Waverley Grammar School

[devonjim]

My wife was at Waverley 51-56 she remembered the form master Mr "Butch" Frost, who was an English Language teacher. She also recalled a German Language teacher Miss Stansfield(Stanna) but with less affection!

 

[Noel Thompson]

I attended Waverley Grammar School and in 1957/8 sang Faure's Requiem with B'ham Grammar Schools Choir (I believe that was its name but correct me if this is wrong!) at the Town Hall accompanied by the CBSO conducted by Gilbert Vinter. The performance was televised live by the BBC. I am amazed that I cannot find any reference to the choir or the performances in this Forum or the CBSO website (that does not even mention Gilbert Vinter)!! The choir existed for several years to my knowledge and I know Faure's Requiem was not the only performance televised by the BBC. Please can anyone confirm my memory bank is not totally addled?

 

[RobT]

It was on the Radio 15.00 pm 18th December 1955

Schedule - BBC Programme Index

genome.ch.bbc.co.uk

 

[Noel Thompson]

It was on the Radio 15.00 pm 18th December 1955

Schedule - BBC Programme Index

genome.ch.bbc.co.uk

View attachment 149840

Thanks for that amazingly quick response Rob. However, I was not involved in that event - I know for sure the performance was during my time in the 6th Form ie between Sept 1956 and June 1958. It was not at Queensbridge School and definitely involved kids from other schools too (more than a 100 in the choir I would say). My recollection was it took place on a Sunday afternoon and must have been on either BBC 1 or ITV as no other channels at that time. Your comment has prompted me to search via the TV channels - so far I had only searched via google for "B'ham Grammar Schools choir", "CBSO performing Faure's Requiem" and "Gilbert Vinter" with no luck. I got Vinter's history but it didn't mention my event!
I was at WGS from Sept 1951. I attended some school reunions (focused on my generation), the last one was organised by Dave Rock in about 2006 ish. Would I know you? Thanks again

 

[Noel Thompson]

The school operetta in July 1958. Viv.
View attachment 135441View attachment 135442

 

[devonjim]

A class photo around your time at Waverley

 

[devonjim]

Thanks for that amazingly quick response Rob. However, I was not involved in that event - I know for sure the performance was during my time in the 6th Form ie between Sept 1956 and June 1958. It was not at Queensbridge School and definitely involved kids from other schools too (more than a 100 in the choir I would say). My recollection was it took place on a Sunday afternoon and must have been on either BBC 1 or ITV as no other channels at that time. Your comment has prompted me to search via the TV channels - so far I had only searched via google for "B'ham Grammar Schools choir", "CBSO performing Faure's Requiem" and "Gilbert Vinter" with no luck. I got Vinter's history but it didn't mention my event!
I was at WGS from Sept 1951. I attended some school reunions (focused on my generation), the last one was organised by Dave Rock in about 2006 ish. Would I know you? Thanks again

Noel were you involved with the production of Jupiter Rejuvenatus in around 1955?

 

[Reg.]

I attended Waverley from 1943 to 1948 and was in contact with the Old Waverlians Soc.. around 2000 but that passed away and I think nearly everyone of my time has done the same. Just have a couple of contacts of my era Albert Hope , Eric Bignell.
Would welcome contact with anyone from that period.

 

[MichaelS]

Hi
I went to Waverley Grammar school & have a lot of old school stuff from the 50s,60s &70s which I have accumulated through various channels, if anyone has any questions please mail me.
I also have a good collection of photographs both scroll type & pictures from the operas & plays.
Look forward to hearing from anyone out there.
Cheers
Dave Rock

My dad Alan Smith taught briefly at Waverly I believe. I have a copy of a reference that mentions there was some transfer of teachers and pupils from Queensbridge School Moseley to Waverly in September 1956. Any information or photos related to that or that era ?
He's is now in a care home and has limited memory of the period.

Thanks

Mike Smith

 

[Solihull54]

My dad Alan Smith taught briefly at Waverly I believe. I have a copy of a reference that mentions there was some transfer of teachers and pupils from Queensbridge School Moseley to Waverly in September 1956. Any information or photos related to that or that era ?
He's is now in a care home and has limited memory of the period.

