ADVER reader Clive Bright is an avid collector of old photographs, and especially ones with a Swindon connection.

He can’t remember how he came to own the image we print in today’s Remember When, which was taken in 1939 at the old Westcott Place School.

‘SSAA’ stands for Swindon Schools Amateur Athletics.

Mr Bright, 80, is a retired engineer who lives in Upper Stratton.

“I was only seven at the time,” he said, “so I’m not included in that group, but I thought if it was published the kids’ relatives might recognise them.”

Of course, it is also possible that some of the children pictured will recognise themselves, although even the youngest would be in their mid-80s now.

Mr Bright added: “Whenever I see pictures pertaining to Swindon I just pick them up. It could be in a secondhand shop or somebody will have a picture and say, ‘Oh, Clive would like this.’ “There are faces there that I recognise but I can’t be certain of names. It could bring a few smiles to a few families.

“Some in the picture may not be with us now but maybe their children or grandchildren will recognise them.

“Some of the faces are stored in my mind. Names that pop up are Menham, Brewer, Emery and Picket. It would be nice if readers could put names to faces.”

Mr Bright also remembers some teachers’ names, including head of the infants’ section Miss Holliday, senor head ‘Tommy’ Atkins, Standard One’s Miss Wilks, Standard Two’s Miss Fursland, Standard Three’s Miss Snell, Standard Five’s ‘Perry’ Norton, Standard six’s Miss McCullock and Standard Seven’s Mr Furkins.