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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Wiltshire => England => Wiltshire Lookup Requests => Topic started by: mikethebee on Saturday 21 January 12 21:04 GMT (UK)
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I have been trying to find information Photos of the COTSWOLD APPROVED SCHOOL at Ashton Keynes 1950 St David’s number 1093 if you were there please reply to meet up over a pint and natter.
mike
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Not that it helps you at all, but just wanted to say I worked there as a temporary secretary in the 1970s. At the time it was a home for boys from the London area, I wouldn't have said it was an approved school then, more a home for disturbed teenage boys. Can't remember what it was called, but I know it had changed its name from Cotswold Approved School.
Lizzie
Modified - It's now (and was in the 1970s) called Cotswold Community School and by the way Ashton Keynes is in Wiltshire not Gloucestershire, so perhaps an administrator can move this for you.
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hi lizzie thank you for your reply
The approved school had to be closed down becouse of it s punishment reputation and abuse of some 300 boys in the 50s
i could writes some storys.
all the best mike
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Hi Mike
I was at the school from 1959 to 1963. I started in St. George's House and was later transferred to St David's. (*) was the housemaster of David's. We didn't have numbers in my time like you did.
The school wasn't closed down because of abuse, it closed down when Government made a decision to end Approved Schools altogether. There was lots of abuse, physical and sexual, and (*) was well into it. In those days kids in care were not listened to and if they were they were automatically branded as liars, as I was when I tried to report (*).
Take care matey
Bill
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Hi Bill thanks for email. sent reply to your P.MAIL
ALL THE BEST MIKE 1093
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Mike
I can't yet send pm's, but if you want to send a message to (*) putting in the relevant punctuation I can then contact you further.
Bill
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Hi Bill Thanks for your post,
Send ME an email to; (*)
I can then copy yours.
all the best mike
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Dear Mike,
I am researching approved schools for a history documentary and am really keen to find out more about your experiences. Please could you get in touch? My email address is (*)
Thanks very much. best wishes, Louise Beamont
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hi louise thanks for the email ,
AS you may not know the Cotswold Approved School estate has recently been sold into private hands!
(Lets hope two of the old boys bought it,)
Hit another dead end on Bewick House London road Boys home.in the 50s The records! are none classified not obtainable with restricted access.
There was a Beamont in Bewick house London road.
my email is ...................
all the best mike
Personal details removed
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hi ip164jf
BILL THANK YOU FOR YOUR EMAIL I have tried to contact you though the PM but have been cut off.
we all know the scotch house master your talking about please try contacting me again.
all the best mike
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Hi all.
Came across this thread whilst researching the Cotswold School.
I was there circa 1960, but not for long. It had a reputation for being 'Progressive' in those days, but I found it an awful place.... They had a small cell block where I was kept locked in for a good amount of time.
I'd particularly like to contact Louise at some point when I can use the PM system. I'm pretty sure I can add to your knowledge in this area.
I was also in Bryn Estyn, Mobberly Boys School, Danesford School, in Congleton, Cheshire, Red Bank Classifying School in Warrington. The latter three in Cheshire, I think we all know of the Bryn Estyn story, all closed for abuse, as I understand it.
Kingswood Classifying School in Bristol, Tennal School in Harbourne, Birmingham, and Eastmoor in Leeds were also part of my childhood experience and part of a bit of research on my part currently.
Slightly off topic here above but I would welcome contacts with ex Cotswold School 'pupils'. Pooled knowledge can only be good, and I'm hoping this current Operation Pallial will produce some real results after the Waterhouse shambles.
John F.
(Gloucester)
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Hi John F
thanks for your reply, I see you’re a “Gloucester Boy” as well?
With the past experience you had with the system! Would you recommend it for toddlers - teens today?
I would like a chat over a pint! But don’t know how to get past these forums rules on giving out emails or phone numbers
All the best mike
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Hi Mike.
Thanks for that. Been away over the New Year.
