"I started school at the age of 4 in 1942 in the Infants. It only had three small classes, the babies and classes 1 and 2. The Headmistress was a Miss Harrison with teachers Miss Pearce and Miss Roberts.
At the age of seven we went to the 'Big School' as it was known (the VP school now) with Headmaster Cecil Edwards, Miss Beattie Jones, Miss Wynne and Miss Hodgkinson.
The original school building of large stone can still be seen. The brick, wooden and other parts were added at a later stage to look as it is today.
The boys entered school from the back (today's only entrance), the girls from the front. Although the playgrounds were separate for the boys and girls, the classes were mixed: the girls all together in one half of the room, the boys in the other half. Boys and girls never sat next to each other although on one occasion a girl was put to sit next to me as there was no other desk available. The boys called me a 'sissy' and other names - come playtime big fights followed by - you've guessed it - the cane! To this day I always remember that girl's name: Margaritta Hodgkinson.
The classroom desks and benches seated two pupils. You lifted the lid to reveal a small compartment for books, pencils etc, with small inkwells. If you blotted your exercise book by using too much ink, you had the cane across each hand.
There was no school uniform in the 1940s. Boys wore short corduroy trousers, grey socks and boots - you were 'posh' if you had a pair of shoes - with home knitted jerseys. The girls wore thick material skirts with, again, home knitted jerseys. If you had younger brothers or sisters they wore your 'hand-me-downs' when they became too small for you. Times and conditions were really poor and hard in those days.
Every playtime the boys played football or cricket, the girls hopscotch or skipping. I remember one incident very well. I kicked the football over the fence into the council offices, straight through one of the windows. Before the ball even hit the window I was off in the opposite direction at full speed, but one of the school 'snitches' had seen what happened and told the Headmaster it was me. Within five minutes I'd had 'six of the best' - which was nothing new to me. I also had to pay for a new window - two shillings (ten new pence) which was four weeks' pocket money.
We had a way of dealing with 'snitches': we'd wait for them on the way home and give them a 'bashing' which was very effective. They never told on you again!
The school's football team was a sight to behold! A right bunch of ragamuffins with no kit, only the clothes we wore for school. Our main and only opposition was a team from Eryl Hall, which was a private school in those days. They had a full football kit: yellow shirts, white shorts and football boots, things we only dreamed of. If we lost 25-nil we did well, 25-2 and we really excelled ourselves. Our undisputed claim to fame was we were always muddier and dirtier at the end of the match. Happy days!
Having experienced school life at the VP in the 1940s and again in the 1990s as its caretaker I know which era I preferred - the 1990s!
School facts
Thomas Vowler Short, Bishop of St Asaph 1846-70, was responsible for establishing the two Church schools of which the VP was one. This was built in 1863 at a cost of £1800. Initially the school accepted children aged seven-14 after they had completed their time at the Infants School which was sited on what is now the Cathedral car park. In order to reduce the cost of running two schools it was decided to combine them and the VP school admitted boys and girls from four-14. Later this became four-11. In the 1970s the decision was made to build a new school on the Ashley Court estate. This was opened in 1977 which resulted in the VP School being used for infants from three-seven."
your comments
Gordon Thompson, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
I read, with a great amount of joy, the first article by Mr Dewi Mortimer. I could identify with every written word. Those days in the 1930s were no fun. I didn't know I was poor till I left Warrington in 1938 to go to sea as a cabin boy. I never went back but I have never forgotten the the kind people I met in St Asaph. The Morris family who owned Bryngwyn Bach farm, recently I visited the two remaining sons, Emlyn (94 yrs) and Tecwyn (86 yrs) after 72 years, I was aided in my search by Councilman Burrows. The old saying "People never change. They only become more so", is so true and with all that I have written to all that have made their comment herewith I wish you all the BEST.
Tue May 26 08:41:20 2009
Tom Vincent, Gold Coast, Australia
I must have been at school with Dewi Mortimer, as my sister Audrey and I were evacuated from Streatham, London, to St Asaph in 1942. Then Audrey got chicken pox, so my Mum came up from London where she was a forewoman at Smith Meters, but during the war making warheads for torpedos, then she got a telegram from our Dad (he was RN) saying he would be home on leave the next week, so we all hootfooted back to Streatham to see him. As that was his first leave for about two years, and as I was only nearly 5 years old, I could not even remember what he looked like. I do remember he came from the Med fleet, and came back with a kitbag or stuff from Egypt, and lots of chocolate, which I had never seen because all sweets were rationed and I made a pig of myself. Took lots of it to school for my friends, and it seemed to last for months till the kitbag was empty. I notice that Gerard and William Ashley were also evacuated to St Asaph from Liverpool, so we must have all been in the school at the same time.
