Saturday 1 December 2007

Ryebank Preparatory School


This was my class Ryebank Preparatory School in 1957. (Apologies if I have misspelled any names or got any wrong!)

12 comments:

  1. Hi there Scriptor Senex. Today,I have been reading with great interest of your time at Ryebank Preparatory School. I too went there, a little later than you, I was there between 1968-1971. I have a couple of school photos from that time. Today I joined the Facebook group for Ryebank. I`ve been around on Friends Reunited for some time. Your memories are pretty much in line with those I have, the way the school was run with almost military precision by Miss Twomey and Mrs Flynn. I also remember clearly, Mr Illingworth. I`d love to comment more on this thread sometime, as I have other memories of Ryebank, not good ones, unsurprisingly. Pami

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  2. Hi Pami. You might be interested in the post for four-leaved clovers (yes, there is a Ryebawnk connection!) and Seven Guineas a term.

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  3. The wonders of the Internet! I never expected to see how Ryebank looked. I was there from 1953 to 1957, but not in your class, unless my memory is even more unreliable than I think - I don't recognise any of the names of the pupils in the photograph. I do remember that Miss Twomey once rebuked me in front of the class for having told someone at the nearby bus stop that I hoped the ghost stories I wrote would be published in America - wasn't England good enough for me? I must have had foresight of some kind, because when I was first published (several years later) it was indeed in America, and I still am!

    Ramsey Campbell

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  4. I think our paths have crossed in a couple of places, Ramsey, thop0ugh we weren't in the same Ryebank class. Am I right in thinking you worked for Liverpool City Libraries at one stage?

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  5. Hi Scriptor
    I started the Facebook group and there are lots of memories growing on there. I was incarcerated at Ryebank (oh no sorry, I mean "went there") between about 1957 and 1963.

    Ah Miss Twomey - what a gentle creature she was :)

    But I liked Mr Illingworth. A lovely chap who always seemed enveloped in a cloud of chalk.

    George

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  6. Sorry, SS - I didn't see your reply until just now! I did indeed work in the libraries, first at the Wavertree branch in 1966-67 and then in Picton for some time before working in the music library by the Bluecoat Chambers for a couple of years. I ended up in Edge Hill Library on Lodge Lane.

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    1. Hello Ramsey - now it's my turn to apologise - this new blogger interface means I miss comments on some of my old blogs.

      I managed to go 'on relief' to almost every branch between 1968 and 1972 but never made it into the music library so I suspect it must have been at Wavertree or Edge Hill. And then only briefly. I presume it was your distinctive name that has made me remember you.

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  7. I have just discovered this page ! I was at Ryebank from 1944 until I passed the 11+ and went on to Childwall Valley High School which must have been 1950ish ! I was terrified of Miss Twomey and her red plastic belt. She would wear it with any outfit and off it would come if if you didn't know your 'times tables' . I can recite them in my sleep all these years later but she was a tyrant ! Mr Flynn was very nice and not nearly as frightening as old Twomey. Were any of you there during those years ? I M enjoying reading memories of this little school !

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  8. Hello G Mama,
    Well, Miss Twomey certainly left her mark on all of us - literally!
    1944 is a bit before my time (and my brother's) but maybe some day someone from that era will read this blog posting and comment accordingly.
    All the best,
    John

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  9. I was there 1958-64: can't really say my schooldays were the best of my life! : ) Wish I had a picture of the old place, though - can anyone help???

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    1. I was here! What's your name? I was there from 58 to 64. It's Linda Biglowe. Email is paul@codepoet.co.uk

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  10. Anybody went to Ryebank between 58 to 69 ? Get in touch! It's Linda Biglowe here! Email paul@codepoet.co.uk

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