Marked by a minutes silence at the

commencement of our Annual Din-

ner, the passing of our immediate

past Chairman, Arthur Rushton and

former member of Staff, Roy

(Wogga) Williams was a sad point

to start the proceedings. However,

the sombre note was soon lifted by

our President, Peter Bennett who

presented the portraits that the As-

sociation arranged to be completed,

to Stan Orton and Arthur’s son

Gordon. The portraits, by Old

Rockferrian Mike Whitehead are

reproduced on this page.

In addition, the proposal that Glyn

Roberts be made a Life Vice Presi-

dent of the Association was well

received and had the full support of

the membership.

Another happy note was the 80th

Birthday of Ernie Heaps on the day

of the Dinner and the good wishes

of all those attending were extended

to this stalwart of the Old Rockfer-

rians Association.

A detailed report on the AGM is

contained in this publication, but it

was very pleasant to see that

George Ainslie was again present

from the sunny climes of

California.

Thanks also to Keith Barker

for organising a table of his

compatriots circa 56-63 In

addition, It was also noted

that four sets of brothers. The

brothers Hanson, Roberts,

Owen & Benson were pre-

sent at the Dinner.

We hope that with the atten-

dance of the Hurton & the

Brockhurst brothers next year

the number will rise to at

least six.

The Arthur Rushton Prize for

Sporting Excellence was won

by Paul Dulson and the

Stanley Orton Prize for Musi-

cal Excellence was awarded

to Jamie Mottram.

Sadly Missed at 2003 Annual Dinner

Annual Service of Remembrance at Rock Ferry High School, 10.30am on Sunday, 9 November 2003

Subscriptions. The annual

subscription of £5 helps to

meet the costs of running of

the Association and all

members of the ORA are

asked to ensure that their

subs are paid.

Photos. If any member has

photos from their schooldays

or of ORA functions, the offi-

cers would be very interested

in obtaining copies for use on

oldrockferrians.com Web site.

We are keen to progress the

use of electronic mail. Mem-

bers would assist by advising

their email addresses to The

Secretary whose email address

graham@lowtherg.fsnet.com

THE NEW ANCHOR

O L D RO C K F E R R I A N S A S S O C I AT I O N

Volume 1, Issue 2

October 2003

Roll Call & Apologies 2

Minutes of AGM 2003 3,4,5

Obituaries/Class of 44 Reunion

6

From the Archives—R Tully-Turner

7

Byrne Avenue Baths/School Fire/Overseas Visitors

8

Photos of Annual Dinner 2003

9

Inside this issue:

Arthur Rushton

Stan Orton

Co-edited by George Benson

and Graham Lowther.

ANNUAL DINNER 2004

Please make a note in your diary

that the date of next years dinner

has been arranged as Saturday 17

April 2004 at the normal venue of

Prenton Golf Club.

As a consequence of the fire in the Main Building, the Annual Service of Remembrance will be held in Ravenswood at

the School on Sunday 9 November 2003. Reverend Cecil Mann (40-48) and former member of Staff (64-70) has agreed

to take the Service. All are welcome to join in this very simple act of remembrance to honour those former pupils of the

school who gave their lives in Second World War (1939-1945) in the service of their country.

