Harry Purves.
Harry hi, over the years I have read every page on this forum, then reading yours where you mentioned Mrs almonds shop on the corner of Cathcart Street ,sees me reply to you today .as you have been the only one who has ever mentioned her.
We arrived at 58 Cathcart Street in early 1961 when I was just 7 years old at that time I had two brothers age 5 and 4, within a short time I had three more brothers and 1 sister, we stayed there until shortly before demolition in 1972/73.
I think you are probably talking about old Mrs almond, running the shop, with daughter violet beside her ,Mrs almond was tough lady and quite scary to the younger kids ,lol, however she died in first half of the 1960s, and Violet took over, she was amazing she helped out so many people in need in those tough streets, including my family.
When money was short she let us have our weekly Friday night grocery list and pay the week after, My dad always paid his way and always made sure Violet was paid, many did but sadly some didn't .
She is one of the fondest memories of growing up in difficult times ,which would have been almost impossible Without her wonderful generous and kind ways..
On the day we left Dad made sure he thanked her and gave her some flowers ,she was visably touched, by this, just a few weeks later she had to leave as well, she moved to a flat in Revesby walk.,we were to move to Woodgate valley,one of the last major housing estates ever built i believe
We went To St Anne's in Devon Street and to the then new school Duddeston Manor as secondary school, it opened in 1964 , l started in 1965..
I loved St Anne's 1961 to 1965, Mr cocking was head teacher with Mr Bennett deputy and also our class 10 teacher in our last year , Mr brandreth was class 8 and would give out the double ruler across the knuckles, while Mr Bennett gave out the infamous or famous slipper,or Pump, , he was a big man with a red beard similar to actor Brian blessed, so the pump across the back side was sore taking out a whole cheek ,hahaha..
But you know we were tough lads in a tough area our punishments at school were deserved ,our dad always said there was consequences to actions and breaking certain rules meant the slipper.
Once you had it ,Mr Bennett gave you a fresh start. Tomorrow was another day.
I remember them with a smile and respect them and their memory.
Having been involved in schools in my life I am pretty sure if any teacher opened their classroom door and Saw my old class waiting for them, they would turn back and go home. Different times different places .
Taronis scrap yard was at the bottom of our garden, and Saltley gas works next to the school.