| St Marys High School |
| Martin | I went to St Marys High School, I know they have given it some poncy name now but it's still the same to me.
I left in.. ohhh let me see, 1979. I hope thats right, it was a long time ago.
I can't remember much about it, probably because nothing memorable happened while I was there.
Having fun now though
Martin
In The Pink |
| julie | hi martin i left st marys in about 75,didnt dislike school but dont remember much about it.
it was a long time ago.
for anyone who remembers me my name then was Hendy
julie
Edited by - julie on 16 Apr 2002 21:19:28 |
| JohnH | Hi all
St Mary's - I served 5 years (1971-1976) what a waste of an education! I'm sure (hope) it's changed a lot since my days!
JohnH
Edited by - JohnH on 16 Apr 2002 23:52:59 |
| AnnMarieMcDonald | I went to St Marys High School 72-77 and left Leyland when I was 18 for the bright lights of Manchester!!!! Have been in contact with a few people through FriendsReunited but it would be nice to hear from anybody else who might remember me.
Does anybody remember when there was a fire and we had to attend school part-time for a while!! Selling dinner tickets and standing outside the chippy at lunchtime? Marion Adams - Art, Mr Bates, Mr Guest and Mrs Magill (German), Mr Harrison (Head), Miss Higginson etc. etc.
Ann Marie |
| julie | Hi annmarie Mr bates is still there,and mrs adams,mrs magill. all still look the same.
i remember the fire,was that the time they rebuilt it and named it the mercer block,or am i on the wrong track.
the chippy and dinner tickets i remember,and not wanting others to know you got free dinner,what a long time ago.
julie
|
| JohnH | here's the web link guys
http://www.st-marys-rc-tech.lancsngfl.ac.uk/Pages/HomeFrameset.html
JohnH |
| robot1002 | Hello I see some of you thought that 1975/79,was a long time ago,well I left St Marys High in 1954,(the old school, on school lane .hows that for a long time ago.I note with interest that a new block was named the Mercer block. This can only be after Mr Mercer a Music teacher at my school.He taught me, and I have been a semi pro Pianist and organist most of my life,Pubs/Clubs etc.
Keep up the good work,and I will read your comments avidly,.
All the best for now Tony Dilworth.
Anthony Dilworth |
| julie | hey john
your getting to good at giving us these links,back to school we go
julie
|
| Martin | I don't remember a fire at the school, that must have been just before my time. I do remember the Mercer block and a new sports hall being opened in my first year there, the changing rooms were almost complete then.
Nobody has mentioned Mr Hayes the maths teacher yet, he taught me and my brother 10 years earlier.
Martin
In The Pink |
| MartinRice | I was at St Mary's from 1972-77 and have very vivid memories of many of the characters at the School.
I'm currently attending a German refresher course and the stuff that Mr Guest drummed into me is slowly coming back.
My profession is that of a scientist so I particular memories of the activities in the chemistry labs which would never be allowed now because of safety concerns and Crispin Myerscough's unique approach to physics.
Maths was another favourite and I remember the gasps of amazement when the first electronic calculator appeared which was the size of a lap top and had the energy consumption of a small city. Made a nice change from the hand-wound calculating machines.
I seem to remember that the fire was caused by a kiln being used to fire pottery.
Martin
Martin |
| steve.w | i left in 76 (i think), my school nickname was 'watz' anyone remember me?. i seem to remember we had a disproprotionate ammount of bombscares and fire alarms. were the real ira very active inb leyland at the time, we seemed to be forever in the tennis courts!!
does anyone know a guy called dave newby? anyone got a contact addy for him?
i remmeber a lit of time spend rubbing the back of dinner ticlkets against the wall to get the name off!!
and goung down the chippy which used to sell v cold very lush bottles of iron bru!!
star jumpers n northern soul, sleeveslewss jumpers with sos on.
was there a teacher called mister knight with a strap fetish?
i can resist everything except temptation |
| steve.w | the sadastic, torturing, unproffesional, child abusing gits were still up to it in 75!
and so were the teachers! haha
off topic did there used to be an under 18's disco at the civic on a monday night with a bar and separate coloued membership cards for different age groups or did i completly invent that memory.
did anyone go on a bizaree school trip to belguim to play footie?
i can resist everything except temptation |
| Kath smith | sorry steve i got muxed ip and entered message in your field somehow. |
| Kath smith | I left in 1980 I remember the fire because it delayedthe start of term for the first years in 1975 my year. My daughter is now in first year and the staff who remain from my time are Mrs Magill, Mrs Scott Mr Bates, Mr Davidson, Mr Simpson, Mr McDermot and Mr Willoughby. Sadly(?) Miss Reddy died earlier this year she was 88 think.
