From the Soham Grammarian New Year 1955 - If you can add anecdotes or photos about this trip, please contact the editor.
It was "up with the lark" on 22nd July. Happy boys with heaps of sandwiches to devour set out for Windsor on that fine morning. Our keen history master, in order to further his own education, pleaded with the bus driver to just "call in at St. Albans" to view the Norman Cathedral and the old stone gate-house. In this magnificent church the fine Norman pillars supporting the dog-toothed arches showed the superiority of the old stone mason over the "couldn't-care-less" bricklayer of today. The beautiful gilded font canopy glittered as the rays of sunlight shone through the glorious stained-glass windows.
But on to Windsor. Eager to climb the many steps up to the top of the famous central round tower at Windsor, we were full of suspense during the bus journey. At last we arrived in the busy town. The smart Etonians in their morning suits and the white bow-ties walked through the streets and more or less led us to the castle. The nautically-minded amongst us lingered behind to watch the stately river-craft but were soon herded along by Mr. Kitchen and Mr. Lawrance.
We were greeted just inside the gate of the castle by two of the smart, imperturbable guards. Some of us gazed with awe and amazement at the wonderful red tunics and colourful heraldic details within the castle. We wandered leisurely around the castle in small groups. Some admired the slickness in the changing of the guard, and listened to the officer who seemed quite hoarse in shouting the orders in a language incomprehensible to us. The more architecturally minded of us inspected the walls, parapets and towers. The small clans united and the guide led us round the castle explaining all the historic details. But we were all so eager to climb to the top of the famous keep that none of us was very attentive. To us the dates seemed rather trifling and only our history master nodded his head and spoke a word in acquiescence.
At last, after threading our way in and out of many passages, rooms and corridors, we came to the famous old keep that dominates all around. We all rushed up the stairs, not bothering to count the many steps, and arrived, breathless, at the top. The photographers, with much speed, fitted lens, hoods, filters and adjusted their cameras to take some photographs of the splendid surroundings with Eton College and the Great Park in the distance. But the fresh breeze on the top of the castle could be enjoyed only for a few minutes and down we had to go. This was when we counted the steps and compared conflicting figures on arriving at the bottom.
A boat trip up the Thames provided a fitting conclusion to a most enjoyable outing, for which we thank Mr. Lawrance and Mr. Kitchen.
M.H., IVA.