Gone, not forgotten

THEIR buildings may have been demolished years ago, but memories linger of two long- gone Southport schools.
Both located in the Blowick/ High Park areas of town, during their existence Norwood Road County Infant and Junior School and All Saints Infant and Junior School offered a start in life to thousands of Sandgrounders.
Few can claim a longer relationship with Norwood Road School than Derek Edwards, who is now 73 and lives on Gladstone Road.
“I must have been a very slow pupil because I joined in 1939 and finally left in 1999 – 60 years at one school,� he joked.

After the demolition of Norwood Road School its playground and garden area were redeveloped as Keats Terrace

In reality, Mr Edwards returned to the school in the 1960s as a parent governor, when his daughters Jennifer and Linda attended there.
He performed the role of honorary auditor until he retired at 65, by which time the school had transferred across the other side of Meols Cop Station to become Norwood Primary School, on Norwood Crescent.

Although they coincided with the Second World War, Mr Edwards’ days as a pupil at Norwood Road bring back many fond recollections.
He said: “The headmaster of the juniors was “Daddy� Rimmer, who was a keen stamp collector and had many exhibitions in the town library.�
Another of Mr Edwards’ anecdotes shows just how much car use has increased since the 1940s.
He recalled: “Outside the school was a Belisha beacon crossing. One day a teacher took us outside to explain how to cross the road.
“I still remember her words, ‘If we wait a few minutes we might see a car!’�.
Mr Edwards, who lived in Haig Avenue as the son of a railway signalman, went on to attend Meols Cop Secondary School and King George V Grammar School, before pursuing a career in factory management and lecturing.
Arthur Nettleton also has generally positive memories of his primary schooling, attending All Saints between 1950 and 1956.
“I enjoyed most of my time at school,� he said.
“Of course there were always a few teachers and pupils you didn’t get on with.�

A music class at All Saints school, probably in 1953. Arthur Nettleton is back row, second right

Arthur then lived in Sidney Road – his father Cyril worked at the then Promenade Hospital – and the school was also attended by children from Churchtown.
Now 62, Arthur has lost touch with many of his old classmates, but identified one – a bus driver named Les Sephton – who he believes still lives locally.

A playground scene from All Saints school, probably taken in 1953 while Arthur Nettleton was a pupil. The old air-raid shelter is visible in the background

Decades after Arthur left, All Saints was knocked down to make way for Poulton Court, and the school merged with nearby All Souls to become Bishop David Shepherd CE Primary on Devonshire Road.

The details of this photograph of All Saints’ class 3a seem to have been lost in time. Please leave your comments below if the faces mean anything to you