Newsletter No 41, March 2004

for former pupils of Wallasey GS, Oxley School, Henry Meoles School and Wallasey School

Editor & Chairman: Tony Simpson  

www.oldwallaseyans.co.uk

THE 73rd ANNUAL DINNER WILL BE HELD AT THE RAF CLUB 128 PICCADILLY LONDON W1V 0PY ON FRIDAY  15^th October 2004

A booking form  may be downloaded from the Events page.

Dear Old Wallaseyan,

I was pleased to welcome Alan Berry to our Committee in January.  Alan attended the first five years of Wallasey School at the Leasowe Site, that is 1967 to 1972.  This means that our committee now spans the years 1930 (Andrew Watson) to 1972 (Alan Berry).  Alan's attendance added to the enjoyment of our meeting, and we look forward to many more.  Deputy Chairman, Bob Bryans, has kindly agreed to chair this year's Dinner.  Having chaired the Dinner for 12 years, I look forward to sitting back and being thoroughly irresponsible. In continuation of our policy of keeping in touch with the younger generation, Mark McLean, 1980 – 85, will be our guest speaker.   Sydney Nicholson who is now in his one-hundredth year continues to maintain his independence.  A few months ago he fell in his garden but was rescued by a friendly neighbour.  He is proud to be the oldest and longest serving resident of Saltdean.  We are keeping in touch with Bob Leach, our past treasurer; he has medical problems but faces up to them with characteristic fortitude.  Andrew Watson continues to go here there and everywhere – including for miles on a skidoo in deepest Finland.  I would like to acknowledge John Fraser's further wonderful reminiscences of 1942 – 46, which appear in this issue; thank you so much John.  The Old Wallaseyans Club are celebrating fifty years at 140/142 Grove Road, Wallasey on 18^th December 2004.  Those attending will include the Mayor of Wallasey, MP Angela Eagle, Baroness Chalker, and myself.  We congratulate the OW Club on this achievement and wish them many prosperous years.  You will notice an article in this issue entitled "Shipbuilding returns to the Mersey".  It's about time too – it should never have left!  You will notice an article about the WGS Bacchanalian Society Reunion provisionally arranged for Friday 8 ^th October 2004.  If involved you can keep in touch with Colin Armstrong.  You might have seen on BBC 2 TV in January a programme concerning the development of Radar.  Our distinguished OW, Dr W H Penley, 1926 – 34, was prominent in this work and took part in the programme.  He subsequently told me that his several minutes of screening were all that was left of several hours of interview filming.  If you have not already done so, please return the booking form with your latest email address. If you receive the Newsletter by snail mail PLEASE include £ 2 for the next two issues.   To all Old Wallaseyans Worldwide, long may we prosper.

With kindest regards from Tony Simpson.

Wallasey School Senior Prize Evening 8^th January 2004

London Old Wallaseyans' Prizes for

Deputy Head Boy Alex Lloyd

Deputy Head Girl .Jessica Mault

Head Girl  .Dawn Ellis

Allan and London Old Wallaseyans Prize for Head Boy Alan Entwistle

 

From the Wallasey School Times, Issue 13, September 2003:

This term we welcomed a total of around 1350 pupils (compared to 1050 in 1999)  which reflects a record number of pupils at the school.  We are delighted that our GCSE results this year are excellent.

The LEA and the DfES have approved our plans to become Wirral's first "Full Service Extended School".  This will involve close work with the community to provide an extended range of services and opportunities in childcare, health, lifelong learning, family support, sports, the arts and ICT.  We will also be launching a "hobbies network" and using the extensive government funding to work with families, primary schools and the local groups.  The campus will incorporate Wallasey School, Leasowe Primary and the Learning Lighthouse.

 The 72^nd Annual Dinner.

The 72^nd Dinner of the London Old Wallaseyans was held once again in the Ballroom of the Royal Air Force Club in Piccadilly on 17^th October.  Forty-five diners enjoyed a menu of Roast Beef with all the trimmings, and were treated to an excellent and most interesting after-dinner speech by Paula Dugdale, who is a former pupil of Oxley and Wallasey Schools.  Having been the only girl in her Maths, Chemistry & Physics A-level classes at Wallasey School, Paula went on to do a 4-year MEng degree in Materials Science and Engineering at Bath, with a year spent at Ecole des Mines in France – a year she enjoyed very much, she told us.  Now at Rolls-Royce Aero Engines, Derby, Paula's official title is Principle Technologist – Materials, but her main role is as a Failure Investigator.  Her talk fascinated all present, but none more than yours truly, who spent most of his working life relying on R-R aero-engines! 

