St Chads Schools

[Winterboots]

I worked at St Chad's on Brearley Street for a couple of terms in 1972. I just visited some friends in Birmingham and they took me to Brearley Street and Icknield Street. So I thought I'd do some research. I recognised so much of what you have said. I remember Mrs Hamilton who was very much respected and liked, I worked with Mr Miskella (big burly kind chap) teaching history and geography, then there was Miss O'Donnell teaching French, I replaced Mr Giaquinto who taught history, and the other Italian teacher Mr Lancelotto. I remember Mr Rowlands with the slight stutter. I remember his compassion in advising me how to deal with a boy who had recently joined the school who had a bad stutter and telling me I was doing the right thing by relaxing and letting the boy take his time to get the words out. Mr Welford who had been there a long time, Mr Winston who as you say was not the nicest, Mr Gollogly the sports teacher, and Mr Cushenan the headmaster. There was also a teacher, possibly his first name was Philip, who was a 5th year class tutor, a little skinny man. Sister Ethna was still referred to.

I was looking at the photo of 4B and wondering if I had taught any of them when they were younger. Names I remember were Paddy Edwards, Benito McCoy, twins Joseph and Mary Concannon, Norma and ?Imogen? Beckford, surname McIlkenny - a little fair-haired boy, and I do wonder about the name Tracy McLoughlin.

And does anyone remember the new (Feb 1972) deputy head whose name I think was Mrs Kelly. Wore cocktail dresses to work - emerald green chiffon and an oyster cream embroidered thing. I don't think anyone had seen anything like it. She kept forgetting where she had left her handbag which the staff thought was unkind in terms of putting temptation in the way of the many pupils who needed money. One day she announced she had sent Paddy Edwards to find it and the next we knew he was in full view of classrooms, out in the yard, skipping around like a little girl carrying the handbag oh so delicately.

I was there just after the Birmingham bombings. I was sitting in on Mr Giaquinto's class when there was an explosion. No-one panicked, they just said Oh well it was a car bomb. How awful that 14 yr olds should not be shaken by an explosion which blew at the windows of the factory opposite. It turned out to be a gas explosion.

Many other memories, like turning up for work and being put straight onto the coach for a school trip to Blackpool.

And one more - I just wish I could remember his name. Mrs Hamilton was helping one of her class with extra reading lessons. He found it so hard to concentrate and was often in trouble. He would sit at the front, where Mrs H had put him, so there was less distraction. One day I was holding a thin exercise book (open) at the front and he started to fidget, so I made little flap in his direction - about a foot away and never going to make contact - the pages of the book flicked and made a loud bang - he jumped and put his hands to his head in surprise, we stared at one another both in surprise - we both knew the book had been nowhere near his head, but the rest of the class thought I'd clobbered him. This enhanced his reputation, and mine (Wow Miss hit him over the head). We neither said anything and he and I shared the secret. One day he confided that he'd never had a house point (now why do I think it was Moore House) and I said if he could get through a class without "breaking out", he could have a point. He did it. Then I didn't have any points (little cardboard tickets) in my pencil case. He was so disappointed and I feared that he wouldn't trust me any more. So I let him write in pencil on the outside of his exercise book "Miss Price owes me a house point". It was real effort of spelling and writing for him, but he managed it with a little prompting. We would rub it out when I gave him his point. Eagle-eyed Mrs Hamilton spotted the writing on the book and asked me about it, I explained that I had given him permission to do it and that he'd pretty well spelt it unaided. She was pleased, but was very clear that it should be rubbed out when I issued the point. Which I did. His first house point. I hope I helped in some tiny way.

And more memories too. The place made an impression on me. I learnt a lot. Many of the pupils had very hard lives. Like I said, I learnt a lot. And it helped me when I ended up working in the East End of London.

