A photograph of a class from St. Bedes School, Stockton, dated 1956/57. Photograph courtesy of Terry Gilbert (via Jeff Smith) 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
A photograph of a class from St. Bedes School, Stockton, dated 1956/57. Photograph courtesy of Terry Gilbert (via Jeff Smith)
I was at Bedes 1966-1970. The head master was Jock Kavanah who took over when the brothers left. Mr Edwards tech drawing, Melba was art, Mr Tonkinson craft, Mrs Crogan (can’t remember what she taught). Anyone remember Tom (Lomas) Kennedy, Joe Birch, Bernie Mulgrave the Carrol Bros?
I was there then, or there abouts, and remember those teachers…also Frank Niven (science) and Billy Maclean. I was in the class with Colin Bales, Tony Bailey.
The stories are mostly all about right. I seem to remember that your ‘so called’ friends would tell the woodwork teacher, Mr Phillips, that it was your birthday and you were pulled over the woodwork benches by your mates and Phillips gave you a whack for each year on your backside with a piece of wood!
The lad in the middle-row 3rd from the right was from Thompson Street, round the Gasworks,
Peter French was a well known character from the Portrack area & Kenny Thomas was a Roseworth lad who later worked as a welder at Foster Wheelers, Hartlepool.
Back row L-R; 1.Sid Hope 2.Bob Cowley 3.? Walker 4. Mick Tucker 5.Kenny Thomas 6.George Butler 7.John Machin.
Middle row L-R; 1.Keith Scott 2.? 3.John Redman 4.Mick Corrigan 5.? Pyke 6.Kenny Henry 7.Terry Riddle 8.? 9.Vince Prior 10.Jimmy Birmingham.
Front row L-R; 1.Alan Riley 2.John Nelson 3.Noel Mallaby. 4.? 5.?
6.Bro Pious 7.Peter French 8.? 9.? 10.Kevin Gilbert 11.Davy Ward.
Michael Baker and Davy Marwood were in the same class but I don`t think they are in the
photograph. I think front row No9 is Graham Codd but not 100% sure. Other names that
ring a bell are Peter Marshall, Farthman and Bob Smith, but can`t pick them out on the
photograph. The above names were compiled with the help of J.Nelson, K.Thomas and
M.Corrigan, but if there is anybody out there that can fill in some of the missing names I
would be wholeheartedly grateful.
I certainly remember some of the faces in the photograph and I remember the name Gilbert.
Seem to remember Terry, or the name anyway. The teacher is of course Bro Pious who was someone who was cetain to get the times tables learnt by all his pupils. Still, it certainly learnt me and others in my class. Photo taken in the playground as it was. My brother Ken’s comments about the teachers are correct. Joe Clay was there at the same time as me, as were some of the other guys making comments.
Brian Cod, I remember your brothers well. Used to play football and cricket with them in Bishopton Court, Gramam and Keith were good goalkeepers as I remember. Keith was my brother Ken’s best mate. We lost track of them when they moved from the Court.
Re Mick Turner, your rumours re Mrs Phillips are the same as mine but to mention it in those days was taboo, maybe it didn’t happen at all.
Re Jack Stevenson, although your class was a few years ahead of mine we also gave poor bro Brendan a rough time. The question of Mrs Phillips murder; we often heard rumours that her body was found in a dust bin and that Mr Phillips brother had committed the crime, if this is true or not perhaps someone else can confirm?
What about Bro Alpheus? the headmaster who would give you two if you were not inside those gates when the whistle went at 9. He would also drag you out for 4 if you spoke in that quadrangle if you spoke after that first whistle went….it was all gruesome and cruel.
I recall Mr Farrells cane behind the blackboard, some of the other teachers would send you for it. Mr F taught from the back of the class his fingers deeply nicotined stained. He drove a Morris 8 and always gave mad Corr a lift home.
What about Mrs Murphy the cleaner, could hear her laugh at a thousand paces…I think her cellar was an illegal brew house!
George Phillips would still wack yer backside if you had been off sick…’But Sir I have had a leg amputated and I have a letter’….’bend over boy’! It used to take a full term to make a Seagrass stool which we all had to take and show the headmaster and to prove George was doing his bit. I live near him and always recall neighbours talking about how his first wife was murdered….. anybody elaborate?
My class included Tom Carling, Phil McKenna, Tommy Stones, John Bolton, Richard Clay, Tony Bulmer, Peter Sloan,…the rest I will remember of course as soon as I stop typing this.
Poor Bro Brendan, we made his life a misery!
Anyone out there remember me?
Hi Jack, how could you be forgotten? I hope you are well. I live in Spain now with my wife Jackie Wwatson who lived near you remember? You must be retired now as I have been for 4 yrs. Its great to hear about our class mates pls get in touch I will be visiting the north east in July 2012, maybe we might bump into each other. Take care Peter Sloan.
I spent two years at old Bedes and two years at the new one. I left in 1965. Old Mr Cory used to give us work to do then doze over, he used to throw the blackboard cleaner at anyone who woke him. I remember Mr Maclean telling me to use a comb and not my fingers to scratch my itchy head.
