>> Or does anyone have any other ideas to get us all talking again? >> I might have to threaten a long post on some local/social/trade >> info again if you can't think of anything ;>) Surprisingly, I rather enjoyed it. Despite all the fear and foreboding, the dreaded '11 Plus' examination was nothing more than a book of puzzles. Similar questions are printed every Christmas in magazines. '/Write down the next number in the sequence ../.' '/Which of these symbols is the odd one out .../' What made the occasion awesome was the pressure of time, and the exaggerated regard with which the examination was obviously held by all adults. There was no measure of what had been learned during the previous five years; it was possible to achieve a pass with hardly any education at all. To the amazement of everyone, I passed; whereas my previous peak of achievement had been an ability to colour maps without going over the line. Most of my personal coterie, boys who in the words of our teacher 'will one day hang for sure', also passed. What was unfortunate, was that when results were announced our society became divided into two camps. Suddenly teachers were nice to me. All previous scholastic reports, with their pointed (and quite undeserved) criticisms were now forgotten. Myrtle with the plaits was prepared to talk to me. Conversely, old friends drifted away and my blocking skills on the football field were no longer required. Visits to town were necessary for purchase of the uniform. The wearing of a cap prepared one for the realities of a harsh life. It had the same effect as a matador's cape to a bull. None of us wanted to wear it; harsh penalties were enforced if it was not worn; and it represented a desirable trophy to every pupil of a different school. Additional points were awarded for collecting the cap of a prefect -- such caps were adorned with a silken tassel. Greater variety was available for those collecting headgear from schools for girls. Straw boaters, various berets, a rather chic 1920-style bonnet, and unbelievably, a mortar board with tassel. Smokey Checked by Norton 2004 before transmission with Mozilla Thunderbird