Opening proceedings, Tony Simpson caused alarm and despondency by welcoming all to the "72^nd and last Annual Dinner of the London Old Wallaseyans"!  There was much relief when he went on to explain that the title "London Old Wallaseyans" is to become "Old Wallaseyans Worldwide" as we are now in touch with O.W.s in all corners of the globe, via the internet, and that the Annual Dinners will continued to be held !  (The RAF Club has been booked for 2004 and 2005)

As well as the usual display of nostalgia in the form of WGS photographs, magazines, etc, this year a selection of superb pictures by Norman Colbourne O.W. were on show.  A raffle was held in which the first prize was a print of "Cricket Match at Withins Lane" and the second prize a set of 12 cards featuring "Mersey Memories ", - nostalgic scenes of the river as many of us remember it.  (All the prints and cards can be seen on our web site, and are available for purchase.) 

                                                                               Stan Lawrence.

  Those attending were: Douglas Addison 48-55, Judy Addison, Prof  John Bennett 43-52 and Helen Bennett, Alan Berry 67-72, Jamila Berry, Peter Beverley, Brian Blacoe 43-49, Ann Blacoe, Robert Bryans 54-61, Frank Carlyle, 38-46, Brian Clay 42-50, Sheila Clay, Peter Doyle 51-55, Paula Dugdale (G), Don Fraser  38-44, Doris Fraser, Tony Fraser, President OWC , Rita Fraser, Vic Green 31-40 , Phil Samuel,  Keith Howard 44-51, Derek Jackson OWC, Leslie Johnson DFM 28-36, George Johnston 38-45, Dee Foley, Brian Stan Jones 34-42, Celia Jones, Capt  Stan Lawrence   44-50  Sponsor of the Dinner, Derek Verdin 44-51, Ken Lawton 38-44, Norman Miller, Tony Simpson 42-46, Sabina Simpson, Roy Swinbank 41-48, Andrew P Watson GM 30-36, Sylvia Watson, Alan Watts 30-36, Marjorie Watts, Derek West, Jenny West, Clive Whatling 58-65, James Woodend 43-49 and   Sheila Woodend.

 Apologies for absence were received from:  Charles Anderson 38-44, Geoff Andrews 49-54, Don Atherton 39-46, J Kirk Baird 27-33, Arthur Barton 38-44, Dickie Bird  48-54, David R Brame 52-58, John Budge  28-34, Lionel Cashin  53-61, F Leslie Coventry 31-37, Frank Davies 41-46,W Gordon L Davies 31-33, Mrs Mary Edwards, John D Fraser 42-46, Geoff Frost 39-45, Ken Gowsell 43-49, Jack Harwood 26-39, Denis F Haslehurst 38-45, Dr Robert Hawley 47-52, H George Hocking 41-49, W Grahame Hunter 18-25, Charles Kirk  -40, Warren Lamb 34-39, John Lambie 31-39, Bob Leach 30-35, Don Malcolmson 58-65, Bruce H McGowan 53-57, Peter J McNicol 43-49, Norman (Gilly) Morrison 40-45, Don Mudd, Harold Murphy 37-47, Sydney V Nicholson 16-20, Charles F Peers 28-35, Bernard Roberts 36-39, Sidney Scregg 37-44,Alan Stabler   35-42, Frank Sturman 26-31, Neil R L Thomas 45-53, Ian Thomson 42-50, W Philip Todd 35-42, Mrs Jackie Theeten, Douglas Watts 32-40, John Westlake 44-53, Prof R J P Williams 37-44 and the Revd Ronald Williams 28-35.

News of Members

Bill Abbott   57-64                     <billabbott@xtra.co.nz>                              

Antipodean Branch   I've had some 15 or so replies from New Zealand based OWs (a small number went to other "affiliated" schools).