Thanks

Mike Smith

 

[Solihull54]

Hi,
I think my interest was much further back than that, see the scanned details from when my grandma was a Waverley pupil way back in 1907, she lived at 24 Lloyd Street Small Heath at the time and met my Grandad at school, he lived at 103 Golden Hillock Road. Attached the school prize details for the site info. Cheers!

 

[Solihull54]

Hi,
I think my interest was much further back than that, see the scanned details from when my grandma was a Waverley pupil way back in 1907, she lived at 24 Lloyd Street Small Heath at the time and met my Grandad at school, he lived at 103 Golden Hillock Road. Attached the school prize details for the site info. Cheers!

Sorry, was 1906 not 1907 but whats a year that far back ?, I was wondering when Waverley secondary became a grammar school, oh and I mixed up addresses for them but i will go back through my family history stuff and see if I have anything else thats pre-WW1 on their old schooldays in Birmingham, now 110 years ago, its interesting picking up titbits of info from all contributors to BHF.

 

[Reg.]

I recently learned from a fellow pupil, Gillian Herdman (1951-56), that Miss Howarth's Christian name was Mary.

When I was at Waverley 1943 - 48 Miss Howarth was the Geography teacher.

 

[Reg.]

Would love to be contacted by anyone from my era, if any still alive and kicking.

 

[Morturn]

Reg, welcome to Birmingham History Forum

We strongly advise members not to post their personal email addresses on the thread. Your email address and data could be harvested and used for scams, fraud and identity theft. If you wish other members to contact you, then its best if you advise them to use the “Start Conversation” facility we provide. This then protects you and your privacy.

 

[Reg.]

Reg, welcome to Birmingham History Forum

We strongly advise members not to post their personal email addresses on the thread. Your email address and data could be harvested and used for scams, fraud and identity theft. If you wish other members to contact you, then its best if you advise them to use the “Start Conversation” facility we provide. This then protects you and your privacy.

Thanks for the tip, unfortunately I don't know how to delete my address from my previous comment.

 

[Reg.]

I still remember the teachers names and many of my fellow class mates but have no contact with them other than a couple of chaps from the same years. The teachers of course will have all passed on.

 

[Morturn]

Thanks for the tip, unfortunately I don't know how to delete my address from my previous comment.

Hi Reg

I have done it for you. Have a great day.

 

[Vivienne14]

Anyone who was around in the 1950s might find these of interest. The school seems to have had a good musical reputation for some years. Viv.

 

[saffronseed99]

A friend of mine went to Waverley from 1961 until 1966. Name of Barbara Capp , does anyone remember her?

Hello barbara is my sister. I also went to Waverley 1966-1971. Barbara is living in Solihull I can pass a message on to her if you want.

 

[JPrice]

Hi,

My grandad has dug out an old photo and has been reminiscing of his time at Waverley. His name is ken (kenny/Kenneth) ball and would’ve been there from 1954-1960 ish i think, it may have been ‘53.

Names on the photo are:
K orgill
B Martin
R Howard
P broom
T brettell
T durrant
T duckett
D Hutchins
C greswold
K Wright
M short
D trevis
L hayward
W Stevens
R keme
A guest (Tony)
L ridding
Kathleen Roberts
Sheila gerrard
Pat Mitchell
Madeline wright
Margaret dobbins
Teresa treweeks
Irene Harris
Ann Seymour
Barbara duffill
Linda cheetham
Pauline philpotts
Gillian small
Maureen whick
Janet Cooper
Janice cotterell

Would be nice to hear if anyone remembers him.

Thanks

Aimee

I think the K Orgill on the photo might have been Ken Orgill

 

[Reg.]

I HAVE A FULL SCHOOL PHOTO TAKEN ABOUT 1945. UNFORTUNATELY i HAVE JUST MOVED RESIDENCE AND CAN'T PUT MY HAND ON IT AT THE MOMENT. I WAS THERE AT WAVERLEY ROUGHLY FROM 1943 TO 1948. I CAN REMEMBER PLENTY OF FELLOW SCHOLARS BUT DON'T HAVE ANY CONTACTS....UNFORTUNATELY. INCIDENTALLY I AM NOW RESIDENT IN AUSTRALIA.

