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Birmingham Open Air Schools - Cropwood, Hunter's Hill, Marsh Hill and Skilts (excl. Haseley Hall and Uffculme)

I've posted images earlier in this thread showing life at Cropwood between 1951 and 1953. These came from the album of an 11-year-old girl from Woodgate, Marlene Milroy, who was there from 1951, was happy whilst she was there and left in 1953 fully cured of her childhood asthma. With her permission I have reproduced in an online article all the Cropwood photographs she still retains.

If anyone wants to glance at these pictures they are fully accessible here: (It's safe to click on, even if you are warned otherwise).

Additional information from this period would be warmly welcomed (and could be included if so desired).

Chris

Here's just one of the images: the two youngest members of the school stir the Christmas pudding - December 1952.

wCropwood007XmasPud.jpg
 
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michaelwicks54 said:
Hello Marketman. I thought you had emigrated. Lol. I vaguely remember Wayne, though I can't remember Brian. If I remember correctly, Wayne's bed, as you say, was just inside the door to the right, then there was someone else, who I can not remember, then my bed, then Stephen Rose's bed. I have been racking my brain trying to work out who you are though. You will have give me some clues. The last time I saw anyone from our time at HHOAS, was when I saw either Patrick or Vincent O'kane . (just can not remember which one it was as it was such a long time ago), I think it was on moseley road, in the mid 70's.I remember Miss Hill bringing a slice of apple to each of us, but can not remember wayne having arguments with her though. My brain is a little hazy after 41 years away from HHOAS. I can remember the times when we used to wait for the lights to go out, then some of us would get out of bed, & slide on our backs, under the beds to make the others jump. They were the fun times I remember, & the sports days. I also remember the scooters. I will have to pay HHOAS a visit when we can all start going out again as it has been such a long time since I was there. I was wondering if the old allotment up by the block is still there. If I remember rightly, Mr Tebbitt had bee hives on there & we had to extract the honey for him. I never realized there is'nt a link straight to HHOAS on here, just cropwood. I think I will have to start one. Hopefully, one day soon, we can meet up. I have just had a thought, I think you may remember me, if I tell you I was very quiet & shy, which is probably why I got picked on by Mr Tebbitt. When we went into the dining room for luch ect, I used to sit by the 1st open door/window near the veranda down by where the teacher taking charge would sit. I can remember some tricks being played on them too, like putting salt in their sugar bowls. At first, I hated being there, but in a strange way, I miss the old place, & miss Miss Buckley.
Click to expand...
Try michael leaver, michael jordan, Alex kane (prefect) david vann (prefect) richard chamberlain (prefect) dave warren (me), miss staines, miss beck, mr roberts, pinner, tebbitt
 
michaelwicks54 said:
Hello Joe. Probably the reason why you do not recall me was because I found it hard to mix, (kept myself to myself), until I moved from the dorm upto the block. I think Mr Browsword & Miss Buckley had someting to do with me not being so quiet then. I can remamber Mr Powell's residence being attached to the block. Could not get along with his son though.
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marketman1956 said:
Hey wabbit,judging by the dates u give us,I was in Clent the same time as u..so I am curious as to who u actually are?
Drop us a line and will exchange numbers with u and catch up on old times.
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Dave Warren, Clee dorm, back row last bed, quiet blonde nut.
 
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marketman1956 said:
Hey wabbit,judging by the dates u give us,I was in Clent the same time as u..so I am curious as to who u actually are?
Drop us a line and will exchange numbers with u and catch up on old times.
Click to expand...
Dave Warren quiet blonde lad, clee dorm was 3 or 4th bed front row but got xferred to back row, last bed, next to Kevin Hicks the lad with eczema
 
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Dave Warren said:
View attachment 200085
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Hi Dave knew kevin hicks and I remember he had bad eczema..I'm also sure the 1st on left front row was gilbert lamb?the lad behind sparky was(i think)steven willmore?and the lad 2nd from right front row is Fitzgerald can't remember 1st name though?and the 1st on the right front row looks very familiar but,can't put a name to him tho?
Can u name any more Dave?
 
Dave Warren said:
Try michael leaver, michael jordan, Alex kane (prefect) david vann (prefect) richard chamberlain (prefect) dave warren (me), miss staines, miss beck, mr roberts, pinner, tebbitt
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Hiya chris,NO I have not emigrated..i just couldn't remember my old password for a while,but all good now.
Chris,I visit the old place quite often and have even gained access via the security guard that was there at the time?(don't ask)
And during this time,I got to take loads of pics as the old place is now(including cropwood?)
I wanted to post them on here,but because I am a technophobe couldn't manage it?
I was thinking if I post them to you(via wattsapp)that maybe you could do it?
Please let me know if it's possible please.
Ps,the beehive in the allotment area have long since gone.
In fact there are big conference buildings there now..all boarded up.(sad sight)take care chris,will chat soon?
 