Geographically, they are scattered over a wide area of New Zealand – as far south as Stewart Island and North of Auckland

They are tending towards the senior age group and I've recently contacted them to ask for suggestions about possible location(s) for a reunion.  Because it takes longer than anticipated to make contact, I've also suggested that realistically, we can't do much until 2004.  However, I am forging ahead.  Don has said that he will come to New Zealand to join a reunion..  As a result of my advertising, I received one enquiry from a 75 year old lady (I have her permission to provide these details) whose father, Tom Carter, went to WGS.  Tom was born in 1882!  She has been trying for years to find out some information about WGS.  She has never been to UK.  It seems that Tom moved to New Zealand when he was 18 – obviously a true pioneer.  Of course, Tom has passed on, but I spent a delightful hour talking to Patricia, his daughter on the phone; I've also sent her a copy of the last two newsletters and some relevantly dated pages from the "History of WGS".

 Don Atherton    39-46   <donath@faracres.fsnet.co.uk

Sorry to miss it this year but unfortunately a clash of dates that I cannot alter.  Hope to make it next year.

 Alan Bennett    36-41                      

It is incredible how one finds OWs everywhere.  I have now come across five in the far South West and the latest to emerge is John Armstrong (36-41) living in Brixham.  He married one of the Heavysedge family.   Sadly I lost a great friend recently, Stan Scoins (about 1930) whose father was a Mayor of Wallasey.   Small cheque enclosed towards costs of Newsletter, which is always eagerly received.

  Anon 

Thanks again for a great newsletter.  Nothing of interest to report but I was wondering the other day when, and why for that matter, Headmaster becomes Head Teacher, masters become teachers and forms become classes.  Was it the same time as the elevation of schoolboys to students?               

 John Budge   28-34

I never joined the Anglo-Zehlendorf  Society at school nor did I learn German there, but at the end of the war, while working at a refugee camp near Hamburg I met my wife-to-be, Ingrid, who was also working there.  How strange that she had been educated at the girls' school in Zehlendorf, just across the overhead rail line from the Oberrealschule.  We have just celebrated our 56^th wedding anniversary.  I remember watching with some amusement the German visitors trying to slog cricket balls on the front field.  I think  I was probably the first Old Wallaseyan to visit Dr Thiemke and his wife after the war.  We kept in touch with Tom Peirson and Dr Thiemke's daughter Rosemarie after they married in Wallasey before and after they moved to Canada.  Tom's last job was in the planning department of the Devon County Council in Exeter and we frequently drive under the pedestrian bridge over the main road which he designed.  I always enjoyed the musical concerts the German boys presented, with Frau Thiemke playing the violin, and the other events they took part in.  Happy days!  And all due to the visionary Fred Wilkie!

Sidney Harry Deacon   18-25                        

I have recently moved into a residential care home (address may be obtained from the Secretary)

 Mrs Mary Edwards      

Thank you so much for still sending me news of WGS – I do enjoy reading all about it.   Alan was so proud of the school.   Enclosed may be too late for the dinner.  Please use it where you think it is needed. 

 Brian Ellis   32-40     <brian@ellis138.freeserve.co.uk>      

Received the latest newsletter with great pleasure and also sadness at the passing of several of my contemporaries: Sidney Nicholson should send us all his recipe for long life!  On the question of mobile ears, I remember two boys in my form performing in a Biology lesson for the inspiring G N Ridley, who then gave a lesson on heredity (back to elephants, I think) and who wrote several authoritative books on the subject.  Happy memories of Sac Connolly, who literally drummed French into you: I attribute my solid French grammar to his grounding, although he only grounded one boy in my form, who innocently (?) asked him how one finished off  (to put it delicately) an epistle in French – I sat next to the victim and picked him off the floor!   "Oi'll have none of this filth in my classes!"  Danson's cricketing skills included the ability to hit someone on the back row with a piece of chalk, and to bash in Latin grammar:  I can still recite "A dative put, remember pray, after envy spare, obey etc."  Krupp Atchley I couldn't stand; he told me that the tone of the school was lowered by these common scholarship boys, not realising that I was one because I didn't speak with a Merseyside accent, whereas Klaus Hess, behind a stiff manner, was kindness itself – we learnt long lists of fishes and birds in French which I wouldn't recognise in English, but also learnt to appreciate French literature.  Spuddy Widlake suffered the revenge of a boy he kept at "back of the 'all at 4.15".  Spud received through the post encyclopaedias, special offers of all sorts, but the perpetrator was found out when he wrote to a coal merchant ordering a ton of coal, writing in violet ink – we all had to produce our exercise books; only one boy used such ink!  Moral: stick to blue-black.

