Lordswood Boys' Technical School

[Don'Tates' Hughes]

I was in the same class as Geoff Brown and Richi Parnell, there was a 3rd guy who was always knocking about with them his name was Kalsi(,can’t remember his Christian name) Geoff and Richi started up the group in the 5th year if I remember right. Other guys in the class were, Brian Rogers, Dave Cherry, Geoff Tim’s (mad on Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley) Micky Thomas( went to see EddIe Cockran with him at B’ham Hippodrome) Malcolm Aklin , Phelps (can’t remember Christian name) he was a very good athlete. I played rugby, cricket and basketball for the school and threw the javelin in the athletic team. Johny Flowers was a very good friend, not in my class but lived quite close to me in Northfield.
I left in the lower 6th, Mr Davies (Geography)tried to talk me into staying on but I wouldn’t listen, a decision I have regretted for the rest of my life. I could rabbit on all night but I won’t, hope I’ve jogged a few memories.
Keith Harrison

Hi Keith, I started 1957 left 1961. I recall most of the names here. Brian Rogers lived 2 doors away from me in the 1970s in Kings Norton.
Regards, Don

 

[Don'Tates' Hughes]

Here is a photo from 1961, 5G. I am on the extreme right on the 2nd row up. I am still in touch with Paul Kimberley, Derek Harper, Nick Lilley, Rodney Newton & others.

 

[A WOODHALL]

Here is a photo from 1961, 5G. I am on the extreme right on the 2nd row up. I am still in touch with Paul Kimberley, Derek Harper, Nick Lilley, Rodney Newton & others.View attachment 158728

Hi All
I have also just come across this thread and I attended LBTGS during 1974 -1979 and was in Farrady (green band). Like many other comments it's brought back many memories especially the letter from the Headmaster to parents setting out the school requirements and subjects. I to remember Helen Minovi (lovely), Miss Vigart (German), Mr Reinstein and Mr Kirby (pink Jag), (Maths), George Foley (the Pump) PE, Mr George (Metalwork), Mr Hart and Griffiths (Woodwork), Mr Harrington (TD), Mr Beale (the Pump) Biology, Mr John Cople (Physics) Mr Derek Froggy Hepton always in a green suit (Chemistry), Miss Margaret Crossland (English), Mr Lee (Music), Janet Croft (Science Prep), Miss Susan Whitehead (geography), Mr Jones (swimming). I remember the Harborne Swimming baths and the swimming galas. I also remember the same dentist close by without anaesthetic. The pub we skived to was the Kings Head on the corner of Lordswood Road and Hagley Road. I caught No 11 bus from Handsworth Wood/Harborne and my mate the No 9 to Quinton. There was also a teacher who had long curly hair and always walked if they were falling farwards, English I think. I also remember a good looking lady teacher who taught art/pottery. She was always hanging out with the older art teacher and I thought there was a relationship going on between them.
Looking back I wish I'd tried harder at school.
The surnames I recall are Bell, Bicknell, Clark, Davidson, Evans, Fernandez, Griffiths, Jones, Knott, Lawson, Leeson, McNamara, Neil, Tierney, Vincent, Wilkes, Woodhall. We had to queue alphabetically for the school dinner and if you had a surname beginning with 'W' and your house was last in turn there was virtually nothing left. Another memory was during woodwork I'd planed of to much material and Mr Hart sent me to Mr George to get the 'putting back on plane' much amusement to everyone. Does anybody recall the RE teacher who taught very little RE but mostly gave sex education lessons. I also remember John Cople catching me out with a gentlemans magazine in my bag after a search. It was parents evening that day and was worried sick someone would tell my parents. Another story, someone put a leaping frog on Derek Heptons desk whilst he was writing on the blackboard. He turned round and the frog leapt into the air right in front of him. He immediately turned his attention to the one who was laughing the most.
fond memories
andrew woodhall

 

[A WOODHALL]

