Near High Storrs School between Wire Mill Dam and the allotments there is an area of land that has what looks like the footings of a building. Does anyone know what they are. My mum wants to know, aparantly when she was young, children called them the roughs.

So anyone shed any light???

that land was known as the roughs, ooh, over thirty years ago, when I was at school. I don't ever remember coming across any remains of any buildings, though, in my day.. *scared!*

it was out of bounds to we pupils, but it didn't stop us going in there! lol

PT

When I was a youngster and visiting my grandparents on Trap Lane, I used to go playing around there, and we used to call it The Reck.

HERE (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/saxon51/the%20reck/Image2.jpg) is a google earth image of the area. You can clearly see 'parch' marks of building remains.

When I was at High Storrs 1987 they were still known as the roughs

When I was at High Storrs 1987 they were still known as the roughs
I'm 16 and I know them as the roughs! Wow that name stuck.

Does anyone know what the building remains are though?

Funny how the "nick" name of somewhere is known and sticks!

Yes, they were always known as "The Roughs" - they were away to the right climbing Hangingwater Road and led up to High Storrs School. Errant pupils found down there were dealt with by Messrs George Mack or George Griffin!

The Roughs are covered with the overgrown remains of buildings, some of them quite big. They are the brick bases of numerous greenhouses left from when the roughs were covered with allotments, between 1905 and now. Although they are heavily overgrown now, the roughs were open ground until relatively recently. As the allotments fell into disuse, nature moved in to produce the roughs as we see them now. The Friends of the Porter Valley are shortly going to publish a history of the roughs, and a leaflet for a guided walk.

Thanks for that algy :thumbsup:

No doubt Chairboy will remember being asked by the said George Mack "Have you got any coins in your back pockets boy"? "We don't want to leave an impression on your backside" just before the cane came flying through the air.

No doubt Chairboy will remember being asked by the said George Mack "Have you got any coins in your back pockets boy"? "We don't want to leave an impression on your backside" just before the cane came flying through the air.

Pleased to say NOT. Merely a member of staff!

When I was a youngster and visiting my grandparents on Trap Lane, I used to go playing around there, and we used to call it The Reck.

HERE (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/saxon51/the%20reck/Image2.jpg) is a google earth image of the area. You can clearly see 'parch' marks of building remains.
The open area is the old school playing fields on Whiteley Wood Road though Saxon. The Roughs are the heavily wooded area to the right.

Thanks for that algy.

I was a bit confused as the place we used to call 'the reck' seemed to be a little less wooded when I was a nipper in the 50s.

Hi Saxon
Yes it would have been. I recently saw an aerial photo of the area from 1948,and the whole of the roughs was allotments, with very few trees at all. Result of 'digging for victory' I suppose:thumbsup:

We've moved up near there recently, I'll have to check this out!

I lived by the roughs in Highcliffe for years, and went to both KES and High Storrs, plus my Dad had an allotment, so I remember some of the history. In the sixties the allotments were confined to a strip alongside Highcliffe Rd, the rest of the Roughs being 'rough'! The allotments had a society hut down the bottom near to the road bridge over the Porter. This sold bulk stuff to the members - remember my dad buying dried blood :gag: and various other 'grow faster' potions. Hut was torched around late 70's I think, but base remains, as did a small brick outbuilding which offered a reduced service for a while. The green area was KES Whitely Woods playing fields. Looks like the wooden pavilion has gone, as have the pitches too I think. So that could be another foundation? After games I'd nip home through the roughs, rather than get bussed back to KES in town and have to get a bus back home again. Could be a bit scary on a dark winter's evening. Also got chased by Teddy Boys when young on the way back from conker hunting by Wiremill:help: We used the paths regularly as a short cut to Bents Green shops, and later to totter home from the Hammer.

The pavilion and pitches went quite a while ago, the field has been used for grazing horses and ponies for several years now

that land was known as the roughs, ooh, over thirty years ago, when I was at school. I don't ever remember coming across any remains of any buildings, though, in my day.. *scared!*

it was out of bounds to we pupils, but it didn't stop us going in there! lol

PT
Hi Plain Talker,
I take it that you're ex High Storrs? I think you must have been there about the same time as I was. I think I left in '62. I do remember the roughs. We did venture down there at times, never got caught. A few cigarettes smoked and a few good laughs. Don't remember any buildings though, perhaps we didn't go far enough.
Dors.

Hi Plain Talker,
I take it that you're ex High Storrs? I think you must have been there about the same time as I was. I think I left in '62. I do remember the roughs. We did venture down there at times, never got caught. A few cigarettes smoked and a few good laughs. Don't remember any buildings though, perhaps we didn't go far enough.
Dors.

Hi, Dors,

Yes, I am a former pupil at High Storrs, but a few years after you. I actually left HS in 1980. I have to say I don't remember buildings, either, in the roughs.

I remember them being placed "out of bounds", but that didn't stop the more daring amongst us going down there to sneak the odd ciggie or two.

Hi, Dors,

Yes, I am a former pupil at High Storrs, but a few years after you. I actually left HS in 1980. I have to say I don't remember buildings, either, in the roughs.

I remember them being placed "out of bounds", but that didn't stop the more daring amongst us going down there to sneak the odd ciggie or two.

Was it still a Girls Grammar School at that point? It was a great school to go to. Quite strict but very fair. Most of the girls were from quite well to do families but although me and some others were from working class backgrounds I don't remember any problems. Teachers were good and the school facilities were terrific. I had never seen a gym in my life before. Went there on a scholarship after the good old eleven plus exam. The boys school was right next door in fact only separated by double doors. We would get together at lunch time and that's where the "roughs" came in. As you said it was a good spot to have a ciggie.
Dors.

