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Guestbook - March 2009

The Guestbook is not just about finding old friends, you might also want to post questions about the local area or make comment on a visit to Coventry and Warwickshire. If you would like to post a message to the guestbook please send them to : editor@cwn.org.uk

NOTE : For any enquiries where someone is trying to find someone else we feel it better if you do know the people being sought to ask them first before passing on any information about them - remember they may not want to be found!

[25 MAR 09] STOKE COUNCIL SCHOOL / STOKE SECONDARY MODERN
  I went to Stoke Council Junior School (headmaster Mr Ison) as it then was, tranferring at age 11yrs next door to the senior Stoke Secondary Modern Girls' School in about 1949 (Britton Road).

It was a very good school, highly disciplined and possessing some inspired teachers. Classes were large, around 35/38 pupils and operated under the 'grade' system (A,B,&C) which seemed to work very well. No bullying that I can remember except by the head. (More of that later)

We usually had one outing per year, for a day. North Wales was one, the Cotswolds another. One year they ventured further afield, taking a party to Paris but at £22 each, my parents couldn't afford that one.

School shows were quite a feature and these would have all been produced on a shoe string as there was almost no money about just after the war. Because I could sing, I was given a leading roll in 'The Bohemian Girl', a light opera and for once, parents were invited. In 1951 I was fortunate enough to be selected with one other girl to represent the school in a choral concert of classical music including a new piece by Ralph Vaughan Williams. This was performed during the Festival of Britain in the Royal Albert Hall and conducted by the late Sir Adran Boult. A terrific thrill.

For our playground, we had a tarmac space which mirrored the latest crazes of the time. For several months everyone was standing on their hands against the walls as hand-stands were all the rage. Later, we were taught some ball-room dancing and we were all quickstepping around the playground, humming the tunes as we went.

So, you can see that although the school may not have been really academic it was in many ways far-seeing. The level of lesson content by today's standards seemed excellent and much of it has stayed with me over all these years. I hated and was no good at any of the math subjects but the English, Geography and History were first rate and we had some inspiring teachers. One who I remember well was Miss Beryl Dunning, a tiny dot of a lady with a strong voice, a born teacher. Another was Joan Ffoulks who taught us drama and produced plays. But there were many other good ones.

I suppose the only person who spoiled it for me was a headmistress who was a dragon, name of Hilda Peak who seemed to delight in losing her temper, shouting, bullying and making our handwriting lessons a terrifying hour once a week usually ending with someone getting humiliated or slapped with a ruler. In those days, the cane was used quite often and she didn't mind using it one bit! Only after a showdown with my mother did she calm down a bit and start taking more care with us.

It seems such a shame now to remember that we still felt failures for not having passed to go to grammar school but in retrospect, I don't think I could have done any better. If you want any more information I will try to supply it.
CONTACT Megan Walden (Mrs)
 
[12 MAR 09] WOODWAY PARK SCHOOL
  I grew up in Potters Green, Coventry and lived there until 2000 when I moved up north to Hartlepool, Teeside.

I have found it hard to track down old school friends from Woodway Park. A voluntary directory of emails would help as there are suprisingly few Woodway vets on Facebook.
CONTACT Mick Carruthers  (age 43)
 
[10 MAR 09] CARDINAL WISEMAN RC SECONDARY MODERN
  I attended CWRCSM from 1959-1962. I would dearly like to get in touch with old school friends from that era.

Does anyone know of a planned 50th anniversary reunion? I believe there was one for the 40th anniversary. Anyone with any details please get in touch.
CONTACT Mick Nealon
 
[09 MAR 09] Old Photos of St Nicolas Primary School
  I spotted your advert on the internet for information or photographs about St Nicolas Primary School. I attended this school from 1972 to 1974 when I moved from Scotland. I am currently trying to find a photograph of the building for a family Memory Book and would really appreciate it if you could let me know if any exist or if you have any you could email to me.

When I went there Mrs Millington was the headmistress and we had an outdoor swimming pool. I remember lots of things about attending the school - including being in the recorder group and not actually being able to play very well and picking caterpillars off the hedge and bringing them into the classroom - which didn't go down too well. Mrs Arnold used to play the piano at assemblies.
CONTACT Elaine Lloyd-Thomas

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