Harry Pascoe was John's English teacher and the deputy head at Truro Technical School. He did not follow any recognized syllabus, but stimulated his pupils to think for themselves and to appreciate great literature. They spent a lot of time reading plays together and discussing them in class. Outside school he would give play readings in the City Hall which drew large audiences.
He recognised and encouraged John's love of the language and John greatly admired him. He promised that before John left school he would introduce him to Arthur Quiller Couch, a well known literary editor, critic and novelist, with whom he was friendly. Unfortunately this never happened, as Harry was knocked down and killed by a car when walking near Redruth. John was devastated by the news. If he had got to know Quiller Couch it is possible that his literary career might have started sooner than it did.
After he had left school and started work, John met Muriel Wolsey at Falmouth Wesley Chapel where they both attended Sunday services. She was a very attractive girl about a year younger than him. With the permission of both sets of parents they went for a walk together. There followed many more walks throughout west Cornwall during their 6 year courtship.
One of the things they found they had in common, and which they passed on to their sons was an inability to memorise poetry. John acquired Muriel's love of drawing and painting and nearly 60 years later they went to Art School together in Penzance. They bought paintings by local artists, including several by Ted Dyer who was their neighbour in Holywell for some years before he moved to Falmouth to open his gallery there (Beside the Wave).
Muriel supported and encouraged him in all he did throughout his life. During his career as an author she acted as critic, typed his manuscripts and kept the accounts, having trained as a short hand typist and book keeper after leaving school.
In 1946 whilst he was manager of Camborne Gas Company John attended Natural History evening classes run by the WEA (Workers' Education Authority) given by Dr Frank Turk. Frank was a brilliant lecturer with an infectious enthusiasm and as John's interest in the subject grew they became friends. John and Muriel would go to Frank and Stella's cottage, Shang-ri-la in Reskadinnick where they met other like-minded people.
At work John was becoming dissatisfied as a result of the Nationalisation of the Gas Industry and the increasing interference and regulation which came with it. Frank agreed to support his application to Oxford University to study zoology as an adult student and John started there in 1950.
Frank had a very wide range of interests and expertise and was an inspiration to many people. They remained in contact until Frank died, and with Stella afterwards. Frank provided information which John used in his books aswell as helpful critical comment.
© Alan Burley
Previous Next
|