Hi Plain Talker,
I take it that you're ex High Storrs? I think you must have been there about the same time as I was. I think I left in '62. I do remember the roughs. We did venture down there at times, never got caught. A few cigarettes smoked and a few good laughs. Don't remember any buildings though, perhaps we didn't go far enough.
Dors.

Dors, I'm a contemporary of yours. In the boys part of the school though. Left 61. Although roughs were out of bounds, we used to go there at lunch time for a smoke. Remember how in those days they used to arrange lunch times for the boys and girls sides of the school at different times? Seem to remember there was a bit of an overlap though.

Chairboy, Griffin and George Mack? Griffin was feared by all. Strict disciplinarian, no sense of humor, better not cross him. George Mack: we had to stand up the moment he entered a room. As I recall, he was the only one who used a cane. All the other teachers used gym shoes. I believe they're now called trainers over your way. The result was the same. Six whacks on the bum.

Chairboy, Griffin and George Mack? Griffin was feared by all. Strict disciplinarian, no sense of humor, better not cross him. George Mack: we had to stand up the moment he entered a room. As I recall, he was the only one who used a cane. All the other teachers used gym shoes. I believe they're now called trainers over your way. The result was the same. Six whacks on the bum.

Discipline of that form has disappeared and things have gone down the pan! From what reaches my ears, the school is a sorrier place for it but hands are 'tied'! Yes, they are called "trainers", my daughter calls them that but 'plimmies' was one such term coming from plimsolls.
I think 'Griff' did have a sense of humour, he was very keen on G&S.

Discipline of that form has disappeared and things have gone down the pan! From what reaches my ears, the school is a sorrier place for it but hands are 'tied'! Yes, they are called "trainers", my daughter calls them that but 'plimmies' was one such term coming from plimsolls.
I think 'Griff' did have a sense of humour, he was very keen on G&S.

What is or was G & S, Chairboy?

Gilbert & Sullivan?

What is or was G & S, Chairboy?

As PT says, Gilbert and Sullivan (Savoy Operas) Gilbert the librettist and Sullivan the composer. Good stuff but you need a sense of humour!
There was more to Griff than bellowing "F-why-ay (foyer) boy"!

Dors, I'm a contemporary of yours. In the boys part of the school though. Left 61. Although roughs were out of bounds, we used to go there at lunch time for a smoke. Remember how in those days they used to arrange lunch times for the boys and girls sides of the school at different times? Seem to remember there was a bit of an overlap though.

Chairboy, Griffin and George Mack? Griffin was feared by all. Strict disciplinarian, no sense of humor, better not cross him. George Mack: we had to stand up the moment he entered a room. As I recall, he was the only one who used a cane. All the other teachers used gym shoes. I believe they're now called trainers over your way. The result was the same. Six whacks on the bum.
Hi RogG,
Good to hear from you.
Yes there was an overlap on lunchtime. I used to hang out with a crowd of girls and boys at lunchtime. Did you know Terry Nuttall, Mick Bramall and Dave Shawyer? Did you know anyone from the girls school?
Our headmistress' name was Miss Furtado - you can imagine what we did with that name. She seemed like an old dragon but underneath I think she had a heart of gold. Most of teachers were pretty good except for one. She taught Latin.
I can't remember her name but shewas good at throwing blackboard rubbers!
Made sure I didn't take Latin!
Dors.

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s140/CHAIRBOY_2007/HSGGSSTAFF1.jpg

Miss Furtado and team!

Chairboy: Of course, Gilbert & Sullivan. Not a style that I appreciated in those days but I went to see a local production of the Mikado a couple of yrs ago and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Dors: I knew Terry Nuttall, not that well though. He was a year or so behind me. Did you know Valerie Hales? She was my girl friend for a while.

I was interviewed by Ms. Furtado for a job at HSGSG while I was midway through my PhD and getting fed up. I withdrew my interest. Not long after, I got the chance to move to Canada and been here ever since.

My daughter's currently at High Storrs and they are still called the roughs now.

I remember when I was there in the mid 70's we had to do cross country running through them and down to Forge Dam and back I doubt they do that any more. When the teacher wasn' t looking we would hide behind the bushes and have a quick smoke.

I don't rememeber there being any buildings in there at that time.

I too went to High Storrs leaving in 1972 and can remember that there were remains of brick buidings down on the "roughs" . What I have found interesting about this post was seeing the photo of Miss Furtado and staff- it was only this last weekend that I was telling my daughter about her and her deputy Miss Gay (who was a quaker) and looking at the photo brought it all back to me. I can remember when Miss Furtado retired it was still a Girls Grammar and her leaving present was a Jack Russell puppy. Can anyone else remember teachers such as Miss Tingle, "Dotty" Beech, Mrs Butterfield and Miss Weaver?

Dors, I'm a contemporary of yours. In the boys part of the school though. Left 61. Although roughs were out of bounds, we used to go there at lunch time for a smoke. Remember how in those days they used to arrange lunch times for the boys and girls sides of the school at different times? Seem to remember there was a bit of an overlap though.

Chairboy, Griffin and George Mack? Griffin was feared by all. Strict disciplinarian, no sense of humor, better not cross him. George Mack: we had to stand up the moment he entered a room. As I recall, he was the only one who used a cane. All the other teachers used gym shoes. I believe they're now called trainers over your way. The result was the same. Six whacks on the bum.
Yes there was an overlap at luchtimes. We used to meet on the wall outside near the playing fields and then head off down the roughs. Some of the names I remember from the boys school are Dave Shawyer, Terry Nuttall and Mick Bramall.
Dors.

Chairboy: Of course, Gilbert & Sullivan. Not a style that I appreciated in those days but I went to see a local production of the Mikado a couple of yrs ago and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Dors: I knew Terry Nuttall, not that well though. He was a year or so behind me. Did you know Valerie Hales? She was my girl friend for a while.