I remember you miss price,miss tranter then mrs hamilton was my teacher ,my name is Eileen and i have a twin yvonne we loved school and left in 76

 

[pauljon]

Lots of memories of St. Chad's school, I left in 1959, but remember some of the teachers. When I was first at St. Chads
school, the infants were down stairs with Sister Philips as head teacher. At the age of 7 then went up stairs to the juniors and seniors which was for the girls only, the boys transferred to Shadwell Street. My first teacher in the juniors was I believe Miss Greenwood. All of the teachers were female. I remained there until 10 years of age and then the school became co-educational. The juniors were transferred to what was the boys school in Shadwell Street and the Seniors were then in Brearley street. It was very strange as we were segregated in the class room, boys on one side girls on the other.
Mr Conklin who had been at the boys school joined the seniors along with other male teachers, and some of the female teachers went to Shadwell street. Things were very different, lots of changes to adjust to. I attended Shadwell street
for about 18 months. The teacher I remember there was a Miss Croak (she taught my father) Mr. Wells was the headmaster. When I was 11 went back to Brearley Street. I remember the excitement when it was announced that the school were to have uniforms. The day came when we all lined up to be measured for our uniforms, cream blouses for the girls, grey skirts, royal blue blazers, beret, and a striped gold and blue tie. These of course had to be paid for over several weeks, I had to have a card and take money to school to pay for these clothes. We were all very proud of these uniforms,
Summer Lane school across the road didn't have a uniform. They used to jeer and shout at us as we walked past.
We thought we were the cats whiskers. The girls skirts had to be just below the knee, so were measured to be able to put a hem on to allow for growth, which could be let down, and the blouses had a pleat in the back.
We were all very smart. Reading through some of the posts brings back lot of memories, and it is interesting to see other peoples experiences of St. Chad's R.C. School.

 

[Mark Tooze]

Here are a number of photos of St. Chads school in Brearly Street, before and after it closed:-

 

[Mark Tooze]

And some more - sorry it is only letting me post a couple at a time

 

[Mark Tooze]

And some more:-

 

[Mark Tooze]

And finally....

 

[Astoness]

well mark until now the only photo of st chads brearley st we had was a very hazy one on post 40...your photos will certainly stir some memories for some of our members..some good some not so good...looks quite an austere building..wonder what happened to that statue and what it depicts...thanks for posting them

lyn

 

[Barr_Beacon]

Crikey, those photographs have taken my breath away! I can still remember my father leading me up Brearley Street from Newtown Row with a scarf wrapped around my face because of the thick smog. I can still smell the metal in the 'air' and hear the regular beat of the machines from the surrounding factories and workshops.

Thank you, Mark.

 

[Astoness]

Crikey, those photographs have taken my breath away! I can still remember my father leading me up Brearley Street from Newtown Row with a scarf wrapped around my face because of the thick smog. I can still smell the metal in the 'air' and hear the regular beat of the machines from the surrounding factories and workshops.

Thank you, Mark.

such is the power of the photograph BB

lyn

 

[pjmburns]

..wonder what happened to that statue and what it depicts...thanks for posting them

lyn

Lyn. I would imagine the statue is of St Chad - after whom the school and the cathedral are named and patron saint of the RC archdiocese of Birmingham.
Having a closer look he seems to be holding lilies which makes me think it might be St Joseph. Wonder if there were any other statues?
As there is still a St Chad's school maybe the statue went there?

 

[Astoness]

Lyn. I would imagine the statue is of St Chad - after whom the school and the cathedral are named and patron saint of the RC archdiocese of Birmingham.
Having a closer look he seems to be holding lilies which makes me think it might be St Joseph. Wonder if there were any other statues?
As there is still a St Chad's school maybe the statue went there?

thanks jan...i wondered if the statue had been saved and put elsewhere....from marks photos i cant see anymore

lyn

 

[Vivienne14]

I’d plump for St Joseph Janice. St J seems to frequently be seen holding lilies whereas St Chad seems to more often be depicted with a staff and a book/bible.

