I was an immigrant in 1967 in one of these buses being bussed to Milnsbridge school initially and then eventually ended up as the only one of 2 asians in Paddock Junior school a few months later. The lady teacher in the film may never realise that if it wasn't for so many like her at the time trying educate Asian people in the 1960's many of todays successful Asian people would never have materialised.We owe an incredible debt of gratitude to the likes of her and many others that i personally came across in my journey of life in Huddersfield and all those with a good heart and good intentions who simply tried to do their best.One deserves a mention from Paddock Junior School, Mr Harrison, who was my first form teacher who, recognising that i was the only Asian in his class kept an eye on me and ensured i felt part of the whole group and would involve me in reading passages from Long John Silver......Little did he know that his warmth and kindness led me to becoming an Actor for 6 years with the National Youth Theatre of GB and performing in the West End 12 years later in 1979. I remember a few years later when i was at Royds Hall School and found out that Mr Harrison had died and i cried my eyes out. Maybe that was my way of appreciating a good kind soul and indeed i have come across so many Mr Harrison's. Yes there have been some bad people along the way but life is not a smooth ride and life is what you make of it. We can either focus on the positive aspects or the negative aspects but for sure we will attract the corresponding experiences into our lives.I went on to Greenhead ciollege and then Manchester University followed by Post grad at Nottingham Business School but the seeds were sown in Huddersfield by wonderful people who were faced with those with a different culture,language,religion,mindset etc and showed in most part kindness and dedication to us.I am not sure what would have become of me had i stayed in my birth country for things are much worse there now than when we came over so all i can say is that i am very grateful for coming to the Uk and all the truly fantastic people who have enriched my life and contributed to my happiness and success along the way. People can check my videos out on my channel on Cryptocurrency giving advice on how to be successful in currency trading as a way of giving back in some small way. Good luck everyone :-)
I also went in 1958 to Paddock County Junior, headmaster Mr Bomwell Spence along with the fabulous Miss Beaumont and Mrs Hubbard. At the time many people of Asian origin worked in the woollen mills in the Colne & Holme valleys but I cannot recall any of their children being at school there. Later, in 1964 at Huddersfield New College we had in my year, a young chap whose surname was Samra (everybody was addressed by their surname so given names rarely emerged). As far as I recall he was the only example of anyone at the school who was not European. I never saw any evidence of racism at the school unlike the blatant racism experienced by Asian pupils at such secondary schools as Royds Hall. My wife was head girl there and remembers it vividly. Lots of people looked at my surname and assumed I was from Pakistan but were surprised when they actually met me.
Thank you for sharing your story Raymond. I remember Mrs Hubbard very vividly as a stocky friendly and smiling lady.The headmaster at my time was a Mr Richardson who retired shortly after i left for Royds Hall. . I can also remember the assistant head as being a Mr Chambers who everyone was frightened of as he spoke in harsh tones lol. I only experienced racism at Royds Hall but none at Greenhead college or at University. Indeed i had the best and happiest years of my life at Greenhead and Uni.
I was an immigrant in 1967 in one of these buses being bussed to Milnsbridge school initially and then eventually ended up as the only one of 2 asians in Paddock Junior school a few months later. The lady teacher in the film may never realise that if it wasn't for so many like her at the time trying educate Asian people in the 1960's many of todays successful Asian people would never have materialised.We owe an incredible debt of gratitude to the likes of her and many others that i personally came across in my journey of life in Huddersfield and all those with a good heart and good intentions who simply tried to do their best.One deserves a mention from Paddock Junior School, Mr Harrison, who was my first form teacher who, recognising that i was the only Asian in his class kept an eye on me and ensured i felt part of the whole group and would involve me in reading passages from Long John Silver......Little did he know that his warmth and kindness led me to becoming an Actor for 6 years with the National Youth Theatre of GB and performing in the West End 12 years later in 1979. I remember a few years later when i was at Royds Hall School and found out that Mr Harrison had died and i cried my eyes out. Maybe that was my way of appreciating a good kind soul and indeed i have come across so many Mr Harrison's. Yes there have been some bad people along the way but life is not a smooth ride and life is what you make of it. We can either focus on the positive aspects or the negative aspects but for sure we will attract the corresponding experiences into our lives.I went on to Greenhead ciollege and then Manchester University followed by Post grad at Nottingham Business School but the seeds were sown in Huddersfield by wonderful people who were faced with those with a different culture,language,religion,mindset etc and showed in most part kindness and dedication to us.I am not sure what would have become of me had i stayed in my birth country for things are much worse there now than when we came over so all i can say is that i am very grateful for coming to the Uk and all the truly fantastic people who have enriched my life and contributed to my happiness and success along the way. People can check my videos out on my channel on Cryptocurrency giving advice on how to be successful in currency trading as a way of giving back in some small way. Good luck everyone :-)
I also went in 1958 to Paddock County Junior, headmaster Mr Bomwell Spence along with the fabulous Miss Beaumont and Mrs Hubbard. At the time many people of Asian origin worked in the woollen mills in the Colne & Holme valleys but I cannot recall any of their children being at school there. Later, in 1964 at Huddersfield New College we had in my year, a young chap whose surname was Samra (everybody was addressed by their surname so given names rarely emerged). As far as I recall he was the only example of anyone at the school who was not European. I never saw any evidence of racism at the school unlike the blatant racism experienced by Asian pupils at such secondary schools as Royds Hall. My wife was head girl there and remembers it vividly. Lots of people looked at my surname and assumed I was from Pakistan but were surprised when they actually met me.
Thank you for sharing your story Raymond.
I remember Mrs Hubbard very vividly as a stocky friendly and smiling lady.The headmaster at my time was a Mr Richardson who retired shortly after i left for Royds Hall. . I can also remember the assistant head as being a Mr Chambers who everyone was frightened of as he spoke in harsh tones lol. I only experienced racism at Royds Hall but none at Greenhead college or at University. Indeed i had the best and happiest years of my life at Greenhead and Uni.
I am also in the recording.
Awe the good old days when folk would help each other out
Amazing video, many thanks.
That Kindergarten teacher was horrible.
I would bet that little girl at the end went on to become a doctor or something equally amazing.............
Thanks so much for uploading these. Real food for thought. This last one cuts off so presumably there is more somewhere?
Yes you are right, watch this space!
Huddersfield is not a racist town we are the coolest town in Yorkshire.
yes broooo
I wonder if any of the teachers are still around.
nah they dead dw