the photo. It was strange standing close to him in such a relaxed, informal setting – in contrast to the awe and respect in which he was held at school.
The boys living in Petersfield fell into one of three groups – Emanuel School, Churcher’s College, and the ‘townies’. I have never understood how Emanuel seemingly took over The Square on VE Day, to the exclusion of the other two groups – but we did. Perhaps it was because the Sixth Form jazz band – the Windsor Rhythm Kings – had taken up position on top of the concrete air raid shelter which was there. Lights had been fitted up during the day and the band played to a large crowd throughout the night.
Just a few fond memories.
Ron Williamson (OE1942-48)