OLD ROCKFERRIANS ASSOCIATION Annual Reunion Dinner

12 April 2003

ROLL CALL

Abbott KN 48-54

Acres JN 38-44

Ainslie G 48-54

Allen S 82-86

Ayre JS 46-51

Ball BJ 44-50

Barker K 56-61

Bennett PT Head

Benson FS 46-51

Benson GH 56-61

Bintley AW 45-53

Burgess FP 50-56

Carter AJ-ex Staff

Charlesworth

Jones S 59-64

Cook H 36-41

Crossley S 89-94

Davies E 38-43

Davis JP 53-60

Davis WV 44-49

Dixon GW Original

Duncan AH 43-49

Fearnett A 39-46

Fore H 33-41

Gardner B 56-63

Gavin H 38-43

Green AB 44-51

Griffiths D 45-49

Hanson DW 43-49

Hanson P 39-47

Hardman I 75-80

Harrison GE 37-43

Harrison RC 42-48

Harrison S 74-78

Hassall J-former Head

Heaps E 33-39

Hinds LW 42-47

Holgrave B 56-63

Ince J 43-47

Ivers R 73-78

Jenkins E ex staff

Jones AJ 58-63

Lacey JI 41-46

Leadsome R 40-45

Lowther G 58-63

Mahoney D 60-66

Marshall AW 33-36

Mathieson GJ 58-64

McEwan N 73-78

McNelis J 56-63

Murray A 48-54

Nall P 39-45

Orton SJ 39-47

Owen DC Guest

Owen NB 41-46

Patterson WG 48-53

Pearson J 42-50

Peel DJ 37-44

Percival J 56-61

Porter GR 30-37

Pringle R 38-44

Roberts G 43-51

Roberts JD 53-61

Roberts S 57-65

Rogers RE 58-64

Rushton IL 41-50

Rushton AJG 56-58

Salter D 73-78

Spence M 73-78

Stewart A 56-63

Taylor J ex Staff

Thelwell Alan 33-38

Thelwell Arthur 36-40

Tilley RN 56-63

Ttofa L 58-64

Underhill AT 47-52

Walker MJR 43-48

Wallace W 59-64

Wallis AL 39-47

Whitby DG 46-54

Whitehead M 53-60

Wildman A 42-49

Wilkinson J 52-59

Williams WJ 31-37

Wilmott WJ 40-45

Wormald D 43-48

Wynn D 43-48

Whyte RJ 42-47

Young BD 51-60

APOLOGIES

Atkinson W 58-65

Audas R 33-38

Austin EG 28-33

Banks G 66-71

Beard B 57-63

Beardsmore J 58-63

Bentley R 44-49

Bourne NR 42-47

Butcher R 59-64

Cairns PL 29-37

Chatten RG 39-45

Cook R 57-61

Dagnall KR 45-50

Davies RM 25-31

Dawson RS 58-65

Eaton-Hall JH 30-36

Eden RV 36-41

Elmer RC Former Head

Evans DA 31-36

Everett LH Original

Exley RC 43-49

FairhurstP 44-50

Fraser JD 31-37

Fraser WB 28-36

Furness GS 34-41

Gardner BH 61-68

Greenly AD 44-49

Griffiths WAD 51-59

Hall LC 43-49

Hardy CH 48-53

Harris CW 43-50

Haynes HH 35-40

Hersey S -ex Staff

Highfield CE 38-43

Hill T 59-64

Hinchliffe EB 40-45

Hinds LW 42-47

Holford JF 31-37

Houldin ARC

Hurton B 41-50

Hyland R 50-56

Jacobs ME 44-51

Jones B 59-66

Jones CW 36-42

Jones GL 31-36

Lester TP 36-41

LeylandKR 36-40

McPhie D 39-44

McDonough RW 58-64

Madders A 58-65

Mann Rev CP ex Staff

Mathews PW 31-37

Moore RB 32-37

Murray T 48-56

Nickson WR 31-37

Oakden J 59-64

Parry A 74-79

Pickstone TL 31-37

Poole DJ 51-59

Purcell P 44-51

Reece T 33-38

Rhodes GB 31-39

Rogers B 37-44

Sandman J 37-43

Slack WL 39-44

Smith EC 37-43

Smith W Honorary

Southall A 58-63

Sumner RHP 39-45

Sweeney HW 39-44

Tait J ex Staff

Thomas BD 66-73

Thomas JB 39-44

Upton C 38-43

Westmore N 35-41

Old Rockferrians Association REPORT OF

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND ANNUAL DINNER HELD ON SATURDAY, 12 APRIL 2003

