Canley (inc. Sir Henry Parkes School)

was the caretaker Mr Wood?

Good grief Mick I think you may be right, how do you remember these names? I sometimes have trouble remembering my own name - never mind someone from 50 odd years ago!

Hi Tony, the more you make me work the more is coming back to me. Do you remember David Clarke and Tom Windsor, both lived in Freeburn Causeway. Also any of the Middletons and Metcalfs? I am trying to put together a list of the kids who were in Les Rea's class of 61, probably got about half of them so far. Does not seem like 50 years does it? Cannot believe where the time has gone

Hi Les, was it red for pasteurised and yellow for stera? Seem to remember green as well. Did you know they used to fit the gas meter in our house instead of a one shilling coin!!

Did the Shanklings live in Mayors Croft? I can remember David And the Oxfords who lived down by the Phantom Coach

Yes, the caretaker/Mr Fixit was Mr Wood, a tall, lanky man in his Cow Gown who always looked indifferent to the children but seemed a nice man. "I'll get Mr Wood to look at it," the teachers would say. I used to think he must have been a very wealthy man to live in that big red brick double storey house at the entrance. Later found out it was owned by the school, of course. I can't remember which colour the milk checks were for for past or ster but think they were red and blue. My dad hated sterilised milk in those long necked bottles in his tea. And don't forget the Divi Book! Had to chuckle at putting them in the gas meter Now you tell me! How did you explain to the gas man when he emptied the meter?

Don't remember Tom Windsor, but Dave Clarke was another "best friend". He was a drummer (although not quite the same standard as his more famous "name sake") who joined our own band around 1966! He lived at number 38 Freeburn Causeway. Who's class was he in? Either Mayors Croft or John Rous? Sorry, don't recall the Oxfords - got a first name?

Your dad was right, that sterilised milk was horrid (no cream). I think mum must have had to pay the gas man the equivalent to the milk check value when he came to empty the meter. Her house in Charter Ave was on gas and electric coin meters for ages before being swapped over. Can you remember yours mums divi number?

Hi Tony. I think David Clarke was in Mr Reas class, he was really good at drawing. Tom Windsor lived down the bottom of Freeburn on the left near the bend, he used to have a great electric train set in his garage. Dont remember the Oxfords first names yet, but it will come to me. Last time I saw the youngest one, he was working behind the bar in the Phantom (think one was Peter?)

Did Graham join the army?

You're right, his drawing skills were phenomenal! I was always amazed at how quickly and well he could draw figures, particularly cartoon-like caricatures. I'm not aware of what Graham went on to do, sorry. I recall we had a practice session in my front room once (while my parents were on holiday hmmm, strange coincidence that - our practice sessions always coincided when my parents were out or away!) and although he had a full set of drums, his Dad would only let him leave the house with a single snare drum as he didn't trust him to take care of the full drum-kit! How un-trusting was that? And what did Dave do? he only went and poked a drum stick through the skin of the drum. He was sat in front of this drum, getting a bit fed up with some micky taking on our part, he put the "pointed" end of the drum stick on the skin, then leaned on it and with a loud pop, through it went. We spat on our fingers and rubbed the tear, trying to make it look like it had been done a long while and even stuck a strip of selotape on the underside to try and close the hole, but it didn't work. It didn't really damage the drum or the sound that it produced, but he was more worried about what his dad would say. His Dad wasn't best pleased - I think Dave got into a load of trouble over it.

Who else was in the band. Did you do any good with it?

Hi Mick, as my previous answer has been lost to the hackers, I'll repeat my response There were a couple of other mates but we never got further than practicing! We all took turns "singing", which is probably why we never got further than practicing!

Hi Tony, yeah read that one before it was lost. I shall relist the class of 61 over the weekend

Trying to remember what I wrote on Wednesday / Thursday. I tried to list Les Reas class of 61 (the year I left). GIRLS :- Phylis Gibson, Pearl Bonner, Sandra Munsloe, Beverly Wykes, Susan Bryan, Susan Elston, June Hitchings, Marilin Coatup BOYS:- George Davies, Brian McDonald, Bob Steane, John Dann, Trevor Hooker, Raymond Harrison, David Cowlishaw (somehow related to Mrs Ainsley), William Brownlee, David Shanklin, Barry Millward, Michael Jobson There must be at least 10 more, so please help!!