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Handsworth Grammar School 1950--1960

R

RobinCanada

knowlegable brummie
I attended Handsworth Grammar School from 1953-1958. I am searching for pictures of the uniforms worn in those years. Also the names of the sweet shop at the rear of the school and the donut shop across the road at the front of the school on Grove Lane.
My kids bought me a subscription to Storywise.com and each week a question is sent to me, I submit my written answer and it is stored then after 52 replies are submitted they put my answers in book form. The question this week 'who was the best teacher you had at school' without a doubt it was the "fearful" Miss Keeling who drummed maths into you or else??
 
I was at HGS from 1956-62, here is part of the school photo from 1957, centre of photo is Miss Keeling, and I have a photo of the sweet shop at the rear of the school but it was taken in the 1920s!

HGS-July-1957-MastersW.jpg
dawson rd shop 1920s.jpg

This should also bring back some memories
Who is the one crossed out? Looks like a Crafts Teacher.

teachers.jpg

In 1955 the corner shop, 23 Dawson Road/Woodstock Road, (Kelly's 1955)
was owned by Mrs Elsie Goodyear, Shopkpr
 
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RobinCanada,When I read your message again, I saw you mentioned the shop at the front of the school, in Grove Lane, I think this may have been called Spooners. Spooners Grove Lane Handswrth.jpg
 
Thank you so much RobT, you and I must be on the same 1957 photo you copied. I still have the original, I am on the left side of the photo on the back row 5th from the end.
If my memory at 80 is still active, didn't Spooners also sell donuts out of the rear window of the dining room at a penny each?? Reading Mr. Darby's name [ Frenchie???] brought back painful memories as he suffered from 'small manitus' and used a gym pump to administer his choice of punishment. For some reason, I received 6 slaps, later that night I had a bath and my Dad, a mounted policeman based in Handsworth Police Stn, 'walked into the bathroom and saw the welts on my backside. He asked me where they had come from, I told him and I found out a couple of years later that my Dad had visited 'Joe W' headmaster and had a chat with him about severe abuse of a child, which came with an official warning.
I selected Miss Keeling as the best teacher I ever had as she taught maths in an easily understood manner, she always wore her glasses perched on the end of her nose which made me curious, I managed to get into Northampton College U of London helped by my maths mark and I studied Ophthalmic Optics, on the second week being there I learned from a lecture on spectacle lenses that if you slid reading glasses down you nose it increases the magnification power. Also, Bifocals were still in their infancy and were not really liked, so Miss Keeling's option really worked for her, especially helping her look up over the top of her glasses and down through the lenses for reading or close work.
 

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Spooners Bakery, apparently had a meat slicing machine, where you could have an ounce of fresh cut ham and a buttered roll. Crusty rolls, 2oz ham and bread pudding.
Grannies had boiled sweets, trays of toffee.
It has been said that 'Miss Keeling's' name was Janet
There was also a teacher Mr A.P.Lawrence (Apple) who got pupils to 'do his gardening'
I also have a book Handsworth Grammar School (1862-1962), compiled and edited by
Rev JJ Walton, and D.L.Gregory (head of History)

Also these taken later than we were at HGS will bring back some memories

HGS-building-2W.jpgHGS-buildingW.jpg
 
That gap area between the ^th form room on the left and the classrooms on the right triggered my memory again, one of the teachers ?? owned a Bond Minicar and he used to park there, during one of the breaks a group of students picked up the car and turned it so that it was the width of the gap. When I was at HGS the milk was stacked in crates on that corner.
 
I should be in Robt’s photo but as he says that is a part - the middle part. I am on one of the missing bits on the left but many of my class and friends are there. I have a copy of the whole that I got off the Handsworth Grammar site. I lost my copy. For some reason I took my copy to the Stagedoor Club Coffee bar one night and left it on the floor. I forgot to take it home and the next day when I went back it couldn’t be found.
Miss Keeling, by the way lived in Small Heath just round the corner from my sister’s house. It bought back “happy” memories when I walked past her house.
I certainly remember the car that was bounced round into the gap; I didn’t take part but saw it happen.
 
Michael if my memory serves me correct, I am sure you were in the same class as me, as your name rings large bells in my head.
Robin Searle
 
Hello. I was at HGS during the fifties when Holy Joe was the head. The teachers I most remember were Mr West who took us for English in the Sixth Form and who left me with a lasting love of Jane Austen and Mr Page who took us for music. I also remember a physics teacher, whose name escapes me, who if we misbehaved made us chew chalk. Can you imagine what would happen to a teacher who tried that today. And does anybody remember the CCF? I was in the naval section and had a great time going on various courses and messing about in boats. Incidentally, the Mr West mentioned above was in charge of the naval section.
 