AT ThE PRENTON GOLF CLUB - HOUSE PRESENT: The Chairman George Benson, Secretary/Treasurer Graham Lowther, The President Peter Bennett, Headteacher along with 56 other members and Guests as shown on the attached Roll Call. The guests for the evening were former Mem-bers of Staff, John Hassal, Headteacher (92-00), Elwyn Jenkins, deputy Head (53-89), Jack Taylor, deputy Head (48-80) and Tony Carter, Head of Modem Languages (52-86). A minutes silence was observed in memory of Arthur Rushton and Roy N Williams. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE As shown on the attached list with the following interesting comments: Of the originals. Stan Orton reported Ron Baron sounds hail and hearty although he says he doesn’t get out very much. Although for years the dance band leader at Hulme Hall he is a most unsociable chap!. Lester Everett — although well enough his wife was house bound and he could not leave her for any length of time ( Note: Unfortunately she died on the 8th June 2003). Sir Cyril Phillips — I spoke to his wife. It appears that he is rapidly going downhill and spends most of the day in bed. Bill Davies — still very bright but his feet are very bad and he cannot walk far so is more or less confined to the nursing home in Woolton. His concentration has gone and he is no longer able to do his water colours. George Crofts — no change. Confined to a nursing home in Hoylake and he is complaining that he finds it difficult to remember what day it is! (Since then he has had another strike and has been moved into a nursing home in West Kirby which is in the next road in which his wife lives). Couldn’t contact Bryce Foster. Of the Others John Poole (51-59) unfortunately has to work tonight. Dr W.A.D Griffiths — a great supporter of the Dinner but family matters preclude him attending this year but hopes to see us all next year. Tex Murray (48-56) and Hank Hardy (48-53) send best wishes from Australia. Donald Evans (31-36) writes from his home in Cwmbran where unfortu-nately his wife is not too well. Charles Upton (38-43) apologies but thanks for the super website. Dave Cullen (58-63) advises me again that he would love to come to the Dinner but he just does not like getting drunk in public! Brian Fraser (28-36) Unfortunately not fit enough to make the trip from Bristol and will miss the annual trip to the Wirral. Alan Southall (58-63) has been working away in Germany. Ian Reece (33-38) Unable to make the Dinner but hopes to see us at the Remembrance Service. George Furness (34-41) writes from Peterborough, unfortunately his wife is ill but sends regards to all members of his years. Bryan Moore (32-37) from the Fylde Coast sends his best wishes to all who remember him (Note: Bryan has sent a full and interesting CV of his career after school which will be uploaded to the web site). Jim Thomas (39-44) apologises and sends best wishes to all —“ Keep the Lion Roaring “.Gareth Thomas , MP (66-73) apologises and advises that advises that he was recently appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Ray Andas (33-38) is sorry to miss the Dinner again but is on a Cruise. George L.Jones (31-37) apologises and sends photos of Bantams XV (1933) and First XV (1937). Don McPhle ( 39-44) wrote from Solihull — apologises but says how delighted he was to meet so many old friends at the Class of 44 meeting in 2002. Penry Jones (33-40) apologises saying that he would delight in the Dinner but from lona travel is complicated. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on the 27th April 2002, a copy of which was forwarded to all Members with the U New Anchor” dated October 2002 in the form of a report were taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a true record. There were no matters arising from the minutes. The Secretary’s Report which was forwarded to all members on 1 0th February 2003 with the notice of this meeting was noted. The Treasurer’s Report and Statement of Accounts, which were also forwarded to Members on 10th February 2003 with the notice of the meeting and approved. Election Of Officers President Peter T Bennett, Headteacher Chairman George Benson (56-61) Joint Hon Secretary

And Treasurer Graham Lowther (58-63) With no other nominations received ,the above were

duly re-elected.

Proposal : submitted by Peter Burgess (50-56) and seconded by Peter NaIl (39-45) that Glyn Roberts (43-51) be made Life Vice President of the Old Rockferrians Association was unanimously acclaimed and agreed by the Members. Glyn thanked the proposer and seconder and confirmed how delighted he was to accept the honour and hoped that the Asso-ciation would go from strength to strength. The commissioned portraits of Stan Orton and the late Arthur Rushton were presented to Stan and Arthur’s son , Gordon, respectively. The artist, Mike Whitehead (53-60) was present to witness the admiration which greeted the un-veiling of the portraits. Both Stan and Gordon graciously thanked the members of the Association. There being no other business the AGM was closed at 7.35 pm. ANNUAL DINNER The Chairman George Benson pronounced Grace. An excellent meal was provided by S & V Caterers, which for the record comprised: Cream of Vegetable Soup, Roast Topside of Beef, Yorkshire Pudding and Horseradish Sauce, Roast and Parsley Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, Fresh Cream Sherry Trifle, Cheese and Biscuits followed by Coffee and Mints.

Toasts Following the toast to the Queen, the Chairman called upon the members and guests to drink a hearty toast to ‘the Originals’ and in particular George Dixon who was once again present at the Dinner. 1 THE SCHOOL Proposed by Graham Lowther, Hon Sec/Treasurer — Reported” verbatim” “Before I propose the toast to the School, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your encouragement and support during my first twelve months in the job — particularly Stan Orton who left the records of the Association in tip top order, and has been a constant source of advice. People have asked me on many occasions why did I ever volunteer for this job. The answer is simple :-

The fondness I feel for Rock Ferry High School, and the people I came into contact with, masters and fellow pupils during the forma-tive years of my life. This, coupled with the belief that the Association is the ideal vehicle to meet and renew acquaintance with many people who share a pride in having attended an excellent school. That shared pride has been brought home to me many times in the past 12 months and none more so than when I received an e mail from Dr.Ralph Parsons, who for those of you who don’t know, lived at the end of Ravenswood Avenue, was a prefect and was a God to us first formers in 1958. He lives in Western Australia now and we send the newsletters to him and many others who live abroad. The e mail read :- Dear Graham, Thank you for being so kind as to keep me up to date with the school and the Old Rocks. There isn’t an occasion that I read your excellent reports without a lump in my throat. What lovely days to remember — Ralph Parsons (53-59) Gentlemen, please be upstanding and drink a hearty toast to - - - The School U