Fri Apr 3 08:51:25 2009
Kim Beswick, Eryl Hall
Dear Joanne Mather, Rhuddlan. I would love to know the early history of Eryl Hall. When it was first built in 1905, before it became a school. Who was it built for, what was its purpose in the early years? I hope you don't mind me asking as you lived there for a long time. I would love to know if you or anybody else can help.
Wed Jul 30 11:26:11 2008
Graham Plant, St Asaph
I moved to St Asaph from Manchester in 1956 and attended VP School till 1957. The teachers were very nice and helpful and St Asaph is still nice. My youngest granddaughter will attend VP in September
Wed Jul 16 09:00:27 2008
Karen Anne Nelson, Calgary , AB, Canada
To whom it may concern,
I was recently cleaning out my garage and came across a 3' 6" grad photo from September 1967 from your school. It is in good condition and thought you might like it. If so, let me know and I can mail it to you.
Regards,
Karen Anne Nelson
Fri Jul 11 10:13:23 2008
S. Strauch, Prestatyn
I attended St Asaph Grammar School, but if one is to judge by the web, it never existed. There is plenty about Glan Clwyd, the school which took the place of the grammar school after Labour demolished the grammar school system, but almost no mention (and no history) of the grammar school.
Thu May 22 09:04:45 2008
Duncan Stuart, Vancouver Canada
I attended Eryl Hall School during the 1950s, and remember a few of the names such as Anne Rogers, Rodney King, Michael King, Stewart Wade, Gillian Crump, and Angela (Jones I believe), also Ralph Higgs, Brian Mival and John Clark (both lived at what was then "The Water Towers". The headmaster was referred to as "The Dyne" and there was a Mr Lawrence who taught maths. The PT master was Mr Redding, and he taught us PT in the lovely old gym which is now the campsite shop. Mr Redding's elderly father lived in the small farmhouse behind the stables. It was a wonderful time and there are so many memories (too many to recount). I would love to hear from anyone named above or, in fact, anyone who has any other information on the school.
Thu May 1 09:03:11 2008
Babs Davies, St Asaph
Hi David Rhydwen Fleetwood, My husband Graham Davies remembers you for school! He is still living in St Asaph, now retired. If you are still viewing these boards it would be great to get in contact.
Fri Apr 25 14:34:56 2008
Melanie and Elaine Alexander from Cheshire
I was at st asaph school for just one or two years about 74/76. We were twins and from Liverpool so stood out a bit. I can remember we were friends with Amanda Trickett whose mum taught morris dancing. I was in the troupe but was rubbish and never advanced to the senior section! Also I remember a friend called Claire whose house we went to for tea. There was also a girl called Elizabeth Lloyd who had really long nails - I was jealous! And a boy called Andrew in our class. The teacher was called Miss Williams if I recall correctly. We lived outside St Asaph in Marli and were regularly snowed in and late for school. We left without saying goodbye which was a shame. Does anyone remember us?
Fri Mar 14 08:04:34 2008
Peter Pierce St Asaph
The good old days. Mid to late '60s. Anybody remember these names; Karl Shaw / Alan Fishercooke / Mike Ellis / David Jones / Tim Jones / Carol Roony / Christine Tricket. We will never forget old Mr Tylerand. How he managed to get every last penny out of us all before we left the shop. Quite a character!
Mon Jan 28 09:27:15 2008
Simon Galeandro, Brighton, Sussex
Wow, I can't believe I'm sitting here reading about the VP School I attended. Seems like many years ago now, lol. I've reached the grand age of 36. I remember it all well; Mr Tyler and his Vimto lollies - they were fab - the best ever. I could go on forever.
Mon Sep 3 09:27:34 2007
David Ratcliffe, Holywell
I've just read some of the comments on this page and I too long for a vimto ice lolly from Joe Tyler. I attended VP school from 1968-1975, does anyone remember Mrs Hurst and Mr Thomas? Also the fire station next to the school?
Thu Aug 23 14:32:27 2007
Geraint Williams from St Asaph
To Julie. The Owen & Evans family lived @ Noddfa The Square, Trefnant. Haydn Evans & his mother Mrs Ida E Evans (she remarried & was Hilton) Haydn died 9/4/2000 aged 64 his mum died 20/7/2004. Mrs Elizabeth Owen died in 1955, she was Ida Evans' mother. They lived there until about 1956.
