Nice to hear other people's recollections. Does anyone remember the lovely aubern hair Mrs Cottrell, secretary to headmaster Mr Smith? I recall her as kind, patient, quietly supportive to everyone. A few girls I remember around 1953-4 were the reserved Pamela Lunn and Jean Hogan, and energetic, fair-haired and handsome Madelaine Churchley. She WAS really delightful (as was her mom--were they living in Bridge St West?) with friendly sparkling eyes, a great sense of humour. In games and fun she was as active as the lads, a bit like a tomboy and always smiling and even-tempered. Her family life was probably good and encouraging, I'd have thought, unlike other homes I can recall.
I suppose the many Welsh teachers were glad to leave their valleys and smaller communities, tho' our rough old neighbourhood with its bombsites can't have been attractive, can It? As i recall, they lived in Handsworth, Handsworth Wood, Kingstanding, and Ward End, for example.
On the corner over the way from the school was the medical practice of Dr Targett. Another Fram Street building I recall was the Michelin tyre place--they sometimes gave money to the school fund, we were told in my time. And next to the Michelin centre there was a little draper shop run by a Miss Bunch. And the White Swan boozer on the corner opposite Dr Targett was called the Dirty Duck by some of us. Also, part of the school premises at the side of the upper playground was a British Restaurant, something from Wartime I guess, so that bombed-out families and others could get regular hot meals. I wonder how long that was kept going ...?? The entrance was almost opposite the little shop, Bayleys, next to St Saviour's church side garden. We went to the shop for a pennorth of kayli or black liquorice, or Liqorice root plus kayli, all of which made our hands and faces mucky! Those were the days ... but let's hear from other good people, please.