Trip down memory lane

Alderman Bolton pupils past and present came together to celebrate the schools’ centenary on Wednesday 16 July as part of a week long celebration.

The room was packed and there was a queue out both entrance doors of the school, the excitement of the current pupils built up with the arrival of past pupils spanning back to 1916.

The children performed, the wine was flowing and the conversation reached a crescendo as former pupils viewed old school pictures and recalled stories of years gone by.

A former Mayor of Warrington (1970-71), Harry Whitehead now 85 started his education at Alderman Bolton in 1931 and he remembers what life was like in that era;

“There used to be unemployed men on street corners on my way to school, they came every day hoping to be picked up for work. It was a time of poverty; I do not remember ever having a coat and some children didn’t even have shoes.”

His life has been entwined by another pupil called Harry Watkins who began his education at the school nine years earlier in 1922 at the age of seven, having spent two years at Arpley Street Primary. Harry recalls how the school looked all those years ago;

“The boys’ and girls’ school where separate, there was a house in the middle where the school caretaker, Mr Jackson lived. He was an ex army man and was stricter than any of the teachers. You did not dare to cross him.”

The two Harry’s then went on to Richard Fairclough School on Knutsford Road before joining the army together. They reunite every year for Remembrance Sunday and recount old war stories.

Moving on to 1952 and Brenda Elwell recalls the Headmistress of the time Ms George;

“She was strict, but fair and what I do remember about her was her jingly jangly charm bracelets, you could hear them before you saw her and knew to behave.”

There was a great turn out of ladies from the 1950’s at the reunion and enjoyed catching up with many of their former classmates that they hadn’t seen in years, some since they left the school gates of Alderman Bolton behind.

The oldest pupil in attendance on the night was Alice Fairbrother, who was five in 1916 and will be 97 years young in November. She said;

“We didn’t speak to the boys, well in schools hours any way. What happened outside of school gates is another story”.

The evening was enjoyed by all past and present, all leaving with a smile on their face and brimming with memories and phone numbers of re-acquaintances and promises of keeping in touch.

Lyndsey Glass, head teacher said “The whole event has made us realize how special the school is to its community and how important schools are for the future.”

Note to Editor:

Picture of Harry Whitehead and Harry Waktins, former pupils of Alderman Bolton

Issued by:  Gina Coldrick, Press Officer
Date:   Thursday 24 July, 2008
Release: Immediate