THE BLUE PLAQUES 
UNSUNG HEROS

"Awarded for your untiring, hard work,

dedication and commitment

to the many young people of St Ann's

who you personally helped and

inspired over so many years."
Tony Miller:
 I am sure we all have at least one person who sticks in our mind during our childhood years who inspired you and deserves a special mention......... Miss Brown...Mr Galloway, Ernie Ley, Ron Painter, Dennis Dixon, I could go on for hours...etc. etc. If it was at all possible, we could put a special "Blue Plaque" on their front wall, as a lasting recognition...too late now they have all been knocked down......

​Seriously folks.....just give it some thought, and write it down......Cheers M'Duck's......Tony.
Mr Ralph Carr
20th Boys Brigade Nottingham - leader  during the war years
Nominated by Ray Rosling and Ray Carnell and Beq-Steve Clark

(click here for The Life of Ralph Carr (1891-1975)
Rev John Stacy Marks of Kings Hall Methodist Church.
Nominated by Baz Brady
When I was growing up in St Ann's in the 1970s there was a person that was always there to listen to you and gave you all the time you needed, this was the same for a lot of kids in the area. I would like to nominate this person for a blue plaque for all his effort with the people of St Ann's . He was the Rev John Stacy Marks of Kings Hall Methodist Church.
Mrs Williamson
Nominated by Ged Webster
Mrs Williamson -  one time shop keeper corner of Truman St and Alfred St Central for her hard work in getting children to church, mainly St Ann’s she was directly responsible of getting people baptised irrespective of age and was god mother of many children. 

​  “a little lady with a big heart” from St. Ann’s Church for all of her hard work & Christian values which touched the lives of so many children in St. Ann’s.
Tony & Ann x
Mr & Mrs Carnelley
Nominated by Jean Taylor

There's a couple I would like to nominate for their Kindness, Caring,
and keeping St Ann's Board School classes and Hall clean and tidy.
Our School yards were packed with children, they had time for everyone.
And they were always going that extra mile on even on Play centre nights,
Mr and Mrs Carnelley were excellent Caretakers who always CARED !

Glennis Smith That is absolutely wonderful ... they were lovely grandparents and lots of children called them mamma and grandad as that is what they heard us call them Iv just had tears in my eyes reading the plaque thank you for everyone that asked for this plaque in remembrance of my grandparents xxx
Miss Tetley of The Elms School
Nominated by Polly Sumpton

Back in 1962 my class teacher, a Marianne E Tetley who had been teaching me for almost two years asked us to join her one Saturday for a treat of a day and was to take us to the Theatre Royal to see 'Swan Lake'.....I don't remember any of the other children (about 5/6 of us) that she invited but do remember feeling very special to have been invited out by a teacher. My parents would have had to have been informed and permission given I suppose but I don't remember any of that. I was transported to a place you could have only dreamed of. The ballet was amazing and from that day on I had in mind to be a Ballerina not only did we go to the Theatre but afterwards went to a cafe called the 'Kardoma', a very chic place back in the 60's.
Miss Tetley was the teacher who asked me questions about myself and allowed me to look beyond my circumstances and dare to dream. She showed me the beauty in nature, the beauty in a painting, the beauty in books and of music that I carry to this day.
I'm sure there were other teachers with wonderful gift that was passed on to their assigned pupils but I for one will never forget this wonderful treasure that was laid before me all those years ago. She was probably only in her mid/late twenties at the time. What a star. 
We were very fortunate I think to have some great and caring individuals in our area of St. Ann's not just teachers but also youth workers (namely brownies/guides/scouts and who could forget the holiday workers that used to come to the parks) and it has been quite a long time in passing but find myself reflecting those happy times.
Wish I had a photo.....but then she is still in my minds eye! Indelibly so and resurfaces from time to time.
Mr & Mrs Potts
Nominated by Brian Garner
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Mr & Mrs Potts who were the driving force behind The Russell Youth Club.   it was the late Mr Donald Potts and his lovely wife, always with respect called by us Mrs Potts.  Mr Potts used to run the Russell Youth Club from an old church building on Carlton road next to the PDSA before the new club was built.
Picture


Rose Hawley
Nominated by Rob Ferguson

For all of her untiring hard work and personal commitment to the Girl Guide & Brownies movement in St. Ann's
"LEND A HAND" I promise that I will do my best:
To be true to myself and develop my beliefs,
To serve the Queen and my community,
To help other people and
To keep the Brownie Guide Law.
 
