St Michaels RC School Floodgate Street

[bootneck42]

Hello everyone,
It's been a while since I last logged in but I can't think how I missed this thread. I went to St Michael's in 1957, I can still remember old Parker, Miss Morran (later Lyons?) Mr Dobson and Mr Halsey; he taught us how to play cricket. Was it Halsey who used to teach us gardening at the allotment?
Mr Dobson was ex 8th Army in the desert and was always singing the "D-Day Dodgers" song.
I was another one who regularly got the can off old Parker!

It's great to see this thread of the old school, who remembers the chippy just around the corner, and the tuck shop next door which made their own toffee slabs?

Best Wishes

Mike (Costello)

 

[Wall61]

I was at St Michael's in the 70s. Alcocks Street school first then onto St Micks. I remember the following teachers Mr Parker loved to sit at his desk cane in hand. Cigarette always on the go, ash falling everywhere. Mrs Boyce - play ground, girls lined up every morning, uniform inspected, shoes.... any platforms she wasn't happy!! Miss Chandler - French horrible - made my life a misery in that class. Mrs Millward - needlework, lovely lady and lovely class. Sister Mercedes (walking up to Alcocks st, for cookery classes. Not sure if sister was there, or at Holy Trinity) loved her classes anyway, still love to cook and bake thanks to her and my mom. We had a great Maths teacher strict but good. A brilliant History teacher - can't remember name and a Geography teacher name?? And of course Mr Winston.

 

[Margaret O’Rourke]

hi i`am chris mcnally left st michael`s 1966 can remember all the names john flatley mentioned and a lot more - was mates with michael lawless who came with me from st catherine`s school also a very special girl Jacqueline Nash who was in all my classes throughout my time a st catherine`s would love to hear from her or any of her friends - plus should anyone hear of a school reunion please post it on this site or facebook under st michael`s - cheers chris

Hi, my name before I married was Margaret O’Rourke, I attended St.M’ from 1961 to 1966, I was in the A stream,Miss Dunn was the head mistress, I remember Mr.Parker (the creep), Mr.Dobbin, class mates, Margaret Bates, Jeanette Norton, Christopher Slattery. Anyone out there remember me?

 

[JohnGriff]

Many thanks for your help Bob, I yhought that was his name, but was not sure - every little helps!
Sally

 

[JohnGriff]

re,,,tommy griffin he was seamus dunleavys brother in law,,,not his nephew,,,he owned and ran the talk of the town club for 25yrs or more,,,he passed away very suddenly in 1998 from a heart attack,,,,he had a lovely family 4 boys and 1 girl,,,at his death he was living in gorleston,,,near gt yarmouth,,,,after living for many years in seven star rd solihull,,,,he was a great character with many friends as witnessed by his huge funeral,,,,in gorleston,,,,his 4 boys all run their own businesses,,,and like tommy were very good footballers,,,,best regards john griffin [brother]

 

[JohnGriff]

Hi, I am a newbie - only joined at the weekend. I have a photo of Class 1a September 1958 (before the St Catherine's pupil's joined us for that year), I need som help in identifying some of the names, and making sure I put the right names to the faces. I am doing a scrapbook page about my time at the school (loathed it)! and I need to get the names right - can anyone help please?View attachment 50488
Back row I have names for l-R 1. Jean Lawton, 2. Maureen O'Connor, 3. Catherine Cassidy 4. (me) Susan Clarke, 5. Jacqueline Williams 6. Elizabeth Mc ? 7. Bernadette H ? 8. Patricia Green (John Scully's aunt) 9. Hazel Pulling 10. Paula? 11. Paulette?
Middle Row l to Rt. 1. ? 2. John Scully 3. ? 4. Pauline C? 5. Judith Digby 6. Patricia Bowen 7. Philomena Sheehan(played accordian) 8. Jean Costello 9. Paul Carpenter? 10. ? 11 . ? 12 ?
Front row lt to rt 1. Paul Cleary 2 Liam Bermingham 3 ? 4. John Disney 5. ? 6. ? 7 ? 8.? Dolan 9. Paul ? 10. ?
11. Brian ? 12. ?
Would be very grateful for any help!

 

[JohnGriff]

Many thanks for your help Bob, I yhought that was his name, but was not sure - every little helps!
Sally

dear sally,,,could you re-post the photo i cant see it,,,my late brother is on it ,,,tommy griffin,,,best wishes john griffin,

 

[Tom47]

Sorry about the delay in answering this Bob, been busy, well to put the name's to faces.
Back row, from left, Peter Harte,John Mullen, Desmond Kelly, Micky Floody,John Lovell, Not known, then you.
Front row from left, Not known, Bobby Hall, John Hames, John Griffin, Not known.
Obviously with Old Joe Parker at the back, the only time he never had a fag in his mouth!!

