Heber primary school memories

[Wardy]

Im glad to hear you had a better time then me at the school. When I attended Heber there was a hug bike shed, just to the righthand side as you walked through the main gate; is it still there. The school also had a jumble sale once a year; there would be a line of people streching the street waiting to get in and find a bargain. The school porter lived in a house in the playground, is that still there? I must have a look one day to see how things have changed.

[pearl1]

Bike sheds are gone Wardy, and the porters house has not been used for at least 10 years. My children went to Heber from '96 'til '06 and I worked there for a while. The last Head got the job done after we went into special measures but by golly he was an unpleasant chap..Lets hope things improve with the new one.

[Wardy]

Its a shame about the porters house not being used. If I remember correctly it was a cottage type house with a very pointed slate roof; surely a house like that shouldnt lay empty.

[Dr De Soto]

Regarding the porters house - there are plans. I think some development can be expected there in the next year or so.

[Wardy]

In the 50's the porters house was occupied by the porter and his wife who was the school secratery. He was a mean man who would chase you if he could you on the school grounds after school hours. They had two sons who went to a very posh school somewhere; dont remember the name of the school but their uniform was like a vicars cassac. When the bike shed was there we would get onto the tin roof and throw balls at his door. Another think I remember about the school was the coal shuts that ran along the front of the building. Coal was put down there to feed the coal boiler; are they still there?

[the-e-dealer]

By Golly Mr Mamak was a thouroughly nice guy who did a difficult job well - I am a Parent and Former Govenor

[Wardy]

The E Dealer: Im talking about 1955,in those days things were different, read my first posting, a chapter from my book. Im sure things are much different today. In the 50's teachers at aHeber Road School used a slipper to thrash kids across the backside and rulers to hit them across the back of the hand. I had a fight with a boy in the playground when I was about 9 years old, we were both put in a boxing ring by a teacher and made to fight there. Today somthing like that would be reported on the national news. Regards Wardy.

[the-e-dealer]

I am replying to the message that said the head up till 2006 when ofstead finally gave them a good report, was not very nice.

Good to see that that responses appears to have been removed!

[the-e-dealer]

correction the defamation by ronniemama is still there!

[Wardy]

Sorry The E Dealer, thought you were talking about my comments. Good to see the old place has changed. By the way; how would I go about having a look round the old place. I am writting a second book about the 50's in Dulwich and I would like to have a look at the classrooms in the school, just to prompt my memory.

[the-e-dealer]

I guess you could approach the Head Mr Block or just attend one of many fund raisers there.

[Wardy]

The E Dealer; Thanks for that. The problem is I no longer live in Dulwich, I live in Norfolk. I suppose I could write to Mr Block requesting a visit. It would be realy strang going in to that building again. Funny, but the thing I remember the most is the smell, I wonder if it still has that smell, maybe I will find out one day.

[Pagey]

I was at Heber school circa 1972/1973. Have fond memories of the place. Our tutor was a very old fashioned disciplinarian grammar school type teacher called Mr Hatton (aka Atom Bomb) , he could speak 7 languages fluently including Latin.

[lorenika]

Hi Wardy! I loved your chapter. What's your book's name? I would love to read it.

Thanks

Lorena

[Wardy]

Lorenika: The book is called 'Looking Back' It's my childhood memories which I have written for my children and grandchildren. However, I am being asked to publish the book; dont know if I should. Have you read the chapter I posted on another thred about Rodwell Road? Maybe I should start up a new thread and have weekly chapters; a bit like the Sunday papers. Its good to know that people enjoy my stories, I enjoyed writting them, thank you.

[macroban]

May I suggest a slight change in title to avoid confusion with an earlier local history book?

See here.

[Wardy]

Thanks for that, any suggestions for a title?

[Pickle]

Wardy, I've really enjoyed reading both of your chapters, and hope you'll post more of them when you get a chance :)

[Wardy]

Pickle, thanks very much for your comments.

[lorenika]

Wow, I thought it was a book you had published, i think it's quite good. You should do something with it.

It would be great if you publish some chapters that we can read, but if you publish it, I'll definitely buy it!

[Wardy]

lorenika, thanks you for that comment. The book is based on me as a child from 5 - 10 years old. It tells of my family, the people in the street, the good times and the bad times, the drinking in the Heber Arms pub and my fatheres building business. However, its all based around Dulwich, Rodwell Road and how things realy were for the working class family. I think I will do somthing with it, theres lots in there to tell, I just need to know what to do with it and how. Thanks again Wardy

[lorenika]

I read a book last year for university called East End Memories, by Jennie Hawthorne, which reminded me a little bit to your book. For us, who are studying child development, this was an amazing resource that made us understand better how a child sees the world at that age. I love this kind of books that make you 'travel' to another time and make you value what we have now (or what we don't anymore). I must admit that sometimes I get bored reading books, but when I was reading your chapters, I just couldn't stop. You explain everything with such detail that you allow us to live that moment too. Very interesting, as I said, I'm sure many people would like to read stories of someone who lived in the area. I'd love to know more about what Dulwich was like many years ago.

You should definitely think about publishing the book. Let me know if it happens, I'll be your first buyer!

I can't think of any names though, I think it needs to be something special for you. If you have grandchildren, maybe they could come up with a good title! After all, the book is about a child's mind, so children could find a great title.

Good luck and keep us informed!

[Wardy]

Lorenica your words have brought tears to my eyes. It is so encouraging to hear that my memories are of interest to others. You will know from my chapter on Heber road that the education system to me was a challenge and most of my school days were spent battling against the system and teachers. I?m please to say that I never gave up and at the age of 51, which was a few years back, I finally obtained an MSc from Leicester University. I?m so pleased that you found the chapters easy to read, it was always my intention to do that. In the past I have read books and found some of the words so complicated that I have lost interest in what I was reading. I have so many stories of my childhood and your words have made me think that maybe I should continue to put words to paper and share those stories with others. It?s been a long journey since Heber Road School but perhaps finally I can say that I do have something to say which is worth listening to. Many thanks Wardy.

[TillieTrotter]

Thanks Wardy. It was a really interesting read.

[Mick Mac]

Wardy - I am sorry to hear about your treatment by Miss Hussey, especially over a minor issue. I think the fact that you remember this so clearly after so long shows the effect of physical treatment of this type on children and I think in not too many years from now we will look back on all physical discipline of children, by teachers, parents or anyone else as an outdated practice.