Michael_Ingram said:
I should be in Robt’s photo but as he says that is a part - the middle part. I am on one of the missing bits on the left but many of my class and friends are there. I have a copy of the whole that I got off the Handsworth Grammar site.
Click to expand...
I am on the lower 1957 photo here
EPSON007RRW.jpg
HGS-July-1957RW.jpg
 
Robin Searle, I certainly remember that name. Where are you in the photo?
As for me when I saw the two side photos I was totally puzzled - where am I? They couldn'thandsworth2.jpg Photoshop me out in those days although they might have tried. I am surprised that they let me into the photo session (my shirt).
Anyway after searching through my stuff I realised that there was still a bit of the photo missing - between the centre and the left hand side. See attached.
 
Michael_Ingram said:
I should be in Robt’s photo but as he says that is a part - the middle part. I am on one of the missing bits on the left but many of my class and friends are there. I have a copy of the whole that I got off the Handsworth Grammar site. I lost my copy. For some reason I took my copy to the Stagedoor Club Coffee bar one night and left it on the floor. I forgot to take it home and the next day when I went back it couldn’t be found.
Miss Keeling, by the way lived in Small Heath just round the corner from my sister’s house. It bought back “happy” memories when I walked past her house.
I certainly remember the car that was bounced round into the gap; I didn’t take part but saw it happen
Click to expand...
Hi Michael. Many thanks for posting the school photo. I lost all mine many years ago. After zooming in by about 500 % I managed to find myself. I can't believe I ever looked that young. If anybody has any CCF photos for the 50s I would be really interested to see them.
 
I'm having trouble with my maths and term times! Would someone born in September 1940 be on your photo please? My cousin, David Woolley, went to Handsworth Grammar but may have left for Uni by the time of your photo.
 
RobinCanada said:
Thank you so much RobT, you and I must be on the same 1957 photo you copied. I still have the original, I am on the left side of the photo on the back row 5th from the end.
If my memory at 80 is still active, didn't Spooners also sell donuts out of the rear window of the dining room at a penny each?? Reading Mr. Darby's name [ Frenchie???] brought back painful memories as he suffered from 'small manitus' and used a gym pump to administer his choice of punishment. For some reason, I received 6 slaps, later that night I had a bath and my Dad, a mounted policeman based in Handsworth Police Stn, 'walked into the bathroom and saw the welts on my backside. He asked me where they had come from, I told him and I found out a couple of years later that my Dad had visited 'Joe W' headmaster and had a chat with him about severe abuse of a child, which came with an official warning.
I selected Miss Keeling as the best teacher I ever had as she taught maths in an easily understood manner, she always wore her glasses perched on the end of her nose which made me curious, I managed to get into Northampton College U of London helped by my maths mark and I studied Ophthalmic Optics, on the second week being there I learned from a lecture on spectacle lenses that if you slid reading glasses down you nose it increases the magnification power. Also, Bifocals were still in their infancy and were not really liked, so Miss Keeling's option really worked for her, especially helping her look up over the top of her glasses and down through the lenses for reading or close work.
Click to expand...
Interesting you mention Miss Keeling - the '60's was still a time when 'jobs for life' still operated. A school photo of the staff for 1923/4 shows both Miss Keeling and Mr. Hutchinson (Pot?), and they were plodding on until 1962 for Miss Keeling and Hutch was there when I left in '63! The 'Centenary Book' shows that many teachers began service in the 40's.HGS 1923.4 (2).jpg
 
RobT said:
I was at HGS from 1956-62, here is part of the school photo from 1957, centre of photo is Miss Keeling, and I have a photo of the sweet shop at the rear of the school but it was taken in the 1920s!

View attachment 153124
View attachment 153126

This should also bring back some memories
Who is the one crossed out? Looks like a Crafts Teacher.

View attachment 153127

In 1955 the corner shop, 23 Dawson Road/Woodstock Road, (Kelly's 1955)
was owned by Mrs Elsie Goodyear, Shopkpr
Click to expand...
Missing teacher was Ted Kearsley who 'taught' crafts and woodwork. Seem to remember his classes were a bit of a free-for-all and 'throw things about' time....
 
The woodwork teacher I remember was Mr Tovey (I think that is right). When I went for 11 plus he supervised the exam for my group then was my first year teacher at the school. . He stood out as not wearing a gown. I guess he was a commoner, like me. A great bloke. I remember carving a candle stick in woodwork. When I drilled a hole down through it it came out through the side which he helped me skilfully to disguise.
 
I was at HGS from 1951 to 1959. I started in 1A with Miss Keeling as Form Mistress. I remember Mr Tovey. He helped me make a plant pot stand out of two short pieces of wood set at 90° to each other using a cross-halving joint. I took it home, but it was left out in the back yard in the rain and fell apart when the fish-glue dissolved!
 
