Memories of The Elms
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It has been decades since I was in Faringdon. I left the school in 1977 - abruptly following an incident in Faringdon - I was attacked on the afternoon after my Biology O-Level - Part 2 (B). My parents simply removed me from the School and that was that really. It was a bit of a mess really - they had no idea - who did in those days. However, as I sit in Germany (new home) I do wonder what happened to all my classmates - where did they go, what did they do?
The Grounds at the Elms were just marvellous - each year had a lawn - fifth form, lower sixth and upper sixth. We had a swimming pool and tennis courts, a puppet theatre and sports field (in summer track - in winter hockey).
We had a Tuck Shop - below the Science Labs (ground floor).
The uniform was great - and you could win belts for: deportment and sport. In summer our hats were straw - in winter grey or navy felt.
I remember very clearly the school, the teachers, etc. I even won the fancy dress (a Witch Costume). There were all those events, the Xmas Drama Presentations (there was a word for them). Each form had to stage and entertainment piece. I remember some years were a bit wild.
We also sat in the Assembly Hall to watch films: Italian Job, there was also a 1970s film about women/men changing roles (so quite progressive for its day).
Mrs Allen - Cookery Teacher - I am a life-long vegetarian and I remember her telling me how unhealthy it was and the problems I´d have as an adult. Happily I am still alive and kicking! And pretty healthy - a tad plumpish!
I left after the 5th year - 7 respectable O-Levels from Oxford Examination Board. Art, English (lit), English (Lang), Maths, Latin, Biology, History. I can still remember most of the questions! My parents thought it best to put distance between me and Faringdon - not sure they were right.
The last time I was in Faringdon was in 1979 - I was then at Art College - it was the Winter Vac - so was visiting Carters (my old employer - Saturdays, Evenings and School Holidays) to pick up provisions and have a gossip with my ex-supervisor Mrs Cornish! John Carter was my Manager - and bless the man - reading the printout of my Pension (produced by Stralsund, Germany) Carters regularly paid into my pension scheme - the earliest entry 1974. Wasn´t that nice of them and at the time I never knew!
I´ve driven past Faringdon on the Bypass - I guess it has changed quite a bit since then. Do the busses still leave from the Market Place? The places I remember: solicitors on the Corner. Lloyds Bank, The Bell, a haberdashery, Larkins, Chemist, two shoe-shops, Carters the Butchers, Carters the Greengrocers, Anne-Marie´s the Hairdresser, The Clock Maker, the Crown, the photographer, the Wheatsheaf, the Bargain Centre, the Sweet Shop, Shepherds the Bakers, there was another one too opposite Carters the Grocers, the Newsagents, Pitts - a supermarket of sorts, there was the Travel Agents, Dr Tobin. Gloucester Street and London Road always had traffic jams.
Anita Baltic 1972-1977
The Grounds at the Elms were just marvellous - each year had a lawn - fifth form, lower sixth and upper sixth. We had a swimming pool and tennis courts, a puppet theatre and sports field (in summer track - in winter hockey).
We had a Tuck Shop - below the Science Labs (ground floor).
The uniform was great - and you could win belts for: deportment and sport. In summer our hats were straw - in winter grey or navy felt.
I remember very clearly the school, the teachers, etc. I even won the fancy dress (a Witch Costume). There were all those events, the Xmas Drama Presentations (there was a word for them). Each form had to stage and entertainment piece. I remember some years were a bit wild.
We also sat in the Assembly Hall to watch films: Italian Job, there was also a 1970s film about women/men changing roles (so quite progressive for its day).
Mrs Allen - Cookery Teacher - I am a life-long vegetarian and I remember her telling me how unhealthy it was and the problems I´d have as an adult. Happily I am still alive and kicking! And pretty healthy - a tad plumpish!
I left after the 5th year - 7 respectable O-Levels from Oxford Examination Board. Art, English (lit), English (Lang), Maths, Latin, Biology, History. I can still remember most of the questions! My parents thought it best to put distance between me and Faringdon - not sure they were right.
The last time I was in Faringdon was in 1979 - I was then at Art College - it was the Winter Vac - so was visiting Carters (my old employer - Saturdays, Evenings and School Holidays) to pick up provisions and have a gossip with my ex-supervisor Mrs Cornish! John Carter was my Manager - and bless the man - reading the printout of my Pension (produced by Stralsund, Germany) Carters regularly paid into my pension scheme - the earliest entry 1974. Wasn´t that nice of them and at the time I never knew!
I´ve driven past Faringdon on the Bypass - I guess it has changed quite a bit since then. Do the busses still leave from the Market Place? The places I remember: solicitors on the Corner. Lloyds Bank, The Bell, a haberdashery, Larkins, Chemist, two shoe-shops, Carters the Butchers, Carters the Greengrocers, Anne-Marie´s the Hairdresser, The Clock Maker, the Crown, the photographer, the Wheatsheaf, the Bargain Centre, the Sweet Shop, Shepherds the Bakers, there was another one too opposite Carters the Grocers, the Newsagents, Pitts - a supermarket of sorts, there was the Travel Agents, Dr Tobin. Gloucester Street and London Road always had traffic jams.
