WHEN Harry Busby was a sickly 10-year-old child his mother was advised to take out a "penny policy" to pay for his funeral as he was not expected to live beyond the age of 15.

But that sickly child with a weak chest — who was sent to Lostock Open Air School because of his illness — is now 91-years-old and went on to become chief engineer for Greater Manchester.

We caught up with Harry at a monthly meeting of former pupils of Chalfont Street School — a group Harry started with his wife Kathleen and a group that proves the old adage "school days are the best days of our life" really is true.

For these lovely elderly men and women love nothing more than gathering together at Astley Bridge Conservative Club and talking about the old days, particularly their time at Chalfont Street School.

Some of them left their school desks almost 80 years ago but the memories are crystal clear of a time when you appreciated your elders, worked hard and had very little.

Surprisingly Harry is not the oldest member of the group — that accolade goes to 93-year-old Albert Finney who followed a family tradition in attending Chalfont Street School.

His father, Walter Finney and sister both were pupils at the little school that holds such fond memories for so many in Bolton.

Don Halliwell is an 88-year-old former bank manager with the TSB and has an interested family history.

His grandfather was Billy Halliwell (known as Smiler Halliwell) who was a founder member of Wigan Rugby Football Club playing 240 times for the team.

"He would do a shift down the pit on a Saturday morning then go to play rugby in the afternoon," says Don.

New recruits to the group this week were Barbara Procter, aged 75, and 69-year-old Edith Taylor who are sisters and were known as York before marrying.

They have another sister, Brenda, who lives in Oldham.

Both were delighted to meet up with 86-year-old Betty Turner who they remember from their childhood.

"Betty's mother and dad had the shop at the bottom of the street," says Barbara recalling the hot pie and gravy, "we always asked for extra gravy" which they were sent to the shop for. "We got our gravy in a jug," she explains.

Betty's parents were Ann and Herbert Hinchcliffe and their shop was a grocer's and confectionery shop where a loaf could be bought for two old pence (or "d").

Probably the most famous former pupil of Chalfont Street School was band leader Alyn Ainsworth.

He was recognised, in school, as a musical genius and, at the age of just seven or eightwrote the music for a play at school, says Harry.

Alyn died aged 66 in 1990 after a career which took him from church halls in Bolton to conducting orchestras before the Queen.

Although he became a famous band leaders his former pals recall a young lad with plenty of fun in him and someone they all enjoyed spending time with.

Betty recalls his sister, Brenda, being in her class. "She married a pilot," says Betty.

Alyn was officially engaged to one of the Beverley Sisters — Teddie — but in 1957 Alyn announced the engagement was off because the couple's careers were too diverse.

While some members of the group went on to forge successful careers of their own – albeit not in the public eye as Alyn's life was — and others had a more discreet and "ordinary" working life all had the same start in life at Chalfont Street School.

They recalled the teachers and the outside toilets "they were freezing in the winter," says Barbara. They remembered a special competition organised by the school — a competition that was was known as the annual essay competition on the subject of tolerance.

Early in the 20th century there had been a young Jewish pupil at Chalfont Street School who was badly treated by his fellow students.

He swore if he ever made anything of his life he would do something about it — in a positive way — and he did make something of his life and he did do something about it.

He started the annual writing competition which rewarded successful students with prizes of £5 or £1 or even five shillings.

Harry recalls winning a prize. "I had a certificate for my essay but I can't remember what I won. I don't think my mother ever had as much as £5 in 12 months," he says.

Another proud winner of the essay competition was Don.

The gathered group discussed the merits of such a competition, declaring its value today would be incredible in helping young people — particularly in the current climate of racial disharmony.

Chalfont Street School clearly gave all these lovely people a great start in life and one they will treasure for the rest of their lives.

They were taught not only the 3 Rs but what is clear they were also taught a sense of responsibility, a sense of humility and a sense of pride — all of these have clearly stood them in good stead.

Whether times are better today or children of yesteryear had more fun can be debated and discussed.

These lovely people reveal they had little money but never went short of love. They had few possessions but who needs possessions when you have friends and family to support you?

Do you have happy memories of your childhood you would like to share with other Looking Back readers?

If so get in touch with Gayle McBain on 01204 537269 or email gayle.mcbain@nqnw.co.uk to share your stories and if like the men and women in this feature you attended Chalfont Street School and would like to catch up with some of your old pals why not pop along to Astley Bridge Conservative Club on the third Wednesday in the month? The gatherings start at 10.30am and everyone is welcome to attend, including partners.

BLOB Penny insurance policies were taken out in order to pay for funeral expenses.

Just a penny would be paid each week to ensure funeral costs could be covered.

There are thought to be thousands of old penny policies still retained by insurance companies that have not been redeemed.

Many of virtually worthless but some will have a surrender value.