I was interviewed by Ms. Furtado for a job at HSGSG while I was midway through my PhD and getting fed up. I withdrew my interest. Not long after, I got the chance to move to Canada and been here ever since.

If Terry was as year or so behind you it makes you a little older than me as I was about a year younger than him and his contempories. Can't say that I really remember Valerie Hale. Trying to think of girls that were older than me I can only come up with Gillian Humphries and Christine Warburton. A couple of girls that were in my year were Deidre Watson, Linda Middleton, Lynn Goodison, Angela Wildegoose.
I'm surprised that Miss. Furtado considered employing a man, the only one that I never knew there was some sort of exchange student from France! I think Miss.Furtado had a soft heart even thought she appeared to be tough.
I lost my father in my first year at High Storrs, my mother had already died a year before. Miss Furtado and all the teachers were very supportive in my time there.

Didn't the 'Wild man of the Woods' Samuel Plimsoll live near there?

PopT

Didn't the 'Wild man of the Woods' Samuel Plimsoll live near there?

PopT

That's right Pop, he lived at Whiteley Wood Hall for a while.

If Terry was as year or so behind you it makes you a little older than me as I was about a year younger than him and his contempories. Can't say that I really remember Valerie Hale. Trying to think of girls that were older than me I can only come up with Gillian Humphries and Christine Warburton. A couple of girls that were in my year were Deidre Watson, Linda Middleton, Lynn Goodison, Angela Wildegoose.
I'm surprised that Miss. Furtado considered employing a man, the only one that I never knew there was some sort of exchange student from France! I think Miss.Furtado had a soft heart even thought she appeared to be tough.
I lost my father in my first year at High Storrs, my mother had already died a year before. Miss Furtado and all the teachers were very supportive in my time there.

I think I must have been in your year. I too remember the names you mention. I left in 1966 after one year in the 6th form. Do you remember Sheila Goodliffe and Glenys Dooley?
The picture of the teachers brought back some memories. I remember Miss Teesdale - taught maths and terrified the life out of me.

I too went to High Storrs leaving in 1972 and can remember that there were remains of brick buidings down on the "roughs" . What I have found interesting about this post was seeing the photo of Miss Furtado and staff- it was only this last weekend that I was telling my daughter about her and her deputy Miss Gay (who was a quaker) and looking at the photo brought it all back to me. I can remember when Miss Furtado retired it was still a Girls Grammar and her leaving present was a Jack Russell puppy. Can anyone else remember teachers such as Miss Tingle, "Dotty" Beech, Mrs Butterfield and Miss Weaver?

Miss Beech was still there when I attended, (I left 1980)

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s140/CHAIRBOY_2007/HSGGSSTAFF1.jpg

Miss Furtado and team!
Fantastic. I am trying to work out who everyone is but struggling. I was looking for Miss Beech of the tweeds and brogues. She was a bit scary and a bit like a man but I had detention with her one time and she was a great teacher one on one. I always remember her playing the trumpet at the carol concerts that we had every year, I think it was at Victoria Hall.
Dors.

High Storrs photo.

I think Miss Beech is standing behind Miss Gay. Miss Catcliffe (Geography) is 3 to the right of Miss Furtado. Back row 6th from right is a PE teacher, but can't remember her name. Mrs Russell, next to Miss Gay, taught French. I think the woman behind her is Mrs Mossendew (needlework) The only man in the photo taught music. He would drop off to sleep for a minute whilst playing the piano! I can't see the dreaded Miss Teesdale in the photo - maybe I've blotted her from my memory!

I think I must have been in your year. I too remember the names you mention. I left in 1966 after one year in the 6th form. Do you remember Sheila Goodliffe and Glenys Dooley?
The picture of the teachers brought back some memories. I remember Miss Teesdale - taught maths and terrified the life out of me.
Hi Jeang,
Can't say that I remember the names of the girls you mentioned. Thanks for bringing back some memories for me of teachers names. Remember Miss Teesdale's name, which one is whe on the photo? Miss. Russell took us for French, she was really nice. Mrs.Carey (I think that's the correct name) took us for German, didn't like her much. I know there was one teacher who taught Latin who reputedly threw blackboard rubbers around - a fine example for young 'ladies'. What did Miss. Catcliffe teach? I can remember the name but that's all. I'll send you a pm as I can remember quite a few of the girls in my class.
Dors.

Yes, they were always known as "The Roughs" - they were away to the right climbing Hangingwater Road and led up to High Storrs School. Errant pupils found down there were dealt with by Messrs George Mack or George Griffin!

You must be about my time. (1954-61 )Mack warmed my behind over his chair many times. And Griffin was fearsome. They "whacked" 200 or so of us at the end of one term.

Dors, I'm a contemporary of yours. In the boys part of the school though. Left 61. Although roughs were out of bounds, we used to go there at lunch time for a smoke. Remember how in those days they used to arrange lunch times for the boys and girls sides of the school at different times? Seem to remember there was a bit of an overlap though.

Chairboy, Griffin and George Mack? Griffin was feared by all. Strict disciplinarian, no sense of humor, better not cross him. George Mack: we had to stand up the moment he entered a room. As I recall, he was the only one who used a cane. All the other teachers used gym shoes. I believe they're now called trainers over your way. The result was the same. Six whacks on the bum.
They didn't all use the slipper. The Geography techer used his hand and Pharoah,(real name???) used bunsen burner tubing. I left in 61 as well.

Hi Jeang,
Can't say that I remember the names of the girls you mentioned. Thanks for bringing back some memories for me of teachers names. Remember Miss Teesdale's name, which one is whe on the photo? Miss. Russell took us for French, she was really nice. Mrs.Carey (I think that's the correct name) took us for German, didn't like her much. I know there was one teacher who taught Latin who reputedly threw blackboard rubbers around - a fine example for young 'ladies'. What did Miss. Catcliffe teach? I can remember the name but that's all. I'll send you a pm as I can remember quite a few of the girls in my class.
Dors.

