OVER the next week or so children all over the Black Country will be heading back to school after the summer break, and some of course will be starting school for the first time.
But what a different world of education awaits them, to that which was experienced by the youngsters on the right, who began to take their first steps in school life in 1904, when King Edward VII was on the throne.
We are indebted to Mr I. Hackett of Rowley Regis for sending in this compelling photograph of a class of young infants at Powke Lane School, which includes his mother Frances Blakeway, on the front row, far left.
Mr Hackett is able to supply several more names, which may ring a bell with Blackheath readers...
Back Row — May Hill, Hipkiss, W. Reynolds, W.
Hopewell, (?), Mary Hackett, R. Bird.
Third Row — W. Westwood, (?), (?), (?), Hodgetts, Sheppard, W. Darby, F. Fowler.
Second Row — (?), (?), B.
Wilkes, rest not named.
Front Row — F. Blakeway, S.
Price, G. Gaunt, H. Franks, E.
Hipkiss, Ackerson, L. Willetts
