---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Den Duggan
Date: Thu, 18 Sept 2025 at 11:38
Subject: OWT Special Memorial Edition
To:
From: Den Duggan
Date: Thu, 18 Sept 2025 at 11:38
Subject: OWT Special Memorial Edition
To:
OLD WYVES' TALES
THE ONLINE VERSION
SPECIAL MEMORIAL EDITION IN HONOUR OF
FRANK (fFRED/BUNNY) HUTCHINSON)
SEPTEMBER 2025
THE ONLINE VERSION
SPECIAL MEMORIAL EDITION IN HONOUR OF
FRANK (fFRED/BUNNY) HUTCHINSON)
SEPTEMBER 2025
EDITED BY DENNIS J DUGGAN
EDITORIAL We all have memories of our former teachers at CBS, some good, some not so good! But occasionally the sad passing of a particular individual sparks off a host of affectionate messages as we recall those masters who, for whatever reason, made such an indelible impression which has remained with us to this day. Three examples are Dr Arnold Doc Burrows, Ken Witts and John Larry Lawson. And now we have another addition to the Hall of Fame - Frank Fred Bunny Hutchinson, who taught woodwork and metalwork from 1957-96 (The exact dates are uncertain, but whatever, it was a very long time!) During my years (1959-64) we thought his name was Fred, but at one of the reunions he told is it was actually Frank. Apparently that was to avoid confusion with another chap, also called Frank Hutchinson.
FROM BRIAN SCREATON 1959-65 A bit of sad news I'm afraid. I've just been notified that former teacher Frank Fred Hutchinson passed away on Sunday August 31st. A service to celebrate his life will be held at Cold Overton church, East Leicestershire, on Wednesday October 1st at 2pm. I understand there is likely to be a large number of attendees.
FROM ALAN COCKBILL 1961-67 We always called Mr Hutchinson Bunny. Not to his face of course, but as a term of endearment. I think he was generally well-liked. One of the two coffee tables I made, with his guidance and support, is still in use in my brother's summer house. The smell of parana pine being sawn or planed, and the warm fish glue - which dripped everywhere if you weren't careful - are with me still. I mentioned it to Frank at, I think, our final reunion, and it made him chuckle. Inevitably, his corduroy trousers were always covered in dust and wood shavings.
FROM BOB CHILDS 1976-2009 A very fond farewell....
FROM JOHN OFFORD 1958-63 Very sad news. I remember having discussions with Bunny at reunions, regarding horse racing and his career as a jockey. I am still using the woodworking skills he taught me. Not many former teachers left now.
FROM KEN WARD 1959-66 One of the lessons I did enjoy was woodwork, with a really cool teacher called Mr Hutchinson. His name was Frank, but for some reason everyone called him Fred. Every teacher had a nickname, his was Bunny. Bunny Hutchinson - that was an appropriate name, but behind that name was a really great person.
Around the age of fourteen or fifteen I had been introduced to horse riding by a good friend from CBS. At the weekends we would go to a riding stable in Queniborough. It had twenty two horses and ponies, ranging in size up to eighteen hands. We would be there on both Saturdays and Sundays.
I went to the stables to work, so I could 'earn' myself a ride, as I could not afford to pay for lessons. There was a great gang of lads and lassies who would clean out the stables, and prepare the horses for the gentry to go hacking in the countryside around Queniborough.
Whilst the gentry were riding, I would be standing on top of the hay pile, separating the droppings from the bedding. On cold days the steam rose from the pile to keep you warm. Believe it or not, I loved it.
A young lady, perhaps around twenty four, was in charge of the four show ponies. One was a beautiful palamino, which could only be ridden by the daughter of the stable owner. One day we got chatting, and when she discovered I went to CBS she said she was a friend of Bunny's. On returning to school I was approached by Bunny in the woodwork lesson, and the full story of his other life outside teaching became clear.
Bunny was a part-time jockey, and at weekends and holidays he rode horses for Lord Crawshaw at the races. He lived in a mews cottage above the stables on Lord Crawshaw's estate, somewhere in Leicestershire. Our mutual interest in horses was then always a topic of conversation. Just before Easter, Bunny invited me to go to a point-to-point meeting, with him and his
partner, at Market Rasen.
For this to happen, I had to stay overnight at Bunny's apartment, and help prepare the horses the following morning. A grey called September Mourn (sic) and one other before heading off. It was a dull, overcast day, but a fabulous one for me. Because of strict rules I was not allowed into the stable area to help with the final preparations, but was left to nosey round the course and fantasise about being a jockey, given that I was still a shorty!
I did have the opportunity to talk to Fred about that Easter weekend some five years ago, at one of the annual reunions. Understandably, he found it difficult to recall the experience, given the number of years that had passed. However, he did recall that my dad drove me to the stables in his Standard Vanguard, and that alone was very satisfying for me.
Mr Hutchinson/Fred/Frank/Bunny, thank you for that great Easter. It will never be forgotten. I never did become a jockey, but still have a love of horses.
As for the woodwork lessons - well, that 's another story!
