Staff at St. Patrick’s School, Thornaby c1960s

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t15153Probably taken in the early 1960s… These teachers taught in ‘the huts’, the secondary school of St Patricks
I don’t know why Vin Martin isn’t on this one.

Front row from the left; Kath Fllyn, Margaret Ahbrams? Marjorie Kilcoyne (my mum), ? Dalton Headteacher, Chris Laird, ??, ??, ??.
Back row from the left: Art Teacher ? Mick Spain, Woodwork Teacher, Len ?, ??, Frank ? and ??

Photograph and details courtesy of Lesley Wilson.

122 thoughts on “Staff at St. Patrick’s School, Thornaby c1960s”

  1. Kath Flinn. I and my age group met her in Junior 2, junior 4 and Senior 1 and 2. She was hopeless. There were time I thought we were experiencing Ground Hog Day for 4 bloody years. If you didn’t play net ball she didn’t want to know. Unfortunately…….

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    • Kath Flinn took us for swimming practise and organised swimming galas with school in Stockton.
      I couldn’t make one of the galas as I had to go straight home to look after my younger brothers and sister, Kath Flinn had a right go at me and even went so far as saying “How would your Mother like it if I went into her home and damaged the furniture” I was so upset especially as I would have preferred to go swimming but I had a duty to do at home. I’ll never forget that, she was a hard woman.

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        • No Sugar, my sister Carol was in the year above me.
          She did have a friend called Barbara Robson, and Barbara was part of the swimming team.

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          • We both recognise your name Eleanor but cant put a face to it.
            Can you name pupils in your class? Im 67 and my sister is 69years of age now.

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                • Hello monica nee heatley. I am carol Hannah nee brannan. I think your sister Elizabeth was in my class and you have an older sister Theresa that went to the convent? You were all a lovely close family. I am still trying to place sugar Riley as I recognise the name so well,was she in the swimming team ? It really is lovely to be able to reach out to people we know from school etc. Stay safe. Regards carol
                  .

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                    • Hi sugar Riley carol Hannah here I am sorry I don’t know how my post came up in that format,no wonder you can’t read it. Hopefully this one will be better and the other posted to Monica heatley will be posted correctly.

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                    • Hi Carol I think it must b a it problem,anyway the picture was an old one of st Pat’s intermediates ini think 64,65.i recognised micheal dunn and sorry harry Collins, it seems a lifetime ago lol I suppose it was cheers for trying t reply would appreciate any info eleanor ie sugar 🤔

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                • Hi just saw picture of Terry Gibson and micheal dunn in football gear ,does anyone know how they are,its so weird as I havnt seen any of them for at least 50 years cheers for any info on them or anyone else I new

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  2. I actually taught there History but later in +972-73. I was at school with you in St Mary’s Middlesbrough & TASC Leeds. I remember your sisters Fran 6 Paddy too your mother was a lovely woman remember Mr Laird & Mike Spayne
    I am now a Swiss living in Basel & a grandma to 3

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    • I was told that Father Byrne left the priesthood to marry a woman of the parish but I don’t have a name. He was a good looking guy.

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        • Hi Kevin
          My family thought that he left the priesthood to get married. Did he go into social work as a married man?, either way he was a lovely man and wish him well.

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          • I was probably one of the first pupils to start at the new St Patricks Sec Mod school on Baysdale Road.
            Would love to hear from any of my former school pals Margaret Major, Lorreto O’Neill just to name two that comes to mind.
            I live in Cramlington, Northumberland so have lost touch although I do still have a lot of cousins living in Thornaby, Stockton and Billingham.
            I was one of five, Carol oldest sister then myself Susan, Paul, Michael and Ann Brannan.
            We first lived in Grange Road then moved to the Avenue and moved with family to Cramlington when I was around 15years of age in 1968.

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  4. Think this is later than the early 60s. I was at St Patrick’s. Left in, I think, 1964. Mr Dillon changed my life totally and I can never be too grateful to him. In my final year there we moved to the new site and having done very little science, Mr Dillon, then the new science teacher, offered to give us extra lessons at lunch time and after school in preparation for the Northern Counties Examination. After a few weeks, only myself and another pupil, Anthony Kane, were left attending these extra classes. Mr Dillon never missed an extra session the whole year. Anthony and myself passed with identical marks. I moved on to Stockton and Billingham Technical College where I passed O and A levels before getting a BSc at Lancaster University and a PhD following research at Miami and Leeds universities. Thank you Mr Dillon. I often wonder what happened to Anthony with whom I lost touch.
    As I recall, Miss Finn, who taught me English, was lovely as was Dan the woodwork and technical drawing teacher. Most of the others seemed to rather look down on us as failures.

