Robert’s relationship with Eastern Education Group dates back to 1967, when he began an apprenticeship. He returned in 1983 to study Biology in support of his wife’s career. Although now retired, Robert enjoyed a successful career as a plumbing and heating engineer, working in notable locations such as Euston Hall and Riddlesworth school. Over the years, he worked with many interesting people, including the Duke of Grafton. Robert holds fond memories of his apprenticeship at West Suffolk College and speaks with great admiration for lecturers Jack and Jim, who left a lasting impression on him.
Tell us about your history with the Eastern Education Group?
I started work with R Hogg and Son Coney Weston on 8th August 1966, the day before my 16th Birthday. They arranged for me to start my apprenticeship at West Suffolk College (Tech) on 27th February 1967, where I achieved City & Guilds qualifications in Ordinary Craft Plumbing, Advanced Craft Plumbing, and Supplementary Sheetwork Plumbing.
In roughly 1983, I returned to WSC to study Biology and Human Biology O Levels to support my now wife, Colette, as she pursued her nursing career. I gained strong passes, higher than she did!
Later, I attended WSC again to undertake my Gas Safety course led by director David Frost, along with mandatory training and assessments to maintain my Gas Safe registration. It was convenient to have access to the course locally.
What made you join the Group?
Many of my peers at Thetford Grammar school went to university and although I was academically able, this was not an option for me because of my family’s financial situation so my parents encouraged me to get a trade and earn a wage to contribute to the family budget.
I completed an additional year studying sheet metal work; my employer wanted me to do this because much of our business involved historic renovation.
Where has your career led you now?
I am now retired but have worked as a plumbing and heating engineer all my working life. Over the years, I have worked for many interesting people, including the Duke of Grafton, and in many interesting places such as Euston Hall and Riddlesworth School. I’ve renewed lead on nearly every church roof in East Anglia, including St Mary’s church in Bury St Edmunds, and have also worked on MP’s houses in Central London and Darley Stud.
Do you have any family connections to the Group?
My wife has worked for the Eastern Education Group for many years, since 1999.
Can you share any memories from your time at EEG?
I was taught by Jack Clarkeson and Jim Froud. Jack owned and ran a plumbing business in Nacton. Jim was a plumbing lecturer at WSC. Before that, he completed his apprenticeship and afterwards served in the war as a rear gunner in a Lancaster.
See East Anglian Daily Times link below to his Obituary:
Obituary: War veteran James Froud, 97, taught at West Suffolk College
My course started at Northgate Annexe and the workshop was at the back of the main college.
Alongside our apprenticeship, we did Liberal studies. I didn’t really engage in this as it didn’t seem relevant to me at the time, so I went to do plumbing!
Before our lesson, we used to stand in the corridor outside the workshop. We all knew when Jack was coming, we could hear him because he had metal studs on the bottom of his shoes.
For our mid-morning break, we had big fresh cheese and onion rolls and a coke, they were really lovely rolls.
One day, I burnt myself badly accidentally with an oxy-acetylene torch. Jim took me to first aid (A&E) which was at the Northgate Annexe and we were there most of the afternoon. The head of department came to see what happened and asked if I was messing about; I wasn’t, it was just an accident.
During the last couple of years of our apprenticeship, the class would go to the Falcon Public House and have a pork pie, a pint of beer and have a game of crib. We would then go back to class in the afternoon.
It was only 20 years after the end of the war; things were different then, we had banter, it was all in good humour. Jack had a nickname for us all, one student he called Porky or Trotter because of his surname; it was all in good humour, no one took offence. Jim Froud went on to become head of the building department.
The class were all keen to learn, nobody was out of order, if we were asked to do something, we did it. There were no distractions or disruptive people in class, we were 16 – 17 and if we did anything wrong our governor at work would be told. One day, I had a nosebleed and missed the bus. The next day when I went to work, the governor asked me why I wasn’t at Tech yesterday. They had been told that I hadn’t attended.
At work, others had also completed their apprenticeship, I worked with Hughie Bunning he was 8 years older than me and Lin Wooderson, he had just finished his apprenticeship at WSC. The teaching at Tech and the work were well aligned. We didn’t learn much about health and safety in the course, we learned the theory and practical of plumbing although Dick Scrobie, (the safety officer), came around the classrooms to arrange for us to buy safety boots (To Tectors).
I remember, when I did the sheet metal work course, I ‘bossed’ a metal ball, (turned a flat sheet into a round ball). I returned to WSC some years later in 1975 when I was asked to do some teaching. The ball was still there in the office, Jack said he had kept it to show the apprentices that with patience it could be done.
Overall, my experience was positive. On reflection perhaps I should have gone to university, I was academically able, but it wasn’t an option. However, my trade and experience have secured a great deal of varied work. I have renovated several houses and provided for my family. I can ‘turn my hand’ to most things and even though I am now retired, I have recently replaced an engine in our historic VW camper.
Is there a message you would like to share as we celebrate 100 years of our history?
I really admire Jack and Jim. Jack was so good at teaching practical, you could see that he knew his trade and I respected Jim for what he did during the war, he never spoke about it, he was a gentle mild-mannered man, a real star. They very much made a difference to me, and I am sure to many others.
Do you have any advice or messages for future students and staff at Eastern Education Group?
If you want to get on and succeed, take note of your lecturers and trainers, work with them, they are there for you. I was successful in my career and work because I took note and respected those that were teaching, training and helping me.
