In awe I watched the waxing moon ride across the zenith of the heavens like an ambered chariot towards the ebony void of infinite space wherein the tethered belts of Jupiter and Mars hang forever festooned in their orbital majesty. And as I looked at all this I thought...... I must put a roof on this lavatory. - Les Dawson |
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A sharp reminder of my schooldays
I attended Bradley Street, Church of England Primary and Junior school, Uttoxeter. Some teachers, remain in your memory, others disappear. I remember in particular, Miss Kingshott, a tall, a dark, angular lady. Her teaching was always forceful, her discipline strong. I remember her telling us of a visit to Oberamagau and the Passion play. I do not think I thought of her again.
After the Royal Marines, I became a police constable in the Staffordshire Constabulary, later to be the Staffordshire County Police, I was stationed in Willenhall Division, at Tettenhall Station. Bill Ford from Uttoxeter, was on my shift. In 1951, I became the second man at Compton sub-section, which comprised the villages and hamlets of Tettenhall Wood, Compton, Finchfield, Trescott and Wightwick.
Very little supervision, only means of communication a Police Pillar at Tettenhall Wood Cross Roads. In 1952, about April time, we changed from flat caps to Helmets, and on my helmets first outing, I was in School road, when a shrill voice, behind me, said, "John Mellor" I turned and said, Yes, Miss". Automatic reaction. It was Miss Kingshott, a little older, but still very much with it.
She explained, she was staying with her sister, in School Road, I gathered, but did not previously know, that Miss Kingshott was a native of Tettenhall Wood, although she lived in Uttoxeter for years, I left a year later. I never saw Miss Kingsott again. Pity
John Mellor
