1 Aug 2007

I think the phrase is "In your dreams Nic Cuthbertson' - when were the lads at WBS ever ahead? 'Warped with time' hardly sums it up. Michael Davis? Very sorry but although again the name rings bells the face has gone. Remind me when, and at what level, I taught you. However you do know some maths, your next two numbers are correct and the formula too although it is only one of the many possible ones. It would have been better, ex-teachers always have to criticise, if you had told us how you solved the problem. Sean is itching to know and is probably losing sleep over it. August's problem is on its way - don't get too excited.

Geoff Hern (M60-80)

1 Aug 2007

Right folks The answer to Mr Herns problem, took me a few days to get the grey cellworking again. I had sent I thought the next numbers in the sequence before but maybe I forgot to post the message. The first thing as Geoff says is to recognise the sequence, but looking at the difference between to numbers you get another range of numbers such that:

72, 21 > 51;
21, 10 > 11;
10, 39 > -29;
39, 108 > -69;
108, 217 > -109;

an interesting fact about the second set of numbers is that the difference between them is constant at 40, knowing this helps you extrapolate the sequence both forwards and backwards. Thus the next intermediate numbers after -109 is -149, so the next number in our main sequence is 217 - (-149) = 366; following the same principle you get -149 > -189. 366 - (-189) = 555; Now back to the question of the equation. Plot the graph, how you say? look for the minima and plot the points either side of that with the minima as 0 on the x axis. does it help well it proves that the curve is parabolic and is therefore a quadratic as all quadratic equations produce a parabolic curve our minima in the sequence is 10 so y=10 when x=0 therefore from the general quadratic equation ax^2 + bx + c = 0 we can substitute x=0 and get the value for c=10 as x^2 and x are both 0.

next let x=1 y=39
therefore ax^2 + bx + c = 39
by substitution we get a + b + 10 = 39
a + b = 29
b = 29 - a; remember that value
let x = 2; y = 108;
using our previous values we get
4a + 2b + 10 = 108
4a + 2(29 - a) + 10 = 108
4a + 58 - 2a + 10 = 108
2a = 40
a = 20

now for b;
using the same method I solved for b using x= - 1
giving a=11+b

so ax^2 + bx + c = 72 when x = -2
we get 4a - 2b + 10 = 72
sub a
4(11 + b) - 2b + 10 = 72
44 + 4b - 2b + 10 =72
2b = 18
b=9so our formula is

20x^2 + 9x + 10 = 0

try it and see go from -9 to +9 you should get the following sequence
1549, 1218, 927, 676, 465, 294, 163, 72, 21, 10, 39, 108, 217, 366,
555, 784, 1053, 1362, 1711

so proving that even those who where taught by Mr Hern in the sixties have still got it. Sorry folks it is so long but what the heck. good to know the grey cells still work.

Malcolm Brunsdon (E67-69)

2 Aug 2007

hi nic nice to know someone remembers me.you probably have more recollections of memories of verhte where we lived,playing football between the blocks of flats that always turned into rugby.we didnt really associate much back at school apart from when we met between lessons and after school,but good memories all the same.i also remember your sister jill.sean i thought you might remember me as every time i was with you,especially in r.e.s. i always ended up with a thud on the back of my head,administered by p.b.i was even put in the frame as a possible cause for you entering the greenhouse via the top.remember me yet?long hair and glasses,like quite a few others at that time maybe it will come back to you.there are so many other things i could mention but they can wait.

Tony Lister(S74-76)

2 Aug 2007

Congratulations Malcolm Brunsdon - what do you do for a living?. A neat formula and well-explained (How condescending is that?). However when you have done a few of these you do not need to do all the algebra. You can just look at the differences - first and second - and not only see that it is quadratic (How?) but you can also write down a formula just by looking at the differences. To paraphrase Fermat - he of the last theorem - ' This space is not good enough for me to explain things' but if you 'went general' by considering the ax^2 + bx + c you could see how to get the a, b and c from the difference table. You've gone this far why not try it.

Geoff Hern (M60-80)

2 Aug 2007

Geoff given a set of data and pairing the said data, say (1,72), (2,21), (3,10), etc, AND noting the constant difference after subtracting the data sequence two times e.g.