Anita Baltic 1972-1977
|
Form Y 1972-1977.
Susan Leach - best friend; Susan Hunt - Swimmer - nice; Sarah Manhood - dark hair - stunningly attractive Kate Lovell - played part of Alice in Alice Production - daughter of teacher Alison Jones Nicola Newman - nicest person ever - kind and generous Caroline Goddard Dana Humphries - Rode horses a lot Ann Humphries (sp?) she played golf and the clarinet) Denise Lovett - played role of door mouse in Alice production Jane Goddard - very fast runner 100 Meters Susan Johnson |
Susan Morgan - very funny - gifted in languages - made up and fluent in "Eggy"!
Jackie Jones Jane Stevenson (a late comer) Nicola Gerring (red hair - farmers daughter - really lovely bubbly person) Jane Hampson (Hammie) - Artist Rosemary Johnson - always reading books Karen Mirtha Denise Johnston Judith McGann - tall large girl - like a statue and therefore always came across as more mature - but recollections of her nice. |
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I passed the scholarship exam, so no fees were needed. It was still very costly- the summer and winter uniforms, the different pairs of shoes, the books we needed. Uniforms could only be bought from a Cheltenham shop, which visited the school.
We had school assembly every morning- a religious occasion with prayers and readings.
We played Netball against other Berkshire schools in the area. We, sporty girls, much admired Miss Bell, the games teacher. Young and attractive compared to 'fuddy duddy' other teachers
During the war there were a number of evacuee Jewish girls who lived in a house in Bromsgrove ( later part of Ferndale School)
Sheila Price (nee Pope)
1942 - 1947
______________________________________________________________________________
I passed the scholarship exam, so no fees were needed. It was still very costly- the summer and winter uniforms, the different pairs of shoes, the books we needed. Uniforms could only be bought from a Cheltenham shop, which visited the school.
We had school assembly every morning- a religious occasion with prayers and readings.
We played Netball against other Berkshire schools in the area. We, sporty girls, much admired Miss Bell, the games teacher. Young and attractive compared to 'fuddy duddy' other teachers
During the war there were a number of evacuee Jewish girls who lived in a house in Bromsgrove ( later part of Ferndale School)
Sheila Price (nee Pope)
1942 - 1947
______________________________________________________________________________
Great excitement. The first school trip abroad after the 2nd world war was in 1953 to Bayeux, France. A collective passport was required.
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I remember Miss Moore announcing the death of Gandhi to the whole school, but not the death of King George VI
We recited Ignatious Loyola ( Teach us good Lord........) every Monday
General Thanks Giving ( Almighty God, Father of all mercies..........) Friday pm.
Judith Ross (nee Webb)
1947-1954
__________________________________________________________________________
My mother ( Mollie Norton) was at The Elms from 1926-1933. She lived in Stanford in the Vale.
When she started the headmistress was a Miss Bartell - I think that's how it was spelled- a real dragon according to Mum! In 1929, Miss Moore became headmistress and she was there until 1957.
I actually had Miss Moore for a couple of years.
It was a fairly small school in the 20s and 30s, almost certainly less than 100 and some were younger- from about 8+.
Gill Pink (nee Cottrell)
1955-1962
_______________________________________________________________________________
I remember Miss Moore announcing the death of Gandhi to the whole school, but not the death of King George VI
We recited Ignatious Loyola ( Teach us good Lord........) every Monday
General Thanks Giving ( Almighty God, Father of all mercies..........) Friday pm.
Judith Ross (nee Webb)
1947-1954
__________________________________________________________________________
My mother ( Mollie Norton) was at The Elms from 1926-1933. She lived in Stanford in the Vale.
When she started the headmistress was a Miss Bartell - I think that's how it was spelled- a real dragon according to Mum! In 1929, Miss Moore became headmistress and she was there until 1957.
I actually had Miss Moore for a couple of years.
It was a fairly small school in the 20s and 30s, almost certainly less than 100 and some were younger- from about 8+.
Gill Pink (nee Cottrell)
1955-1962
_______________________________________________________________________________
The lovely cedar of Lebanon in Jan 1963.
Only 6th formers were allowed to go on the grass and sit under the tree. Until then, we were corralled on the tarmac area at break.
Sadly the tree fell down- I think in the 1990s
Sadly the tree fell down- I think in the 1990s
____________________________________________________________________________________
THE ELMS 1957 – 1964
Prior to actually starting school we were required to attend, with our Mothers, the uniform evening - all uniform was purchased from the designated school tailor or the school. Included was a length of grey material with instructions for making up the awful P.E outfit known as 'greys', elasticated at the waist with a four inch hem so that it could be let down as we grew. This garment was to last (and did) our whole school life. It suited no one and we froze in winter on the hockey pitch when Miss Bell was snuggled up in a thick jumper!
White t-bar canvas shoes with white soles were ordered for wearing in the hall – no black soles allowed, and of course that grey felt hat.
I remember my Mother taking the opportunity to ask if I could be addressed in school by my second name – Robin – which was the name I was always called by. Not acceptable! So I was Anna in school and Robin out of school. Now only the Dr. and Dentist call me Anna.
