20 March 2024

We are sad to learn former pupil Joseph O’Neill took his own life on 10 March. Joseph’s funeral will be taking place at Widnes Crematorium on 28 March at 12pm.

Some of Joseph’s friends are trying to find Jayesh Mistry and Philip Howarth to tell them about Joseph. If you know where they are, please let them know or use the Contact Form to provide any info you may have.

1 February 2024

Reunion 2024 will be taking place at the Southport Coaster on Lord Street in September. Put the date of Saturday 28 September in your diary now. Further details about ticket prices and how to get them will be announced soon.

4 June 2023

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.

1 June 2023

Tickets for the 75th Anniversary Reunion on 16th September 2023 are now on sale. The event will once again be at the Masonic Hall in Southport. Tickets cost £15 per person, which includes the buffet. Please note that vegan and gluten-free options are available on request. Full details of how to get and pay for tickets are here.

11 April 2023

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.

30 November 2022

Several former pupils and staff attended Nora Furness’ funeral on Monday (28 November). The service was held at St James’ Church in Birkdale and was led by Reverend Eddie Loxham. Nora’s grandchildren, Sarah and Timothy, gave lovely tributes.

Refreshments were provided in the church hall after the service, and this gave everyone a chance to catch-up and reminisce about Nora. Below is a photo of some ex-pupils with former teacher Brian Birkby.

Left to right: Stephen Malpus, Stephen Granger, Mr Birkby, Martin Cookson,
Barry Hodgson, Andrew Stewart, Dorothy Caven, Neil Caven & Christopher Ball

1 November 2022

Sad news: Mrs Nora Furness, known to many as Matron, died today aged 105 years. She passed away in Southport Hospital at 2am after going to the hospital on Friday (28 October) with a chest infection.

Update 13.11.22: Mrs Furness’ funeral will be taking place at 1pm on Monday, 28 November at St James’ Church in Birkdale. This will be followed by a private committal. Family flowers only, but donations to Southport Centre for the Deaf will be appreciated. Please send to Dean Brothers Funeral Directors, Deans Court, Gores Lane, Formby, L37 7DF.

29 September 2022

This is an advance notice that planned server maintenance will be taking place on 5 October from 10pm onwards. This means you may experience some interruptions accessing this website. It could take up to 5 hours to complete, but hopefully, it will be less than that.

6 September 2022

News has reached us that former pupil Patricia Johnson has passed away following a battle with cancer. Patricia left our school n 1974.

Thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time.

Update 09.09.22: it has been announced that Patricia Johnson’s funeral will take place at 10am on Monday 19 September at Wigan Crematorium.

Update 21.09.22: due to Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral taking place on 19 September, the date and time for Patricia’s funeral have been changed to Monday 26 September at 11am. The full address for the crematorium is Wigan Ince Crematorium. Warrington Road, Lower Ince, Ince-in-Makerfield, Wigan, WN3 4NH.

7 August 2022

Former pupil Fergus O’Connor sadly passed away last Tuesday (2 August). He left our school in 1969. Thoughts are with his family and friends during this time.

Update 14.08.22: Fergus’ funeral will take place at Carleton Crematorium in Poulton-le-Fylde, near Blackpool, on Wednesday 24 August from 10-10.30am.

Update 21.08.22: Fergus’ granddaughter Nicola Geddes says everyone who would like to come and join the family to pay their respects is welcome. There will be a celebration of his life at Fleetwood Bowling Club at 11 am where there will be hot and cold food available.

Fergus O’Connor
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