72 21 10 39 108 217
51 11 -29 -69 -109
40 40 40 40

one draws the conclusion you have to solve for the constants in quadratic equation (y = ax^2 +bx +c). The rest is plain sailing. As for myself you were my A-level maths teacher – pure and applied – in the days the class size was only 2 or 3 pupils.

Michael Davis (E73-76)

4 Aug 2007

To answer your question Geoff, of what do I do. I currently work in Project Management, previously I have worked as an Electronics Engineer, then Software Engineer, Information analyst, Training Consultant before moving into my current role. Its sometime since I needed my Maths skills but nice to think they can be recalled.

Malcolm Brunsdon (E67-69)

8 Aug 2007

Hope all you maths freaks who appear to have taken over the visitors book will be watching what promises to be a fascinating documentary about four mathematicians - DANGEROUS KNOWLEDGE (BBC 4 @ 10.05, 8.8.07 & repeats) and taking notes - they all committed suicide!

Robin Anderson (B63-66)

9 Aug 2007

Mr Hern - with my CSE grade 1 in Maths I don't even understand the question never mind the answer! As far as the footy's concerned I'm on more solid ground as it were - I was part of the successful team which won the Inter Schools tournament (1975?).Names which I recall are Steve Hollis, Martin & Simon Brindley, Scott Innes,Pete Dyche,Sam Weller,Ken Dogson,Terry Leahy.I also have vague recollections of attempting to down copious amounts of german beer from a large glass boot & getting soaked in the process! Happy days eh?!

Neil Carrick (H72-75)

11 Aug 2007

Lol....Good to see that maths lessons have the same effect on the forums as they did 30 years ago... .everyones done a runner.

Said in a very repectful manner so as not to upset all the maths types and (doffs cap) Mr Hern off course.

Tony Reilly (M73-76)

11 Aug 2007

BBC 4? Would love to see it but we retired maths teachers can only get the four 'steam' channels on TV - I'll have to wait until it gets repeated on BBC 2 but Euler was not one of them!! My 'sincere' apologies that you think that the visitors book has been taken over by Maths - mea maxima culpa! - but nevertheless, since I always keep a promise and I've also lived with the 'maths freak' tag for a long time, here is August's problem - bet you couldn't wait. Prompted by John Bartlett's hotel question, here is another question from mathematics history which has travelled the continents. It probably first appeared in China in Zhang Quijian's Mathematical Manual in 475 AD as: A rooster is worth 5 coins, a hen is worth 3 coins and 3 chicks are worth together 1 coin. With 100 coins we buy 100 fowls. How many of each do we buy? Zhang gives three different answers. Can you get them? Try it Tony Reilly!! No more maths questions from me until September and that's another promise.

Geoff Hern (M60-80)

11 Aug 2007

HI everyone,
Just been looking at the photos of the Blackpool reunion, looks like you all had a good time, I recognise the usual suspects but can anyone tell me who the guy facing the camera on Bill's pic ro38 is. The face is familiar but can't get the name. Regards to you all,

John Fisher (H65-68)

12 Aug 2007

to John Fisher The face in Bill Craswell's photo no. 38 is me. I remember your name but it was 39 years ago when you left Windsor and the memory has faded. Don't know if you remember Mike Stafford, Mick Fulker, Allister Pollock (deceased) who were my old dorm mates. Maybe you can make the next reunion and I can put a face to your name. The Blackpool reunion was a great chance to meet some old Windsonians. Hopefully the next one will be better attended

Dave Seales (M66-70)

13 Aug 2007

To Dave Seales - if you want to put a face to John Fisher - there's a photo of him on my web page from the last Newbury visit. By the way, we used to say "Windsorite" when we were at school as a descriptor, rather than Windsonian - will this spark a debate, I wonder? :-) (makea a diversion from maths!) Best wishes - Pam

Pamela Ross (StJ63-68)

14 Aug 2007

Hi Pam, Hi Dave, Pam, is that photo the one which shows the tattoo on my forehead? Dave, our paths must have crossed at some stage if only in the corridors. Perhaps you were in the school athletics team or played guitar? regards John

John Fisher (H65-68)

14 Aug 2007

If anyone is interested in the solution(s) to Geoff’s problem it is given below:

Let R be the number of roosters, H, the number of hens and C the number of chicks. Then

R + H + C = 100 And 5R+ 3H + C = 100

Since there are 3 unknowns but only 2 equations, there are more than one solution to the problem.