My first year, with Miss Pain as class teacher was spent in a hut on the edge of the sports field as the new teaching and science block was still being built. The swimming pool had just opened and my cousins and their friends who had preceded me were fed up that they'd fund-raised for it, but never had a swim. Miss Pain was also the Brownies Brown Owl in the town so already knew some of us – very correct and firm, but kind I remember. She was a huge fan of Roman history and poetry and we had to learn chunks of Hiawatha and poems by Rupert Brookes and Kenneth Graham. Like all the staff she was a stickler for the uniform being 'respected'. Like others who lived in Faringdon I was told off for speaking to a boy, talking to pupils from the Secondary Modern and eating an icecream while in uniform - trying to explain that it wasn't possible to ignore friends and sisters did not go down well.
My Mother had been at The Elms – never called F.C.G.S in Faringdon - in 1920s, and my cousins
Joan and Bridget Fletcher in the earlier 1950s. Both were academic and sporty and went on to have successful professional careers (Joan died in 1975) and had only recently left so they were a hard act to follow, given that I certainly wasn't sporty and fairly average academically. It was lovely to pick out all three in the school photos.
I remember sports day and the run up to it being especially tortuous having to at least take part in the House game. Living in Faringdon also meant that one was required to volunteer on summer Saturdays to ball-boy for tennis matches.
In most respects school was very regimented and formal, because Miss Bell and Miss Osbourne ran things, although Miss Towns encouraged much more science and in due course things became more relaxed, perhaps as younger members of staff joined.
Although a reserved lady she was immensely kind and supportive – as I came to know personally when I was allowed to attend part-time for a term or so to assist nursing my terminally ill father.
A glamorous new French teacher arrived who wore high heels and tight skirts, and new head of English – Delia Watson. Delia was pretty fearsome, although a brilliant and inspiring teacher – who could hurl a blackboard rubber with great accuracy and informed us that as an ex-WRN she knew more swear words than any wayward pupil.
She reorganised the library and instituted the Dewey System, involving anyone who was interested and arranged theatre visits to Stratford and Oxford. She was probably the only teacher that took careers advice seriously – up until then unless it was University or teacher training no-one bothered much. Years later she married my uncle Norman Fletcher which took some getting used to.
A new Art teacher arrived (sorry can't remember her name) to replace the lovely Miss Liddiard – all very modern and a bit of a shock to some of us. However she and Miss Watson and probably others decided the school would put on some Gilbert and Sullivan, which were a great success and provided opportunities and fun for not only those who could sing and act but scenery painters and props and costumes. Local people and business were generous in lending bits and pieces for these performances.
Being a sixth former, Upper was 6A and Lower 6B, certainly changed things. Teachers behaved differently – more friendly, less formal and approachable - which was such a surprise and we had some perks. 6A acquired a small common room in the old part of the school with a window opening onto a flat roof – perfect for sunbathing or an illicit cigarette for a daring one or two – and free periods during the exams could be spent out of school so a group of us watched Wimbledon and ate doughnuts at my house or piled into Christine Lock's car for brass rubbing jaunts around village churches.
Our uniform changed too – pale blue blouses, from the school tailor but pleated skirts we could buy anywhere and stockings instead of socks. The felt hat, by now a mishapen affair was replaced for summer with a boater which I liked but caused much ribbing from the other school and labelled us a 'snobs' ( You’ve no idea the gauntlet we had to run between school and home wearing those boaters!!!!!!!!) and nice summer dresses.
Then there was the first sixth form school dance – boys being invited from King Alfred's in Wantage. Miss Bell had to turn her attention from the country dancing she taught us to ballroom dancing; I'm not sure we were very expert at the waltz, quick step or polka, and neither were the boys. It all felt a bit desperate as I recall.
Of course there was also the agony of what to wear, and the spectacle of those teachers who supervised in their best frocks – Miss Watson causing the most comment in her fashionable cocktail dress.
On our last day, under the cedar tree, we all signed each other's felt hats, swapped addresses and went out into the real world.
Robin (Anna) Britton – nee Taylor
1957-1964
_____________________________________________________________________________________
1950s and 1960s. Grey bibbed pinafore skirt, blue check blouses (winter). Blue gingham dresses (summer) Grey felt hat. Boater in 6th. PE Short elasticated waist dress called 'greys' There was the rule that your boater had to be parallel with the ground and we couldn’t put a tuck in our felt monstrosities to make them a bit more on trend!!
Also, our skirts had to be at least two inches below the knee...despite the fact that our greys were skimpy and the old men used to enjoy watching us play netball and tennis and hockey, watching over the wall from Lechlade Road. Happy days!!
Sally Hamilton (Ilott)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
I remember Miss Towns saying we weren't allowed to talk to pupils from the local Secondary Modern School. I can't remember if there was an explanation or discussion- I doubt it. I probably wouldn't have had the courage to ask if that included my brother!
Gene Webb
______________________________________________________________________________________
THE ELMS 1957 – 1964
Prior to actually starting school we were required to attend, with our Mothers, the uniform evening - all uniform was purchased from the designated school tailor or the school. Included was a length of grey material with instructions for making up the awful P.E outfit known as 'greys', elasticated at the waist with a four inch hem so that it could be let down as we grew. This garment was to last (and did) our whole school life. It suited no one and we froze in winter on the hockey pitch when Miss Bell was snuggled up in a thick jumper!
