Thanks for your response Pek. At least bullying has a name these days, and is seen as wrong, even though it's still around.
Growing up in 1970s England, bullying was seen as something that was good for you, it would toughen you up ready to deal with the world. Does that include being kicked into nettle bushes and ending up with nettle stings all over your face and eyes?
I've met some lousy people since I grew up and made my own way through life, but none of the people have been as bad as the school bullies.
There's a certain 'sadism' about it. I hope they are all in prison.
Most of the people that try to damage you as an adult, they have something actually to gain from it, there's some monetary or social reward for them, eg stealing your purse, or stealing your promotion!
With children and adolescents, there's a pure animal sadism about it, which is very difficult to deal with.
Anyway, onwards and upwards 
thank God schooldays are gone! Nobody can ever make us go back to school HURRAY!
Thanks for the moral support 
I really really appreciate it.