I'm sorry that once again I shall not be able to come to the Dinner – this time, I'm afraid, because I've recently had two heart attacks, after running half a mile to catch a train, which was ten minutes late – I could have caught it at walking pace.  The only other time that I had met the doctor after many years was when I cut my eye with a twig: "I was pulling ivy off a tree, doctor." "What was she doing up there? Trying to escape?"  I enclose a small donation, but in future I should be happy to correspond by email.

Desmond Fell 31-39             

I would like to thank the Committee for doing such a splendid job all round & look forward very much to the Newsletter.

    I enclose a cheque for Club funds.

 Ken Gowsell   43-49   <gowselk@tinyonline.co.uk> 

Many thanks for another interesting Newsletter.  Have an enjoyable evening.

 Jack Harwood   26-31   

Nothing of note to report.  My last job in Scouting was for Sheffield District as Warden of their (nearby) Great Hucklow Activity Centre.  However, this has been sold due to losing money from lack of usage so my job (unpaid) went as well.

 Brian G Stanley Jones    34-42     

Once again the Newsletter brings waves of nostalgia.  Names of people one has not thought about for 50/60 years and long forgotten incidents.  As my father was at WGS circa. 1904/06 our family connection goes back nearly 100 years.  I have some of his school prizes, Midsummer 1904, signed by Vipan   (The letter from Dr Williams refers).   He was taught by A G Schoppee and Stuart Hess  (John Fraser's memories or is that the 'younger').  I think he also knew Kynaston, and Speare;  still about when I was at school 30 years later.  I would support Stan Lawrence's praise of Norman Colbourne; on our lounge walls are two of his paintings, one of the "Britannic" one of the "Scythia" at Liverpool Landing Stage.   As the Britannic is from the north, the Scythia from the south they also show two different views of the Pier Head and the Liver Buildings.  Colbourne would also paint in a vessel for personal choice.  On the walls of my study are the "Empress of England" leaving the stage , the Liverpool pilot boat No 4 "David" with the "Montcalm"  in the background, and "Racing Home" the "King Orry" passing the"St Tudno" in the Mersey estuary in the 1950's.    So much for nostalgia.

   But Professor Harding also had a coincidence for me.  Whilst in Norway this summer, my Norwegian friend gave me a cutting from a Norwegian newspaper of 27.2.01 which had an article about the Vikings in the Wirral  (she did not know my connection with Stephen Harding ).

(There is a large picture of Stephen standing on Thor 's Stone in the Wirral– Ed.)  I shall bring it to the dinner in October.  Our seven-week tour to Sweden and Norway went well, and we enjoyed good weather and marvellous hospitality.  This was our seventh visit to Scandinavia, and it will not be our last, if Celia's passion is to be satisfied.  She goes starry eyed at any mention.  We hope to be there again in 2004.    However, I had leg trouble coming down a mountain, since diagnosed as osteoporis, which has rather curtailed  my activities.  .  Having been put on medication, I have been told to exercise it: and the best is walking!!  At present I can manage about ½ mile.   Having been banned from overseas travel, whilst they found out the cause of my trouble, I have been told I may once again resume our travels, so leave for the mountains of Holland late September/mid October.

News of death always brings sorrow: Paul Witherington  (Jimmy the One) was a great Scout and did so much to keep the 2^nd Wallasey going during the War years.  He had a good innings.  I wonder how many saw Captain Paul Bennett, Royal Navy, speaking on behalf of the RN recently on television.  The elder son of Prof. John Bennett, he is the image of his father, and looked very smart.  One of Celia's Cubs – she brought them up well.  As a Missionary from Yorkshire, we enjoy our yearly visit to the Dinner.  It also gives an opportunity to tour the relevant tourist offices.  Otherwise London does not attract us.  I shall be interested to hear of the proposals (for a new name for the LOW).

Bruce H McGowan   53-57 (as Head of History Department)

Advancing age (79) and declining health!!  & thanks for Newsletter – much appreciated.

 Gillie Morrison  40-44      

Many thanks for sending Newsletter No. 40 which brings me up to date.  I enclose my cheque for £ 4 to help with costs of this valuable item which I always read with considerable interest.