I wouldn't recommend 'care,' current or past, for the child of my worst enemy. They, Childrens Homes, Approved Schools, Borstals, Prisons, etc., were all potential abuse factories in my opinion. The 'State' handed control of a child into the hands of all sorts of supposedly 'responsible' organisations and individuals, many of whom were deviants. The names have changed now perhaps, but the system and humans haven't.
This forums rules are what they are, (potential abuse, quite understandably) but simply posting a few comments enables Private Messaging, which seems to be the main block here. With Louise, for example, I just googled her name.....
Google bicyclz + you get my website, etc. Ultimately you can't be blocked on-line when you know someones name.
I wasn't born in Gloucester, but it's a very nice, friendly town in my experience. You local-ish? I'd be happy to have a couple of pints and a good chat about common experience and stuff; )
Please do persevere with contacts, because I know ultimately this website is not intending to prevent proper contacts between individuals. It's a protective measure, and well needed on certain sites. Not here, in this circumstance, The point to bear in mind is that in the end you can contact anybody you like, via the right methods online.
Tell us a bit about your Cotswold School experiences. If you are happy doing that in public. For example, 'how old were you on reception?' How long did they detain you? Some others I know do not believe that you could be 'taken into care' at a certain age. (I was 8!)
It's all relevant stuff.
Take care and write some more: )
John F.
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Hi. Was at The Cotswold School from: March 1956 when I was 13yrs & left in March 1959.
I was in St Andrews, No: 1154 & Housemaster: Nickname: ( The Gog ).
I have to say it did not do me any favours by sending me there, although I can say I was looked after
& lived a good life while I was there.
I worked on the Farm, in the Dairy.
I do have a couple of photo's, 1 of all the Lads from St Andrews & 1 The finish of the Cross Country
race 1958 when I came 2nd.
With what Criminals are getting away today, I still can't believe I was sent to the Cotswolds for
3 years for stealing a Dozen eggs & 6 new hatched chicks.
Would like to hear from you. I live in Portsmouth.
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Hi Arthur Mr. W? 1154 Thank you for your email,
We may have crossed paths did you have a mop of blond ginger hair tall skinny lad?
I would love to have copies of the photos (I will pay) you can PM me though the forum.
(I don’t know how to PM I will have to ask other lads)
I know the admin don’t allow names phone numbers on the postings.
Meeting up (tomorrow) with a couple of the old lads and wives, for a meal pint and chat over old times. I will ask if they remember you I think Snook – Carter –Talbot all came from Portsmouth (were all over 70)
I was in St David’s 1093 under *
Mr. Borlace had just arrived as a stand in for the head bailiff Mr. Webster; I collected the eggs with Mrs. Webster and managed the PIGS
All the best keep in tuch mike
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Instructions for using the PM system are here:
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Hello all,
I was at the Cotswold School circa 1962/3 aged 13 and I've been hunting for info on this place for for a long time, so far all attempts have come up a complete blank. Plenty of anecdotal info from people unfortunate enough to have spent time there, but nothing more.
The authorities concerned have for years kept the records and nepharious activities that went on at The Cotswold School and other similar places under very tight wraps indeed and its an absolute disgrace. The kids that were sent there for what in a lot of instances were piffling reasons, abused by members of staff and older and stronger boys deserve a whole better than they are getting at present and its high time this was recognised and addressed.
The Government is guilty of a colossal failure in their duty to these people, surely most of the members of staff who were running the place at the time are either very old indeed or long dead by now in which case the possiblity of redress from that quarter has to be at very best pretty slim.
So is it a monetary thing? The mind boggles at the potential amount in compensation claims the government would be forced to pay should the situation alter. But the chances of the situation altering in our lifetime? I won't hold my breath. 1687.
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Posted by: ip164jf on: Saturday 24 March 12 17:17 GMT (UK)
hi bill i hope your well worred as i have not had reply??