Hi All
I have also just come across this thread and I attended LBTGS during 1974 -1979 and was in Farrady (green band). Like many other comments it's brought back many memories especially the letter from the Headmaster to parents setting out the school requirements and subjects. I to remember Helen Minovi (lovely), Miss Vigart (German), Mr Reinstein and Mr Kirby (pink Jag), (Maths), George Foley (the Pump) PE, Mr George (Metalwork), Mr Hart and Griffiths (Woodwork), Mr Harrington (TD), Mr Beale (the Pump) Biology, Mr John Cople (Physics) Mr Derek Froggy Hepton always in a green suit (Chemistry), Miss Margaret Crossland (English), Mr Lee (Music), Janet Croft (Science Prep), Miss Susan Whitehead (geography), Mr Jones (swimming). I remember the Harborne Swimming baths and the swimming galas. I also remember the same dentist close by without anaesthetic. The pub we skived to was the Kings Head on the corner of Lordswood Road and Hagley Road. I caught No 11 bus from Handsworth Wood/Harborne and my mate the No 9 to Quinton. There was also a teacher who had long curly hair and always walked if they were falling farwards, English I think. I also remember a good looking lady teacher who taught art/pottery. She was always hanging out with the older art teacher and I thought there was a relationship going on between them.
Looking back I wish I'd tried harder at school.
The surnames I recall are Bell, Bicknell, Clark, Davidson, Evans, Fernandez, Griffiths, Jones, Knott, Lawson, Leeson, McNamara, Neil, Tierney, Vincent, Wilkes, Woodhall. We had to queue alphabetically for the school dinner and if you had a surname beginning with 'W' and your house was last in turn there was virtually nothing left. Another memory was during woodwork I'd planed of to much material and Mr Hart sent me to Mr George to get the 'putting back on plane' much amusement to everyone. Does anybody recall the RE teacher who taught very little RE but mostly gave sex education lessons. I also remember John Cople catching me out with a gentlemans magazine in my bag after a search. It was parents evening that day and was worried sick someone would tell my parents. Another story, someone put a leaping frog on Derek Heptons desk whilst he was writing on the blackboard. He turned round and the frog leapt into the air right in front of him. He immediately turned his attention to the one who was laughing the most.
fond memories
andrew woodhall

Sorry think it was Jean Hall geography

 

[Matkirby]

Frank Kirby (my dad) 80 years old and still going strong. No longer has the famous pink jag, but a red one instead. He sends his regards to all.

 

[Matkirby]

I was at LBGTS from December 69 to June 76, so a little more recent that most of the posts above, we had so many memorable teachers, some good times and some forgettable experiences mostly to do with adhoc corporal punishment which never did me any harm but stung a bit at the time, main exponents of "a good beating never hurt anyone" are listed. The english master, board rubber and large PE shoe, and also a liking for picking you up by the hair in front of the ears and uttering in a west country accent "You little rat"
A PE teacher, with rugby origins, used a large PE shoe but insisted on taking a run up and making you stand to attention for an hour in snow, I was 12 at the time along with the 120 others also shivering in their PE Kit.
Other punishment involved ritual humiliation, by numerous staff members.
Notable for their eccentricities were Mr Monty, reportedly a drinking chum of Dylan Thomas, who spoke with such a welsh accent it was sometimes tough to understand him, and he would regularly fall asleep in class and utter the EH! which was liberally distributed in chalk around the school to taunt him. The German teacher in her purple, skin tight knitted mini dress, all too much for a 14 year old trying to learn German. A master in Woodwork, he of the stiff spine who could not bend over and had us running about picking things up fo him, we all bet he would pick up a fiver if he saw one on the floor. Mr (Tat) Pearson, the plain speaking biology master, in love with his vauxhall Viva and rank clothing, Frank Kirby, Maths, an original Teddy boy with a posh Jag, Mr Follows, a good laugh and a teacher you could talk to. Mr (Fruitbowl) Harrington, TD, another nice chap, Dave Boddison, Pottery, ardent communist, set me on the road to ceramics which I still attempt today, Malcolm Hughes, Art, a nice arty type, "I spent most of my 6th form in the art room as an "Art Room Dosser" and ended up at art college as a result. Mr Lee, Music, I could never master the trumpet, but enjoyed orchestra practise. Mrs Symonds, well what could I say...... Mr Evans, Dr Who look a like, promoter of the magazine Frisket, and an all round good egg! Other good eggs... Mr Betts, metalwork, Mr Beale, geography, Mr George, Engineering....many others who fade into my distant memory, but on the whole it was a good 6 years, shame about the slip in discipline due a New Headmaster, Mr Whitehouse but as an education it served me well, comments please....

Frank Kirby sends his regards..80 years old in 2021 and still going strong. No longer a teddy boy, but still has an old jag.

 

[A WOODHALL]

Frank Kirby (my dad) 80 years old and still going strong. No longer has the famous pink jag, but a red one instead. He sends his regards to all.

Hi Matt. I've just seen the picture of your dad, He's hardly changed. He taught me Maths at Lordswood 1975/6. Send him my regards.

 

[Phil 5T1]

I've just been reunited with some school photos, form 1A 1958 attached. I've a few more form and sports pics. I'll post them soon.