Fourth from the left front row looks like my brother,Peter Marshall. I must check with him……
Yes Bro Pious!! See Kenny Salmon (classmate) answered some questions. Pious took us for maths like Kenny said learn or get a caning. Bro Brendon (Charlie) history, Bro Levinous religion, Headmaster Bro Baptist, Bro Francis sport/Physical torture, Billy McLean music, Cory PG tea English, Phillips woodwork, Frank Nevin science. We had some fill-in art teachers, Maxwell and Nugent of course aagghh how could I forget Bill Bury, later to become a priest God rest his soul. In that class I think, maybe just before us or another, we had A-B and C in our year, Ken and I were in A. I guess we were supposedly the bright ones? I cannot say I remember any of these guys although some look familiar?
I was interested in you saying that a teacher was called Nugent and wondered if he was related I was at St Bedes from 1953-1957 B Stream we had to raise money for the new School at 6d per stamp. Also in our class was Michael Brady, Joseph Mulligan, Albert Casey, Colin Rolland, Brain Stockton, Jimmy Devlin, Brian Hinchcliffe and many more but my memory not so good
JUST READING THE COMMENTS ON THIS PAGE SO MANY MEMORIES I WAS THERE WHEN THE LIKES MR DRISCOLL BILLY MCLEAN MR NEVIN BROTHER LEANDER BROTHER NICK BROTHER PIOUS PUPILS AS FAR AS I CAN REMEMBER PAUL DAVY KEV HASWELL LES STRUMP DON HARDY NORMAN WALKER WHO I THINK HAD A TWIN SISTER AT ST MARYS NEXT TO THE BEDES. SOME OTHER NAMES JUST COME TO MIND ARTHER TEASDALE HAS ANYBODY STILL GOT THE OLD BEDES SCARF IF I REMEMBER IT WAS GREEN AND WHITE?
St Bedes had some good football teams in the fifties & sixties so where are all the photos.
Both Daddy O Farrel, the chain smoker, and Frank Nevin (also a smoker) taught science. Daddy O Farrel however, was the only teacher permitted to smoke during lessons. Daddy O Farrel was presented with a salmon Fishing rod and reel from the staff and the pupils on his retirement as he was intending to moving to Ireland. I beleive he died within twelve months or so of retiring. As for Brother Pious I can say a lovely man with a passion for teaching who certainly helped me. His approach was learn or get wolloped.
Yes it is Bro PIOUS, a very strict teacher. He also taught gardening weather permitting. I remember Mr. Farrel science teacher, Mr Boyle maths and Mr Phillips wood work. I attended 1951-55. Class mates P Stockton, T Brady, S Dividson, T Pearson, S Dolan, T Jones. I also had 3 brothers at the same school, Graham, Peter and Keith, sadly died. Keep the letters coming in nice to hear from school mates.
TO JOE CLAY – PETER CHISHOLM MR FARRELL science MR NEVIN techical drawing MR PHILLIPS wood-work MR CORY english MR McLEAN music B/FRANCIS sport B/PIOUS head great people in my time at school (1950 ISH) IF YOU WENT TO THE SHOPS FOR MR FARRELL FOR HIS CIGS HE WOULD LET YOU KEEP YOURS.
To Joe Clay – I think the teacher you are thinking about was Frank Nevin. He taught science for the most part. He was a very heavy smoker and I understand he died shortly after retirement many years ago. He taught our class Physics and I am sad to say that I let him down by not passing my “O” Level Physics. On going back to the school to collect our certificates I called by his class. In front of the class he was taking at the time, he made me bend over and kicked me up the backside for not trying hard enough and as an example to the others!! I never forget that and it did me good later in life! A pity it doesn”t happen nowadays.
hi JOE CLAY, I believe the science teacher was MR FARREL when I was there.cheers
Me and my brother went to st.bedes, he was called Richard CLAY and 2yrs older than me.I vaguely remember brother PIOUS, My teachers were..brother francis who took football, we won the SALMON CUP at the football stadium under the bridge, at the bottom of bowesfield lane ? can any body tell me the name of the science teacher at that time, he smoked Park Drive.about 40 a day
Hi Joe, I dont know if you remember me, I was in the same class as Richard. The science teacher was Mr O’Farrell. You were right, he did smoke heavy. I remember going for his fags at the shop over the road. I live in Spain now, I hope you and Richard are well. Funny just been thinking about my school days. Take care Peter Sloan
Yes this is Brother Pious. He was still there when I was at the Bede”s 65-69 and taught history and maths I think. I also think he had some input to the football teams along with Brother Nick and Mick Lawler. The brothers were sadly missed. Good to hear you are still alive and kicking Jimmy Franks! We were in the same class. Drop me a line through my email that Picture Stockton can supply if you fancy catching up. Cheers, Pete
I was in the same class as them lads and nearly know all of them and the teacher was mine and definetly is brother pious
Sorry I can”t help with the names of the students.I attended St. Bede”s between the years 1964-1969.The headmaster was Brother Leander.He was replaced,during my time at St.Bede,by Mr.Cavanah, I”m quite sure. The Brother in the picture is definetly Brother Pious.They were all wonderful teachers and mentors.
Not sure, but the boy third from the left in the back row may be my cousin, Denis Maroney.
Can”t help with the names in the photo as it was before my time but the teacher is definitely Brother Pious. I was there 1961 – 1966.
My brother-in-law, Terry Gilbert, asked me to submit this picture. It is of a class from St. Bede”s School, Stockton, dated 1956/57. The only person we know is the boy sitting second from the right on the front row, Kevin Gilbert. The teacher might be Brother Lynas but, again, we are not sure. We”d be interested to know if viewers could add any further information
Hi does anybody remember John Ross from St Bedes round about 55/58. He came from Roseworth.
Thanks.