White t-bar canvas shoes with white soles were ordered for wearing in the hall – no black soles allowed, and of course that grey felt hat.
I remember my Mother taking the opportunity to ask if I could be addressed in school by my second name – Robin – which was the name I was always called by. Not acceptable! So I was Anna in school and Robin out of school. Now only the Dr. and Dentist call me Anna.
My first year, with Miss Pain as class teacher was spent in a hut on the edge of the sports field as the new teaching and science block was still being built. The swimming pool had just opened and my cousins and their friends who had preceded me were fed up that they'd fund-raised for it, but never had a swim. Miss Pain was also the Brownies Brown Owl in the town so already knew some of us – very correct and firm, but kind I remember. She was a huge fan of Roman history and poetry and we had to learn chunks of Hiawatha and poems by Rupert Brookes and Kenneth Graham. Like all the staff she was a stickler for the uniform being 'respected'. Like others who lived in Faringdon I was told off for speaking to a boy, talking to pupils from the Secondary Modern and eating an icecream while in uniform - trying to explain that it wasn't possible to ignore friends and sisters did not go down well.
My Mother had been at The Elms – never called F.C.G.S in Faringdon - in 1920s, and my cousins
Joan and Bridget Fletcher in the earlier 1950s. Both were academic and sporty and went on to have successful professional careers (Joan died in 1975) and had only recently left so they were a hard act to follow, given that I certainly wasn't sporty and fairly average academically. It was lovely to pick out all three in the school photos.
I remember sports day and the run up to it being especially tortuous having to at least take part in the House game. Living in Faringdon also meant that one was required to volunteer on summer Saturdays to ball-boy for tennis matches.
In most respects school was very regimented and formal, because Miss Bell and Miss Osbourne ran things, although Miss Towns encouraged much more science and in due course things became more relaxed, perhaps as younger members of staff joined.
Although a reserved lady she was immensely kind and supportive – as I came to know personally when I was allowed to attend part-time for a term or so to assist nursing my terminally ill father.
A glamorous new French teacher arrived who wore high heels and tight skirts, and new head of English – Delia Watson. Delia was pretty fearsome, although a brilliant and inspiring teacher – who could hurl a blackboard rubber with great accuracy and informed us that as an ex-WRN she knew more swear words than any wayward pupil.
She reorganised the library and instituted the Dewey System, involving anyone who was interested and arranged theatre visits to Stratford and Oxford. She was probably the only teacher that took careers advice seriously – up until then unless it was University or teacher training no-one bothered much. Years later she married my uncle Norman Fletcher which took some getting used to.
A new Art teacher arrived (sorry can't remember her name) to replace the lovely Miss Liddiard – all very modern and a bit of a shock to some of us. However she and Miss Watson and probably others decided the school would put on some Gilbert and Sullivan, which were a great success and provided opportunities and fun for not only those who could sing and act but scenery painters and props and costumes. Local people and business were generous in lending bits and pieces for these performances.
Being a sixth former, Upper was 6A and Lower 6B, certainly changed things. Teachers behaved differently – more friendly, less formal and approachable - which was such a surprise and we had some perks. 6A acquired a small common room in the old part of the school with a window opening onto a flat roof – perfect for sunbathing or an illicit cigarette for a daring one or two – and free periods during the exams could be spent out of school so a group of us watched Wimbledon and ate doughnuts at my house or piled into Christine Lock's car for brass rubbing jaunts around village churches.
Our uniform changed too – pale blue blouses, from the school tailor but pleated skirts we could buy anywhere and stockings instead of socks. The felt hat, by now a mishapen affair was replaced for summer with a boater which I liked but caused much ribbing from the other school and labelled us a 'snobs' ( You’ve no idea the gauntlet we had to run between school and home wearing those boaters!!!!!!!!) and nice summer dresses.
Then there was the first sixth form school dance – boys being invited from King Alfred's in Wantage. Miss Bell had to turn her attention from the country dancing she taught us to ballroom dancing; I'm not sure we were very expert at the waltz, quick step or polka, and neither were the boys. It all felt a bit desperate as I recall.
Of course there was also the agony of what to wear, and the spectacle of those teachers who supervised in their best frocks – Miss Watson causing the most comment in her fashionable cocktail dress.
On our last day, under the cedar tree, we all signed each other's felt hats, swapped addresses and went out into the real world.
Robin (Anna) Britton – nee Taylor
1957-1964
_____________________________________________________________________________________
1950s and 1960s. Grey bibbed pinafore skirt, blue check blouses (winter). Blue gingham dresses (summer) Grey felt hat. Boater in 6th. PE Short elasticated waist dress called 'greys' There was the rule that your boater had to be parallel with the ground and we couldn’t put a tuck in our felt monstrosities to make them a bit more on trend!!
Also, our skirts had to be at least two inches below the knee...despite the fact that our greys were skimpy and the old men used to enjoy watching us play netball and tennis and hockey, watching over the wall from Lechlade Road. Happy days!!