Mon Jul 2 08:20:57 2007
Pat Evans (nee Davies Cornel) Sydney
What a great thing the internet is. I have really enjoyed reading your stories and comments although I have never met any of you. I was at St Asaph school from 1952 to 1959 and then went to St Asaph Grammar until 1964. Yes, I know I took too long to go the Grammar but I started kindergarten at 4.5 instead of 5 and did 2 years as the final year of primary. I married Peter Evans whose father ran the electrical sales and repairs shop on High Street. I now live in Sydney and have made contact with Sheila Parry who was also in school with me. She sent me a photo from the local paper with both of us in but so many others whose names escape me. All of my sisters and my brother went to the same primary and I have a photo of Len, Molly, Renie and myself. I was in kindergarten and Len must have been in his last year. Do you remember the tiny toilets? They stick in my memory and the little round chairs in kindergarden. I think that the quality of the teachers was in fact excellent. You could never get a better teacher to start your school years than Miss Pearce and Mrs Bowen and Mr Roberts obviously also loved their jobs and passed their enthusiasm for learning on to their pupils. Well, at least to me. So very nice to see some history and hope I trigger someone else's good memories.
Mon Apr 30 10:34:48 2007
Julie, West Midlands
Does anyone remember the shoe menders on St Asaph High St? Maldwyn or John Evans (father and son), around 1936. My grandmother grew up in Trefnant. Ina, she lived near to the post office on the square. Anyone know anything?
Fri Apr 20 07:33:46 2007
Audrey Feenan, Stafford, Staffs.
My great-grandmother, Elizabeth Clark, was a partner with two of her daughters at a private school @ 4 Clwyd St, St Asaph, according to the 1881 census. Does anyone know anything about this school at this time? I would be very grateful for any information.
Mon Apr 16 09:30:46 2007
Andy Grant, Warrington
We have a caravan on Eryl Hall and would like to know about the history, can anyone help?
Tue Apr 10 09:39:09 2007
John Spencer, Moruya, Australia
I was born in St Asaph in 1943 and attended both the Infants and VP school both remembered with fondness. We left St Asaph in 1955 and at the time it was the worst momement of my life, for many many years after I would tell my parents they should never have moved. Reading the comments below and seeing names I was in school with and the teachers names in both schools brought memories flooding back. Also remembered fondly was Miss Snelsons and Harrisons Newsagents. We return to the Vale of Clwyd every 18 months or two years and last year were introduced to the St Asaph Times and the St Asaph website at the cafe that was Tuners Stores. What wonderful mediums for keeping in touch with Llanelwy as my grandparents always referred to it. We will be returning again in May 2007 for a month and will once again have drive and walk around old haunts.
Tue Apr 10 08:37:42 2007
Claire Richmond, St Asaph
It is so nice to read all your comments on the old V.P. I moved to St Asaph 4 years ago and my children have attended the V.P. school, I often looked at the old building and thought about the many generations of children who attended it. St Asaph does have a certain pull, my children and I moved away to Nantwich, Cheshire, in December last year and because the children missed the place so much I have had to return. It's so lovely to read all your different stories and now when I drop my young son at the gates of the V.P. I will think of all the various little stories I have read on here, thank you very much.
Mon Apr 2 09:41:59 2007
Abi Williams from Prestatyn
I had the best 4 years of my life in this school! It is the best school I have ever been to and it always will be. They have some great teachers and it's just wonderful! Thank you!
Fri Nov 24 09:33:38 2006
LLinos Galeandro nee Williams Prestatyn
I moved to St Asaph with my parents Trefor & Teresa Williams in 1967. I met & married & had 3 sons, they went to the VP SCHOOL, Simon, Mark & Michael. We would call at Tylers for sweets & those lovely Vimto lollies. I remember the really bad winters when the boys would get so excited, because it had snowed that hard we couldn't get up the hill. I have fond memories of the time I was bringing my family up in St Asaph, I also have sad ones, those were the days.
Fri Nov 10 11:06:45 2006
Joanne Mather Rhuddlan
Jess of Eryl Hall, I lived in the Hall for twenty years and my family for forty, there were strange happenings but never any malice, my sisters and I never felt anything but a friendly presence. And it was never a girl's boarding school in the 1800s, the hall wasn't built until 1905 and became a boys school many years later. Honestly the gossip on that site!! Oh big hello to Alison Edwards.
Mon Oct 9 07:58:23 2006
Emlyn from Wrexham
Having heard the name Glyndwr secondary school Rhyl mentioned I thought of the days when Mathew jones was headmaster. And the roll call in assembly for bad behavior. Back in the 1950s.
