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| I was born in Winsley in 1932 attending primary school 1937 to 1943. In 1943 was successful in obtaining a scholarship to the Fitzmaurice Grammar School , Bradford-on-Avon until 1948.Eventually I became a Chartered Structural Engineer.My father was Len Wellman and lived in Haugh/Winsley from the age of 14 to 91 years finally living on the Bradford Road. | |
| I attend Winsley school between 1963 and 1969. I passed my 11 plus, but due to the quota system in place at the time, wasn\\'t awarded a place at Fitzmaurice school in BOA, although ironically I did spend my sixth form there taking my A Levels. I remember my time at Winsley school as being happy, although it was a long walk from where I lived on Winsley hill at the beginning and end of each day. In the summer it was a pleasant walk using the main road, but in the winter we used to go via the sheltered and spooky Turliegh lane. I remember the appalling quality of school dinners brought in from the central kitchens in BOA, that were only acceptable due to the puddings. Teachers I remember were Mr Williams, the headmaster at the time I left, Miss Davis and Mrs Carr. There were solid fuel stoves in the main building, one of which was an original \\"Turtle\\" type. With high ceilings and cold winters, these had to be stoked hard, and by the end of the day were red hot and emitting so much carbon monoxide it\\'s a wonder anyone was left alive ! It was certainly hard to stay awake and concentrate, although the long walk home on a cold, dark winter\\'s afternoon would soon bring us round. The highlight of the year was always the Christmas party which gave several things to look forward too. Those being time spent making hats, etc to be worn at the event, and the afternoon given over to party itself, both meaning no proper lessons during that time. Also the food, games and prizes that were so kindly made and organised by mothers of children at the school. Some things to be borne in mind when people complain about the current state of things is: Outside toilets that had urinals that had been in use for nearly a century and would freeze in the winter. Free school milk that was delivered frozen in the winter and, with no fridge on site, went off during the hot summer term. But there was also playtime with football, British bulldog and a game peculiar to the school which is difficult to explain, but involved cramming a line of boys against the outside toilets wall next to the stink pipe and pushing to see you could get to the end by the pipe. Amazing what you can do with so little. I\\'m glad my children went to a modern school, with on site catering, computers and OFSTED inspections. But I can\\'t throw off the nostalgia I feel for my time at Winsley school. |
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