 

[mwburton443]

Is there anyone who attended 1970 thru 1975 ???

I think my dad was there then. 1970 until 77 for 6th form

 

[mwburton443]

I was at LBGTS from December 69 to June 76, so a little more recent that most of the posts above, we had so many memorable teachers, some good times and some forgettable experiences mostly to do with adhoc corporal punishment which never did me any harm but stung a bit at the time, main exponents of "a good beating never hurt anyone" are listed. The english master, board rubber and large PE shoe, and also a liking for picking you up by the hair in front of the ears and uttering in a west country accent "You little rat"
A PE teacher, with rugby origins, used a large PE shoe but insisted on taking a run up and making you stand to attention for an hour in snow, I was 12 at the time along with the 120 others also shivering in their PE Kit.
Other punishment involved ritual humiliation, by numerous staff members.
Notable for their eccentricities were Mr Monty, reportedly a drinking chum of Dylan Thomas, who spoke with such a welsh accent it was sometimes tough to understand him, and he would regularly fall asleep in class and utter the EH! which was liberally distributed in chalk around the school to taunt him. The German teacher in her purple, skin tight knitted mini dress, all too much for a 14 year old trying to learn German. A master in Woodwork, he of the stiff spine who could not bend over and had us running about picking things up fo him, we all bet he would pick up a fiver if he saw one on the floor. Mr (Tat) Pearson, the plain speaking biology master, in love with his vauxhall Viva and rank clothing, Frank Kirby, Maths, an original Teddy boy with a posh Jag, Mr Follows, a good laugh and a teacher you could talk to. Mr (Fruitbowl) Harrington, TD, another nice chap, Dave Boddison, Pottery, ardent communist, set me on the road to ceramics which I still attempt today, Malcolm Hughes, Art, a nice arty type, "I spent most of my 6th form in the art room as an "Art Room Dosser" and ended up at art college as a result. Mr Lee, Music, I could never master the trumpet, but enjoyed orchestra practise. Mrs Symonds, well what could I say...... Mr Evans, Dr Who look a like, promoter of the magazine Frisket, and an all round good egg! Other good eggs... Mr Betts, metalwork, Mr Beale, geography, Mr George, Engineering....many others who fade into my distant memory, but on the whole it was a good 6 years, shame about the slip in discipline due a New Headmaster, Mr Whitehouse but as an education it served me well, comments please....

You would have been there the same time As my dad. I think he would have been one year below you. Interesting reading what you write, as a lot of it rings bells from stories my dad told me.

 

[Norman Geraghty]

Hi All

I recently found this site and the interesting threads on Lordswood BTS.

I joined the school in 1958 after passing the eleven plus at Dudley Road. Lordswood was then only one year old, I believe. I stayed until A levels in 1965. I did physics at Birmingham then trained and qualified as a patent attorney.

Like several others, I was not very good at practical subjects. I was much better at the academic ones.

Teachers I can remember from my years at the school are as follows:
Bailey (Maths), Balsom (Deputy Head and English), Barnsley (Chemistry), Betts (Metalwork), Caldicott (Woodwork), Craig (German), Dale (Maths), Davies (Geography), J Griffin (PE and Geography), D Harkness (Headmaster and Maths), Harrington (TD), Hawkridge (History), D Hepton (Chemistry), Ingamells (German), D George (Craft), Hart (Art), G Jones (PE), V Jones (English and General Studies), C Lee (Music and RE), Lewis (PE and History), B Long (German), R Long (English), Luckman (German), Ludlam (English and General Studies), P Mason (English), Mercati (Biology), Rankin (Pottery), H Reinstein (Maths), Rhodes (Chemistry), Sawyer (Physics), Sturmen (TD), Summers (English), Wilson (Physics), Woods (Physics).

Harkness was a very good teacher. I had him for some A level Maths. He was very clear and logical. Also, I had Balsom for some basic English and he too was clear and easy to follow.

My favourite teacher was Griffin (‘Noddy’) for the mature way in which he interacted with us. He was keen on cross-country (I was a runner) and left to become a professional cyclist. My least favourite was Dale who dangerously would throw the hard board rubber at anyone not paying attention.

‘Character’ teachers were Hawkridge, Reinstein and Hepton. Each could be very funny (not deliberately!) in their own different ways.