MEMORY JOGGER TIME HUNTERS HILL OAS 61-67

Hi Guys its 8pm all in our dorms : abberley (also was activity dorm) - clent - malvern - clee
time to raid each others dorms and pillow fight get back to own dorm, then skip out the windows to race across the field touch fence and back before Mr Tebbitt etc caught us.
I was in Clee back row far end for a year stuck in bed all day with bad swollen foot missing all the fun? had large machine gun toy that made terrible racket and got warned by Tebbitt shoot it again and will confiscate it til end of season, which he did lol.
Loved my time there learned respect but a lot more wiser now lol, was quite sad to leave in 66/67 to go live on my sisters farm in Dodford, Bromsgrove she got married to a Barrett this be the "Diane Barrett" who worked @hunters?
Next sports days cricket and soccer against other schools and parents, tennis in centre court playbround and roller/scooter rink, introduction to golf club bashing trying to get ball over the big oak trees by the gates.
YES i was in Mr Pinners class behind Nurse "Fanny Hills" surgery, Saturday mornings clean the class with about 5 other mates them settle down to listen to football on the radio "Spurs was popular then "Jimmy Greaves".
YES I was one of the 6 who hid in the cloakroom and planned our stealthy raid on the surgery for those round red cough sweets in large silver can, got caned 6 of the best each hand from Mr Hill (deputy) for my part in the raid (ouch) x12

enclosed is pic of Pinners class if you can add names to the lads please do.

Oh Marketman 1956 are you Chris Adams Malvern dorm with two michaels, Jordan and Lever 1st+2nd front row by door, was you in Pinners class or?

Birmingham Open Air Schools

The longest-running free website sharing information and memories about former children's homes orphanages and other institutions for children.
www.formerchildrenshomes.org.uk www.formerchildrenshomes.org.uk
 
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michaelwicks54 said:
So unreal. After al these years, I have found someone who was at school with me. Miss buckley was my favourite. She helped me settle in to the school. Nurse barrett, I was not too keen on. she scared me with needles. Mr Pinner, we used to call plug. always taking the mickey out of him. Mr Brownsword was brilliant. He helped me gain confidence in the gym. My favourite class was art & craft, but just can not remember the teacher's name. Mr tebbitt was the woodworking teacher. He used to pick on a few of us, ( though mostly me). Here is another photo of me, this time with my dad by the old disused boating lake.View attachment 137317
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SNAP I was born Weaman Street Aston same year ... maybe same schools David Warren (wabbit fair headed skinny kid)
Haseley Hall 59-61
HHOAS 61-67 Pinners class
Hope Street Bham City Centre 68-69 auto group transfer to
Mount Pleasant Comp, Belgrave Rd, Balsall Heath 69-70 long long bouncy hair living @ 58 Lincoln St then 6 St Andrews Rd, Small Heath
@
@MOUNT PLEASANT BI-COMP

Birmingham Open Air Schools

The longest-running free website sharing information and memories about former children's homes orphanages and other institutions for children.
www.formerchildrenshomes.org.uk www.formerchildrenshomes.org.uk
 

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OMG of course, my sister was @Cropwood 1957-62 Christine Warren who hated Miss Hair-cut with a witches vengence haha
Christine dated Hunters Hill prefect Patrick Patton always danced together on dance night.
Older sister Diane worked there part-time and married Melvyn BARRETT a farmer who stole Mr Tebbitts heart for sister Diane
 
