Towsend House School for the blind and Deaf

The Sun hung high, over the bleak, flat, tortured earth, the dirt road gaped with deep holes and ruts, a reminder of the lashing rains which had washed over the landscape long ago, only the lizards, snakes and flies survived, stunted, broken trees succumbed to the drought, endless miles of fence posts, sagged in the cracked soil... no sign of civilisation. In every direction, a nothingness, long clouds of dust billowed out behind the car as we clawed, bounced and crashed our way, apparently into infinity.


As usual, had allowed myself to be hijacked into doing somebody a favour. Virginia decidingthe three months vacation would be a good time to help out one of her musical friends, who just happened to have about a hundred thousand acres down in the South East, it had all sounded very well, over the tea and cake and ices, we would 'take the children'. It would 'do them good'. Evidently here were three empty bungalows, a few thousand sheep, a couple of hundred 'Red Poll' cattle. .. mentioned it 'was rather remote'. Thought it not too bad an idea, my vacation coinciding with hers.

Townsend House School for the blind and deaf, although situated on the sea front, and standing in its own acres of farm land, very heavy on the nervous system. The children there demanding more than my eyes, my ears. Teaching Braille to a four year old, needed rather more than dedication, invariably felt shattered at the end of each term. The school deceptive, standing on the beach between Brighton and Glenelg, endless miles of deserted white sand stretching in both directions ... a picture of tranquillity ... that only. The massive dark building invariably running with small intrigues... Pleased to start there, impressed by the masses of roses, the silence, the soft roll of the surf.

Without too many questions being asked, had become a teacher.

The head master, a midlands product, while Mrs. Moore in charge of the blind school, very cosy once one became accustomed to the screams and howls of the deaf and their mimicry by the blind. A staff of fourteen, for about sixty children. Residential, good food and primitive conditions. Barkham, his wife and daughter were the only ones doing well financially. The wife and daughter being matron and secretary. A far cry from slogging it out in a cutlery factory in Sheffield . But my initial enthusiasm never saw the reality. Really believed in teaching, the disillusionment, to come later.

Besides, my mother-in-law approved. No longer a ketch hand. She had insisted that I matriculate, at twenty four, if you please...could not argue, a good deal. She would pay all my expenses. Considering I could read, really the extent of my education, thought that educating Peter not too bad an idea, my maths, the worst. Enrolled with a private tutor at an exorbitant fee. He quite calm about me. No doubt considering what he had been paid, thinking he had me for the rest of his life. The man opened the book at algebra, it may as well have been Chinese. Went home, thought about it, went back, and he agreed that it might help if I could add up. Felt, after a few months, I liked the easy life hanging about the University, chatting up the birds, sipping coffee, all the middle class hang ups. Virginia made me the most beautiful green corduroy jacket, at the same time presented me with another son.

Then I had seen the ad in the papers.. they wanted teachers.
Went along to the Moorish looking Teachers Training College next to the University. Told the most ludicrous tale of my adventures in the Australian Merchant Navy. The man went into the next office, came back with two other men, they all sat down, very serious, in their shirts, collars and ties, although about one hundred and ten in the shade. The first man said to me ... "Mr. Ridgley, would you mind repeating that story to these two gentlemen." ... which was how I was enrolled ....... a great Country.

Mr. Barkham had been impressed with my two year stay at the Adelaide Teachers College, the fact of my not having achieved a diploma did not appear to worry him in any way, also realised that he was keen that only pommies should work at the school, settled there and then I should start in the blind school.