John M Weoley Castle
knowlegable brummie
Sorry, can't see anything about a "budgie". There's an article on keeping rabbits. Strange for aTechnical School!
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Handsworth Technical School
- Thread starter Rupert
- Start date
Hi, Diamond,
The 188 Midland Red did go to the Beeches Estate, the 118 went to Walsall. I lived in Grindleford Rd. I have posted photos somewhere in the 'depths' of the forum. I went to Aldridge Rd school where I was usually top of the class, and passed the 13 plus, but when I went to HTS, I was usually near the bottom of the class. When we had sports, I used to walk home across Perry Hall park. I've had a look on Google's Street Cam. I can see buildings that look slightly familiar but don't know what they are used for. I also looked for Aston Tech and it seems like there is a posh looking Academy there.
oldmohawk
Just found this site... I also lived in Grindleford Rd(No93) and attended Aldridge Rd school before Boulton Rd HTS 1949/51.Like you also I did well at the sec mod but seemed to support most of my 32 class mates at HTS.
Am now aged 78 and have lived in Australia since 1957.
I find this site difficult to navigate but hope the message gets thru to you and any of my former classmates. my name is David Street and I remember teachers: Flutter (maths) Grainger (geography) Wooley (brickwork) Follet (building construction) Croft (head teacher)
I wonder how many of my old classmates are still around??? Banner,Bishop Harding , Lavendar Parry, Painter,Price,Surman,Tisdale Wadley et al
oldMohawk
gone but not forgotten
Hello David
I remember you and also remember when your family emigrated to Australia. I seem to remember a cousin of yours, Donald ? went also.
I seem to remember your Dad had a black car and on the way home from HTS we sometimes met him on Fridays in Perry Barr for a lift home, and in those days of petrol shortages he used to coast in neutral down Thornbridge Ave hill to just about make it to your house.
The BHF site is usually easy to search, but the 'Advanced Search' doesn't appear to be working at the moment. There are many old photos on this site of places which you would recognise. I've put some links below to a few photos I have previously uploaded.
Best regards
Phil
Grindleford Rd Kids
Pedal Car
Beeches Rd
Dad's First Car
Aldridge Rd School.
I remember you and also remember when your family emigrated to Australia. I seem to remember a cousin of yours, Donald ? went also.
I seem to remember your Dad had a black car and on the way home from HTS we sometimes met him on Fridays in Perry Barr for a lift home, and in those days of petrol shortages he used to coast in neutral down Thornbridge Ave hill to just about make it to your house.
The BHF site is usually easy to search, but the 'Advanced Search' doesn't appear to be working at the moment. There are many old photos on this site of places which you would recognise. I've put some links below to a few photos I have previously uploaded.
Best regards
Phil
Grindleford Rd Kids
Pedal Car
Beeches Rd
Dad's First Car
Aldridge Rd School.
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Phil (Ridgeway isn't it?) Absolutely amazing--I'm stunned to get a response so quick and the great photo's; also you're spot on about my dad,his car and my cousin Don who lives not far away from me now. Re those wonderful photo's, I was on an Aldridge Rd school trip to Whipsnade zoo in about 1947 but can't recognise myself in the photo.
I seem to recall you lived a couple of houses up from my grandmother at 58 Grindleford Rd and you did Mech Eng at HTS ( at Goldshill Rd) while I did Building (at Boulton Rd) ?
Great. Really great to hear from you Phil
Best Regards
David
I seem to recall you lived a couple of houses up from my grandmother at 58 Grindleford Rd and you did Mech Eng at HTS ( at Goldshill Rd) while I did Building (at Boulton Rd) ?
Great. Really great to hear from you Phil
Best Regards
David
oldMohawk
gone but not forgotten
Hi David - Nice to here from you after so many years. You will find this site an absolute treasure trove of pics and memories. With regard to the school trip photo, two other lads in the photo emigrated to Australia. Yes I was in Mech Eng and mainly at Goldshill Rd. I seem to remember a bomb landing on the pavement in front of your house, but we will have to move into the Bombing Brum thread to discuss that ! Some links to forum pics which might interest you ....Phil
Two doors away from your grandmothers.
You will see me amongst the Pics in link below
https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/index.php?threads/springhill-ice-rink.3143/page-21#post-421206
Two doors away from your grandmothers.
You will see me amongst the Pics in link below
https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/index.php?threads/springhill-ice-rink.3143/page-21#post-421206
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Thanks again Phil for response and pics. We didn't have a bomb (during WW2) land outside our house to my recollection but a few did come down on the Estate especially in Bradfield Rd (off Castleton Rd) where people were killed I believe.
David
oldMohawk
gone but not forgotten
Hi David - About the bomb on the pavement, it did not explode just left a hole, but I'll be seeing my sister on Wednesday, she's got a better memory than me. In the link below is a photo in which your grandmother's house can be seen.