 Sydney V Nicholson     1916-20                           

I was surprised and delighted to find my name in the first paragraph of the Newsletter No. 40.  What an excellent publication.   I thoroughly enjoyed the visit of Tony and his delightful wife and Vic Green.  I regret that I cannot attend the Dinner on Oct.17^th.  My arthritis and thyroid are getting worse; I do not want to make a fuss or fool of myself by having a fall.  Still as long as both feet touch the ground I must be very lucky.  Have a good evening as always.  I enclose a small donation towards your expenses.

(To Tony, after receiving a card  signed by all those attending the Dinner )

I was delighted to get your card this morning, such a lovely one, with all the names and best wishes.  I recognised Andrew's and Vic Green's names but I doubt if some of the others were born when I left WGS 83 years ago.  Well, I wish you all the very Best of Luck, Good Health and Many Happy Years to come.  Again, many thanks for all the kind thoughts.

 Gordon Rogers   39-46  <gordonrogersassoc.msn@attcanada.net>

I heard about the web site through John S Jones <john@jonesco.freeserve.co.uk>.   Congratulations to all involved in the site project.  We have been corresponding together – and with Fred Hadrill <fred_hadrill@tinyonline.co.uk>; Bill  Smith <wts909@aol.com> and Jim Maxwell – for some time.  We were at WGS together for the period 1939-1945/6 and later at the University of Liverpool.  Bill lives in Virginia (near Washington DC).  I live in Toronto, Canada.  The others are in the UK.  We were recently trying to contact Earl Masterton (same period) who I believe also came to live in USA.  I'd appreciate knowing if you have any knowledge of his whereabouts. 

Alan Stabler    35-42    

Apologies , not fit enough to travel very far.

 Frank Sturman   26-31 

Just a line to let  you know that Sid Deacon is now in a nursing home.  He's quite content there, feeling secure and well looked after.  Well into his 96^th year, and his mind splendid, but unfortunately registered blind.  For those interested, his address may be obtained from the Secretary.  .  Enclosed find a wee cheque.

 Neil Thomas   43-52    <neil@thomasn76.fsnet.co.uk>

My main reason for dropping you a line is to respond to your item about the last Prefects at WGS at Withens Lane.  David Softley was Captain of Boats for a number of years and his parents were great supporters.  Sadly he died many years ago, in his 30s.  I employed his widow in the 80s.  Of the other names I guess I could find out more about David Wilson if you haven't had data from others.  Let me know if you still  need help (yes please – Ed.)  Have a good Dinner.  I shall be in Boston Mass for the Head of the Charles Races.

Ian Thomson    42-50   <ithomson@bretts.net.au>  "

Thanks for including my letter in the October Newsletter.  It appeared after the extract from the article on Arthur Thomas in the JQ Magazine, but unfortunately my name has been omitted! (We are sorry, and so repeat your letter here – Ed.)

 Congratulations on the new web site.  The photo of the school brings back memories, and I can even see the window of one of my classrooms!  I was once caught committing the heinous crime of trying to sneak past the main door at the front of the building.  Detention!

As I grow older I seem to be getting more and more nostalgic, and really enjoy reading mail from my fellow OWs.   Does anyone still have his OW striped blazer?  I remember shortly after leaving school, wearing it in London, only to be told by a bus conductor that I looked like a walking deck chair.  Sadly, I never wore it again.   Reading of Charlie Cannon, I remember that he hated playing "All Things Bright and Beautiful" at Assembly.  He used to call it a barrel-organ tune, and while he was playing, his left hand (the one facing us) would come round and turn an imaginary handle.  Does anyone else remember that?  Sorry that I won't make the dinner again this year, but I'm saving up for the fare to UK hopefully next year.  Since my mother died, my visits have been less frequent, and this year my sister Gay came out here on her first visit to Queensland.  She loved it and wants to come again.  Frank Carlisle may remember her, as we lived just round the corner from him when he was in Steele Avenue.  Bill Tester and I once paid him a visit, only to have a bucket of water thrown over us from an upstairs window!  Remember that, Frank!  I got into awful trouble for that, as my father was home on leave, and was definitely not amused when I came home soaking wet.  Does anyone know what became of Bill?  I seem to remember that he wanted to go to Medical School in Edinburgh, but I don't know whether he did or not.  I lost touch with him.