I like the smaller details on the building like the ‘Girls’ and ‘Boys’ signs above the entrance doors, splayed fan-like to fit into the semi-circle. And there’s always much craftsmanship applied to niches that hold statues. Nice to see, but sadly now gone. Viv.

 

[pjmburns]

Yes - Viv - when I had a closer look and saw the lilies I decided it was more likely St Joseph. The one at church where I grew up was holding lilies. That is why I wondered if there were other statues - like the rest of the Holy Family. Strange as I would have expected there to be one of the saint the school was named after.

 

[Astoness]

jan i see a splan liked fan above the statue but cant see the statue in any of the other photos posted..it could be that mark did not take shots of the whole length of the school so there may have been other statues...really chuffed to get these though

lyn

 

[staniforthstreet]

I remember you miss price,miss tranter then mrs hamilton was my teacher ,my name is Eileen and i have a twin yvonne we loved school and left in 76

I went to the infant school around 1964 then onto the junior school by the st Chad's cathedral.i remember some of the classes in the junior school were taken in portable cabins in the playground.i remember in the infants a row of children including me getting a ruler across our hands for being naughty if it happened today the school would be shut down and the teacher put in prison we were only 5 or 6 but it did us no harm anyway it was just how it was in them days.i remember miss lynch and miss rumble who came to visit me in hospital when I had my tonsils out they brought me a pack of pencils and a note book with the Beatles on them so it must have been 1965 or 66 .I also remember miss salmon I think she was the deputy head and the school dinners arriving in metal containers and pushed into the small dining hall.the classrooms were all off one hall where we had to sit on the floor and put one finger over our lips to keep QUIET! Those were the days.

Does anyone remember moderator edit to remove named person ..... she was nasty!! had her favourites , the clever ones !! She used to bore her knuckles in to the side of your head if you had to ask for help, it hurt like hell !! She used to leave her hat on the shelf, one day Mark Toner (the bully to used to kick me when lining up) tried her hat on, she came back and caught him !! Gave him a good slapping, bought a smile to my face

 

[staniforthstreet]

I worked at St Chad's on Brearley Street for a couple of terms in 1972. I just visited some friends in Birmingham and they took me to Brearley Street and Icknield Street. So I thought I'd do some research. I recognised so much of what you have said. I remember Mrs Hamilton who was very much respected and liked, I worked with Mr Miskella (big burly kind chap) teaching history and geography, then there was Miss O'Donnell teaching French, I replaced Mr Giaquinto who taught history, and the other Italian teacher Mr Lancelotto. I remember Mr Rowlands with the slight stutter. I remember his compassion in advising me how to deal with a boy who had recently joined the school who had a bad stutter and telling me I was doing the right thing by relaxing and letting the boy take his time to get the words out. Mr Welford who had been there a long time, Mr Winston who as you say was not the nicest, Mr Gollogly the sports teacher, and Mr Cushenan the headmaster. There was also a teacher, possibly his first name was Philip, who was a 5th year class tutor, a little skinny man. Sister Ethna was still referred to.

I was looking at the photo of 4B and wondering if I had taught any of them when they were younger. Names I remember were Paddy Edwards, Benito McCoy, twins Joseph and Mary Concannon, Norma and ?Imogen? Beckford, surname McIlkenny - a little fair-haired boy, and I do wonder about the name Tracy McLoughlin.

And does anyone remember the new (Feb 1972) deputy head whose name I think was Mrs Kelly. Wore cocktail dresses to work - emerald green chiffon and an oyster cream embroidered thing. I don't think anyone had seen anything like it. She kept forgetting where she had left her handbag which the staff thought was unkind in terms of putting temptation in the way of the many pupils who needed money. One day she announced she had sent Paddy Edwards to find it and the next we knew he was in full view of classrooms, out in the yard, skipping around like a little girl carrying the handbag oh so delicately.