JoeF712 said:
I was at Hunters Hill between 1966 and 68. I don't think it did me a lot of good other than allowing me to develop a certain amount of independence when young.
I remember a nurse who I think used to share a house with Miss Buckley. I always found Miss B a bit scary in her tweed suits and sensible shoes. I did like the nature walks she took us on though where she would identify flowers and trees and grasses; something new to most of us as we were mainly from the inner city. Did she have a yappy little terrier type dog?
I always thought the nurse (whose name I can't remember) was nice. She used to take the Catholic children to mass in Bromsgrove and, perhaps, supervise occasional visits from the catholic priest. Did she give some religious instruction to the Catholics as well?.
The young blond women you mention I think was called Miss Walton (Jan?) but she was more of a house matron/ house keeper than a nurse as I recall, although she did wear a nurse type uniform if my memory is correct. She worked with an older lady called Miss Hill, who was quite strict. Miss Hill had a friendly dog called Sykes and she married while I was at HH, possibly to a Midland Red bus driver. I remember Miss Walton being friendly with the boys but she would probably have been close in age to a lot of the older boys so probably had quite a lot in common.
Just writing this has brought back memories which I haven't thought about in years.
Judging from your timeline Michael we must have known each other but I am sorry to say I do not recall you.
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Joe i think your on about Nurse Claire Barrett my sister/Helper Diane Warren-Barrett left year after i came HHOAS she did the hospital runs too, use to take me each month and smuggle sweets in my pockets Bazooka Gum and Aniseed balls etc which id go round dorms and share with most of you vagabonds haha
 
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Does anyone remember the prefects of HHOAS ALEX KANE (oldest) RICHARD CHAMBERLAIN (cool but got beat up by Alex in Abberley Activity Dorm), Patrick Patton (use to date my cropwood sister Christine), David Vann, etc etc
 
ChrisM said:
In a thread about Uffculme School, maggs wrote:

I went to Blackwell Open Air school, possibly for a couple of years. I was very young at the time and can't remember, but I hated the place and was so unhappy there. The food was dreadful, burned porridge, and milk straight from the cow, which I refused to drink. It was a beautiful place though, a big house in wonderful grounds. Owned by Cadburys. It was close to Bromgrove and the Lickey Hills. Does anyone remember this school? ​


Perhaps this subject deserves its own thread.

I know someone who was there for two-and-a-half years from 1951 to 1953 from the age of 11 and who has happier memories of the place (and was cured). Does anyone else have knowledge/memories of this school?

Chris
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Hi Chris,
my brother Ron Jackson was at Marsh Hill open air school from around the time of WW2 starting. Ron was born in 1934 but sadly no longer with us. I remember his asmtha etc being made worse by the fact he loved budgies and canaries for which he had a large Avery for circa 15 birds.

regards. Graham j
 
Dave Warren said:
MEMORY JOGGER TIME HUNTERS HILL OAS 61-67

Hi Guys its 8pm all in our dorms : abberley (also was activity dorm) - clent - malvern - clee
time to raid each others dorms and pillow fight get back to own dorm, then skip out the windows to race across the field touch fence and back before Mr Tebbitt etc caught us.
I was in Clee back row far end for a year stuck in bed all day with bad swollen foot missing all the fun? had large machine gun toy that made terrible racket and got warned by Tebbitt shoot it again and will confiscate it til end of season, which he did lol.
Loved my time there learned respect but a lot more wiser now lol, was quite sad to leave in 66/67 to go live on my sisters farm in Dodford, Bromsgrove she got married to a Barrett this be the "Diane Barrett" who worked @hunters?
Next sports days cricket and soccer against other schools and parents, tennis in centre court playbround and roller/scooter rink, introduction to golf club bashing trying to get ball over the big oak trees by the gates.
YES i was in Mr Pinners class behind Nurse "Fanny Hills" surgery, Saturday mornings clean the class with about 5 other mates them settle down to listen to football on the radio "Spurs was popular then "Jimmy Greenoff".
YES I was one of the 6 who hid in the cloakroom and planned our stealthy raid on the surgery for those round red cough sweets in large silver can, got caned 6 of the best each hand from Mr Hill (deputy) for my part in the raid (ouch) x12

enclosed is pic of Pinners class if you can add names to the lads please do.

Oh Marketman 1956 are you Chris Adams Malvern dorm with two michaels, Johnson and Lever 1st+2nd front row by door, was you in Pinners class or?

Birmingham Open Air Schools

The longest-running free website sharing information and memories about former children's homes orphanages and other institutions for children.
www.formerchildrenshomes.org.uk www.formerchildrenshomes.org.uk
Click to expand...
No sorry Dave,I was in Clent dorm..but I was in winners lclass.
Dave Warren said:
MEMORY JOGGER TIME HUNTERS HILL OAS 61-67