Mon Sep 11 08:25:43 2006
amanda tough (nee johnson)
I went to VP school from 1984. Then we had a head Mistress Susan Williams. My dad still lives in St Asaph
Tue Aug 29 11:00:30 2006
Alison Edwards-Jones
Just read comments regarding Karen from Rhyl. Hello and I do remember you if your surname was Rowlands. You had a brother called Andrew (my age I think) and another brother called Raymond Paul who I'd met some years ago having had a lift home from Poppy's off one of his friends and a small voice popped up from the back seat stating 'I used to live up here' whilst driving up Fron Haul. Did you move to Rhuddlan and do you remember my sister Jane who you were perhaps a little bit younger than?
Tue Aug 22 12:40:19 2006
Gerard and William Ashley from liverpool
We were evacuated to St Asaph about 1942, we were placed with a Mrs Easterby at a house called Dol Hyfryd. We had many happy memories, and some sad ones. We were well looked after by the maid a Miss Jones, she lived with her sister at Talardy cottages. She was a lovely person.
Thu Aug 3 09:59:32 2006
jess eryl hall
i know that eryl hall is haunted and that the most haunted team have checked the place out. ghosts sightings and things being thrown or moved, even someone being stabbed with a fork are cosidered normal here. eryll hall used to be a boarding school in the 1800s
Fri Jul 28 09:10:01 2006
Maureen Wilson, nee Jones
As well known as Tylers must be Miss Snelson's sweet shop next to the Bryn Dinas. She also sold single cigarettes to local youths. I was in the same class as Dewi and was one of the four going up to the grammar school the same year.
Thu Jun 15 17:15:39 2006
KAREN FROM RHYL
Two people have mentioned Fron Haul here. Well, i also lived there. Alison i do believe we were next door neighbours, you being the same age as my youngest brother - probably dont remember me.
Mon Jun 12 08:46:39 2006
Owen Clough, Christchurch, New
Does anyone remember a teacher by the name of Mary Jones, or Mary Reid or Mary Poliski?
She was a cousin of my mother who we think taught at this school. She died in 1994.
Would have been a teacher from 1940s onward.
Thu Jun 8 09:23:55 2006
Alison Edwards-Jones, St Asap
I was a pupil from 1971 - 1977 until Esgob Morgan school was built and then we moved down to there. I grew up in Fron Haul which is adjacent to the school and have very happy memories. Trefor Roberts was head teacher whilst I was at this school but my fav teacher was Mrs Cool. Mr Tyler's vimto lollies were like nothing I have ever tasted to this day again. Still live in St Asaph but residing in Bishops Walk. Alison Edwards-Jones (nee Edwards) daughter of Alice and Eddie (both deceased).
Tue Jun 6 15:25:28 2006
David Rhydwen Fleetwood FY7 7AR
My family moved to St Asaph in 1949.
I first attended the Infants and at age 7 moved over the road to the V,P,
The Head was Mr Cecil Edwards
The were 4 levels-after which those deemed able sat the 11+ to decide whether we went to the Grammar or to Glyndwr.
I remember all the staff
Std 1 Miss Jones
Std 2 Miss Hodgkinson later ro become Mrs Bowen(she became a good friend of my parents(they knew Mr Bowen whom she married)
Std 3 Miss Wynne
Std 4 Mr Edwards
I also remember many of the pupils-Mev Richards.Graham Davies.Peter and Georgina Jones,Edward Foulkes,Ronnie Houlston,Victor Hogg,Michael Thomas and the Williams twins,Joan Blythin and many others.
At that time Joe Tyler had not opened and th e sweet shop was owned by a Miss Snelson whilst the newsagaents three doors away was owned by Mr Harrison
Those were happy days and I would love to get any news of other former pupils of that era.
Sun Apr 2 22:28:51 2006
Janice Ellis
I was a pupil at St. Asaph VP school from 1959- 1961, and we lived around the corner from Mr Tyler. Not only did he have the best lollies, he gave me my first cat, she lived for 18 years! I have very fond memories of playing in the Millington's wonderful garden, and my friend Linda Tinsley.
Wed Mar 22 22:27:42 2006
Duncan Stuart from Vancouver BC
I was a pupil at Eryl Hall School during the late 40's the Headmaster was Mr.Marshall referred to as "The Dyne" but I have no idea why. Our PT master was Mr.Reading and he also coached us at football for any matches against VP. I remember there were some German P.O.W's working in the vegetable field next to our football field and they were all very nice to us (possibly waiting for re-patriation). Is there anyone else from Eryl Hall ?
