MEMORIES FROM THE MID - 20th CENTURY Edited & compiled by Frank Irwin ISBN 978-0-9557484-2-4
Although mainly of interest to ‘Old Blues’ this entertaining set of mini autobiographies will appeal to all especially as the school celebrated its 300th birthday back in 2008. It comprises the school’s history and also describes vividly just what boarding school life was like in the Mid 20th century – the antics, the pranks, the highs and lows of boarding school life. (351 pages and over 100 photographs) available from: [email protected] Reviewed favourable by the Liverpool Echo (March 15th 2008)
Frank who lives in Thingwall, Wirral, was a boarding school pupil at the Liverpool Blue Coat School in the 1950s and as well as contributing to the work, has brought together anecdotes and historical tales of Blue Coat School life in the 1920s up to the 1970s – by fellow pupils and also two teachers.
In his lovingly put together work, Frank wanted to throw the gates wide open and with several former pupils and correspondents, he took enthusiastically to the task in hand.
Some comments received following publication:
Many congratulations Frank and thank you for signing my copy. I shall be ordering some more copies and I shan’t wait until June as I am sure they will have run out by then.There’s nothing for it, you will have to write a Volume 2. Margaret Thompson (Nee Bond)
My wife noted your thanks in the front piece, to Barbara and said she was probably glad that you were kept busy! I wonder what you are going to do for an encore? It is just about a year since I got that first e:mail from you, who knew at the time where we would end up? I don’t swim competitively any more since I got a new hip so you might be able to beat me now! Dave Bolt
Well done Frank, it’s an excellent effort and the breadth of the content from a time point of view might help its sales. Eric Woodbine
Just got my copy of the book, I am gob-smacked.I think it is just great.You must be very proud after all the work you have put in Frank. I am pleased to think that my little bit helped. Ken Hughes (Yozzer)
I am well pleased to have received the book.Frank you must be so proud to see it come to fruition after all the work that you have put in; the finished work is brilliant! Many thanks for your work in compiling the ‘Treasure’. Dave Kennedy (Plum Duff) P.S. Any thoughts on your next book?
I will never let the book out of my sight Millicent Hughes
Amanda, thank you very much for your very interesting e:mail regarding your father’s book.What remarkable achievement to have participated in and indeed initiated the writing of a book and to have it published.I hope it is much read and brings many people pleasure and that the money that is made for this charity is of benefit to others. I am sure Charlotte must feel very proud. Mrs P. King (Headmistress Upton Hall Grammar School)
Just received my copy of the book.First of all congratulations to Frank for this achievement (dreams can come true)The size and quality is much better than I expected and I am proud to be a part of it. I am sure it will find a place on the bookshelves all over the world – so when we have gone, we’ll not be entirely forgotten! Hubert Mainwaring-Spencer (Spike)
Yes, what a thrill to finally see the fruition of all those efforts. It has exceeded my expectations and I echo Spike’s words about the pride of having been involved. Thanks once again to Frank for seeing it through.It was a ‘lorra lorra work’, we now clearly see. Ray Livingston
I think we may congratulate ourselves on the outcome of our labours. You, Frank, deserve particular congratulations for your central effort in the project.My copy arrived promptly on Tuesday morning.I spent an hour reading parts of it straight away. Frank Hulford (Teacher)
Frank, you can be justly proud of your book. Stephen Hesford M.P.