Sally Hamilton (Ilott)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
I remember Miss Towns saying we weren't allowed to talk to pupils from the local Secondary Modern School. I can't remember if there was an explanation or discussion- I doubt it. I probably wouldn't have had the courage to ask if that included my brother!
Gene Webb
______________________________________________________________________________________
My mother ( Peggy Phillips ) was at the Elms between 1926 and 1932
It was of course a private school in those days but it offered a few scholarships annually
Miss Bartels was the headmistress and very strict!
The girls all delighted in having French lessons and they had the occasional French trip in the summer holidays.
One of my mother's friends rode her horse to school with the groom who then dutifully returned it home
Mum and her sister Nesta used to catch the train in from Uffington Station and their father picked them up after school . My mother's family on Grannies side lived in Romney House which was diagonally opposite The Elms; it had a massive garden and some of them used to go across there for Art lessons given by my mothers cousin ,
Lydia Liddiard
In those days they had very strong Tennis and Hockey teams and normally came top of "the league"
Carole Liddiard (nee Philips)
1955-1962
______________________________________________________________________________________
In Sept.1954 the school started to have a 3 form entry instead of 2. This created an accommodation problem.
My first year classroom was the cricket pavilion situated by the hockey field. This was perhaps a 10 minute walk from the main buildings. We walked there for registration and back to the large hall for assembly. We returned again after assembly having most of our lessons in the pavilion. There was no flush toilet. The desks were very close together.
We had specialist teachers for French and Latin and PE. All other lessons were taken by Miss Pain during our first year Nearly all lessons took place in this pavilion which was like fridge in winter and an oven in the summer.
My second year classroom was on The Platform. This was an area behind the large hall only used for concerts and speech day. It was closed off from the main hall most of the time. I can remember having to move all our desks out for these occasions.
By the time I got to the 3rd form a proper classroom was available.
New classrooms were built during these years.
Until the school had its own swimming pool we went once a week during the summer months to the swimming pool in Buscot Park. This was not popular as the pool water was always green and most uninviting. Everybody was expected to go in wearing our old fashioned wool regulation costumes. This was not an enjoyable experience.
Unusually for most girls schools we played cricket in the summer. We had an annual match against a girls school in Abingdon. When they came to us lessons were stopped and we watched the match. We were given score sheets to fill in. On no account should we call out the name of a player. To encourage the school team we were allowed to call, Come on School. I don't remember this continuing after about 1957.
Rebecca Ormerod ( nee Webb)
1954- 1961
__________________________________________________
Miss O' Donnell taught History after Miss Hunter left.She was young,enthusiastic and inspiring.We liked her because she came from Liverpool (this was the beginning of the era of the Beatles) and she lived in a flat in Oxford which we thought was very sophisticated.
Miss Watson taught English.She was formidable and strict but we all recognised her love for the subject.
Miss Thomas taught Geography and she used to be a stickler for us wearing our hair tied back.Flowing hair leads to flowing brains she would say. When drawing maps we had to "baby blue the sea" which involved colouring it in with light blue and then rubbing it over with blotting paper (remember that?)We had to answer questions following a formula.It was either "what do you understand by........?" and we had to say what it was,where it was and something else important or "account for..... which involved writing five facts about a topic.She was reputed to have had a bad experience during the War which made her react badly to low flying aircraft.
Miss Osborne also taught Scripture, as it was called.
Sue Richmond (nee Silmeen)
1958-1965
__________________________________________________
There was the rule that your boater had to be parallel with the ground and we couldn’t put a tuck in our felt monstrosities to make them a bit more on trend!! Also, our skirts had to be at least two inches below the knee...despite the fact that our greys were skimpy and the old men used to enjoy watching us play netball and tennis and hockey, watching over the wall from Lechlade Road. Happy days!!
Sally Hamilton (nee Ilott)
1958-1965
2/2/19
_________________________________________________
Names from my form
Mary Buchanan, Jennifer Platt, Jean Allnatt, Margaret Smales, Ann Allison, Elizabeth Rose, Pam Brittain, Janet Waller, Christine Talbot, Rosemary Brown, Rosemary Dewhurst, Francesca Ward, Ann Mitchell, Brenda Biddle, Helen Simms, Jean Pound, Susan Fricker
Gene Webb
1957-1962
__________________________________________________
I have today looked at the Faringdon website for the first time and was thrilled to read articles about Faringdon County Grammar School which brought back happy memories. I am in touch with Joan Towns regularly and she suggested ages ago that I should write something for this site. Happy 101st birthday wishes to her for next month!
I attended this wonderful school in the 50's. We lived in Clanfield, out of the county then, so my parents took me to school by car. I sometimes cycled and in the sixth form secretly rode my scooter to Faringdon, leaving it in charge of Rex Liddiard who had a shop in the market place.
From a very early age I knew that I would follow a career in art in some form. I have so many lovely memories of dear Miss Liddiard. One section of my art "A" level was History of Architecture and I remember how she took me out on trips to see historic churches, always with a supply of her delicious home made cakes!
Following three years at Reading University (Fine Arts) and two years teaching I was appointed botanical artist for the University of Oxford and 51 years later I am still there, maybe not so busy now but enjoying every second. Besides illustrating many books and scientific papers and helping with the teaching I have accompanied over 40 expeditions to exciting destinations, from S. America, the Caribbean, Scandinavia, Spain, Portugal, Ethiopia, Kenya, Seychelles, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Australia.