Mrs Carey and Miss Catliffe had become heads of house by the time I was there. There were four houses, Hoffman, Herring, Carey and Catliffe.

When Mr Herring retired, his house became "Stevenson", and when Mr Hoffman retired, a few years after I left, his house became "Smith".

I was told by someone that the four houses then became two, Stevenson and Smith.

They didn't all use the slipper. The Geography techer used his hand and Pharoah,(real name???) used bunsen burner tubing. I left in 61 as well.

Pharoah's real name was Jim Smith.

that land was known as the roughs, ooh, over thirty years ago, when I was at school. I don't ever remember coming across any remains of any buildings, though, in my day.. *scared!*

it was out of bounds to we pupils, but it didn't stop us going in there! lol

PT

And I thought you were prefectly well behaved when we were at school!:o

I went in a few times but managed never to get caught...

And I thought you were prefectly well behaved when we were at school!:o

I went in a few times but managed never to get caught...

:nod: I was VERY well behaved! *innocent face*

Well, on the rare occasion(s) I did misbehave, (like going exploring in the Roughs) I was never caught!

(and I suppose it wasn't even mischief, really, as I wasn't "up to no good", I was just exploring, the "naughtiest" part of it was being out-of-bounds!)

:nod: I was VERY well behaved! *innocent face*

Well, on the rare occasion(s) I did misbehave, (like going exploring in the Roughs) I was never caught!

(and I suppose it wasn't even mischief, really, as I wasn't "up to no good", I was just exploring, the "naughtiest" part of it was being out-of-bounds!)

I'll let you off then lol .... :hihi:

My daughter's currently at High Storrs and they are still called the roughs now.

I remember when I was there in the mid 70's we had to do cross country running through them and down to Forge Dam and back I doubt they do that any more. When the teacher wasn' t looking we would hide behind the bushes and have a quick smoke.

I don't rememeber there being any buildings in there at that time.

I remember that run very well with either Mr Mathews or Mr Chapell watching out for stagglers, if you ducked out you could cut off the Forge Dam, Trap lane bit and sneak up to Bents Green through the Roughs and wait.

Hi Jeang,
reputedly threw blackboard rubbers around - a fine example for young 'ladies'. What did Miss. Catcliffe teach? I can remember the name but that's all. Dors.

Miss Catcliffe was our head of house in the mid 70s

Miss Catcliffe taught me geography in the 1970s.
Miss Beech always made me think of Rosa Klebb from the Bond film From Russia With Love.
My mum pointed out that Miss Beech always seemed to be doing a "Sissy & Ada" (Les Dawson and Roy Barraclough) with one of her breasts. I can't say that I noticed though.

The Stevenson mentioned in previous post was spelt Stephenson. I remember him writing it as Step hen son on the blackboard so we'd remember. It worked, he should have taught me everything that way, because it's the only thing I do remember from his lessons.

Yes, they were always known as "The Roughs" - they were away to the right climbing Hangingwater Road and led up to High Storrs School. Errant pupils found down there were dealt with by Messrs George Mack or George Griffin!

Small point, but I think the gentlemans name was Arthur Griffin. Yes, he was a strict disciplinarion, and both George Mack and Arthur Griffin invited me to bend over the chair on numerous occasions. I met Arthur Griffin in the Hammer and Pincers long after I left High Storrs and socially, he was a good guy with a wicked sense of humour.
My firm favourite had to be the German teacher - Joe Collier. A lovely old man and God rest his soul.

... The green area was KES Whitely Woods playing fields. Looks like the wooden pavilion has gone, as have the pitches too I think. So that could be another foundation?
The 1920s pavilion was demolished in 1989 as it was in such a poor state of repair. I went there last year and could find no trace of its foundations, just a patch of nettles in slightly-disturbed soil where the pavilion had been, near the stream just below the stepping stones. "Sic transit gloria" as my KES Latin master (and keen cricketer) Dr Jameson might have said.

I too remember the roughs I left early 90's used to hide there all the time.
Think I was in stephenson and the other was smith.
Mr hayes science teacher had a big scar on his neck that everyone used to try and work out what it was from. He was there when my mum was..
Mr towl think thats how you spell it always used to take my sink bombs off em the boring man..

top place for wagging pe as sitting on your bum cloudwathing beats cross country running any day also good fortaking your girlfreind for teeny fumblings.

I remember that run very well with either Mr Mathews or Mr Chapell watching out for stagglers, if you ducked out you could cut off the Forge Dam, Trap lane bit and sneak up to Bents Green through the Roughs and wait.

I had Miss Leeson, Miss Elliott (she was the only games teacher I liked) and another whose name I can not remember for the life of me but she had massive muscular legs bigger than any man's:hihi:

I dont remember any of the boys PE teachers but wasn't there a young bloke that all the girls used to fancy?

I too remember the roughs I left early 90's used to hide there all the time.
Think I was in stephenson and the other was smith.
Mr hayes science teacher had a big scar on his neck that everyone used to try and work out what it was from. He was there when my mum was..
Mr towl think thats how you spell it always used to take my sink bombs off em the boring man..

Everyone used to say that Mr Hayes (groz) as he was affectionately known was given a pin sandwich once by some pupils and thats how he got the scar!

I am sure this was pure fiction but you never know.

Small point, but I think the gentlemans name was Arthur Griffin. Yes, he was a strict disciplinarion, and both George Mack and Arthur Griffin invited me to bend over the chair on numerous occasions. I met Arthur Griffin in the Hammer and Pincers long after I left High Storrs and socially, he was a good guy with a wicked sense of humour.
My firm favourite had to be the German teacher - Joe Collier. A lovely old man and God rest his soul.

