St Matthews CE School, Manor Lane

In 1960 St Matthews CE School, was opened in Manor Lane. Children came from all the surrounding villages. The school was extended in 1975.  Sadly, it was closed in 1985 and is now the Village Hall. Manor Close is built on the old school playing fields, which extended behind the bungalows in Manor Lane and across to Vectis House, as seen below on the sports day photo. I hope you enjoy the photos - how many students and teachers do you remember or recognise?

Official opening of St Matthew's C E School - 1975

If you know any of the names (or the year this was taken)  please let Michael Grove or Caroline Jackson know

Mrs Day retires; saying goodbye are: Diane Turner, Alison Aldritt, Diane Clarke, Kim Marchington, Della Frith, Caroline Grove, Lorna Cliffe, Tracy Latham, Anne Latham and John Hancock

    Christmas Nativity - 1973

Infants at Harlaston 1970's

Back row L-R Andrew Hills, Alison Aldritt, Anne Latham, Joanne Taylor, Vanessa Taylor, Rachel King, Dianne Clarke, John Hancock

Middle Row L-R Jane Grove, Lee Thompson, Sally Kent, Mary Hill, Jayne Collins, Catherine Johnson, Lucy Marchington

Front Row L-R Edward Robinson, Peter Grove, Alex Thornley, Paul Bowden, Glen Aldritt, Martin Pingram, Paul Kent

Juniors Harlaston School 1977/8

Back row L-R Andrew Hills, Tracy Latham, Brian Green, Della Frith, John Hancock, George Arblaster (headteacher)

Middle row L-R Brian Watts, Nigel Miles, Caroline Grove, Keith Hancock, Lorna Cliffe, Alan Pingram, Colin Brisco.

Front row L-R Alison Aldritt, Diane Clarke, Ann Latham, Diane Turner, Jonothan Hills, Simon Rhodes, Edward Robinson

Sunshine for Sir Henry: To read the article click here.

Click here for information on St. Matthew's pupils raising money by completing a 6 mile walk

Inter- school sports - held annually between Harlaston, Clifton Campville, Elford and Edingale - circa 1975

Outside PE lessons in the 1970's 

Sewing group 1970

L-R Linda Raynor, Jackie Green,Theresa Green Sharon Miles, Jenny Rowe, and Zoe Marchington?

Recorder Group

                           Sports Day 1969

Sports day c 1968

Origonal and full article taken from the Tamworth Herald

On Monday afternoon, in glorious sunshine, the annual sports meeting was held at St. Matthew's C.E. Primary School, Harlaston.

All the pupils took part in the many events before a large gathering of parents and friends. The prizes were presented by Mrs. Mary Tiso, one of the managers of the school. 

The headmaster, Mr. N.S. Ashford, said afterwards that the afternoon had been successful and that his pupils had derived great benefit from the experience.

Prize winners were:- 

Reception class: 1, Julie Green; 2, Sharon Miles;  3, Christopher Raynor.

Infant boys: 1, Richard Cliffe; 2, Alistair Lycett; 3, Adrian Harris. Infant girls: 1, Susan Green; 2, Jackie Green; 3, Jenny Rowe.

Lower junior boys: 1, Alan Dicken; 2, Robert Gray; 3, Ian Broadhurst. Lower junior girls: 1, Theresa Green; 2, Linda Raynor; 3, Grigette Branson and Paula Richardson.

Upper junior boys: 1, Robert Faux; 2, Phillip Cliffe; 3, Colin Tiso and Alan Brown.\Upper junior girls: 1, Helen Wilday; 2, Sheila Hancock; 3, Valerie Green and Jane Aldritt.