Miss Towns is still offering me encouragement as I struggle to finish a second book - I have written up all these expeditions.
Would love to hear from any "Old Girls"!
Rosemary Wise (nee Haynes)
[email protected]
25/8/16
_________________________________________________________________________
Miss Towns, head mistress of Faringdon Grammar School for Girls til 1974, is 100 years old
Article published in Faringdon Folly November 2015
November 2015
________________________________________________________________________
It was of course a private school in those days but it offered a few scholarships annually
Miss Bartels was the headmistress and very strict!
The girls all delighted in having French lessons and they had the occasional French trip in the summer holidays.
One of my mother's friends rode her horse to school with the groom who then dutifully returned it home
Mum and her sister Nesta used to catch the train in from Uffington Station and their father picked them up after school . My mother's family on Grannies side lived in Romney House which was diagonally opposite The Elms; it had a massive garden and some of them used to go across there for Art lessons given by my mothers cousin ,
Lydia Liddiard
In those days they had very strong Tennis and Hockey teams and normally came top of "the league"
Carole Liddiard (nee Philips)
1955-1962
______________________________________________________________________________________
In Sept.1954 the school started to have a 3 form entry instead of 2. This created an accommodation problem.
My first year classroom was the cricket pavilion situated by the hockey field. This was perhaps a 10 minute walk from the main buildings. We walked there for registration and back to the large hall for assembly. We returned again after assembly having most of our lessons in the pavilion. There was no flush toilet. The desks were very close together.
We had specialist teachers for French and Latin and PE. All other lessons were taken by Miss Pain during our first year Nearly all lessons took place in this pavilion which was like fridge in winter and an oven in the summer.
My second year classroom was on The Platform. This was an area behind the large hall only used for concerts and speech day. It was closed off from the main hall most of the time. I can remember having to move all our desks out for these occasions.
By the time I got to the 3rd form a proper classroom was available.
New classrooms were built during these years.
Until the school had its own swimming pool we went once a week during the summer months to the swimming pool in Buscot Park. This was not popular as the pool water was always green and most uninviting. Everybody was expected to go in wearing our old fashioned wool regulation costumes. This was not an enjoyable experience.
Unusually for most girls schools we played cricket in the summer. We had an annual match against a girls school in Abingdon. When they came to us lessons were stopped and we watched the match. We were given score sheets to fill in. On no account should we call out the name of a player. To encourage the school team we were allowed to call, Come on School. I don't remember this continuing after about 1957.
Rebecca Ormerod ( nee Webb)
1954- 1961
__________________________________________________
Miss O' Donnell taught History after Miss Hunter left.She was young,enthusiastic and inspiring.We liked her because she came from Liverpool (this was the beginning of the era of the Beatles) and she lived in a flat in Oxford which we thought was very sophisticated.
Miss Watson taught English.She was formidable and strict but we all recognised her love for the subject.
Miss Thomas taught Geography and she used to be a stickler for us wearing our hair tied back.Flowing hair leads to flowing brains she would say. When drawing maps we had to "baby blue the sea" which involved colouring it in with light blue and then rubbing it over with blotting paper (remember that?)We had to answer questions following a formula.It was either "what do you understand by........?" and we had to say what it was,where it was and something else important or "account for..... which involved writing five facts about a topic.She was reputed to have had a bad experience during the War which made her react badly to low flying aircraft.
Miss Osborne also taught Scripture, as it was called.
Sue Richmond (nee Silmeen)
1958-1965
__________________________________________________
There was the rule that your boater had to be parallel with the ground and we couldn’t put a tuck in our felt monstrosities to make them a bit more on trend!! Also, our skirts had to be at least two inches below the knee...despite the fact that our greys were skimpy and the old men used to enjoy watching us play netball and tennis and hockey, watching over the wall from Lechlade Road. Happy days!!
Sally Hamilton (nee Ilott)
1958-1965
2/2/19
_________________________________________________
Names from my form
Mary Buchanan, Jennifer Platt, Jean Allnatt, Margaret Smales, Ann Allison, Elizabeth Rose, Pam Brittain, Janet Waller, Christine Talbot, Rosemary Brown, Rosemary Dewhurst, Francesca Ward, Ann Mitchell, Brenda Biddle, Helen Simms, Jean Pound, Susan Fricker
Gene Webb
1957-1962
__________________________________________________
I have today looked at the Faringdon website for the first time and was thrilled to read articles about Faringdon County Grammar School which brought back happy memories. I am in touch with Joan Towns regularly and she suggested ages ago that I should write something for this site. Happy 101st birthday wishes to her for next month!
I attended this wonderful school in the 50's. We lived in Clanfield, out of the county then, so my parents took me to school by car. I sometimes cycled and in the sixth form secretly rode my scooter to Faringdon, leaving it in charge of Rex Liddiard who had a shop in the market place.
From a very early age I knew that I would follow a career in art in some form. I have so many lovely memories of dear Miss Liddiard. One section of my art "A" level was History of Architecture and I remember how she took me out on trips to see historic churches, always with a supply of her delicious home made cakes!