Eliminating C

7R+ 4H = 100

From this equation one can deduce that R is a multiple of 4.

R: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, ...

H: 18, 11, 4, -3 , -10, ..

C: 78, 81 ,84, 87, 90,..

Since R, H and C must be positive integers the problem results in three solutions:


Solution 1: 4, 18 and 78 ( Roosters, Hens, and Chicks)
Solution 2: 8, 11 and 81
Solution 3: 12, 4 and 84

The problem can be also solved by considering increasing and deceasing ratios but I am sure Geoff will give this solution method.

Michael Davis (E73-76)

15 Aug 2007

I was gigging in Germany last weekend where I met a fan from Hamm! I was given an article from the local Hamm press featuring a story on the former Windsor Girls School site. From what I can gather it is to be developed into a housing estate 3 months from now. I shall scan the pictures and forward them to the Society if anyone is interested to see the artists impression of the development. From the drawing it appears the main buildings may be left intact.

Mick Hughes (C74-77)

16 Aug 2007

Hi Dave Seales,your name rings a whistle........I think you were more in my brother James era however I still recognise the names you mentioned particularly Mike Stafford.Do you know where he or his brother Philip are now? James and I have been to 3 reunions so far but missed the Blackpool one.We will make more of an effort to get to the next one.There were a number of my siblings @ the school in the 60,s and 70,s including James,Peter & David all in Marlborough & Christine who was in Balmoral house at WGS.Happy Days.

Ralph Bennett (M62-68)

16 Aug 2007

Interesting information from Mick Hughes. I'll be off to the Sauerland for a holiday next week - anybody remember those D of E camps at Altenilpe and the Rambling Club walks of the 1970s? We'll be staying at Dorlar where Steve Gulley, Gerry Bird et al gave their 'kippers a steam' a la Milligan in the stream there on our walk from Mohnesee to Altenilpe. I pay homage every time I'm there. Whatever happened to Steve? So I might check out the WGS site to see if I can find out more. Don't know if I can stand to check out WBS though since the last time I was there a couple of years ago it really was very depressing - nostalgia is not what it used to be - overgrown front and back fields, goalposts still there but crossbars half-down and even - sacrilege!! - small trees growing out of the gratings in front of the Maths Block. I read in the local paper at the time that it was proposed to make the WBS site into the fire and rescue centre for the Hamm area. Hey a posting from me and not a maths problem in sight - another promise kept. BUT Michael Davis - a perfect answer and just as Euler would have done it - he gave the definitive solution to Diophantine equations.

Geoff Hern (M60-80)

16 Aug 2007

Hi My Name is Michele Wilkinson i was in Marlborough House,and would like to say Hello to all Who Knew me and would like to get in contact with anyone from my time at Windsor.

Michele Wilkinson (M77-83)

17 Aug 2007

Mick, Geoff and anyone else who’s looking in. Some info on the developement of WGS can be found on www.wa-online (rather crude translations can be found in the exwindsorbfpo site) once in the we-online webpage its possible to do a search for Argonner Kaserne or Newcastle barracks to get to the stories, there also some interesting articles on theives stripping stuff out of WBS and Cromwell barracks. From what I can gather the assembly hall/main teaching block is scheduled for use by the Fire Service.

Phil McGregor (C73-76)

17 Aug 2007

All this talk of walking through the woods in the Sauerland - Geoff, are you by chance the teacher from the Boys' School who used take mixed groups for walks - we used to be walking along a nice lane in the wood and the teacher would say, "this is too boring - let's try this!" and head off the track and up a muddy hillside, scrambling through the trees, only to eventually arrive back on the same track, one hour later and ten yards further on? Some of my mother's relations came from the Sauerland (my grandfather was from Warstein) - as well as her cousin having been stationed at the Dannevoux Kaserne during the war. I always intended going back - maybe it will have to wait till I retire (not so long to go now - isn't that amazing?!)