Lads that were my contemporaries are as follows:
R Adams, S Alexander, J Ashby, R Bannister, J Barton, K Beesley, R Beach, R Bradburn, A Bray, F Boyce, A Brown, C Broughton, H Bull, K Cocking, F Collin, G Conyers, D Cotterell, J Curtis, T Fisher, J Clayton, P Dalton, J Daw, W Eddy, F Evenson, P Geraghty, Goundry, Green, P Greeno, Grinyer, P Grubb, P Gunningham, D Harris, Higginson, P Hind, J Hodgetts (deceased 1963) , B Hughes, G Insall, D James, P James, R Johnston, B Joyce, F Kerrigan, R Knight, L Kricka, T Lears, C Margetts, M McGaheran, J Moore, E Morris, P Morris, B Newby, J Nicholls, Parsons, Polanski, K O'Brien, K Reading, J Reilly, D Rhodes, S Ryall, R Scott, W Sharpe, I Sheppard, P Simpson, R Smith, J Smith, P Styzaker, D Taborn, J Tehan, R Tookey, C Trickett, Tumelty, M Veale, J Westlake, F Whitehouse, M White, R Wilkes, D Workman, B Ying.

Glad to offer these comments. It's very pleasing that a record is still being kept on the early days of the school. There were many such details recorded on Friends Reunited but unfortunately they were all lost when that site folded.

 

[Norman Geraghty]

I can remember you. I was in the 58 intake. Other lads were Peter Coley and Len Boyd.
Mr Mason was our form master. A very decent bloke.
Cheers Norman Geraghty

 

[Titch H]

Hi Norman
I was in the first intake to Lordswood and also passed my 11 plus from Dudley Road School.
My time at Dudley Road was not spent in the main building, but in a "Church Hall" on Cuthbert Road at the corner with Winson Green Road. We had to pack away our books in cardboard boxes every night and store in an adjoining room, then stack the chairs.
The teacher was Mr Moss and it was all down to him that I got through the 11 plus.
I lived in Winson Street.
I was probably in 2S when you were at Lordswood and in Telford House.
Titch Horton

 

[Jilly R]

Hi All,
Like many of you I stumbled on the site and have just spent a very happy hour sharing your memories of life at Lordswood. My name is Howard Barnett and I was at Lordswood from 1961 to 1966. Unlike many of you I didn’t stay on for sixth form, well nobody invited me to!

You may not remember me because following a traumatic first year when I really didn’t know whether I was on my proverbial or my elbow I adopted a policy of flying below the radar only emerging to represent house (Bessemer) and school in the rugby, cricket and athletic teams!

Naturally I remember many of the teachers. It was Mr Hart’s cool studio with coffee sending its aroma around the art room that made me want to work in that environment, something I ultimately did. I think back on the flying board rubbers, the lashings with Busen burner tubes, none of which I suffered I’m glad to say. Does anyone remember Mr Lewis, swimming teacher, jumping into Harborne baths fully clothed to save a struggling David Butler? My most ignominious moment came when we entered Mr Bond’s maths room. He was sitting slumped in his chair with what turned out to be our homework books in front of him. Without rising from his chair he announced that he was so depressed after marking the first book in the pile that he couldn’t go on! Very rapidly the whisper sped around the room, “It’s yours Barnett.” I think, even at that early stage Mr Bond and I abandoned any hope!

I also remember many of you out there. Steve Allen and I were asked to demonstrate how to pass a rugby ball by Mr Jones - a rare accolade. I was so saddened to hear the passing of many of the lads, particularly Peter Collin, who if I close my eyes I can see bombing down the track to pass the baton to me in the inter-schools relays we ran together.

I’ll leave with a funny story, the only time I had any direct contact with Mr Harkness was at the end of year one when he spoke to the under achievers of which I was one. The only other time was not long after I had left school and had headed into town to buy a pair of snazzy shoes. So anxious was I to wear them that I sat on the wall of the cathedral in Birmingham city centre putting them on. Who should walk past but Mr H. We exchanged knowing glances but chose not to speak. I always thought he walked on thinking.’Ah, that’s right, it was Barnett. I never thought he’d amount to much!’

Finally I enclose a couple of photographs, one of Form 5B and the Athletics team 63-64, on that shot I’m the one taking it all too seriously third from the left, front row.

Hi All,
Like many of you I stumbled on the site and have just spent a very happy hour sharing your memories of life at Lordswood. My name is Howard Barnett and I was at Lordswood from 1961 to 1966. Unlike many of you I didn’t stay on for sixth form, well nobody invited me to!

You may not remember me because following a traumatic first year when I really didn’t know whether I was on my proverbial or my elbow I adopted a policy of flying below the radar only emerging to represent house (Bessemer) and school in the rugby, cricket and athletic teams!