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    • Hello chris you might not remember me my name is John Frank I was in the same class as you and Anthony Kane, we left school in the summer of 1965, So glad you did well and I hope you are keeping well regards John

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      • Hi John, nice to have some one respond. I’d be glad to hear how you got on post St Patrick’s. My recollections are of an incredible number of pray sessions and an obsession with attending Sunday mass to avoid mortal sin! So much time wasted and such a poor education given to so many.
        You may be surprised to hear I became quite sporty and represented college and university at basketball. Unfortunately, I still support the Boro but do have a Man City season card.
        Take care, Chris

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  5. Hi Lesley
    It was lovely to see photo of some of my teachers was certainly a blast from the past. We lived in The Avenue and my dad (Mick Brannan) used to clean your windows in Barker Road. Your Mam used to teach French and English until Mr Dalton deemed French to be of no use to us kids and this stopped. I loved French and your Mam was a great teacher.

    Sue Anderson
    👍🏼

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      • I am Carol Hannah nee Brannan.I went to all 3 St. Patrick’s schools from primary through to leaving aged 15 years to new senior school 1966. Mr Gunn taught Geography second from right top row of picture futher along was tall good looking Mr Duffy took boys for sports. I couldn’t see Mr Dillion that took us for science.

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          • Hello Robert Dover, I think you may have left school before we moved up to New one Baysdale. Mr Gunn was just Geography teacher then I believe and seemed to get really stressed out. He not only used the cane, ,threw board rubber at pupils and on one occasion became so frustrated burst into tears and left the room. I am sure the poor man was either in the wrong profession or perhaps suffering mental health problems.

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            • Hello Carol. The last time I saw Ben Gunn I was working at ICI Billingham and he was on the same bus. He never said a word but he knew who I was. The other time we went in the Cambridge Pub at Acklam and he was sitting at the bar. I think I left in 61. I am 73 ow and was 15 when I left

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        • hello carol, you won’t remember me,
          Judy Huggins Grange rd no 7: carol, Susan , Micheal, paul ,baby Anne is that all of you,; ?your mum was beautiful , red hair , dad Micheal, your mum’s name will come to me when I’ve finished, you lived next door to Margaret Hope and Irene bailes, donegans, your mum used to look after some of the old ladies In the street , some where ,I have a photo of Susan and Jacqueline in the front garden of Joyce hemblade, no 1 1 but I haven’t seen it for a long time, find it one day! photo of Elizabeth hemblade and Margaret hope on this website some where, from my old box brownie,mum’s name just popped into my brain . Marcia? can’t remember five minutes ago but something still working , yeah!!happy days

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          • Oh my goodness!! Therese Donegan here, 31 Grange Road. I wanted to reply to Carol but presumably these replies are public. How can we communicate privately? I don’t do Facebook!

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            • Hi Judy I’m almost sure I do remember you ,did you have a younger sister and a lovely honey coloured dog? You have an amazing memory, you’re right my mam used to send a cooked dinner over for an elderly lady called Mrs Williams . I used to take it over to her on a tray wrapped in clean teatowel to keep warm and go to local shop for her. It’s lovely to share memories of childhood especially as we moved away Stay safe. Carol brannan.

              On Thu, 26 Nov 2020, 11:17 Picture Stockton Archive, wrote:

              > Therese McGivan commented: “Oh my goodness!! Therese Donegan here, 31 > Grange Road. I wanted to reply to Carol but presumably these replies are > public. How can we communicate privately? I don’t do Facebook!” >

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            • Hello Therese McGivan nee Donegan, Lovely to hear from you again and you are right it would be better to be able to communicate privately. I wonder if you contact the admin they will give you my email address, I give my permission for them to do so. I will try and think how else we can be in touch without compromising our privacy.