Hi Guys its 8pm all in our dorms : abberley (also was activity dorm) - clent - malvern - clee
time to raid each others dorms and pillow fight get back to own dorm, then skip out the windows to race across the field touch fence and back before Mr Tebbitt etc caught us.
I was in Clee back row far end for a year stuck in bed all day with bad swollen foot missing all the fun? had large machine gun toy that made terrible racket and got warned by Tebbitt shoot it again and will confiscate it til end of season, which he did lol.
Loved my time there learned respect but a lot more wiser now lol, was quite sad to leave in 66/67 to go live on my sisters farm in Dodford, Bromsgrove she got married to a Barrett this be the "Diane Barrett" who worked @hunters?
Next sports days cricket and soccer against other schools and parents, tennis in centre court playbround and roller/scooter rink, introduction to golf club bashing trying to get ball over the big oak trees by the gates.
YES i was in Mr Pinners class behind Nurse "Fanny Hills" surgery, Saturday mornings clean the class with about 5 other mates them settle down to listen to football on the radio "Spurs was popular then "Jimmy Greenoff".
YES I was one of the 6 who hid in the cloakroom and planned our stealthy raid on the surgery for those round red cough sweets in large silver can, got caned 6 of the best each hand from Mr Hill (deputy) for my part in the raid (ouch) x12

enclosed is pic of Pinners class if you can add names to the lads please do.

Oh Marketman 1956 are you Chris Adams Malvern dorm with two michaels, Johnson and Lever 1st+2nd front row by door, was you in Pinners class or?

Birmingham Open Air Schools

The longest-running free website sharing information and memories about former children's homes orphanages and other institutions for children.
www.formerchildrenshomes.org.uk www.formerchildrenshomes.org.uk
Click to expand...
Sorry Dave,none of those. I was in Clent dorm.but I do recognise a lot of those faces on your pic(unfortunately u have mis-identified some of them)don't worry i will correct later.
And yes,I was in Mr pinners class.
I left hhoas in 71?
 
marketman1956 said:
No sorry Dave,I was in Clent dorm..but I was in winners lclass.

Sorry Dave,none of those. I was in Clent dorm.but I do recognise a lot of those faces on your pic(unfortunately u have mis-identified some of them)don't worry i will correct later.
And yes,I was in Mr pinners class.
I left hhoas in 71?
Click to expand...
marketman remember fireworks night given handful of goodies going out on the hill in groups with torches. then christmas receiving one present each like gyroscopes, tricolor torches, james bond cars sometimes parent sent a gift too if they could afford it, I remember getting a 1/72 Airfix model Spitfire with note, here is your pressie david will send the glue for your birthday feb 4th.
 
Dave Warren said:
marketman remember fireworks night given handful of goodies going out on the hill in groups with torches. then christmas receiving one present each like gyroscopes, tricolor torches, james bond cars sometimes parent sent a gift too if they could afford it, I remember getting a 1/72 Airfix model Spitfire with note, here is your pressie david will send the glue for your birthday feb 4th.
Click to expand...
Yep..I got the tri colour torch but no complaints,loved it at the time.
Did u remember any of those names on the picture u posted?
And..do u have any more pics like that,?
 
marketman1956 said:
Yep..I got the tri colour torch but no complaints,loved it at the time.
Did u remember any of those names on the picture u posted?
And..do u have any more pics like that,?
Click to expand...
Buddie Antony Rodgers was Malvern I think with Michal Lever first bed, front row, Michael Jordan first bed middle row all pinner pupils
Antony left same time as me and followed me to St.Johns Middle school, Bromsgrove town saw him a few times until i got married in 1975 never to be seen again.
Have a school plan that needs adding to and I have owned the book for 20 years now still fresh
 

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Dave Warren said:
Buddie Antony Rodgers was Malvern I think with Michal Lever first bed, front row, Michael Jordan first bed middle row all pinner pupils
Antony left same time as me and followed me to St.Johns Middle school, Bromsgrove town saw him a few times until i got married in 1975 never to be seen again.
Have a school plan that needs adding to and I have owned the book for 20 years now still fresh
Click to expand...
I knew tony rodgers,he left well b4 me.and I remember micheal jordan to.
The one that intrigues me the most,is front row,the very last one on the far right?
I know the face but can't put a name to it..was hoping u might know?
Anyway Dave,I have pictures on how the school looks today?
For example..all the dormitories were converted into classes?but the area around tebbits/Mr jone/and pinners class virtually the same.would've posted them on here but am a bit backwards wiv technology.
 
