Thornseat Lodge, Bradfield - Know anything about it?

[mgs58 10]

My name is Mick Oates I had blond curly hair and was small and skinny and like yo did not have all the "gear" I used to knock about with Keven "Az" Evens, Alan Cartlidge, Phillip Blackett and Stephen Fower. I joined the Army with Keven Joel

 

I remember you Mick and maybe Stephen Fowler (assuming Fower was a typo?). I think Kevin Joel arrived the year I left but can't be sure. How long did you serve in the Army mate? I did my basic at HMS Raleigh, Gunnery at HMS Cambridge and specialist training at HMS Phoenix amongst other bases. After training I served aboard HMS Achilles a Leander Class Frigate before applying for the fleet air arm. You might be able to help me with another face. There was another lad in the same class who's father owned a saw mill and they lived in a farm-house out in the sticks. I think his name was Glen but not sure. I went to his place for dinner once and he showed me around the mill; which was guarded by this vicious doberman. Ring any Bells?

[Lazy Baby5 10]

I remember you Mick and maybe Stephen Fowler (assuming Fower was a typo?). I think Kevin Joel arrived the year I left but can't be sure. How long did you serve in the Army mate? I did my basic at HMS Raleigh, Gunnery at HMS Cambridge and specialist training at HMS Phoenix amongst other bases. After training I served aboard HMS Achilles a Leander Class Frigate before applying for the fleet air arm. You might be able to help me with another face. There was another lad in the same class who's father owned a saw mill and they lived in a farm-house out in the sticks. I think his name was Glen but not sure. I went to his place for dinner once and he showed me around the mill; which was guarded by this vicious doberman. Ring any Bells?

Was it Glen Goddard? I did my basic at Shorncliffe camp near Dover then joined the Green Howards,it was a very undistinguished career. What did you do after the Navy? We seem to have hijacked a thread:hihi: Edited November 23, 2016 by Lazy Baby5

[brian1941 11]

I remember you Mick and maybe Stephen Fowler (assuming Fower was a typo?). I think Kevin Joel arrived the year I left but can't be sure. How long did you serve in the Army mate? I did my basic at HMS Raleigh, Gunnery at HMS Cambridge and specialist training at HMS Phoenix amongst other bases. After training I served aboard HMS Achilles a Leander Class Frigate before applying for the fleet air arm. You might be able to help me with another face. There was another lad in the same class who's father owned a saw mill and they lived in a farm-house out in the sticks. I think his name was Glen but not sure. I went to his place for dinner once and he showed me around the mill; which was guarded by this vicious doberman. Ring any Bells?

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Hi MGS58, Thought i'd send you thees pics with the children.

 

I'll always remember playing out on these ride, one thing we were never

short off was fresh air.

Edited November 23, 2016 by brian1941
Spelling

[mgs58 10]

Was it Glen Goddard? I did my basic at Shorncliffe camp near Dover then joined the Green Howards,it was a very undistinguished career. What did you do after the Navy? We seem to have hijacked a thread:hihi:

 

I think you're right it was Glen Goddard. As for an undistinguished career mine wasn't exactly marked with achievements mate; except boxing . Like you I was small and skinny when I joined. I stayed more or less skinny but I shot up to just under 6ft (5' 11"); unfortunately a perfect weight and reach for a flyweight boxer so the PTI more or less press ganged me in to the boxing team. Although I went on to win the Navy and Inter-Service championships in 1975 and got all the way to the ABA semis; where I was whupped by a kid half my size but fast as lightning. I didn't handle failure that well back then and gave it up soon after to concentrate on other goals. After leaving the RN I did all sorts. I moved to London and ended up being an ASM then an actor in a touring theatre Company. I did a few bit parts on TV series like 'The Gentle Touch', 'Take Three Women', 'The Sweeney' etc and one off plays like 'Another Flip For Dominic Hyde' (Sci -Fi) and 'Out On The Floor'; a play about Northern Soul /Wigan Casino. Sounds more glamorous than it really was i.e. mostly one liners, some 'extra' work etc. I did a bit of freelance writing, theatre/film criticism amongst other stuff, before landing a job in computing @ British Telecom HQ in Leeds then Sheffield. I got married, settled down (sort of), family etc. I was medically retired in 1985 following a serious head injury / brain haemorrhage and was a bit up and down for a few years. However I enrolled at Sheffield Hallam in 1999 studied P/T for ten years and left with a double first (BA Eng. MA Writing). Swings and Roundabouts eh Mick?

 

---------- Post added 23-11-2016 at 22:44 ----------

 

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Hi MGS58, Thought i'd send you thees pics with the children.

 

I'll always remember playing out on these ride, one thing we were never

short off was fresh air.

 

Great pics Brian, much appreciated. They brought back a few happy memories of my own, although I was a lot older than you during my relatively brief but memorable time there.

