Meet our Alumni
Page includes: Jamie Goodson, Lorna Batters, Richard Johnson, David Fish, and Keith Hardy
Simply click the name to read the profile.
I moved to England from Scotland in 1986. It was not an easy transition for me. After Poulton CofE I started at Baines in 1988, I was still having issues; but I would like to thank the teachers for either their encouragement (or scaring me enough to do better).
Mrs Ryding helped me put together a few charity events at Baines such as Comic Relief and she was always very supportive. I left Baines at the end of year 11 and went to Blackpool & The Fylde College for A levels (simply because my “friend” talked me into leaving Baines).
I worked in many places in Poulton. I was lucky enough to be a friend to Keith Harris and he made me kiss Orville on the cheek (apparently in the spot Princess Diana had kissed) when the Gateway changed to Somerfield. At 18 I became the youngest ever EPOS supervisor in the history of Somerfield. I was there for a few years, but the hours were killing me, so I decided to get a job with the Wintergardens bars. You know, so I could get an early night!🤣
I eventually worked for Brannigans for a few years in Chester & in Blackpool. Thank fully I came back to the lovely Poulton, where my close family still reside. After working my way round the pubs when I was younger (working, folks! Working!!) I joined the NHS.
I worked as admin & doctor’s receptionist for a few years (I was a nice one, honest). Then I joined the first team of Electronic Medical Note Summarisers. Basically, taking all the bunches of paper records of patient’s history and coding it to put onto computer. Yes! I know all your secrets…if only I could remember them!
In the meantime I had started seeing a longtime friend from the Tache. My parents were so proud when I finally informed them, I was dating the lead guitarist from Phlegm. It was weird how quickly they invited him around to dinner once I informed them he was also a Nuclear Physicist!!! 🤔
Anyway. We got a lovely house near the Windmill pub (yes, a pub, purely coincidental), then Steve had a job opportunity in Toronto, Canada.
So we moved there. I wasn’t allowed to work in healthcare due to my visa, so I got a receptionist job. This became Office Coordinator, Executive Assistant to the President and then Office Manager once they downsized. All promotions to me though ( and all job titles I made up if they wanted to keep me).
Unfortunately in 2012 I started to feel pain in my face /jaw. I had fulfilled my dream of being in a band for a few years and sang a few times at the famous El Mocambo in Toronto. But it was too much. Slowly the pain took over my whole body and I had to quit everything. But in my last month at work I did complete training and a test and became a Nuclear Energy Worker ( so I could walk through the different radiation levels at the back without an escort to fix security cameras, computers etc).
Then…Covid. Depression and anxiety is almost as strong as the pain, so I try to keep busy. I’ve just built a pub in my spare room….yes, it’s almost a real pub . I’ve also done a 5k recently in support of funding for ALS, since my good friend passed away from that, and to support her family.
Now, that I can’t really stand up and I’m pretty miserable, I’ve been doing the obvious….stand up comedy!!😝😂
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Richard died recently, aged 57, following a long battle with cancer. Richard and his twin brother joined Baines in the hot summer of 1976 at a time when the school was changing to a comprehensive school and therefore going through a great deal of change.
He really enjoyed his time at school from both an academic and a sporting perspective and was captain of a very successful school cricket team.
He was appointed head boy and achieved the A level grades required to pursue his long-held ambition of becoming a doctor.
After leaving Baines he went to Cardiff University to study Medicine. After qualification and various training posts, Richard dedicated the last 24 years of his career to the Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend and the Breast Cancer Service within various local hospitals.
In his most recent role prior to his illness, he was Director of Acute Care at the Princess of Wales Hospital, working as part of the senior leadership team responsible for the delivery of medical and surgical services across the hospital.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Richard was one of the eminent voices championing the recovery of surgical services both in his role locally within the hospital but also nationally in his position as Director in Wales of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
Throughout his life, he continued to be a keen sportsman with a passion for rugby, cricket, football and cycling. He had an extensive network outside the NHS, being the club doctor over many years for the likes of Celtic Crusaders, South Wales Scorpions, Wales Rugby League and the Dragons among many others. With regard to his football interests, he was the medical director of ISF (associated with Leisure Leagues) and went to the European six a side Championships in Croatia in 2015 and the World Cup in Lisbon (2018) and Crete (2019).