I used to go to West Paddock youth club on Fridays and The Parish on Saturdays I can remember the Civic but I wasn't allowed to go so I can't vouch for the membership cards. What my mum thought I'd do there that I wasn't already doing at the other places I can't guess.
Any way if you remember me I'd love to hear from you, and as an honoury Leylander (I'm from Euxton) I think that Tesco's return will be the making of the town.
|
| Kath smith | How the heck do you get this bit into the computer? I must have retyped this 3 times now. Sorry Steve i really don't want to be you though I think I remember you, weren't you head or deputy head boy with Alan Cleminson? Yes there was a Disco at the Civic and i can't vouch for the cards because i wasn't allowed to go. please forgive me for repeating myself if you've already read this info but I will get the hang of PC's if it kills me.Or my hubby kills me which is more likely as I keep c**cking things up. There are plenty of old timers still onthe staff at LSMs Mrs Magill, Mr Bates, Mrs Scott, Mr Davidson, Mr Willoughby, Mr McDermot and Mr Simpson. You get a trip down memory lane when your kids start at school, yes i was foulhardy enough to inflict room 5 on my daughter though its a lot warmer now than it was in 1980 the entrance is actually inside school now not in the playground does any one remember Mr Day he taught history in rm% it was freezing in there we thought he was Mr Knights boyfriend as they were both sadists. It was Miss Holden who had the kitchen roll centre as a strap as I recall and Miss Brindle was a fearsome woman too. You were in big trouble if you got sent to her, and do you remember Mr Clark? his cane was a 6 foot garden pole. Smashing bloke though. I remember some football team going to Mexico and Jim'll fit being involved.
|
| Martin | Hiya Kath
Looks like your doing ok to me... Before long you'll be a forum junkie. 
Martin
In The Pink |
| Kath smith | Thanx for the vote of confidence martin, good to know someone else hasn't got anything else to do on a Sunday night, you might remember my mum she was the head dinner lady in the kitchen so i had to behave myself at school all the time. If you go on friends reunited there is a lot of us old LSM pupils registered, not many of us have grown up either. I think i can change my hobby entry to e-mailing old school friends from what are hobbies now, lets hope more people find this site, keep up the good work,
|
| Martin | Blimey Kath, are you a typist or what? you seem to get plenty typed up in no time.
All my family went to St Marys, my (older)sister used to be friends with Mr Harrisons daughter and my even older brother had hippy hair back in the sixties. I just passed time until my thirties
Martin
In The Pink |
| n/a | Hi I went to St Marys and left in 1963 - so I am a lot older than the rest of you. What was your brothers name Martin? My name was Jean Smith and I had ginger hair - I have two brothers Ian (50 next week) and Keith 42. Anybody know any of us?
Jean Finch
|
| steve.w | why is no one from st marys posting on here anymore?
i can resist everything except temptation |
| noel | quote:
why is no one from st marys posting on here anymore?
i can resist everything except temptation
Steve I really do wish somebody would post more about St. Mary's .
The school was always intriguing to me as a youngster.
It was a time when one got seperated from one's catholic friends and I didn't like that it seemed to me like some sort of segregation.
In fact I have never approved of religion doing this sort of thing or should I say being an instrument for these things.
I don't know what era you are the only person I can remember off the top of my head is Kathleen Palin who lived up East St. Farington back in the fifties. Let's hope somebody gets a thread like the Balshaw's one going.
The significant owl hoots in the night. |
| Martin | I went to St Marys School but haven't really got much to say about it. Perhaps I should pay another visit to Friends Reunited and start the email campaign again.
