Rockcliffe First School, Whitley Bay
Introduction
The photograph on this page of Rockcliffe First School, Whitley Bay by Geoff Holland as part of the Geograph project.
The Geograph project started in 2005 with the aim of publishing, organising and preserving representative images for every square kilometre of Great Britain, Ireland and the Isle of Man.
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Rockcliffe First School, Whitley Bay
Image: © Geoff Holland Taken: 30 Jan 2021
Construction of the present building began in 1910 and it was used for the first time on 1st May 1911. The official opening quickly followed on 10th May 1911. This poem was inspired by my own hazy memories of my time spent at the school: ROCKCLIFFE REMEMBERED, PERHAPS The constant roar of the sea, sandstone & tide, a freezing north wind & mist on the high lattice work windows. Corridors smelling of stale milk & a class room full of ruddy-cheeked children, 7-years old & eager to be free, running wild in the concrete lanes. Dampness & dust, cast iron radiators & the playtime scramble in the high-walled yard. Knees grazed, badges of honour in the rough & tumble, & the temptation of boarded-up shelters, old war time relics. A dinner time procession of post-war baby-boomers, out in the cold, hungry for tapioca & the three o'clock bell. All seemed well in the world at the end of our street. Poem by Geoff Holland For a selection of detailed free to download walking routes in the area visit www.northtynesidewalks.co.uk
Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0
Image Location
Latitude
55.040117
Longitude
-1.434454