Moorlands Infants 1953 - Day one - we`re off !!:-
"Aww Mum" ..."Stop pulling Francis, You`ve got to go, come on, quick!" ...
"Aww, why Mum?" .."`cos you have to go to school, that`s why".
It was a warm day, a bit dull and over-cast, little groups of "stripey" girls and boys were making their way under the red brick railway bridge in Lymore Avenue, up the slight hill past the "Old Oak" tree by the electricity sub-station. Some stopped to look to see if any of their friends were playing in the Sandpits" Park. Wearily,they trudged on past Hillside Hall (and the little stream) up into Cotswold Road.
Stripes:-
The "stripes" were the fashion at the time, rationing after the Second World War still in place and mothers used to make knitted clothes from oddments of wool. Hence the stripe effect, when a different colour of wool was added on to make the rest of the garment. We boys wore shorts, and the girls wore dresses. Some had sandals with buckles on, others had "daps", (like light-weight trainer shoes) with canvas tops, laces and rubber soles.
The short Ashford Road hill gave way to level ground and the first glimpse of our destination .. the brand new "Moorlands School" for Infants. When we, (my mother and I) got to the steps by the stream we were told to wait.
There was a stream outside the Infants` classes originally, but part of it was filled in with sand. After some time we were allowed into the grounds, over the little curved concrete bridge, past the small sandpit, and in through the high wide doors. We all looked at each other, trying to spot familiar faces.
Toys, and many more toys than most of us had ever seen in our young lives .. a fort, wooden bricks, fancy dress, a soldiers uniform, nurses outfits. The room seemed so full of colour, a far cry from my grey, dark brown and green decorated terraced home with its small "cabbage patch" town gardens. .... Where to start first?
My first argument of the day was sorted out for me by the teacher .."You play with the wooden bricks Francis, while Christopher (Kilminster) plays with the fort". First lesson in diplomacy ... employ diversionary tactics.
Lunchtime break:- There's a canteen / kitchen at the end of our little class-rooms (3) block. A snack and a drink was supplied, we all sat on the floor by the open fold-back doors and ate our lunch. After this respite the tall doors were closed up, the blinds were lowered, out came the little blue mats.
(My sister Rosemary said they were tubular metal camp beds of different colours).
We were told to lie on and have a rest. We were covered up with a grey blanket with red and blue stitching on the edges. (Not many children slept, but some did .. so did I.)
Emperor Haile Selassie's visit to the school:-
A few large black limousines came up the main driveway at the opposite end of the school from where our class-rooms were. He was dressed in full military uniform. One of his party had a sword and gold braid on his uniform. The mayor was with him. A woman had on hat with a large feather in it. There were quite a few council officials in the party or visitors. We children were all shepherded out of our classes to meet him. I asked the man if his sword was very heavy. The Emperor was not very tall, and he spoke very good English. He was the first foreigner I had ever met.
The medical examination:-
A doctor visited the school, with him came nurses, and an optician. We didn't yet know what they were there for to begin with, but one by one we were all examined. An eye test revealed that I had a defect in my right eye, I would have to go to the Eye Infirmary that was on the corner of Julian Road and Lansdown road in those days. Lots of little pieces of glass inserted into this "outer space" frame that was put around my head. I passed my colour blind test with no trouble by being able to pick out the animal shapes among the grey dots.
The Solar Eclipse:- 1954
"this is yours ..hold it up toward the sun when the clouds clear away". The teachers had arranged all the children into small groups on the terrace outside the class-rooms. The "this" was a small piece of dark yellow celluloid (like plastic), it looked like a circular piece from a pair of sun-glasses.
Winter
The sunny days ended of course, and were replaced by the snowy days. I can remember taking a big chunk of strong cardboard to the field at the back of the School, and dragging this thing all the way up to the top by Englishcombe Lane. After flexing the muscles in my little legs, and making sure my mittens wouldn`t fall off, I pushed this chunk of cardboard for all I was worth throught the deep snow. As soon as I caught up with a few children, I jumped no, prayed a bit, cleared my glasses of snow and hung on for grim death.
There was a shallow bank (part of the way down the sloping field), I shot off the top of it and ended up under my chunk of cardboard. Back up again then .. hot and bothered ! .. Well, another incident .. at that field. I was coming home one day when I heard an old man (about the age I am now) shouting for help. He had got himself stuck in a Hawthrorn bush, and the more he moved the more he tangled himself up. I think he was either very short sighted or blind. I got him out, wonder if he survived the ordeal?..
Pupils and friends names :-
I cannot remember many names of pupils at Moorland Infants, but I think Richard Gillard, Ian Blackmore, Robert Derrick, Richard Gunning, Richard McCloud, John McArthy, Graham Ollis, Tony Withers and quite a few from Moorfields estate went there at the time I attended.
My sister Rosie (who attended the school 1951-53), can remember reading pages of a story and having to make up a folder (ring binder) with them .. Jack, Jill, Tom, Dave are names she remembers from the story. Was it the "Famous Five?". That's all that can remember at the moment.
I still have my pink NHS wire framed "John Lennon" glasses and their little brown case. My best life long friend lives right opposite the Infants school now in 2010.
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