Wed Mar 22 01:23:14 2006
Howell Williams, Bulwick, Northamptonshire
Yes Julie. A classmate of mine at Denbigh Grammar School was John Hayden Evans and he lived in the Square at Trefnant. We lost touch after school but I believe he joined the army as a regular soldier. On a recent visit to Denbigh I was told that he died a few years ago.
Sat Mar 11 10:47:28 2006
Janetta Cannon, Lancaster, Ca,USA
Loved hearing about the VP School in St Asaph.
I am the daughter of Phil and Marie Williams of Fron Haul, St Asaph, my brother Alyn (still lives in St Asaph, my sister Sylvia lives in Mold and I live in California. I have such fond memories of the school and St Asaph in general.
If any of my classmates from the late 40s
and 50s are reading, would love to hear
from you. Thanks
Sun Feb 19 21:52:51 2006
Bret Hodkinson from Trefnant
Miss Hodkinson is my Aunt Rubina. She is now aged 93 and lives in a care home in Abergavenny. 'Margeritta' is my cousin Marguerite who now lives in the U.S.A.
Tue Feb 7 19:01:41 2006
Frank Ellesmere, Minnesota, USA
I moved from Liverpool to St. Asaph in 1941 at the age of 5 and lived at 5 Ruby Terrace with a very caring couple - whose name I no longer remember - my Mum and my brother; I attended the VP school. Fond but fading memories after all these years. If anyone can let me know the names of the kind couple who looked after us so well I would appreciate it. My sister, Sylvia, now 65, was born near St. Asaph. We moved to Southport at the end of the war.
Sun Jan 8 03:02:09 2006
John Holt
At "The Grammar" from 1939 - 1941.Dr.McCaulay Owen (spelling) was the head. I was 11 in 1939 (evacuee) and lived with grandparents in Four Winds bungalow on Rose Hill. Great friends with Geoffrey Carr and Jeffrey Chapman on their farms.
Anybody remember me ? I remember the happy bits ! After many moves we now live in Mold.
Sat Dec 24 12:43:18 2005
John O'Rourke from london
I'd really like to get in contact with Sue Foulkes from St Asaph mentioned on this page ref old times in St Asaph.
Sun Nov 13 21:54:45 2005
Chris from Cheshire
My GGG-Grandfather lived on Broomhill Lane,Denbigh in 1851. Does anyone know if there are still houses there? He was an Atourney's clerk. Were there many Atourneys in the area at that time ?
Sun Nov 13 15:10:42 2005
Julie From West Midlands
My father and grandmother lived in trefnant square for many years. Does anyone know of the names Owen or Evans who lived in Trefnant 1936 - 1960 ish?
Thu Nov 3 22:56:58 2005
Delamer
I have just found that my mother went to this school, does anyone know of a Mrs W Coombs? I have a letter with the name and address of this school on it.
Mon Oct 17 21:15:29 2005
Karen from Rhyl
I also attended St Asaph V.P. school, Trevor Roberts was the headmaster at the time and he taught the standard 4 class, excellent he was too. Mr Tyler's Vimto lollies were far superior to what is around these days, he also made them in orange and pineapple, orange being the most sickly. Ah happy days.
Mon Aug 15 23:40:19 2005
Mef Richards from Botswana
Dewi's article brought back wonderful memories of both the Infants school and the 'VP'. Does anyone remember the chant that we hurled at passing pupils from the Grammar School (little realising that some of us would end up as pupils there ourselves!)...'County (Grammar School) Cats,
Central (Glyndwr, Rhyl) Rats,
When you see the VP raise your hats'.
Strange how things take their turn - I was a pupil at the VP, later did some of my pre-College teaching there, became a member of staff at Glyndwr in Rhyl and now lecture in a College in Botswana. The foundations laid by Miss Harrison, Mrs Wynne, Cecil Edwards et al proved to pay dividends. Best wishes to all in St Asaph, especially those who attended the VP.
Tue Jul 5 10:52:31 2005
Siān Jones (ex Rhyl/St Asaph)
I remember the hot Vimto drinks and the iced Vimto lollies so well. Joe Tyler was a lovely man. So was the lollipop man in 1970 but I can't remember his name. Most people will remember my cousin, Mel Roberts, who married Eric Thomas and together ran Thomas' newsagents 2 or 3 doors up from Mr Tyler's - they were the days.
Fri Jun 24 04:00:46 2005
Sue Foulkes St Asaph
Oh for one of Mr Tyler's hot drinks now and don't forget Tomlinson's chippy - battered beefcakes and pickled onions and then there was the youth club and Mrs Pat Jones...
Thu Jan 27 18:49:32 2005
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