Both Rose and Vernon Hawley went out of their way to help anyone - yes I would like to nominate both
Picture
Vernon Skip Hawley
Scout master and band master of the 69th air scouts
Nominated by Tony Mlller

For all of his hard work and devotion to the Scout Movement and the young people of St. Ann's. 
Ruth I Johns
Nomination by Jean Taylor
   The book we all know is St Ann's Nottingham Inner City Voice's which was published in 2002. A wonderful book.  Ruth was the founder of Nottingham Family First, another book; then there were books on Ordinary Lives, Bill of Bulwell being one of them. From " Plowright Press. "
   In 1997 for the visit of .Her Majesty the Queen, 100 people between the age of 1 and 100 were chosen to be on a photo to mark 100 years since Queen Victoria came to Nottingham .  Ruth and I were chosen.  It left a lasting memory.
   My memories of Ruth are of all her hard work.  In Nottingham and St Ann's she is a wonderful lady and is worthy of recognition by our community.  She hasn't been too well so all I can say is God Bless her and “thanks Ruth” from all the St Ann's people, not just for the books but for your wonderful attitude to everyone .
With heartfelt gratitude, the St Ann’s Well Road Pre-Demolition (1970) Online Community
Click here to read more about Ruth Johns
Len Adey
Captain of the 20th Boys Brigade Comp on Northampton St
Nominated by: Tony Miller

Although the 20th Company was regarded as a competitor to the 6th it was a very vibrant company with really good facilities, it was up Northampton St on the left, later it became the Battalion HQ, the building is still there. Len Adey was there Skipper for a number of years, and started the D.of E award scheme with in his company. The first three boys in Nottingham to gain the Gold Award came from the 20th, Barry Booth, Dave Newton and Peter Hill in 1962 I also got to know Len via the award scheme and managed to to achieve my D.of E. Gold Award in '63 presented by Prince Phillip at Buckingham Palace....it was a marvellous day... Sir John Hunt presented my Gold with the Duke at his side...about 5 years later the DoE visited Nottingham and asked to meet all of the Gold Award winners at the Council House to see how we were starting to progress through life and how the award scheme had helped us individually. A great experience for me personally... and Len Adey helped to make it possible for me and lot's of other young men through the Boy's Brigade.
Bernard Pottinger
Officer in the 20th Boys Brigade Comp on Northampton St
Captain of "Steadfast" the Nottingham Battalion Boat
Nominated by: Tony Miller

Bernard Pottinger was an officer in the 20th Company for many years, he was I think ex Royal Navy and was responsible for teaching us Seamanship Skills. I got to know Bernard very well through the Dof E Award Scheme and did my outward bound courses on the Steadfast, it was moored on the canal at the bottom of London Rd just before the Trent Bridge. For our gold section, I along with officers and other BB. boys sailed the boat all along the Trent up to the Humber estuary for our Gold outward bound section....it was fab...so exciting...never forget it... or him. I saw him a few months ago out shopping in Arnold with his wife...now 80+ he was so pleased to see me.....and vividly recalled our happy times together under his command...Marvellous Thanks for everything Bernard....



Bill Keeton  (3 Dec 1889 - 1979)
Nominated by: Mavis Baker

He was an upstanding citizen; who with his first aid knowledge  helped many who lived in the area of Westminster St - emergency attention to broken limbs, poisoning, accidents.  A kindly stalwart man who gave good guidance.  In 1911 he was living at 346 St Anns Well Rd  when he signed up.  Post war lived on Westminster St.
Mr Ron Painter
Nominated by : Tony Miller

Ron was one of the big lads in the Boys Brigade (BB), along with John Hoes, Cliff Carter, Vic Newman, Dave Brailsford, Fred Reacher etc. etc. when we were in the company. He stood out because in his youth he was a God Like Creature....you just wished that you looked like him..Tall, fair haired, handsome, fantastic physique, looks of a Movie Star, always had a fab looking girl on his arm. He was good at everything....Drummer in the Band, Athlete, any kind of sport, swimming running etc...you name it and he excelled in it. He was a very good basketball player when the sport was still fairly new to the uk, he introduced the game to Shorty (Alan Shortland) inviting him to come and join his team....Shorty had at last found a sport he enjoyed and excelled in.... just like swimming...Marvellous.
He was simply a school boy hero.....Still has lots of style... the last time that I met Ron was last year at Dennis Chamber's funeral, he still looked good... A few years back we had a major BB reunion at the Memorial Hall, Ron was living in London at the time and working within the Film Industry....still is....He arrived at BB HQ. in a beautiful Rolls Royce car, wearing a white jacket...our Boyhood Hero certainly had style...and now in his late 70s still has the X factor.
Mr Dennis Dixon
Nominated by: Tony Miller.

