St. Joseph's RC Church & School Nechells Birmingham UK
Did you attend St Joseph's RC School, Long Acre, Nechells, Birmingham, England? If so, then this is the web site for you.
Next Reunion Friday 5th December New Aston Social Club Aston Hall Road, Aston. 8pm.
Important Notice. Fr Gerry McArdle has now retired. His last Mass was at 11.15am on Sunday 28th September 2008.
On Friday 26th September a Mass of Thanksgiving took place at St Joseph's. It was officiated over by His Lordship Bishop Pargetter. I am pleased to say that the Church was full and proved a fine display of the esteem in which
Fr. Gerry is held.
Fr Gerry is the 3rd longest serving Parish Priest at St Joseph's since 1850. He has, without doubt, performed a great service to the Parish and will be sadly missed. I am sure that you will join me in wishing him a long and very happy retirement.
To see what has been recently added, please scroll down.
Jim Cullinane can you email me with your email address please.
There is someone who remembers you . Richard
r.scott169@blueyonder.co.uk
I have now added a new Guest Book
if you like
the site or have any comments, please sign in or email me.
Do you remember teachers like, Miss Sidebottom, Miss Scally, Mr Cassell, Miss Martin or Miss Dobbin? What about Mr Whittle, Miss White, or Miss Grundy? Then again Sister Alfreda or Sister Marguerite? Do you want to find out where they are now or what happened to them? Again this is where you will get your answers. See Stories from Pupils & Teachers and the other story pages. Many are mentioned.
What former school friends do you remember? John Tocker, Pat Brierley, Tommy Powell. Mavis Hall or maybe Rita Harris, Maureen Hawe. How about the Walsh sisters or the Kimberley sisters. This site has contact with them all.
So if you attended St Joseph's School, or have any information about friends who did, contact me and let me know. Your messages will be greatly appreciated.
If you did not attend St Joseph's but are still interested in local history, particularly Nechells, this site may have some thing for you!
There are many photographs and stories about the area and how life went on during difficult times.
If you like reading about old Aston, Nechells and the like, the stories are a must.
Do not expect to take them all in at one go. You might want to add your own tale
from the area? If so contact me.
In the stories links above, you will read the memories of many former pupils regarding their times in Nechells and Aston. You will also hear from former Headmaster, Peter Whittle, Miss Sidebottom, a legendary St Joseph's teacher and also from Miss Frances Vaughan, a former pupil who would later return to the school as a teacher.
You can read the stories of Phyllis Arnold, who will talk about her experiences, from being at St Joseph's, to her later life. There are stories from John Tocker, Kevin Rushe, Olga Waplington, Janet Kimberley and many more from the old School.
In the Snippets section will be smaller tales, which hopefully remind you not only of the person, but of other times that you may remember from those many years ago.
Have look at the photographs from the past. See if you remember anyone.
If you have a story about St Joseph's or Nechells, that you would like on these pages, contact me. You do not have to have attended St Joseph's.
The grave list contains partial details of some of those who have been buried in St Joseph's cemetery. Unfortunately, the list is not complete due to lack of accurate records. You may find this is not surprising considering that the Cemetery has been taking burials since 1850. If you do have any enquiries about friends or relatives who may be interred, contact me.
Please note all stories and pictures contained within this site are the sole property of myself and must not be copied or used for financial gain of any nature, or used in anyother publication without my permission. The stories have already been subject of publication under my name. I may however permit any use for educational purposes.
Recent updates
From now on I also will include here brief requests from interested former pupils and visitors. If you have any information please contact me.
Update 18th July 2008
Jim Cale would like to get in touch with Mary Devine. Contact me for information.
Update 21st July 2008
Photographs from reunion 20th July added to reunion photographs page
Message from Rose
Hi There, my name is Rose Gardner (nee Saunders),
I went to St. Josephs, Nechells in the year 1951 as did my siblings Kathleen,
Michael, Robert and Christine. My father also attended St Josephs beginning
approx 1916 as did his brother Arthur.
My Father Joseph and brother Arthur were born in Nechells and attended the
school for several years, unfortunately my father has now passed away and am
unable to get information about the school etc.
My father and mother Sarah Saunders (nee Bushell ) were married at St Josephs
My grandfather John Hubert Saunders and my grandmother Rose Saunders (ne: Cope)
were both buried (to the best of my knowledge) in St Josephs Churchyard. I am
uncertain on where they may have married.
If there is anyone on your website who may have any information as to my family,
I would be very grateful if they would share it with me.
Also, if there is anyway I can access information on names of those buried in
the churchyard, please let me know.
I came upon your website quite by accident, didn't know it existed and boy am I
enjoying it. Hope it continues for a long time to come.
Best Wishes
Rose
A plea from Olga.
Olga Waplington was a good classmate of mine. I believe we shared many similar family experiences. I remember her as always being to the front with mathematical and English lessons. Unfortunately Olga has no photographs of any description which show her during the school and formative years, can you assist. Please look through any photographs that you have, 1st communions, confirmations etc, to see if you can help. She would be eternally grateful.
If you can assist please contact me.
Request from Pat Wood
I am sorry to bother you, but I found your email address on the Aston history web site and you seem to have a great interest in Aston history.
In tracing my family history I have found out that my Grandfather, Fredrick Hirons was born in Aston in 1908. His family lived in Station Road, and his father George Hirons was a Tram car fitter. I know that he left Aston around about 1923, to work with the fair. He worked on a show mans engine, on the galloping horses I think.
I reason that I am writing to you is to ask if you can advise me where to go for more info about the Aston area of this time, and before I have looked on the Aston history site but can not find anything about the Hirons, but I know that there were quite a lot of them!
If you experience any problems please let me know.