Phil
https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=21149&p=173209#post173209
Phil
https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=21149&p=173209#post173209
Yes I remember the roof of the gym, in the winter we tried to throw snowballs down the tall chimney to be rewarded with a cloud of steam when they hit the fire down below. One missed once and landed on a nasty little Welsh Teacher who used a chair leg like a cosh. He ran up the stairs screaming threats as we tried to beat him down to I think the 3rd floor where we could mingle.
I was in Building from 1952-54 and left at Easter one of the happiest days of my life.
Most of my time was spent at Boulton Rd and I remember the penny dips sold in that dodgy café on the corner, you could also smoke there in safety as teachers wouldn't touch the place. Killer was our metal work teacher, drove a Sunbeam Alpine.
We had a nice Geography Teacher ex fighter pilot had a pre-war Jaguar, gave me a lift to the playing fields once, the passenger seat sat on a couple of bricks and slid all over the place.
I remember our text book. "Mathematics for Students of Building" and I thought our maths teacher at Boulton Rd was a Mr Murfhy who was always scratching in his trouser pockets (?) and Mr Bryant took us for something clever like creating a Parabolic Drawing from a set of given figures.
When I applied for a job at T Elvins and Sons (Builders) ltd. I was asked to do some calculations for the pricing of timber, I said I couldn't but I could solve an equation by 3 ( or 5?) different methods. I got the job but lost interest after 12 months. Good old HTS
The 'third year' comprised of students from the Building stream and Mechanical and numbered about upper thirties per class as I recall. So a third of the pupils would be from Building and we only met them ever at that time. Strange situation and it must have been the same for them. I remember a couple of students who stood out from the Building stream...John Brain and I think a Clark. About 1954 or so and you might have known them also. Very cleaver guys and one thinks that they went on to do great things in whatever way they chose. Although Clark was a Blues supporter and so like me backed a looser there. At least one HTS graduate became an MP....hmmm an education maybe wasted.
I still have maths text books which were written by the Head Master (Bryant?) at least I think so. Maybe from later technical college. Small ones about 8" x 6" and I saw my old log tables from then...a while back. It's funny...a sighting like that, when searching for something totally un-related, can suddenly bring back memories and hold up the search for a while. It doesn't matter there is no hurry now.
I still have maths text books which were written by the Head Master (Bryant?) at least I think so. Maybe from later technical college. Small ones about 8" x 6" and I saw my old log tables from then...a while back. It's funny...a sighting like that, when searching for something totally un-related, can suddenly bring back memories and hold up the search for a while. It doesn't matter there is no hurry now.
Hi Rupert, We did have a Nobby Clarke in our lot. A very clever chap always in the top three ,Ticker Hardin? who's Dad was a publican, Nobby and I think the other one was Holder or something like that.
My wonky memory tells me only Clarke went on out of those three. He was related to one of our neighbours in Tillingham St. Sparkbrook and I did bump into him a couple of times.
Due to my attitude towards studies I was not invited to stay on and I doubt if I would have had the sense to stay on.
If anyone should still be alive from that era they might remember me as having blonde hair with a DA I wore a maroon corduroy jacket, shirts styled exclusively for Frankie Lane, lairy ties and oxblood crepe soled shoes (what a Burke!!)
My wonky memory tells me only Clarke went on out of those three. He was related to one of our neighbours in Tillingham St. Sparkbrook and I did bump into him a couple of times.
Due to my attitude towards studies I was not invited to stay on and I doubt if I would have had the sense to stay on.
If anyone should still be alive from that era they might remember me as having blonde hair with a DA I wore a maroon corduroy jacket, shirts styled exclusively for Frankie Lane, lairy ties and oxblood crepe soled shoes (what a Burke!!)
Hi Anvil man I was one of I think three who prided ourselves on being able to unlock all the lockers and desks at Boulton Rd and it was quite expensive as we had to buy locks in some cases to get the type of key. Fortunately most of the locks were rubbish.
My pride was that I have a good memory but I cant remember the looks or names of the other offenders and the one had also been at Stratford Rd Junior School and I worked with him part time at a tailors on Sparkhill.
One afternoon we were sprung by one of the masters and I thought we would be expelled or killed at least. Again I cant remember the Masters name but he watched us open a couple of desks then confiscated all our keys and let us go. I still cant believe that we got away with it but strange things happen!!
My pride was that I have a good memory but I cant remember the looks or names of the other offenders and the one had also been at Stratford Rd Junior School and I worked with him part time at a tailors on Sparkhill.
One afternoon we were sprung by one of the masters and I thought we would be expelled or killed at least. Again I cant remember the Masters name but he watched us open a couple of desks then confiscated all our keys and let us go. I still cant believe that we got away with it but strange things happen!!
