Wigan Album

The teacher looks like a very young Bill Spencer

That is definately Mr Spencer . . later headmaster at Highfield St. Matthews.

Hi Jeff. Did you go to Whitley High school? Although I have not seen you in years I think I can recognise you on the photo. Are you third from the left on the middle row by any chance?

Do you have any names for this piky Mr Spencer was the headmaster when I was at St Georges and I left in 1955/56 and Miss Tabiner was my very first teacher and then on to Miss Scally.

This would have been 1968 or 1969. The head is Billy; though the teacher is Mrs Jones, nee Calderbank. She didn't like me. I talked too much!!!!!

Sorry got it wrong. This would be either 1969, or even 1970!! Remember we was in the middle class for two years; before going to junior 4, Mr Sellery?

yes i did go to whitley high school whats your name

Great to see a pic of Mr Spencer! I was there around this time and certainly remember him as Head - I also had Mr Celery and Mr Griffiths as form teachers in my 2nd and 3rd years but can't remember who I had in my first year other than that it was a female. I vividly remember Friday afternoon assemblies when the House points were read out - I was in Green team, and from what I remember it was generally a close cut thing with the Red team!

Ian, it was probably Mrs Halliwell.

Tony, I suspect you're right!

Who remembers the school hymn? From memory it was:
'Patron Saint of School and Nation,
Soldier, Servant, Martyr, He,
We are proud to be his namesake,
This our song shall always be,
God protect our own dear England,
God protect our own dear School,
We, like Him, with courage dauntless,
Shall uphold thy Word, and Rule'

If any of the words are wrong please feel free to amend - and yes, I still remember the tune as well!

Ian

I attended St George's School some years before this picture was taken. Mr Spencer was a Brilliant teacher and Headmaster - he made learning a Joy! I had the pleasure of meeting him some years ago and was able to thank him for many happy childhood memories spent at the school, which had a real community spirit.

you are spot on with that observation about Mr Spencer,great teacher and fine human being.Still see him on quite regular basis,as i live in Windermere St.He pulled me in the bookies and asked me to spell toboggan,which i did,then told me it was the only word i had spelt wrong out of 100.This more than 40 years after i'd left,apparently some firm or the like had sent out these spelling tests and i scored 99,which according to Mr Spencer was best score achieved by a St Podges pupil,my only claim to fame,but what a memory

Headmaster, always had us compile a book on 'Holy Week'. A great way we celebrated Easter. Mornings we would learn our scriptures; the afternoon we made easter egg baskets!!! What a lovely memory!! Good Friday, you went to St George,and saw the stations of the cross!

Bill, our headmaster past away last week. I was fortunate and honoured to meet him on his final journey. He will not be forgotton; and his teachings! May he be with St George!

I recall Billy Spencer teaching the class above me to chant the poem "Charge of the Light Brigade". Guns to the right - guns to the left and all that stuff. They stood in rank and file at the end of the hall. I think they performed it on “parents day” or whatever it was called.
There was Edgar Stevens, Joe Thompson, Harold Stevens, Rob Occleshaw, Graham Culshaw, Jimmy Cheetham to name but few. And the girls, Sylvia Finney, Margaret Flemming. Maralyn Roberts – what ever happened to Maralyn?

Bet you dont remember me Jeff,i was so quiet and shy then.I often wonder what everyone is up to!!! hope everyone is well i really do.Thanks for putting photos on .

I remember Billy Spencer all too well.I was in the same class as his daughter Janet. Also lived down the street from him,He was in vine st and I lived in Alwyn st

I remember mr spencer, the gentle mr selery, Mrs halliwell.
I see a comment from Ian leatherbarrow who I remember. I also remember subsequently getting a place at the deanery and being upset as most of my friends were going to whelley - mum wrote to complain and I ended up going to whelley!!

I remember St Georges. I went there from St Stephens when we lived on Amberley Close in Whelley. I was in Mr Sellerys class - I still have a report of his - he used a wax seal on the envelope. Couple of names I remember on here - David Ince and Ian Leatherbarrow. I left in 1973 / 1974 and we moved to Nottingham, where I still live. Seems such a long time ago now.