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The 
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Reunion 2005
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Mrs. Campbell Craig (I've left Mrs. C separate from the rest of the KCFE Accommodation because I reckon that most of us stayed in her house at one time or another and also she deserves it just for putting up with all of us!) I don’t think I could have completed these web pages without mentioning Mrs. Campbell Craig – or, to everyone who knew her, Mrs. C. before I start, I’d just like to say that if anybody wishes to add to this. Then pass me the details. Looking
back, with benefit of maturity (Me - Mature?) this lady took a lot of potential
trouble on herself. She was in her mid 50’s, had a disabled husband Wilf,
(what a nice guy!), two daughters, Betsy and Heather and a plethora of dogs and
cats. And on top of that she had 7 teenagers with way too much money and zero
sense. With the place we were and the money/freedoms we had, it ultimately led
to all sorts problems for her. And as I remember, in 1st year, I had
been one of the biggest problems. So here is the first sorry tale! Just
before Christmas break in 1980. A few off us went out, as I recall the first
port of call had been ‘The Alex.’ Two of our number had gone back to the
digs (Rick and Clem I think) as they had been clocked for being under – age!
The rest of us went smartly to the ‘Three Tuns’ where there was live
music. Now at this point I have a confession to make. For those of you that
remember, I was not a happy chappy that night. The reason was that during the
week I had been dumped by the girlfriend which, in itself wasn’t a problem -
it was just the way that she had done it (over the phone) so that night, I knew
I wasn’t going to be much fun. When the others suggested we go down town, I
– with a frown on my face, declined. Anyway, I don’t know how. But I ended
up in Kingston Telephone Exchange Cafeteria talking to this guy called Ken who
had brought lots of drink (it was a bring your own party) and was plying me
liberal quantities of it (I know what your all thinking but he was with his
girlfriend!) Come the end of the night I was well shit-faced and made my way
back to the digs. At this point everything is a haze - if anybody can fill in
the blanks, then let me know. I
came in and went to bed. The bed then started doing aerobatics and I felt very
sick. Went down to bathroom and was either (a) Sick on the floor or (b) sick in
a bucket then knocked it over. Either way, on my way back upstairs I took off my
pajamas (covered in puke) and went to bed. Was
awoken the next morning by a furious Mrs. C who enquired as to who had been sick
on the bathroom floor. I, having no recollection of the incident gestured
towards Russell McGregor! She said nothing and left. At this point I was
wondering why I was practically naked and my head felt as if somebody had taken
a hammer to it! The awful truth lay only a few feet away. When I finally got up
I started down stairs to find said puke covered jammies. Of course, I could have
gone downstairs and still denied it, but for one small problem. My pajamas
weren’t really mine, they were my dad’s who had been issued them by the
Royal Navy, and in the keeping with service regulations had been indelible
ink-stamped with ‘A NICHOLSON’ all over! – I just went down and admitted
everything! Had I
been anywhere else I would have been thrown out on my ear. Instead Mrs. C just
(quite rightly) mentally tortured me for about 2 weeks with a look that could
kill. She always caught me going out of the door to enquire if I was going to
drink (I had given up by then – couldn’t face it for months after!)
Eventually although she forgave she never forgot! There
were incidents after that but none as bad as that (Not in 1st year
anyway) As
for myself, I decided to leave in January 1981. The main reason was that I
couldn’t fit in with so many people (especially the Tall Glaswiegian in the
bed next to me!) and I needed a bit of peace and quiet for study etc.
I went back at the beginning of third year for one block. But that only
further convinced me that I was not the social animal that all you other guys
were, so I decided to opt for other accommodation thereafter. Where
we should have had a stern father-like figure to control us. We got this
wonderful woman who always had time to talk to us, hear our problems, the food
was good (we were easily the best fed!)
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