'We were so lucky to be born when we were': The Manchester school picture that tells a very British story

Their faces beam with life and shining optimism. Thirty six pupils sat for a school photograph in July 1960. It was a time of hope after the two previous decades had brought war and bleak austerity.

These children were on the cusp of embracing the brave new world previous generations had fought and suffered for. In the same month that the picture was taken, a youthful John F Kennedy won the nomination to stand for the Democratic Party in the US elections. He would become President aged just 43.

The UK Prime Minister was Tory, Harold Macmillan, who three years earlier had said most Britons "had never had it so good" as the country saw a dramatic rise in the standard of living on the back of a global post-war economic boom.

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The pupils were in their final year at Park View Primary in Prestwich. Now, one of their group aims to find them all - and write their story. What happened to them, what did they become, did they fulfil their dreams?

The one inspired to track the rest down is Colin Shindler, who left Park View for Bury Grammar, and Cambridge's Gonville and Caius College, did a PhD in film history, and did not get "a proper job" until he was 25.

Then "blessed with incredible luck", he carved out a career in TV script writing and production. He wrote scripts for TV series like Lovejoy, Juliet Bravo, and Heartbeat, and produced the screenplay for the movie Buster. He is also a successful author, his works include his memoir of being a Manchester City fan - "Manchester United Ruined my Life".

Colin,