Dennis Dixon was an officer in the 6th Com. St. Ann's  Boys Brigade for over 40 years and has been attached to St. Ann's Church for many, many, years, he will shortly be celebrating 70 years in St. Ann's Choir, singing is one of his passions in life. He used to take us for Badminton on a Saturday Night in the Big Hall at the Board School, it was the highlight of the week....great fun. Most of his working life was at Hopewell's the Furnishers, we often used to see him up and down the the Road in the Big delivery van's, he used to pull down the window and give us all a big wave or a BB salute...
Dennis gave so much of his time and youth to the boys in St.Ann's, he was totally committed to the BB. and to the Church, never let you down and was always great fun to be with...still is. He always leaves you with a joke or a funny story whenever you see him or speak to him on the phone. Hard to believe but he will be 80 years of age soon.....and he hasn't changed one bit from the day I first met him when I was a Life Boy 60+ years ago.
Funny Eh...our Dennis receiving an "Unsung Hero Award" because he never stops singing.
Miss Nellie Hayes  (Teacher and Headmistress)
Nominated by Gina Pennacchia

Mrs Nellie Hayes - probably the best head teacher this world has ever seen.   I attended the St Anns Infant school and she was the role model and disciplinarian to all she taught. Many a child from St Anns owes a great deal of thanks to her.
Bill Spooner  (Boys Brigade)
Nominated by: Tony Miller

Tony Miller : Inspirational Leaders who had a lasting effect on our lives whilst growing up in St. Ann's. I have several but I will start with one...and then no doubt some of you will also remember special people in your personal formative years.....My number one hero in life and still is to this day, is Bill Spooner, past officer in the 6th Boy's Brigade company St. Ann's. I first knew Bill or Mr. Spooner, from the age of 6 when I was in the Life Boys and then I went on to the Boys Brigade, based in the Memorial Hall Ransom Rd. He was kind but firm and was highly motivational, he gave you self belief and taught you self confidence, simply...he inspired you. He had very high standards, he was a devout Christian who sacrificed most his young working life to the many boys that were involved in the 6th comp. He would come straight from work have a quick sandwich, change of clothing and then carry on usually from 6-30pm till 9-30. then back home to his wife Nancy and his very young family,....not just one night per week but probably four nights a week and Sunday Mornings to lead our Bible Class at the memorial Hall. He must have been actively involved in the BB and St. Ann's Church for over 50 yrs. Me and my best mate Shorty (Alan Shortland) were given the the honour and privilege of being asked to be part of the coffin bearers at his funeral along with his son Graham when the time came for us all to say our last farewell. Bill Spooner.... was a great kind and "Gentle Man" never to be forgotten.    April 24 2012
Miss Brown  (Teacher)
Nominated by: Gina Pennacchia

  Gina Pennacchia: "Miss Turner was our teacher she was a young teacher, and read us lots and lots of stories .... Miss Brown was in the Class next to ours that's why I remember her so well, Miss Brown's blackboard full of notes and figures was quite impressing to see... "beautiful and frightening"... Four Year's after at Morley Junior school I was in her class" ...(with lots of the schoolmates in picture uploaded 3 Mar 2012)
   Clarence George-Antonio Shim:  Miss Brown was great teacher 
   Lesley Dudley: Inspirational would be a good word to start with also she was very Dedicated ....
   Tony Miller:  My memories of Miss Brown were her working along side Mr. Galloway teaching us all to swim on dry land before we got anywhere near the Victoria Baths....one girl I particularly remember was Eleanor Naylor, she was a fab swimmer...and I think that Miss Brown developed and trained her on the back stroke and she eventually went on to swim for the county. She was indeed highly motivational....in a very nice personal way. She also taught us how to do Scottish Dancing over crossed swords, as boys we thought 'here we go...dancing... a bit sissyish'....but she made it fun...and enjoyable...." Children lift your heads up and point your toes"
   Jane Diggle:   I too was in Miss Brown.' class. I remember having to listen to the radio and then write about what we hear. if I remember write she also taught morris dancing.
Mr Salt  (Headmaster St Anns Board School)
Nominated by: Sid Wheeldon

