Keresley County Infants Springfield School

I don't know if there are any other old classmates about from this school. It was only a single year entry and used to stand next to the Coronation Club in Bennetts Road. I started here in January 1959 when I turned 5, I can still remember walking up to the huge front door with it's great big brass knob and being ushered inside by my mother. I started in Mrs Morris's class, then progressed to Mrs Woods' class and finally to the headmistress's class Miss Platten. When you walked in that front door you were in the cloak room, lots of pegs for hats and coats. Billy Watkins and myself got sent to Miss Platten to have our legs slapped for swinging upside down on them once. Then you entered the hall which ran down the length of the school with the class rooms on the right. Hall was where we did gym, and music and movement and ate our dinner. Mrs Morris's class was at the far end in a modern extension, with a sliding door that led outside. There was a door into the playground from the hall, and across the playground were the toilets, freezing in winter, stinking in summer, and equipped with Izal paper. Most of my classmates lived in Lowe Road, Kesesley, Close, Bennetts Road, Brook Road, and Cottage Farm Close, where the pre-fabs were. A couple lived in Greens Road, and 1 in New Road, but mainly from the estate around Lowe Road. It wasn't a wealthy school, and most kids were in hand-me-downs or home made clothes, looking back now some were obviously suffering terribly, I remember a girl called Norma Flavell who seemed to always be wearing the same worn out clothes. The boys were destined for the pit, or maybe one of the car factories, the girls for marriage and babies. That first day I sat between Greg Parsons, and Rich Moule, I saw Rich on his 60th Birthday, he now lives in Germany, Greg I lost touch with many years ago. I had my first kiss here, with a girl called Joy Taylor, though I also had another girlfriend call Diane Adcocks. We played kiss chase, and tig, and games based on television programmes like 77 Sunset Strip, or Cannonball. Other names from my class, Jaqueline Jones, a girl I always remember had 2 candles from her nose, Paul Harrison, who later rode a motorbike and side car, Ted Cooke who had many brothers, Alfie Round, Henry Berry, Hazel Mac ? I'm sure I remembered others when I started typing. The school is gone, and so is the oak tree that used to stand in the playground, I still have a couple of pictures taken of me at the time, black and white of course, dashing in my shirt, tie and jumper, with shorts and sandals, but that's about all. Vague memories of kind dinner ladies, who doubled as school crossing monitors, running on the school field for sports day, playing war with acorns.

Disorganised, Alfie Round still lives in Lowe Road. Hazel Mac last time I saw her lived top of Wallace Road 1st house on the right from the Wallace pub island. I am sure her elder sister Sheila Mac still lives in Lowe Rd. Paul Harrison lived next door to me in Lowe Road. I was in Mrs Robinson's old house, Rosaline's mum, who had 12 children. Rosaline lives Keresley Green Rd, at present she is head of Myton Hospice, her brother Dickie told me. Paul Harrison's step sister lives by me now. My cousins lived in the prefabs, Garth Green and Dean, their mum was Madge Green. Not sure if you recall Sheila Harris, she still lives in Lowe Road, owns Turtle Drain and Plumbing, or did you know Christine Quinn, Jackie Edwards who used to go around with Hazel Mac.

I've been racking my brains Morgana, but I can't pull up any faces. The only other name I've come up with was David Saunders who was in my year. I recall some of the older boys, but can't remember their names, John Bratchie, is the only full name I can recall. Others I remember were Malcolm Cave, Carol Cave, John Doyle, Lynn Henderson, Liz Roberts, Chris Hoy, John & Rob Musson, Al Harwood, Al Guys, and faces, I remember faces, but can't put names to them.

Disorganised, the Guys' back garden crossed my back garden at the top, I used to see them in Jubilee Crescent shopping with motor bike gear on, the mum and dad, something for you to look out for. I used to go to school with Joy Taylor, your first kiss at Copthorne, a bright girl knew what she wanted, long pony tail. Not sure if Carol and Malcolm Cave still live in Keresley Close but I think the Guys still live in Keresley Close. Sheila Harris used to ride horses with our new Mayoress Hazel Noonan on her dad's farm, as I know your sister used to ride horses. If I can catch Rosaline Robinson I shall see if she can recall any more names for you. I also think Bratchies still live local as I still see Ann Bratchie down by Jubilee Crescent. As most of your names relate to Copthorne schoolkids there is a website for Copthorne, a Paul Buttle runs it, he emails photos and new information which old pupils send him. I am sure he comes on Historic Coventry occasionally too. Alfie Round still lives in the same house in Lowe Road. Not sure if it's the same Mrs Morris, my children had a Mrs Morris at Keresley Grange school in the late 70s early 80s, small elderly lady, lovely teacher.