Yes, Sgt Dave, Joe Collier was a great guy and never in my memory had to use corporal punishment. Why is it that all the best teachers were able to keep order and respect without resorting to it? I remember Joe yelling down the corridor to the ever present line up of boys waiting to go into the classroom "Hinein!" There were several other teachers who ranked alongside Joe as being a cut above the rest. Tom Haller, Pole Robinson, Alf Ridler and Polly Sandford (sp?), for example. Eccentricity added to their appeal. Getting bk to the roughs, in my day (yours too Sgt), the roughs were a place for smoking, hanging out, and if you were lucky and the odd girl happened to stray in there, for what we used to call "chatting up."

I was there for 5 years & left in 1951. They were called the roughs in those days & out of bounds. I also suffered punishment under George Mack & various other masters, Adams (Maths) Haller (biology) to name, but a few.
I still have some good memories though, although some of the Masters weren't up to it due to being too old having been retained longer than normal because of the war years.

Yes, Sgt Dave, Joe Collier was a great guy and never in my memory had to use corporal punishment. Why is it that all the best teachers were able to keep order and respect without resorting to it? I remember Joe yelling down the corridor to the ever present line up of boys waiting to go into the classroom "Hinein!" There were several other teachers who ranked alongside Joe as being a cut above the rest. Tom Haller, Pole Robinson, Alf Ridler and Polly Sandford (sp?), for example. Eccentricity added to their appeal. Getting bk to the roughs, in my day (yours too Sgt), the roughs were a place for smoking, hanging out, and if you were lucky and the odd girl happened to stray in there, for what we used to call "chatting up."

Hi rogG,

Over a year since you replied ... the thread must have been well and truly buried.

I attended High Storrs between 62 - 67 and quite frankly, wasted my time there. I wish I could turn the clock back but .......

I think Polly's surname was Stamford or similar. He was another true gent, a quiet unassuming man, but Joe Collier was head and shoulders above the rest.
I can remember Joe teaching us the German equivalent of Silent Night at Christmas. He had such an endearing way and although I used to give most of the teachers a hard time, I never misbehaved with Joe.

I also remember having the odd smoke in the Roughs. Didn't get the chance to chat any girls up as their lunch breaks didn't coincide with the boys. Oh well.

Joe taught us that Carol too, Sgt Dave. He also gave us all German surnames. When there wasn't a direct translation, he made one up. So, mine was Schotte, i.e. Scotsman, because my surname has a Scottish origin. Chatting up the girls - not all that easy because as you say, the lunch bks didn't coincide, except for a bit of overlap, a window of opportunity. More like an extracurricular activity?

Hi rogG,

Over a year since you replied ... the thread must have been well and truly buried.

I attended High Storrs between 62 - 67 and quite frankly, wasted my time there. I wish I could turn the clock back but .......

I think Polly's surname was Stamford or similar. He was another true gent, a quiet unassuming man, but Joe Collier was head and shoulders above the rest.
I can remember Joe teaching us the German equivalent of Silent Night at Christmas. He had such an endearing way and although I used to give most of the teachers a hard time, I never misbehaved with Joe.

I also remember having the odd smoke in the Roughs. Didn't get the chance to chat any girls up as their lunch breaks didn't coincide with the boys. Oh well.

Joe taught us that Carol too, Sgt Dave. He also gave us all German surnames. When there wasn't a direct translation, he made one up. So, mine was Schotte, i.e. Scotsman, because my surname has a Scottish origin. Chatting up the girls - not all that easy because as you say, the lunch bks didn't coincide, except for a bit of overlap, a window of opportunity. More like an extracurricular activity?

Joe wasn't handing out the German surname equivalents when he taught me. He must have aded that particular feature latterly - when did you attend rogG?

Can I also be a nosey beggar and ask where PEI is in Canada? I hail from Canada.

Joe wasn't handing out the German surname equivalents when he taught me. He must have aded that particular feature latterly - when did you attend rogG?

Can I also be a nosey beggar and ask where PEI is in Canada? I hail from Canada.

1954-61.

You hail from Canada and don't know where PEI is? Prince Edward Island. Off the coasts of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick surrounded on the south side by the Northumberland Strait and on the north by the Gulf of St Lawrence. Shaped like a banana. Land of Anne of Green Gables, beautiful beaches, delicious lobster and mussels. I should work for the tourism department.

Hey. I just noticed you're a blades supporter. Won't hold that against you.:hihi:

spent many happy hours playing in the roughs in the 40s i lived in trap lane & in the bad winter in the 40s we could sledge down the road & into the roughs it was a long walk back in the war search lights were based on the playing fields at high storrs school

I have found lots of comment about the Roughs and would like to add some information as much of what I have read is untrue. I was born on Trap Lane in 1932 and for many years the Roughs were my playground, as they were for all we lads at Bents Green. I can state categorically that, contrary to many beliefs, there were never any buildings there and neither were there any allotmenrs. Allotments were on two sides but the actual Roungbhs, entered from the bottom of Bents Green Avenue or from a track at the bottom of Trap lane were and always have been a part wooded and until recently a mostly open bushy area with much evidence of old open cast mining. Not a remnant of any building and I believe that those who state so are looking at adjacent territory and in particular at the old allotment sites to the north.

The Roughs Expert AKA Patrick!

spent many happy hours playing in the roughs in the 40s i lived in trap lane & in the bad winter in the 40s we could sledge down the road & into the roughs it was a long walk back in the war search lights were based on the playing fields at high storrs school

Wasn't there an area just off Hangingwater Road known as Wilson's Fields that was a great sledging spot.

Wasn't there an area just off Hangingwater Road known as Wilson's Fields that was a great sledging spot.

