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Guestbook - February 2010

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 FEB 10] CHEYLESMORE School
  Hello Editor

You ask if anyone has any memories or photos of Cheylesmore School. I was a pupil there from 1959 to 1962 in classes 1A, 2A and 3A before leaving as my parents moved away.

This photo would have been taken around 1960.

photo : Cheylesmore School, Coventry c 1960

The partially obscured man on the left is possibly Mr Tickle or Mr Asthill. The tall man with his back to the camera is Mr Davis who taught English Language. The short man facing the camera is Mr Brandon who taught Maths and Arithmetic. I cannot recall the other man.

Mr Davis arrived at school in the morning sitting in the back of a large and ancient black Wolseley driven by Mr Simpson.

The teachers drove into the playground to park their cars. Deputy Head Mr Parsons drove a new Triumph Herald with a tight turning circle and
he parked under the arch nearest the entrance. The next arch was used by the Headmaster, Mr Woodward who drove a 1953 Vauxhall Cresta that had gone a glazy blue. The third arch was used by 3rd and 4th year boys to park their bikes under cover. Mr Tickle parked his Hillman Husky in the area where the arches ended, which also is where Mr Simpson parked his 1940's Wolseley. Mr Lock who taught science also parked his motorcycle outside there.

Corporal punishment was rife and rarely did a lesson end without one boy being caned. This would be for not paying attention, talking or getting something hopelessly wrong. I was frequently caned by the metalwork teacher for being useless and by the maths teacher for not understanding Algebra.

But nearly all boys left Cheylesmore both literate and numerate. Maths, English language and literature and Science were the main subjects we were taught. There was also one period a week for PE, music and RK (that was exclusively Christianity).

I recall just one black boy going to the school but he was bullied so much that he only lasted for two or three days. Mild bullying was fairly normal and the games were rough. But no-one really minded and it was all regarded as fairly normal. Most boys cycled to school. I cycled just over two miles each way, four times a day from Stivichale.

I have reasonably fond memories of my time at Cheylesmore (or Mile Lane School as it was frequently termed). With hindsight I realise that most of the masters were very good, dedicated individuals who worked hard to ensure we left as well prepared as possible for the job opportunities on offer in Coventry in those days.
CONTACT Christopher Parkhurst
 
[24 FEB 10] Centaur Road Secondary School
  My name was Pauline Twigg when I attended Centaur Road Secondary School from 1951 - 55 when it was known as Hearsall Secondary Modern.

I am looking for a photo of the school, any information as to when it was built and when it became a community school.

I would be grateful for any information.
CONTACT Pauline Edwards (née Twigg)

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