Wirral man celebrates 100th birthday at former primary school

Bill Sheppard, a former pupil from Co-op Academy Woodslee, recently celebrated his 100th birthday at the school on Thursday, April 18.

Invited into the school to celebrate the special day, Bill, and his friend Don, enjoyed a school dinner and spent time with current pupils.

Bill entertained everyone with anecdotes from the past and was interested to see how his primary school had changed over the years.

Bill and friend Don with a Co-op Academy Woodslee pupil (Image: Co-op Academy Woodslee)

The children performed songs in a special assembly held and each class presented giant birthday cards that they’d made for Bill’s special day.

Bill said: “My 100th Birthday celebration at Woodslee School was marvellous.

“I was overwhelmed that the school made me feel so special.

“I had a lovely roast dinner to start with, then the school held a special assembly. (The meals have improved since the last time I was there!).

“The children’s singing was amazing. I loved the song ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’, and it reminded me of The Wizard of OZ.”

Bill with pupils from Co-op Academy Woodslee (Image: Co-op Academy Woodslee)

“Having been a pupil at St Barnabas Church School for two years, I then started on the opening day of the brand new Woodslee School in April 1931.

“The headmaster Mr Arthur Oakes was very likeable - ‘firm but fair’. Although he did punish me with the cane once for being naughty.

“I remember playtimes at school, with girls and boys being separated on different school playgrounds.

“I lost touch over the years with my best friend at school. His name was Les Fellows, then I bumped into him 65 years later, on a bowling green in Port Sunlight. We remained friends again, always reminiscing about the old school days, until he sadly died recently.”

Bill was born in Birkenhead in April 1924 and was one of six children. When he was four-years-old he moved to Bromborough into one of the new houses being built on Valley Road.

When he met his wife Joan he moved to Eastham where they raised their family. They have six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Katy Bergman, executive  headteacher, from Co-op Academy Woodslee, said: “It was such a heartwarming afternoon.

“We were honoured that Bill came to visit us. The positive atmosphere at the academy was amazing! The children were so fascinated to meet Bill.

“Some of them thought he would be in black and white! They have never met anyone this old before.”