Sharing memories of RGS
We were thrilled to hear from RGS Alumnus, John Barley who shared the following story of a lifelong friendship nurtured during a French Exchange.
Une leçon français.
After a year at Xaverian College in Manchester, I arrived at Worcester Royal Grammar School in September 1956, initially as a boarder in Whiteladies, until my parents moved to Welland. I was at Worcester Royal Grammar School until the end of the Summer Term 1962.
My favourite subject was French. In large part, this was due to the influence, support and encouragement in many ways of my main teacher in that subject, Mr Carter. For example:-
In 1961, with my parents, I had moved to the other side of the Malvern Hills, twelve miles from Worcester and there was no bus service. My moped had broken down and Mr Carter heard that I was thumbing lifts to Worcester and back home every day. He lent me his scooter for a whole term. This generous act helped me enormously. I still have not forgotten his act of kindness and I wish I had thanked him more in later years.
In 1961, exchanges were arranged for some eight Worcester Royal Grammar School pupils with boys from France. My exchange was with Joel from Rouen, the son of an old friend of Mr Waldron, who was a Governor of the School.
We all travelled by train with Mr Carter to Paris Gare du Nord, where it was arranged that we would meet two weeks later for the return journey to Worcester. My two weeks with Joel and his parents have left me with many memories, not least because it was my first real test of speaking French over an extended period of time.
2021 marks 60 years since my first visit to meet Joel and it proved to be the beginning of a long friendship. My wife and I have visited Joel and his wife many times in France, and similarly they have attended many events in England too – at my 70th birthday gathering they were the only non-family members present.
If I have any message for today’s pupils learning languages, it is to say that the learning of a foreign language can be not only fun, but can also lead to all sorts of opportunities and the opening of doors to exciting adventures. In my case that included travelling, over some 50 years, to more than 100 countries.
Reading, writing and speaking another language represent different challenges. I have always taken the view that, when speaking, don’t worry about making mistakes. They will soon be forgotten. Your ability to get your message over will not be forgotten. It will be appreciated by the listener, even more because you are from the UK, which is not known for its population’s willingness to use foreign tongues.
Bonne chance.
John Barley, RGS Alumni
