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Soho College

Hi Judy, it's me again. You are right it was Central Hall. I don't know where I got Midlands Institute from......
I've just been reading through your conversations with Paul and notice you mention your friend Ann Scragg. I was friends with her younger sister Susan. I have mentioned this in a previous post, but couldn't remember Ann's name.
Paul got a few things wrong bless him. JOCELYN Vesey was the name of the girl I was sitting with, I think she was about 16. I was born in 1943 and Lynda in 1946. My mom is 88. The railway sidings were I think the Soho Sidings. If you remember, Vicarage Road was high up. From our back gardens there was a piece of land which sloped down to the backs of the houses in South Road. We called this "the bank" where we played most of the time. Standing in our back garden we could see over the lower streets to the railway.
Pam
 
Pam, Just spoken to my sister Margaret. She is trying to remember you and is going to get her copy of the VE Day photo out to see if it rings any bells. She has given me some names of girls at school that were in her 'gang' - Carol Ashington, Mary Bromwich, Pauline Nash, Vydia (?) Hampson, Jenny Hopkins, Jane Burns and Lesley Oakley. She obviously has a better memory than me because although I remember first names I can't recall surnames but these arethe names I remember - Maureen Gorton, Stella Duff, Margaret Williams.

We used to go in a crocodile too PE which was held in the church hall in Wretham Road - do you remember that?

Judy
 
Judy, I remember Carol Ashington, Mary Bromwich, Pauline Nash and Lesley Oakley. I don't recall the others. Another name I recall is Pauline Keeble. As far as I remember, they were the sporty ones. I was very quiet and reserved at school. I got better as I got older. I became friends with Carol Ashington after we left school. I don't know how. But away from school she was much quieter. We went everywhere together - pictures, ice skating at Springhill Road (favourite hobby).I met my husband-to-be there. We even went on holiday together to Newquay Cornwall in 1960. We had a lovely time. After that we seemed to drift apart, I think, because I was courting. She had a boyfriend in the army and I think she married him.
I do remember the crocodiles everywhere we went. I remember P.E. (brown knickers with a small hanky pocket). I remember playing tennis in the park and I remember going to another sportsground where we played either netball or hockey. Needless to say I chose netball - those hockey sticks looked dangerous and the girls who played hockey were rough - Carol Ashington, Mary Bromwich. We used to go to the sportsground on a coach and I think it was Witton way, although I can't really remember. Does it ring any bells with you?

PAM
 
I must tell my sister about your friendship with Carol Ashington she would be really interested. They were very pally at school and went around in a crowd with the other girls I mentioned. Margaret also went ice skating regularly.

I played hockey. I don't think I was rough!!! It was a bit dangerous and I do remember one girl getting knocked out one Friday afternoon. We used to play on the Dennisons Sports Ground (I think). I used to get a bus from Hamstead Road to get there. I must have a look to see where it was - I think it might have been Perry Barr way. I still have my old hockey stick. I remember having to play in all weathers, even snow. In the summer it was Tennis at Handsworth Park, and all the boys from the Tech and Grammar School used to hang around when we were playing. Swimming used to be at Grove Lane Baths.

I have found a Speech Day brochure from 1955 which you might be interested in.

Judy
 
Hi Judy
Lovely to see the old programme for Speech day.
I really used to look forward to the day, especially the marching, do you remember that?
I wasn't so keen on going up for the prizes, as I said I was shy and quiet and got embarrassed very easily, but it was lovely showing our parents what we had achieved.
I was talking to my sister about it on Wednesday, and she was amazed what she could remember from school. It was lovely reminiscing.

Pam
 
Hi Pam,
Met my sister today, and although she doesn't remember you, she asked if you remembered her favourite teacher - Mrs Pattison. Also she is going to sort out an old group photo that she has and give it so me so that I can scan it and put on the forum for you, just in case you can recognise anyone (she doesn't have a computer). She also said that the school Sports Field was probably in or near Kingstanding as she says it was down the road from Kingstanding Odeon, and very near where Pauline Nash lived.
Judy
 
Hi Judy,
Sorry for the delay in answering your post, I have only just seen it.
I'm afraid I don't remember Mrs Pattison. I only remember Mrs Murphy, Mr Knight and Miss Hickenbotham. I remember a young teacher who had been a pupil, but she wasn't very strong and had difficulty taking control. I remember Miss Courbet very well. I was always scared stiff of her, to me she always looked so austere.
It would be lovely to see a group photo to see if I remember anyone. I don't have any school photos, it's sad because it is nice to look back now.
I can visualise the playing field but not the location, very irritating!
Look forward to hearing from you, Pam
 
Hi Billspud,
It's lovely to share memories of Handsworth isn't it?
You mention Greenmore College. I went to Soho College on Soho Road. It closed in the summer of 1959 and merged with Greenmore College which was on Bristol Road, Edgbaston. I went there for a term. I left school in November 1959, so I didn't get to know anyone at the school. Is this the same Greenmore College?
Happy browsing....Pam
 
Hi Pam - I am still waiting for my sister to find the photo she has. As soon as she gives it to me I will post it on here. Miss Higginbottom taught in the Commercial Department, she was lovely. Miss Courbet was always very strict. I used to be in her 'Elite' French Class, held in the little library. When you didn't get things right she used to throw the blackboard rubber at you - I have had to duck smartish a few times!! I think the young teacher you mentioned was Rita Tongue. She used to be head girl at one time.

