WATCH: Walsall school friends reunite to mark 60th birthdays

Almost 100 friends from Walsall's old Wolverhampton Road Schools, in Birchills, reunited at a party to mark the 60th birthdays of the class of 1969 to 1970. Some came from as far afield as the Isle of Man to catch up with pals that they have not seen for 45 years.

Pauline Daniels, who will also celebrate her 60th birthday next week, helped to organise the party held at Bentley Moor Club, in Reedswood.

"It went really well and more people than we expected turned up which was nice. Around 90 came along and many were older than our class of 1970, but word got round and they swelled the numbers. I had been in touch with a number of class mates via Facebook and we thought it would be a good idea to hold a reunion. Everyone had such a good time they want to hold another one next year.

"We booked the function room and planned to have a disco, but to be honest most people just wanted to chat and catch up on all their news. Lots of them posted messages afterwards saying they had a brilliant time. I think everyone felt elated because they were meeting people they had not seen for 45 years. There was a really lovely feeling, and there was a lot of hugging and kissing as well," Mrs Daniels, formerly Pauline Jackson, of Perch Road, Beechdale, says.

Rob Everitt, 60, travelled from Welshpool, and says he has fond memories of his secondary school metal work teacher Mr Lockley whose influence led him to train to become an engineer.

"I've got lots of memories from my time at the school. My family lived in Reedswood Lane and I grew up in the area. I liked my metal work teacher he was very nice and an excellent teacher. As a result I became an engineer and I run a motorbike business working on American Choppers.

"The reunion was tremendous and we all had a good time. It was lovely to see all my friends after 45 years."

Wolverhampton Road Schools consisted of a Victorian secondary modern site now occupied by the town's African Caribbean Community Association and Emmanuel School. Until about 1968 it was a split building with separate classrooms for girls and boys. There was also junior school site on the opposite side of the road that is now a block of flats.

The senior school was eventually shut in the 1970s after amalgamation with the Edward Shelley and Hillary Street schools to create the Wilfred Clarke Comprehensive that became Alumwell Community School in Primley Avenue.

Others who travelled miles to reacquaint with old friends include Ron Workman, who now lives in the Isle of Man and Eileen Ball, formerly Trobsch(cor German name) of Stafford.

Many of them were also young pupils at the Wolverhampton Road Junior School and can be seen pictured with their teacher Mr Evans in 1964 when they were nine-years-old.