Naturally I remember many of the teachers. It was Mr Hart’s cool studio with coffee sending its aroma around the art room that made me want to work in that environment, something I ultimately did. I think back on the flying board rubbers, the lashings with Busen burner tubes, none of which I suffered I’m glad to say. Does anyone remember Mr Lewis, swimming teacher, jumping into Harborne baths fully clothed to save a struggling David Butler? My most ignominious moment came when we entered Mr Bond’s maths room. He was sitting slumped in his chair with what turned out to be our homework books in front of him. Without rising from his chair he announced that he was so depressed after marking the first book in the pile that he couldn’t go on! Very rapidly the whisper sped around the room, “It’s yours Barnett.” I think, even at that early stage Mr Bond and I abandoned any hope!

I also remember many of you out there. Steve Allen and I were asked to demonstrate how to pass a rugby ball by Mr Jones - a rare accolade. I was so saddened to hear the passing of many of the lads, particularly Peter Collin, who if I close my eyes I can see bombing down the track to pass the baton to me in the inter-schools relays we ran together.

I’ll leave with a funny story, the only time I had any direct contact with Mr Harkness was at the end of year one when he spoke to the under achievers of which I was one. The only other time was not long after I had left school and had headed into town to buy a pair of snazzy shoes. So anxious was I to wear them that I sat on the wall of the cathedral in Birmingham city centre putting them on. Who should walk past but Mr H. We exchanged knowing glances but chose not to speak. I always thought he walked on thinking.’Ah, that’s right, it was Barnett. I never thought he’d amount to much!’

Finally I enclose a couple of photographs, one of Form 5B and the Athletics team 63-64, on that shot I’m the one taking it all too seriously third from the left, front row.

Howard, I didn't attend Lordswood School but knew a few lads who did. One being Andy Hunt part of the Athletics Team 63/64 who stands behind you, 2nd in on the second row. He also played rugby.

 

[Jilly R]

Thanks for the info. I'll go and have a look. I think the school opened in 1957.

does anyone else remember Tony Hale, the English teacher and musician. While he was at Lordswood he was a sales rep. for the Melotron which was the instrument that gave the Moody Blues, King Crimson and others their string ensemble sound.
I left Lordswood in 68 and in 73 joined the BBC in Manchester as a sound techy. In 75 guess who turned up as a radio producer in Manchester, yes Tony hale. I went on to work with him on various recordings including a pop quiz called "Quiz Kid" which ran for 3 years with Alan "Fluff" Freeman as the host. He left the Beeb in the late 80s (?) and went to London and the last I heard he was living near Canary Wharf.
"Popeye" Mason played the organ at assembly.
Colin Lee was our music teacher and bored the pants off us trying to instill musical fervour and understanding by playing Britten's "War Requiem". It's taken me 50 years to appreciate it. If only he'd used a couple of lighter examples.
"Froggy" Hepton and Mr Rhodes taught us Chemistry, Harrington TD, McCourt Geography, Mr Abel German ( I won prizes in Deutsch but now live in France!) We had Mr George for metalwork and Fletcher for WW.
We also had the mad professor, Mr. Woods for physics. He was ex-RAF and constructed a 27mHz valve transmitter on a plank. It was one of the most dangerous pieces of kit I've ever seen and he used it to demonstrate how varying the length of conductors coud change the frequency of oscillation, as shown on an oscilloscope. The 'scope probe didn't even have to be connected to the kit to show the frequency changing, such was the output power of this mad "experiment". A short fluorescent tube held near it showed when it went into oscillation!
Does anyone remember a guy a couple of years senior to me called Benge or Benj? He made flying model aircraft who's fuel was known as Benj's brew? I think he built a flying model Lancaster which he flew from the playground over the fields.
I also remember Alan Hunt, who threw a javelin over 200'. Gil Jones and Uggy White were our PE teachers and I ran a leg in the Kings Norton road relay with GJ pacing me through Alvechurch! We won it that year. Colin Price was a memorable athlete from that time. I think he went into the Police, as did Pete Bissell.
Happy Days

There was most likely more than one Alan Hunt at LBTS but the one I remember had fair hair and was the younger brother of Andy Hunt, who was also good at sport.

