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Other mysteries in this section... (most recent first) |
his photo presents us with a simple case of "are you in this picture?".
Cathy Bennett sent in this photo of a class from Courthouse Green School. Although Cathy attended that school in the 1970's, it would be interesting to hear from anyone who recognises themselves in this lovely class portrait.
Teacher, Miss Young
Left to right, back row:
Sally Pearsall | Diane Quinney | ? | Peter Innocent | Susan Johnson | Pat Pollock | ? | Margaret Bedford | ? | Alan Bassett | ? | ? | John Chaplain | ? | ? | Geoffrey Green
Left to right, middle row:
? | Jennifer Clarke | Michael Williams | Anthony Burdett | Lynn Hamersley | ? | Alan Goulden | ? | ? | Jacqueline Thomas | John Perry
Left to right, front row:
? | ? | Douglas Annalls | Alison Smith | Yvonne Bannister | John Curran | Frazer Hendry | Jane Gilbert | David Cutts | Richard Baker
Ormand Lucas has more memories of the school to share with us....
"I was outside the juniors' waiting for the gates to open in 1951, I was moved from Edgewick School. I remember Mr. Bailey, Miss Sheldon (or Shelton), Mr. Batt, and Miss Hasten was the Head Mistress and if you did anything wrong and was sent to her office she would rap your knucles with a ruler. On Friday afternoons we all had to polish our desk tops then one of our class had to go and collect Mr. Bailey's son who was in the infants' and bring him into Mr. Bailey's class and he would be asked to pick the most polished desk and get a prize of three pence. Mrs. Major, Head Mistress of the infants' was my class teacher in my last year at Paradise Street School but due to a bad road accident I was off school for a long time and Mrs. Major arranged a collection for me and bought me a Rupert the Bear annual and a selection of sweets - she was a very nice person."
Although not in this photograph, Linda Moore and her sister did attend Courthouse Green School, and has these memories to record....
"My mum was the lollipop lady on Sewell Highway by the infants' entrance. I was in Mr. Batts class and Mr Buckingham's too, and remember Miss Hasten - scary lady. I can also remember sitting in the hall watching the investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales. We moved on up to Lyng Hall but left around 1972 when we moved north "for a better life" away from the strikes/unemployment."
Alan Goulden was shown this webpage by his son, and he subsequently recognised himself as seventh from the left in the middle row.
Barry Adams has particular memories of the Shuttle Street Children's Home, which he relates here....
"....you ask if anyone else remembers Shuttle Street Children's Home. I certainly do. It was No. 37 and was indeed run by Mr. and Mrs. Garvey. I was aged 5 when I was incarcerated there from The Grange Kids home in Keresley in 1958. I seem to remember Mr. Garvey was a nice bloke but Mrs. G. was a real battleaxe! I was terrified of her! I was there with my older brother and two sisters. Our names were Jacqueline, Yvonne, Philip and myself, Barry Adams. I don't suppose anyone else would remember us from all those years ago. We attended Courthouse Green school, but were only at Shuttle Street for a year or so before being moved yet again. I have written my autobiography detailing what life was like being brought up in care during the years 1955-1968. There are currently copies in various libraries in the city. It is entitled "Pater Noster" by Barry Adams - Shelved at 362.732092"
Malcolm Strong also recognises several of his friends, and can confirm that the seventh lad from left in the front row was a friend of his, Frazer Hendry. Another friend, John Chaplain, is now a retired policeman, and indeed, Malcolm recalls being friends with most of the children in this picture.
Geoff Green can confirm being on the right in the back row, and he would like to add....
"I recognise a huge amount of the faces and names. Had a copy of this from Pat Pollock a number of years ago through Friends Reunited. Also remember very well a friend of mine called Alan Goulden but don't recognise him from the pic. Does anyone else remember him? Quite remarkable how the names come flooding back. I remember Miss Hasten vividly. 'I SHALL SMACK YOU AND I SHALL HURT YOU'. Dont think she would get away with that these days. Happy memories. Cheers, Geoff Green"
Veronica Faux (nee Smith) has written to say that she was in this class, but cannot identify herself. Veronica says;
"I was born in 1947 so I would have been aged 6 in this picture. I remember Jennifer Clark as she lived next door to me in Armfield Street. Does anyone remember me (Veronica Smith)?"
Jackie Ward (nee Thomas - second from right, middle row) has also been in touch now, and has added a few more names to this class of c1952/53.
Pat Pollock has now supplied a larger photograph, which should make for easier identification of the children.
Mark Bolton has written to add some extra information to this picture....
"I remember the piano teacher (Doris Stafford) mentioned in the update (7th Spetember) as she was a friend of my nans, who lived about 6 doors down. Yes, the Victorian semis were demolished in the seventies, I remember playing there before, and after they were gone."
We're doing well with this photo now, with additional information from Pat Pollock (sixth from left, back row), who has supplied many more of the names for the children....
"That photo of the children sitting outside the classroom is of Mrs Young's class in approx 1953/4. John is right about the boys' names, I am alongside the teacher (left) and Margaret Bedford is on the right of the teacher. I still have an original print on my wall at home, and in fact also posted a scan of the pic on Friends Reunited. I do remember the Shuttle Street children's home. Our Sunday School classes were held at Courthouse Green school for a while when I was young, too."
We have another update on this photo from John Curran, who says;
"I am the dark haired boy middle front. I recognise Peter Innocent, Alan Bassett, John Chaplain, Geoff Green, Tony Burdett, Douglas and Ernest Annals and Frazer Hendry."
John would also like to add;
"Courthouse Green was a great little school. The catchment area included the then newer estate of Purcell Rd, Shuttle St, Heddle Grove etc. and Proffitt Ave, Elkington Stn, Tallants Rd, Sewall Highway and surrounds. The Headmistess of the infant's side was Mrs. Major, and there was a Ms. Smith amongst the teachers. Miss Hasten, a strict disciplinarian, was head of the Junior's. Other teachers included Mr. Batt, Miss Ward and Mr. Bailey. Mr. Phillips was the lollipop man who guided us across Bell Green road. There were two very popular sweet shops near to the school; Mrs. Russell's and Elkington's, which was opposite the Weavers pub. In those days there was a large pair of Victorian semis at the junction of Bell Green Rd and Sewall Highway, one of which was owned by a piano teacher. They were demolished in the 70s, I believe."
Geoffrey Jewkes has written in to inform me that the six year old girl sitting in the front row, fourth from the left, is his sister, Wendy, and that the photo was probably taken in 1961. He also tells us that many of the children who attended Courthouse Green School would've come from a nearby children's home in Shuttle Street. This home was run by Mr. and Mrs. Garvy, and they were known by the children as Aunty Masie & Uncle Lorrie. It appears that discipline was quite strict at the children's home - but maybe some kids of today would benefit from a little firmness from time to time?
Does anyone else remember the Shuttle Street children's home?
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This page last updated on 12th January 2012