I was there just after the Birmingham bombings. I was sitting in on Mr Giaquinto's class when there was an explosion. No-one panicked, they just said Oh well it was a car bomb. How awful that 14 yr olds should not be shaken by an explosion which blew at the windows of the factory opposite. It turned out to be a gas explosion.

Many other memories, like turning up for work and being put straight onto the coach for a school trip to Blackpool.

And one more - I just wish I could remember his name. Mrs Hamilton was helping one of her class with extra reading lessons. He found it so hard to concentrate and was often in trouble. He would sit at the front, where Mrs H had put him, so there was less distraction. One day I was holding a thin exercise book (open) at the front and he started to fidget, so I made little flap in his direction - about a foot away and never going to make contact - the pages of the book flicked and made a loud bang - he jumped and put his hands to his head in surprise, we stared at one another both in surprise - we both knew the book had been nowhere near his head, but the rest of the class thought I'd clobbered him. This enhanced his reputation, and mine (Wow Miss hit him over the head). We neither said anything and he and I shared the secret. One day he confided that he'd never had a house point (now why do I think it was Moore House) and I said if he could get through a class without "breaking out", he could have a point. He did it. Then I didn't have any points (little cardboard tickets) in my pencil case. He was so disappointed and I feared that he wouldn't trust me any more. So I let him write in pencil on the outside of his exercise book "Miss Price owes me a house point". It was real effort of spelling and writing for him, but he managed it with a little prompting. We would rub it out when I gave him his point. Eagle-eyed Mrs Hamilton spotted the writing on the book and asked me about it, I explained that I had given him permission to do it and that he'd pretty well spelt it unaided. She was pleased, but was very clear that it should be rubbed out when I issued the point. Which I did. His first house point. I hope I helped in some tiny way.

And more memories too. The place made an impression on me. I learnt a lot. Many of the pupils had very hard lives. Like I said, I learnt a lot. And it helped me when I ended up working in the East End of London.

I went to the infant school around 1964 then onto the junior school by the st Chad's cathedral.i remember some of the classes in the junior school were taken in portable cabins in the playground.i remember in the infants a row of children including me getting a ruler across our hands for being naughty if it happened today the school would be shut down and the teacher put in prison we were only 5 or 6 but it did us no harm anyway it was just how it was in them days.i remember miss lynch and miss rumble who came to visit me in hospital when I had my tonsils out they brought me a pack of pencils and a note book with the Beatles on them so it must have been 1965 or 66 .I also remember miss salmon I think she was the deputy head and the school dinners arriving in metal containers and pushed into the small dining hall.the classrooms were all off one hall where we had to sit on the floor and put one finger over our lips to keep QUIET! Those were the days.

Yes sister moderator edit to remove named person was a nasty peace of work she would be done for child abuse today

 

[Denise Lonsdale]

Crikey, those photographs have taken my breath away! I can still remember my father leading me up Brearley Street from Newtown Row with a scarf wrapped around my face because of the thick smog. I can still smell the metal in the 'air' and hear the regular beat of the machines from the surrounding factories and workshops.

Thank you, Mark.

Those photos are fabulous! so clear. I was there from 1955 - 1961 probably way before your time! As someone else said, previous photos of the exterior were very hazy, thank you for sharing. I went to Shadwell Street and Brearly Street.

 

[Morturn]

And finally....
View attachment 159480
View attachment 159481

What film did you use for these?

 

[Vivienne14]

Thank you to all who are posting to this thread. It’s makes interesting reading and the photos are a wonderful addition.

But please note. We are removing the names of certain teachers who employed punishments and actions which, today, would be totally unacceptable. We are very saddened that some pupils received such treatment.

However, the named teachers have families and friends, and it is with this in mind and out of respect for them, that we have removed the naming of such teachers.

The Admin Team

 

[Mark Tooze]

What film did you use for these?