REPLY BY HEADTEACHER AND ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT. OLD ROCKFERRIANS - Peter T Bennett reoorted “verbatim” “The school year 2003-2003 will probably be remembered in school as ‘The Year of the Fire’. For us as Old Rockferrians, it will be the year when our friend, Arthur Rushton , passed away. On the Sunday after Christmas, about 8.30 in the evening, I received a telephone call from the security services which told me, quite simply, that Rock Ferry High School was on fire. It is at times like this when true leaders show their mettle; I went to pieces and had to be driven into school by my son. Over the next day or two, I did receive a number of telephone calls from Old Rockferrians anxious to know how much damage had been caused by the fire. Although when I arrived at school on that Sunday, there was quite a collection of fire engines and police ve-hicles, in the event, I can report that only I double-mobile classroom was destroyed; but part of our new building housing our new Drama Studio did suffer scorch damage. In spite of the fire, there have been real achievements during the course of the year. Last week, we were visited by an HMI, who wished to spend time with our Drama Dept. in order to include them as an example of excellent practice in a forthcoming publication. In June of last year, we held our first Prizegiving in recent times for pupils who are still members of the school. It was intended to re-cord their achievements and to encourage them to make greater efforts. The guest of Honour was John Barnes, who spoke about education with eloquence, passion and conviction and was a real inspiration. In November, we held out traditional Prize giving and presented exam certificates. At this event, we presented for the first time, ‘The Arthur Rushton Prize for Excellence in Sport ‘to Paul Dulson and ‘The Stan Orton Prize for Excellence in Music’ to Jamie Mottram. It was a pleasure to be able to attend but I know that he took great pride in having this prize given in his name — U tickled pink “, he told me’ I know that Old Rockferrians always take interest in the sporting achievements of our pupils, and there are many. This season, we have distinguished ourselves, particularly in football and rugby:

FOOTBALL (BOYS)

YEAR 7: Wirral Cup Semi-Finals.

YEAR 8: Merseyside Cup Champions, National Cup Quarter-Finals & Wirral Cup Semi-Finals.

YEAR 9: Wirral Cup Champions, Merseyside Cup Finals.

YEAR 10: Cheshire Cup Finals, Wirral Cup Semi-Finals & Merseyside Cup Quarter-Finalists.

YEAR 11: Wirral Cup Quarter-Finalists.

RUGBY (BOYSJ

YEAR 9: Wirral Championships Finalists.

YEAR 10: Wirral Championships Finalists.

As you know, tomorrow there is a short ceremony at School at 12.00noon to honour Arthur and to distribute his ashes. I hope to be able to wel-

come as many of you as possible to the School.

2 Toast to OLD ROCKFERRIANS ASSOCIATION—Proposed by John Hassall, Former Headteacher (92-00)

John asked the Members and Guests to be upstanding and drink a toast to the Association.

REPLY BY THE ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN — George Benson (56-61)

The Chairman thanked John Hassall for his toast to (he Association. He then commented that although both he and Graham had enjoyed their first year in office, they were both still learning the different aspects of the job. He was delighted with the reaction to Issue I of the New Anchor and promised to try and improve the publication each year. The Re-membrance Service was attended by over 40 people and George thanked the President for the School’s hospitality. The Associa-tion’s web site was now up and running — “www.oldrockferrians.com”, and any feedback would be welcomed. Also any photos, arti-cles or documents etc, that can be scanned and returned to the owner. The Chairman thanked Graham for all his hard work, not only in organising the Dinner but his contribution in time and effort to the production and distribution of the New Anchor. He is the organiser and ‘ power behind the throne’. Finally George pointed out that he was conscious that the Reunion Dinner is a time to renew old friendships and update each other on news, so the time that the Officers had been on their feet had been kept to he minimum. However before closing he asked that all members encourage new and younger members to join the Association as without them the Old Rockferrians Association would eventually cease. 3 Toast to OUR GUESTS Proposed by Michael Whitehead (53-60) — Painter of the commissioned portraits