 Peter Townsend  49-56 <peter@townsend60.fsnet.co.uk> 

Perhaps I will make it (the Dinner) one day, one year, perhaps with my 4 other OW brothers (the twins Tony & Philip 50-56, Alan 52-60 & Edward 62-69).  Thanks for the newsletter as ever full of interest and surprises.  I like to remember folk with "one liners" so….

Ref. John Banks 51-58,  I was briefly at Pembroke College Oxford at the same time 61-2   doing a Dip.Ed. year and the then Cambridge & Oxford OW's annual dinner was held at Pembroke.  Nobody told me it was DJ (Black tie) so it was with horror   I (casually dressed) entered the reception room  (late) to face a wall of black and white.  Social faux pas don't come much tougher.  John however rescued me; ushering me to a staircase pal who lent me his correct attire.  Apart from John I can't recall who else was there except possibly the Head, HJC Oliver.

 Derek W Wardle   38-46           

After 37 years membership of MCC, I resigned – the costs had become prohibitive.  I was fortunate enough to be invited to join Lancashire, and found I was much more at home at Old Trafford.  Costs much less than down South, facilities every bit as good.  We are in regular contact with Roy Storer, he was my House Captain of cricket 1945.  John Henry Spears would summon us to his room,  MVA, to discuss tactics to instil in us the importance of upholding the high traditions of Seacombe House.

  Alan S Watts    31-36           <alanswatts@yahoo.co.uk>

I remember my first day at WGS very clearly.  With my pal, Ken Gidman, I cycled up Manor Lane, entered the playground on that side, rode across the sacred front of the school and found somewhere to leave the bikes.  We were duly admonished by a prefect even before we had crossed the school's threshold.  I joined IIIA  (Mr Barker's) and the first task of every subject master was to record the names of us all.  When they came to Baragwaneth they had to query what the new boy had said.  And because Baragwaneth gave his name in double-quick time, this was not easy.  The only other name which was remarked upon was Howson-Jones, to which one master murmured "Oh, indeed!"   Some of the masters' catch phrases stick in my mind.  Mr Taylor, the woodwork master, would say after he had demonstrated how to make a joint or do some other operation –"Do you follow what I mean?"  And I recall "Sac" Connolly calling to some culprit –"Get out! And take your muck with you! "  and when  he was absent to dictate sentences for translation he would say "Git out your stumps" (ie pencils) and he would then dictate curious  sentences such as "The Anglo-Persian knife-grinders wore purple waistcoats. "

 John Westlake   44-53                    

The last 12 months or so have demonstrated yet again the inevitable life cycle.  Two grandsons have arrived safely; however my mother died in January  (some may remember her from cricket and rugby teas) followed by my aunt Mary Chandler, whose husband Gordon was Victor Ludorum in 31/32.

____________________________________________________________________

Zehlendorf  Revisited by Bob Bryans

 At the end of October 2002, Vic Green and myself visited Berlin, primarily to see the    Schadowschule in Zehlendorf.  For Vic it was his first visit, whereas this was my third, having taken part in the Grammar School/Schadowschule exchanges in the late fifties and early sixties.  Zehlendorf  itself was as I remembered it – a leafy pleasant suburb, although they had built a block of flats over the road next to the Adler Apotheke where I stayed some 42 years ago. 

 The school is exactly the same; a large four storey block with a central tower.  This latter feature used to be used for astronomy classes but is now a nesting site for migratory birds of prey, which are ringed and observed by the biology department.  The building is overcrowded, being intended originally for 400 students but now housing some 800 students.  Plans are afoot for an expansion but like all things to so with education authorities, money is very tight and nobody knows when the plans will turn into bricks and mortar.

We met a class of Arbitur (A level) English students.  The pupils were very similar to the boys and girls we saw in Wallasey all those years ago, attractive blonde girls and tough looking lads.  A very lively discussion ensued with both Vic and I fielding questions ranging from Wallasey  - what it was like, to whether or not the UK would join the European Monetary Union.  They were still stunned by England's footballing performance against Germany and this helped us to gain the upper hand in the debate.  One girl was very perceptive about the value of foreign exchange trips.  She said that she would far rather visit a country and stay with the locals so she could talk with them and understand their opinions than go with a group of compatriots, who all carried the language and attitudes of their homeland into the host country.  I could almost hear Messrs Allan, Wilkinson, Thiemke and Friedrich speaking again after all those years.  She reflected their views so accurately.

