My Days At Brandon High School

I was at Brandon High as well,although it was Motherwell Central up to my last year there. We were in 4c and there must only have been about ten or twelve of us and we were all prefects. I remember "Wee Bud" who was also nicknamed "Batman" because he used to fly up and down the corridors whith his black cloak flowing behind him. Can't you remember any other names at the school. Look forward to hearing from you.Peter.

Hello Peter. Although I was at Brandon High School from August 64 till June 66 I do not remember you. My memories of Motherwell Central pupils are 2 girls named Florence and Maureen who were referred to as Flo and Mo. Also Liz Macadam from Wishawhill, who looked like Dusty Springfield with all the caked-on make up and thick black eye-liner. We in Brandon High were never allowed any adornments of any kind and had to wear our uniforms. In 1966 Brandon's Wishaw pupils such as myself were relocated to Coltness High and our old school became Dalziell Annexe. It was comical to see Wee Bud 'Flying' about the school with his Batman Cape. My Kids laughed at the thought, and found it hard to believe such things had happened in my day. I remember quite a few of our teachers wore the black gowns in class.
Today our school is a supermarket, and all trace of the regimented school life is long gone.

Hello,Elsie,
I had left the Central in 1959, so you are quite right you would'nt have known me. Still, glad to see you still have memories of it. I still stay in Motherwell and speak on Skype to one of my mates of that period, and keep him informed of the changes in the town, including the Watsonville football parks, and ALDI, where the school stood. Thanks for keeping in touch and keep your memories coming.
Regards,
Peter.

Peter,
Sorry but I cannot remember your name from my time at The Central and like you had my last year at Brandon High. 1959-1962. I was final year Dux medallist and wanted to stay on in 4th year to join the new "O" level stream. I had a conversation with My Ferguson the French teacher who felt that it would be too difficult for me to learn enough French in one year so as to pass. So I left school and started an electrical apprenticeship with Clyde Alloy Steel Company. This was to the dismay of my mother as when I was in first year at the Central my father was killed in a terrible accident in Dalziel steelworks. I think that my schooling was affected by this as I was sent away for a month to stay with my sister in England at the start of my second year.
I regretted not passing my 11plus exam when at Ladywell as I wanted to go to Dalziel High like my sister Irene had and as many of my Ladywell friends did.

Peter,
I forgot to mention that my wife and I were in the Brandon High production of The Pirates of Penzance. She was Mabel (the one that sang Poor Wandering One) and I was the Major General. our music teachers were Moffat Radcliff (now deceased) and Robert Scott. At Easter 1962 Robert took around six boys including myself on a weeks cycle tour up to Glencoe.

I came across this thread today. I wasn't at Brandon High, but I can perhaps fill in one or two of the blanks.

"Wee Bud" was the Rector. His name was Alec Neill, and he was certainly wee. His nickname "Bud" was no doubt a tribute to Bud Neill, the incomparable genius cartoonist of the Glasgow Evening Times, who deserves to be much more widely remembered than he is. At that time Alec Neill lived in Brooklands Avenue, Uddingston (no need to know that, but it adds local colour).

The Mr Ferguson referred to is, I think, Jimmy Ferguson.

My father, Charles Wilson, was brought up in a tenement flat in Leslie Street, Motherwell. His father was a steelworker (it was Motherwell, after all). Later on, the family reached the dizzy heights of a cooncil hoose in North Lodge Avenue.

He left school at the age of 14 (this would have been about 1923) and started his first job, weighing coal wagons in the yard in Motherwell. Unfortunately his job skills were a bit compromised by the fact that at the same time he was studying Virgil et al with a view to gaining a qualification in Latin. As a result, he missed the odd wagon on the weighbridge and ended up inventing the weights.

Whatever the ups and downs, he acquired the necessary qualification, and he eventually emerged from Glasgow University with a Double Honours degree in English and Classics. He then, of course, took up teaching.

Some time in the 1950s or 60s (I don't remember when) he moved from Uddingston Grammar to become Alec Neill's Head of English at Motherwell Central. Eventually wee Alec retired, and my father was appointed to the vacancy. At last he was a proper Heidie! He was Headmaster (Rector, I suppose) throughout the school's metamorphosis to Brandon High, from which post he retired.

Thinking to earn some pocket money, he went into supply teaching. After one day at Bellshill Academy he decided that he preferred the quiet life. He never entered a classroom again. And no, before you ask, I have never been tempted to go into teaching.

Just saying.

Ron Wilson

Ian, I remember yours and your better half's performances in the PoP very well, along with those of the other stars - Harry Wilson, Jean Johnson, David Wilson and others whose names I struggle to remember after 55+ years! I didn't appear on stage, having no singing talent what-so-ever, but I was the guy behind the scenes who called everyone onto the stage when their characters were due to appear. " Major General and Pirate King please." I remember calling people onto stage while, at the same time, listening to a live radio broadcast of Charlie Pithie's first appearance with the Scottish Schoolboy's football team.
I started in the very first O-grade stream at BH in1959 (I think), when the first 4 classes, 101 - 104 were setup. I left with a clutch of O-grades in 1963 and headed off to Dalziel H to take 'Highers'.

I also attended Brandon High when Alex Neil ( wee bud) was the rector. Mr Ferguson was the French teacher and I remember Miss Massey. Mr Sherry was the PE teacher and coached the schools relay team which I was in. I loved Brandon High, great school.

Your father taught me English, and very good he was to. He was one of a “pair” the other being Mr McEwen (cueballs) who taught me history and they were known as “the old firm”. They were a great pair of teachers, as was Mr McBride (maths) all slightly scary but they were dedicated to their pupils. I was disappointed not to get to Dalziel but it turned out to be a lucky break as Brandon taught us, those who wanted to be taught, to focus and work hard. This stood me in good stead at Dalziel where I went in 1966, university and for the rest of my working life. I tip my hat to your dad and the other excellent teachers at Brandon High. A great school.

Ron Wilson, my previous comment was in response to your post about your father Charles Wilson.

I went to Brandon High School when Mr Neill (wee bud) was the rector. I was the school sports champion in 1963. My
maiden name was Bruce. Absolutely loved Brandon High, wonderful memories.