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Local Schools and Class Photos
My thoughts often stray back to one sunny spring morning in 1952, when I walked nervously up West Cross Lane to my new school, Grange. It was not only ‘new’ because I had not been there before, but also because it was, itself, Swansea's first brand new post-war school, with modern desks and chairs, brand‑new books, pens and pencils and most memorably—a playing field and indoor loos!
Carol Powell (née Symmons)
Grange School under construction, 1951
My first impression came as we, the ‘Juniors’, assembled in, what seemed to be, an immense hall, to be welcomed from the platform by the formidable figure of the Headmistress, Miss Mildred Roberts.
(At that time, the Infants had their own premises next‑door in, what is now, St David's School) We then dispersed to our various classrooms—mine was 3A, with Teacher, Miss Rotheroe.
Grange School Badge
Grange Class 2A, 1952, Carol is at front left
I met many children who I already knew from my previous school, the Church Hall (now the Ostreme Centre) an ‘outpost’ of Mumbles Church School, but also met others who had come from Blackpill School (now a private residence).
Over the next few years, it built up an excellent reputation for both academic and sporting achievements and I remember appearing in the notable production of Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.
Builders on roof, L to R: Tom Lewis, Herbert Jones, George Jones and Glyn Charles
Builders at the entrance
Grange School Rugby Team, 1953
Back row L-R-Mr. Evans, sports master, Mr. Squires, Miss Roberts headmistress
Next row L-R, Alan Reason, Colin Lee, Vic Symonds, Tom Hodgson, David Lloyd (whose father had the garage near the Mumbles train station at Blackpill), Murray Jones, Michael Willis, Michael Edmunds, John Bevan
Front row L-R, Keith Sims, X, Alan Clement, Billy Hullin with ball (later played for Wales), Jeff Parton, Ian Fairburn, Gordon Daniels
Seated L-R, Ian Boyd (Norton Newsagents) and Clifford Phillipott
John Trow contacted us with his memory of travelling to Grange School:
'Looking through the website A History of Mumbles today, I came across the article, Everyday Life in the Police Service and when I read it I saw the photo of PC Tiny Davies.
This brought back memories of Grange School. One day, my brother was taking me to school on the crossbar of his bike and as we were going down the hill to the school, out steps PC Davies with his hand held out in front of him, shouting "Stop" .
He gave us a telling off, I was terrified and remember it so well to this day'.
PC 'Tiny' Davies
Mary Cooke, a teacher in Grange Infants until 1990s with her class and the family's Wolsey Hornet, registration,GY 1332, outside school. Photo: from her daughter, Louise Davies.
Can anyone please tell me the names?
Forty‑five years later, in May 1997, some of us ‘oldies,’ gathered at the school, as guests, for a magnificent concert given by present‑day pupils, followed, next day by an evening ‘do’ at the Bristol Channel Yacht Club.
Much reminiscing was done by all!
Much reminiscing was done by all!
An aerial view of Grange Primary School, c1951
An aerial view of Grange Primary School, c1951
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