Figure 1.--.

Michael didn't go to our school but a Catholic primary which had a uniform even stricter than ours - all blue and gold. Quite a spiffy uniform really. I never really saw my mate Michael's uniform until one day after school when my mum was taking us to the barbers. His was a Catholic school in the area– but not one of the one's we used to play football with. I'd passed the school a couple of times – but obviously not when the kids were there – if I had I'd have been in trouble as I would have been meant to be in school myself! I didn't get into bunking off (skipping) school until I was older as I liked my primary school and must have been one of the few kids who begged his mum to be allowed to go into school rather than stay at home in bed when I was sick. I met Michael playing on the bombsite one summer when I was about 9 years old. We hit it off straight away. Although we asked what schools we were at we didn't really talk about that then as we had other things to talk about and it was the holidys. I suppose the first time I saw any of his school uniform was when I went round to his place on a Sunday and he was wearing his school socks with his mass suit.

My Friend Michael

I met Michael my best mate (the one who's mum was Irish) playing on the bombsite one summer when I was about 9 years old. We hit it off straight away. Although we asked what schools we were at we didn't really talk about that then as we had other things to talk about and it was the holidys. He didn't go to our Sunday School as he was a Catholic and went to mass at another church.

Michael's Roman Catholic School

Michael went to a different school to me - a R.C. primary. His was a Catholic school in the area– but not one of the one's we used to play football with. I'd passed the school a couple of times – but obviously not when the kids were there – if I had I'd have been in trouble as I would have been meant to be in school myself! I didn't get into bunking off (skipping) school until I was older as I liked my primary school and must have been one of the few kids who begged his mum to be allowed to go into school rather than stay at home in bed when I was sick. About the school itself I don't know that much.It was an old building – though not as old as ours and was right opposite he church where he went to mass.I also know that he surprised me once by telling me that boys and girls had to play in seperate parts of the playground once they got into the juniors – which was good for them as they could play football at playtime – we weren't allowed to at our school as the playground was too crowded,but the girls could skip.He had a bit of a downer on girls just then as he had five sisters and he felt really sorry for me.

Michael's Mum

I suppose the first time I saw any of his school uniform was when I went round to his place on a Sunday and he was wearing his school socks with his mass suit. They were normal grey socks with blue and gold rings. I didn't know they were his school socks then – but did think they looked odd – his suit was navy-blue and he wore a white shirt with it and blue tie but his grey socks had two blue rings with a shiny gold one in the middle. That bright flash of colour struck me as “wrong” - but I didn't dwell on it as he was soon changed and we were out playing. There's a bit of a story here that is only a bit to do with clothing and I'll write some other time – but to cut it short one day on the bombsite I trod on a plank with a nail in it which went through my sandal sole and into my foot. It wasn't that bad but when we got back to his place Michael's mum noticed that I was limping a bit (nothing escaped her) and insisted that she took me to the hospital. Anyway the hospital dragged the name of my mum's work out of me as they wanted to give me an injection and she turned up. The point of all that is that that was the first time my mum and Michael's had met – even though we boys had been playing with each other for a while.

The Barber

Anyway – to the point – it was some weeks later and we were back at school that mum had got off work early to take me and my little brother to the barbers – which I used to hate but it was better than going on a Saturday when it was busy and you'd be waiting in there ages. On the high street we met Michael, his mum and three of his sisters. I say met as it was our mums who recognised each other first as I'd have walked straight on. I just didn't recognise Michael in his school uniform at first – he looked so odd – I'd only seen him before in play clothes or his Sunday suit – although it was the same for him I suppose with me. That's why I hated it when mum would meet us after school as usually I'd take my tie and blazer off once out of school but if she was there she'd make me keep them on. I hated ties, still do. Anyway this was the first time we saw each other's uniform and we were a little embarassed. Our mums embarrassed us even further – it was the first time they'd met since the hospital – by talking about us and comparing notes - the worst was that my mum found out some more of the things that we used to get up to from Michael's mum which I'd kept from her – but nothing serious and she only mildly interrrogated me later. Meanwhile his sisters were making a fuss of my little brother – they were in uniform too – they wore blue berets with the badge on it. Anyway – they talked for so long by the time we got to the barbers it had filled up with kids and by the time it was my turn my mum left me in the chair because she wanted to get home to start the tea and let my older brother in – he was allowed to go to the barbers on his own as she trusted him more. Before leaving she gave her usual instuctions to the barber to make sure that he cut round my ears and didn't put any dressing on my hair before she left and he made some fun out of me without her there – only jokes about whether I was getting my haircut to meet up with my new girlfriend and stuff but it embarrassed me – especially as the older boy in the chair next to me and his barber were joining in too. I got my revenge though as mum had forgotten to leave me any money to pay and – although we always went to the same barber and he said to bring the money in some time I never told my mum – she'd have sent me staight back with the money and I didn't want to go back there – and I don't think we ever paid.

Michael's Uniform

Michael's uniform was even more elaborate than mine. Quite a spiffy uniform really. I think the fanciest I remember seeing as a boy. For one he had a cap--blue with gold rings round it and a badge. I'd worn a cap for the first couple of years at primary school but then they'd done away with them. His blazer was blue too – quite a bright blue with gold trimmings – and his tie striped in the same colours. At least my blazer was plain black with just the school badge on the pocket – that mum bought seperately from the school and sewed on herself. His grey jumper had the same two blue and one gold stripes as his socks at the neck. Again – our jumpers were plain grey and our socks only had two green rings. He had white shirt rather than my grey one – I don't think grey were allowed at his school. I know he was embarrassed – and so was I – but I couldn't help staring. It was because the gold on his cap and blazer really was golden colour rather than bright yellow and it sort of shone in the sun. Anyway that day at the barber's was the first time I saw Michael in his uniform – and he me in mine and we both agreed when we met next that it was o.k. for school but that's about all. Like I say – ours were both state schools – but probably ours were considered two of the “best” in the area and there may have been a bit of a rivalry between the church authorities as to who had the “smartest” uniforms. I've got to admit – the Catholics won on that score.

Bill

Created: May 5, 2004
Last updated: May 5, 2004