[Morecambe Ex Pat]

Pop Cordingley
Now if ever there was a gentleman - that was the gentle man.

Pop Cordingley anecdote - would someone please pass it on to his son, it may offer some comfort at this sad time.

Back in 1974, I made my 'O' level choices and as my father was a joiner and I wanted to follow in his footsteps and do woodwork, most of the lads wanted to do woodwork so the split was decided in, what I consider, an unfair manner because those lads whose surnames were at the start of the alphabet were allowed to do woodwork and those of us whose names were at the end of the alphabet had to do metalwork. I complained bitterly and I have to admit, felt a tear roll down my face as I would not be allowed to follow in my father's footsteps. Pop Cordingley was concerned about my distressed state and explained that a decision had to be made and that he was sorry but I was destined to do metalwork, not woodwork. I was annoyed but he made me promise to do the best I could in metalwork, make my own Dad proud and get my metalwork 'O' level.

Two years later, despite the valliant attempts of the 'Comprehensive Brigade', and much to the astonishment of a certain Mr Teale, I got got that dammed metalwork 'O' level and I still have the wooden tray which I made in Pop Cordingley's woodwork class.

Mr. Cordingley - I thank you for being a guiding influence in my life. RIP