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          • hello carol good to get a reply I used to go on this website a lot and just came back yesterday , so it was amazing to get a reply have you seen my coronation street party, photos , Mrs brown Linda and Louise, David yuill, masie, Phillips , ken brown and Cynthia, my family , Margaret lives in Australia as does my sister Myra , just type in Grange rd ‘s coronation party , I think you are quite a bit younger than me , so won’t be on pictures , Derek Smith , published a book of thornaby history last year and published my photo of Margaret Hope,in it , published at last, ?I can name almost everyone from that time in Grange rd , when Keith and I got married our first house was in Grange rd no ,41 , £800 bargain , married fifty years now , two grandsons two sons ,I loved our childhood there , not the same now,sadly , regards Judy

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          • Hi Judy
            Its Susan, Carols sister here we are both pleased to hear from you and its great that you have such an amazing memory.
            I remember you and that your Mam was an artist I can still see a picture in the hallway of your house of fruit that she painted.
            I hope you find the photo of myself and jacqueline,but I think it was in Joyce Harwoods garden as she lived just a couple of doors up from you?.
            Youll have to let me know if you think Im right.
            Its also lovely to hear fromTheresa and hope that maybe Carol can arrange for us to communicate privately and swap stories.

            Sue Anderson nee Brannan

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            • hello Judy here again , my house is full of mums paintings I didn’t realise she had any on the walls so early on , she got better at it as years went on. I thought you had a little sister called Gillian but it must be someone else , we used to play a lot in st Paul’s church gardens , the doorways of Mayfair cinema , skipping in the street, where are you living now? we haven’t moved far , I don’t like to visit the old Grange rd makes me sad to see it so run down , , I’m going to have to turn the house upside down to find the photos I think one has Sylvia fox on it , thornaby rd blonde girl ringlets , wonder what our kids will do with all the old photos ??this will take weeks going in the loft . bye for now I could be some time! jude

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              • Hi Judy
                Thanks for your reply, my family is Carol,Susan(me)Paul Michael and Ann dad Michael and Mam Marcia,
                Happy days we all had in Grange Road, I remember Sylvia Fox very well and the lovely back garden they had, I was very careful not to tread on her Dads flower beds.
                Can you remember Tommy the milkman?,I used to love helping him out, I would deliver the milk, collect the empties then run and jump into the back of his van, must have been pretty fit in those days eh.

                Sue Anderson nee Brannan

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                • still haven’t found photos there are thousands ,find them when not looking . yes I remember Tommy booth the milkman , he didn’t usually arrive until 1 o ,o clock that’s why we had coop, his great big boots brown overalls and horse , before he got his Austin van .always whistled.there are some photos of him on the website outside either the oddfellows the jolly farmers with his horse and cart with lots of lads celebrating end of war ,I think..all for now Judy

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                • Hello Sue. My name is Sandra Dover. I come from Thornaby but am now a retired teacher in Rotherham. I went to Robert Atkinson school. I knew Joyce Harwood. Regards Sandra Dover in Rotherham

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  6. I was also at the pat’s with Jeff Milon, Peter Conney, David Scott. We are all in our 70’s now, where have the years gone? Ben Gunn was our teacher.

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      • Yes i agree Carole both were lovely teachers. I loved cookery with Miss Howard. I can remember her having the job of giving our class the birds and the bees talk and how she really blushed when asked questions. Even at that age (11) I remember feeling so sorry for her. Happy days eh!!

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  11. I think this must be year 1968. I have a photograph year 1 of 1. Mrs. Armitage was our teacher and she is wearing the same dress in the class photo. I wonder if the photo was taken the same day. I really enjoyed my school days.

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    • The teachers on the back row L to R, Art teacher Mr Valentine, Mr Spain, (Mr ? Woodwork Teacher) Len Burke, Mr ?, Mr Gunn, Geography teacher, Mr Pybus (replaced Mr Dillon, as science teacher)
      Next to Kath Flynn, Mrs Charlton Needlework teacher, Mrs Kilcoyne (a wonderful teacher!), Mrs Howard, Not sure about the next two ladies (could be student teachers) between Mr Laird (Inspirational man) and Mrs Armitage. It was about 1968.