I have been trying to contact you again by email or PR but cant get a reply,
thank you for sending the photos if you have 5 min send i email to say your A1.
Had a meet up with young John F and Snooki over a pint and meal we all keep in tuch once or twic a week
ALL THE BEST MIKE
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Hi Mike, With reference to your enquiry re Approved school boy 1950.
I don't know if I can help but I was a member of the teaching staff at the Cotswold School from 1962 to 1966. I was also on the staff on St David's House.
Regards.
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Hi Bill B ?
You must be the youngest staff member? On a photo I have is 8/10 lads standing in the background with Matron is a tall handsome chap with glasses? We were on a day out at a Agricultural show - Borlace?.
We are not to write names phone numbers so more info will have to be by PM
If I remember right you were keen on taking photos if you got any copy’s I would love to buy them from you.. It will make you a few bob in your old age? You got to be 80/85.
I keep in touch with a few of the old boys and wives over a meal a pint and good old natter.
Not a lot of lads will admit to being in the approved school.
All the best Mike
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Hi All, I worked on the farm [dairy] for most of my time at the CS and got to go to quite a few of the agricultural shows with Mr Borlace, a decent bloke. Sometimes we were used in the show jumping arena putting the fences back up after a horse had knocked it down. I think we even got extra pay for doing the job. chances are I'm on one or two of the photographs and would love to see them.
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Hello again Mike,
Thanks for your reply. Sorry I was the world's worst photographer and have no photos fron my Cotswold days. My memories of 1963 - we were snowed in for about 7 weeks -no football! In the end we set to with a team of boys and cleared the football pitch and marked out with blue lines so that we could run off some of our energy. I also recall organising the 6 a side football tournaments
The boys chose names for their teams but I cant remember any of the names. Sports day was another memorable occasion. Thetre was always argument between the staff concerning some of the race results particularly the 22 man relay race. The boys took part in House teams with great competitive spirit and ther event was always well attended by parents.
Staff were allowed to have the boys to help with the garden and we were able to provide tea and cakes and also cigarettes. I smoked in those days. I remember once sending a boy back to thje teachers staff room to fetch my cigarettes which I had left in my jac ket pocket. The boy was so pleased that I was prepared to trust him to do that and he told me so. Is that info helpful to your research ? Indidentally you were correct with my age - I am 81 years old now !!
Kind Regards
Retiredoldie
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MESSAGE TO ….. ip164jf
I have tried to contact you though the PM but have been cut off.
Please try contacting me again. “Concerned”
Hope your still getting able to walk the road race?
all the best mike
HI oldie. Nice to have a reply back
Well I think that’s put you in the slot after we left?
We didn’t help the staff we boys had to do everything; we built the roads- sheds- garden /farm it had to be self sufficient.
There were very few parents ever attend that I know of,
Definitely NO smoking if we got caught smoking we were held over a chare and given 6 of the best.
Us lads in the early /late 1955/9 had the rough end of the stick.
We had to march everywhere left right left right attended by two staff members.
The standard working clothes were boots wool socks jodhpurs gaiters pants vest bomber corduroy green pullover, jacket buttoned .
“According to the house you were in the pullover were Red St George, green St David’s, blue St Andrews,
All the best mike from another old un
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Hi Mike,
Yes you were absolutely correct you were at CS before I arrived in late 1962 and worked on St Davids house. I remember the green sports kit and the green pullovers. What you may not know is that the housemaster who hasbeen referred to in other postings was, during my time ,before the court to answer various allegations that had been made by a boy to Police.The housemaster was acquitted of the charges. However he was not allowed to return to the school !!
Kind regards
Retiredoldie
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Hi old un
Yes he was at it all the time,
The young kids was scared stiff to make a complaint! Talk about top of the pops and Jimmy Saville he had nothing on …Jock And--s—n, he was so brazen.
Putting that aside for a min!! I have had news from an old CS boy “John F” that tells me He asked for his records? “WHAT!!!” unheard of.