Judy
 
Hi Judy
I remember Miss Higginbothom when she was supervising us coming in and going out of school at the top of the basement where we put our belongings. Do you remember going down those stairs to the metal lockers in the basement?
I couldn't believe it when I first saw Miss Courbet throw the blackboard rubber at someone at the back of the class (not me!). But if I recall she smiled after she had thrown it, which was unusual for her.
I too took French. I used to go back once a week after I left school.
Do you remember the small door in the large garage doors which we had to go through to get into the school? I tripped over it one morning. I didn't take much notice at the time, but when I got home I had blood all over my sock and a nasty cut on top of my foot. I still have the scar to this day!
Happy days..........Pam
 
Hi Pam
My sister gave me the photos she has of Soho College girls, so here they are. The group photo would have been about 1953/54. It shows the year's prize winners and, to me, looks as though it might have been taken the hall where we used to do PE in Wretham Road - what do you think? I recognise lots of faces on this photo but can only put a name to a few: On the second row from the front (first seated row) my sister is 5th from right Margaret Tuck with blazer, then her friend Christine Higgins, then you should recognise Carol Ashington, and then Pauline Nash, the last girl I don't know. Also in the photo on the next row back and second from left is my friend Margaret Hodson. Hope you might see others that you recognise.

The other photo is my sister being presented with the Swimming Cup probably at Central Hall around 1954/55 (I like her hairstyle!!!!). Miss Courbet is on the right.

Judy

Judy
 
Hi Judy,
Thanks for the photos. It's lovely to see the uniforms again. Some of the faces are vaguely familiar, but can't say I really recognise anyone except Carol Ashington, and Miss Courbet looks younger than I remember her but it is over 60 years ago and when I was that age anyone over 21 looked old.................. Pam
 
Soho College, Soho Hill, Handsworth - Hockey Team 1954 - anyone on this Forum in the pic? I am third from left at the back.

Hockey001.jpg
 
I went to Longmeadow Girls school 1971 / 1977 It was Great school , i Can"t believe it got demolished it was lovely inside , The teachers i remember are Miss Reid ( Head ) It was Miss Bonham when i started . Mrs Young (deputy) Miss Hinchcliffe , Miss Procter , Mr ( spitfire ) Bailey , Mr Highfield , Mr Parker , Mr Green , I can"t seem to remeber some the other names but can picture them ..... sign of old age lol . There where black squares in the entrance hall that you had to stand on if you misbehaved , i have to admit spent a lot time on them with Lyn Fitzpatrick, linda Boulding , Gillian Powells !!!

The uniform was lovely blue , we where not allowed to have skirts above our knees !!

I wish i still had some pictures of the school and me when i was there , but sorry to say my mom didnt keep photos ! Never mind they probadly scare you all !!


Have loved reading all the posts especially the school board man , they made me laugh !!!!
 
Annette1960, I remember Miss Bonham but this was when she used to teach at Station Road Secondary Modern School in Harborne. She was young then and used to take us girls for PE and games. When she wasn't doing that she had her own class, but I can't remember the her chosen subjects. She was OK and I know she did very well in becoming the Head of your school. Anthea
 
Soho College, Handsworth - school photo 1949. Middle section only. Bit fuzzy I'm afraid. I am sitting third from left on front row.

Soho College002.jpg
 
Soho College Handsworth 1949 School Show and 1949 middle portion of full landscape of whole school - sorry but it scanned blurry.

Soho Collge 1949006 (3).jpgSoho College002.jpg
 
At Soho College, we also used to wear a straw boater in the summer! Only when necessary though. I always took mine off out of the school vicinity. The uniform was a brown gymslip with a sash of either blue or red (depending on your house - Cavell or Joan of Arc) Ties were always worn with our uniform - I think the tie was maroon and gold stripes. And always a maroon blazer with gold piping, and in the winter a brown felt hat with the school badge on)

Judy
 
Is there anyone out there that went to Soho College on Soho Hill, Handsworth? The building is in a very sorry state now, but it was a lovely little school in its day. Here's a photo of me in my school blazer (on holiday in Newquay and walking with my Auntie Eve). If we went to school without our blazer and hat we got into trouble.J2 002.jpg
 
Is there anyone out there that went to Soho College on Soho Hill, Handsworth? The building is in a very sorry state now, but it was a lovely little school in its day. Here's a photo of me in my school blazer (on holiday in Newquay and walking with my Auntie Eve). If we went to school without our blazer and hat we got into trouble.View attachment 101321
 

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Very funny Phil :) Yes of course Paul, I had forgotten that Pam and Lyn went to Soho College, but it was a while after me. I left in 1954.

Judy
 
Yes, but times were hard, it was a time of "Mend and make do", and of course sharing, yes, Judy, they went in mid fifty's to late fifty's. Paul
 
This is part of a school photograph taken of the whole school in 1949. The photo of all of the pupils and staff of Soho College, was taken in the ground in front of the scout hut at St Michael's Church, which just just along from the church in Soho Avenue. I am the little girl seated cross legged second from left at the front. Also in the photo are teachers, Miss Higgenbothem, Mrs Williams, headmistress Dorothy Courbet, and Mr Knight.

Judy
 

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