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  12. I was at St. Pats from 1953 – 1963. I think the photo was taken in the late 1960s, Vin Martin left in the early 60’s to teach at St Anthony’s in Middlesbrough so that’s why he isn’t on the photo. He was a good teacher and a gentleman.
    I met Vin about 35 years ago, he was playing snooker with my father-in-law Basil Goult in the Middlesbrough Conservative Club. Basil and his family lived in Barker Road, Thornaby in the 1940s/50s. I had many a drink and a few games of snooker with Vin over the years until he sadly passed away.
    Chris Laird one of the other teachers was also a very good teacher. I got talking to Mr Laird at Cochrans Club on Hall Drive, Acklam approx 18 years ago, I was playing bowls at the time and he came over to watch. After the game I introduced myself to him and surprisingly he remembered me from school. While I was talking to him, I kept on calling him Sir and being the age I was (50 years old, married with 4 children) he found it funny, but because I’d always respected him I couldn’t stop myself.
    Mr Martin, Mr Laird, Mrs Kilcoyne. RIP

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  13. I attended St Patrick’s secondary school from 1959-63. In that period all pupils were based in the ‘huts’ on Thorntree Rd. The buildings were pretty rudimentary- made of pre-fabricated concrete.
    Those days are still retain a fondness in my memory. Before I get too nostalgic, I just wanted to add a little more information to the published photo of the teaching staff at St Pats.
    I’m assuming that the lady who uploaded the photo, Lesley Wilson , is was formerly Lesley Kilcoyne?
    I think the teacher in the front row on the left is Kath Finn. Lesley correctly identified the Woodwork teacher, his name was Daley, whose nickname was Dan, after the Hollywood actor/dancer. Just one more little bit of info. On the back row 2nd from the end on the right, this teacher was called Gunn, he also had a nickname of Ben, from the Robert Louis Stevenson in Treasure Island.
    It was wonderful to come across this photo, but saddened to read in The Gazette about the passing of my old Geography/Music teacher, Mrs Kilcoyne.

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      • Before he went to St Pat’s he taught in Whitby and the family home was in Sleights. You are correct about the motor bike. His eldest lad Stephen has about 6 at the last count so the love of motor bikes has run in the family.

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        • Loved Mr Costello! I remember him reading us Rudyard Kipling’s Just So stories and in particular The Elephant’s Child at St Pat’s in 1960?

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          • Therese McGivan nee Donegan
            I think we were in the same year at school and lived in same street Grange Road. Lesley Wilson we then moved to The Avenue near your family home Barker Road. I agree with both memories of a lovely man passionate in his reading to his students. Mr Costello.

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            • Hi there Carol! Yes, I remember you and your family very well, but thought you were Brennan. We were a threesome you, me and Jacgueline Amos who lived at 222? Thornaby Road. Always in and out of friends! I also remember the Kilcoynes well as mum knew Marjorie through teaching at St. Pat’s. I was a bit younger than the Kilcoyne girls but managed to inherit a convent blazer from Lesley when I went into the sixth form! Sent from my Huawei Mobile

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              • Hello Theresa McGivan lovely to hear from you, do you still live in thornaby and in touch with Jacqueline? I live in northumberland so lost touch with everyone from school days.
                My biggest regret was not applying myself at school and instead had to study during my working
                Life. I try and tell this to my grandchildren to stick in now at school and reap the benefits of good qualifations and good employment
                I suppose what comes to mind old head ……

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              • Hello Theresa McGivan,I did reply yesterday but don’t think it went through so trying again. I live in northumberland now so have no contact with old school friends or work colleagues. Do you still live in same area and do you know how Jacqueline Amos is ? My sister Susan and I often reminisce our school days. The long walk to and from school when Saint Patrick’s moved. We hated having to walk passed the Grange school as it was prodestant and didn’t like us Catholics. Sports days were very competitive when teachers incorporated the two together. You were fortunate enough to have gone to a different school by then. Take care.

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    • He taught me in about 1957. A lovely man. He would read to us, My first introduction to Grimms fairy tales
      Les Wilson (Kilcoyne)

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    • I remember Mr Costello, he was my teacher and yes he gave me the cane too on the back of my hands, for something very trifling. We used to have to walk in twos holding hands to the canteen over the road on the corner of the junction where Westbury Street and Lanehouse Road meet. Someone ahead of me started talking so I answered them, next thing I know is I’m being dragged out by my ear. Caned in front of the whole class! However I used to also draw on the covers of my textbook, Batman and Superman figures, that was sacrilege, but for some reason I didn’t get scalded for it, he must have appreciated my artwork..hahaha!

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    • Hi Robert. My name is Sandra Dover. Are you related to the Dover’s in Stockton? My grandad was called Richard Dover.

