Priory School Reunion

Photo: Illustrative image for the 'Priory School Reunion' page
Friday 24th September 2010 at Time & Tide Museum
By Colin Stott

On 24th September 2010 Time & Tide played host to a reunion of former pupils from the Priory school in Great Yarmouth. Around 50 people turned up to meet old friends who were at the school during the 1940s and 50s. It was a very lively morning with lots of memories being shared. The event was organised by Colin Browne, assisted by staff at the museum. 

If you were at the reunion and would like to stay in touch with old friends then please leave comments on this page. 

This page was added by Colin Stott on 12/08/2010.

Comments about this page

To all who keeps up on the school reunion, I received some sad news on one old friend who has passed away plus some others. But if there are any brothers /sisters/children / or even grandchildren of any in the photo pass your messages along to be read out on the day -  24 of Sept. Many Thanks Colin Browne

By colin browne
On 01/09/2010

I also went to Priory School and St Andrews, Fullers Hill on the Conge. I have a photo of me and the under 15's football team and I also done a lot of athletics. I grew up with Colin Brown and Colin Hill. I am Colin Attwood known as the 3 Colins. I also know most of the people in these articles. I lived on 10 Silkmills Road next to Jack Cooks the Bookies. I would like to meet some of these people. I see Norman Balls when I go to Races as he is in the ring.

By Colin Atwood
On 06/09/2010

I will be there on the 24th. Hope I will not be on my own.

By Norman Balls
On 06/09/2010

Hi old priory boys. I remember Mr Sillas head master. He caned me a few times. Mr Bunting was my teacher before I left school. I also remember the names of the other teachers. Good memories. Bye

By Bob Wynes
On 06/09/2010

I was at the junior school from1947 to 1950. The two teachers I remember the most were Mr Kitchener and "Ernie Thompson". Others were Mr Curl, Miss Louther and Miss Knights and "Horrie" Holdsworth who was the deputy headmaster to Mr Sillis. He always took assembly on Thursdays and we always had to recite The Creed. I also remember Mr Kite`s ritual beatings of offenders in the senior playground at afternoon assembly. Happy days !!!

By Brian Wadsworth
On 08/09/2010

To all who have put in comments. Just to put you at ease so far there will be at least nearly 25 to 30 old boys (and girls). There Norman Balls will be pleased to see you & Bobby Wynes. Was your mum a dinner lady? If so we are very old mates & to all the rest who read this page looking forward to our meeting. Colin Browne

By colin browne
On 20/09/2010

Thanks to the staff ant the Time and Tide for the great reunion for the Old Priorians I am speaking to Mr, Newman the Town Center Manager about the possibilty of a night for the OPs at the Gt. Yarmouth Beer Festival next May. Watch this page.

By Norman Balls

By Norman Balls
On 15/10/2010

My brother Brian Sheldrick - not Sheldrake - is third from right - front row in your 40's pic of the Priory Boys. Unfortnunately, I only just picked up the Sept 2010 reunion notification and although he's domiciled in Spain these days, I'm sure he would loved to have been with some of his old school chums - Maurice Musgrave, Roger Foulkes to name a few. I went to Tech High but used to hang around with Brian and his Priory mates and being 2 years younger looked up to them in certain awe! We lived in Deneside next door to BHS which swallowed our house as part of it's expansion.

By Edward Shedrick
On 06/01/2011

I remember the teachers also Mr Warner, Mr kenyon. I was at the Priory 1948 to 1955. I live in Pembrokeshire and still visit Yarmouth.

By michael thorne
On 06/01/2011

Brian Sheldrick here, currently living in Spain. I found the photograph interesting, although rather small to recognise all the faces. It would have been useful if the names of each student could have been listed, although I picked out Brown, Leslie Palmer, Baden Goffin, Edmunds and of course Teacher Eric Green. Some faces, I cannot put names to, and need some sort of reminder. Congratulations on the efforts put into a reunion. One face I didn't see was my old school 'buddy' Maurice Musgrove!

