"I was there at the beginning"

A review of Hatherton Lane Primary School by CaptainC written on Thursday 8th of August 2024

We moved to Beechdale from Wolverhampton Rd in 1954 and the opening of Hatherton Lane Infants was shortly after my 5th birthday. On the first day I recall the school, though modern, having unfinished grounds with mud everywhere. My class was assembled in Classroom 1 and a rather ancient teacher, Miss Dewsbury, called the register. My pal Ray obviously misheard her name since he responded "Yes Miss Strawberry!". Miss Binnion was Head, and other teachers I remember from my time there were Miss Kane, Miss Blanchard, Miss Alsop and Miss Armstrong. Rob Halford (Judas Priest) was also a pupil.

One day I fell off the climbing frame during playtime and severely winded myself. This resulted in the frame being put out of bounds. One enduring memory is the nativity play. I was second shepherd. Tea towel headgear and wrapped in an old curtain. "The angel told us we would find him here!" A girl named Janet Stanley started a school career of playing Mary here. Due to her long brown hair!.

I left in 1957 only to return when the junior department opened in September 1960. There is a Walsall Observer photo of us excited kids and prominently at the front is the former Mayor of Walsall Peter Smith. Wonder if he remembers that! Miss Eveson was Head. Something of a tartar., and very religious, she told you what your opinion was and morning assembly resembled High Mass! Likewise the nativity plays were like Hollywood productions. Rob Halford featured, usually as one of the kings. Other teachers were Miss Barber, Mr Hancock, Mr Cross, Miss Brown Mr Benfield and Miss Forrester. I was very happy at Hatherton Lane. It was a very cosy place. Leaving to go to secondary school in Bloxwich was a very daunting prospect. I,m sure many other former pupils have similar fond memories..

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