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The way we were
I COULDN'T forget Terence Earnshaw and Dennis Hartley. These were the names of two of the best-looking boys in my primary school class. Funny how I can still see them clearly in my mind, yet some of the girls I was at school with are little more than a foggy recollection!
Recently, I went along to Thames Primary School in South Shore with former pupil Keith Woodcock, who had put out a call to former classmates, in The Gazette's "Memory Lane on Saturday" pages.
Keith was at the school 50 years ago, and
although he and I weren't in the same class, we were there at the at the same time.
I was Marion Wade (or "Wadey") then, and one of my earliest school reports advises: "Quick to learn, but Marion has an active little brain which needs to be rested at times".
Deputy headteacher Ann Hembrow showed us round and memories came flooding back.
As expected, there have been many changes, ceilings have been lowered and new extensions have been added to the school, which dates back to 1903.
But some of the classrooms still feature the old painted cream tiled borders and an impressive old fireplace has been uncovered.
We saw Mr Harwood's room. Keith (right, as a pupil) remembers standing shakily in front of our headmaster for the weekly reading test.
Other teachers we remembered were grey-haired Miss Henderson, who seemed so old, and "Pop" Jackson and "Pop" Vernon, both of whom shouted a lot and were scary.
They were handy at hurling a piece of chalk at a miscreant pupil, or sometimes a blackboard rubber, which could have taken someone's eye out.
Today, blackboards have been replaced by "magical" interactive whiteboards.
Blotting paper used to be essential as we learned to write, or scratch, in ink with "dip in" pens. Every day, our books were marred with big blots, subsequently circled in red by the teachers, and we went home with blue ink-smudged fingers.
Children were controlled by strict discipline, rather than encouraged by warmth and praise.
When we finished an exercise in class, we took our work to the teacher's desk.
Maths was never my strongest subject but I tried. I recall waiting and watching to see how many ticks I would get but once, without a word, Miss Meng rapped the back of my legs sharply with a ruler.
Tears sprang to my eyes but I didn't make a sound. I was ashamed and upset, because I didn't understand what I had done wrong.
In class, we sat in the order we were placed in the end of term test, with the highest placed pupil at the front of one of the five rows of eight pupils.
When they sat next to each other, it was fun to see the teachers struggle to tell twins Joan and Beryl Warburton apart.
Classes of more than 40 used to be quite common, but today the maximum is 30.
"Classroom layout is now more open and friendly with tables which seat up to six children to promote socialisation, sharing and mutual support," explained Ann Hembrow.
When she was in the infants, my sister Jill Hayfield (nee Wade) was a "shoelace monitor". At five years old, she could tie her own and helped other classmates with theirs.
Jill recalls that Roydon Hardcastle, the boy she sat beside in a primary class, drew a chalk line down the double desk.
Woe betide her if her elbow or hand inadvertently strayed over the divide!
One of Jill's classmates,Tim Stewart, says she was his first love.
He remembers singing to Jill and her friend Andrea Spencer at the tram stop.
At the morning break, the crate of milk bottles was brought into the classroom by the milk monitors.
In winter, the milk often had slivers of ice in it, and in summer it was warm and on the turn. Children drank it obediently.
We had a spelling test every day (undoubtedly, this led to a generation of proficient spellers), and recited our multiplication tables.
Today at Thames, pupils learn to spell through games and activities and sing their tables enthusiastically to lively pop music.
Our school dinners (this main meal was eaten at lunch time) were delivered daily in huge tin containers.
We queued at the counter in the canteen across the playground for such as a ladle of grey, watery mince, an ice cream scoop of lumpy mashed potato and a spoonful of carrots.
It sounds a bit like Dotheboys Hall but no-one complained, as we were brought up to eat what was put in front of us.
Pudding might have been jelly and custard, or semolina and jam which we stirred vigorously to make it pink-coloured.
Today tasty, balanced meals are prepared on the premises in a bright, modern kitchen and served to children in the big new hall.
To prepare for the 11-plus exam, I worked hard at school and at home to meet the expectations of my parents.
Those who passed gained a scholarship grammar school place, and a revered entry in the worn leather-bound Thames Road Primary School Honours' Book. I was thrilled to see my name in there.
Keith went to Arnold Boys School and I attended Arnold High School for Girls. That's another story!
Thames Primary has won several awards in recognition of the school's inclusive practices which accommodate all children including those with additional needs.
Smiles and encouragement have replaced the strict discipline and stern faces of my childhood.
During my visit, children were unafraid to approach teachers, and visitors, to tell them their news or ask a question.
I even got a hug from Adrian, who is eight.
And when I showed nine year-old Rees the photo of me as a Thames Road pupil, he said: "Miss, you still look the same."
He'll go far, that boy!
* I'd be pleased to hear from anyone who remembers me. mail: emarion.ainge@blackpoolgazette.co.uk
* CATCH our regular Classmates feature in Memory Lane every Saturday -for more reunions with old school pals. Someone could be looking for you.
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Weather for Blackpool
Monday 13 February 2012
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