 

[delboy66]

Hi Norman
I was in the first intake to Lordswood and also passed my 11 plus from Dudley Road School.
My time at Dudley Road was not spent in the main building, but in a "Church Hall" on Cuthbert Road at the corner with Winson Green Road. We had to pack away our books in cardboard boxes every night and store in an adjoining room, then stack the chairs.
The teacher was Mr Moss and it was all down to him that I got through the 11 plus.
I lived in Winson Street.
I was probably in 2S when you were at Lordswood and in Telford House.
Titch Horton

Hi Titch
I was in the intake at Lordswood the year after you. I also went to Dudley Road (Summerfield) junior school and passed the 11 plus whilst there. My main teacher was Miss Smethurst. She was a really hard disciplinarian. The school had a brilliant record of getting people through the 11 plus.
I remember also the Annex you referred to. There was an older teacher there (who was probably Moss) who said that if you wanted to be a train driver (which many kids did) you should go to a technical school!
By the way, in an edition of the BBC programme ‘Who do you think you are’ featuring actor Martin Shaw, they showed a street map of where he grew up. It was Winson Green very close to that Annex!
Cheers, Delboy

 

[delboy66]

I can remember you. I was in the 58 intake. Other lads were Peter Coley and Len Boyd.
Mr Mason was our form master. A very decent bloke.
Cheers Norman Geraghty

Hi Norman

I think you were always the joker in the pack! If I remember right you lived down Northfield way and were mates with John? Curtis.

Mason used to walk home for his lunch. I think he was newly married! He was a good English teacher.

Cheers Delboy

 

[Norman Geraghty]

Hi Norman

I think you were always the joker in the pack! If I remember right you lived down Northfield way and were mates with John? Curtis.

Mason used to walk home for his lunch. I think he was newly married! He was a good English teacher.

Cheers Delboy

Hi Delboy
I tried to add levity to the pack .I lived in Abbeydale Rd Northfield and John C lived 1 road away. My best mates were John and Peter Coley. I recruited a fair amount of lads to The Sea Cadets. I had many jobs (non technical) and finally retired as a HEO in the Civil Service.
Cheers

 

[Spaceman]

Hi Norman.

I've just joined the forum and come across these postings on LBTS which I attended between 1962-1969. I will certainly be going through all the posts later to see if I can contribute to any of the memories. However, slightly off subject, while I was at school, I joined the Marine Cadets at TS Vernon based at the time at Gas Street basin. I've raised the subject before but nobody had heard of the place and wondered, with your Sea Cadet involvement, whether you had any memories of it?

 

[Penns]

Yes I remember him well ... tall, well-spoken, rather angular facial features, always in a good suit ... a very decent bloke, approachable, would always stop for a chat or just to pass the time of day if he had nowhere to go.

Can't recall for sure, but I think he might have joined the Staff in my 2nd or 3rd year so '60/'61

I remember well, however, that there was a boy in a different class in my year who was also named Kindon and bore a very striking resemblance to him, and I believe they got their heads together at some point and it transpired that they were cousins.

TQ

Kindon had a black Austin Somerset, I remember that!

 

[Penns]

Bluto:

I was there '59-'64 so our paths didn't cross directly, however I can add some names to your Swimming Team photo as the bottom row appears to consist mostly of faces that are familiar from across my year. Some are now no more than faces with uncertain names from other classes, but here's what I can add anyway.

Bottom, 2nd from right Ron Vercesi; 4th from right "Ozzy" Osborne; 2nd from left Maunder, sorry but no first name; far left - I think Sansom or something close anyway, possibly 1st name Roger but apologies to him if wildly incorrect on either/both however.

2nd row up, 3rd from right - Stanley, first name another Roger maybe, or possibly Robert.

Hope these help.


Just a memory in-passing, spurred by your posting name ...

For a couple of years my/our English teacher was Mr. Ludlam, whom I remember as a nice guy, soft-spoken, enthusiastic, introduced writers by reading aloud to us from them, He would illustrate the changeable nature of words and language with anecdotes of his own, e.g. "I remember when first hearing pop singers going on about 'their baby' or singing to "baby" I couldn't understand and was puzzled just thinking about a baby *mimed cradling a babe-in-arms* "

But anyway ... rather cruelly I think, we referred to him as Popeye because in our schoolboyish way we latched on to his wide-open and rather expressive eyes that I am sure didn't protrude at all of course but the nickname was used just as if they did anyway.

On a school trip to Interlaken for I think about a dozen pupils Mr L was one of the leaders/chaperones, and was also accompanied by his wife and their young child aged around 3 or 4 in my recollection ... and I have a very chuckle-making memory of him walking along the (Snow Hill I seem to think) platform as we made for the train, with a seam-stretching full rucksack on his back and with a baby's potty hanging off it by a carabiner and swinging from side to side.