“Dissection of rats preserved in formalin was an activity I remember well: cutting through a tiny rib cage with a pair of tiny scissors. It took place in the two periods prior to lunch on a Tuesday. The lunch which followed at Stoneleigh on a Tuesday was always’ meat and two veg ‘— no doubt augmented with tiny slivers of aluminium. The meat, which purported to be being beef was the same humour-less grey as the rat intestine. The beef too, looked like it had been preserved in formalin and then sliced by a laser beam. I didn’t discard the knife and fork for a pair of scissors; I just didn’t eat lunch on a Tuesday — not even the two veg. Elwyn, always the gentleman, took much interest in the development of his pupils — and not just in his own subject of Biology. I re-member him taking some photos of a collection of paintings I had done. One of them was a full length canvas of Adolph Hitler. My mother turfed the painting out of the house and was all for having me psychoanalysed. When we started Latin, it was rumoured that we were to be taught the language by a product of Unilever. Remember it — eh! At the far end of the upper gallery in Ravenswood, all lined up in a neat’ dedension’, helmets lowered, pens poised at the ready. They said the pen was mightier than the sword. It was certainly easier to write with. Latin lessons were delivered in a sort of football leaguer format. The row of desks to the left of the room was the first division where the Superstars : the Manchester United’s, Arsenal’s and the Chelsea’s of latin learning battled for top places. Who ho —just witness that ! Wolverhampton Wanders has just sorted out his ablatives from his datives and has punched his way to the front. I was ‘Accrington Stanley’ and I was at the back right side of the room. I sat directly behind Burton Albion, a fat lad who sat next to Bangor City, a lad who cared little for’ Cicero’s Tusculan disputations’. It took me a whole month to displace Burton Albion. Not so many years after relinquishing my undistinguished career at school, I acquired an edited volume of the’ I8~” Historian, Edward Gibbon, the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire’. It confirmed all that I had suspected. I can always remember Tony Carter, cutting a swathe through the massed cyclists along Ravenswood Avenue approaches, mounted majestically on his Lambretta, sporting a beret on his head and a string of onions over his shoulder. He must have been a very good Teacher to get me and others like me, through ’O’level French. I know he recovered from the ordeal because many, many years later, I was down at the off licence in Broadway purchasing a bottle of healthy mineral spa water with additives, and suddenly there was a tap on my shoulder — not for the spa water — it was Tony, who I am glad to say, became a good friend and neighbour and who introduced me to the Old Rocks Association. Of Ray Elmer and John Hassal, I have no recollection, nor will they have any recollection of me: they can count themselves fortu-nate. We are all aware of the great contributions they have made over the years — to the development of the school, in their positions of Headmaster. I now ask you all to rise and join me in a toast to our dear and dedicated guests REPLY BY MR A J CARTER - FORMER HEAD OF MODERN LANGUAGES (52-86) In his opening comments, Tony amused us by describing his efforts to impart a little French culture into the lives of us “Wackers”. His efforts to come to terms with the linguistic style of the indigenous population of Merseyside also provided great entertainment. He also described fond memories of his older colleagues who were at the School when he joined the Staff in 1952. He then continued :- “To give the original staff their due they stayed the course, not like many in the 50’s and 60’s who were in and out like rabbits from a hole in their pursuit of experience and promotion. 1952 was not a bad time to start — 300 boys and 20 plus staff meant everyone knew everybody and apart from a small element, pupils were on the whole pleasant to deal with. So long as we were a small grammar school, our results in public exams were as good as any in the other state schools in the town. When it came to competitive sport, we were handicapped by our small numbers when playing against schools with 1000 pupils. One year, Mr Nicholls weighed and measured a visiting team who were all overweight and too tall for Bantams. One of my scrum halves had only one ploy — he went under the opposition! 1958 saw the addition of the workshops and additions to “ Q”, offering a wider range of opportunities. From that time on especially under Mr Reynolds and Mr Elmer, we were the only state school in the Borough to send pupils to Oxford and Cambridge, with eventually a girl going to Cambridge to study engineering. 1971 saw the introduction of the Comprehensive school, with more buildings, including language laboratories and a complete lan-guages suite. The language labs gave the individual pupil an opportunity to speak pure French in a private situation. So private, in fact, that one boy who stuttered in English, had no trace of the stutter in the lab. How I wished I could bring him out of there still speaking naturally! One final thought — Elwyn Jenkins, J E Taylor, A J Carter and the late R N Williams between them gave about 150 years of service to Rock Ferry High Schoo!”

OBITUARIES

It is with great regret and sadness that we have to report of the following deaths of Old Rockferrians :-

Alan S Dodd (40-46) - Died 01/05103

Alan Powell (26-31) - Died 21/12/02. Aged 87

Frank Morrell (42-47) - Died 19/04/03. Funeral service was at St Johns, New Ferry.

T P (Tony) Shell (26-31) - Died 24/03/03

W J Steen (39-45) - Died 14109/03

K R (Ken) Gladdish(39-46) - Died 26/07/03

Roy P Williams (61-68) - Died 24107/03. Roy attended the Dinner in 2001 and will be remembered by many as’

Ernie’s lad ‘ He was the son of Ernie Williams who was Head of Physics (55-74)

David John Peel (37-44) - Died 01/07103. Attended virtually every Reunion Dinner held since 1974.

