daimlerman
knowlegable brummie
Morning Viv,Hi Daimlerman.
If I remember correctly Mr Worrel, the Headmaster, was always in a smart grey suit. Definitely a figure of authority and, I guess very respected by parents. I think Mr Martin was his deputy, and rightly so as he could stop you in your tracks just with one of his stares ! Some of the punishments that went on in our childhood wouldn’t be tolerated today of course. I think we were lucky to get away with a rap over the knuckles - nowadays even that would be reported. And I remember the big step up to the next school. How frightening that seemed. Hardly any preparation for what to expect at ‘big school’. That’s all changed too. Kids have all sorts of activities to prepare them for the transition today. Kingsthorne was a walk in the park by comparison !
I think you must have been in different year to me. I can’t remember the names of your friends, but how lovely that you are still in touch.
Please keep the memories coming on here. It’s surprising how the seemingly smallest comment can bring back memories for others.
Viv.
I left Kingsthorne in the summer of '65.
Where did you live? I lived 4 doors from the school along Cranbourne road, opposite the Haskins; a large family of 10 kids. They all went to our school ranging from about 1955 to 1970! You probably encountered them.
My older sister, Christina Egan, was in the same class as Stevie Winwood, the famous musician.
Perhaps our paths crossed unknowingly.
I remember the car in your great pic. Mr Martin's black Triumph Mayflower which he later changed to a green Rover 90, probably not to be out done by Mr Worral's fleet of Daimlers.
We talk of discipline at that school, and I agree in the main, we got off lightly in most cases. However, I do recall one episode (*)
You might recall the Tuesday lectures (*) assembly. (*) we all remained in the hall to hear (*) about the virtues and morals of the bible and such like. However, one Morning we all sat down on the floor and (*) there were (*) two chairs on the stage and (*) the stage lighting was adjusted to a dim red glow.
(*) the names of two boys (*) were called (*). They were older boys. (*) They were sat (*) down and very cleverly began to cross examine them about an incident where they were seen after school, smashing bottles at the Co-oP Milk depot on Kingstanding Road.
This went on and on, and like a crown court Barrister, (*) ran their denials around in circles, gradually tripping them over. Occasionally (*) turned to the public gallery (us) and explained various points.
By now, the two boys were trembling with fear (*) Total silence descended and the teachers led us all back to the classrooms.
I too suffered the cane from(*) , but in the office one lunchtime. Me and Tommy Perkins, (of the Perkins brothers) had been amongst a gang of lads (*) involved in an incident in the playground Well we thought it was funny but the playground duty teacher, Mr Davis didnt and we were marched up to (*) the office. We were punished with one stroke of the cane on each hand. It didnt do us any harm but it did reaffirm the line which shouldn't be crossed.
So many memories Viv. That little greenhouse next to Mr Martin's car housed Cactus plants. When I moved up into Mr Martins class , One of my occasional responsibilities was to see they were watered. Another was to record the tempetatures from the thermometers in the Stevenson screen, placed in the central grass area...That spawned an interest which remains to this day. I now belong to an amature meteorologist group studying weather patterns around the world and trying to develop seasonal forecasts.
The school trips to Dudley zoo, Harvington hall, Warwick castle, etc were always great days out. They sparked another life long interest. I was more interested in the coach or bus than the subject matter of the trip.
When I left school, I started an apprenticeship with Birmingham corporation as an apprentice fitter on the blue and cream buses. Many, many years later, I joined the Police, then after retiring from police service, joined the Civil Service as a Driving Examiner finally retiring last year at 65 from a life of traffic and transport. It's still in my blood tho as I spend most of my days in my garage, restoring old cars.
Many more memories of Kingsthorne school to follow, not all bad I hasten to add.
(*) Edit. The above account has been edited to remove named teachers and accusations about their conduct. This is to protect any named person, whether rightly or wrongly accused, their family and friends, and the good name of BHF.
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