Colin Aslett 1969 to 1976
Colin Aslett lived on Hurst Road, Sidcup and arrived at St Mary’s in September 1969 from Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School in Blackfen along with several other boys including John Totman, John Aughterlony, Kieran Tuite, Clinton Taylor and Ralph Raison:
“I was in 1 Alpha and my first memories include the smell of leather from opening my brand-new briefcase, having to wear a blazer in class and wearing a cap to and from school,” recalls Colin.
"Overall, my time at St Mary’s was very positive. I learnt many things both academic and in life. It was still an excellent school when I was there and without doubt, I benefited from going there," he adds.
After his A-Levels in the blazing hot summer of 1976, Colin headed to Teesside Polytechnic to take a Business Studies degree.
There then followed a series of jobs including building site labourer, driver/transport manager for a minibus company, trainee manager for the new McDonalds Golden Arches Restaurants, publishing (he re-wrote the 1984 Boozers Diary!) and advertising sales at The Kentish Times before finally ending up in Corporate Sales within BT which I joined in 1985 and left in 2018.
Colin pictured in 2020 in Sidcup Place just across from the school
After leaving Poly, Colin spent seven years playing at Sidcup Rugby Club, eventually progressing to the first team and playing in the 1984 Kent Cup Final. After hanging up his rugby boots he continued playing ‘old boys’ football for 12 more years for Old St Mary’s FC, a club started by Tony Linnett.
Colin still keeps active and enjoys riding a bike, on and off road, playing tennis and circuit training.
There is a group of approximately 12 friends from the 1969 intake who (at least prior to lockdown) would meet up each year at Sidcup Rugby Club.
Colin is on Facebook and says he would love to hear from any other pupils who started at St Mary’s in 1969.
Bonus Questions:
First record bought – Machine Head – Deep Purple
Band/artist - Sensational Alex Harvey Band
Film – Blazing Saddles
Book – Catch 22
Sports team – England Rugby Team
Mastermind specialist subject? “I’m too much of a generalist. When I grow up, I intend to specialise in something!”