On the last syllable of the last verse of the last hymn on the last Sunday of term, we would all kick the pew. How long this had been going on I have no idea- but it was certainly custom and practice in the 1960s at St Mary's Anglican church, sorry vicar.

I wonder whether DWS chapel goers also participated in this less than noble tradition?

Our broad, low heeled, brown lace-up shoes would clatter against the wooden pew in muffled, yet satisfying, unison. We carried on, trying to look and sound angelic. This was harder for some than others. Some girls are better at supressing giggles and some girls may be sitting in close proximity to the headmistress who probably wouldn't see the funny side or appreciate this aspect of tradition.

I do recall the vicar looking a bit startled by the racket as the pews got a good kicking one particular end of term. I think that was probably the year when we were "blown up" back at school. (Not literally, that would have been a punishment our parents would have been quite cross about) Being "blown-up" was a day to day experience in the life of a wayward pupil. You could be "blown-up" by teachers, prefects, monitresses- more or less anyone senior to you. It amounted to a good telling off.