In The Pink |
| noel | quote:
I went to St Marys School but haven't really got much to say about it. Perhaps I should pay another visit to Friends Reunited and start the email campaign again.
In The Pink
I don't even know where the school is Martin, is there a junior and senior side to it?
Was it opposite L&B on Golden Hill Lane where the school dinners were prepared?
The significant owl hoots in the night. |
| Martin | Noel
the High school was down near worden park, off Fox Lane. I think there was a junior school on School lane opposite L&B but I didn't go to that one.
In The Pink |
| JohnH | quote:
...
the High school was down near worden park, off Fox Lane. I think there was a junior school on School lane opposite L&B but I didn't go to that one.
St Mary's is on Royal Avenue. During my early years at St Mary's we used to go to the school on School Lane for sports - memories of horrible green 'huts' used for changing rooms. I think it was before the allweather pitch and sports hall was built at St Mary's, but even after completion the allweather pitch was usually flooded!
JohnH |
| noel | It's one of these schools that's tucked awy off the beaten track.
I never knew where Worden High was either till I met my to be wife who spent 5 unhappy years there.
She said the best thing was singing "Balshaw's bull-dogs sitting on the wall" you all know the rest.
The junior school must have closed then, there is a school on School Lane ( surprise) that's been turned into a children's nursery now.
Wonder why the junior school closed.??
The significant owl hoots in the night. |
| Hayleypink | what were you like at school martin? will have to ask your mum to see pics! |
| kevinawilson | Kath Smith,
I think I remember you, Blonde hair and glasses, anyway those teachers names shot me right back into the late 70's, I was the first boy to get caned off Joe Clarke (with Ian Sharples), I hung around with Joe Breen, Ian Waring, Mark Warmsley, Mark Thomas, Stephen Watson, Paul Langan, Linda Courtney, Caroline Bass, Helen Blackledge and some others, Do you remember Miss Phillips (physics)who committed suicide? |
| dolomh | Hi Martin and friends. I havn't a lot to say about St. Marys as I only started 1st and I was only 1 month. Then I went to Spain...I would like somebody from my classes if they remember me to put thereselves in contact. It was the first class in 1990...I came from St. catherines primary school.
Richard Fairley |
| dolomh | Hi Martin and friends. I havn't a lot to say about St. Marys as I only started 1st and I was only 1 month. Then I went to Spain...I would like somebody from my classes if they remember me to put thereselves in contact. It was the first class in 1990...I came from St. catherines primary school. OOOHHHH and thanks for the website of St. mary's
Richard Fairley |
| robot1002 | My memories of St Marys high school are of the classrooms being the horrable green huts,previously mentioned. This was in school lane of coarse,and my start date was 1944...(long time ago) I know.. I used to have to walk to school from Lynton avenue,and cross the mainline at the level crossing.Very often my mates and I would have to wait for half an hour or so for a train to pass by.Most of the trains where tranaporting field guns,tanks artillery of all kinds,red cross vehicles,motor cycles,etc going south.Just asyou thought it was safe to cross, another train would be on it's way north...This one would be an ambulance train,taking the wounded to hospitals in the north,and Scotland. Not a pretty sight this one,at six years old I can tell you....It's lucky I am still alive with all the bits of live amunition we found around the place I can say.
Then on arrival at school we was asked ,why are you so late,it's 9-45? So there you go .All the best to you all,and have a good new year
Tony |
| brian | Hello Ex Pupils of St. Mary's
You may have seen on another Forum that some of us are meeting at 12 noon on Tuesday 31st December 2002 at the Eagle and Child for a bite of lunch. At 1.00 p.m. There is a short guided tour of the Leyland Museum followed by a Heritage Walk. You are all invited to any or all of these.
Wear a pink carnation so that you will be recognised and stand out like a sore thumb.
Regards,
Brian (Ex Balshaw's) |
| emather | Hi to you all
I'm a newcomer to the Forum. I attended St Mary's Infant/Junior school when it was situated on School Lane - used to be the old Balshaws Grammer School. Then attended the school in Royal Avenue leaving in 1969. Miss Reddy was the head, Mr Harrison deputy and I remember most of the teachers there - 'Pop' Mercer being the most prominent in my memory.
