-
Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.
We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team
Marsh Hill Boys Grammar Tech School
- Thread starter christopher short
- Start date
Welcome Malcog.
I read somewhere else on the forum that building work took place between the science labs at the girls school and the boys school, effectively joining the two schools together. Is that correct ? It must have been after 1974/5. I only remember a grassed area between the two schools. We (Marsh Hill Girls) used to use it for sports lessons, especially discus, shot put throwing etc.
Viv.
I read somewhere else on the forum that building work took place between the science labs at the girls school and the boys school, effectively joining the two schools together. Is that correct ? It must have been after 1974/5. I only remember a grassed area between the two schools. We (Marsh Hill Girls) used to use it for sports lessons, especially discus, shot put throwing etc.
Viv.
Malcog
proper brummie kid
As I remember there was grass between the Boys & Girls schools. I looked at the area on google earth and the Boys school has gone and a new school built
Yes Vivienne and me were you one of the naughty girls that threw your discus or javelin towards the boys school on purpose because the boys use to be drooling out the window looking at us (I did) when we went to retrieve them we use to bend over on purpose and the boys use to go mad .it was all innocent them days though.
Definitely Sugar ! And the only reason to take up the javelin or discus. If you plumped for long jump, the sandpit was around the other side of the school with no audience ! Viv.
O I am glad I was not the only one ha ha also when we were made to run round the school we use to walk all the way round until we were just about to pass the staff room then we started running . School days what memories.
Chemistry lab lessons were always exciting to us. Not the slightest bit interested in the chemistry lesson, but interested in the VI Form boys coming to the girls’ school for mixed classes. The Chemisrty lab at the end of the science block gave a great vantage point to watch them. Viv.
We call them faucets over here in the US of A. I remember it well. I also remember pulling the hose off a Bunsen, turning the gas on and blowing back down the pipe so Crippin's bunsen kept going out and his reaction never happened. I also remembe someone adding salt to his electrolysis water and generating hydrogen and chlorine (in place of the expected oxygen) which was reactive enough to explode his gas jar
Jeeze, When I look back on what we used to do back then and just get an official detention. (Nitrogen Tri-iodide taped to the toilet seat bumpers and First years with Purple Iodine stained Bum's. Nowadays over here I would be getting 20 years hard time for that and free entry to the nofly list. What happened to kids being kids and adults having a sneaky laugh after giving us a bollocking.
I remember Fred Markwell was really pleased he managed to get the punishment (Canings) book added to the School's Archive
Riggall ? wasn't that spelled Crippen.
Malcog
proper brummie kid
I would'nt cross Crippen ! To give him his due he taught us A level students well in the sixth form, I have to appreciate that these teachers gave me a sound education that eventually ended in a science Honours degree.
Christopher Barre
New Member
Hi Dave. This is Chris Barre. I was there the same time as you. Pretty sure you were in my class. I remember Brian Drury was the math teacher. A really great guy. I think Paul Higgins, also in this forum,was with us. I also remember calling of the register in the morning.
Alder
Barre
Biggs .....
Do you remember that *****(Edit) history teacher that used to lift us out of our chair by the ears or by the sideburns. It ***** (Edit) hurt! We used to get the slipper for not doing homework. He ****** (Edit) who used to relish describing excessive violence in history.
I used to get bullied by this Irish guy ******* (Edit) . Man, he was a real ***** (Edit)
I seem to remember you. Bigger lad with short wiry hair. In the scheme of things you weren’t that bad. The one really great memory for me was the quality of the meals in the dinner hall. A kitchen that was equipped to feed an army. I don’t expect you to remember me. It was a long time ago.
Last edited by a moderator:
Christopher Barre
New Member
Hey Paul. This is Chris Barre. I was in the same class as you. Remember our teacher Brian Drury (math)? I remember quite a few of the guys from the class. Andy Rake. Paul Turner. Andy Pratt was the kid with a hair lip that spoke badly but no one said it to his face because he was a hard case.
I remember amazing school meals. Being bullied *********** (Edit) My first day there as a first year I was taken to the washrooms to see the “blue goldfish”. It turned out that the goldfish was a blue Bic biro top in the toilet and when you bent over to look they stuck your head down the big and flushed it. Welcome to Marsh hill.
I seem to remember that one day you bought a small model airplane gas engine to school. I asked you if I could take it home to show my mom and dad. I monkied with it and ********. (edit) it up. You were pissed. For that I want to apologize. Funny the things that stick. Anyway, you probably won’t remember me. I remember you.
Last edited by a moderator:
David Brewer
proper brummie kid
David Brewer
proper brummie kid
Phil Gundy
master brummie
Hi Dave, I remember you well, especially in Biology as I don't think you liked the teacher much at the girl's school. If memory serves, the last time I met you you were the manager of a shop on Alum Rock and I went in to buy something. I was a student at St Peter's College nearby. I was a teacher and retired a few years ago, and I'm trying to write a family history to leave to the grandchildren, which is why I was trying to find a photograph of Marsh Hill. I mean, how difficult could it be? Very, I've found. I went to Dubai a few years back and found it a really exciting city to visit, but a bit too hot for me most of the year. How's the lockdown in Dubai? I've heard a few expats are having problems there.
David Brewer
proper brummie kid
Hi Phil ,
Long time no see . I enjoyed my school years , but not school . I got caned in the 4th year . Markwell told me to hold out my left hand , which I did . He then told me it was not my left hand . So I held out my right hand and got three strokes . I then asked him for a note to excuse me from writing for the rest of the day as I was right handed . The look on his face made three strokes worthwhile . I did get my note and used it for the next three days .
I am new to this site . How can I share my email address with you ?
David Brewer
proper brummie kid
Thanks Morturn ,
Got back in touch with an old school friend who I had not spoken to for 46 years
Great sharing memories .
Hi Harry, remember me, Fish, we were in the same class.
A-J
New Member
Does anyone know the teacher's names? I think the chap middle row, second left may have been geography teacher, Mr Pratt. He played the trombone. (Sorry I think his name should be Platt!)
Attachments
Last edited:
Phil Gundy
master brummie
This is Mr Bernard Platt ... nickname Bernie ! He did not suffer fools.
An interesting character who played classical pieces on the piano in the assembly hall
during lunchtime, he was in a world of his own with his uncombed hair.
He also had a 'swish', a piece of flat wood used to whack you across the behind,
I got it once for flicking rubber bands.
He had a piercing look which was frightening to younger kids. However, he was very popular
with older kids due to his eccentric presence. In fact when he broke his swish on Ellis the
boys in the woodwork class made him a new one which was ornately carved with 'Bernie's Swish'
- and presented on the last day of term.
Phil Gundy
master brummie
I remember it breaking. I also remember it being hidden in his piano before someone locked it and 'mislaid' the key. I did enjoy his Geography lessons although he was a bit daunting at times. I remember being in the sixth form after not seeing him for a while. For some reason I can no longer recall, maybe because I was taking A level Biology, I was sent to put a plaster on his neck which had a cut on it (I never did find out how he had done it). He was puzzled how I knew to put a butterfly-type plaster on, but I never told him that it was because I remembered my own doctor doing the same to my head years earlier. The things you remember when you start thinking about school. Like lack of health and safety.
