In August 1956 a young schoolmaster, Patrick Hutton, set out to teach at the prestigious Achimota School in the Gold Coast. Patrick was educated at Winchester College and Cambridge, he had completed his National Service and prior to leaving for Africa he taught at King Edward’s School, Birmingham. He was enthusiastic, idealistic, ambitious, and above all passionate about education.
These letters provide a unique diary of a fascinating period of West African history; the Gold Coast became independent Ghana in 1957 and Patrick relates detailed descriptions of many of the Independence Day celebrations. He also describes daily life at the school, which is very different to that at an English public school, as well as commenting on political events both in Ghana and at home. His descriptions of colleagues and pupils are entertaining, if sometimes a little scathing, and the tales of his many and various pets are enchanting. The letters also capture the beginning of a love story that was to continue for the next 50 years.
These letters provide a unique diary of a fascinating period of West African history; the Gold Coast became independent Ghana in 1957 and Patrick relates detailed descriptions of many of the Independence Day celebrations. He also describes daily life at the school, which is very different to that at an English public school, as well as commenting on political events both in Ghana and at home. His descriptions of colleagues and pupils are entertaining, if sometimes a little scathing, and the tales of his many and various pets are enchanting. The letters also capture the beginning of a love story that was to continue for the next 50 years.