Any one out there remember me - my name then was Edna Keogh, I have a younger Brother Michael.
My Grandad Alf Seguss worked the ROF factory for many years and my Dad - Jim Keogh was a boiler man at Leyland Motors.
I'm visiting Leyland again this weekend - I wonder what Landmark has been reduced to rubble lately?? |
| Martin | Hi Edna
I'm glad you made it onto the forum. I'm also glad to see another post in the St Marys topic! We need more ex St Marys inmates on here.
I left St Marys in 79, how old is your brother Michael? he does sound familiar, although my memory isn't what it used to be [V] |
| William R | Hello Edna, Welcome to our little Forum, may you have many happy postings with us. Your first posting, my 200th (double century, Martin), I am ex-Leyland Motors but didn`t know any boiler-men, sorry. Living in South Yorkshire, and getting a bit ancient, I don`t get to Leyland very often, so I can`t tell you what part has been demolished lately, but Martin or Noel will. They keep a close eye on that sort of thing.....From over the Pennines, Cheerio, Bill. |
| Peter119 | Hi Edna
You forget to mention that Alf Seguss was the chairman of Leyland Historical Society before me.
I was at St Marys High School from 1967 - 1972.
Glad to hear from you
Peter Houghton, Chairman |
| emather | Hello Peter
Sorry I forgot to mention Uncle Alf!!
When I was at St Marys High the history teacher was a Mr Cain if I remember rightly and I absolutely hated history. When I got older and Uncle Alf was involved with Leyland Historical Society I couldn't understand his entusiasm(?Spelling) - in fact I used to annoy him by asking him what the Leyland Hysterical Society was doing! If you go to our web page choose my pages and take the link to my Family Tree Maker Site you'll find a photo of a very youthful looking Alf in his army uniform!! Our family tree now includes 13 generations - uncle Alf would be pleased with me.
When I compiled that page a cousin of my Mums (who will remain nameless but still lives in Leyland) was reported as rushing into the lounge excited because granma was on the web! The rest of the family looked stunned and said 'but she died'!
I left Royal Avenue in 1969 and went to work in Preston for the then Post Office in the drawing office - drawing telegraph poles on maps!!! When I realised I couldn't spend the rest of my life drawing circles I applied to become a cadet nurse at Chorley Hospital. Every time I drive past there I am always amazed how that place has changed as well. I suppose it must be a sign of age - especially when you drive along roads and are heard to say 'I remeber when this was all open fields!!'
I'm visiting Mum and my sister in Leyland at the weekend - for a fortnight - and really looking forward to it. A pie from Parkinsons an amble round Leyland Market and a visit to Worden park are on the cards.
Must stop wibbling!!! Take care nice to hear from you.
Anyone else remeber Evil Edna AKA Edna Keogh?? |
| emather | Hi all
Just posted my long rambling reply then found two more Hellos!!
My brother Michael Keogh must have left Royal Avenue abour 1979 - his name still appears in the sports hall for breaking a school record for running. His daughter Wendy Keogh now attends. Mick was very mush into sports including Judo at Leyland Motos club.
Ther must be more 'old boys and gals' out there from St Marys' I had noticed that the Balshaws forum does seem more active - we must do something about that.
Can someone answer a quick query I notice on the school website there is mention of the Mercer building or block - is this related to Mr Mercer the old Maths/Music teacher? I am assuming it is. But would like to know.
Thanks.[;)] |
| robot1002 | Hi Edna,
I was a new forum member like you,some time ago, and wellcome to you.Also I attended St Marys old school in school lane,leaving in 1956..So it is quite possable that you do not remember me.My brother who is 11 years younger than me (Michael Dilworth) was at the Royal avenue school,and you may have known him..
Yes there are some "old boys" out here,like me for instance,so you hopefully may have started a St Marys revival of interest thing.
All the best to you and yours,and enjoy your visit to Leyland at the weekend....Tony Dilworth |
| Martin | Edna, you might remember my brother Ernie, or my sister Carol. They must have been at the school when you were there as they are both older than me...Hee Hee |
| Lady Griffin | Hi Edna,
Nice to hear your stories and sorry that you'll have left Leyland before I get there but we do have one thing in common-a craving for one of those brilliant pies-I can't wait.My grandmother was also a Mather.
