Keresley County Infants Springfield School

The Coronation Club is still there Violet, only now the entrance is on the side. I remember the long tables in the function room at the Corrie, and the crowds in there at weekends for bingo and the cabaret. My friend Rich Moule lived next door to the Corrie at one time, I remember playing games in his back bedroom. I later played football for the Corrie, and there would be a group of us in their often on a Saturday night. Phil Host, Al Harwood, Dave Newton, Harry Stephenson, Pete Johnson, and others.

Violet; Quite by chance I came across a Bill French on Facebook, as he is a friend of Mick Irwin, who lived opposite the Sandpits Garage, it could be the same one. It was in a group called A Coventry Kid am I (sic)

I know Billy French used to live opposite the Bell Inn, also know Sheila Doyle from Keresley Close, when I grew up in Lowe Road where my parents lived my brother lives in Lowe Road now and my sister at the top end we lived in the square of 8 houses opposite Keresley Close and I live where the old prefabs used to be Cottage Farm Road even to this day. I went to Springfield Infants around 1965, cannot remember school friends from there. It's a doctors surgery now right next to the Coronation Club where my dad and I were members.

That's how I know Billy French from the CB days when I lived at home in Lowe Road still remember the sweet shop next to the Bell Inn little cottages now and still live very near Lowe Road where I have a brother living in my mum and dad's old house opposite Keresley Close and a sister that lived next to where Mrs King used to live at the top end of Lowe Road. I live in Cottage Farm Road.

I started school 1960/61, at Keresley County Infants School. Just wondered whether anyone remembers anything of it. I have a few names - Mrs. Morris, Mrs. Wood, and Mrs. Westgarth the headmistress. Some of the kids; John Worthington, Beverly Redding, Elaine Westgarth, Frankie French, Michael Urwin, Paul Taylor, Gary Mabbett? Would be great to hear from anyone who might have any memories circa early sixties. Great site, thank you for opportunity to post.

Hello & welcome Liz1956. I have added a hi-lite question to you post. Let's hope & see. Best wishes.

Oh thanks very much Philip, that's really kind

Hello Rex, I think I might be a few years older than you, attended Keresley County Infants, circa 1961-1964. Originally lived in prefabs in Halford Lane, then moved to Lowe Road when I was about six. I remember a lot of names you mention, you've really stirred some memories, happy days! Best regards, Liz (nee Cramp).

On behalf of member "Inyoni", some pre-war memories of this infants' school.... Poppy Day 11th November 1936 was a sunny, windless day, and my first year at ''Keresley Infant School'', aged 4 years. About 10:45 am the whole school was out in the front playground being formed into 4 sashed lines to stand still as the ''Memorial Park Siren'' was to be sounded for the one minute silence at precisely 11am. Anyone living in the Keresley area in those days up until the war, and some years after, will recall the continuous industrial roar of Jaguar and Riley engines, shunting trains and lesser sounds, all condensed and permanently there to a greater or lesser degree depending on the wind direction - East behind us being most audible and muted from the West. On this particular day the teachers, finally getting the event into some sort of order, the background noise suddenly and perceptibly started to wane into silence. Almost immediately to our left and the city came the gradual building up sound of the expected siren, sounding for the minute and then fading to silence. Then, as if at the touch of a switch, the various factories and noise returned as before. It was the first and last time I experienced the event possibly due to the weather but the ''All Clear'' sound of that day became a very welcome sound a few turbulent years later for us all.

Hi Liz; I used to know Bev Redding, she lived on the Tamworth Road, just down from the church, she later went to Coundon Court, I knew her through some other girls from the school. Mick Urwin and I played together as boys through most of our childhood, we're still (sort of) in touch on Facebook.

Disorganised1, did Mick Urwin have a sister Pat, I used to work with a Pat Urwin who lived in Keresley in the 1960’s

Hello Anne, the Free BMD site is very useful for information. Here's an example. Listing is for dob, person, mother and place. Births Mar 1946 (>99%) Urwin Patricia Chance Meriden. Births Dec 1949 (>99%) Urwin Jennifer Chance Nuneaton. Births Mar 1956 (>99%) Urwin Michael Chance Meriden. I reckon your suggestion is correct

Hi Heathite. Yes, that looks like the Pat I knew as she did have a sister Jennie that used to come to some of the works occasions. I have a picture with them both on somewhere. Pat and her friend left the EMEB and went to Torquay or somewhere like that so we lost touch.