The website for ex-pupils and staff of LSPD/SPHB/BSHIC
We are sad to report the death of Mr John Morgan who passed away suddenly in May.
Mr Morgan was a well-respected member of staff who thought a lot about school and its pupils. He taught Science, and was involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. He will be greatly missed.
Former Chairman of the Governors Mr Denis Hobley died suddenly this morning. No further news are available at the moment.
Mr Hobley was a kind, caring and wise friend of the school who served as a dedicated Chairman on the Board of Governors. He continued with the Birkdale Trust for Hearing Impaired after the school closed.
Wendy Dray’s funeral took place yesterday (27 September). Mourners gathered at Liverpool Road Cemetery for the Committal, and this was followed by a Memorial Service at Aughton Park Baptist Church.
Several former staff attended, including Mrs Liz Rothwell and her husband Duncan, Mr & Mrs Loxham, Miss Angela Baron, Mrs Janet Mulcahy, Mr Brian Birkby, and Mr Steve Hosker. A few ex-pupils paid their respects too; among them were Celia Hulme, Lucy Riding, Charlotte Speak, and Victoria Sumner-Jones.
Victoria Sefton‘s parents were also there.
Mrs Rothwell was asked by Miss Beryl Daintith to present a tribute about Wendy in her years as a teacher at Birkdale School.
Qlocal reports on the service here.
Mrs Rothwell has been in touch to let us know the sad news that Miss Wendy Dray passed away yesterday following a long illness.
Update 11.09.2021: arrangements for Wendy Dray’s funeral have been announced. It will take place on Monday 27 September. First, a burial at Liverpool Road Cemetery, Southport [PR8 3BN] at 11am, followed by a Memorial Service at Aughton Park Baptist Church, Long Lane, Aughton, Ormskirk [L39 5BZ] at 12pm.
You are welcome to attend either or both of these. If attending the cemetery, if you arrive a few minutes early at the gate you will be able to follow the hearse to the burial plot for the graveside prayers.
Beryl Daintith has asked for no flowers but donations you wish to make will be split between Queenscourt Hospice in Southport and Wycliffe Bible Translators. There will be collection boxes at the church. Details of where people can send donations if they are not able to attend the funeral will be made available soon.
Some of you have been asking or wondering about Daphne, one of the daughters of Nora and John Furness. (She was not mentioned in the article celebrating Mrs Furness’s 104th birthday.)
Permission has been given to inform you that sadly Daphne died a few years ago as a result of a car crash, which also killed her friend who was driving. The young man responsible was eventually given a prison sentence and a driving ban.
This was and is a tragic thing to happen. We hope you will appreciate why this was not made public at the time.
We have received news from Paul Harper that David Smith passed away peacefully last night (15 March). He left school in 1960 and just turned 77 last Friday. Paul said he, Melvyn Oughton and David regularly met in Manchester over the past few years.
Our thoughts go to David’s family and friends during this sad time.
News has been received that former pupil Pamela Robson passed away on Tuesday 23 February. Our thoughts are with David Varrie, and Pamela’s family and friends during this sad time.
We are sad to hear ex-pupil Eunice Haworth (née Guest) has died. According to our records, Eunice left Birkdale in 1961. She regularly attended the Reunions.
Update 25.01.2020: Eunice’s funeral will take place at 12.30pm on Friday 7 February at the crematorium on Burnley Road in Accrington. Anyone attending does not need to wear black as Eunice loved colour. No flowers have been requested but donations for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People will be appreciated.
Former pupil Paul Gore passed away peacefully in hospital yesterday (1 January). Paul left our school in 1994.
Update 07.01.2020: Paul’s funeral will take place at 1pm on Wednesday 22 January at Holy Family R.C. Church on Brompton Road, Southport.
Yesterday former staff and pupils attended a Memorial Service for Morag Clark at Scarisbrick New Road Baptist Church in Southport. Morag’s nephew Robin Scott was also present with his wife Liz.
Led by Elizabeth Rothwell, there were a number of speeches and a slideshow which included photos of Morag in her younger years and several taken during her time at Birkdale School.
Robin recounted some of Morag’s early years with the family. Two ex-pupils, Victoria Haynes (nee Sefton) and David Walker, gave their own tributes to Miss Clark. Victoria’s father, Chris Sefton, talked about meeting Miss Clark for the first time and how reassuring she had been about his daughter attending the school.
Elizabeth gave an overview of Morag’s work at Birkdale School and around the world. So many things were learnt from this, including the moment Morag met Nelson Mandela in South Africa. Extracts from the numerous messages received from professionals in different countries were read out.
Thanks were given to the minister of the Baptist Church for allowing his church to be used for the service. Tea and coffee was served afterwards, which gave people a chance to catch-up and chat. It was nice to see among the ex-staff Mrs Janet Mulcahy (nee Morris) and her mother Mrs Morris, Mrs Margaret Dutton (nee Crowley), Miss Angela Baron, and Miss Baldwin.
Particular thanks must go to Elizabeth Rothwell for organising this lovely Memorial Service.
A condensed form of the speeches with some photos will be put online in due course for everyone to see.