marketman1956 said:
I knew tony rodgers,he left well b4 me.and I remember micheal jordan to.
The one that intrigues me the most,is front row,the very last one on the far right?
I know the face but can't put a name to it..was hoping u might know?
Anyway Dave,I have pictures on how the school looks today?
For example..all the dormitories were converted into classes?but the area around tebbits/Mr jone/and pinners class virtually the same.would've posted them on here but am a bit backwards wiv technology.
Click to expand...
Lol dont worry i worked for RTS Metro Police Service until i was 50 still cannot figure you name dear watson haha, but working on deduction, the lad you on about might be rodgers, 4right back row glasses Lever, jordan was popular at sports
 
Dave Warren said:
MEMORY JOGGER TIME HUNTERS HILL OAS 61-67

Hi Guys its 8pm all in our dorms : abberley (also was activity dorm) - clent - malvern - clee
time to raid each others dorms and pillow fight get back to own dorm, then skip out the windows to race across the field touch fence and back before Mr Tebbitt etc caught us.
I was in Clee back row far end for a year stuck in bed all day with bad swollen foot missing all the fun? had large machine gun toy that made terrible racket and got warned by Tebbitt shoot it again and will confiscate it til end of season, which he did lol.
Loved my time there learned respect but a lot more wiser now lol, was quite sad to leave in 66/67 to go live on my sisters farm in Dodford, Bromsgrove she got married to a Barrett this be the "Diane Barrett" who worked @hunters?
Next sports days cricket and soccer against other schools and parents, tennis in centre court playbround and roller/scooter rink, introduction to golf club bashing trying to get ball over the big oak trees by the gates.
YES i was in Mr Pinners class behind Nurse "Fanny Hills" surgery, Saturday mornings clean the class with about 5 other mates them settle down to listen to football on the radio "Spurs was popular then "Jimmy Greaves".
YES I was one of the 6 who hid in the cloakroom and planned our stealthy raid on the surgery for those round red cough sweets in large silver can, got caned 6 of the best each hand from Mr Hill (deputy) for my part in the raid (ouch) x12

enclosed is pic of Pinners class if you can add names to the lads please do.

Oh Marketman 1956 are you Chris Adams Malvern dorm with two michaels, Jordan and Lever 1st+2nd front row by door, was you in Pinners class or?

Birmingham Open Air Schools

The longest-running free website sharing information and memories about former children's homes orphanages and other institutions for children.
www.formerchildrenshomes.org.uk www.formerchildrenshomes.org.uk
Click to expand...
Dave Warren said:
MEMORY JOGGER TIME HUNTERS HILL OAS 61-67

Hi Guys its 8pm all in our dorms : abberley (also was activity dorm) - clent - malvern - clee
time to raid each others dorms and pillow fight get back to own dorm, then skip out the windows to race across the field touch fence and back before Mr Tebbitt etc caught us.
I was in Clee back row far end for a year stuck in bed all day with bad swollen foot missing all the fun? had large machine gun toy that made terrible racket and got warned by Tebbitt shoot it again and will confiscate it til end of season, which he did lol.
Loved my time there learned respect but a lot more wiser now lol, was quite sad to leave in 66/67 to go live on my sisters farm in Dodford, Bromsgrove she got married to a Barrett this be the "Diane Barrett" who worked @hunters?
Next sports days cricket and soccer against other schools and parents, tennis in centre court playbround and roller/scooter rink, introduction to golf club bashing trying to get ball over the big oak trees by the gates.
YES i was in Mr Pinners class behind Nurse "Fanny Hills" surgery, Saturday mornings clean the class with about 5 other mates them settle down to listen to football on the radio "Spurs was popular then "Jimmy Greaves".
YES I was one of the 6 who hid in the cloakroom and planned our stealthy raid on the surgery for those round red cough sweets in large silver can, got caned 6 of the best each hand from Mr Hill (deputy) for my part in the raid (ouch) x12

enclosed is pic of Pinners class if you can add names to the lads please do.

Oh Marketman 1956 are you Chris Adams Malvern dorm with two michaels, Jordan and Lever 1st+2nd front row by door, was you in Pinners class or?

Birmingham Open Air Schools

The longest-running free website sharing information and memories about former children's homes orphanages and other institutions for children.
www.formerchildrenshomes.org.uk www.formerchildrenshomes.org.uk
Click to expand...
From left to right,back row.(1)Tommy folan (9)paul horsley,who also had 2 brothers at the school(phillip and francis)(10)Tommy rodgers.
Middle row,left to right. (1)gilbert lamb.(2) norman foley.(4)Dave warren(5) mulligan,who had very bad asthma.(7)fitsgerald.
Front row left to right, (1) i believe his name is robinson(who also had a sister at cropwood).(2)i think is steven willmore.
And of course sparky..Mr jones dog.
 
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