I have the footbal team photo from the previous year which I am on, I will try and post it.

I will now keep a regular eye on this thread to answer any questions you might have.

What surprises me is that all the kids who went to St Micks there's only you and me who seem interested in remembering it, perhaps they all had bad memories, personally I though it was a rough and ready education but what else did we expect in the 50's after the war!! Its what you did after what counted. Much better in the 60's and 70's as you have shown by your stories and photo's around town.

Smiler

Hi there my name is Tommy Hames captain of team front row 1st year correction to one name back row should be Christopher Kiernan not name stated all others correct except first name Tommy and surname should be Hames captain front row middle

 

[Tom47]

Mr Dobbins...a teacher from Saint Michaels RC school.View attachment 76807 He taught me and all my sibblings.

Yes taught me 4a class left school Christmas 1962 Tommy Hames happy days

 

[Tom47]

Did anyone go to St Michael's RC School, Floodgate Street, Digbeth ?

I cannot find any mention of it anywhere, this school was a Catholic School, bombed out of Bordesley Street in the Second world war and moved to the old Floodgate Street School, Digbeth in about 1943.

This school educated!!!! many rough and ready catholic 'brummie' lads, some of whom went on to be 'millionaire's',(to my knowledge) but I have never found anyone posting anything about this school.

Post war the headmaster was Mr McCoy, who's reputation was legend, it was a hard school where boxing was encouraged for a preparation for later life.

Well where are the old 'boys' what have they done!! Did their time at' Saint Mick's' see them all right in life? You know that you are out there!!

I went there 1958-63, it was an 'education' but stood me in good stead through life and allowed me to retire independent at 54!! not so bad!!!

So any memories out there!!!! Will anyone contribute, please.

Yes i attended 1958 to 1962 Tommy Hames last class 4a Dobbins

 

[Tom47]

re,,,tommy griffin he was seamus dunleavys brother in law,,,not his nephew,,,he owned and ran the talk of the town club for 25yrs or more,,,he passed away very suddenly in 1998 from a heart attack,,,,he had a lovely family 4 boys and 1 girl,,,at his death he was living in gorleston,,,near gt yarmouth,,,,after living for many years in seven star rd solihull,,,,he was a great character with many friends as witnessed by his huge funeral,,,,in gorleston,,,,his 4 boys all run their own businesses,,,and like tommy were very good footballers,,,,best regards john griffin [brother]

Hi john do remember me Tommy Hames think you are in first year football team photo shot happy days

 

[Tom47]

Hi. My Mom went to St Michael's Senior in 1958. Her name was Carole Ann Dodds. I have tried the Facebook link and it doesn't connect for me. Has anyone got a picture of the school as I know it was bombed and I am struggling to get hold of one. It is my Mom's 70th next year and I am building a book of memories for her. Many thanks Michaela.

Hi there went st Michael's same time as your mom school not bombed still there apart of a college now wonderful times Tommy Hames if you want other info please reply

 

[Tom47]

The school that your mother attended is mostly still there and not bombed out, Give your mother my best wishes I do remember her. was she in Joe parkers class 1A in 1958? there are some photos out there of this class and A2 the following year. I have a photo to repost of the 1st year football team.

Hi my name isTommy Hames front row middle of photo with ball back row is not Bernard Flynn it is Christopher Kiernan happy days

 

[Tom47]

Hi. My Mom went to St Michael's Senior in 1958. Her name was Carole Ann Dodds. I have tried the Facebook link and it doesn't connect for me. Has anyone got a picture of the school as I know it was bombed and I am struggling to get hold of one. It is my Mom's 70th next year and I am building a book of memories for her. Many thanks Michaela.

many thanks,,,bob, for posting photo of our old team at st michaels,,,,its almost 60yrs ago,,where did the years go.,,,i had lost this photo,,,,,they were a good bunch of lads, john mullen could of made it in the professional game,,he was a great player, regards john griff

Hi John tommy hames here fromt row with ball back row mot Bernard Flynn its Christopher Kiernan

 

[Tom47]

Did anyone go to St Michael's RC School, Floodgate Street, Digbeth ?

I cannot find any mention of it anywhere, this school was a Catholic School, bombed out of Bordesley Street in the Second world war and moved to the old Floodgate Street School, Digbeth in about 1943.