Cheerio and enjoy your visit.
L |
| emather | Hi Again Martin - and anyone else reading this
Yes I think I remeber your sister Carol Hayes & maybe an Ernest[:)].
Do I detect that you are bragging about being the youngest?[:D]
Must just mention that I enjoyed visiting the Leyland Historical Website last night and having a 'virtual' walk round Leyland. It really is a good site - ages since I had visited it though.
It would be really good to hear from more of the old St Marys classmates - I went to Friends reunited sometime ago and really drew a blank![:(] I am enjoying having an 'amble' round the various topics in this forum, whcih just goes to prove there are some 'old' Leylanders out there - they must just be incognito![8D]
Looking forward to checking out all the old haunts at the weekend - and photographing some of them for my homepage.
Keep up the good work - maybe more old Leylanders will wake up and join the forum[8)]
|
| Ben | >> Do you remember Miss Phillips (physics)who committed suicide?
Gosh, I didn't realise that Miss Phillips had committed suicide, but ti doesn't surprise me - we used to say that she spent all of her time drinking the meths. There was another physics teacher (Mr Ryan) who had quite a fancy for Mrs Phillips.
Does anyone remember Mrs Alston - she was a big lady and sadly she died some time ago. Trevor Day is the head now, who came in from another school during the time that I was there (79-84). |
| Martin | quote:
Originally posted by Ben
>> Do you remember Miss Phillips (physics)who committed suicide?
Gosh, I didn't realise that Miss Phillips had committed suicide...
There was another physics teacher (Mr Ryan) who had quite a fancy for Mrs Phillips.
Does anyone remember Mrs Alston - she was a big lady and sadly she died some time ago.
I didn't know about Miss Philips either until I saw it here. We had Mr Ryan for physics, he was funny.
Mrs Alston, I think was one of my year teachers, my memory has faded a lot since I left school... |
| asda | I left marys in 71. the things I remember are
Miss Reddy ..head
Mister Harrison.. deputy.
Mr Irvine...I think metelwork
Mr baxenden (or ??) and he took woodwork I think. Stocky with ginger hair I think
The STRAP! Long strip of leather that the teachers used to hit you with. One even had a double STRAP.
A teacher we christened brassneck ....can't remember his class other than double chess lessons on a thursday afternoon.
I remember being aged 14 on leaving day and being well pleased to leave. I remember the last day of school we all had to read a paragraph from a book. Out of 44 boys (The girls where split from our class at the start of the year due to certain lads getting caught doing certain things at the back of the class) anyway out of 44 lads I would say maybe 6 or 8 could read. the rest either read very slow in broken words. needed prompting, stood there and said nothing or in at least one case just cried.
I remember crap school dinners.
I remember the girls didnt look anywhere near as good as schoolgirls look now... Not being pervy. just observing :)
I remember the science teacher doubled as the sports teacher. I recall double science lesson meant an outing to worden park and someone was instructed to bring a football.. suffice to say no science ever got done. It was this same teacher that you had to give a fag to at break time or he wouldn't let you pass to go onto the field for a smoke. Five park drive and a book of matches and your dinner money for the week was gone:)
I would like to say happy times. But lets face it. Not in them years and not at that school. I also went to marys juniors and marys infants but apart from where they are I don't remember much more.
Have you seen it now? Posh or what? Anyone got any pictures of marys and the pupils from around 70-71 ?
|
| JohnH | Hi Asda, some great recalls - sounds very familiar. Think the woodwork teacher was Mr Baxendale - he always seemed ok, for a teacher that is! You could try and email the school to see if they have any photos - not a lot on the school website at the moment [url="http://www.st-marys-rc-tech.lancsngfl.ac.uk/Pages/HomeFrameset.html"]St Mary's Website[/url]
|
| emather | Hi again to you all - visited Leyland a few weeks ago - enjoyed a pie from Parkinsons Bakery and catching up on some old friends.
