Simms Cross Primary School

A Memory of Widnes.

Yes, I went to Simms Cross Primary school too!
Born in Frederick St, just over the road from school, in 1941, our headmistress was the very formidable Miss Coates and there was the terrifying Miss Telford (everyone was scared of her!)
I was a very tiny, timid little girl with a miniscule appetite, and would cry most days when I couldn't finish the awful school dinner. There was no choice, we had to clear our plates!
One day, when Miss Telford, took dinner duty for the first time and towered over me as I blubbed into some terrible fish and mashed potato, she asked me why I was crying and I told her, (petrified)
She very very gently told me it was OK and took away that plateful of torture and brought me a tea towel to wipe my tears.
Every time she was on duty from then on, she would ask for a smaller portion for me. I think I loved Miss Telford for years!
She is probably long gone now, but there is one little girl that remembers her for her kindness and not the fact that she was in the habit of throwing the board duster at anyone in her class who appeared not to be concentrating!
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