Following three years at Reading University (Fine Arts) and two years teaching I was appointed botanical artist for the University of Oxford and 51 years later I am still there, maybe not so busy now but enjoying every second. Besides illustrating many books and scientific papers and helping with the teaching I have accompanied over 40 expeditions to exciting destinations, from S. America, the Caribbean, Scandinavia, Spain, Portugal, Ethiopia, Kenya, Seychelles, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Australia.
Miss Towns is still offering me encouragement as I struggle to finish a second book - I have written up all these expeditions.
Would love to hear from any "Old Girls"!
Rosemary Wise (nee Haynes)
[email protected]
25/8/16
_________________________________________________________________________
Miss Towns, head mistress of Faringdon Grammar School for Girls til 1974, is 100 years old
Article published in Faringdon Folly November 2015
November 2015
________________________________________________________________________
Old Girls’ Reunion in Faringdon / May 20th 2014
GROUP PHOTO – from left to right. Click photo for a larger image
Phil Coffey, Carole Liddiard (Phillips), Gill Pink (Cotterell), Sue Mudway (Simmonds), Barbara Page-Roberts (Swatton), Jay Compson (Long),Madeleine Russell (Beckett), Susan Hadland (Whitaker), Brenda Rouse, Maureen Rhymes (Clarke), Sandra Murray (Purves), Marge Hedges (Maidment), Sarah Frances (Bunting), Sally Hoffman (Lloyd-Rogers), Valerie Kitts (Rideout), Hazel Stansfield, Adrienne Stewart (Hampshire), Mary Prior (Davis), Wendy Pitts (Lovegrove, Jackie Harris(Whitehead), Sylvia Downs (Pearce), Ruby Lamboll (Gerring), Pat Tinny (White), Annette Hughes (Dight)
None of those of us who began their first year at Faringdon’s County Grammar School for Girls on September 6th 1955 (nor for that matter none of those pupils who joined us in later years) could for a moment have imagined that a bunch of us would be meeting up in Faringdon almost 59 years later, to celebrate our 70thbirthdays!
On May 20th this year a total of twenty four of us gathered together at a local hotel to mark this special occasion. Quite amazing considering that most of us left school either in 1960 or 1962 (over fifty years ago!) and went our separate ways. Although many of the "Girls" are always willing to lend a hand, those basically responsible for bringing us together again are Ruby Lamboll (née Gerring), Sylvia Downs (Pearce) and Madeleine Russell (Beckett). Between them they have coordinated the tracing and contact of companions from our year and organized reunions, such as the one held back in 1994 when we celebrated our 50th birthdays. They also organize more regular, smaller get-togethers for those who still live not too far from Faringdon. A big thank you to all of those involved. For various reasons, a number of companions were unable to join us, some unfortunately due to health problems. A very special greeting to them, with our best wishes.
As people began filing into the hotel lounge, many of the faces, and oddly enough perhaps even more so, many of the voices, were very familiar. The difficult part was trying to put a name to them, until someone came up with the practical idea of getting each of us to label ourselves with a sticker. Having established who was who, after greeting one another and exchanging snips of news about our present lives, families, grandchildren and what-have-you, we moved into the restaurant for lunch. Over lunch we all changed places several times, circulating from one table to another to ensure that everyone had a chance to talk to everyone else. And we most certainly did! Tongues were wagging ten to the dozen as we recalled companions, teachers, staff and, of course, a host of anecdotes. With foresight some of the participants had gone to the trouble of preparing a collection of photos, both of school events and of earlier reunions, which was a great help in reconstructing our long off school days. All in all, in a combined effort, we displayed an amazingly effective memory.
Some of us came from quite far afield to attend the meeting: Valerie Kitts (Rideout) from Guernsey, Barbara Page-Roberts (Swatton) from Bulgaria, myself (Philomena Coffey) from Barcelona, but I am sure that all of us, wherever we came from, welcomed the opportunity of reminiscing together and renewing acquaintances. Recognition was voiced by many of how fortunate we were to attend a school such as the Elms which provided us not only with a network of friends for life, but also a sound academic grounding and principles and moral values that have stood us in excellent stead throughout our lives. The coat of arms which hung above the entrance to the main hall said “Keep Troth”, and we have.
Philomena Coffey
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Girls Grammar School 1957- 1962
I attended the Girl’s Grammar school until 1962 – having left at the end of the first 6th year because my parents moved – for that last year I had to travel by train and then school bus to get there. I have many happy memories of the school – things like sewing bloomers by hand with perfect French seams – and then having to wear them!!
Also of the swimming pool – which was built during the time I was there – just a pool – no filtration and murky green – with a marquee as changing rooms – but to us it was luxury – I gather its gone now.
Before that we used to go by bus to a pool in big house – my memory is sketchy but I remember frescos on the walls - rather grand for school swimming lessons I think!!
I remember also in my first year there a lovely elderly headmistress wearing a sacking apron who used to wander over the lawns and feed the ducks (or geese)
I would have been there in 1957 when the photo was taken but I seem to be absent!! (or I missed me) – however I only remember the school being Faringdon Girls Grammar though it was in that beautiful old house – never as The Elms!! We did used to take classes in a building over the road though.
