-
Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.
We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team
Waverley Grammar School
- Thread starter daverock
- Start date
Noel Thompson
New Member
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
Acemeccanoman
Noel Thompson
New Member
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!It was on the Radio 15.00 pm 18th December 1955
Schedule - BBC Programme Index
genome.ch.bbc.co.uk
View attachment 149840
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
New Member
devonjim
master brummie
Noel were you involved with the production of Jupiter Rejuvenatus in around 1955?
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.
Would welcome contact with anyone from that period.
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
master brummie
Solihull54
master brummie
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!
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
master brummie
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.
When I was at Waverley 1943 - 48 Miss Howarth was the Geography teacher.
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.
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.
saffronseed99
New Member
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.
I think the K Orgill on the photo might have been Ken Orgill
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.
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
New Member
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
New Member
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.
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.
Last edited:
brummy-lad
master brummie
Hi Brian and welcome to the forum, there appears to be 2 threads for Waverley, this is the other one:
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.
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.
Thanks brummy-lad. I’ve now merged the two threads. Viv.
Brian Yuill
New Member
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
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