Pastures Hill School: School choir made a record

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A scene from Emil and the Detectives

Brian Marshall, aged 14

The school prefects in 1953. Brians is far left, middle row. The teachers are, L to R: Miss Jagg, head Mr Tapp and Mr Critchlow

The School choir in 1951. Brian is fourth from right, middle row. The teachers are, L to R: Allan Street, Fred Tapp and pianist Noel Fisher

AFTER spending two years of my schooling during the later war years at Gayton Avenue School in Littleover, what a wonderful feeling it was to be starting in the seniors at a brand new school at Pastures Hill, Littleover.

In our first year there, building was still taking place, with the main assembly hall not yet completed. In the meantime, the dining room had to be used for assemblies and as a gymnasium as well.

Like Trevor, I too remember our music teacher Allan Street and his wonderful concerts as conductor of the Derby Light Orchestra at the Central Hall in Derby.

It was, for some of us, our first introduction to a live orchestral concert. Allan was indeed a fine musician in his own right and an accomplished trumpet player and, as Trevor said, performed at the time with his own octet.

Allan also formed the first school choir, which I was part of, and he considered us good enough to cut our own gramophone record.

In due course, a company came to the school and a recording was made of some of our numbers but, alas, due to technical difficulties, it was a failure.

Another attempt was made some days later with the same result. As frustration set in, a final recording was made at the chapel in nearby Thornhill Road. This time, luckily, it was successful – although we had only just finished the recording when a double-decker bus went thundering by.

Allan’s music lessons were a joy and he taught us to appreciate music of all types, including opera.

One of the first stage productions that I remember, was the play Emil and the Detectives, with Peter Larkin playing the role of Emil. I, too, had a small part dressed as a policeman.

From the very start, our school was led by that very able headmaster Mr Fred Tapp, who set high standards of behaviour and attire.

Other teachers that left a lasting impression on me were assistant head Miss Winifred Jagg, Mr Collier, Mr Critchlow and Mr Palm.

I like to think that the standards set in those early days built a foundation that helped to make the outstanding school that it is today.

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