The following affectionate Tribute has been written by Peter H NaIl (39-45) :-

A.N Other O.R Anchor ( David John Peel) David Peel first captured the School’s rapturous attention in September 1939, when evacuated to Portmadoc. One afternoon the supervised beach activities at Borth-Y-Gest were enlivened by the appearance of an oar-less rowing boat rushing seaward on the off-tide crewed by David and five of his cronies, egged — on by useless suggestions from their beach bound fellow pupils, and the bel-lowed dire threats of several irate staff. This encouraged his life — long passion for small boats and the maritime obstacle courses in which he subsequently lived, where oars were near at hand, frequently in the bathroom or bedroom, and gardening in-volved turning over the canoes and dinghies and replacing the masts. The next notable maritime incident occurred in the early 70’s when taking part in a race from the Mersey was caught by a strong flood tide, and adverse wind and forced to moor tightly to a near-by landing stage. Naturally, he retired with his crew to the cabin for a couple of nightcaps and forty winks but the boat did not rise with the tide, became water — logged and they had to scramble onto the jetty. Early next morning his old school chum Insurance Broker was rudely awakened by Dave’s measured tones enquiringif his pol-icy would cover the £150,000 M.D.H.B charge for a heavy lift ship to remove this danger to navigation. Fortunately, an intrepid diver ( perhaps Stan Orton’s Dad ) managed to avert this major disaster. Dave’s final home was well chosen within easy “walking” distance of Tranmere Sailing Club where he was long-term Treasurer who made a point of spending every Wednesday evening in the bar “in case anyone had any questions”. Also to meet his sailing circle, including the owner of an ocean going yacht who invited Dave to crew it back across the Atlantic just a few years ago. His typically Pithy~ comment on return was “ultimate boredom as the Skipper would not allow alcohol at sea, the Mer-

sey’s much livelier”. In his younger days Dave was a doughty and reliable (i.e turned up regularly) blind side wing forward, finishing his career in the mid-50’s in the” thirds” which trained in the Pub and played its home games at Arrowe Park’s furthest

and lowest bottom corner where Arrowebrook Road swings right for Greasby. He invariably arrived at the “Pavilion” (one cracked wash basin with a trickling cold water tap ) on his EX-WD motorbike in his EX-W.D Khaki Dispatch Rider’s jacket and black beret and

goggles with the nucre missing from one side, so he had to drive with that eye closed. Also invariably, he forgot to leave his one false

front tooth in the Pavilion so it was always buried, according to custom under the middle touch flag next to the road. One drenchingly wet and cold November Saturday, at the end of the game, a Crosvile Bus Driver and his bemused passengers watched thirty players and the referee on hands and knees scrabbling in the glutinous, methane-polluted mud around the touch-flag, which had earlier been replaced after someone was tackled into touch. He had now reached the age where all men, even the most intelligent, must succumb and his intended extracted a promise from the 3’~’ team captain/best man to be, that David would not be picked (a euphemism, as there were never more than 15 to choose from) for the month before the nuptials, but needs must and one fateful Saturday with Dave along to run touch ( and for the post-match beer) and the team one short, the inevitable occurred. Yes, he did break his leg and to crown it this industrial chemist, amateur brewer, vintner and distiller had stacked some bubbling demi-johns on top of the wardrobe in the newly wed’s flat, where they were spending their first night and guess what ? Yes, one of them exploded at 3 am, drenching the blissful couple and, possibly cooling their ardour. There are many other happy memories of David such as school holidays in the mid-war years cycling to the Lake Dis-trict to walk the hills with no signposts due to the earlier threat of invasion, and the presence of P.O.W camps. The hills were

empty of people but the Hostels were always near friendly pubs where an impromptu pianist, like Dave, was always welcome and well rewarded in kind. Around the same period, this talented musician transformed the sober setting of the Prenton Congregational

Church Hall into Bourbon Street, New Orleans, with his spirited trad jazz renderings culminating in The St James’ Infirmary Blues,

to the delight of the Sunday Evening Youth club crowded round the ancient piano. All of us who knew him enjoyed this apparently solemn, faintly ecclesiastical but deeply humorous, knuckle cracking character with the disappearing front tooth. He had the anchor, as in the School’s Badge and given the crozier he could well have doubled as a Bishop. A pity they have broken the mould. Class of 44

