'We were caned for being late back on a lunchtime' – school memories from the forties and fifties

Despite the discipline, Eunice has plenty of fond recollections

- By EUNICE PARRY

I started St Mark’s School at the beginning of 1946, after we relocated our home from Cleveland Road to Merridale Road, Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton.

I was the “new girl” but they soon made friends with me. My parents said I was a real tomboy - I enjoyed playing football, rounders, cricket etc. Winters were great as we had long slides in the playground; I never felt the cold in the winter of 1947 even after games of playing snowball.

Our classroom had a large fireplace, and the school milk bottles were put in front, so at break time we had nice warm milk.

The headmaster was Mr Hopton, who was very strict. He gave me and several others the cane after we had been to West Park at lunchtime and were late back. I was always being told off. I regret never meeting Mr Hopton in later life, just to tell him I never lived down to what he had written on my end of term report. He put: “Eunice thinks too much of playing with the boys instead of schoolwork".

I have a favourite memory of him playing ‘Jerusalem’ very loud on the school piano. I always think of him when I hear that music.

In those days we spent many hours playing outside - it’s not the same today. We went to the West Park Central Baths, or trips to the Hippodrome on Bilston Street, Wolverhampton, to see Old Mother Riley or many other famous acts.

Saturday morning was spent at the ABC Savoy cinema on Garrick Street. Wolverhampton. My favourites were George Formby, Laurel and Hardy and Roy Rogers.