Wigan Album
Shevington Junior School
7 CommentsPhoto: Brian Charnley
Item #: 30305
Behind John is Jimmy (Big Jim) Wilkins.
Brian I can see Trevor Miles, Tom Collins and Eric Hall on the back row
I think the one I thought was Eric Hall is Ian Hulme
Must have been an adventure for these lads in 1959.Imagine carrying a sheath knife on your belt these days
I remember always carrying a pen knife or sheath knife in the 60's, most lads and plenty girls had a pen knife in those days; nobody ever got into mischief with it.
A game of splits anyone?
You are spot on saying that carrying knives was very common, Indeed when I was in the junior forms at WGS a very popular break time game was "Mumblety-peg" although I am sure we did not use hat name (but I can't remember what we did call it. The version we played was that two opponents stand opposite one another with their feet shoulder-width apart. The first player then takes the knife and throws it to "stick" in the ground as near his own foot as possible. The second player then repeats the process. Whichever player "sticks" the knife closest to his own foot wins the game.
Sounds great when you think about doesn't it - boys throwing - with all their might a knives at each others feet - what could go wrong? -yet I don't recall any injuries or indeed any masters supervising the break times being remotely bothered about it.
PS another popular pastime was "Knuckles" where you took turns to smash your fisted knuckles down on to opponents. The catch was that usually this took place over a hard surface such as a desk top - so you either hit your opponent on his knuckled fist (which hurt both of you) or - if he moved his hand away at the last moment you hit the desk top hard with your knuckles. Happy times eh ?
Poet - thanks. Splits is what we called it !