By Brian Sheldrick
On 06/01/2011

A number of the Priory School teachers subsequently transferred to the Styles Secondary School during the early 60s ie Mr Holsworth (woodwork including making sea fishing rods) , Les Bunting (maths) , Lillian Lawrence (English, & she and her brother owned the house now called the Chateau Hotel on North Drive with the distinctive spired roof), Mr Warner (science and maths, his father owned Warner's Butchers on Southtown Road near the Haven Bridge), Mr Kenyon (history and civics ... and he was also something of a political activist and attempted to convert all his pupils to be Socialists/Labour Party supporters), and possibly Mr Blake (music) and Mr Thomas (Welshman, who became Headmaster at Styles) . Any Priory pupils from the c. WW2 years may also recall Mr Saunders who subsequently became Headmaster of Westbourne Boys' School in Ipswich where I was a pupil from 1958/61 before my family moved back to Gt Yarmouth. And you may also recall Bernadette Quayle nee Duffy who taught at the Priory School during WW2 and was a friend of my parents when my father managed Greens' Store in Gt Yarmouth during the early 40s. Bernadette probably still has relatives in Great Yarmouth ie Mervyn and Kevin Duffy whose parents Frank and Doris Duffy once had a guest house on Trafalgar Road Great Yarmouth. Frank Duffy worked as carpenter/shop fitter for either Arnold's or Palmers Dept Store. Best wishes, Duncan Kirkwood in Peterborough

By Duncan Kirkwood
On 28/01/2011

Hi this is Alan Ellis I attended St. Andrews(51/53); Priory (53/57); Styles (57/59); Technical High (59/65). When I was at Priory Mr Green was HM but Mr Kitchener; "Ernie Thompson"; Miss Knights and "Horrie" Holdsworth were there (Horrie moved over to Styles same year as I did). My main mates were Terry Brackenbury; David and John Cubitt (cousins) and Jonathan Broomfiled At Styles Les Bunting taught us enginering drawings; John Gear maths, Mr Dave Warner (science and maths) - keen golfer, can't recall music teacher, Mr. Kenyon (history and civics) was my form teacher. Mr Thomas was HM. I emmigrated to Canada in 1976 and my last visit to Gt. Y. was in 1984. My family moved from Gt. Y in the 90's and our now in the Stowmarket/Needham Market area of Suffolk.

By Alan Ellis
On 17/02/2011

Hi Alan,

Styles' School music teacher who also previously taught at Priory School was Mr Blake ... he drove a white '57 Vauxhall Cresta. Miss Lawrence, Styles' English Language & Literature teacher was somewhat deaf and some of her pupils, especially the girls (it was a co-ed school) took advantage by singing in harmony at the back of the class whilst she was reading Lorna Doone to us ... it was the set book for English Literature. Miss Lawrence often became quite tearful whilst reading the more emotional parts of the story ... and the girls in the back row would then sing something sad to match her mood. Miss Lawrence would then look up from her book, wipe her eye, and exclaim," My word! ... How beautiful!... Mr Blake's class is singing so beautifully this afternoon!" Mr Blake's music room was on the ground floor below Miss Lawrence's classroom. Miss Lawrence treated her class to a slap up 'high tea' at Matthes Restaurant in King Street at the end of term ... all paid for by herself. Best wishes Duncan Kirkwood

By Duncan Kirkwood
On 11/03/2011

Hi Alan, Styles' School music teacher who also previously taught at Priory School was Mr Blake ... he drove a white '57 Vauxhall Cresta. Miss Lawrence, Styles' English Language & Literature teacher was somewhat deaf and some of her pupils, especially the girls (it was a co-ed school) took advantage by singing in harmony at the back of the class whilst she was reading Lorna Doone to us ... it was the set book for English Literature. Miss Lawrence often became quite tearful whilst reading the more emotional parts of the story ... and the girls in the back row would then sing something sad to match her mood. Miss Lawrence would then look up from her book, wipe her eye, and exclaim," My word! ... How beautiful!... Mr Blake's class is singing so beautifully this afternoon!" Mr Blake's music room was on the ground floor below Miss Lawrence's classroom. Miss Lawrence treated her class to a slap up 'high tea' at Matthes Restaurant in King Street at the end of term ... all paid for by herself. Hello Norman Balls ... Are you the same Norman Balls who worked as a GYCT blue bus driver up until c.1967 and then joined the police force? Best wishes Duncan Kirkwood