TQ

 

[Penns]

Hi,
Covid -19 and time on my hands….I was thinking of tracing my ancestors whereabouts in Birmingham and came across this site.
I was in the first intake into Lordswood, I think I went through 1B, 2B, 3B, 4B & 5S. I do remember the form roll call on the first day started Adams, Apps, Blundell, Brown….me being the Blundell with Geoff Brown sitting behind me. Our form master was a red haired Welshman (I think) and on the first day he was looking for volunteers, and went round the form saying you’ll do so and so, then picked on me saying “right Percy, you can do this”, hence for a long time I was called Percy, sometimes Sparcy, although my name was Chris.
I was always (or felt I was) in trouble at school, I knocked about with Graham Whitmore, Martin Stenzel, John Shakespeare, Malcolm Acklin, Norman Garwood, Melvyn (nobby)Sutton, Mike Mitchell, Kit Round, Mike Murphy, Casewell, Colson, Dave Fisher,Pete Johnson (Haybag) , Phelps, et al.
Nobby used to come and stay some weekends at our house and ……Tony Collette (may have name incorrecect) came on holidays with my family to Abersoch in Wales...I have a photo somewhere.

My father passed away whilst I was in the 5th form and I went off the rails a bit and played truant for most of the year, subsequently left, went (pushed by my mother and family friends) to Naval College in Cardiff, and served an apprenticeship in the Merchant Navy, getting my Foreign going Masters ticket at Southampton University and sailed around the world, but mostly West Africa. I left after 8 years, and worked for a large Flooring Contractor, after 6 months I left and started on my own, at the same time Malcolm Acklin (Mac) had just got demobbed from the Army and we hooked up and worked together for well over 10 years and had 30 + staff, until he decided England wasn’t for him anymore (that’s another story!!!) and he emigrated to Oz and we sold out….I met him a few times in UK after that and I went to see him in Oz about 8 years ago and stayed with him for a couple of weeks….sadly he passed away about 4 years ago.
After selling out, I bought a Pub in Worcestershire, Gil Jones used to come for lunch at least once a fortnight with his wife, Mary and we would also go out for meals with them, I think he was Headmaster then, strange how things work out!!!
I did meet up at the Pub when Mac came back for a visit in the early 90s with Mitch Mitchell, Kit Round and Richard(?) Harding and we had a good time reminiscing, I think Rich Harding was in the building trade, Kit Round was in high end Medical Supplies, Mitch was working for the Council.

I bumped into Geoff Brown 3 or 4 times on flights to the States, he was the subject of an interview on Birmingham TV about a year or so ago and during that he said that he now lives in Mexico.(I see his first wife occasionally) I would occasionally see Norman Garwood, who went in TV/Films, doing production design, he ended up living in the States, and got an nominated 3 times for an Oscar and once for an Emmy, and won a BAFTA….he passed away last year.(he was on the roll call of deceased dignitaries)

I remember all the staff and a lot of contemporaries names not mentioned in these threads, but putting the names to faces is another matter, I played rugby for the school, but cannot see myself on any photograph, I threw the javelin (I have a winners badge!), discus and shot in county championships…afraid I have only one pic of the swimming team and nothing else.

I do remember going on a YHA trip with Hepton and I think Mercati to walk over Helvellin and Scafell Pike and remember we all bathed in ice cold water on the top of the mountain…..never quite sure about Hepton??. I also remember a school trip to Neustatt ( I think) in Bavaria to improve our German with Barry Long and Ian Lewis…or was it someone else?

I think that’s enough from me now, I’ll await some comments………….

You mentioned some names in an earlier post, most likely the swimming team 3 of whom were in my class or year. It was MICHEAL Maunder, ROGER Sansom and ROD Stanley. They were all in the team the year the Gala was held in the now demolished Kent Street Baths.
Rod Stanleys father owned the ironmongers in Bearwood High Street. Ron Vercesi left very early and went to work in Hepworth in Birmingham and then joined the Navy, he now lives in Cornwall.

Its a very great sadness to me that virtually none of the guys I was in the D/T stream with, 59 onwards, seem to be on here now, although Taylor did acknowledge one of my posts. It doesn’t seem that long ago that 50% of my class were on Friends Reunited! My parents always told me that school would be the happiest days of my life, sadly at the time I didn’t believe them!

looking for John Dean, Vic Turner, Philip Stanier, Dave Lipett. Cotterill ( C stream). Kilminster, Roger Keyes. Rod Thompson

 

[SticknCaster]

Here is a link to the LBGTS September 1969 Magazine. I couldn't upload it as it is too big at 7MB:

LBGTS Magazine - September 1969.pdf

Shared with Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

Thank you for taking the time and trouble to provide good scans of your varied ephemera, very interesting! I was 70-77 vintage but I do not recall the school magazine, pity, because the 1969 issue was quite an impressive document.