FROM RICHARD CHATHAM 1967-74 I have fond memories of Mr Hutchinson. His teaching and encouragement during the double period helped my basic skills in woodwork and metalwork. Classes began with a call of 'circles for turtles,' an invitation to gather round in our light brown aprons. We left-handers had our own bench. As my marks were only average I'm sure he would be amazed that the flower trough I constructed is still used and in good shape! Others may know of his (rumoured) horse riding and point to point achievements. Occasionally we washed the old Land Rover. I can't recall if that was because we had done well and finished early, or because we hadn't done so well! 'Measure twice, cut once,' was his advice. He always said to begin by drawing the saw slowly towards us, to create a groove, before sawing strongly.
FROM KEITH BUCKNALL 1970-75 Mr Hutchinson was the woodwork teacher. I think we might have called him Scrutch. I'm sure he once sent someone out to fetch a bubble for the spirit level - or perhaps it was for a tin of elbow grease? Lovely memories. May he rest in peace, and rise in Glory.
FROM ALAN ROWDEN 1963-70 Sorry the hear that Mr Hutchinson has passed away. I believe he used to be a jockey. I managed to make a wooden pencil case in his woodwork class, which I still have.
Dennis J Duggan 1959-64
September 18th 2025
FROM BRIAN SCREATON 1959-65 A bit of sad news I'm afraid. I've just been notified that former teacher Frank Fred Hutchinson passed away on Sunday August 31st. A service to celebrate his life will be held at Cold Overton church, East Leicestershire, on Wednesday October 1st at 2pm. I understand there is likely to be a large number of attendees.
FROM ALAN COCKBILL 1961-67 We always called Mr Hutchinson Bunny. Not to his face of course, but as a term of endearment. I think he was generally well-liked. One of the two coffee tables I made, with his guidance and support, is still in use in my brother's summer house. The smell of parana pine being sawn or planed, and the warm fish glue - which dripped everywhere if you weren't careful - are with me still. I mentioned it to Frank at, I think, our final reunion, and it made him chuckle. Inevitably, his corduroy trousers were always covered in dust and wood shavings.
FROM BOB CHILDS 1976-2009 A very fond farewell....
When I joined the newly named City of Leicester School on Downing Drive in 1976 it was starting its evolution from a single sex selective school to a mixed, all ability comprehensive. It now had an 8 form entry instead of 3, which required more accommodation and new facilities. I was one of about ten newly appointed teachers but of course most were inherited from City Boys from its pre 1965 existence at Humberstone Gate. You could say that the staff in 1976 were like a case of old wine in new bottles. In addition the school pupils or students from the CBS era remained in the majority until 1979 and a significant presence until 1982.
Older, experienced staff came and went throughout my career up to 2009. Fred (as we knew him) was of course exceptional as he served CBS, COLS and the City of Leicester College as a Woodwork, Design and Supply teacher for about 44 years! I initially came across Fred on some lunchtimes, when looking out from the History Department 's stockroom at the back of room. C (later room 17) on the corner of the upper floor of the Science and Library block. A few male staff sometimes went for a run at lunchtimes....notably John Lee (English) and my colleague Geoffrey Reginald Norris Littlejohns! Sometimes they were accompanied by a craggy looking, middle aged but very lean and fit man with his trousers tucked into his socks....FH!
Other early encounters were in after school full staff meetings when Mr. Wood was Headteacher. As 5PM approached audible groans and murmurs would greet Fred asking a question or giving a view on lunchtimes, bells, movement between lessons, detentions etc! What soon became clear however was how well liked, friendly and helpful he was. In the mid eighties I had moved from Winterdrsdale Road in Evington to Thurcaston near Rothley. Having mentioned we wanted someone to fit two bespoke cupboards in our lounge, Fred insisted on helping us. Within weeks he had driven over from East Leicestershire on several occasions having:
sourced a large piece of a fallen oak
prepared it in school
prepared it in school
built two perfectly fitted cupboards in a light oak finish
refused to accept proper remuneration for his time, travel and professional skill.
I told the young couple who bought our house in 2015 they had a very special set of matching cupboards
Fred was what my Auntie would have called a "one orff" ! He had a thorough understanding of his subject and was an excellent teacher as well as an accomplished rider of horses. He was a man I am glad to have known both as a colleague and friend.
FROM MELVYN LINNETT 1962-67 My first memory of Bunny was in woodwork. He was making a saddle (for a horse) and I guessed what it was. He was making the tree, which is basically the chassis. Not long afterwards, he told me to bring a jacket to school. It was a Friday, so sales day at Leicester racecourse. We went at lunchtime, and watched the horses being sold. The old Land Rover was very noisy, but to me it was a Rolls Royce.
FROM DAVID WALKER I don't have many memories of my time at CBS, but do have a couple about Mr Hutchinson. He drove a very old pickup truck, and we were instructed to design and manufacture a cover for the open deck, using wood provided by the school. It took many weeks, but we were successful, and it looked very smart. Later, he married, and we were tasked with crafting a bespoke wooden bedhead. This was a more intensive job, involving experimenting with staining and polishing the timber. It occupied a term of work before Mr Hutchinson announced it was good enough for his bride-to-be. I studied woodwork for my 'O' Level (or maybe 'A' level) and between us we decided I should make a china cabinet with glazed doors, using parana pine. This is a straight-grained softwood. The end result was very successful, with many dovetail joints and treated with French polish. It gained me good marks. It went into my mother's house, she was proud to show it off to her friends. It now resides in my workshop, having been retrieved when my mother passed away.
