St Peters R/C Grammar school, Bury old Road, Prestwich

[Collegiateboy]

I heard a lot of bad things about St Chads , I guess was lucky to go the Cheetham Collegiate School on Brideoak St., the teachers there were very good unlike the nuns
I meet Roman & Paul when I was last in Manchester in 1978, Paul was living in a share house in Cheetham with other boys from St Peters.
 

[St Chads Lad]

Tbh while I was there I wasn't aware of anything myself, the building itself did feel oppressive because of the architecture, the nuns definitely had their moments, as did the ones at St Clare's secondary where I subsequently attended, the teachers at Chads were strict but I'm sure there were many schools that had similar "regimes" so I just put it down to the fact it was the sixties and things were hard.

[Muso]

I was at St Peters from 76 - 81.

Hope you've been enjoying the 19 (?) albums published by the Quo since we left in 81.. Wish I'd understood the significance of your experiences there at the time. What a difference 4 decades can  make ! Great to hear that you're in a much better place now.

[Taff]

Ha ha Muso
I saw Quo a few times after leaving school, 20 plus I reckon but I grew out of listening to them.
Do you mind me asking who you are?

[Muso]

Hi Paul - It's Mark Ashley ("Ash Mandrake" these days). Jacked everything in to make music and hats, and take a show on the road (tiny business). Been doing that for 15 years.

[Taff]

Cheers Mark
I used to have a good laugh with you and Reno.
I spent a lot of time at both your houses.
You were the mate who taught me to climb walls.
We went through a phase of climbing the walls behind your house and onto the fields on Waterloo road opposite the post office. I’m not sure why as there was an adequate gate to use.
Good luck with the music Mark
Are you still drawing the thumb men, I remember you were an excellent artist?

[Muso]

Yes used to enjoy climbing - was great having lots of walls close by.  Yes head banging to Top Of The Pops at Reno's All the art stuff has gone into the making of stage hats (definitely not main stream) Do you do Facebook Paul? Please say hello on there if you do (friend request to Ash Mandrake). You'll be able to find Reno on there too. Lot's of thoughts about that time (4 decades !). I'm glad you've remembered good things. Some times I was a git and a prat - and reading what you've written about your time at Pete's makes that seem more important now. I'm sorry I wasn't a better friend to you.
 

[Taff]

I never bothered with Facebook , I’m more of a linked in kind of guy

[Muso]

I'll put a request in there. Great to reconnect Paul !

[Taff]

Don’t be daft
Being a prat is part of growing up.
I only have fond memories of hanging around with you.
😀

[Muso]

Good to hear that !!  (still felt important to say it).
Just tried on LinkedIn, but they want me to use the premium - don't want to get into that. I'm Ash Mandrake on there if you want to connect - but I don't use it very often.
I've got a daughter 24. I lived in Brazil for a time - She's half Brazilian. Over in the UK at the moment. Worked in Sweden and Germany too before changing direction. Are you in contact with Mark - I gave him my embroidered denim way back when (I'm not asking for it back Just asking after him). I often wonder whether Tucker followed his dream career path too ?