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
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!
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?
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.
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.
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.
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 !
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
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
ReplyDeleteHi Pami. You might be interested in the post for four-leaved clovers (yes, there is a Ryebawnk connection!) and Seven Guineas a term.
ReplyDeleteThe 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!
ReplyDeleteRamsey Campbell
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?
ReplyDeleteHi Scriptor
ReplyDeleteI 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
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.
ReplyDeleteHello Ramsey - now it's my turn to apologise - this new blogger interface means I miss comments on some of my old blogs.
DeleteI 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.
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 !
ReplyDeleteHello G Mama,
ReplyDeleteWell, 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
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???
ReplyDeleteI was here! What's your name? I was there from 58 to 64. It's Linda Biglowe. Email is paul@codepoet.co.uk
DeleteAnybody went to Ryebank between 58 to 69 ? Get in touch! It's Linda Biglowe here! Email paul@codepoet.co.uk
ReplyDelete