Of those pupils in form 5A of Rock Ferry High School for Boys who sat for the School Certificate in 1944 — together with others of the same year — 17 of them gathered at the Coach and Horses, Greasby. for a re-union on the 6th October, 2003. Although most lived fairly locally others came from Glasgow, Solihull, Okehampton in Devon and from Bradford. Nine others sent apologies for their absence. It was a very convivial evening marred only by the recent deaths of two former classmates. The first re-union was held in 1989 and since I 996 it has been an annual event. All agreed that a special effort be made for 2004 which will be a real landmark in the friendships and associations that were

made at School being the 60” anniversary of that fateful year. Stan Orton — 14” October 2003

RAYMOND TULLY-TURNER — SENIOR VICTOR LUDORUM 1936 Whilst searching through the Archives I came across a program for the R.F.H.S Sports Day on the 16th May 1936 which had been sent to me by George L Jones (1930 — 36). George himself did extremely well that year by win-ning the Open Steeplechase and the Open “Throwing the Cricket Ball “ events which had been decided prior to Sports Day. On the day itself he was 3~ in the Open 100 yards and the Open 100 Yards Hurdles, and 2’~ in the Open 220 yards. However my attention was captured by the achievements of the boy who was awarded the Senior Victor Ludorum on the day. Raymond Tully — Turner had won the previously decided Open One Mile, the Open Long Jump and was 3rd in the Open Steeplechase. On Sports Day he won the Open 100 yards, the Open 220 yards, the Open 440 yards and was 2’ in the Open 100 yards Hurdles. I thought that it would be of interest to members of the Association and particularly to his contemporaries if I could discover what became of this” paragon of youth” after he left Rock Ferry High School. From Stan Orton’s records I found that Raymond had purchased a copy of” With Oars and Sails” a few years ago, and following my writing to him at his home in Bowdon, Cheshire, we spoke on the telephone shortly afterwards. He kindly agreed to provide me with a history of his life after R.F.H.S and it certainly makes interesting reading! Upon leaving School he intended to pursue a career as a lawyer after attending University. However due to his father’s illness he had to leave School and change his career objective. Through the good offices of the Head-master, Mr.RJ Griffiths, he obtained an appointment with Lever Brothers as a Student Apprentice Industrial Chem-ist. The practical work was sandwiched between formal courses in Chemistry at Liverpool Technical College and London University where he obtained the degree of BSc (London). Concurrently with this he studied with the Royal Society of Chemistry, obtaining a Fellowship. Following work with the Ministry of Defence in the field of Armaments Research & Development, Chemical War-fare and Inspection, Raymond became involved in the post-War development and re-development of various in-dustries. He initiated International corporate performance comparisons mainly in the manufacturing industries be-tween UK, US, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, with the aim of helping to raise UK company competitiveness. This led to pioneering work in the development of the Management Consultancy profession in the UK from the 1940’s to the present day. He eventually became Senior Partner and UK Director to Urwick, Orr and Partners Ltd, International Management Consultants, who were the first British firm to practice in this field. With the attainment of many other achievements during his working life he has enjoyed a brilliant career, which must reflect well on the educational grounding he obtained at Rock Ferry High School. Before he left School in 1937, he was Captain of Rugby and then went on to play for a number of local clubs including Liverpool and Rosslyn Park. He gained representative honours for Cheshire, Liverpool & District and Birkenhead & District. Following his performance at the School Sports day in 1936, he went on that year to become the Liverpool & Dis-trict Inter-Schools Sprints Champion. In 1937 he was the Cheshire Sprints Champion and in 1938 won the North-ern Counties A.A.A ( under 21) championship. In the same year he was 3rd in the A.A.A ( under 21) 100 and 200 yards. I would like to thank Raymond for his time and effort in producing this information about his life since leaving the School, of which the above is merely a summary. We do intend to set up a section on the Old Rockferrians web site devoted to the “life-stories” of Old Rockferrians, and would welcome profiles from any Old Rpck who is pre-pared to share his memories with us.

A welcome visitor to these shores during 2003

was John Martin who was in the area in July

with his daughter Annemarie. He met up with

George Benson, John Roberts and John Poole at

the Crown Inn, Conway Street. He and other

Old Rocks also visited Louis Ttofa at his home

in Aughton.

TIME: Thursday, first lesson after lunch,

Summer term only.

PLACE: Byrne Ave Baths.

Thirty + budding Weismullers’ queuing

outside waiting for Wogga to take the

swimming session. Time was of the es-

sence. Laces undone, ties off, ready for a

quick change into the unbelievable collec-

tion of Cossies. All shapes and colours,

from briefs to long shorts and the inevitable

hairy woollen ones which, when filled with

water sent the crotch below the knees.