Webpage featuring Mr Salt here

​What a fascinating story behind the quiet exterior of our old Board School Headmaster, it just sounds like a Catherine Cookson novel, set within a strict, religious Victorian family.
Very briefly... Born in Derby 1904, died Radcliffe on Trent 1985.
He was the son of Emma Hunt and Frederick Salt; he was the eldest son with four other brothers. His father married into the Hunt family, a very successful game, poultry & fish business, with shops in Leicester and Melton, which supplied the Royal family. His mother Emma became a good friend of the Prince of Wales and catered for the Prince whenever he came up to Leicestershire for shooting parties, balls etc. Unfortunately Mr. Salt’s father was a drunk...he spent lots of the company’s money on drink and would come home most nights and lock his wife and our Mr. Salt, as a very small boy, in the cellar, ranting and raving in a drunken state - a very cruel man indeed.  Eventually Mrs. Emma Salt had to sell the family business to Mac Fisheries to help clear the debts. Mr. Salt at the age of 16 was told by his family to put his father on a coach to Leicester,  pay his fare and tell him never to return.  H e never saw him again. Later his mother Emma bought a small shop, started another business which once again became very successful catering for The Royal family.  Mr. Salt was being trained as a solicitor, changed his mind giving his mother his bursary to help start her new business.  Mr. Salt decided that teaching would be his vocation, and as a true, very religious Victorian, devoted his working life to helping the young and needy by teaching, and eventually he became Headmaster at the Board School St. Ann's Well Rd.
In 1969 when the Board school was eventually demolished and the infants and juniors moved up to the Morley School he decided the time was right for him to retire and with his wife moved to Radcliffe on Trent for the rest of his life until he passed away in 1985 aged 81. He had one daughter Marion now in her late 70's still living near Melton Mowbray, I have spoken to her several times and hope to meet up with her soon so that she can hopefully let me have some further information and photographs of our old Headmaster.....Mr. John Henry Salt, indeed a true "Unsung Hero" Tony M.
Mr Galloway (Teacher at Board School)
Nominated by: Tony Miller

Mr. Galloway was a wonderful Teacher, his major claim to fame as far as I am concerned was the ability to teach you how to swim on dry land... initially on the top of a stool in the Big Hall horizontally... learning you the main strokes....breast stroke and the front crawl, with the correct arm and leg actions. Then when you were ready you practised what you had been taught in the water, at the Oval in the Victoria Swimming Baths. Using this method he must have taught hundreds of children in St. Ann's how to swim, and I bet to this day....the majority of us who attended the Board School, can swim, enjoy swimming, and are indeed still very good swimmers, myself included. At the sprightly age of 71, I can still swim a full length under water.....my kids and Grandchildren....are amazed...Thanks Mr. Galloway. PS. Peter Galloway is still very much alive, I spoke to him only last week, he is 86 years of age, so just to put it in to prospective......when I was 7 years old at the Boards School, and in his class, he would have been a very young man of 22, amazing eh... the Board School was I think his first teaching job after college and service in the RAF. he later went on to be a Headmaster at the Frank Seeley School Calverton.