Went here myself from 1955. Lived in prefabs and Keresley Close. I remember most of the names mentioned. Went on to Wheelwright Lane then to KNHS.

Although I cannot comment on this topic, the username rubytuesday bought back some pleasant memories for me. Welcome to our forum.

Thanks for the welcome NormK. Haven't thought of the old school for a while, then find this site, and all I have thought of all afternoon is this. Also found out Hazel became lady mayoress, even though she never went to this school. Weird world.

If it's the same Mrs Morris she would have been elderly, I suppose she was in her 40's when she taught me, 1959, but of course she seemed ancient to me. I think Carol Cave married Dave Newton - who used to live in Benson Road, as I believe we've mentioned before.

Some briliant, extremely interesting and entertaining posts here. Many years ago, 1959/60 I had a very good friend, lived in Keresley, and have lost contact with him. Terry Williams, he and his family lived very near what was then the bus terminus. He had a sister Hazel. Any recollections would be much appreciated.

slash1 go onto friends reunited I have seen him on there

Hi, my name is Violet Higginson! I went to Springfield School and remember lots of people from there. I lived in Bennetts Rd opposite the Bell Inn. I remember Rosaline Robinson, she bought me my first hippy bell, ha ha. I also remember Phillip and Mark Gardner, they lived in the prefabs in Halford Lane and their nan owned Taylors the shop opposite my house. Carol Cave, Sheila and John Doyle, Frank and Billie French, does anyone remember these people, Wendy Taylor. Would love to meet these people again, never thought I would find a site like this, it's made me so happy knowing these old friends are still around. I live in Cornwall now but travel to Coventry quite often, if anyone out there remembers me make my day and get in touch.

Hi Violet; Would you remember Brook Raybould who lived about there ? Though I've not seen her for 40 years. Last time I saw John Doyle he was living in Benson Road, but I've not seen him for a few years. Taylors we always called The Cake Shop, and we used to go in there often to buy 'singles' when we teenagers. Singles were single cigarettes for anyone who was less sinful. Billie French? Red-headed kid? Quite small? I can't think of a Violet from those days, but the name is ringing a bell somewhere In those days I was called Stuart.

Disorganised, if I recall right Brook Raybold had blonde hair in a ponytail, lived by Rosaline Robinson, last time I saw her was when I used to stay at Rosaline's house in Bennetts Road when we were at school.

Violet, last time I saw Billy French was when I used to chat to him on the CB in the 80s, he was a radio ham, went under the handle Little Weed. I used buy sweets with Rose at Taylors, later I used to do my shopping at Mays (Taylors), her son Mick ran the second hand shop next door to Mays (Taylors). Carol Cave, last time I saw her was when she or Linda worked in the cake shop, Jubilee Crescent by where I worked at Ormonde Shoe shop. Then when I lived in Rose's mum's house in Lowe Rd she lived in Keresley Close. I saw Mr Cave more than the girls, lovely man. I'm sure I know who you are, you were younger than Rosaline. My cousin Garth Green lived in the prefabs, Cottage Farm off Halford Lane. I saw Annette a few years ago, Rosaline's eldest daughter, she said her mum wasn't really that well and works too hard and she won't give it a rest, said her mum wanted to see me, but each time I call no one is in, she must still be working.

Hi, it's Violet. I knew Brooke Raybould well, I lived next door to her at no 40, I also knew Rosalie very well, looked on her as a big sister. She helped my mother one day, my mum fell down the stairs,she was 7 months pregnant at the time, she was ok but sadly my sister died at 8 weeks but I was so glad Rosalie was there to help me. I went to Springfield infants then Keresley Grange then on to Copthorne so I know all of these people you mentioned. I also know what singles are, I used to buy them from the newsagents ha. My grandparents lived in the prefab in Halford Lane, Joy Taylor lived there too with her sons Phillip and Mark Gardner. I knew them well, I used to spend a lot of time in their shop Taylor's. Mark suffered with polio, I would love to know what they went on to do, do you know them? I live in Cornwall now but travel to Coventry occasionally. I like to reminisce, love going to the Coronation Club, used to love it as a girl, my mum used to sing there with the Johnny Mac Band. Well, hope you get back here soon, would like to hear anything you know about old friends. Violet.