Pamela Ross (StJ63-68)

18 Aug 2007

Hi Michelle Wilkinson & Kevin Eldridge, Michelle you have my number give me a ring soon for an early annual chat and Kev I will get in touch with you soon. I know I am not the easiest of people to keep in touch with and to catch up on what has been happening over the last 20+ years but please bear with me Cath Wickens, Tony Rood, Janet & Lordy Martindale, Chris Rees, Mark Freemantle, Jeff Greenall and Mr. Bugden I will return my email to you all. Love Denise

Denise Keen (hippy) (M80-83)

18 Aug 2007

Yes Pamela I'm afraid that it was me but from your dates you must have been on one of the earlier walks -probably as part of the Sixth Form Society. It developed from that and in the 70s we used to go out once a month and I usually managed to fit in one of those 'diversions' that you mention. Some students wised-up to it and refused to climb but then of course we would not come back down to the same track - how silly I was. The WGS/WBS Rambling Club - as we pretentiously called ourselves - became quite an activity in the 70s. It developed from the joint Duke of Edinburgh's Award Activity. I love the Sauerland and go back regularly - another one of those nostalgia things. Perhaps I should move there before it's too late - if it's not too late already. Warstein? - knowit well as nearby Hirschberg was another favourite area of mine.

Geoff Hern (M60-80)

18 Aug 2007

I cant believe I am writing with sad news so soon after my Mothers death in February of this year, but I have to tell those of you who remember my Father, Peter Kitchen of Marlborough house and a member of staff at Windsor Boys School from 1958 -1981, that he very sadly and suddenly passed away yesterday afternoon having spent a week in Derbyshire visiting me and my family.My brother lindsay and sister Miriam(Min) are absolutely devastsated and can only think that having been so devoted to Mum for so many years whilst she was so ill, just couldnt face life without her. He was a totally dedicated teacher and housemaster and those of you who remember him know how he gave of his all whilst we lived in Hamm. He did the same looking after Mum and had a tough time. We were hoping he was going to have a few years of doing things with us and relaxing a little, but it was not to be. Our only consolation is that he is now with Mum in a better place and that he spent most of the last 6months with his family-in fact he left our house yesterday morning to go home to get ready for Mins 40th birthday celebrations this weekend. Once we know funeral arrangements I will post another message but it is unlikely to be before the end of next week.It will be at the crematorium in Boston, Lincolnshire.

Virginia Street(Kitchen) (M71-79)

19 Aug 2007

Virginia, Lindsay and Min - what very sad news! Please accept my sincere condolences. As you know I worked with Peter for 17 or so years as a duty master in Marlborough. What a dedicated man he always was, he never sought the limelight and just got on with the job of running a great (the best) house. This dedication was an integral part of his make-up and you can be sure that many former members of Marlborough, although some may not have realised it at the time, will know that they owe a great deal to Peter and the stability that he gave to their lives whilst they were at WBS. He was always great to work with and, it goes without saying, always put the lads first. I have many happy memories which makes it all the more sad that he is no longer with us.

Geoff Hern (M60-80)

20 Aug 2007

dear virginia, sorry to hear of your fathers sad passing. he was a great housemaster and will be sadly missed, i had hoped to meet your father in blackpool this year,but sadly he did not attend. thinking of you and your family at this sad time.

Dougie Whitefield (71-75)

20 Aug 2007

Virginia, So sorry to hear the news about Mr Kitchen. My condolences to you and your family.

Tony Reilly (M73-76)

20 Aug 2007

Hi Michelle, I remember you very well. Last thing I heard was that you were married and living in Malta. (I think your mum was from there) I think you can contact me through the members list or through friends reunited, as they dont give out email addresses any more on here.

Carolyn Meakin (M76-79)

Email addresses are available for members - just email me and I will forward your address to the person you want to contact.