Edited November 23, 2016 by mgs58

[Lazy Baby5 10]

I think you're right it was Glen Goddard. As for an undistinguished career mine wasn't exactly marked with achievements mate; except boxing . Like you I was small and skinny when I joined. I stayed more or less skinny but I shot up to just under 6ft (5' 11"); unfortunately a perfect weight and reach for a flyweight boxer so the PTI more or less press ganged me in to the boxing team. Although I went on to win the Navy and Inter-Service championships in 1975 and got all the way to the ABA semis; where I was whupped by a kid half my size but fast as lightning. I didn't handle failure that well back then and gave it up soon after to concentrate on other goals. After leaving the RN I did all sorts. I moved to London and ended up being an ASM then an actor in a touring theatre Company. I did a few bit parts on TV series like 'The Gentle Touch', 'Take Three Women', 'The Sweeney' etc and one off plays like 'Another Flip For Dominic Hyde' (Sci -Fi) and 'Out On The Floor'; a play about Northern Soul /Wigan Casino. Sounds more glamorous than it really was i.e. mostly one liners, some 'extra' work etc. I did a bit of freelance writing, theatre/film criticism amongst other stuff, before landing a job in computing @ British Telecom HQ in Leeds then Sheffield. I got married, settled down (sort of), family etc. I was medically retired in 1985 following a serious head injury / brain haemorrhage and was a bit up and down for a few years. However I enrolled at Sheffield Hallam in 1999 studied P/T for ten years and left with a double first (BA Eng. MA Writing). Swings and Roundabouts eh Mick?

 

---------- Post added 23-11-2016 at 22:44 ----------

 

 

Great pics Brian, much appreciated. They brought back a few happy memories of my own, although I was a lot older than you during my relatively brief but memorable time there.

Swings ans Roundabouts indeed Mate I went into Nursing and spent over 30 years working on L/D, Psychiatric and Forensic Hospitals ,enjoyed every second, Retired in 2013 and now work 2 days a week in a low secure unit. I married and have 4 wonderful kids and 1 Grandson. I occasionally wonder what happened to the people I went to school with.

[ANGELFIRE1 10]

Very very interesting posts. Makes great reading to learn about the old derelict buildings around Sheffield, and what they were used for. Also to read about their inhabitants as children, and their life experiences.

 

Probably the best post I have read on SF.

 

Angel1.

[lindylou53 18]

Agreed. Also think these ex schoolmates should be proud of all their achievements. They seemed to have underplayed their roles in society and have proved that good things can come out of bad. They all had a sad start to life so three cheers to all of you and well done!

[mgs58 10]

Swings ans Roundabouts indeed Mate I went into Nursing and spent over 30 years working on L/D, Psychiatric and Forensic Hospitals ,enjoyed every second, Retired in 2013 and now work 2 days a week in a low secure unit. I married and have 4 wonderful kids and 1 Grandson. I occasionally wonder what happened to the people I went to school with.

 

Sounds like you've made the most of your life mate. A career you really enjoyed and a happy family life, what more can you ask for? I also have kids (a son, a stepson ) and a few grandkids. Unfortunately, I don't see much of them these days. Something I'm hoping to address in the coming year. Yeh, like you I often wonder how things turned out for some of the kids I was in care with / went to school with. Thanks to forums like this we now know the fate of at least two of our number.

[trevthetyke 10]

Haven't been on for a few days and blimey, I'm glad I came in again. Great to hear the stories about the different people involved with Thornseats and Bradfield. I hope you are as proud as you deserve to be with what you've achieved. I spoke with Ruth who was the cook and she certainly remembered you Martin and she was upset to hear about Stephen Butler. I know she still sees some of the old kids around Sheffield, I must try and get their names. Keep posting please, I find it all so interesting.

[Ub40 10]

I remember thornseat lodge back in 70s I was put in there.my parents had house fire 1976. Me & my sister had no where else to go.when the big van/ bus took us up there were roses beautiful flowers all the way up.some good memories and some not saw good

[only_me 11]

Haven't been on for a few days and blimey, I'm glad I came in again. Great to hear the stories about the different people involved with Thornseats and Bradfield. I hope you are as proud as you deserve to be with what you've achieved. I spoke with Ruth who was the cook and she certainly remembered you Martin and she was upset to hear about Stephen Butler. I know she still sees some of the old kids around Sheffield, I must try and get their names. Keep posting please, I find it all so interesting.

 

I wonder if anyone remembers one of the staff, a nice lady called Norma? I think she was from Barnsley and also possibly worked as a nurse. I was in TL 1977.

[mgs58 10]

Haven't been on for a few days and blimey, I'm glad I came in again. Great to hear the stories about the different people involved with Thornseats and Bradfield. I hope you are as proud as you deserve to be with what you've achieved. I spoke with Ruth who was the cook and she certainly remembered you Martin and she was upset to hear about Stephen Butler. I know she still sees some of the old kids around Sheffield, I must try and get their names. Keep posting please, I find it all so interesting.

 

Good to hear from you Trevor. I wondered where you'd gone. Please say hi to Ruth when you next see her and ask if she remembers Betty Dawson, a local volunteer who often helped in the kitchen and like Ruth cooked some cracking meals?