The website for ex-pupils and staff of LSPD/SPHB/BSHIC
The Champion has reported that Mrs Furness recently celebrated her 104th birthday.
Mrs Furness marked the occasion on 19 June with her daughter Rosalind and two of her grandchildren, Sarah and Anne. It was the first time that more than one named person has been able to visit her since before the coronavirus pandemic began.
We all wish Mrs Furness a very Happy Birthday!
—
Edited on 4 July 2021 to correct name of granddaughter from Ruth to Anne
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.
Following a discussion with Julie at the Masonic Hall, the Reunion Committee have made the decision to postpone Reunion 2020.
While lockdown restrictions are generally easing, social distancing will remain for a long time to come. This means large gatherings, such as our Reunions, will be very difficult to maintain.
Because of this, it was decided to cancel Reunion 2020 for everyone’s health and safety. The event will be rescheduled for October 2021.
We know some of you will be disappointed, but it is the right thing to do. It will give us all something positive to look forward to in 2021.
More details will be announced in due course. In the meantime, please continue to stay safe and remember to keep social distancing.
In March, we reported Mark Vincent had started a project in September 2019 making a replica of the school inside the Minecraft video game. This has now been completed, and Mark has sent in some photos showing what it looks like.
Thank you, Mark, for sharing what you created.
An update about this year’s Reunion:
The Reunion Committee hopes it will go ahead as planned on 3 October. However, we are all living in uncertain times and many events have already been cancelled. The Reunion Committee feels it is wise to start selling tickets for the event when it is safe to do so. The advice is to keep an eye on here for any further announcements.
Keep well and stay safe.
—
We heard this week that ex-pupil Daffyd Howell passed away last year on 12 August. Daffyd was 65 years old. Some of you will know him as Goronwy Jones.
Almost a year and a half since it was announced developers got permission to transform the school site into a retirement village, it looks like work has finally started.
The modern Senior School building and gymnasium are being demolished as can be seen in the following photos recently taken by Mark Vincent and his friend Dave Davies.
On a happier note, Mark says he started a project in September last year making a replica of the school built inside the video game Minecraft. It is not finished yet, but Mark has shared this photo of what it looks like so far:
Thank you to Mark and Dave for sharing and sending these photos in.
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.
Here’s a date for your diaries – the next Birkdale Reunion will take place on Saturday 3 October 2020. It will be held once again at the Masonic Hall in Southport.
If you have any feedback or suggestions for this event, please use our Contact Form. The committee of Bob Bayley, Mike Fahey and Tony Wright will consider any ideas put forward, and they will aim to make this event a memorable occasion.
Further information will be announced in due course.
