Staff

It is with sadness that we have learned of the death of Mr Bob Percy, who worked for many years in the Audiology Room at Birkdale.

Former Principal Mrs Wood says she remembers him for his sense of humour and philosophical, calm attitude as well as his attention to detail in anything audiological. He went about his work quietly, often with a smile, and took a great interest in all the young people at school and was proud of the achievements of former pupils.

Mrs Wood also says:

“I am glad that I had the opportunity to work in the same school as Mr Percy. I never heard him say a bad word about anybody. He was a valued colleague, a polite gentleman and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Tony Wright also remembers Mr Percy as a funny and likeable person. Tony says Mr Percy even filmed a couple of magic shows he did with some of the pupils.

Mr Percy’s funeral will be at Southport Crematorium at 1pm on Monday 4 November.

We have received the sad news that Mrs Veronica Cliffe passed away yesterday.

Mrs Cliffe worked as a Classroom Assistant having originally come to our school in 1961 but she left six years later to raise her family. She returned to Birkdale in 1976 and remained there until the closure of the school. As mentioned in the December 2001 newsletter, Mrs Cliffe celebrated 25 years working at the school in September 2001.

Former Principal Mrs Wood has been in touch to pay this tribute to Mrs Cliffe:

“It is with sadness that we heard of the death of Mrs Veronica Cliffe on June 3rd. Mrs Cliffe worked at Parkfield before moving to the Junior Department and then the Seniors.

Mrs Cliffe will be remembered for her reliability, kindness, dedication to her work and sense of fun. Many pupils will remember her help in the classroom as well as outside of it whether on evening duty at Parkfield or checking hearing aids each morning. She was proud of school and the achievements of its pupils. Her work in ensuring that displays in classrooms and corridors were of a high standard was often commented on by visitors to the school.

I feel fortunate to have worked alongside somebody who was so much a part of Birkdale for so long and my thoughts are with her family at this sad time.”

The funeral will be at Atherton Crematorium near Manchester. Further details will be announced once this has been arranged.

Update 10.06.2023: Veronica Cliffe’s funeral will be taking place at 12pm on Monday 19 June at Howe Bridge Crematorium in Howe Bridge, near Atherton. Refreshments after the service will be at the Jubilee Hall next to St Richard’s Hall near Tesco.

Veronica’s daughter Michaela says if anyone wishes to attend, it will be lovely to see them; please let Tony know via the Contact Form, by email or text (if you have his number), if you’re going as Michaela needs to know numbers for catering, and Tony will contact Michaela to tell her.

Mrs Wood has been in contact to say that Mr Mick Walsh, who worked at Birkdale for many years in maintenance at school, sadly passed away on Easter Sunday [9 April] at home.

Mrs Wood comments that Mr Walsh was instrumental in helping to transform the old dormitories into modern, smaller, comfortable bedrooms, and in upgrading the Schierwater Room into the Girls’ Lounge as well as numerous other projects around the school.

Mrs Wood says: “As Principal, I had only to mention something that needed attention and it was attended to promptly and with great care and good humour. Often Mr Walsh spotted maintenance requiring attention and had carried out necessary work before it had even been mentioned. He took great pride in his work and was equally proud of Birkdale and its pupils’ achievements. He was a colleague who will be remembered with great affection.”

Rest in peace, Mr Walsh.

Update 18.04.2023: Mick Walsh’s funeral is at 10am on Friday 28 April at St Patrick’s Church, Marshside in Southport.

Janet Mulcahy has been in contact to inform us that her mother Mrs Barbara Morris sadly passed away yesterday morning, aged 94. Like Janet, Mrs Morris was a former teacher at the school.

Our condolences go to Janet and her family during this sad time.

Update 18.02.22: Barbara Morris’ funeral will be taking place at 1pm on Wednesday 23 February at Southport Crematorium.

News has been received this evening that Mrs Eileen Tomkinson sadly passed away last week.

Mrs Tomkinson started teaching at our school in 1964, and went on to become Head of the Junior School in 1980. When Miss Clark retired in 1986, Mrs Tomkinson took over as Principal. At the end of the Christmas term in 1991, Mrs Tomkinson herself retired from this role.

No funeral details are available yet, but it will be after Christmas.

Our thoughts are with Mrs Tomkinson’s daughter Helen, family and friends during this sad time.

Update 03.01.2022: a date has been set for Mrs Tomkinson’s funeral; it will take place on 14 January at 2.45pm. There is a 30 person limit on funerals in Wales at the moment, but there will be a virtual link available should anyone want it. Please use the Contact Form to request the link if you would like to have this.

Update 10.01.2022: as many of you who knew Mrs Tomkinson will not be able to get to join the family for the funeral service on Friday, they are hoping to be able to collect memories that can be read or spoken during the service. If you would like to share your favourite memories of Mrs Tomkinson, please contact us to arrange sending these to Helen and family.

Update 13.01.2022: details of the webcast for Mrs Tomkinson’s funeral are now available. If anyone wishes to access the funeral service tomorrow (14 January) at 2.45pm, please contact us to request the login information.

We are sad to report the death of Mr John Morgan who passed away suddenly in May.

Mr Morgan was a well-respected member of staff who thought a lot about school and its pupils. He taught Science, and was involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. He will be greatly missed.

Former Chairman of the Governors Mr Denis Hobley died suddenly this morning. No further news are available at the moment.

Mr Hobley was a kind, caring and wise friend of the school who served as a dedicated Chairman on the Board of Governors. He continued with the Birkdale Trust for Hearing Impaired after the school closed.

Wendy Dray’s funeral took place yesterday (27 September). Mourners gathered at Liverpool Road Cemetery for the Committal, and this was followed by a Memorial Service at Aughton Park Baptist Church.

Several former staff attended, including Mrs Liz Rothwell and her husband Duncan, Mr & Mrs Loxham, Miss Angela Baron, Mrs Janet Mulcahy, Mr Brian Birkby, and Mr Steve Hosker. A few ex-pupils paid their respects too; among them were Celia Hulme, Lucy Riding, Charlotte Speak, and Victoria Sumner-Jones.

Victoria Sefton‘s parents were also there.

Mrs Rothwell was asked by Miss Beryl Daintith to present a tribute about Wendy in her years as a teacher at Birkdale School.

Qlocal reports on the service here.

Mrs Rothwell has been in touch to let us know the sad news that Miss Wendy Dray passed away yesterday following a long illness.

Update 11.09.2021: arrangements for Wendy Dray’s funeral have been announced. It will take place on Monday 27 September. First, a burial at Liverpool Road Cemetery, Southport [PR8 3BN] at 11am, followed by a Memorial Service at Aughton Park Baptist Church, Long Lane, Aughton, Ormskirk [L39 5BZ] at 12pm.

You are welcome to attend either or both of these. If attending the cemetery, if you arrive a few minutes early at the gate you will be able to follow the hearse to the burial plot for the graveside prayers.

Beryl Daintith has asked for no flowers but donations you wish to make will be split between Queenscourt Hospice in Southport and Wycliffe Bible Translators. There will be collection boxes at the church. Details of where people can send donations if they are not able to attend the funeral will be made available soon.