21 Aug 2007

Dear Virginia,Lindsay and Min, I was truly saddened to read the news about your fathers passing.He was a lovely man.I remember your mother too and know he was a dedicated husband who cared for her so much. He will be greatly missed by all the students and staff who knew him.

Ralph Bennett (M62-68)

21 Aug 2007

Virginia,Lindsay and Miriam would like to thank everyone for their kind messages following their fathers sudden death last week. We would like to let you know that his funeral will be on August 30th at 1.20pm at the crematorium in Boston, Lincolnshire. I know he would be glad if as many ex colleagues and pupils could join the three of us and remember this fabulous man. We lookforward to seeing as many of you as possible next week.

Virginia Street(Kitchen) (M71-79)

22 Aug 2007

So sorry to hear of the sad passing of Mr Kitchen. He, with Geoff Hern, ran the best house (Marlborough) in the school! Hard to beleive that I last saw him almost 40 years ago! He was a good man. I had him for german (with Pete Larner), and my brother, Robert, was under his wing in the CCF.

Michael Downey (M65-68)

22 Aug 2007

Virginia,Lindsay and Miriam, Sorry I cant be with you on 30th August, as I live in Hampshire. My thoughts go out to you, I lost my own Dad just over a year ago, I can remember your Dad taking me through my RAF Cadet theory training. Still got the Cadet Record of Service.

Malcolm Brunsdon (S62 -64 & E67 - 69)

22 Aug 2007

Hi I was a pupil at windsor girls school from 1970 to 1972 I don't know the exact month I started there! I left in the summer of 1972 I think! I was in sandringham house I have some good but mostly bad memories of the place due to some girls who were intent on making some of us very unhappy! The best day of my life was when I left,but there you go you can't please everybody! If anyone remembers me I am on the friends reunited website so drop me a line.

Kim Porter (S70-72)

23 Aug 2007

Hi my name is Steve Jones I was in Caernarvon Hse from 79/81.both my brothers were in the same hse, Mike(city) and Ollie.My Sister was at Wgs Bettina.Im looking for the were abouts of Micheal Wragg or Frank Challis, Billy Graves, Micheal Cox, or anyone from Osnabruck and from my days at Windsor who knew me.

Steve Jones (C79-81)

25 Aug 2007

Hello Carolyn (Amos) & Michele (Wilkinson), Carolyn, I received you email from Friends Reunited & I can't believe where the time has gone! Richard 21 and probably doesn't even remember his God Mum!
Would love to get in touch with you again. Michele, well nearly 30 years have gone by since we've seen each other so I don't know if you'll remember me. Hope your Parents are well and would love to hear from you. Did you keep in touch with Pucky? I Still live in Ashby (4 doors down from Mum & Dad if you still have the address) Don't know how soon my details will be undated if you want to wait and get the details from here. And to anyone else who knows me. Would love to hear from you!

Suzanne (Fuller) Elliott (M76-78)

25 Aug 2007

From Visitors Book 17 April 2006 - I would be delighted to hear from anyone who knew Charlie Craddock Number H54, during the period 1953 to1959. Maybe Jimmy Quinn/Colin Rose/ Karen Haley/ Mike Stocks Angela Woodhead or the House and School cricket team ?? - Karl Craddock H 53-59

I've been looking back through the visitors book in search of anybody from the 1950s and I came across this one. Yes, I remember Charlie Craddock. You helped Hillsborough win the cricket cup in 1956. There is a house photo for that year available, with a good number of names on. A few of us Hillsboroughites, from the 50s, including Pete Porter and Ken Squires, have been corresponding for some time now and we have been hoping that Jimmy Quinn would find his way to one of the ex Windsor sites but he hasn't turned up yet. The other names you mention, I'm afraid I don't recall.

Bob Stocks (H6 54 - 57)

28 Aug 2007

Hello Neil Carrick- Saw your message at end of last month. Glad to know there is someone out there from our group. Matti couldn't make the reunion either as it was her son's 21st, but hopefully will be at the next one. I saw Bobby Hoffman a few weeks ago as he was in London. He was very well and would be up for meeting a few more people next time he is over, so keep in touch.

Loraine McMillan (H73-76)