Westfield County Infant School
Rugby, Warwickshire

I was at Westfield (now Oakfield Primary Academy) from 1963 to 1965, then on to Bloxam, then Dunsmore (now Ashlawn). What can I remember about Westfield? Not much - the head was Miss Gibbs, who had a Morris Minor, I don't remember any of my teachers, though there was one called Mrs Mosely who had a bubble car. She used to come to school in it with her son. Also Mrs Clarke and Mrs Macaleese whose husband worked at Dunsmore (Boys).

This picture was taken in around 1963/4, I'm Barry Thomas, the smug looking kid with the blue dot. The numbers correspond to the names below (Click on the photo for a higher resolution version):

Westfield County Infant School 1963

1. Michelle Hirons
2. Jenifer Moseley
3. Steve Wright
4. Albert Kelly
5. Margaret Simpson?
6. ? Howels
7. ? Atkins?
8. Neil Devine
9. Martin Lancaster
10. Ian Miles
11. Simon J Hardeman
12. Kevin Rook
13. Martin Haines
14. Sheila Tolcher
15. Karen Pratt?
16. Kevin Brough?
 17. Elizabeth Edge
18. Debra Coulson
19. David Rowlands
20. Lionel Perks
21. Jean Kempton
22. Christopher Longthorn
23. Graham Downes
24. Lynda Johnson
25. Loraine Wells
26. Dave Clark(e)
27. Lynn(e) Underwood
28. John Vince?
29. Stuart Price?
30. Julie Saunders?

Where are they now? If you can add more names to this list, drop me an email at bt@barrythomas.co.uk

Others from my year: Paul Gutteridge who had a fingernail missing on one index finger, Andrew Mair from Bilton Road, Audrey Barker, Deborah Heaton from Oakfield Road, Susan Edge (sister of Liz above) from Lytham Road... I have no memory of the twin boys sat next to me here or the twin girls on the front row, though they could be in another class. I'd love to see more photos from this time - let me know if you have any.

The picture was taken by John F Hughes, Photographer, 63 Albert Street, Rugby, now no longer in business. I guess this was an Easter type thing judging by the daffodils, probably printed in the Rugby Advertiser or similar. My copy is 8" x 10" ordered at the time either via the school or from the newspaper.

An email came in from Debra Gott who was at Westfield and Bloxam a couple of years behind me. She remembers the setting for the photo:

"I'm pretty certain I know the event taking place in the photo, it was May Day, which I used to absolutely love. The top class would vote for the May King and Queen and their 'attendants'. They wore crowns, velvet cloaks and the girls wore frilly white dresses. I had huge ambitions to be a May Queen, but only made reserve attendant. It went to Joanna Clarke, daughter of the teacher Mrs Clarke (who lived in Crick and drove a red mini). Everyone had to take in posies and flowers, wrapped in paper doilies (like the girl standing at the front of the photo). The king, queen and attendants sat at the front of the hall, and everyone went up with their flowers. Afterwards, the flowers were taken to Westlands care home in Oliver Street."

Debbie suggested a name for the blonde boy with his mouth open, behind number 15, Christopher Longthorn. Chris then got in touch to confirm his ID and added 9 more names! Thanks to both Debbie and Chris for the help.

Last updated 22/06/2024