He has received a few papers he tells me it don’t explain anything really! He thinks there holding a lot back.
Know more when we meet up again soon that’s if I can get the old bugger away from sleeping in front of the telly. If he ant asleep he’s falling off his bike. ;D
All the best mike another old un
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Mikethebee.
While you out gallivanting I been doing some research.
I think we ex 'Approved School Boys' (& girls) need our own website. Where we can do our own things. We get no understanding from the 'established control freak sites'. I don't need some DH Magistrate type telling me what I CAN'T do on a site. Mention names!! or "Criticise" criminals like Mr Saville, or even, God forbid, make contacts etc. etc.) More interested in 'controlling' their own sites contributors than enabling contacts and understanding. Bit like the headmasters of the dodgy schools that contributed to all the abuse and nastiness that I experienced. They all the same breed if you ask me.
We need our own space on the internet, I say.
So tonight I see what .com names/TLDs are available for us.
We not too old to sort something for ourselves, are we??
I'm not; )
I don't want pseudo Roots. I want to see some simple, unadulterated truth.
Johnthecon.
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Hi Mike,
I spotted that you have been trying to contact 164jfArthur68, but at the moment his emails are currently bouncing back to me as there some problem with his emails ??? he could have changed address, they could be full I do not know.
Johnthecon, RootsChat is a website for Family History Research our rule has always been no posting details on living people that is why there is the private Message system, there also to protect your email addresses and your own security.
Regards
Sarah
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Hi Sarah thank you for your email
YOU! Spotted that I have been trying to contact 164jf, "WRONG"
I am hoping to hear from Retiredoldie he is 80 years old, and you don’t allow personal phone contacts. Or encourage P/M which in turn has upset JTC
Thanks mike
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Hi Mike,
Just checked back on the emails from this morning and it was actually Arthur68 whose email is not working at the moment. I thought you would appreciate knowing that there was a problem :-\
you don’t allow personal phone contacts. Or encourage P/M which in turn has upset JTC
No quite the opposite we DO encourage private information, emails phone numbers etc to be sent by the private message system, all users can use this once they have completed 2 posts.
retiredoldies emails are being received with no errors.
Regards
Sarah
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Arthur68
I THANK YOU for the photos I been waiting for a phone call from you!! hope your well.
ADMIN TELLS ME your emails are not being recived.
all the best mike
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I thought that you had to have made three posts before the online messaging would work.
MIKE You click on the little icon that looks like a clipboard and send the message through there.
Jay
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Mikethebee.
While you out gallivanting I been doing some research.
I think we ex 'Approved School Boys' (& girls) need our own website. Where we can do our own things.
I'm sure you're right. I'd be surprised if there wasn't already such a site but is sounds a good idea.
We get no understanding from the 'established control freak sites'. I don't need some DH Magistrate type telling me what I CAN'T do on a site. Mention names!! or "Criticise" criminals like Mr Saville, or even, God forbid, make contacts etc. etc.) More interested in 'controlling' their own sites contributors than enabling contacts and understanding. Bit like the headmasters of the dodgy schools that contributed to all the abuse and nastiness that I experienced. They all the same breed if you ask me.
That's totally ridiculous. If you set your own website up, as the owners of Rootschat have done, and put a lot of time and effort into managing it, you get to make the rules. This is a website for tracing family roots, not for pursuing alleged child abusers. Your last two sentences are potentially libellous, by the way.
I hope you do find or create a website where you can discuss these important issues though, and it would be even better if you could bring your abusers to justice,
Best regards
Mike
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I have just removed an angry posting, if you wish this post to remain please be respectful to all members. I know some of you are upset but the answer is not anger towards those trying to help.
Here is a link that shows how to contact another RootsChatter by Private Message (PM)
http://www.rootschat.com/help/pms.php
Regards
Sarah
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hi could you tell if the school still standing ?