FROM DAVID WALKER I don't have many memories of my time at CBS, but do have a couple about Mr Hutchinson. He drove a very old pickup truck, and we were instructed to design and manufacture a cover for the open deck, using wood provided by the school. It took many weeks, but we were successful, and it looked very smart. Later, he married, and we were tasked with crafting a bespoke wooden bedhead. This was a more intensive job, involving experimenting with staining and polishing the timber. It occupied a term of work before Mr Hutchinson announced it was good enough for his bride-to-be. I studied woodwork for my 'O' Level (or maybe 'A' level) and between us we decided I should make a china cabinet with glazed doors, using parana pine. This is a straight-grained softwood. The end result was very successful, with many dovetail joints and treated with French polish. It gained me good marks. It went into my mother's house, she was proud to show it off to her friends. It now resides in my workshop, having been retrieved when my mother passed away.
FROM JOHN OFFORD 1958-63 Very sad news. I remember having discussions with Bunny at reunions, regarding horse racing and his career as a jockey. I am still using the woodworking skills he taught me. Not many former teachers left now.
FROM KEN WARD 1959-66 One of the lessons I did enjoy was woodwork, with a really cool teacher called Mr Hutchinson. His name was Frank, but for some reason everyone called him Fred. Every teacher had a nickname, his was Bunny. Bunny Hutchinson - that was an appropriate name, but behind that name was a really great person.
Around the age of fourteen or fifteen I had been introduced to horse riding by a good friend from CBS. At the weekends we would go to a riding stable in Queniborough. It had twenty two horses and ponies, ranging in size up to eighteen hands. We would be there on both Saturdays and Sundays.
I went to the stables to work, so I could 'earn' myself a ride, as I could not afford to pay for lessons. There was a great gang of lads and lassies who would clean out the stables, and prepare the horses for the gentry to go hacking in the countryside around Queniborough.
Whilst the gentry were riding, I would be standing on top of the hay pile, separating the droppings from the bedding. On cold days the steam rose from the pile to keep you warm. Believe it or not, I loved it.
A young lady, perhaps around twenty four, was in charge of the four show ponies. One was a beautiful palamino, which could only be ridden by the daughter of the stable owner. One day we got chatting, and when she discovered I went to CBS she said she was a friend of Bunny's. On returning to school I was approached by Bunny in the woodwork lesson, and the full story of his other life outside teaching became clear.
Bunny was a part-time jockey, and at weekends and holidays he rode horses for Lord Crawshaw at the races. He lived in a mews cottage above the stables on Lord Crawshaw's estate, somewhere in Leicestershire. Our mutual interest in horses was then always a topic of conversation. Just before Easter, Bunny invited me to go to a point-to-point meeting, with him and his
partner, at Market Rasen.
For this to happen, I had to stay overnight at Bunny's apartment, and help prepare the horses the following morning. A grey called September Mourn (sic) and one other before heading off. It was a dull, overcast day, but a fabulous one for me. Because of strict rules I was not allowed into the stable area to help with the final preparations, but was left to nosey round the course and fantasise about being a jockey, given that I was still a shorty!
I did have the opportunity to talk to Fred about that Easter weekend some five years ago, at one of the annual reunions. Understandably, he found it difficult to recall the experience, given the number of years that had passed. However, he did recall that my dad drove me to the stables in his Standard Vanguard, and that alone was very satisfying for me.
Mr Hutchinson/Fred/Frank/Bunny, thank you for that great Easter. It will never be forgotten. I never did become a jockey, but still have a love of horses.
As for the woodwork lessons - well, that 's another story!
FROM RICHARD CHATHAM 1967-74 I have fond memories of Mr Hutchinson. His teaching and encouragement during the double period helped my basic skills in woodwork and metalwork. Classes began with a call of 'circles for turtles,' an invitation to gather round in our light brown aprons. We left-handers had our own bench. As my marks were only average I'm sure he would be amazed that the flower trough I constructed is still used and in good shape! Others may know of his (rumoured) horse riding and point to point achievements. Occasionally we washed the old Land Rover. I can't recall if that was because we had done well and finished early, or because we hadn't done so well! 'Measure twice, cut once,' was his advice. He always said to begin by drawing the saw slowly towards us, to create a groove, before sawing strongly.
FROM KEITH BUCKNALL 1970-75 Mr Hutchinson was the woodwork teacher. I think we might have called him Scrutch. I'm sure he once sent someone out to fetch a bubble for the spirit level - or perhaps it was for a tin of elbow grease? Lovely memories. May he rest in peace, and rise in Glory.
FROM ALAN ROWDEN 1963-70 Sorry the hear that Mr Hutchinson has passed away. I believe he used to be a jockey. I managed to make a wooden pencil case in his woodwork class, which I still have.
Dennis J Duggan 1959-64
September 18th 2025