Some things disappear without a trace - like the old gymnasium at Queen’s. Well, almost… It is mentioned in one sentence in the Wyvern when it was built in 1902. The outline of the school site in about 1912 shows its position in vague terms.

A photograph, taken in the 1930s, of the interior of the gym shows the overhead ladder at one end and other equipment in the room. However, there is no physical indication on the ground of this building which was demolished in the academic year 1976-77 to make way for new changing rooms and to create a clear route from the terrace to the car park by the sports hall.

Yet one item from the gym remains in the archive - one of the wood panels that clad the wall, and can be seen in the photo. When pulling this cladding away, the workmen noticed writing in pencil on the reverse side. It includes the names of those who erected the panelling: H Baker, foreman, J Liscombe, carpenter and E G Coles, apprentice; the contractors: G H Pollard, St Mary’s, Taunton and the date these details were written: 11 January 1907. As the gym was built in 1902 this suggests the walls were originally block or render, with the panelling only added five years later. Was this to deaden the noise of activity, retain warmth or simply to improve its appearance? That mystery will remain unsolved.