Sewall Highway

I remember Mellors well opposite the Courthouse Pub, even in the late 50s they opened on a Sunday afternoon, we used to go for the sweets there, happy days

Bernie, when you see Frazer, tell him hello from me. I hope life has treated him well. I have a photo of our class in front of me now with himself, Alan Kirby, Barry Macpheat, David Cutts, David Walton, Peter Innocent, etc., all from the Sewall Highway / Purcell Road area. We had happy days at Courthouse Green.

What a coincidence - are these the same children who are in the class photo of Courthouse Green School on the Photo Mysteries page?

Rob, yes, partly. The class picture on the photo mysteries page is of our first year infants class taken, I assume, in 1953 /4. I'm front row middle. I have a photo of the boys in our junior school class taken about 1958/9 which contains a few of the same lads from the earlier picture. I'll scan it and post it later.

Hi Walrus, John can you remember David Rivet and Ernie Thomas, also Tommy Beasley, they were also at Courthouse Green, as were Linda Salvador and Sally Hill, it was a lovely school with Mrs Major as the head, then when we all went up into the juniors and was met by our new head, the infamous Miss Wilhelmina Hasten, just that look was enough to frighten you and her deputy Fred Batt, but you might be suprised to know that Miss Hasten only passed away 2 years ago at the age of 98.

Bernie, I remember Tommy Beasley, the family lived a few doors away in Proffitt Avenue. Miss Hasten was feared throughout the land. Because of her name, Wilhelmina Hasten, it was generally, and inaccurately I think, accepted that she was German - not a popular nationality in those days. For some very minor misdemeanour she slapped me on my forearm for such a long time that I passed out. Fred Batt was a bit intimidating but a good teacher. Here's a picture of Upper 4 in 1959. Frazer Hendry and Alan Kirby are on it . The Annalls twins, Barry Macpheat, David Cutts, all from the Purcell Rd area, are also there.

For the benefit of interested members I should have named the boys in the picture : Back row left to right. Tony Burdett, Michael Cann, David Cooper, Alan Bassett, David Walton, Brian Reader, John Chaplin, Peter Innocent, Christopher Nansen, Geoffrey Green. Middle row. Michael Williams, Roger Francis, John Aldridge, Alan Goulden, Alan Kirby, Barry McPheat, John Wooldridge. Front row. Richard Bradford, Ernest Annalls, David Cutts, Frazer Hendry, John Curran, Douglas Annalls.

A great find, John, I know all of them and still see a few of them. Thank you.

Somebody please, where was Courthouse Green School, and what was its catchment area? Living in the middle, vaguely, of Sewall Highway, myself and most of the people that I knew went to Stoke Heath. What junior school did Philip go to, as he wasn't far from me.

Courthouse Green School was sited at the junction of Sewall Highway / Proffitt Avenue with Bell Green Road. The catchment area was mainly the Purcell Rd, Weavers Walk, Heddle Grove estate and also the Proffitt Ave, Johnson Rd, Armfield St, Elkington St, Tallants Rd area. In those days primary schools were within walking distance, it was very rare for even the youngest kids to be accompanied to school after the first few days. When I left Courthouse Green to attend Caludon Castle I frequently walked the length of Sewall Highway both ways having spent my bus fare on 5 Woodbines. The follies of youth, I haven't smoked for nearly 40 years!

Hi Slash, I went to Mrs (Miss) Dickson's (Dixon, can't remember) Stoke infants annex, off Wyken Grange Rd. The wooden hut. I then went to the Grammar school juniors. I went with Roger Ball who lived nearer to the Devon. I also knew David Cook who lived on the opposite side near to Dennis Rd, who also went to King Henry.

Which one is you then Walrus? They all look happy and smiling

I'm John Curran, bottom row second in from the right. I had a crew cut for most of my childhood until the Beatles influenced a change. I remind my mum of how often she would would tell me to ask the barber to thin my hair out. He must have done a good job because most of it has gone! I loved Courthouse, as did most of us I think. I'd be there at 8 o' clock in the morning waiting to go in. We all seemed to get on well together, I can't remember any particularly unpopular kids. That's probably why we looked so happy.