Wilsons field is the area bounded on two sides by Highcliffe Rd and Greystones Rd. It is quite heavily wooded now but in the 60's it was a more open field down which we used to sledge and then on down the hill leading down to Shepherd wheel and into the river! I remember the young saplings being burnt in fires at least once during a summer sometime in the 60's.
It got the name Wilsons Field from belonging to Wilsons Farm on Greystones Rd.

Wilsons field is the area bounded on two sides by Highcliffe Rd and Greystones Rd. It is quite heavily wooded now but in the 60's it was a more open field down which we used to sledge and then on down the hill leading down to Shepherd wheel and into the river! I remember the young saplings being burnt in fires at least once during a summer sometime in the 60's.
It got the name Wilsons Field from belonging to Wilsons Farm on Greystones Rd.

Tx for the update. Just had to Google the area as I thought I was totally losing it but I wasn't too far out. Can't believe how overgrown this area has become. Better than a housing estate though.:D

hi beberry i lived at 44 trap lane from 40s to late 50s what number trap lane were you ? were you a member of the fish/walk rifles?

Hi michael g. saw your post to beberry and wonder if you knew my late uncle. his name was Wilf Hancock and he lived somewhere by Trap Lane. He used to keep pigs behind the Hammer & Pincers and told us he had to then sit inside to keep an eye on them.:D

hi pigiron i didnt know wilf hancock but knew a donald hancock lived in ( i think) latham square ?

hi pigiron i didnt know wilf hancock but knew a donald hancock lived in ( i think) latham square ?

Hi michael g. Spot on - Donald Hancock is Wilfs' son and yes I'm sure it was Latham Square now you mention it. Donald used to have a chippy in Hathersage but I think he's moved on but still in the area.

Do any of these names mean anything to either of you from that era on Trap Lane/Latham Square-Naylor,Merrel,Needham,Vickers,Staniforth,Sanderson ,,Mills,Mottram?

Hi shanes teeth. Quite common names but I can't link any to people in that area. I originally come from lower down the hill nearer to Banner Cross.

I was at High Storrs Boys until '66. I lived in Fulwood, had to cut through The Roughs as I walked to and from school.

In addition to the above:

Mr (Jim) Anderson taught German and also gave us German names. I was Willi Frankenstein, which, at 11, mortified me and delighted my friends. Rumoured to be having an affair with one of the few female teachers, whose name escapes me.

Mr Beaumont, the gym master, used both rope and slippers for discipline. His enthusiastic robust tickling of teenage boys in the changing rooms looks decidedly iffy these days.

Mr (Lefty) Wright, French and English, a nice bloke and decent teacher.

Mr (Gerry) Lewis, Maths. An excellent teacher who I had every two years, when he managed to get us all to catch up on the intervening year when we'd had someone less competent. Physically unprepossessing, but no one ever spoke out of turn.

Ron Trotter. Good English teacher, but weird and unpredictable. One moment affable and chatting about rugby, then the next holding quite physically vicious Inquisitons of suspected wrong-doers.

Mr (Sid)Hoffman, a good English teacher.

Colin Smith. Latin. A good teacher in parts, but a bit too keen on the slipper to punish mistakes rather than ill discipline.

I've always suspected that George Mack's failings were because he tried to run a Grammar School on Public School lines, and he'd have been happier in the private education system.

There's more, but I risk boring you.

[QUOTE=Edave51;7358111]I was at High Storrs Boys until '66. I lived in Fulwood, had to cut through The Roughs as I walked to and from school.

In addition to the above:

Mr Beaumont, the gym master, used both rope and slippers for discipline. His enthusiastic robust tickling of teenage boys in the changing rooms looks decidedly iffy these days.

Mr (Sid)Hoffman, a good English teacher.

Colin Smith. Latin. A good teacher in parts, but a bit too keen on the slipper to punish mistakes rather than ill discipline.

I've always suspected that George Mack's failings were because he tried to run a Grammar School on Public School lines, and he'd have been happier in the private education system.



Monty (Beaumont) also liked to play noughts and crosses on boys' bare chests with his finger nails, blow cigarette smoke at them, flick his key chain at their bare chests. He once gave me a black eye for being late for school. I had no time for that guy.

Hoffman - highly respected.

Colin Smith - yes, he used the slipper a lot. Used to take a run at the kids' backsides, like he was a bowler in a cricket game. But I liked the fellow. He was eccentric and don't think he intended any malice.

George Mack - your appraisal is correct. He did run it like a British Public School, but you know what, HSGS for Boys offered a first rate education. It stood me in good stead.

54-61 btw.

[QUOTE=Edave51;7358111]I was at High Storrs Boys until '66. I lived in Fulwood, had to cut through The Roughs as I walked to and from school.

In addition to the above:

Mr Beaumont, the gym master, used both rope and slippers for discipline. His enthusiastic robust tickling of teenage boys in the changing rooms looks decidedly iffy these days.

Mr (Sid)Hoffman, a good English teacher.

Colin Smith. Latin. A good teacher in parts, but a bit too keen on the slipper to punish mistakes rather than ill discipline.

I've always suspected that George Mack's failings were because he tried to run a Grammar School on Public School lines, and he'd have been happier in the private education system.



Monty (Beaumont) also liked to play noughts and crosses on boys' bare chests with his finger nails, blow cigarette smoke at them, flick his key chain at their bare chests. He once gave me a black eye for being late for school. I had no time for that guy.

Hoffman - highly respected.

Colin Smith - yes, he used the slipper a lot. Used to take a run at the kids' backsides, like he was a bowler in a cricket game. But I liked the fellow. He was eccentric and don't think he intended any malice.

George Mack - your appraisal is correct. He did run it like a British Public School, but you know what, HSGS for Boys offered a first rate education. It stood me in good stead.

54-61 btw.

Yes, Monty used to write the initials of colours on your chest with his thumbnail when you were chosen as a captain - a surprising penalty for being decent at games. And whenever he demonstrated a handstand, all his smoking tackle and strands of stray tobacco would cascade out of his tracksuit pockets.

