Iwas At St Johns Open Air School From Around 1956/59

I was sent to the school at the age of about 5, in an effort to treat my asthma. After 60 years my memories are a bit vague and I can recall no names. We slept in large dormatories and the nuns were very strict. Food was poor and I remember being told that if I wanted a birthday cake someone would have to send one. Us little ones were warned about Teddy Boys. We went out one Saturday and I bought some bubble gum from a nearby shop and got it in my hair. The nuns put me in the bath and scrubbed me - the smell of Lifeboy soap and the boys singing 'Yellow Rose of Texas' will stay with me forever!

Hi Bernard.
I was at St John's around 57-8. The name of the two masters were Mr Gilmartin & Judge. Mr Gilmartin was ok, but one learnt to avoid Judge like the plague! I had two friends there; Patrick Malloy, who had leg braces and Charles Milnes who had asthma.
The nuns were a strange lot, not adverse to strict discipline, especially with us 'prodestants', but could also be very kind and good fun (hard to tell them apart in their 'habits').
For me, I had a lot more freedom there then at home, though I only realised that later in life. St John's was a life-line for many boys, so, it was a great shame to read of its' passing. Perhaps todays kids would have benefitted? Who knows.

Hi Bernard.
I was at St John's around 57-8. The name of the two masters were Mr Gilmartin & Judge. Mr Gilmartin was ok, but one learnt to avoid Judge like the plague! I had two friends there; Patrick Malloy, who had leg braces and Charles Milnes who had asthma.
The nuns were a strange lot, not adverse to strict discipline, especially with us 'prodestants', but could also be very kind and good fun (hard to tell them apart in their 'habits').
For me, I had a lot more freedom there then at home, though I only realised that later in life. St John's was a life-line for many boys, so, it was a great shame to read of its' passing. Perhaps todays kids would have benefitted? Who knows.

"Hi, I was more or less oppsite to "Paddy" Malloy in the dorm.Like you say Judge had the finger dig and Gilmartin "on the way to the refectory" would give his knuckles around the head if you spoke. I knocked around with a few different lad's Raymond Chard,Micheal Berry and Dave Collin's lot's of names have gone from my memory with the passing of time. Most people I've been in contact with all have good memories of Sister Mathews and you're spot on with yor assesment of St John's Cheers Bernie

G'day Bernard.

Thanks to you for your reply. I was thinking about my time there and realised it must have been 1957, which was when my nephew was born.
It is good to know that you knew Pat Malloy. He was in a different room to me, as was Charles Milnes. I don't suppose you have any idea what became of them?
It is funny that I personnally had no problems with Mr Gilmartin. Frankly, he always srtuck me as looking somewhat bored. I remember the queues of boys awaiting 'inspection' after our bath's. He would lean on the end-wall in the bath-house sink units, arm on the wall, head resting on arm, a doleful look at each boy followed by a almost imperceptible nod saw us on our way to our dorm's. Feast days were great, lots of jellies and other goodies. Not sure about the 'education' side , as all I remember is learning about cocoa beans, and copying the compulsory letters 'home'. The woods were another joy. Once in there, it was like another world. Oh for those halcyon days of long ago....

Bernard,
If you go to the site 'St. Johns Open Air School 1950s - Message Boards - Ancestry', you will find about seven pages of comments regarding 'St John's'. Most are positive, lots of names and anecdotes.
Regards, Chris Francis.

I was at St. John’s 1957-61 I have great memories of the school an they were the best days of my life had hardly any problems was looked after well. Yes they were strict and I think I am a better person for it. Mr Gil Martin very strict and mr judge very very strange didn’t like the man at all.gilmartin yeah I liked him and think he liked me too cos when myself and terry Thomson visited in 1974 I knocked on hid door and he recognised and remembered me we had a reall chinwag.my best friends were terry Thomson,Micky Howsam and best friend Arthur crucksainks and we are still in touch to this day.i did all the sports that were on offer football table tennis basket ball I even painted the markings on the basket ball surface with mr gilmartin.i could go on and on the memories are still with me great great times.James Coyne

Michael berry good footballer even better swimmer he came from Shrewsbury as I remember

I was at SJOAS from about 1957-1962. Remember two masters. One as already mentioned Mr Gilmartin and the other Mr Murray. The general maintenance man around the school was Jim. He also used to cut our hair. I remember the nuns mentioned plus a sister MariStella. Mother superior when I started was a sister Cabrini. Ring back more memories?

I think one of the most exciting memories I have was back in 1961/62. A friend of the convent, a Mr Wilkinson used to show us one of the epic films of the time every couple of weeks or so. Somehow he was involved with the Tottenham Hotspur's football team. And after the won the FA cup (on my birthday May 5th 1962) he brought the whole of the FA cup winning side to the school and played against our school team. And I'm proud to say I played against all those stars.
Oh yes and they only beat us 3 - 1

I was at St. Johns when won the Double and remember seeing the FA cup final on a large screen. Bobby Smith, England centre forward, Dave Mackay Scotland and other members of the Spurs team came along, it has really stuck in my memory as football is still a great game, despite the many changes. I was in the St. Johns football team and played as a striker up to leaving when I was 15. I enjoyed my time at St Johns and found the nuns very kind, Sister Cabrini in particular. I remember Mr. Gilmartin and Mr. Murray they were quite strict but fair with me. I have a photo of Mr. Murray and some of the boys in my house, taken in 1961, with the school in the background. My memory of so long ago of my School Friends is not good, but I remember a boy called Terry Griffiths.
Should anyone remember me, I came from Mansfield at the time it would be nice to share memories. Wishing everyone after such a difficult 2020, a better New Year in 2021. Keep well and safe.