By Duncan Kirkwood
On 11/03/2011

Hello, I too have a great affinity with The Priory, it seems most of my family went there at some point. Does anyone remember my uncle, Stanely Prime? By working out the dates I'm almost sure he would have been at The Priory in the late 40's - early 50's. I went there in the 60's after going to St Andrews Infants, and also my sister Susan Rantle. Stanley's father was Edward Prime who later owned the slaughter house and had a stall on the market. Thanks for listening.

By Linda Rantle
On 11/03/2011

I wonder if anyone remembers my husband Brian Bernard Crowe who attended the Hospital School end of the 60's early 70's. Sadly he passed away in 2003 and if anyone has any photographs of him I would be grateful.H

By catherine kaminski
On 19/04/2011

I am an ex-pupil of the Priory school 1953-1956. I have lived in the south of Spain for the past 22 years but do get back to UK once a year. I wish I had known about the reunion, I shall look forward to the next one. At the time I lived on St. Nicholas road, so didn´t have far to walk to school. After leaving the Priory I attended the Tech High on Oriel Ave. I recognise the names of the teachers mentioned. Would be glad to hear from anybody who remembers me.

By mike griffin
On 19/04/2011

My best school memories were of the Priory School but mine were in the sixties. But my dad Philip Winterburn was there in the forties with his older brothers and sister,from what i've been told if you knew him you wouldnt forget him,bit of a rogue by all accounts.

By margaret lawrence,formally winterburn
On 19/04/2011

Hi Margaret I remember your brother Michael Winterburn-we were in the same class at the tech high. He used to go around with Roger Johnson and Ralph Littlewood.

By mike griffin
On 06/07/2011

Hi I remember Philip Winterburn I went to the priory school from 1947 untill 1955 Then worked at Grouts Silk Factory doing my apprenticeship as a maintenance fitter and turner Good old days

By Peter Carter
On 06/07/2011

Would love to go to the next reunion

By Peter Carter
On 06/07/2011

Now the names of former teachers of The Priory have been mentioned I can remember them. I was born in Hemsby in 1947 and lived at seven Priory Gardens Gt Yarmouth when my parents moved from Caister. I attended St Andrews on Fullers hill on the Conge in 1952 and moved on to The Priory ( Didn't have far to walk )where I stayed till I was eleven around 1958, then went on to Duncan Hall at Scratby till 1962, then I joined the Royal Navy. If anyone knows me from the old years and would like to get in touch feel free.

By Ashley Crisp
On 04/08/2011

Does anyone remember an Elaine Mary Hill of 20 Boreham Rd, Gt Yarmouth. Would love some information.

By Andrea lucken
On 04/08/2011

My memories are not astute as some of the entries. Born in 1947 and lived at 7 Priory Gardens, attended St Andrews then on to Priory School around about 1957, didn't have far to go to school ! At the age of eleven I attended Duncan Hall School in Scratby. My father was manager of the Co-op butchery shop just off the market. If anyone remembers me it would be nice to reflect on the times gone by.

By Ashley Crisp
On 05/08/2011

My Aunt Vera Rouse was the headmistress of the Priory Girls' School in the late 1940s & 1950s.

By Ray Goddard
On 05/08/2011

Hi I'm a Yarmouth bloater, I used to live in Jubilee Place. Now sadly demolished and buried under the town centre shopping mall. I attended St. Andrews from 1948 to 1951. I would walk with my mother and sisters across the market and up by Lacons brewery on school days always with the smell of the beer as company. I remember the teachers at the time as Miss Phillips. I think Miss Gaynor and Miss Spandler the headmistress. I'm not sure whether I've got the names right but remember Richard Goodall, Micheal Paine, John Sherringham, Geoffrey Bradley, Wendy Hamilton, Caroline Graver and Linda Colby.I have a couple of class photos going back to this time. I left to go to the Priory probably in 1951/52 and went straight into Miss Knight's class but don't remember my class mates names although there was a senior boy wih the nickname of Dido that I remember.A few years later we moved to Essex because of my fathers work but returned home to Great Yarmouth every year for holidays,we stayed with my grandma who still lived in Jubilee Place. She was a Nutman by the way,a name mentioned in other pages of this website,her youngest daughter my Aunt is Heather Nutman who was very involved with the skating at Welllington Pier I remember it all well. My days as a child in Great Yarmouth all seemed quite happy. Colin Boniface 18.7.11