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      • i don’t no my mother was married to daniel dover ,who lived in eastbourne stockton ,i was born in cyprus road .it’s a long story ,but i was brought up with my grandparents when i was 6 days old bob & winney easby ,my mother was called ETHEL

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  16. Judging from the attire, especially the long haired gentleman top left, I’d be surprised if this was as early as 1962. It looks more like early 70s. I like the Pope in the background “photobombing” the picture!

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  18. Love the photo Lesley my aunty lived next door to you, have you got any more photos of pupils, my sister Jackie hasn’t any and would love one, thanks

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  19. Back row: Art teacher took over from Miss Saunders. Mr Spayne, Mr Dailey, Mr Burke, Mr Duffy, Mr Gunn, Science teacher?
    Front row: Miss Finn, don’t know, Mrs Kilcoyne, don’t know, Mr Dalton, Mr Laird, don’t know, don’t know, don’t know.

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  20. Lesley if you read this would love to hear from you. You and your family lived next door to me in the 50s in Tweed Avenue.

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    • I was very young in Tweed Ave though Paddy or Fran will remember. She in Germany. What was your surname, Otterson? or Tonks?

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      • Just realised you told me Otterson. Not familiar with all this.
        I’ll email Paddy. I was only about 3 or 4 but I know your name so well. I have an abiding memory of playing in the road where the road widened in front of our houses:??

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        • Just seen this reply to my post from last year. Yes my maiden name was Otterson. I lived at 19 Tweed and you at 17. I remember you all very well indeed although not your brother Andrew as he was born when you moved to Barker Road. I had two elder brothers David and John. My mum was called Doris and my dad Bill but he unfortunately died in 1957 when I was 11. If you are too young to remember I am sure Paddy or Francis will. I remember the Tonks and the Harrows who lived in Tweed also. Regards

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  21. This Photo was taken outside the ‘New’ School on Baysdale Road I left St.Pats in 1962. (from the School ‘Huts’) therefore this photo dates from after circa Sept 1962.. only teachers I knew on this photo, were. MR DALTON / LAIRD / SPAYNE / GUNN / DAILY & MISS. FINN / MRS KILCOYNE

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    • Derek we left the Hut’s July 64. The new school was opened Sep 64.. Lesley I have fond memories of coming to Birthday party’s at your house. My sister Maureen was at school with Paddy.. Maureen O’Hara. How lovely that your mum is still with you please send her our love.

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    • I left the Pats in 1956 but do remember most of these teachers. Really fond memories of Mr Laird [hard but fair]. Also when you mention Mary Howard do you remember her assistant Rhoda Hills [my mam]. Great days at school and lovely to see these pictures. Best regards to all. Mervyn Hills.

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      • Hi Merv, Remember me? We played against you, I was outside left for Arthur Head school, don’t want to mention the score!!! I am in touch regularly with Bob Wesson, he lives at a place called Appleby Magna not far from Coventry and he’s quite well and works for a garden centre near to where he lives (part time). His wife is not in the best of health unfortunately. I will mention you to him when I speak to him. Kind regards John Vincent.

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        • Hi John Vincent,
          My mum is Robert Wessons cousin and is trying to trace him,his mobile number has changed and he isn’t at the pub now after Janet passed away.
          If you have any info my mum would be very grateful .
          Kind Regards
          Paula J

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          • Hi Paula, I speak to Bob fairly regular. He now lives at Rugby, near to his daughter. I seem to have misplaced his phone number, but when I do find it I will pass it on to you. You can contact me if you like by email (Picture Stockton has it). Regards John Vincent

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  23. Did Lesley Wilson have a brother called Douglas who attended Primrose Hill school on Durham Road in 1964 to 1967 as I would like to trace him, thank you from Dave Jones formerly of Hardwick now in Essex.

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    • I left “the pats” in 1959. Only 4 of teachers in this picture taught in “the huts”. Mr Spayne (Spanner), Mr Daley (Dan), Mrs Kilcoyne and Mr Laird. Sj Dalton was the head whose office was in junior school over the road. Other teachers I remember from the “huts” were Mr Martin and Miss Preston (Beryl I think). This photo was taken outside new school on Baysdale Road.

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  24. Hello Lesley, thank you for posting this picture. The second from right at the back is Frank Gunn. Is your Mum still with us? Such a lovely lady, one of the very few teachers I have fond memories of.

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