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i am new on the web site so not sure. I remember visiting Cotswold School as a 4 or 5 year old as i had an uncle who taught woodwork there. My uncle and grand parents lived in one of the staff houses. They were from Birmingham. i remember the fishpond and boys delivering milk with donkey and cart. i do have some photos. i also have a photo taken when Queen Mary visited the school - 1948, i think.
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Hi MWELSH
Thank you for your post.
Question for you! were you working overtime writhing your post at 4 in the morning or like me have spells of not able to sleep?
Anyway its nice to know you have some photos,we might be able to swap
I might be the lad in the photos delivering the milk churns up the drive where the lorry would collect them, I see there are attachments options would it be posable to copy the photos onto your post for all to see? It would be interesting to see queen Mary photos and the reason "why" she was there in 1948 a little before my time!
at the age of 5/6 I had been in out children's homes
I arrived at Cots/Ap/School in 1951 aged 12 from Kingswood Bristol assessment center for the second time, 1st visit to Kingswood I got mistakenly sent to Porlock Borstal for a few months before the powers to be realized I was under aged.
I never forget meeting the head guvener as a young lad!!
On marching into his waiting room standing to attention. I seen him through the office door he was sat behind a big red desk,
he was a thick heavy set man dressed with a black bowler hat to match his thick smoke stained black mustache , his jacket was open showing the watch chain across his black waistcoat,
When he stood up he was as wide as he was tall He had a deep voice with a funny lisp his tongue seemed to spit the words out, Marching in to his office He told me I was leaving going back to kingswood to pack what belongings I had,
Warning me not to come back I had never seen the man before
On his desk was a large white gnarled club, amongst the ink pen stand and junk was my folder he closed it up handed it to the man at the back of the room with the words "now get out my sight" HIM OUT HEAR "music to my ears"
all the best Mike
ADMIN Sarah i would love to contact by email-phone mwelsh but under the rules we CANT but you can?
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Welcome to RootsChat mwelsh :)
When people join RootsChat your profile details, email etc are all hidden for your own safety. It is totally upto you if you wish to exchange private details with other members (if at all)
ADMIN Sarah i would love to contact by email-phone mwelsh but under the rules we CANT but you can?
Once mwelsh has made one more post mike you will be able to send him a private message with any information that you do not wish to be viewable by other members.
Regards
Sarah :)
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I forgot all about this group. Oops, put it down to old age. It has been interesting reading the posts since my last one. I left the CS in March 1963 after serving almost my full three years. I would have gone a few weeks earlier but we were snowed in and couln't safely travel out.
RetiredOldie, you must have been working when I was there. When not in the block I was in St David's house. I split my time between the dairy with Boot Borlace (a gentleman) and the kitchens working under the chef, who taught me a lot. I think when you spoke about boys helping with gardening I think you were referring to "voluntary work" that boys could do for staff. It wasn't always gardening, it could be any odd jobs the staff member wanted doing, and as you say, tea and cakes were the order of the day, as was a shilling or so. I had the best job, I used to polish the headmaster's silver cutlery in his kitchen. Mrs. Kelly used to give me 1/6p then I would go over to the office and Mr Kelly would also pay me. I kept this going for a while but when they realised he just laughed, clipped me round the ear and said don't try it again. Despite serious problems I had there most of the staff were good decent people, a pity the whole place was spoiled by just a couple of members of staff.
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Hiya! new on here, registered to try and find info on the cotswolds community as it was known during my stay, which was 1978-83. I do not know if anyone has contacted you from that era? i am pursuing a case regarding abuse against us boys by a former Borstal worker there, as during my time the community was meant to be for deeply disturbed and vulnerable children.