 Mrs Nubbermeyer, the English teacher, took us on a tour of the building after we had "sung" for our morning coffee and introduced us to the Principal Mr Meir.  Although the Wallasey/Zehlendorf exchanges were now a distant memory for the Schadowschule (as they are in Wallasey) both Mr Meir and Mrs Nubbermeyer seemed keen to explore the possibilities again.  The impression they gave was that, such arrangements were not just good for language teaching but benefited history, geography and economic programmes as well.  I think Vic and myself left with mixed emotions.  We were happy that we had seen for ourselves the Schadowschule which played a part in our school lives in Wallasey and also that the concepts on which the exchanges were based still lived in the minds of some of these youngsters in Berlin, but sad that the physical link had been extinguished for more than 30 years. 

The rest of our four day trip was spent sightseeing in Berlin.  I remember the Eastern sector as a drab bombed out wasteland full of Volkspolizei.  Now it has blossomed since Berlin has become the capital of Germany again and embassies sit alongside smart cafes and the old imperial palaces.  Everything was bustle with even more building going on.   All in all a great trip down memory lane.

Footnote.  Older LOW's might be interested to know that the Schadow was known as the  Oberrealschule until 1938  when it changed to its present name following an amalgamation.

____________________________________________________________________

Memories of 1942-46 by John D Fraser

Part 4

Outside LVA's room was a huge pile of coke.    The windows in LVA never worked properly and one winter's evening I found I'd forgotten my Latin books.  I went through Rake Lane cemetery from Queensway , nipped over the wall through the alley by Dicky Watt's house, sneaked up the drive round the back, climbed over the coke , pushed the window which swung open , retrieved my Latin books  (all in the dark) and was back home in 40 minutes or so!

UVA's form teacher was Mr Lowe.  I really liked Mr Lowe and got on well with him.  I actually passed my English Lit on his notes alone as I am such a slow reader I never got more than half way through the set book – a History of Henry Esmond by Thackery.  Jim Paul read it several times.  I was enjoying my Art immensely and learned so much about perspective from Mr Bohs that I was able to use it when I was teaching.  It is one of my pet subjects.  It was sad though when some one had been in to the Art room probably during fire watching and removed all the feathers from his collection of stuffed birds.  I remember having a long argument with Bohs stating that Perspective runs in curved lines and not straight ones.  Next morning I went back to him to apologise but he said it wasn't necessary as he had discussed it with his wife and she agreed that I was right.  Miss Doyle was my history teacher.  She seemed to think that we all did shorthand because she dictated notes at such a speed I can't imagine anyone getting anything down – I certainly didn't.  She used to come along the balcony like a galleon in full sail then sweep into the room like the Queen of Sheba.  I didn't take in much from her lessons.  At one time we had Billy Browning.    He knew our textbooks off by heart and usually propped himself in the window corner, closed his eyes and recited the book to us.  With his eyes shut, however, he could never see a hand raised for questions or permission to leave the room!  I got even less history knowledge from him – maybe the truth being that I just didn't take it all in!

Rubber Neck Porter was a great teacher.    He got us to draw maps then cover them with drawn information.  Of course we had to read a great deal before we could put in our illustrations but I got on fine with him.   I even got a credit in School Cert!  For Maths we had Dicky Watts, Johnny Holland, Curly Morris and Soapy Williams.  Fanny Farnworth took me for French and I began to get to grips with the language, but after a gap of two years when I got nowhere, with Tunnel Vision SAC Connelly there wasn't enough time to get me up to scratch.  Farnworth told me that if he had had me another three months he could have guaranteed me a pass.  I remember one homework when we were to write about railways.  I had been trying to say "a section of line…."   Farnworth came in with our books, plonked them on the desk and "Well, Fraser, you gave my wife and me great amusement last night, I know what you were trying to say but actually it came out as 'a length of knicker elastic"!  Ah, well, I'd tried.   Back to Maths, I was hopeless at Maths except for Geometry.  I could do that without any trouble at all.  Morris was the teacher and he was impressed with my work.   He told my mother she had nothing to worry about there.  The story elsewhere in Maths was summed up for me by Soapy Williams  "I have never seen anyone try so hard and achieve absolutely nothing"!  Dicky Wattts was ill most of the time.  We all liked Johnny Holland and even his "Little Willey" which he used to whack us when we got things wrong.  It didn't hurt but one felt a fool bending over in front of the class!  He was rather a joker.