OK. Clarke with an 'e'. Always get that wrong. He watched the Blues games from the south stands about half way, as I recall him saying. I remember that because I always stood there but I never saw him at a game. We all started off with a school blazer and badge but you know how kids grow at that age...too small in no time. So replacement gear was merely the badge on a sports coat...already in the wardrobe. The school did not seem to mind; maybe realising that all family budgets were not necessarily flush with funds. I seem to remember that the transition from short to long pants took place in those years. I remember one teacher saying that he was always amazed how the little kids that started there had grown on the way out two or three years later.
A wonderful institution that does not seem to be around now. Even the second location appears to be derelict on GE. It's a different world now and making things for a living, has gone away....never to return. How can it if only the fogies know how? However there seems to be loads of office space available in soon to be 'derelict' empty factories on GE. What it is all for is a mystery to me. So I guess that the need for an HTS type school has gone away also. Ah...don't mind me. I'm an inveterate pessimist. I must be missing something. Maybe we can all get 3D printers and dial up gadgets to go.
A wonderful institution that does not seem to be around now. Even the second location appears to be derelict on GE. It's a different world now and making things for a living, has gone away....never to return. How can it if only the fogies know how? However there seems to be loads of office space available in soon to be 'derelict' empty factories on GE. What it is all for is a mystery to me. So I guess that the need for an HTS type school has gone away also. Ah...don't mind me. I'm an inveterate pessimist. I must be missing something. Maybe we can all get 3D printers and dial up gadgets to go.
B
BernardR
Guest
Patience Rupert there is a slowly growing recognition over here that we need - - - - wait for it - Technical Schools though they will probably be called Academies. The wheel turns.
Hi All , better watch it as I don't want to keep putting stuff on a become a bit of a bore.
Re the PE teachers I think I recall Stokes as being well on in years and not being too fit ,but we all feared him. Think he played 1st Class Cricket for Warwickshire, and Ball was much younger and he had competed in the "48 Olympics with Discus and maybe javelin, used to show his muscles developed in these events.
Being in the Building stream most of my dim memories are of Boulton Rd and the newer building that housed the metalwork ,kitchens for the dinners and the brickwork area at the end where the bricks were neatly stacked after being cleaned after we knocked down the half completed pig sties we had laboured over.
On one occasion during a lunchbreak we grabbed some halfbats through the railings and started throwing them at these brick columns and it became a bit of a riot. The master on yard patrol was attracted by the noise and came to investigate and there was a stampede to escape and all but one boy fled. He was so engrossed he didn't know what was going on until he was caught by the scuff of he neck and marched off to the staff room.
As punishment he was made to spend the rest of the afternoon repairing the damage and the rest of the school were made aware of his labours.
I would like to say that as in the movies the rest of us came forward, confessed our guilt and joined him in this mammoth task. we didn't of course and to this day I feel a bit ashamed of my cowardice. Whoever you are, if you are still with us, I would like to apologise.
In regard to school trips Willy Whetton organised one to the local cinema to see "The Robe" as it was History? and we had to explain to him all about how Cinemascope worked which took up another whole lesson. We also went to Worcester to see the cathedral and Liverpool to see that cathedral being built only part being open to the public. I also think we went to Blackpool and in the "Free Time" we went to the funfair where one of the prizes on offer was a Flick Knife, the good old days!!
Cheers Tim
Re the PE teachers I think I recall Stokes as being well on in years and not being too fit ,but we all feared him. Think he played 1st Class Cricket for Warwickshire, and Ball was much younger and he had competed in the "48 Olympics with Discus and maybe javelin, used to show his muscles developed in these events.
Being in the Building stream most of my dim memories are of Boulton Rd and the newer building that housed the metalwork ,kitchens for the dinners and the brickwork area at the end where the bricks were neatly stacked after being cleaned after we knocked down the half completed pig sties we had laboured over.
On one occasion during a lunchbreak we grabbed some halfbats through the railings and started throwing them at these brick columns and it became a bit of a riot. The master on yard patrol was attracted by the noise and came to investigate and there was a stampede to escape and all but one boy fled. He was so engrossed he didn't know what was going on until he was caught by the scuff of he neck and marched off to the staff room.
As punishment he was made to spend the rest of the afternoon repairing the damage and the rest of the school were made aware of his labours.
I would like to say that as in the movies the rest of us came forward, confessed our guilt and joined him in this mammoth task. we didn't of course and to this day I feel a bit ashamed of my cowardice. Whoever you are, if you are still with us, I would like to apologise.
In regard to school trips Willy Whetton organised one to the local cinema to see "The Robe" as it was History? and we had to explain to him all about how Cinemascope worked which took up another whole lesson. We also went to Worcester to see the cathedral and Liverpool to see that cathedral being built only part being open to the public. I also think we went to Blackpool and in the "Free Time" we went to the funfair where one of the prizes on offer was a Flick Knife, the good old days!!
