Balshaw's Grammar School

[TerryJ]

I have to own up to that Dedrah ! Were you there when we were in Room 5A or 5C ( can't remember which ) when Keith Groom was dismantling the spindle leg chairs and reassembling them round the girders in the roof ? He was up to his 6th or 7th chair when I think it was Miss Rahill walked in and said 'Groom , WHAT are you doing ?' Keith as quick as a flash said ' Taking these chairs down Miss '

[TerryJ]

Yes coffee sounds the safest bet Caroline ! At the time Margaret was more concerned about her kitchen - she had been boiling a tinned syrup sponge on the hob and it had exploded and redecorated the kitchen ceiling !

[Caroline]

That must've built up some pressure.. well dangerous! aren't you supposed to pierce the tin first?
Didn't M. marry the optician's son?

[TerryJ]

If she did she should have been able to read the label on the can !

[noel]

A clear case of should have gone to Specsavers there Terry. Your wife was actually very fortunate. Boiling jam splattered all over your face isn't a good way of getting rid of wrinkles.
I should know you as I was a year below at Balshaws, I knew Keith Groom and Charlie Crabtree, and Dedrah of course though really knew her as we were near neighbours in Farington. Didn't know Caroline though I'm sure I must have seen her and you as I plodded from class to class along the corridors, or at break times.

[TerryJ]

Ah - not my wife Noel - a mutual friend of Caroline and I.
Probably know each other by sight or would have then at least . I was in the same form as Charlie Crabtree, and Dedrah.
On the 1959 school photo I am on the next to the back row 6 to the right of Charlie Crabtree . There are Keith Groom , Vic Lavender, Brian Curren 2 more who I should know and then me or at least I think it's me !

[noel]

Is that you midway between Daddy Bull and Benny but 4 rows higher up?

[TerryJ]

Might be wrong there , not sure that is Charlie , may be a lad called Lynch !
Anyway straight up from the head , next to the back row . Mick Oliver is just to the right wearing glasses.
I am 8 along to the right of Mick.

[TerryJ]

Not certain but I think the ones 4 rows up behind Benny and Bull could be Bert Unsworth on the left and John Burrell on the right ( am I right John ? )- I am 11 to the right of John - dark hair

[noel]

If I've gone the right way, ie right as I look at the photo, 4 rows above Miss Bromley ( Ma Brom), and next but one to my pal of that time John Cooper.
I'm on the opposite end of that row, between Bill Elliot and Barry Chilten, if you remember/knew them, come to the end of the teachers' row, the 3rd 6th former along, really tall one whose name I should know, was he head boy? Anyway I'm right above looking meek and innocent tie hidden by a pullover.