A mixture of home developed Ilford FP4 & HP5 for the black and white shots. For the colour I will have to check - could be Agfa - probably an "end of the roll" job as I could not afford colour normally in those days.

 

[pauljon]

Looking at the photographs make it seem like yesterday that my older sister took me screaming and kicking through
the infants entrance to the nursery school which I attended from the age of 3 - 5. I then joined in the infants until the age of 7. At the ripe of aged 7 transferred upstairs to the girls school. Now I had to use the girls entrance, where the cloak room was on the right of the stairs. The playground at the back was a shared playground with the infants (different times of course) and there was a big old shed where we used to crowd in rainy days or snowy days. Yes we had to play out in all weathers, no sitting in class rooms for us. Had to don our coats etc. and brave the weather. When the school became co- educational the girls left to attend the junior school in Shadwell street and Brearley Street girls became the senior school. The boys in the winter used to make slides across the playground and even the male teachers would join in the fun. Being a tom boy I had to have a go, I fell over and cut myself, just had to get on with it. I was told off my a female teacher as was not lady like for girls to go sliding, so we told not to dot it.
Not like today because of that terrible Elf and Safety. The photographs will certainly stir up old memories. Thank you for sharing them with us old pupils of St. Chad's

 

[Sugar]

Looking at the photographs make it seem like yesterday that my older sister took me screaming and kicking through
the infants entrance to the nursery school which I attended from the age of 3 - 5. I then joined in the infants until the age of 7. At the ripe of aged 7 transferred upstairs to the girls school. Now I had to use the girls entrance, where the cloak room was on the right of the stairs. The playground at the back was a shared playground with the infants (different times of course) and there was a big old shed where we used to crowd in rainy days or snowy days. Yes we had to pla,y out in all weathers, no sitting in class rooms for us. Had to don our coats etc. and brave the weather. When the school became co- educational the girls left to attend the junior school in Shadwell street and Brearley Street girls became the senior school. The boys in the winter used to make slides across the playground and even the male teachers would join in the fun. Being a tom boy I had to have a go, I fell over and cut myself, just had to get on with it. I was told off my a female teacher as was not lady like for girls to go sliding, so we told not to dot it.
Not like today because of that terrible Elf and Safety. The photographs will certainly stir up old memories. Thank you for sharing them with us old pupils of St. Chad's

Yes I went to the infants school and I remember the big

Looking at the photographs make it seem like yesterday that my older sister took me screaming and kicking through
the infants entrance to the nursery school which I attended from the age of 3 - 5. I then joined in the infants until the age of 7. At the ripe of aged 7 transferred upstairs to the girls school. Now I had to use the girls entrance, where the cloak room was on the right of the stairs. The playground at the back was a shared playground with the infants (different times of course) and there was a big old shed where we used to crowd in rainy days or snowy days. Yes we had to play out in all weathers, no sitting in class rooms for us. Had to don our coats etc. and brave the weather. When the school became co- educational the girls left to attend the junior school in Shadwell street and Brearley Street girls became the senior school. The boys in the winter used to make slides across the playground and even the male teachers would join in the fun. Being a tom boy I had to have a go, I fell over and cut myself, just had to get on with it. I was told off my a female teacher as was not lady like for girls to go sliding, so we told not to dot it.
Not like today because of that terrible Elf and Safety. The photographs will certainly stir up old memories. Thank you for sharing them with us old pupils of St. Chad's

Yes I remember the old shed we use to run all the way across the school playground to get to it (I was in the infants) We were scared of it because when we put our ears to the ground underneath the shed we heard banging and we all thought the DEVIL was coming for us .We all know now it was the rumbling of the factory works next door ha ha !

