MEMORIES of school days at Keresley Newland High School in Coventry were shared at a 1960s themed reunion - with one ex pupil jetting in from Australia for the event.

Nearly 100 former school pupils and teachers who attended the school between 1958 - 1963 reminisced about the school, which once stood off Grove Lane, at the nostalgic event at The Hare and Hounds Pub, in Keresley.

Although demolished in the early 1980s to make way for new homes in the area, the event proved the school lived on in the recollections of former pupils.

The party, which also raised funds for the charity Macmillan Cancer Support, was organised by ex-pupil Brian Oldfield, a 62-year-old entrepreneur, who grew up in Nunts Park Avenue, Holbrooks, but now lives in Nottingham.

Brian, who paid for the function room hire, food and entertainment himself, said: "I decided to get this together because I've got to that stage in life when lots of my friends have died.

"I keep asking people 'How's such and such?' Only to hear they're dead, so I wanted to see all my surviving school friends together and see what they're up to and how they're doing.

A colourful Coventry choir is appealing for more singers to join them.

The Kaleidoscope Singers has performed at residential homes, hospitals and community halls for more than 20 years.

The 17-strong choir, who each wear distinctive colours, started life during the economic downturn of the early 80s under a Coventry City Council initiative to provide activities for the unemployed and those housebound with young children.

Coundon Court School and Community College provided a music teacher as well as sixth-formers to look after pre-school children but once individual schools had to operate their own budgets it proved no longer viable to provide the activity for free and in 1993 the choir reformed as the Kaleidoscope Singers, meeting each Wednesday at Radford and Holbrook Methodist Church in Beake Avenue, Radford, from 2-3pm.

Choir leader Tricia Harker said: "We would love to welcome those of any age or gender who are free on Wednesday afternoons and enjoy singing. A playgroup operates at the church group at the same time."

Call Tricia on 024 7633 6246.

The group of 18 are doing the Football Association level one certificate in coaching football.

The course is part of Coventry City Council's sporting futures programme and is being held at the Daimler Green Sports Centre in Highley Drive, Radford.

Coventry sporting future officer Abdal Razak said: "These young people are now gaining a nationally recognised qualification that can help their personal development and increase their knowledge of coaching sports."

A COVENTRY mum is flying over to America to run the New York Marathon to raise money for children with autism after her own son was diagnosed with the condition.

Kirstie Elliot, aged 32, from Glenmore Drive, Longford, said she was determined to raise money for the National Autistic Society after the charity helped her with her
nine-year-old son, Billy.

She will now fly over to compete with around 100,000 other runners hoping to cross the finish line at Central Park on November 1.

Kirstie praised the work done by the charity in helping her family, which includes Billy's 6-year-old brother, Jay, to deal with the condition.

Eight local bands will play at The Nugget, in Coundon Road, with music described as "indie, chilled-out acoustic and Brit Pop".

Pub manager Philip Burford said: "We have some really talented local bands playing for us so it would be fantastic to show them plenty of support. The music festival will also help raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, who help improve the lives of people in the local area affected by cancer."

The event starts at 4pm and bands include Marble Skyes, The Tones and The Giveaway.

THE founder of the Leamington-based company which invented the Chicken Balti Pie has reached the grand old age of 100.

Ron Baldwin started Shire Foods 39 years ago and received his card from the Queen on Saturday as friends and family gathered to mark his landmark birthday at Allambie Nursing Home, in Coundon Road.

Ron, who had two children, four grandchildren and ten great grandchildren, was responsible for creating the football fan's favourite that is now the best-selling half-time snack in stadiums across the country.

Asked what it's like to be 100, Ron said: "Oh it's alright. I really enjoyed it.

"The grandchildren came over and it's nice getting a card from the queen."

By Mr Randle

Mr C. Leslie Warner, aged 87 of Scots Lane, is to be honoured during a service at Brownshill Green United Reformed Church on 16 08 09, after completing 70 years as a lay preacher in the city and surrounding district.

He took his first service on 13th August 1939 at Radford Congregational Church in Villa Road, and has regularly been seen by churches since.

A former infant and junior school teacher, Mr Warner is a local celebrity, known by many in the Coundon area.

He continues to hear children practice their reading in schools and remain active within the Methodist and United Reformed Churches.

Asked what inspires him and encourages him to carry on he simply responded, "It is the good Lord who calls me."

Organisers of a children's activities day and tabletop sale at the Coventry Coachmakers Club, in Radford, on July 25, would like to thank all who attended the day and took part in the evening entertainment, which included a karaoke, quiz and Irish bingo.

The £921 raised will help to fund new doors in the pensioners' room of the club.

A Coventry couple have celebrated an amazing 70 years of wedded bliss.

Ken Hill, 95, and his wife Florence, 92, toasted their milestone platinum wedding at their Coundon home yesterday.

The devoted couple moved to Coventry from Bedworth in 1953, taking over the corner shop opposite the Daimler factory's main gate in Radford from Ken's aunt.

Ken said they were first introduced by a friend after he had asked about Florence, then just aged 15.

"I was the prettiest girl in Bedworth," beamed the blushing bride of 1939.

To mark the special occasion, Florence proudly showed off the card that they had both received from the Queen.

"I'm not happy though," says Florence cheekily.

"She should smile much more."

