Left to right: Linda Higham, Dave Hughlock, Bill Webb, Barbara Spink, Janice Swindlehurst, Margaret Sutcliffe

Dave proudly holding the World Cup at PNEFC in 2012

Several people who formerly attended Fishwick School in the 1950’s were reunited on Wednesday of this week. One of the old school pals is Dave Hughlock, now residing in Pomona in California and has lived in the USA since the mid 1960’s when he and his wife Doris emigrated there to seek their fortune.
Most importantly of all is that Dave has never forgotten his roots and has regularly popped back to Preston from the US, especially when there has been the twenty year event of a Preston Guild. Both Dave and Doris have been back for the last three Preston Guilds. Now, that’s dedication to Preston for you!

It all started when Dave was looking up old friends on Facebook and found former school friend Janice Swindlehurst; it was Janice who subsequently managed to contact all the other friends and so some of the old school were back together again. Since that time, sadly one or two have passed away.

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During the 2012 Guild, Dave just happened to be at the grounds of his beloved football team, Preston North End, when he had his photograph taken holding the world cup, which was being held by the club at the time. Dave said, “it was one of the proudest moments of my life and I’ll never forget it”.

Linda Higham with brother Dave Hughlock

Dave’s sister Linda, who still lives in Preston, was present for the reunion, they are both direct cousin of the celebrated Sidney Knowles BEM. Sydney was awarded the BEM for his wartime exploits and there was also a film made in 1958 of the frogman’s war off Gibraltar which was called ‘The Silent Enemy’ with actor Michael Craig playing the part of Sydney. Sadly Sydney died in Spain on 31 July 2012.

Fishwick School gym team 1951 – 1952.
Left to right back row: Mr Greenhalch, Gordon Cutler, Tom Jones, John Leach
Middle row: John Ramsden, Barry Lewis, Harvey McDermott, Brian Pilkington
Front row: Dave Hughlock, Ken Harrison, Eric Briggs, Jack Atkinson

Dave even has an old photo of some of his school mates who were on the team of the Fishwick School gym and has managed to name all who were there at that time. We were wondering if there may be someone who would recognise any of the boys here; please let us know if you do, as Dave and his pals would love to know.

It is wonderful, after all those years, that old school pals can still get together and have a good laugh and reminisce old times. Well done to them all and we hope they have many more happy reunions in the years to come.

Have you met up with old school pals through social media? Let us know in the comments below.