This school educated!!!! many rough and ready catholic 'brummie' lads, some of whom went on to be 'millionaire's',(to my knowledge) but I have never found anyone posting anything about this school.

Post war the headmaster was Mr McCoy, who's reputation was legend, it was a hard school where boxing was encouraged for a preparation for later life.

Well where are the old 'boys' what have they done!! Did their time at' Saint Mick's' see them all right in life? You know that you are out there!!

I went there 1958-63, it was an 'education' but stood me in good stead through life and allowed me to retire independent at 54!! not so bad!!!

So any memories out there!!!! Will anyone contribute, please.

Yes i was at st micks 1958 left 1962 great days have a lot of great memories get in touch only just joined site few days ago Tom Hames

 

[Tom47]

Yes attnded 1958 to 1962 Tommy Hames football photo shows me with ball back row next to lovell should be Christopher Kiernan not name stated Bernard Flynn great days great school

 

[Tom47]

Did anyone go to St Michael's RC School, Floodgate Street, Digbeth ?

I cannot find any mention of it anywhere, this school was a Catholic School, bombed out of Bordesley Street in the Second world war and moved to the old Floodgate Street School, Digbeth in about 1943.

This school educated!!!! many rough and ready catholic 'brummie' lads, some of whom went on to be 'millionaire's',(to my knowledge) but I have never found anyone posting anything about this school.

Post war the headmaster was Mr McCoy, who's reputation was legend, it was a hard school where boxing was encouraged for a preparation for later life.

Well where are the old 'boys' what have they done!! Did their time at' Saint Mick's' see them all right in life? You know that you are out there!!

I went there 1958-63, it was an 'education' but stood me in good stead through life and allowed me to retire independent at 54!! not so bad!!!

So any memories out there!!!! Will anyone contribute, please.

 

[Tom47]

dear sally,,,could you re-post the photo i cant see it,,,my late brother is on it ,,,tommy griffin,,,best wishes john griffin,

Hi John your sitting next to me in photo still name all the team its me with the ball happy days 1a 1958 football team i remember you being good at woodwork i think get in touch only just joined

 

[Tom47]

Hello everyone,
It's been a while since I last logged in but I can't think how I missed this thread. I went to St Michael's in 1957, I can still remember old Parker, Miss Morran (later Lyons?) Mr Dobson and Mr Halsey; he taught us how to play cricket. Was it Halsey who used to take us out to the the allotment?
Mr Dobson was ex 8th Army in the desert and was always singing the "D-Day Dodgers" song.
I was another one who regularly got the can off old Parker!

It's great to see this thread of the old school, who remembers the chippy just around the corner, and the tuck shop next door which made their own toffee slabs?

Best Wishes

Mike (Costello)

Yes Mike i remember it all great days remember you too Tom Hames

 

[Graftonroad]

Hi everyone,
I was hoping to see that photo that Sally put up some time ago as my mother Philomena Sheehan (later O'Neill) was mentioned and I have no photos from her youth. Sadly my mother passed away a year ago in Aberytswyth where she had moved with my father and her sister Marie Sheehan in their retirement.
Does anyone have that photo or any photos that she might be in?

 

[JohnGriff]

Hi john do remember me Tommy Hames think you are in first year football team photo shot happy days

yes tommy i well remember you from st micks and st patricks house you were captain of most things, ...its incredible how long ago it all was,58yrs,,,my son used to live in no 1 bordesley st, so i often passed the old school.it brought back the memories, great memories, best wishes,,,john griffin,

 

[JohnGriff]

i went to st michaels digbeth,54 57,some of my classmates,& friends.philip donovan,terry o,brian(tacky) good footballer,declan troy,roy hunt,venanzio bove,billy mccuirk,bobby mccracken,i often wonder,if he is the father,of robert mccracken,boxing champion,who knocked 10 bells out of me in the ring.girls,anne holden,mary pender.teachers,joe (dirty)parker.mr. mccoy.mr.bobbit woodwork teacher.
rockinden,pulling

bobby mccrackens 3 sons all boxed professional...bobby himself worked for me as a doorman,,,he was a very hard man, in fact in his prime he was the best in bham. i handled lots of doormen in my career in bhams night life, so i know a bit,

 

[JohnGriff]

Hi john do remember me Tommy Hames think you are in first year football team photo shot happy days

 

[JohnGriff]

tommy i remember you as captain of st anns football team, playing at highbury playing fields against english martyrs,before st micks, john mullen rip was our captain,,,,he was a brilliant player,,,way past the rest of our team, ,in fact you could of called us a one man team, i will never know why john wasnt spotted,,,where we often played in perry barr,, i once saw joe mercer watching aston boys, i was to young to tell him,who he should of been watching,,,,great to hear from you,,,you mention somewhere about my woodwork ability ,,i mastered two trades bricklaying and carpentry,,,best regards john griffin,