 

[Pedro42]

I was at Waverley between 1959 & 1965. If anyone has any school photos from between those years, it would be great to see them

 

[PWG]

I remember " Float" being a Deputy Head in the 60s at Waverley. I always thought the name referred to the serene way she moved, as if on castors, and her general air of being slightly above it all.

Hi,
I was there during the 60s. You are absolutely right. Float was Miss Howarth's nickname, probably because she wore long dresses and seemed to glide along the floors. Her name was certainly not "Flo". You might remember the time when one girl's mother was at the school for Speech Day or some such event and approached Miss Howarth, waving innocently: "Miss Float? Could I have a word with you?", not realising that Float was just a nickname. She looked shocked at Miss Howarth's scowl and her daughter must have quickly hidden out of sight.

 

[Sarah Fuqua]

Hi, my mum Sheila Flanagan was in the sixth form at Waverley Grammar School in 1955/56/57. From what I understand she lived with her friend Ann in a pub and then their own flat. Her mum lived in a convent with my aunt who was a toddler at that time. I'm wondering if anyone has any recollections of her or photographs - what a miracle that would be!! My mum played hockey and was quite small. Any memories that anyone has would be very, very welcome as my sister and I know very little of our mum's life at that time and sadly she is no longer with us. Thank you! Sarah

 

[Brian Yuill]

I went to Waverley Grammar School from Jan 1962 until Dec 1962.
I was in 2L and then 3L for the back half of the year.
I was from Adelaide, South Australia and wondered about some of the people in those classes and some of the staff.
Mr Mills was the Deputy who would take a fellow from South Africa and me for French catch-up lessons.
I seem to remember a maths teacher named Ms Mennet/?? who was very supportive. I also remember an unpleasant Science teacher who seemed to detest me as I had absolutely no background in Science given I had just completed primary school in Australia.
Any photos?
I also remember a really nice girl called Brenda Marshall.

I eventually became a school teacher and ended up as the principal of area schools, 5 year olds to 18 year olds in our regions.

 

[brummy-lad]

Hi Brian and welcome to the forum, there appears to be 2 threads for Waverley, this is the other one:

Waverley Grammar School

Hi I went to Waverley Grammar school & have a lot of old school stuff from the 50s,60s &70s which I have accumulated through various channels, if anyone has any questions please mail me. I also have a good collection of photographs both scroll type & pictures from the operas & plays. Look...

birminghamhistory.co.uk

The forum advises people not to divulge their email address as this can result in unwanted 'pestering', you can edit and delete the email address quite easily.

 

[Vivienne14]

Thanks brummy-lad. I’ve now merged the two threads. Viv.

 

[Brian Yuill]

Hi all - I am new to this site- I attended Waverley Grammar for one year up until the end of the summer term 1962 - I was in Mr. Jones form - 2M - I have no photos and moved around the country due to family issues - does anyone remember me or have any photos of that time as sadly I do not have any - my name is Lesley

I spent the whole of 1962 at Waverley GS in 2L and 3L whilst visiting from Australia..
I, too, would like to get a sense of the people at the school at the time.
I was made a prefect in third year until December when we returned to Australia.
Brian Yuill

 

[drdspg]

I attended Waverley from 1943 to 1948 and was in contact with the Old Waverlians Soc.. around 2000 but that passed away and I think nearly everyone of my time has done the same. Just have a couple of contacts of my era Albert Hope , Eric Bignell.
Would welcome contact with anyone from that period.

I attended Waverley Grammar School and in 1957/8 sang Faure's Requiem with B'ham Grammar Schools Choir (I believe that was its name but correct me if this is wrong!) at the Town Hall accompanied by the CBSO conducted by Gilbert Vinter. The performance was televised live by the BBC. I am amazed that I cannot find any reference to the choir or the performances in this Forum or the CBSO website (that does not even mention Gilbert Vinter)!! The choir existed for several years to my knowledge and I know Faure's Requiem was not the only performance televised by the BBC. Please can anyone confirm my memory bank is not totally addled?

Hi, I’m trying to find out a bit about Waverley when my mum was there. She would have started in 1954 but had at least her first year based at Queensbridge. I’d really love to find some photos ( if any exist!) and surprise her. Her name at the time was Jessie Jones. Many thanks Deepa ParryGupta