By Colin Boniface
On 05/08/2011

Hi to all of you old (or if you prefer) young Priory Boys & Girls who were at the first reunion at good old Time & Tide Musuem on 2009 there is another meeting this year 2010 on the 13th of October Thursday morning onwards it will be at the old Priory School Girls Side. As the sad part is the T& T Musuem cafe has been closed due to cut backs (shame) as the Priory now is a community trust there will be a cost of £55.00p for the hall so the more people we get to come it will spread the cost The team at the Time & Tide have my (phone number or my email address) if you want to come, it would help me to know how many will attened please contact, see you there Colin Browne

By colin browne
On 05/08/2011

Really sad to have missed the reunion last year, and would love to come to the next one. I attended the Priory as a junior and passed the 13+ to the tech high in 1956. Lots of happy memories would be pleased to elaborate with a longer e mail. Have recognised several of the names that appear and knew all of the mentioned teachers, and especially David Warner who was my last form teacher.

By Clive Thompson
On 11/08/2011

Just a short message to Linda Rantle I knew you uncle Stanley Prime & his mother very well it all came about when we had a school play in the old hall about a time of history on Romans in Britain. I was a Briton and Stans, mum loaned me a brown colour sheep skin rug to dress up in. The play was so good we even played it for the girls school (boys & girls were seperate school ). STAN & HIS MUM lived just off Nicholas Road as you turn into Priory Plain. Some of Stan's old school mates told me of his car accident. I know he would loved to have been at the first reunion. We remember all those who have passed on and at the next reunion will do so again so it was nice to hear from you Linda. If you have any photos of your uncle please be free to come along to our next reunion on thursday 13th Oct priory hall 2011 as my guest see you.

By colin browne
On 05/09/2011

Hi I never went to the school but I'm trying to find out if my dad might have. He unfortunatly passed away five years ago and I know little about his childhood. He would possibly have been at the school between 1947-1955. He would have been known as either George Burgess or George Heape. If anyone did know him I would be really pleased to hear. Thank you for your help ; )

By Sarah Burdett
On 05/09/2011

Hi all, what a pleasant surprise to find this site.     I was at the Priory from about 1949 to 1956; I remember most of the teachers from reading the names. I used to live on Beach Road at the time; other pupils from my road were Roger and Mickey Foxhall, who I used to walk to school with. If any future reunion is held I would like to know about it. I now live near Boston in Lincs, but spent many years in the South West near Honiton.

By Stan Waters
On 21/12/2011

Addressed to Ashley Crisp, I worked with your father at the Co-op early 1940s.  He was very kind and helpful when anticipating being called up.  I was a scholar at the Priory from about 1930 onwards and would have left about 1937. I recently picked up your comments and was so pleased to find reference to your father. Best wishes.

By Roy Edmonds
On 09/01/2012

Hello there, I don't recognise any of the names on this site. I went to St Andrews infants school in the mid 1950s and left the Priory in July 1960 to go to the Girls High School. I loved the Priory, especially after it became co-ed in my last two years and we had two wonderful teachers, Mr Kitchener and Mr Thompson. I now live in Australia but would like to contact anyone from those years and come to a reunion if I could.

By Mandy Scott
On 17/01/2012

What a find this site is! I am Stephen Buchan and attended the Priory 54/59, reading the comments can remember some names and did not know there is such a committed following.  I will be interested to know the date of the next reunion. I have had brief contact with Norman Balls and hope to meet up with him. I left Yarmouth at 18 to work in London and only make an annual visit to meet family. Hope to meet up at the next reunion. Stephen Buchan

By Stephen Buchan
On 06/02/2012

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