L to R: Cllr Chris Blakeley, The Mayor of Wirral, Cllr Andrew Hodson, my sister Val Frost, and my eldest brother, Brian pictured at the reunion
Last night I attended the Hoylake Parade, 100th Birthday School reunion. Although the building has not operated as a school since 1973, through the work of many people the building has survived and is now the Hoylake Community Centre.
I left the school back in 1965 and until last night had not been back in the building. From the moment I walked back in, thousands of memory’s came flooding back, the vast majority happy, however some sad memories as well. I met people who I had not seen for years and we exchanged many stories about what went on in school in our time there. Sadly only about a dozen who left in my year attended. The school exhibition is also great and well worth a visit.
Hoylake Parade
All four of the Blakeley kids were educated at Hoylake Parade Secondary Modern School, to give it its full title. Three of the four of us attended the reunion, my brother Brian, the eldest left the school in 1955, Tony (who unfortunately could not make the reunion) left in1961, Val my sister left in 1963 and me in 1965. It was rumoured that the Headmaster, Mr Rigby uttered each time one of us started after Brian the words, ‘Not another Bloody Blakeley’ I am sure that was only a rumour as we were all ‘model’ pupils!
Well I was definitely a model student
I was a pupil at the Parade School for over four years, leaving in 1956 after being permitted to complete an additional year of studies. Only 5 of us ‘stayed-on’, including Paul Roberts, etc. My sister Rose, was also a pupil. Two of my cousins,
Beryl Smith and Vivienne Smith were in the same year as me. For the past eight years I have lived with my wife on the Costa Blanca, Spain. I would be most interested to hear from any of my former classmates. I do, of course, remember Brian Blakely. The only change in his appearance is the colour of his hair.
Best regards…Brian Smith
I went to hoylake 1954 /1958 love to hear from old friends Ihave lived in Aust. N.Z 45 years lo ve to here from Sheila Holliday.
I went to the parrade as i called it from 1961 to the time i left i now live in yourkshire were i have lived since 1969 about i came back to hoylake a few times but i would like to speak to any one in my years like barbara picey and jennifer dodd she was from west kirby or any one at all thanks
Many happy, and sad, memories of Headmaster Mr: F. Fowles, Bernard Sephton, “Yokka” Tyson, Clem Morgan and many more. Having left in 1950 and now living in Eastbourne.
Does anyone remember going to watch Alec Farrell playing for England Schoolboys? Wongerful!.
I went to the Parade school, left in 1965. Lived in Hoylake all my life. I am currently living in Canada with my husband, two kids and 4 grandkids. Would love to hear from any classmates that remember me.
I attended the Parade School 1950/5 but for the last 40 odd years have lived in the West Midlands. I remember Brian Blakeley very well and felt at times he was unlucky, picking up the blame for some things not always his fault. I suppose me being a bit of a ‘weed’ I never got to go to ‘Rigger’ for the wack! I have only recently got my head around this new technology, a far cry from how to make a ‘dove tailed’ joint or how to use a hack saw. That way though, we were tought well. Thanks to my Son I am on facebook, and anyone who remembers me is welcome to send me a friend request. I am still very fond of motorbikes and paint scenery at the local theatre, art was one subject I didn’t do too bad at! Best wishes to all.
Hi Don,
I found it so interesting to read your comments about Hoylake Parade, which revived many memories for me.
Which Form were you in ?
I arrived at the school age twelve and was slotted into 2B, then T3 (1), T4 (1) and actually stayed on for a further year. That was in order to gain further education for a particular exam. There were five of us including Paul Roberts. For the past ten years my wife and I have been living in Spain on the Costa Blanca, having earned a well deserved retirement !
I look forward to hearing from you. By the way, Cousins in the same year included Beryl Smith and Vivienne Smith. You may recall them.
Brian Smith.
Hi Brain,
Thanks for your reply to my comments re our School. When I left in May 1955 I was in Class T4. Previously, T3, 2A, 1B. There were only a few in T4 when I left, most were gone by Christmas. The last four months were the best! Some I remember in my class were Leslie Caine, Simon Linneker, David Jones, Clive Edwards. Mike Harrop, Eric Power and Alan Smith to name a few. I recall your name in the year below me, a tall lad with black hair but I may be mistaken. I do remember Beryl Smith however and also Neil Sherratt a friend of Brain Blakeley’s. I have found a photograph of all our teachers taken in 1953, I must have a word with my Son and see if we can upload it. I enjoy an active retirement including train driver on the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway as well as my other interests, I wouldn’t like to leave this country I would be away from all my toys! As for all this new technology I am still coming to terms with ‘e mail’, as they used to say when I worked in Liverpool, ‘Wonderful the works of a wheel barrow!’
Best wishes to all,
Don Higham
Hi Don,
good to hear from you again. From what you have explained, you are right. You must have been in the Year ahead of me. Alan Smith, is my cousin and Vivienne is his sister, both living in Greasby. As I mentioned Beryl was our cousin, I say was, ‘cos I’ve had no contact for over fifty years ! I believe that she moved to America or Canada. It certainly brought back memories upon reading your description of Woodwork / Metal work, (in the prefabs) and also Art. I was seriously caned by that fat ‘bufoon’, who actually broke his cane across my hand. For such a minor matter ! Wouldn’t happen today. Art was a subject I really enjoyed, but there must have been just ‘a moments lack of concentration’. In 1960 I joined Liverpool City Police, completed my thirty years and then went on to further like positions in the private sector. I never, ever, had any contact whatsoever with any former class mates, that of course may have been due to having to relocate to Liverpool City from West Kirby. I look forward to hearing further from you.
Best regards., Brian.