More Rock Ferry High Memories

• Tags:
• Devonshire Park Primary
• Rock Ferry High
• St Mary's College

Posted by Wirral Newsdesk on March 14, 2008 1:15 PM

READER Ray Hughes wrote in to tell Memories his story about Rock Ferry High School:

"I am writing as an ex-pupil from Rock Ferry High School who decided to return later as a teacher.

"I came to Rock Ferry in 1976 from Devonshire Park Primary School. You joined then at the age of 12 not 11 and the school had a sixth form. It was an all boys school then with a large intake from many different primary schools.

"The September I arrived we had just had that famous summer of 76. One of the hottest on record. Unfortunately it had taken toll on the sports hall roof which had fallen in which was agreat disappointment to myself being a sports lover.

"This was soon rebuilt and I spent many a lunchtime in the 5th and 6th form playing a wide variety of sports with a very keen and enthuastic sporting staff.

"The staff were very caring especially my form tutor in George Snelson, who at the time was Head of Music and a very talented person. He unfortunately has passed away since.

"Girls entered the school for the first time in 1980 . This was just in the Sixth Form where I spent my time studying Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics at A Level.

"Once I had finished my degree and teaching qualification I returned to the Wirral to try to get a teaching post. I was interviewed on two separate days at two Wirral schools, Rock Ferry and St Mary's College.

"Rock Ferry was the first interview and they were also interviewing on the next day where I was also being interviewed at St Mary's.

"After the second interview I was just about to be taken into the Headteacher's office to be offered the job when my mum phoned St Mary's. She told me that I had been offered a job at Rock Ferry and wanted to know what to say. I had no doubts to take the job but this left me in an embarrassing situation at St Mary's.

"I have been at Rock Ferry since then, 1986, and have never looked back with any sort of regret."

DO you have photos or memories from your own school days to share with us? If so contact Memories at lornahughes@wirralnews.co.uk, call 0151 288 7645 or write to Memories, Wirral News Group, 76 Hamilton Street, Birkenhead CH41 5AN.

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New Tranmere Rovers book in 2009

• Tags:
• Gilbert Upton
• Peter Bishop
• Prenton Park
• Steve Wilson
• Tranmere Rovers

Posted by Wirral Newsdesk on March 6, 2008 3:12 PM

HISTORIANS are hard at work on a complete record of Wirral's top football club..

Gilbert Upton, Steve Wilson and Peter Bishop have signed a deal with a publishing company to write a new and comprehensive history of Tranmere Rovers.

"Tranmere Rovers 1884-2009" will, as the title suggests, be published next year - to coincide with the start of the 2009-10 season.

Steve said: "Ten years after 'Tranmere Rovers 1921-1997 - A Complete Record' and we are at it again. I look forward to working with Gilbert Upton and Peter Bishop."

The 500-page hardbook, based on the authors' research over 20 years, will include mini biographies of players, managers, a history of Prenton Park, results and memorable matches.

WHAT do you think should be included in the book? Tell us your memories of Tranmere Rovers by leaving a comment below.

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A Message from South Africa

• Tags:
• Gautby Road Playing Fields
• Trinity Street Primary

Posted by Wirral Newsdesk on March 6, 2008 1:54 PM

A READER from South Africa contacted Memories with this photo, taken at Gautby Road Playing Fields in 1948.

It shows members of Trinity Street Primary School's football team:

A.L (Bert) Beaumont, who has lived in South Africa since 1982, said: "In those days all games were played at Gautby Road and photographs were taken AFTER a game.

"This was taken mid-winter, freezing cold conditions and mud nearly up to your knees. I am back row, first left (the lanky one).

"The team names are: (back row) myself, Curly Hughes, Brian Bell, Alan Middleton, Brian Evans, Albert Hayes.

"(front row) Albert Murphy, Charlie Jones, Arthur Chow, Sammy Dobbins and David Howard.

"If any of the 'lads' are still knocking about and care to get in touch, I'm on jobe@telkomsa.net"

DO you have any Wirral team or school photos to share with Memories? Send them to lornahughes@wirralnews.co.uk and we'll feature as many as we can on the blog or in the Wirral News Memories column.

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Red Rocks in New Brighton

• Tags:
• New Brighton
• Red Rocks

Posted by Wirral Newsdesk on March 6, 2008 1:38 PM

TALK about change in New Brighton usually focuses on the seaside resort's decline in popularity over the years.

But Geoff Clay contacted Memories with these two images, focusing on changes in New Brighton's famous sandstone.

He said: I thought your readers would be interested in the changes that have taken place over the 100 years or so that have passed between these two images."

The first is a postcard from 1905:

While the second is a recent photo taken by Geoff:

Geoff adds: "These are more or less taken from the same angle, one is dated 1905 and the other was taken by myself only last week.

"I think the erosion of the large sandstone in the foreground is stunning.

"The two large houses are still there today, one being "Rockville". They are not clearly visible in the modern shot because of the tree growth, and of course the Tower looms in the background many years before Portland Court was built".

CAN any geologists tell us why the rock appears to have eroded? Leave your comments and New Brighton memories below.

And if you have any Wirral photos to share with Memories e-mail lornahughes@wirralnews.co.uk

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