I am writing a book using; www.storywise.com and answering a question on my High School which of course was Handsworth Grammar School 1952-58. I feel that I should include photos of when in the HGS OTC I wore an air-force uniform on Monday and Fridays [I think] and I would love to copy any photos that anyone has or links to:
I remember the shooting range between the Woodworking shop and the toilets, when shooting was taking place and there was a need to use the WC you had to stick your head out of the door near the music room, be acknowledged, wait until they indicated safe to cross. Can you imagine in today's world with wrap up the kids in cotton wool, they or the insurance company's allowing such a thing???
Here's hoping
Robin 80 tomorrow!!
 
You must have been there when I was there Robin. The name Robin rings a bell. Sadly having been a teacher for many years my memory got into the habit of dumping names and so I can’t remember the names of many people I was at school with. It is unusual that Robin rings a bell as convention was that we called each other by surnames. What is you surname?
I was confused by your use of OTC, then I remembered CCF. (also having been a teacher surrounded by bureaucracy my brain is deaf to acronyms). I was in the navy section as there was less parading about
 
Officer Training Corps. OCT Michael I remember you and recognized your arrowed photo in the School photo. My last name is Searle. My first woodworking build was a tray with curved matching handles hollowed out for fingers. When my Mum died aged 97 in 2016 three years before that, I sold her house at 362 Court Lane and found my tray amongst a lot of other stuff she kept. My Boy Scout uniform complete with my Queens Scout Badge attached, of course it does not fit me now but I have it still with me in Canada.1619624987711.jpeg
1619624987711.jpeg I am on the top row 5th from the Left when I use-to have hair.
Stay safe

Robin
 
Of course, I remember now. I have to be honest there are two of you in my memory and I ma not sure which is correct. What did you do immediately after you left?
 
I was at HGS 1956-62, but this photo of the staff in 1962 will no doubt bring back some memories.
Photo is from a book which celebrated the Centenary of the school in 1962, compiled & edited by Rev JJ Walton

HGS Staff 1962.jpg
 
I remember the firing range in the school playground well. I wasn't in the CCF but the morning after shooting practice I would collect the lead shot from the target area and take them home. I would then melt them down in a pan on the stove. I eventually created a heavy lump of lead about 8 inches diameter and three inches thick. I can't recall what happened to it. The large scale OS map below (published 1960) shows the target area (encircled).

HGS 1960.jpg
 
This thread has brought back some memories, because I went to Handsworth Grammar School from 1954 until, I think, 1959. I must be on the school photograph, I remember the photo taking place, and having a copy to take home ( did we have to pay for the copy to take home, I seem to recall we did ). I've had a quick look, but I don't recognize myself on there. I also didn't realize there was so many teachers at the school, but I do remember 'Killer' Keeling, 'Friz' Forsdike, 'Dick' Darby, 'Yoyo' Yates, and Mr Gray, who was my form teacher. I also remember well 'Holy Joe' Walton, the headmaster, a right sadistic character, with his collection of canes, which he was extremely fond of using on a cringing pupil, with the words ' this will hurt me far more than it hurts you' and 'you are a silly fellow'. I also remember the assistant Headmaster retiring in about 1957-58, can't remember his name, we all knew him as 'Charley Peck', don't know why we called him that.The head prefect was a lad with the name ,I think, of Gray, he was also CSM of the CCF, of which I was a member. I was also in the School Model Aircraft club, our headquarters was in the woodworking room, which was next to the shooting range. We used to have a clubnight on a Thursday evening,after lessons. Happy days,usually, with the bad days soon forgotten................................Mal
 
I remember the caning from Joe,I had a grocery delivery boy job on Friday evening and Saturdays at Wrensons at Beggars Bush. If I had a detention to serve I elected to receive 6 of the best from Joe instead I even wore my gym shorts under my regular trousers to mitigate the discomfort somewhat. Thanks JLB for the aerial shot of the shooting range in the 'play' area, the second long range shooting range was at our sports field me thinks?. The school photo that I have a copy of was taken in 1957 and found it when clearing out my mothers house upon her passing in 2016.
In 1967 I accepted a job offer from Canada and departed the UK March 3rd that year. I met a nurse on a blind date three weeks later and we married and still are on September 18 1968. The reason for mentioning this, as part of our honeymoon I brought her to the UK to meet friends and relatives here, I also took her see HGS and was shocked to find the entry double doors locked. One of the custodians came and when I explained the reason for our being there he allowed us in,as we passed Pecks office he took us in and they had the 1957 school photo displayed on the wall, I picked out my photo and the custodian relaxed enough to allow us to wander around. I indicated what each room was and found that a couple or so had changed. When we entered the Biology lab,the familiar smell hit my nostrils and a memory flashed into my brain of when we were being taught "human reproduction", the Master showed a slide? of a female breast and a kid named MacAndrew had not been paying attention until that is he saw that picture and blurted out "a tit". The Master heard it and ordered MacAndrew to give him three alternate names instead. I was 80 yesterday and still vividly remember that episode.
Would anyone on the forum have any photos of us students dressed in our CCF or OTC uniforms, as I am writing a book using www,storywise.com for my kids and grand-kids and would love to add it to my High School article.
Stay safe. Robin.
 
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