Welcome to The Briercliffe Society Forum

Like that Maureen, Roger--font of all knowledge
I love little tales about where words/sayings came from, teetotal, hadn't heard that one.

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

Thank you for your reply Maureen. I know Jack Stuttard well but never knew he had written this book. I was in my last year at Lanehead School when Jack began his teaching career. Then later on my daughters were in the same classes as Jack's children. He is alive and does live quite close to me but I believe that he has not been in very good health of late so I won't bother him. However, I sometime see his daughter collecting her child from school so I will ask her or inquire at our local library.
Thanks again

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Maggie

Maggie, if you do manage to locate a couple of copies then I would be interested in knowing. My nan went to Lane Head in the early 1900's.

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Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

Portia, like others I too went to Lanehead School and am interested in the history of the school written by Mr Sutcliffe. I chuckled when you mentioned the talk on drink. It was in 1955/6 given to I think the top class only, Mr Happer was the head and teacher of the class. We were given a very serous talk entitled, The effects of alcohol on the human body. The following day we had to write an essay using that title and these were submitted to whoever had given the talk, I surmise it must have been the Temperance Society. Certificates of Merit were given and three of us received Certificates of Special Merit. I still have mine somewhere and for years it was on display, next to the wine bottles, it caused many a hoot to family and friends!

I like that Judi. What an excellent place to display it!

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Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

Judi, I went to Lanehead whilst Mr Happer was headmaster, but I only went for a couple of years. Would have been too young for a lecture on the affects of drink to have been taken in.
Have you seen the pics on the site?

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

Hi All
Mel if I manage to get any copies of the book I will certainly let you know. Mr Happer taught me in the top class around the same time as you Judi. That was the one and only time I got the dreaded two rulers. Six of us both boys and girls had to line up. I remember Mr Happer saying he really did not want to hit us because it would hurt him more than it would us. Believe me it didn't.
He was a wonderful teacher and person and he also taught my oldest daughter before retiring.
regards

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Maggie

Maggie
You left out the bit about why you were given the ruler

David B

Hangs head in shame...........I got the ruler for talking in class honest that was all.
cheers

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Maggie

I asked my dad today if he remembers the Band of Hope...and he did. He says he used to go..it was like a youth club and lots of the Harle Syke/Haggate youth attended. He says it was "a bit religious" and preached temperence. I asked him where he attended and he said at the Commercial Pub. Now...I find that hard to believe!!

I believe that Jack and Merle (Wilkinson) Stuttard live on Briercliffe Road near Lanehead school. The number is 356 or something close to that, if I remember correctly.

Judi
According to the 'Lanehead School' book, there was a lecture on 'Alcohol and Digestion' (one is almost essential to t'other in my view) in november 1903. Then in 1906 the chidren 'enjoyed' a lecture on 'Alcohol and the Blood'. If they were still lecturing about it in your time there it begs the question whether anyone was listening?

My Mum remembers going to the Band of Hope at Haggate on a Monday nights.
A man with a large moustache (who they nick-named The Walrus) waved a baton whilst they all sang

Water bright, water bright, my drink is water bright
from the crystal spring.

The young lads had their own rather rude version which they sang instead. I won't post it on here!!

One Christmas there was a concert and my mum and some of the other young ones decided to get up and dance. There was an uproar about it and all the elderly people got up and left in disgust.

Their message certainly fell on deaf ears with my family as well!

Wow! Flashback! Flashback!
Way back, when I was about 10 my mother had to go for an operation and I came to stay with my grandparents in Harle Syke for a few weeks. I remember attending Lanehead school and was traumatized by witnessing said Mr Happer smacking some kids over their knuckles with a ruler! I had never seen anything like that in my life. It upset me so much that I ran away from the school back to my Nana's and refused to go back to Lanehead ever again!
Haven't thought of that in decades!

Sue

I have to be honest and admit that the reason I got a certificate of special merit for the essay was because of "family insight" into the effects of alcohol on the human body!! I think there would be many buyers if this little book was re-issued. PS I am also very proud of my two length swimming certificate from North St Baths gained whilst at the school!