The happy couple, who now have two children, five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren, met their latest great-granddaughter, Bo, for the very first time yesterday.

"We'll all be getting together to celebrate with a meal this Sunday," said their proud daughter, Jacqui.

"The whole family will be there, which will be 27 of us in total."

Ken was keen to reminisce about the times he and his wife had at the corner shop in Radford.

"We used to make sandwiches for all the Daimler factory workers at lunchtime, before they cottoned on and opened up their own canteen."

And he said trust was the secret to a long and successful marriage.

* The two blockbuster films of 1939 were Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind.

* Their wedding occurred less than a month before Broadgate was the scene of a bicycle bomb attack by the IRA on 25 August.

* They beat the start of World War II by just over month, also, with the German invasion of Poland starting on September 1, 1939.

* Popular songs of the year were: They will always be an England and We'll hang out the washing on the Siegfried Line.

PENSIONERS basked in sunshine as they enjoyed the sounds of music at a garden party.

Weavers Care Home, in St Nicholas Street, Radford, held its annual garden gathering for 30 of its elderly residents and their families on Saturday.

The Lord Mayor of Coventry, Jack Harrison, and the city's Lady Godiva, Pru Porretta, greeted the crowds.

They were entertained with Indian folk dancers and singers Hilary Leicester and Michael Davis.

A raffle was held with prizes including a meal at Coventry Hill Hotel, in Birmingham Road, Allesley, and a CD player to help raise funds for road trips.

John Ashford, aged 85, who lives at the home, said: "Listening to this kind of music was very good. We've been reminiscing about all different things in the city."

The former machinist of Massey Ferguson added: "I've been dancing a bit too and the weather is absolutely fantastic."

PENSIONERS basked in sunshine as they enjoyed the sounds of music at a garden party.

Weavers Care Home, in St Nicholas Street, Radford, held its annual garden gathering for 30 of its elderly residents and their families on Saturday.

The Lord Mayor of Coventry, Jack Harrison, and the city's Lady Godiva, Pru Porretta, greeted the crowds.

They were entertained with Indian folk dancers and singers Hilary Leicester and Michael Davis.

A raffle was held with prizes including a meal at Coventry Hill Hotel, in Birmingham Road, Allesley, and a CD player to help raise funds for road trips.

John Ashford, aged 85, who lives at the home, said: "Listening to this kind of music was very good. We've been reminiscing about all different things in the city."

The former machinist of Massey Ferguson added: "I've been dancing a bit too and the weather is absolutely fantastic."

CASH from the sale of stolen items recovered by West Midlands Police has been donated to a Coventry Scout group.

Officers from Stoney Stanton Road police station have given £500 to the 10th Scout Group based at St Luke's Church Hall in Rotherham Road, Holbrooks. The money will be put towards a new cooker and tent for the growing numbers on camping trips.

Sergeant Alex Tarr, of Holbrooks neighbourhood policing team, said: "We are delighted to hand over the cheque to the scouts for their outdoor activities."

The money comes from the sale of property that has been in the possession of the police for more than 12 months.

PENSIONERS basked in sunshine as they enjoyed the sounds of music at a garden party.

Weavers Care Home, in St Nicholas Street, Radford, held its annual garden gathering for 30 of its elderly residents and their families on Saturday.

The Lord Mayor of Coventry, Jack Harrison, and the city's Lady Godiva, Pru Porretta, greeted the crowds.

They were entertained with Indian folk dancers and singers Hilary Leicester and Michael Davis.

A raffle was held with prizes including a meal at Coventry Hill Hotel, in Birmingham Road, Allesley, and a CD player to help raise funds for road trips.

John Ashford, aged 85, who lives at the home, said: "Listening to this kind of music was very good. We've been reminiscing about all different things in the city."

The former machinist of Massey Ferguson added: "I've been dancing a bit too and the weather is absolutely fantastic."

PENSIONERS basked in sunshine as they enjoyed the sounds of music at a garden party.

Weavers Care Home, in St Nicholas Street, Radford, held its annual garden gathering for 30 of its elderly residents and their families on Saturday.

The Lord Mayor of Coventry, Jack Harrison, and the city's Lady Godiva, Pru Porretta, greeted the crowds.

They were entertained with Indian folk dancers and singers Hilary Leicester and Michael Davis.

A raffle was held with prizes including a meal at Coventry Hill Hotel, in Birmingham Road, Allesley, and a CD player to help raise funds for road trips.

John Ashford, aged 85, who lives at the home, said: "Listening to this kind of music was very good. We've been reminiscing about all different things in the city."

The former machinist of Massey Ferguson added: "I've been dancing a bit too and the weather is absolutely fantastic."

A RECORD number of students from a Coventry dance school have won scholarships to top stage schools.

Six performers from Three Spires Dance School, in Coundon, have secured deals worth around £30,000 each.

They include Liam Doyle, who is the lead in the national tour of High School Musical 2 after winning GMTV's Search for Troy competition, and Andrew Monaghan, who is to attend London's Central School of Ballet.

The other successful pupils are Callum Roberts (Laine Theatre Arts, Surrey), Kelly Downing (Millennium Dance 2000, London), Alyssa McClelland (Guildford School of Acting) and Hannah Farquharson (Doreen Bird College, Kent).