 

[Kelvin Gardiner]

Hello Don, you and I were in the same class with Paul Tilsley. you and I often would tussle to come second behind Martin Packwood, I have just come across this site, I want to know what happened to Roger Dawson.

 

[Kelvin Gardiner]

Who was the guy who was a very good amateur boxer and won quite a few trophy's etc,
Halford

 

[T Q]

How interesting - and nice - that a random brief remark can instantly revive long-dormant memories and details!

The second that I read that comment, Penns, I was back in the North playground as Mr. Kindon was driving his car out from where it was parked by the Craft Block, back down the narrow driveway at the edge of the playground to turn by the feature stone wall section at the corner and head up the main entrance drive to be on his way.

And in particular, that he was in his usual position hunched forward in the seat and close to the steering wheel as if the car didn't actually fit him properly and he needed to see better and not have the top edge of the windscreen too low and cut off part of his view ... wow that image was made around sixty-some years ago and just emerged for the first time!

 

[Penns]

How interesting - and nice - that a random brief remark can instantly revive long-dormant memories and details!

The second that I read that comment, Penns, I was back in the North playground as Mr. Kindon was driving his car out from where it was parked by the Craft Block, back down the narrow driveway at the edge of the playground to turn by the feature stone wall section at the corner and head up the main entrance drive to be on his way.

And in particular, that he was in his usual position hunched forward in the seat and close to the steering wheel as if the car didn't actually fit him properly and he needed to see better and not have the top edge of the windscreen too low and cut off part of his view ... wow that image was made around sixty-some years ago and just emerged for the first time!

You’ve done exactly the same because I now remember he did park his car down by the craft block. You’ve also reminded me that teacher, Colin Lee, would ride his moped down the footpath path from the bike sheds and go out via Lordswood Road, he had a dirty very off white mac I remember, as he tried to run us down after school! I seem to remember he lived in the Weoley Castle area.

 

[T Q]

Who was the guy who was a very good amateur boxer and won quite a few trophy's etc,
Halford

I remember there was a Graham Halford somewhere in my year in around '62/3 .. no recollection of the name before then so maybe had just moved from somewhere? Purely speculative.

I also remember noticing him one Saturday behind the counter at a butcher's stall in the Bull Ring indoor market, though whether that was before leaving school and therefore a Saturday job, or afterward and something a little more solid than that, I can't remember now.

I have a bit of a memory that we spoke on a couple of occasions, though I'm sure not more than a few words just in passing and doubtful if as meaningfully as personal info such as outside interests like boxing.

I hope this helps if you are trying to connect some dots for yourself, and I don't remember there being another Halford around whilst there, but maybe one in the 4/5th when I was in the 1st, or vice versa, wouldn't have registered with me anyway so that can't be an absolute I suppose.

 

[T Q]

Ron Vercesi left very early and went to work in Hepworth in Birmingham and then ...

looking for John Dean, Vic Turner, Philip Stanier, Dave Lipett ...

Another Hepworths connection ... I went in to their New St branch right by The Odeon one time in probably '65/6 and found Roger Franks in full Mens Outfitter Salesman mode We had a few words of course though I didn't go on to buy anything I think, and as we hadn't moved in the same LTS circles we didn't stay in touch then either. Some time later I went in again and he was no longer there.

Some familiar names in those others. I do remember that it was always "Wick" Turner, and I understood that this started in an early German lesson when working through the alphabet and someone commented that his name would be spelled with a W if it was to be pronounced the English way still. So perversely he then became "Wick" from that day forward.

 

[T Q]

Colin Lee, would ride his moped down the footpath path from the bike sheds and go out via Lordswood Road, he had a dirty very off white mac I remember, as he tried to run us down after school! I seem to remember he lived in the Weoley Castle area.

I'm not sure where he set out from, but yes it could well have been there as once or twice he would go whizzing past one of my bus stops in the Ford Pop that he'd use sometimes, which was on a route that had come from that way. A couple of times that I went that way (I could choose from 3 routes for part of my journey) he spotted the uniform and stopped to give me a lift.

When first discovering this forum and reading bits and pieces occasionally, I stumbled in to this LTS section and read something from a previous time mentioning that Mr. Lee had died. It was no great shocker really to discover that of any Teacher from such a long time ago, however just seeing the words like that made me recall him a little and also the odd lift-in that he bothered to stop for, with quite a heavy heart as I think he was regarded as a bit of a frosty personality - no doubt just his Teacher-face however, I'm sure.