At last we've tracked the existence of an ATV film of the school from the 3rd April 1969. The footage has been preserved by MACE (Media Archives for Central England). As the footage has now been digitised, we are now able to view from their Vimeo site. The footage had to be edited - ie songs from the Oliver performance had to be edited owing to copyright restrictions but the visual side is still there. Some of the staff feature in the video, Alan Thorne, Gordon Place, George Parker, Rev David Williams. It shows footage of the old and new school buildings, sick bay with Matron, sports, the science and metalwork labs, the library and recreation and the dining rooms. Enjoy. Thanks to all those who chipped in to fund the edit and to Eliza Richardson of MACE for making it possible.
[ATV Today. 03.04.1969. City of Coventry Boarding School] from MACE Archive on Vimeo.
Wow. This is great archive footage. The boys looked just the same as when I left in 1963 ie hairstyles, wearing blazers in the playground etc. But what a lot had moved on in the 6 years eg. new buildings including new dorms (there were still bunkbeds when I was there and shower block and loos were 30 metres away), a well equipped metallurgy lab, plus a farm, and the introduction of rugby (amazing to see 'Tanky' Thorne refereeing). Almost a different school and generally far less austere than in the late 50's and early 60's. Anyone remember the horrible mattresses in the late 50's and the luxury of having new ones about 1960)? Not forgetting the plastic covers for those unfortunate enough to have wet the bed!!
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't say who you are but thanks for your comment. Rugby took over from football as main sport about autumn 1962. I started then and thought it had always been so until doing this blog! The new block was initiated by Head Mr Rowland and open 1966. The seniors of all houses lived in the new block and so the old dorms had more space to put in single bunks. They still had the old shower blocks but the seniors had new inside showers. Slasher Jack passed about 1969 and after this film hair styles grew longer, also reflecting 70's trends. Some old staff remained but lots of new and younger staff. Discipline and routine remained much the same but with incremental changes as per the times. 1969 saw the gym transformed into a metal workshop. Mr Place trained at Loughborough in the mid 50's for it but it was set up in 1969. Trev Teasdel - Site admin.
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