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MY FIRST SCHOOL. My very first school was The Collegiate, a branch of Wakefield Academy. I know I've mentioned it before but it was a private school with a small number of pupils. It occupied 'The Orangery', an old building on Back Lane, Wakefield. My first day there was traumatic. My Mum took me and, when she left me there, I was truly upset. I'd never been away from her before. I eventually got used to it but would always look forward to her coming to pick me up at 'home time.' She would wait outside the school's gates on Back Lane and then walk me home, a fair distance from the school on the other side of town. I remember that I'd asked Mum to send off a coupon that was in TV Comic to join the 'Red Ray Space Rayngers Club.' Red Ray was a character in the comic, (see pics elsewhere on this thread.) Everyday, when Mum arrived at the school gates to take me home, I would ask if the Club's membership pack had arrived yet. And one day it had and Mum brought it with her when she came to collect me from the school. I vividly remember opening the large envelope there and then, right outside the school gates. With my Mum passing away three weeks ago, this recent picture of The Orangery reminded me of that Red Ray moment in time. The photo' is of the school's gates with the actual building in the background. The Orangery was turned into an arts centre a few years back but I'm not sure if that venture has survived. But I have so many memories of being a very young pupil there back in the 1950s. And here's a photo of the actual building. Some of the Flaming Desire video was shot inside here.

Love the pic of you and Captain Sensible...didn't know there was a connection Bill. I'm a big Damned fan and so I'm now curious about this picture and what that connection is (I've obviously missed something). I had a drink with the Captain (Ray Burns) and Kirk Brandon (of Spear of Destiny fame), a little while ago in Derby, and they are both thoroughly nice gents. Captain Sensible is really quite reserved , a down to earth 'normal' bloke, very easy to get along with..really pleasant, and very funny..top guy! What's the story with that photograph Bill? (looks backstage).

A couple of fan photographs of an early Be Bop Deluxe flyer/brochure for the first line-up of the band. The descriptive 'blurb' inside was written by myself...

Fond memories of November 5th in the 1950s. We always had a small bonfire in the back garden of 28, Conistone Crescent on Eastmoor Estate. Dad would bring home a box of 'Standard' fireworks, (a Yorkshire company based in Huddersfield,) and Mum would make treacle toffee and Parkin. Our neighbours, (the Jacksons,) from the flat above ours would join us and bring more fireworks. Bronwyne Jackson, who was a year or two older than me, and myself would be allowed to hold lit sparklers in our hands whilst Dad and Mr Jackson would set off the fireworks. The finale being to launch three or four rockets into the night sky where they would explode in a shower of silver sparks and coloured stars. Catherine Wheels would be nailed to the outhouse door and set spinning. When all the fireworks were done, jacket potatoes were roasted in the embers of the bonfire, to be consumed after splitting them open and placing a huge dollop of butter inside. The treacle toffee and Parkin was served as a desert. The next morning, Bronwyne and I would search the back garden for the remains of the fireworks, their burned out cases being collected as souvenirs. These were happy, simpler times when life was full of innocence and joy...

In an earlier post in this thread, I've mentioned the first holiday I can remember having with my parents. It was at Chapel St Leonards and I was around two years old. Chapel St Leonards is on the edge of the seaside town of Skegness and here's an old British Railways poster for it...

Now, as some of you may know, I'm not really the 'sporty' type, particularly when it comes to Rugby football. (Not really 'football', or soccer, at all, more like American football, but without the shoulder pads and protective armour!) My father always said Rugby was a game of 'brute force and ignorance,' but then he was an ex-soccer player and somewhat biased! Anyway, in 1962, Wakefield's own Rugby team, Wakefield Trinity, won the cup at Wembley Stadium in London. It was a huge triumph for the team and the town. When the team returned to Wakefield after winning the match, the entire town turned out to greet the returning heroes. Despite my aversion to Rugby, I went with a couple of friends to see the homecoming. As the parade made its way up Wakefield's Wood Street to the Town Hall where they were greeted by the Mayor and held the cup aloft, I was in the cheering throng, feeling somewhat intimidated by the number of people around me. It felt very claustrophobic. Here's a picture taken at that time and I'm somewhere in the crowd to the left of the photograph. It's a sort of 'Where's William' moment...😉 58 years ago? .

It’s a wonderful photo’. Didn’t know until now that it was traditional Pentecostal that Shirley had been affiliated with. I had it in my head that it was more of a hippie cult 'based on' Pentecostal Christianity. Have also thought before that the song ‘Love’s A Way’ might’ve been written somewhat within the context of the religious faith that Shirley and you were affiliated with.

re the Peter Blake photo , is that Jarvis Cocker behind you ??

Wonder if J.LO's in there?..........😉

This image has long given me a BN vibe. I can't think of what to replace the gun with, though, ukulele?

Another re-edit..This time a colourised version.

Paul McCartney & Wings ~ JetPaul McCartney & Wings- Jet ...ahhhh, perfection One of my top 20 albums of all-time

Mick Karn - Dreams Of Reason Mick Karn Dreams Of Reason