We barely overlap in our time there. The first Head Boy I remember was called Fuller; he must have been around your time. Sanctimonious prig, I thought (God, I hope it's not you).

[QUOTE=rogG;7359672]

Yes, Monty used to write the initials of colours on your chest with his thumbnail when you were chosen as a captain - a surprising penalty for being decent at games. And whenever he demonstrated a handstand, all his smoking tackle and strands of stray tobacco would cascade out of his tracksuit pockets.

We barely overlap in our time there. The first Head Boy I remember was called Fuller; he must have been around your time. Sanctimonious prig, I thought (God, I hope it's not you).

Don't remember Fuller. Watt Smith was head boy and in my year. Getting bk to Monty - a chain smoking gym teacher wouldn't go down well nowadays would it?

[QUOTE=Edave51;7360082]

Don't remember Fuller. Watt Smith was head boy and in my year. Getting bk to Monty - a chain smoking gym teacher wouldn't go down well nowadays would it?

Given the level of ad hoc teacher - pupil violence, a good number of the staff would have been suspended or more these days.

One of my close friends and exact contemporary at HSGS was a Watt-Smith; I think a younger cousin. Sid Hoffman was very seriously ill last year, but I don't know what the outcome was.

Can you remember the name of he History master who was easily distracted for the length of a lesson if he was asked about railways?

the allotments fell into disuse...

[QUOTE=rogG;7360296]

Given the level of ad hoc teacher - pupil violence, a good number of the staff would have been suspended or more these days.

One of my close friends and exact contemporary at HSGS was a Watt-Smith; I think a younger cousin. Sid Hoffman was very seriously ill last year, but I don't know what the outcome was.

Can you remember the name of he History master who was easily distracted for the length of a lesson if he was asked about railways?

Sid Hoffman still around? he must be really getting on.

Don't remember the railway business. My history master was a guy called Johnson who made us memorize long lists of dates and heaped scorn on scientists.

Sid Hoffman still around? he must be really getting on.

Don't remember the railway business. My history master was a guy called Johnson who made us memorize long lists of dates and heaped scorn on scientists.

I left in 62..."Killer" Johnson was an excellent history teacher and lived on Knowle Lane..I think Sid Hoffman is still alive but I cant be sure

Anyone remember Hairy Mary....

there is a yahoo group for Old Centralians ...mainly get jokes but..

http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/highstorrssurvivors/

here is a site with pics

http://www.flickr.com/groups/high-storrs/

To DaveD

Hairy Mary was older than me, but it was felt necessary to feign an interest even at 12. Usually spotted setting off for hockey across the playing fields in regulation HSG games' kit.

I remember the Roughs from School too, don't even want to discuss what we got up to down there. I think the mossy remains were actually walls. There was also a part where the trees grew over the path forming a tunnel. Happy days!

the tree tunnels are still there.

Yes, they were always known as "The Roughs" - they were away to the right climbing Hangingwater Road and led up to High Storrs School. Errant pupils found down there were dealt with by Messrs George Mack or George Griffin!

Proper teachers! Thet were fantastic. Tim Mardell ruined the school

I was there for 5 years & left in 1951. They were called the roughs in those days & out of bounds. I also suffered punishment under George Mack & various other masters, Adams (Maths) Haller (biology) to name, but a few.
I still have some good memories though, although some of the Masters weren't up to it due to being too old having been retained longer than normal because of the war years.

My uncle was head boy at High Storrs - I think he left in 1951 - his name was Ron Womersley - anyone remember him???? :) :)

Tim Mardell ruined the school

Coop

In what way did Mr Mardell ruin the school, discuss?

Do any of these names mean anything to either of you from that era on Trap Lane/Latham Square-Naylor,Merrel,Needham,Vickers,Staniforth,Sanderson ,Markham,Mills,Mottram?

hi shanes teeth the only name in your list i can remember is vickers who had a builders yard off trap lane on the lefthand corner of latham square was a paper shop owned by dick milnes on the righthand corner lived the ledgers who had a taxi service at the top of latham sq was a cobblers shop owned by ernest marples just down from latham sq in trap lane was a side road leading up to a bakery owned by evans who had a shop opposite the post office at bents green

Some history of the Roughs. Round about 1900 Sheffield Corporation realised they needed more land for slum clearance and bought from a local landowner a huge area between Ringinglow Road, High Storrs Road, Bents Green, Highcliffe Drive and all the way down to Whiteley Woods. But there was big opposition to the idea of a Council estate in that area, after a few years the conservatives got back into power, and in about 1925 the whole project was abandonned in favour of council estates in the east and south of the city. Instead part of the site was made into allotments, a large part was used for High Storrs School which opened about 1930, and the rest was never used and has remained the Roughs. I lived near there as a boy in the 40s and 50s and I can say it wasn't only used for smoking!!!

Wasn't there an area just off Hangingwater Road known as Wilson's Fields that was a great sledging spot.

Hi Pigiron, I believe I am the Don Hancock you refer to and Wilf was my father, who kept the "Pigs" Are you David, son of my uncle Harry, I look forward to your reply?

Hi Don. Yes, this is the prodigal son of Henry Leslie. Please e-mail me at dhancock@chtech.co.za and let me know how things are.

Hi Pigiron, I believe I am the Don Hancock you refer to and Wilf was my father, who kept the "Pigs" Are you David, son of my uncle Harry, I look forward to your reply?

what happened to the SQUARE TV AERIAL you designed years ago ?

Do any of these names mean anything to either of you from that era on Trap Lane/Latham Square-Naylor,Merrel,Needham,Vickers,Staniforth,Sanderson ,Mills,Mottram?Hi shanes teeth.
Vickers = A+J Vickers, Builders, and my great uncles - Arthur and Joe
Ernest and Nelly , 55 Trap Lane, my paternal grandparents. Nelly being a Vickers before marriage.