R.I.P. Mr. Galloway”
Very happy memories...so pleased that we met in Sainsbury’s over three years ago in 2016 and managed to have this super picture taken....to capture the moment.
Never to be forgotten
R. I. P. Mr. Galloway.
Tony.
Ernie Ley  (Boys Brigade)
Nominated by: Tony Miller
​
Tony Miller - I would like to nominate Ernie Ley,  our old Captain and Skipper at the 6th Comp. St. Ann's Boys Brigade, for all of his hard work and commitment to the boys of the 6th Company. He was firm but always fair. We will also never forget his wonderful organ playing at Bible Class, a bit like Les Dawson on Acid
Ivy Ogilvy
Nominated by Audrey Jackson
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Audrey Jackson - I would like to put forward for an award - Ivy. To me she embodied all that was good about the people then - such a lovey person. Ivy You were my brother's girlfriend fifty years ago. Took us young ones to the pictures and welcomed us to your terraced house, (made ours seem a palace) Smiled and asked if we liked bananas. "Yes" I said, dreaming bowls dripping with custard. From a brown paper bag you brought a loaf of bread and a single banana, speedily turned them into tiny sandwiches snatched by your many small brothers and sisters. My brother swopped you for an ample blonde and has spent his life rich in chocolate gateau. I wonder does he ever think of you Ivy?     
Joe Westby  (Football Coach & Manager)
Nominated by: Dick Daykin
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...and he ran the Hendon Rise Football Club.   Joe did everything for us during the week, and all we did was bring our kit which had never been touched by us from the previous week, and apart from a good crop of penicillin growing under your boots was the same.  Joe, sadly died about 2 years ago so I guess we all would like to say good luck to Joe's family and thanks for him being a bonza bloke. 
Mr Smith (Teacher)
Nominated by: Tony Miller
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Tony Miller - We spoke earlier of not having many photos of our School Teachers well here is one of them Mr. Smith Music Teacher, who opened the door to all sorts of different music, Classical..Jazz...Opera...Etc...he certainly warrants a "Unsung Hero" nomination for his services to Music in school, and making us all aware of the different type.s of music, and for making our music lessons good fun and enjoyable.
Mrs Flo Wood
Nominated by: Tony Miller
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Tony Miller --How would you describe Flo Woods...a meeting place,a safe haven,always somebody there to talk to, open 9 am till 9pm (I think or was it 10pm) message centre, like an internet cafe with out a computer... in reality it was a very small sweet shop/tobacconist where we all sat down on empty bottle crates to meet sit and have a chat as teenagers, have a drink...hot orange, ginger wine, blackcurrant, she sold cigarettes loose so if you did smoke, and sadly most of us did, you could buy a 2p fag...yes life on the edge... she was an amazing old women, a bit like Mrs. Overall off "Acorn Antiques"...to look and listen to, but she had a heart of gold, and lots of patience considering she had to deal with our crowd most nights of the week. We used to park our motorbikes outside her shop. Now here is the sad part....If my memory serves me right... she was sadly killed by a hit and run motorist on Wells Rd shortly after she locked up her shop one night...Sad story eh.... but still lots of happy memories of dear old Mrs. Wood, as we used to call her. ( March 2012)
Mr Clarke  (Teacher)
Nominated by: Clive Barber
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Tony Miller Come on guys tell us all more about Mr. Clarke, and why he had such an impact on your young lives.....sounds like he deserves some special site recognition, as suggested earlier by Dickie Daykin.
Sandie Gilvear Mr Clarke was the first and only teacher that actually seemed to care about us as individuals! He made the class fun and was never judgemental or cross. He always encouraged me to wrlte and he used to read my ghost stories out. He would set the scene with candles and close the blinds!!. He was great! Mind you health and safety would have a field day now eh? Lol
Clive Barber I agree, he treated us as young adults rather than children, was patient, firm but fair and made learning such a joy. Health and safety? he hadn't heard of the phrase, for example the year he let myself and some mates climb those big pear trees behind the school to fetch the fruit down - we sold them in class for 1d!
Clarence George-Antonio Shim Tony Mr Clarke was Just a Cool Guy who wasn't too Old Fashioned and had a unique way coming across with the subjects maybe because he was younger than most of Morley teachers, but then again there was Miss Brown who was Fabulous too.
 Another Good teacher was Mr Ray, I think he was the first Black teacher in Morley History, it was a good day for Us Colored Kids when he Walked into School on his first day
Gina Pennacchia The way they remember him says lots more of just being a great teacher, having someone teaching you that being an individual is important, it makes you confident with yourself and there is nothing better when growing up knowing you are respected for what you are.
Our Mothers
Nominated by Sid Wheeldon - "from the Heart to all Our Dear Mothers Whom have Passed And Indeed are still with us"

"OUR MOTHERS OF ST ANN'S WERE OUR JEWELS IN THE CROWN OF LIFE, MOST TIMES A LIFE OF STRUGGLE, HURT & PAIN - RARELY DID THEY WAVER FROM MOTHERHOOD THAT WAS SO IMPORTANT TO HER CHILDREN'S WELL-BEING -
BLESS YOU ALL DEAREST MOTHERS."