Brighton Avenue Boys School

A Memory of Gateshead.

i left Brighton avenue boys school in the summer of 1953. I was then living at moorfoot gardens lobley hill. Before that I had attended Alexander road school and lived at Chichester street. My favourite teacher there was Mr. Simpson.he had tremendous strength in his one good arm and a good shot with the wooden blackboard cleaner aimed at anyone talking behind his back.the headmaster was Mr.miles who did not spare the rod. I moved with my family to lobley hill in the December of 1949. I started at Brighton avenue school because they had a school bus, and Alexander road school did not. A really good teacher was Mr. Frank merilee, the one that everyone feared was Mr. Martin who taught standard 8 in the prefabs, he could smell cigarette smoke at 100 yards. Each year the school put a play on at the little theatre Gateshead, I believe we put ours on in 1952 or it might have been 1953, it was called ,when did you last see your father, it was about a little boy being questioned by Roundhead soldiers during the English civil war. I was one of the officers, the other officer was a lad called Edward wake. It got good reviews in the Gateshead post, and I did have a photo alas it is now lost. Perhaps someone somewhere has a copy. I enjoyed my school years at Brighton avenue school, even the singing lessons of our headmaster Mr. Botcherby, some of the songs I still remember. I hope there are still people out there who remember me. Fred MUSHAM


Added 15 April 2015

#337677

Comments & Feedback

Hello Fred,
I used to reside at 14 Moorfoot Gardens, and attended Brighton Avenue School, leaving at Easter 1955, starting an apprenticship at Redheugh Iron and Steel. I do remember you from school and Moorfoot Gardens. It was interesting reading the account of your school days', I vividley remember Mr Martin, he was a good teacher and devout disciplinarian. Failure to answer a question, giving a wrong answer, would result in a severe does of the strap, which Iam sure gave him his daily fix. On one occasion saying prayers standing with our eyes closed, there was a tremendous thud and clatter, followed by Mr Martin, saying, 'And what's tickling you O' Neil,' I furtively opened my eyes and looked to my left where I saw Brian O'Neil, a fellow pupil sprawled on the floor. It was obvious summary justice had been administered. In conclusion I told my sister Brenda, about your entry on this site, she also remembers you and is sure you have a sister named Evelyn, who she met while living in Chester. This was some years ago.

Best of luck Fred

Robert Charlton.

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