Edited to add this photo here (http://www.picturesheffield.com/frontend.php?action=zoomWindow&keywords=s00304&prevUrl=ZnJvbnRlbmQucGhwPyZrZXl3b3Jkcz1hbGwlM0JNQV RDSEVTJTNCJTI4JTVFJTdDKyUyQiUyOVNoZWFmX01hcmtldCUy OCUyNCU3QyslMkIlMjkmYWN0aW9uPXNlYXJjaA==) from 'Picture Sheffield' site which features Ernest and Nelly in Sheaf markets during the 60's. Nelly is the one on the left nearest the camera with shopping bag and hat, and Ernest is the big bloke on right facing away from camera and wearing gaberdine mac and flat cap. She always reminded me of Hylda Baker, and he reminded me of Tommy Cooper. Treasured memories.:)

Hi shanes teeth.
Vickers = A+J Vickers, Builders, and my great uncles - Arthur and Joe

Markham = Ernest and Nelly Markham, 55 Trap Lane, my paternal grandparents. Nelly being a Vickers before marriage.

Edited to add this photo here (http://www.picturesheffield.com/frontend.php?action=zoomWindow&keywords=s00304&prevUrl=ZnJvbnRlbmQucGhwPyZrZXl3b3Jkcz1hbGwlM0JNQV RDSEVTJTNCJTI4JTVFJTdDKyUyQiUyOVNoZWFmX01hcmtldCUy OCUyNCU3QyslMkIlMjkmYWN0aW9uPXNlYXJjaA==) from 'Picture Sheffield' site which features Ernest and Nelly in Sheaf markets during the 60's. Nelly is the one on the left nearest the camera with shopping bag and hat, and Ernest is the big bloke on right facing away from camera and wearing gaberdine mac and flat cap. She always reminded me of Hylda Baker, and he reminded me of Tommy Cooper. Treasured memories.:)

Thanks for that Saxon51. I think we may be related! Nelly was my great aunt,but I thought her only grand children were Christine and Sue and I'm guessing that as your location is S5 you are neither of them!It's a great photo but I can't really remember what she looked like too well.What year did she die?I don't think I was very old but I do remember going to my grans every Wednesday for meat and tater pie and egg custard for afters and Nelly was always there.

Thanks for that Saxon51. I think we may be related! Nelly was my great aunt,but I thought her only grand children were Christine and Sue and I'm guessing that as your location is S5 you are neither of them!It's a great photo but I can't really remember what she looked like too well.What year did she die?I don't think I was very old but I do remember going to my grans every Wednesday for meat and tater pie and egg custard for afters and Nelly was always there.

Christine and Susan are my cousins. Their mum, Betty, is/was my aunty. She married Alan Davies.

Can't remember what years Nelly and Ernest died, but it must have been in the mid-late 70s for them both.:(

I vaguely remember some relative, female, living next door to them at No. 53. Can't remember her name though.

Just to add: Nelly and Ernest had 6 grandkids in total including me, my brother, and two sisters.

Christine and Susan are my cousins. Their mum, Betty, is/was my aunty. She married Alan Davies.

Can't remember what years Nelly and Ernest died, but it must have been in the mid-late 70s for them both.:(

I vaguely remember some relative, female, living next door to them at No. 53. Can't remember her name though.

Just to add: Nelly and Ernest had 6 grandkids in total including me, my brother, and two sisters.

Betty IS my dads cousin.along with lots of others but not many now survive.So you are the same generation of the family as me.
Auntie Emma used to live next to Nelly and another sister Edna,next to her.Arthur and Joe lived on High Storrs along with another sister,Nora And a further sister,Bertha,lived at Quiet lane at Mayfield valley.She was the only one I don't remember,she having died before I was born.
I guess then that you must be the "offspring"(:confused::hihi:) of Betty's brother or sister.I didn't know she had any siblings.

Proper teachers! Thet were fantastic. Tim Mardell ruined the school

Just noticed this, you're counter posting with a dead man mate, the best poster this forum has ever had. ;)

Betty IS my dads cousin.along with lots of others but not many now survive.So you are the same generation of the family as me.
Auntie Emma used to live next to Nelly and another sister Edna,next to her.Arthur and Joe lived on High Storrs along with another sister,Nora And a further sister,Bertha,lived at Quiet lane at Mayfield valley.She was the only one I don't remember,she having died before I was born.
I guess then that you must be the "offspring"(:confused::hihi:) of Betty's brother or sister.I didn't know she had any siblings.

Looks like we could be from same family three generations back.:)

Have PM'd you.

Looks like we could be from same family three generations back.:)

Have PM'd you.

PM'd you but had to delete more than half of what I'd written.Just sent you the bare bones.Hope you find it interesting! I didn't know PM's were limited to 1500 characters.Why's that then?It's like some overgrown Twitter!I can ramble on with as much rubbish as I like on the forum!

Was it still a Girls Grammar School at that point? It was a great school to go to. Quite strict but very fair. Most of the girls were from quite well to do families but although me and some others were from working class backgrounds I don't remember any problems. Teachers were good and the school facilities were terrific. I had never seen a gym in my life before. Went there on a scholarship after the good old eleven plus exam. The boys school was right next door in fact only separated by double doors. We would get together at lunch time and that's where the "roughs" came in. As you said it was a good spot to have a ciggie.
Dors.

My Son starts Bents Green school this September due to L/D i have been up several times and was blown away with the facilities. Can anyone tell me if this was the former High Storrs or a completely different school.
I haven't seen any girls there funnily enough so I am persuming its an all boys school.
The school has been rebuilt this year but a liitle about its past would be handy, sorry don't want to steal the thread but a little info would be nice as I don't know the area that well.

Does anyone know what the building remains are though?