Anniversaries were a highlight of the year
THERE aren’t too many of today’s youngsters who are members of a local Sunday School, but a couple of generations ago they were very much the norm for Black Country kids.
Highlight
This picture, supplied by Colin Simmonds of Tividale, dates back to 1948 or thereabouts, and was taken in Bristnall Hall Lane, at Warley Salvation
Army’s Sunday School Anniversary. Colin told us:
“In those days the Sunday School was an important part of the communtiy and the anniversary was the highlight of the year, together with the annual seaside outing.
“The Salvation Army used as their premises a refurbished farm building that was once part of Cooper’s Farm. The site is still there.
“The Salvation Army was very strong in the area and was led by Captain Baker, see in the middle of the photo, together with Mrs Parkes, who ran the Sunday School.
Exciting
“The annual outing was always exciting, as the coaches always broke down. The photo shows the full anniversary and
I can be seen on the third row from the bottom, fourth from the right. I was about six at the time and my brother Roy Simmonds can be seen on the fourth row, sixth from right. He was about eleven.
“Unbeknown to me then, and until I studied the photo, my wife-to-be was also in the picture. She was Vivienne Mills and can be seen on the second row, circled.
“We met later at the Army, and were married for over fifty years, until she passed away in October 2016.
“Anniversaries were special in those days, as were Sunday Schools. Unfortunately they’re a thing of the past. There are not many such anniversaries celebrated today.
“It would be interesting to see if anyone recognises themselves or a friend.”
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