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hi all
I was there from 1964 for 18 months St Davids House i was abused by the housemaster who used to take me to his rooms i was only 14 yrs....I to can tell you stories.. i remember every inch of that place
Paul
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Hi I also was a child in the Cotswolds community school for boys.. I have set up a Facebook page called the Cotswolds community school. Where I've put loads of photos of it new and old. I hope to see you on there and hear your story
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Hello I am asking a question of anyone who was at the cotswold Approved School around 1958 to 1965 if they knew Stephen Terence Vass he would have been about 15 years old. I am trying to help his brother find out some info
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Would anybody on this site about The Cotswold school remember Stephen Lamberth. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
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The Cotswold Community was open in the 1980s 1990s and closed down in 2011 after Action for Children sold the land to developers. The community before Action for Children was run as a therapeutic community for teenage boys who had social issues. The community now belongs to Hills Quarry Products/Amita Business LTD/ The Acorn Group
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I am 80 years old ex Cotswold approved school resident, i was there from 1954 until 1956 my house was St George, i resent any suggestion of abuse by staff physical or sexual comments being related of this time 1950s must be reading some form of book and making their opinions from what they have read. I don't speak of any other approved schools but comments made about the Cotswold approved school are totally misleading and not based on facts I make this comment because I was one of them boys, 99% of all staff were married with children and lived within the school premises, and unfortunately as they would be in there 100 years plus they can not defend themselves from such malicious gossip.
I could say a lot more about Cotswold Approved School if any body is interested
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Your copy post
I don't speak of any other approved schools but comments made about the Cotswold approved school are totally misleading and not based on facts I make this comment because I was one of them boys, 99% of all staff were married with children and lived within the school premises, and unfortunately as they would be in there 100 years plus they can not defend themselves from such malicious gossip.
I could say a lot more about Cotswold Approved School if any body is interested End
St David’s Jock Anderson was not married and your wrong Don’t paint the school as a holiday camp no burning smoke without fire .
I was there with many more we know what went on after dark night after night ....I remember the Ambulance arriving late at night to take the Bleeding lad away We never seen him again in St Davies
FACT
Jock had a young inmate accuse him in a (Hushed up) court case of buggery perhaps it was the same lad ?? Jocks solicitors accused the lad of lies ...accused him of sex with a much older inmate.
Jock Anderson got off Scot free NO charge He got dismissed from Running St David’s house but remained in the school grounds until he found outside accommodation living in Cirencester.
I was told after I was discharged Jock was badly beaten up by a discharged inmate that went back for revenge I don’t know if this was true .I was a mate of Keith Cole in St Gorges
All the best mike
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Hi all. I've been trying to find a Approved School in he Cotswolds for a while and Google has brought me here. There couldn't have been many in The Cotswolds so I'm assuming this is the correct one. My brother was there when I was about 10 years old so about 1963. He is Ronald Mainwaring and to be honest a nasty piece of work for the day. Anyone remember him? I do have a photograph with all of us as a family sitting on a bank near to the building.
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Hi all.
Came across this thread whilst researching the Cotswold School.
I was there circa 1960, but not for long. It had a reputation for being 'Progressive' in those days, but I found it an awful place.... They had a small cell block where I was kept locked in for a good amount of time.
I'd particularly like to contact Louise at some point when I can use the PM system. I'm pretty sure I can add to your knowledge in this area.
I was also in Bryn Estyn, Mobberly Boys School, Danesford School, in Congleton, Cheshire, Red Bank Classifying School in Warrington. The latter three in Cheshire, I think we all know of the Bryn Estyn story, all closed for abuse, as I understand it.
Kingswood Classifying School in Bristol, Tennal School in Harbourne, Birmingham, and Eastmoor in Leeds were also part of my childhood experience and part of a bit of research on my part currently.
Slightly off topic here above but I would welcome contacts with ex Cotswold School 'pupils'. Pooled knowledge can only be good, and I'm hoping this current Operation Pallial will produce some real results after the Waterhouse shambles.
John F.
(Gloucester)
Hi. I was in Kingswood Classifying School in about 1965. I eventually went down the hill to Kingswood Training School (Posh name for Approved School lol) I was there almost a year and to be honest it never done me any harm!