Page 34 - Demo

32White Knuckles, Brown TrousersIn the spring of 1966, I had a Full driving licence but no car. Colin Pilcher was the proud owner of a Ford Prefect but had only a Provisional licence. This was a match made in heaven - I was to became Colin%u2019s qualified, accompanying driver.The cognoscenti will know that a Ford Prefect had only 3 gears and was a boring, family car built for sedateness.One evening saw us bombing, for the first time, down Leadenham Hill. Unlike most of flat Lincolnshire, this was quite a steep slope down to the Lincoln Edge from the Cranwell direction over about half a mile, culminating in a 90 degree turn at the bottom just before Leadenham village. As we approached the vicious turn at some considerable speed, I suggested to Colin that he should maybe change down a gear and slow down. I was now to learn that Colin could brake or he could change gears %u2013 but not both at the same time. Well he ground the gears mercilessly but failed completely to find that second gear and we freewheeled in neutral around the bend at something around 60 mph, with considerable squealing of tyres. A white knuckles, brown trousers moment. Somehow we stayed on 4 wheels and on the road. After several deep intakes of breath by both of us, Colin smiled that enigmatic smile of his and said in his unflappable way %u201cWell, that was fun%u201d. David ForsythOnly One Careful Lady Owner Chris Stevens joined 94 D from 93 Entry in either Term 2 or Term 3, can%u2019t remember. He fitted in quickly, cultivating, I suspect deliberately, a reputation for being clumsy, frequently smacking his hand on his brow and exclaiming %u201cDawk%u201d %u2013 which soon became his nickname. The reason for noting that detail will become clear.