Wogga ran through his standard lesson

regardless of ability, swimmers in the deep

end, and non-swimmers in the shallow end

spread out along the bath side. His job was

to get everyone swimming and he usually

succeeded. The end of the lesson was fol-

lowed by one mad rush to get dressed,

never mind getting dry, and off to the shops

on Dacre Hill to buy sweets or lolly ices

and devour them along Ravenswood Ave-

nue.

I can recall when we had a problem one

year. The baths session was followed by

double French with Mr Benson or Benny,

(“no relation to our Chairman.” ed) who

made all late arrivals to his class sit on the

floor on a sheet of foolscap for the first half

of the lesson. This often resulted in 30 kids

on the floor, and only those who had been

excused going to the baths on medical

grounds, sitting at desks.

Each year, we had a School Swimming

Gala at Byrne Ave Baths when as many

pupils as possible where encouraged to

enter, to gain House Points. This was one

method of team building and, on the day of

the Gala Finals, everyone had someone to

cheer as we all belonged to a House. A

most popular event was the ‘Pillow Fight’

preliminaries in the gym on the beam, with

the Finals being held at the Baths on a

greasy pole. I was a good swimmer, but

never made the greasy pole.

What happened to those enjoyable days?

Swimming was transferred to Primary

Schools thus no swimming, no Galas and

sadly no greasy pole. What a loss!!!

Whither Byrne Ave Baths? In 1995, Wirral

Borough Council decided to close the Baths

stating that ‘they were too expensive to

maintain and there was always the pool at

the Oval available.’ However, a concerted

effort, led by Birkenhead Swimming Club

and the Community at large formed The

Byrne Ave Recreation Trust (B.A.R.T.)

the Trust run the centre ‘profitably’, provid-

ing a service to 17 Primary Schools and

also meeting the needs of Swimming &

Water polo, Tri-athletes, Canoeists, Sub-

Aqua and Disabled Clubs and an extensive

Teaching programme in the No 1 Pool,

whilst a variety of Dry Sports including

Badminton, 5 ASide are available in the

Sports Hall which was No 2 Pool, but is

now permanently covered.

What of the future? Byrne Ave Baths are

now 70 years old and B.A.R.T. commis-

sioned an imaginative Refurbishment Plan

prepared by Architects, but it would require

Lottery funding with matching support

from the Local Authority, and in these days

of financial constraints I am not too opti-

mistic.

Alan Murray

(President of B.A.R.T.)

(Alan captained England & Great Britain

Water polo Teams and played from 1956 to

1965- Editor)

BYRNE AVENUE

BATHS

Police cordoned off roads surrounding the

building and 80 firefighters, with back-up from

specialist crews, were called to the scene.

The roof of the building collapsed as the blaze,

which started in the chemistry laboratory

swept through ceiling ducts.

However firefighters said chemicals stored in

the classroom were in too small a quantity to

fuel the fire.

A full investigation was being carried out today

but the cause is not believed to be suspicious.

Headteacher Peter Bennett said: "It is a big

shock. I am very, very upset.

"It is extremely lucky that no children were in

the building at the time. The fire crews have

worked incredibly hard to stop the fire spread-

ing and causing more damage.

"What we have to do now is try to get back to

normal as quickly as possible and get on with

the job of educating the children."

Pupils were being handed letters at the school

gate from 8.15am today explaining what was

happening.

All staff were called in to start the clean-up

operation and it is understood that some re-

building will be necessary but the cost of the

damage is not yet known.

Howard Cooper, Wirral Council's director of

education, said: "It is clear that there will be

significant damage to one of the school build-

ings.

"Tomorrow there will be an assessment of the

situation to try and get young people into

school as soon as we possibly can."

Re-printed with the kind permission of the

Liverpool Echo.

BLAZE SWEEPS THROUGH SCHOOL

A MASSIVE clean up operation was

underway today (Wednesday, September

17) after fire swept through a Merseyside

school.

Rock Ferry High in Wirral will be closed

until at least the end of the week and 1200

children are having to stay at home fol-

lowing the blaze which destroyed a two

storey science and administration block.

The fire started just before 5.30pm yester-

day and was spotted by children playing

football on the grounds.

No staff or pupils were in the building at

the time

Flames spurted through the top of the

block, called the Main Building, and

plumes of smoke could even be seen from

the Liverpool side of the River Mersey.

Crowds of pupils and residents gathered

at the end of Ravenswood Avenue to

watch as the fire spread.

Visitors from Overseas

L/right John Martin, Louis Ttofa, Jim Percival,

Annemarie Martin, Barry Davies, John Roberts,

George Benson

8

In sid e S tory Hea d lin e

ANNUAL DINNER 2003

9