I left St Mary's in 1969 and did actually enjoy my time there - yes honest - which must make me barmy or something. [:D] What's all this I read about the schoolgirls not looking so good in those days - I seem to remember the boys were nothing to write home about [:o)] |
| JanetDougan | Hi all,Just another ex st marys pupil to add to the list.
Reading through all of these school stories brings back
all the "joys" [ha!ha!] that being at st marys brought.
I left there in 1978 and I do remember Michael Keogh,he
was in my year.
I love the school photo John [were you really that young
once?].
My surname was Hendy while at st marys- anyone remember
me? Janet |
| JohnH | quote:
Originally posted by JanetDougan
I love the school photo John [were you really that young
once?].
Still looking much the same - maybe a little less hair, a bit silvery in places, a few wisdom lines .... [;)]
John |
| Kath smith | Ben
I remember Mrs Alston very well she taught me geography all but one year through school. (Mr Greg taught me in 3rd year). Sadly she died of cancer in 1986. We once played a trick on her and put a sign on her back saying something rude I cant remember what and she laughed about it saying she felt she belonged now she'd been tricked!
Sadly Mr Cain and Mr Knight are no longer with us either both died a while ago. Miss Phillips was a lot nicer than she appeared, I was taken ill with Glandular fever on a field trip to Castlerigg and she was really nice to me and took me to the doctor and got mum and dad to come for me, she'd sat up half the night with me when I started to be ill because we thought I'd just got a bug. She was prety weird though.
Does anyone remember Archie Hall? Taught Geography & Geology? Ginger haired beared guy, something to do with a mountain rescue team?
Also if you are reading this Kevin Wilson yes that's me still got the glasses though the blonde hair colour comes out of a bottle these days.
Sometimes see some of the people you mentioned at Clayton Green Sports centre, dont make myself known to anyone I recognise if they dont speak to me. Though I Saw Robert Danson and Mark Malaney in Berrys DIY place a while ago Robert served me and Mark was behind me in the queue, talk about school reunions in strange places!
The strangest place I had reunions was Sharoe Green Materinty unit where I met 2 old school friends who were midwives within a short space of time and just before i had my daughter,
Anyone else met an old friend somewhere odd? |
| Martin | quote:
Originally posted by Kath smith
Does anyone remember Archie Hall? Taught Geography & Geology? Ginger haired beared guy, something to do with a mountain rescue team?
Anyone else met an old friend somewhere odd?
He used to teach in my Geology class. We had a field trip once to the Isle of Arran, didn't learn much, but it was a nice holiday.
Talk about meeting people. I was once on a camp site in Somerset, chatting to a group of about four people while eating a bag of fish and chips. One of the group, a young lady cheekily bit a chunk out of my fish. I found out a couple of days later that she had come down from Chorley! Typical! |
| William R | Martin, That`s a typical Chorley trick, if tha` can get out for nowt. tek it. And to think I used to live in Chorley, ah well, they don`t us from Yorkshire theer now. Cheers William R. |
| Kath smith | Well, as my father in law always said never do owt for nowt except for the'sen
And I am really from Chorley too, but it wasnt me,
Talking of chip shops has anyone been to the big one in Braunton, Devon? They sell fish by its weight, won prizes apparently. Very nice but chips not as good as Th'owd Chippy on Towngate. |
| Martin | There is an excellent chippy in Glastonbury. The people queing half way down the road, waiting to be served are proof of that. The food is always very well cooked. I have been told that they cook in beef fat. Whatever it is, it tastes good! |
| William R | Kath, Where in Chorley? William R. |
| Bill Rigby | Miss Reddy? Gee, I remember her and I went to plain old St. Mary's in the old Balsahw Grammar School from 1939 to 1943! I also recall Mrs. Dobson in Standard 2 and Miss Livesey. The latter memorable for her reading of Worzel Gummidge stories when I was in standard 1.
Mr. Coffee was the head; was there a Tommy Wallbank or am I thinking of another school?
From September 1943, I went to the Catholic College in Preston |
| Martin | Now I'm getting confused! Miss Reddy? wasn't she Headmistress before Mr Harrison? |
| Kath smith | Bill R
I lived in Springfield Road for 5 years until we moved to Euxton in 1969, i went to Leyland St Mary's Highschool between 1975 -80.
