The website for ex-pupils and staff of LSPD/SPHB/BSHIC
A Beach BBQ is being held on Ainsdale beach during the afternoon of Sunday, 24 June. As last year, friends, family and well-controlled pets are welcome to join in the fun. Take your own BBQ, food and drink.
This year the invitation is being extended to ex-pupils of Mary Hare. If you have any ball games, please bring them along too!
Reunion 2012 takes place at the Scarisbrick Hotel in Southport on 13 October. Tickets for this event are now available at £15 each.
We are sorry to learn of two recent deaths, both of them former pupils of the school.
Jacqueline Bairstow, who left Birkdale in 1966, passed away on Wednesday 25 January following heart surgery in Torpoint, Cornwall. She lived an active life and was very much involved with the charity Heartswell South West. Jacqui was also an active user of Facebook under her married name as Jacqui Dore. Our condolences go to her daughter Becky and the rest of Jacqui’s family.
28-year-old Billie-Jane Coulton was hit by a train at Mexborough station [in South Yorkshire] just after midnight on Thursday 26 January. Mystery surrounds this tragic incident, but police are not treating it as suspicious following earlier reports of two men being arrested.
Dorothy Griffiths has let us know that Robert Taylor recently passed away after suffering from cancer. Robert left the school in 1957.
A reminder that the Beach BBQ at Ainsdale is taking place this Saturday, 18 June from 3pm.
People need to enter the beach by Pontin’s entrance and turn left, follow the beach down until you see old friends who will be parked up to the right as they go down the beach. Remember family and pets are welcome to come as well. People must provide their own food, drink and BBQ tray. Most people take chairs or blankets to sit on.
Plans by Centremodel Ltd to turn our school into apartments were turned down by Sefton Council at a Planning Committee meeting on Wednesday, 9 March. The application was refused by Sefton Council at that meeting.
Details of a Mary Hare/Birkdale Reunion have been announced. Please see this page for more info.
Many of you may now be aware that Mr John Furness, Principal from 1956-76, passed away sometime during the weekend of 22/23 January. He had been admitted to hospital, and died peacefully under their care. Mr Furness had been unwell for some time and was staying in a nursing home before being admitted to hospital.
Mr Furness’ funeral took place at St James’ Church on Lulworth Road in Birkdale on 2 February. The service was lovely, and the school was well represented by both ex-pupils and staff. Miss Clark, who was Mr Furness’ Deputy for 18 of the 20 years he was Principal, made a speech reflecting on the years she worked with him.
Several former members of staff were present; these include teachers Miss Dray, Miss Daintith, Mrs Goodall, Mrs Morris, Mrs Rothwell, Mr Henderson, Mr Birkby and Mr Fyles. Classroom Assistant Mrs Hunt was also there as was former Principal Mr Loxham with his wife. Mrs Pattison from the school office also attended the service.
The family went on to the Crematorium after the service at St James, and refreshments were laid on at the Cambridge Hotel afterwards.
Donations were given to the Alzheimer’s Society.
The date for the next Reunion at the Scarisbrick Hotel has been set for 13 October 2012. Please make a note of this in your diaries now. Further details to be announced in due course.
Another BBQ on Ainsdale beach, organised by Jane Ashworth, is being planned for 18 June. As last time, it’ll be from 3pm onwards. Please encourage family, friends & pets (no goldfish though!) to come along! If you have any ball games, bring them too.