大象传媒

I was very excited in August 1939, as I had passed an examination to go to Brownhills High School at the beginning of September. Alas! On Sept. 3rd war was declared between Britain and Germany, which meant that we couldn't start school until the Air Raid Shelters had been built! The next difficulty was that the boys who went to Hanley High School were not allowed to use their old building in Hanley as it was too dangerous and their new school would not be ready for about a year.
It was decided that the boys should share the accommodation at Brownhills and we were all very excited at this prospect. The girls attended school from 8a.m. - 12.30 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and from 1p.m. - 5p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday while the boys attended on Mon., Wed. and Fri. afternoons and Tues. and Thurs. mornings with games on Sat. As the pupils used the same desks we often found notes from the boys arranging to meet us in Woolworths at tea-time - all very exciting!
Even though there was a complete Blackout with A.R.P. (Air Raid Precaution) Wardens shouting 'Put out that torch!' we never felt threatened and, as we didn't have many bombs dropped in the Potteries, life went on as usual for the children. Food was rationed but we all seemed to have sufficient and there was a great community spirit. My uncle had to be on air raid duty one night a week, so I went to sleep at my Grandma's house, but she was very complacent having already lived through 4 years of war.
Buses full of women and children were driven around the streets of Tunstall and W.V.S. ladies (Women's Voluntary Service) knocked on doors asking if anyone could accommodate any women and children. I remember that we had someone for a few weeks and later had a girl from Birmingham for 2 years, who attended school at Brownhills. We are still in contact with each other.
Towards the end of the war in 1944-5 I had the opportunity to go harvesting in Gloucestershire with members of staff from Brownhills. We spent a month under canvas, sleeping on straw palliases, and washing in cold water in an enamel bowl. We learned to stook corn, thin carrots in blazing hot sunshine and pick potatoes. A wonderful experience.
As it was difficult to go away on holiday events were organised in parks and churches and a good time was had by everyone taking part.
I was lucky enough to join the City of Stoke-on-Trent Children's Choir in 1939. This was conducted by Dr. Percy Young and was comprised of about 30 children from 11-16 years of age. In March 1940 we had the privilege of singing at the Victoria Hall and I sang a solo in Pergolesi's 'Stabat Mater' - we also sang one of Dr. Young's compositions, 'How sleep the brave', and a few months later we gave a concert in Chester Cathedral. These were wonderful experiences.

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