My mums family owned Bleasdales furniture shop, my Grandma was a Bleasdale, my Dads family are a large Smith family who lived in the St Mary's Parish area of the town, there were 11 children in my Grandads family, I think my great grandad was Miles Smith, my grandad was Gerard(Gerry) and my dad is Bill, his mum is Rene, as is my Aunty, she was head girl at Leyland St Marys in about 1963 I cant remember how old she is.
Miss Reddy retired as headmistress in 1976, Mr Harrison took over, then Mr Clark took over from him, I think Mr Day the current head took over from him. |
| Bill Rigby | Hello Kath S
Is Springfield Road near the Gardens of that name?
The name Bleasdale is not unknown to me; my dad was an insurance agent for General Accident and the Royal Lyver and the name Tommy Bleasdale comes to mind...
Miss Reddy was a relatively young woman as I recall her, just starting out as a teacher. None of the other names ring a bell. |
| Kath smith | Hi Bill
Springfield Rd is near Chorley Police Station, just off St Thomas's Rd and Queens Road.
I did have a Great Uncle Tom, my grandma's eldest brother, that whole generation worked at the shop which was in Market Street almost opposite St Georges Street and Mangnalls Shoe shop, on the next block towards the big lamp from Yates's Wine Lodge. The shop is now a Ladies and childrens clothes shop.
There was also a family of Bleasdales who were joiners and owned a wood yard I don't know where in Chorley it was though.
Miss Reddy was Head when I started and retired at the end of my 1st year, my most funny memory of her is of her shouting the odds about the boy's latest Punk trend of dyeing their hair all colours whilst sporting a lurid pink rinse herself and totally not getting why we were all laughing at her indignance. The next week her colour was blue then it was purple, and i dont think anyone ever told her about her double standards |
| Bill Rigby | Hello Kath, Sorry, but I thought Springfield Road was in Leyland and perhaps something to do with Spring gardens off Towngate. I don't know how far back you can go, but my great aunt and her husband, George Wilding, had a jewelers/watchmakers in Market Street, Chorley. (Is that the main street?) I used to go to a cinema just past the turnoff to Coppull (extension of Market Street?) on Sunday nights to concerts by bands such as Paul Barriteau, Leslie Hutchinson, etc...
I was last in Chorley in 1994, cycling from Whalley to Coppull to visit a cousin and got a flat on that long, straight street that goes to Coppull. As I was repairing the tire, an old man stepped out of a parked car to watch me and started to relate that in 1944 he was a special constable and was sent to the south of England to direct traffic proceeding to embarcation points for D-Day. He began to talk of this because he figured I was an American (which technically I am) and he wanted to relate his unusual experience that brought him into contact with the US military. Of course, 1994 was also the 50th anniversary of the event. My bike trip was really through Belgium and France - I was just stopping off in the UK to visit relatives - and I got to the landing beaches in Normandy eventually. |
| Kath smith | Sorry to confuse you Bill.
I hadn't read your profile so I didn't know where you live. Anyway yes Market st is the main street through Chorley, its very different now all pedestrianised. I will try to find some photos and scan them in for you.
I am 38 years young so i doont go back very far, my parents are in their early 60's so they may remember some of the things you mentiona They are away at the moment so I can't ask them.
I think you got your flat on Pall Mall or Moor Road out of Chorley on the way to Coppull.
I go into Leyland shopping every week as its easier to park than in Chorley and nearer to the end of Euxton I live (near the Bay Horse) |
| Andrew | Hi everyone I left St Mary's in 79.
I absolutely hated the place, my poor brothers Richard and Mark had to follow in my footsteps too.
I remember Miss Reddy retiring and Mr Harrison taking over.
My first day there was a few weeks after every one else because I had moved back from Bristol. Very intimidating, never got any better after that.
One of my first lessons, PE with Master Bates as I remebered him many years later.
Then there was the mad physics teacher Mr Ryan who thought nothing of hitting the wooden bench very hard with a wooden ruler to get your attention.
I noticed the reunion in october, I will try to get to that if I can.
Also there is a picture from St Annes, does anybody know what year it was taken? I think I may be on it, but not sure.
cheers
Andrew |