 

[staniforthstreet]

I worked at St Chad's on Brearley Street for a couple of terms in 1972. I just visited some friends in Birmingham and they took me to Brearley Street and Icknield Street. So I thought I'd do some research. I recognised so much of what you have said. I remember Mrs Hamilton who was very much respected and liked, I worked with Mr Miskella (big burly kind chap) teaching history and geography, then there was Miss O'Donnell teaching French, I replaced Mr Giaquinto who taught history, and the other Italian teacher Mr Lancelotto. I remember Mr Rowlands with the slight stutter. I remember his compassion in advising me how to deal with a boy who had recently joined the school who had a bad stutter and telling me I was doing the right thing by relaxing and letting the boy take his time to get the words out. Mr Welford who had been there a long time, Mr Winston who as you say was not the nicest, Mr Gollogly the sports teacher, and Mr Cushenan the headmaster. There was also a teacher, possibly his first name was Philip, who was a 5th year class tutor, a little skinny man. Sister Ethna was still referred to.

I was looking at the photo of 4B and wondering if I had taught any of them when they were younger. Names I remember were Paddy Edwards, Benito McCoy, twins Joseph and Mary Concannon, Norma and ?Imogen? Beckford, surname McIlkenny - a little fair-haired boy, and I do wonder about the name Tracy McLoughlin.

And does anyone remember the new (Feb 1972) deputy head whose name I think was Mrs Kelly. Wore cocktail dresses to work - emerald green chiffon and an oyster cream embroidered thing. I don't think anyone had seen anything like it. She kept forgetting where she had left her handbag which the staff thought was unkind in terms of putting temptation in the way of the many pupils who needed money. One day she announced she had sent Paddy Edwards to find it and the next we knew he was in full view of classrooms, out in the yard, skipping around like a little girl carrying the handbag oh so delicately.

I was there just after the Birmingham bombings. I was sitting in on Mr Giaquinto's class when there was an explosion. No-one panicked, they just said Oh well it was a car bomb. How awful that 14 yr olds should not be shaken by an explosion which blew at the windows of the factory opposite. It turned out to be a gas explosion.

Many other memories, like turning up for work and being put straight onto the coach for a school trip to Blackpool.

And one more - I just wish I could remember his name. Mrs Hamilton was helping one of her class with extra reading lessons. He found it so hard to concentrate and was often in trouble. He would sit at the front, where Mrs H had put him, so there was less distraction. One day I was holding a thin exercise book (open) at the front and he started to fidget, so I made little flap in his direction - about a foot away and never going to make contact - the pages of the book flicked and made a loud bang - he jumped and put his hands to his head in surprise, we stared at one another both in surprise - we both knew the book had been nowhere near his head, but the rest of the class thought I'd clobbered him. This enhanced his reputation, and mine (Wow Miss hit him over the head). We neither said anything and he and I shared the secret. One day he confided that he'd never had a house point (now why do I think it was Moore House) and I said if he could get through a class without "breaking out", he could have a point. He did it. Then I didn't have any points (little cardboard tickets) in my pencil case. He was so disappointed and I feared that he wouldn't trust me any more. So I let him write in pencil on the outside of his exercise book "Miss Price owes me a house point". It was real effort of spelling and writing for him, but he managed it with a little prompting. We would rub it out when I gave him his point. Eagle-eyed Mrs Hamilton spotted the writing on the book and asked me about it, I explained that I had given him permission to do it and that he'd pretty well spelt it unaided. She was pleased, but was very clear that it should be rubbed out when I issued the point. Which I did. His first house point. I hope I helped in some tiny way.

And more memories too. The place made an impression on me. I learnt a lot. Many of the pupils had very hard lives. Like I said, I learnt a lot. And it helped me when I ended up working in the East End of London.

Mr Carr ? He was a nice Teacher.

 

[JPrice]

I remember you miss price,miss tranter then mrs hamilton was my teacher ,my name is Eileen and i have a twin yvonne we loved school and left in 76

I am sorry it is so long since you posted. I should have replied sooner. I recall there were a number of twins at the school. the name Eileen stirs a memory. I so pleased you loved the school.