Cheers Tim
B
BernardR
Guest
Tim I am sure I am not alone in saying that your memories are welcome. I left in 1958 after 2 years and do not recall any building stream so perhaps it had finished by then.
BernardR
BernardR
Technical Schools training for the service industry mostly I suspect. At least that is the scenario in NA. What used to be City and Guilds level is appropriate perhaps. Math and calculus is little required today outside of scientific endeavours...maybe that was always the case for most that mastered it. It's the normal run of history and nothing lasts for ever.
Hi Reg, Don't know what age our Mr Stokes maybe only his 50,s but to a 13 year old that is OLD. Maybe I should google to see if there is anything about him, or maybe I should get a Life?
A bit of my missing memory has surfaced, the lad whose name I could not recall was Robert(Bobby) Pritchard I think.
Another ex Stratford Road School boy was Keith? (Willy) Abbott, very athletic he was expelled from HTS for knocking out a teacher who picked on the wrong boy. From the top of the Gym building you could see into Mr Bryant's office and the procedure ( which seemed to take hours) was watched and reported to all and sundry. His father came in from Solihull (?) to fight his case and take him home. He was a hero for a few days and a bit rubbed off onto us who knew him.
Cheers from Down Under
A bit of my missing memory has surfaced, the lad whose name I could not recall was Robert(Bobby) Pritchard I think.
Another ex Stratford Road School boy was Keith? (Willy) Abbott, very athletic he was expelled from HTS for knocking out a teacher who picked on the wrong boy. From the top of the Gym building you could see into Mr Bryant's office and the procedure ( which seemed to take hours) was watched and reported to all and sundry. His father came in from Solihull (?) to fight his case and take him home. He was a hero for a few days and a bit rubbed off onto us who knew him.
Cheers from Down Under
sparkstopper
proper brummie kid
Was at Handsworth Tech: from April 52 till 54, I was only 13 when I started in 1B and many of the lads were 15, it was a great and sudden growing up. Names I remember: Derek Parkes, Brian Podmore, Alan Wills, Barry Page, Alan Williams (who lived in Tudor St). Alan Wills married the girl who worked in the 'tuckshop' in Union Row. I only excelled at woodwork and made my 'Anvil' pattern and when I left got a job as Apprentice Pattern Maker at Shipways, Lozells Rd.....Remember having snowball fights with the firemen from next door and when I finished Nat.Service (Royal Engineers). joined the Fire Service and spent a few years as Officer I/c Stafford Rd. in the 60s. Got the long full photo of the school 1952 but its much to long to add here. Great reading others memories, it was a great school and many of the technical aspects learnt helped immensely in my 30 years in the Fire Service........
Hello Down under I was there 52/54 Mr Stokes was a crotchity old boy who apparently suffered with arthritis.I liked him very much.His assistant a young fellow used to like laying the pump to my backside,it made no difference,Mr Stokes had a different approach,hence I was good at athletics and bad at Gym.
Remember bowling to him in the annual teachers V pupils cricket.I was considered something of a demon bowler,so he proceeded to smack me to the boundry aaah wonderful memories
Regards
Graham
Remember bowling to him in the annual teachers V pupils cricket.I was considered something of a demon bowler,so he proceeded to smack me to the boundry aaah wonderful memories
Regards
Graham
mike jenks
master brummie
Hi
Yep almost forgot it the Stokes pump in the Gym. God knows what they would make of it today what
with Pancho Smths Strap.
Happy Days
Mike Jenks
Yep almost forgot it the Stokes pump in the Gym. God knows what they would make of it today what
with Pancho Smths Strap.
Happy Days
Mike Jenks
sparkstopper
proper brummie kid
Yes, I remember Ron. He started at Shipways just before I did my National Service......I did not return there after I was demobbed....but visited on a couple of occasions.
Hi Longley, Not surprised that Stokes belted you to the boundary as he played for Warwickshire in his salad days.
Have a problem with the anvil, was it an engineering thing? Maybe as I was in the Building Stream our metalwork all about tinsmithing work and plumbing. One time I was talking to a plumber here in Oz who was in the same boat club as me and I was telling him how we did lead plumbing, wiping the semi molten lead joints with a moleskin (the way the Romans must have done it) and he couldn't believe that it went on in the 50's. At that time it was all copper pipes and expansion joints.
Now again it is all plastic- Christ I am old!!
Have a problem with the anvil, was it an engineering thing? Maybe as I was in the Building Stream our metalwork all about tinsmithing work and plumbing. One time I was talking to a plumber here in Oz who was in the same boat club as me and I was telling him how we did lead plumbing, wiping the semi molten lead joints with a moleskin (the way the Romans must have done it) and he couldn't believe that it went on in the 50's. At that time it was all copper pipes and expansion joints.
Now again it is all plastic- Christ I am old!!
