The website for ex-pupils and staff of LSPD/SPHB/BSHIC
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.
It’s official! The next Reunion will be taking place at the Masonic Hall in Southport on Saturday 21 May 2022. Further details about tickets will be announced soon, but for now, book the date in your diaries.
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.
Some of you have been asking or wondering about Daphne, one of the daughters of Nora and John Furness. (She was not mentioned in the article celebrating Mrs Furness’s 104th birthday.)
Permission has been given to inform you that sadly Daphne died a few years ago as a result of a car crash, which also killed her friend who was driving. The young man responsible was eventually given a prison sentence and a driving ban.
This was and is a tragic thing to happen. We hope you will appreciate why this was not made public at the time.
It has been decided it is probably best to not have the Reunion this year. Instead, we are looking into possibly having the event next Spring. Discussion is taking place on Facebook to get feedback on how people feel about this.
If you don’t use Facebook and have any comments or suggestions about this idea, please comment below or send a message using our Contact Form.
The Champion has reported that Mrs Furness recently celebrated her 104th birthday.
Mrs Furness marked the occasion on 19 June with her daughter Rosalind and two of her grandchildren, Sarah and Anne. It was the first time that more than one named person has been able to visit her since before the coronavirus pandemic began.
We all wish Mrs Furness a very Happy Birthday!
—
Edited on 4 July 2021 to correct name of granddaughter from Ruth to Anne
We have received news from Paul Harper that David Smith passed away peacefully last night (15 March). He left school in 1960 and just turned 77 last Friday. Paul said he, Melvyn Oughton and David regularly met in Manchester over the past few years.
Our thoughts go to David’s family and friends during this sad time.
News has been received that former pupil Pamela Robson passed away on Tuesday 23 February. Our thoughts are with David Varrie, and Pamela’s family and friends during this sad time.
Following a discussion with Julie at the Masonic Hall, the Reunion Committee have made the decision to postpone Reunion 2020.
While lockdown restrictions are generally easing, social distancing will remain for a long time to come. This means large gatherings, such as our Reunions, will be very difficult to maintain.
Because of this, it was decided to cancel Reunion 2020 for everyone’s health and safety. The event will be rescheduled for October 2021.
We know some of you will be disappointed, but it is the right thing to do. It will give us all something positive to look forward to in 2021.
More details will be announced in due course. In the meantime, please continue to stay safe and remember to keep social distancing.