 

[JPrice]

Mr Carr ? He was a nice Teacher.

Yes, Mr Carr. He was very supportive for me in the short time I worked there. He always thought of the pupils and gave me very clear directions about what I should be doing and what to look out for to make sure I kept the best class organisation. He told me about individual pupils and what they needed/what kind of help to give.

 

[Astoness]

would anyone have any photos of st chads school shadwell st please

many thanks

lyn

 

[fairenuf]

Hi Tom
Good to meet up with you last year at the Burlington Hotel Doug Ellis awards night and catch up with old times; like you I lived in New John St West 1/32 and went to St Chads infants, Juniors and Senior schools, from 1952 - December 1962; many fond memories, my favourite teachers with out doubt was Mr Wells (Head of the Junior School) and Mr Lettington (Also Sports Teacher) at the Senior School, both Gentlemen. My sister Maureen also went to St Chads, as did my dad & all his brothers and sisters also my granddad and his brothers and sisters went, so long history.
My memories include mates like Mickey Allsopp, Norman Farmer (RIP), Joseph Bibby, Johnny Kelly, Brian Pettit, John Hunt, John Costello, Tony Bean, Chris Empinstall, Rob Mcanerny, Will Ryan, John Weller, Peter Connolly (RIP), Cornelious walsh, Joey Cooper, Trevor Johnston, David Hewitt; girls I remember are: Rae Shepherd, Helen Fentham, Nora Oprey, Christine Rowe, Rose McGary, Susan Harrison, Janet Matielo, Mary Clark, Catherine Bill, Angela Porter, Maureen Shufflebottom, Carol Hussey, Gillian Higgins and Margaret Ecclesford, all in my year group. (Apologies to any one I have missed out or names spelled incorrect)
I don't remember any school class or group photographs being taken of the above crowd; if there was and you have one it would be great if you could post it on the site, will add more another time.
Cheers
John Gibbons

Your memory is amazing. I recognise a name amongst all of them, Rob (Robert) Macanerny. How well do you remember him. My brother was that name and he was born 01/12/48

He had a younger brother and an older brother all at the same school

 

[kazhutt11]

I note the McMahon name in this thread, I have been looking for a workmate who we knew as Wally McMahon back in the fifties/sixties at Watsons Garage in Villa street, he later worked at the Birmingham Mail fleet repair workshop where he had dropped the Wally (out of fashion?) and was called Bill.
His mother and the rest of the family lived in Granville Street. He married Doreen (I think that's correct) and lived in Nursery Road, they had a daughter Angelique.
Anyone have any ideas if he's still around?

Hi this is a long shot, he is still around as is Doreen his wife and Angelique his daughter. My Dad was one of the brothers from Granville Street, John, I think he worked at Watsons as well when I was young, before eventually working for the Birmingham Mail as well, three of the brothers worked there in the end. Angelique no longer lives in the West Midlands and I am not in touch with Wally & Doreen any more but they are as I said both still alive and in Birmingham. The only time I see people these days is at funerals and due to their age, health and COVID, they are probably very cautious. Best wishes Karen.

 

[Roberta Keenan]

Lyn. I would imagine the statue is of St Chad - after whom the school and the cathedral are named and patron saint of the RC archdiocese of Birmingham.
Having a closer look he seems to be holding lilies which makes me think it might be St Joseph. Wonder if there were any other statues?
As there is still a St Chad's school maybe the statue went there?

The statue definitely depicts St. Joseph with the lilies. Do you remember the statue of St. Joseph that stood in the hall of the Secondary School - it depicted St. Josephsith a basket of carpenter's tools with Jesus by his side.

 

[Roberta Keenan]

The statue definitely depicts St. Joseph with the lilies. Do you remember the statue of St. Joseph that stood in the hall of the Secondary School - it depicted St. Josephsith a basket of carpenter's tools with Jesus by his side.