What do you want to do with your life Alan? Of the teachers I encountered at Ball Green, the one that had the most impact on my life was, Graham Chadwick. In the 60’s, he was half the duo of Gidman & Chadwick, craft teachers of the finest order. Mr. Gidman was the woodwork teacher and Mr. Chadwick, the metalwork teacher and they became two of my heroes. It was in those classes, learning to handle tools and use them safely, that I first glimpsed my possible place in the world. I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands, the care and discipline required to create something from raw material holds a fascination for me to this day. During one such class, Mr. Chadwick posed the question above, and offered up a suggestion. “Ever given a thought to becoming and Engineer Alan?” Truth was, at that time I was hoping to attend Burslem Art school with my pals, Terry & John, but was also into edging my bets. “If you’re interested, Radway Green is looking for apprentices, and I think it may be right up your alley”. As it turned out, Mr. Chadwick thought enough of six pupils in my class to recommend as Engineering apprentices to Radway Green. We all undertook the rigorous selection testing, and over a period of several weeks we each received acceptance letters. That was, all except me. I was really bummed out, thinking everyone got accepted bar me? What could I have done to screw up so bad? Understandably, Mr. Chadwick was very pleased his pupils had done so well against hundreds of applicants, “Have you heard anything from Radway Alan?” he asked me one day at school. No, I’ve not, can’t think of what I did wrong as everyone else has already received an offer. “Leave it with me, I’ll see what I can find out”. A week or so later, Mr. Chadwick took me aside at school and explained. “You have been accepted at Radway Alan, what’s taking the time is the background check on your Dad”. At the time, I recall it being a little upsetting. My dad arrived in England, with the Free Polish Army at the conclusion of hostilities. He served and suffered so much, I felt it ironic that he should need to be “background checked”, but it’s the way it was. During my career, I’ve mentored many young Engineers and always taken pride and satisfaction in seeing them grow. They are all over the world from Silicon Valley to Singapore and all owe any assistance they received from me, indirectly to Mr. Chadwick of Ball Green School. I did hear that Mr. Chadwick emigrated to South Africa and suffered terrible tragedy. I often wish I’d had the opportunity to thank him for his help and sound counsel.
Posted on: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 21:07:51 +0000
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