 Williams took us for science.  I remember we had the Wimshurst machine out.  We boys linked hands while one held the ball on the machine and another held the point; we broke our link in the middle and the brave boys at the either end put their fingers to Williams head – there was the usual crackling flash as the current must have gone right through him.  He turned round smartly with his arm outstretched and flattened all within reach.  We all got detentions.  At some time we had a woman Ph.D. for science but like so many highly qualified people couldn't teach to save her life.

 Farnworth also took us for PE.  I always took ages to change; I still do, and went into the gym last.  Farnworth came out of his office, grabbed me and dragged me to the ropes where he proceeded to belt my backside with one of them.  I had no idea why he did it and I just left the gym crying and got dressed.  Sometime later when Jim was home he saw me getting undressed.  "Let me see, where did you get such terrible bruises?"  Mum and Dad had to see.  I told him that I didn't know why he had hit me as I'd only just walked through the door.  Jim challenged Farnworth next day.  He said he was sorry and the boys were playing him up so much that he just grabbed the first person he came to and belted him to show what the others might get.  My mother  (always mother, never dad) went to see Morris.  As far as I know that was the end of the matter but Farnworth had a serious telling off.  I often wonder what would have happened these days!  We had another who had been invalided out from training commandos.  I forget his name but I met him at my first LOB's dinner and I told him PE was hell with him.  "I forgot I wasn't with men any more" was his excuse.  We hated him!    The exams eventually came.  We sat in the hall of Egremont Presbyterian Church.  Nice and cool as it was very hot outside.  The results duly came – if I failed I had another year; if I passed I went to Art School.  I went to Art School.

I was at Wallasey School of Art for four years finishing up with a National Diploma in design (Ceramics) then went to Liverpool for my Art Teachers Diploma.  One or two notes that may be of interest.

 There was a new book by Sir William Russell Flint I had to study in the Picton Library, and there you had to make a list of your books and the librarian got them.  I had requested this new book.  The librarian duly came with the books but the Russell Flint wasn't there.  When asked why the librarian said "As there are nude pictures in it I have decided you are too young to see them.  "I then demanded that he rang Alan Tankard my tutor.  He did and went very red.  I asked what Tankard had said – "He's a fifth year art student and he's drawn more nude women than you've had hot dinners!" The book was delivered.

My teaching practice was almost full time as National Service was looming.  I did Monday PM at Poulton Infants, Tuesday & Thursday at Coronation Ave. Boys, Wednesday at WGS with Peter Oxenbould, Sat AM for half the year at Birkenhead School and the rest of the year at WS of A with girls from Oldershaw and WHS, Friday I did teaching with Emergency Training Teachers.    Every night I helped at evening classes at Liverpool & Wallasey.  Friday AM I went into Painting Life at Liverpool.  One Wednesday Peter Oxenbould took me into the WGS Staff Room: "Gentlemen, this is Mr Fraser, he's a student teacher and is here every Wednesday with me".  Danson -" Good God what's the world coming to if he's going to be a teacher". Oxenbould – "Well Mr Danson at least he'll be a qualified Teacher".    The silence that descended on them all was absolute as I found out later that none of them were qualified as teachers;  they just worked from their degrees. 

The silence was broken by Soapy Williams who took my hand between both of  his  - "Congratulations lad, I'm so happy for you – well done!"     I quietly said "Thank you".

I got my Art Teachers Diploma – went to the Festival of Britain and whilst there got my calling up papers.

   To be continued

Shipbuilding returns to the Mersey       Extract from Marine Engineers' Review, February 2004

Shipbuilding will return to the Old  Cammell Laird Yard at Birkenhead  following an agreement  between Ship Repair Specialist, A & P (which now owns the facility) and Reddington Finance, the owners of Cammell Laird's Waterfront Park.  Under the deal, the new building hall at the park, which was to be redeveloped as a "Snowdome Leisure Complex", will remain, and A & P will be the preferred user for new build opportunities.  The world's biggest car ferry, the Ulysses, has dry docked at the yard for routine maintenance.  Up to 200 ship repairers will work on the Irish Ferries ship during its two weeks' stay in the former Cammell Laird's shipyards dry dock No. 5, one of only three big enough to accommodate this vessel.  A & P is the lead contractor, with a number of sub-contractors hired to carry out specific projects, such as engine room work.