During the 2015 Championships his expertise and easy nature helped hm become the ‘Doctor of all nations’. When, on the last day in Croatia, a local man broke his leg in a bar, it was Richard who was first on the scene, walking towards the injured man, whilst everyone else, in shock, was moving away.
Richard had an easy nature and ready smile. His laid back personality made him immediately popular with everybody, and the warmth of his personality and his integrity, leave a huge loss to all those that knew him.
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David was born on 4th Oct 1948 in Blackpool, attended Clairmont School and after passing his 11+ attending Baines following in his father’s footsteps. At his time in school he was a member of Founders House and was a Senior Prefect. He was a prolific footballer and cricketer although according to the Poultonian he fared better in football. In 1962 he was chosen to play in the U14 Town Team and scored in every game, he also played that year in the Tower Youth Cup. In 1964 he was chosen to play for Blackpool Boys Team and the Swift Cup.
Another former pupil Richmond (the Poultonian does not give first names) and David scored 94 goals between them for the school in 1966 season, some feat! He was a very talented footballer who played for who played for a number of local teams. His brother tells me that he should have been a professional footballer. However he felt that the dangers of being a footballer and getting injured were too high a price to pay and therefore went down to London in 1968 to work in the Overseas Development Ministry. This work ultimately took him to Glasgow in 1981 where he was Head of the Department for International Development in East Kilbride and Africa Director. He visited Africa for his work on many occasions. He was awarded the CBE for his work.
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Attended 1950-1954
Keith was originally a primary school teacher who went onto to work as a Master Coach, British Gymnastics Honorary Life member and Women’s Artistic Gymnastics High Performance coach. In 2016 he was awarded the Nik Stuart Foundation Diploma and UK Diploma of Honour for his services to gymnastics. He was a highly respected coach and mentor, renowned for his technical expertise, patience and kindliness.
Throughout his gymnastic career, Keith held many administrative positions within British Gymnastics, being a member of both the Board of Control and Executive Committees and also a member of the Women’s Artistic Technical Committee. He acted as Head of Delegation and coach on numerous international events, and also spent time as the Assistant National Coach to both the junior and senior national squads.
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Studied at Baines School (2005 - 2012)
I left Baines Sixth Form in 2012 and went on to study Product Design at London South Bank University. The course was a four-year sandwich degree meaning that I spent my third year in industry gaining some real-life experience. I spent six months working for a sister company of NUS, Epona Clothing and the other six months working for a design agency based near Canary Wharf.
In my final year of University, I received the 'Best Dissertation of the Year Award' - "How has innovative design contributed towards advancements in space travel." where I interviewed two people from NASA. After University I moved back to Blackpool and secured a job for a Media Agency called Go Motion where I further improved my design skillset for two years before saving up some money to go traveling.
I set off traveling in September 2018 with a friend from University where we planned a 6-month trip around 15 different countries. America, South Korea, China and Japan - just to name a few! I came back home with a much broader perspective on life not only with regard to my passion - design but also in a much broader context.
After being home a couple of months I secured a job working as a designer for Blackpool and The Fylde College within their Marketing team where I still work now. Throughout my career journey I had always been freelancing on the side, whilst being away from home and even back at University. Over the years I had gained more and more clients and decided it would be silly of me to not turn this into something a bit more substantial.
In January 2020 I finally decided to start up a company where I would manage my freelance work from, and subsequently 'Influx Studios' was born. It's still in it's early stages at the moment but with my client-base growing stronger and stronger as the months go by I have high hopes for what 'Influx Studios' is soon going to become. We operate mainly around the Poulton area as it stands but will be looking to spread our wings over the next year or so. Offering tailored services for all your design needs from Branding and Videography right through to Website and UX (User Experience) Design.
Jamie's company is Influx Studios in Poulton-le-Fylde. I wish him well with his venture and hopefully it will grow and grow.
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