 

[JohnGriff]

Hi john do remember me Tommy Hames think you are in first year football team photo shot happy days

Hi john do remember me Tommy Hames think you are in first year football team photo shot happy days

 

[JohnGriff]

Hi john do remember me Tommy Hames think you are in first year football team photo shot happy days

Hi john do remember me Tommy Hames think you are in first year football team photo shot happy days

Hi John your sitting next to me in photo still name all the team its me with the ball happy days 1a 1958 football team i remember you being good at woodwork i think get in touch only just joined

 

[JohnJames]

I went to another RC School. Archbishop Williams at Tile Cross. My best mate in my first year (1966) was Paul Flatley who lived in Dora Rd Small Heath. I believe that Paul's older brothers went to St Michael's. One was called Tim I believe. Paul and his brothers were great fans of the Kinks pop group at that time and Paul got me into liking them as well. We lost touch after school but I heard that Paul died suddenly in the early 90s. He was always a great Blues fan and a good footballer.

 

[JohnJames]

re,,,tommy griffin he was seamus dunleavys brother in law,,,not his nephew,,,he owned and ran the talk of the town club for 25yrs or more,,,he passed away very suddenly in 1998 from a heart attack,,,,he had a lovely family 4 boys and 1 girl,,,at his death he was living in gorleston,,,near gt yarmouth,,,,after living for many years in seven star rd solihull,,,,he was a great character with many friends as witnessed by his huge funeral,,,,in gorleston,,,,his 4 boys all run their own businesses,,,and like tommy were very good footballers,,,,best regards john griffin [brother]

A little bit off topic.. Séamus Dunleavy has written a book about his life that includes a lot of detail about Birmingham in the 60s and 70s,in the then Irish enclave of Sparkbrook and later in Solihull. There is a lot about his clubs, including the Talk of The Town on Stratford Rd. He later sold this club to his brother in law Tommy Griffin as you mention. Seamus tells a tale of rising from poverty in the West of Ireland to living on Lovelace Avenue, one of the best addresses in Solihull. His book is well worth a read for anybody interested in the history of the Birmingham Irish. It's called Meeting Princess Maud. Princess Maud being the boat that brought Irish Immigrants from Ireland to Britain in the 1950s.

 

[JohnGriff]

Hi john do remember me Tommy Hames think you are in first year football team photo shot happy days

yes tommy hames i well remember you ,,one of the best ,,i hope you are well,

A little bit off topic.. Séamus Dunleavy has written a book about his life that includes a lot of detail about Birmingham in the 60s and 70s,in the then Irish enclave of Sparkbrook and later in Solihull. There is a lot about his clubs, including the Talk of The Town on Stratford Rd. He later sold this club to his brother in law Tommy Griffin as you mention. Seamus tells a tale of rising from poverty in the West of Ireland to living on Lovelace Avenue, one of the best addresses in Solihull. His book is well worth a read for anybody interested in the history of the Birmingham Irish. It's called Meeting Princess Maud. Princess Maud being the boat that brought Irish Immigrants from Ireland to Britain in the 1950s.

hello john james ,,,tommy griffin built the house on lovelace avenue you refer to for seamus dunleavy ,tommy was an outstanding bricklayer ,very well known and sort after,,by the biggest ... builders in the uk, it is called dalworth house its beautiful,,,,7or 8 bedrooms ,,,,all ensuite,,,lads tommy trained many are now in london,earning very big money,,,,tommy was a great teacher,to many lads if they were prepared to graft hard,,,,if not they were gone in hours, regards john griffin,

 

[JohnJames]

yes tommy hames i well remember you ,,one of the best ,,i hope you are well,

hello john james ,,,tommy griffin built the house on lovelace avenue you refer to for seamus dunleavy ,tommy was an outstanding bricklayer ,very well known and sort after,,by the biggest ... builders in the uk, it is called dalworth house its beautiful,,,,7or 8 bedrooms ,,,,all ensuite,,,lads tommy trained many are now in london,earning very big money,,,,tommy was a great teacher,to many lads if they were prepared to graft hard,,,,if not they were gone in hours, regards john griffin,

Mick Dunleavy the brother of Seamus has recently passed away in Co Mayo Ireland. He was the co owner of the Rildon pipe laying business whose yellow lorries and vans were a familiar fixture around Solihull and Birmingham in the late 60s and 70s.