ESPIN HOUSE

 

Its proximity to the DSG has helped to make Espin a house of choice. In years gone by when there was no direct access through the gates in the wall, boys were known to communicate ingeniously with the girls in green. One way was to shoot arrows over the wall, with messages and love letters attached. Today, it’s a simple matter of chatting on one of the benches near to the gates which stay open until 19h00 each evening.

 

Built in 1902, Espin House was named after the illustrious and scholarly headmaster Canon John Espin, who retired that year. Like Armstrong, this house was designed by William White-Cooper, a man who left his architectural imprint on a number of the city’s schools. Initially housing 42 boarders, the building was extended in the late 1950s, with the addition of north and west wings and a housemaster’s residence. Espin and Armstrong boys ate in their houses until Jooste Hall was built in 1948 – and as had been the case with all houses previously, they were catered for by their housemasters’ wives.

Until the late 1930s Espin boys went outside to the “bogs”, a ramshackle row of toilets between Espin and Armstrong. Next to the bogs was the box room, where all the tin trunks were stored until the last day of term when the boys packed them for the journey home. Until the installation of electric geysers, a coal fire “donkey” heated the water for the house. The fire was stoked only twice a week; if you were lucky the water was lukewarm. 

A large part of Espin was damaged in 1985 when an electric fault caused a fire in the Lucas dormitory. Fortunately, it occurred during a half term break. 

Amongst the housemasters who have served Espin are a number whose careers at College have stretched over many decades. Among them, KWJ Laurie, nicknamed Pud or Cupid, ran the house from 1907 to 1933; the booming “Drac” Lucas taught at College for 52 years and led Espin in the 1930s and 40s; and Peter Harvey followed him in the 1940s and 50s. Ettienne de Villiers (1960s) is remembered for his firm sense of justice and fair play; while David Hodgson, who was housemaster throughout the 1970s, went on to be second master and to give sterling service to the Old Andrean Club.

 

Espin boys are fiercely competitive and loyal. On the sports field they often lead the pack. The house celebrated its centenary in 2002 in style, with 190 old boys attending the reunion events.

Text from A Place to Celebrate (Written by Tim Nuttall and Lynette Paterson, assisted by Marguerite Poland)

For information on the current Housemaster of Espin please click here:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For information on the current Housemaster of Espin please click here: Espin

 Printer Friendly