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Finsbury Road

Finsbury Road school:a window on the world

By Janis Ravenett

For the children of 1940s Hanover, Finsbury Road School was our window on the world. The entrance was two doors away from where we lived and I couldn't wait to be old enough to go there. Bert went a whole year ahead of me and I was green with envy...

The infants' department had a separate entrance in Southover Street and to this heaven on earth my Mum was going to take me the very next morning... Apart from the wonderful smell of chalk dust and warm milk, the only clear memory of my first day is playing in the sand table and watching fascinated as lots of tiny low tables were set up at the other end of the vast room. Only when the teacher said, "Come along now, it's time to lie down," did I realise that they were in fact canvas folding beds.

This page was added on 22/03/2006.

Comments about this page

I went to Finsbury Road Junior School from 1948 to 1951. The teachers in those days had returned from the War if they were men or women. We had a superb headmaster, Mr Brown, who lived by the famous 'Pepperpot' with a monkey tree in his garden. I was selected to read the Bible at morning assemblies (a duty which caused me trouble with my friends). The school is sadly now gone.

By Bob Munro (07/08/2006)

I attended Finsbury Road Infants and Juniors from 1933 to 1940 when I passed the 'scholarship' for Varndean. I was the School Bell monitor until 1940 when the ringing of bells came to be the signal of a German Airborne invasion. I have tried in vain to discover if the bells were ever rung again after the war or if I had the honour of being the last Bell Monitor. Old Daddy Brown was also the Juniors headmaster at that time. I have published my biography which of course covers this early wartime in Brighton. Anybody interested just do a Google on my name Alf Commons + 'From the Ground Up'.

By Alf Commons (30/08/2007)

I also attended this school and recall the laydown time, also the spoonful of cod liver oil and orange juice we were given. I have a photo of my classes harvest festival some time between 1950 -53.

By John Johnson (06/01/2008)

I also remember cod liver oil, but we were given it with a spoonful of malt in 1947 onwards and we all shared the same spoon. No wonder we all got colds so easily in those days.

By Pamela Carpenter now Mellish (15/04/2008)

I spent a wonderful time at FinsburyRoadSchool; I remember the sleep time. plus I was chosen to play Christopher Robin. The years were 1950 to 1960, by then it became St Lukes Secondary School.

By Colin Taylor (28/11/2008)

I went to Finsbury Road in 1946/7, living in Lincoln Street. I can remember walking up Southover Street in snow that came up to my armpits! My biggest challenge at school was Janice Sheldon,no matter how I tried , Janice beat me every time. Lovely period in our lives when you think back .It was the time when we had nothing ,but equally didn't want for anything either.

By Bill Spencer (19/05/2009)

Hello Billy, do you remember me from school? I was very good friends with Janice. I got in touch with her in January after nearly 50 years, it was great to catch up. I used to live in Ewart Street. Do you remember Eric Bacon, Barbara Tucker, John Demmario, David Main, Joyce Finnimore, Dorothy Willie? I remember loads more. If you look on Finsbury Road School on friendsreunited, I think you are in the photos. I hope you write back on this page. You are right Bill, we had nought but our friends were there.

By Pamela Carpenter (29/05/2009)

Hello Pamela. Unfortunately my memory is failing (must be my age), however Eric Bacon emigrated to Canada and became a member of the church. He is now the 'Reverend'. I have worked in Rottingdean since 1967 and Eric came to see me last year. It was the first time I had seen him since about 1964. I remember all the people you have mentioned - also David Etheridge who has a business in Brighton going under the name of Etheridge Distribution. Beryl Brown (who is also listed on this page) has a business opposite mine in Rottingdean on the coast road. That is enough for now - time for bed. Fascinating site.

By Bill Spencer (07/06/2009)

Hi Bill. Thank you for the info of all our friends from way back when. Look after yourself.

By Pamela (13/08/2009)