Richard Staines (BGS 1953-1959)

Based on a thumb nail autobiography by Richard Staines.

My school memories are generally good, which is better than I believe I was. I recall Spike Jones (Geography) riding his cycle at great speed; 'Banger' Grimble (Art) frightening the life out of first formers; Ted Cox, Stan Cawthorne, the Godfreys, Wilko, Mr Waddams the Headmaster. I also remember Mr 'Moggy' McNeil whose classes always degenerated into mayhem and the hours spent under the guidance of Mr Howarth (BGS's answer to Capt. Mainwaring) in the CCF.

I went straight from school to work at the Lincolnshire River Board, whose offices have now become The Georgians nursing home, as a trainee draughtsman/surveyor. I well remember Bas Tinkler and John Finn amongst many others including Jim Tryner, Fred Leafe, Herbert Quayle and Stuart Cade.

I left the Lincolnshire River Authority (which the Board had become due to changes in legislation) in 1968 to work at the South Welland Internal Drainage Board at Spalding as a surveyor. The Board's Chief Engineer was Mr PJ Stamp and his Deputy was Joe Price, both of whom originated in Boston, the latter being an ex-pupil of BGS. I became the Board's Planning Officer in 1972, shortly after which it amalgamated with neighbouring Boards to become the South Holland Internal Drainage Board.

The new Board's area lay between the Rivers Welland and Nene to the West and East and extended to some 38,500 hectares Southwards from the Wash. My responsibilities were to liaise with Planning Authorities and developers within the Board's district to ensure adequate storm water disposal arrangements were in place to prevent flooding as a result of extensive residential and industrial developments.

My wife Susan unfortunately developed Multiple Sclerosis during this period and full time employment became more difficult as her condition deteriorated. My employer was very sympathetic and when I was offered voluntary redundancy in 1997 I accepted it so that I could spend more time with Susan. Before I left they employed a new assistant engineer. He is Karl Vines, a Bostonian and an Old Boy (BGS 1984-1991).

I now spend four mornings a week helping at a local model shop which fits in nicely with my life long hobby (obsession) of model flying.

Richard has since asked that an update to this biography be posted Having been widowed I have since re-married and moved to the Cambridge area.

A picture of Richard with his colleagues when he entered BGS can be found on the "Fifties" page.

Email Richard