I now live in Australia – having worked in Ethiopia and Zambia for several years
My name was Ann Crooks
Ann Heywood
[email protected]
December 2012
______________________________________________________________________
The Elms 1953-1957
Hello from London, Ontario, Canada. I attended The Elms from 1953 until 1957. Rosemary Haynes and I were two new girls together and we became best friends, still are and I come over to visit her at least once every year. My maiden name was Ann Tullett - I lived in Watchfield and took the bus every day to school. Some of our classmates were Bobby Anderson, Pat Smith, Helen Knapp, Pauline Paling, Wendy Allen, Sue Roberts, Peggy Collins and Margaret Smith, who sadly, was killed in a rather nasty car crash whilst we were all still at school.
I came to Canada in 1966, married and had two sons. One of my sons is married and I am now a grandmother. Anyone remember me??
A few trips ago Rosemary and I went to The Elms and were rather horrified to see our girls school had become a boys/girls school with an entrance specifically for boys! The school looked much the same though.
I started when Miss Moore was still headmistress and then Miss Towns arrived. I loved the camaraderie of all the girls but loathed the uniform, especially the awful grey felt hat. Rosemary and I still have the huge photograph taken of the whole school when the two of us "rebelled" that day by wearing black belts instead of the obligatory white belts with our blue checked dresses!
Pretty mild rebellion by todays standards. If anyone still has that photo - check us out - you can pick us out through the black belts!
Ann Neilson
[email protected]
June 2011
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Miss Towns, head of the Elms 1957-1976
Many in Faringdon and beyond will remember Miss AJ Towns who was head of the County Grammar School for Girls from 1957-1976. The school was situated where the Faringdon Junior School stands today. Miss Towns, who was originally from Suffolk, arrived at the Elms to take the reins of a school that had a good reputation and attracted girls from the whole region.
Two people who remember her well and still know her are Fred and Freda Hunt of Faringdon. Freda was housekeeper for Miss Towns, the whole time she was in Faringdon and the couple lived in a flat at the school, along with their son Ivor.
Freda recalls a time when she made pupils stay behind on the last day of term to clean the floor where ink had been spilt from the inkwells when desks were turned upside down. She knew every one of the 600 girls by name and when she went into the playground a hush descended. On another occasion on discovering that the chains from the toilets were missing she had them replaced with rope as the girls were using the chains to make belts. She had a reputation for being strict, but was always firm and fair and instilled a sense of what was right and what was wrong in her pupils.
She retired in 1976 soon after the school amalgamated into a comprehensive with Tollington to form the current Community College. Miss Towns moved back to Suffolk, near Woodbridge, where she occupied herself with her passions for bird watching and travelling.
This article appeared in Faringdon Folly, January 2009
_______________________________________________________________________
The Elms - 1943-1951
My name is Tricia Stayne,( now Elms) I was at The Elms when Anstace Moore was headmistress, from 1943- 1951. I remember Miss Moore's deep spirituality and humility, in assembly she would always kneel on the floor to pray on the platform in front of the whole school her sincerity was clear, it inspired all the staff and the girls. her strength came from God. Yes, at times she was 'formidable' teachers have to be in charge, but my main memories are of her compassion and understanding.
I was a teenager with excess physical energy needing an outlet so I was often up trees or on the games field at the wrong time, somehow while holding my absolute respect and drawing the best from me, Miss Moore never squashed me or made me feel falsely guilty. She once said to my concerned parents "There is nothing Pat does that I have not also done when I was at school" She always had faith in me, expected more from me, but totally honoured the person I was, as I was. She seemed to draw the best from each situation;
on one occasion I had to spend a day in her office as a punishment for over exuberance in a maths lesson. I worked hard all day under the eagle eye, at four -o -clock I was given a piece of chocolate cake and lemonade acompanied by a 'Don't do it again' smile. Her pschychology was perhaps ahead of her time.
Anstace work in the juvenile court and for young disadvantaged people was outstanding, her sense of justice and persuit of justice was a wonderful example to us all, she was able to combine the ability to 'see it' from the point of view of the family with difficulties while at the same time applying the official helps and support in the best possible way.
Miss Grizel Bell came as PE teacher during my time at The Elms. Sometimes in ones life the right person arrives for you at the right time. Grizel inspired me with her discipline and teaching ability, Yes, but she also had this 'something' that Anstace had, an empathy with the child, a humanity that built you up, corrected calmly while at the same time, encouraged progress.
Subsequently, I, who was initially not an enthusiastic acedemic pupil at all, gained my teachers diploma at Bedford PE college and have enjoyed my teaching career.
There is so much more I could say, I'd love to get in touch with Valerie Barker,Gwen Large, Betty Sanger, Mollie Miles who was head girl and of course Grizel Bell.
I did visit Anstace and Miss (Mary?) Craig once in Torrington Devon, near Newton Abbot which is where I am now.
But it's not just happy memories of THE ELMS, but of a school that gathered up my abilities without damping my energies and individuality.
I am so happy to find this opportunity of expressing my appreciation.
[email protected]
_______________________________________________
Miss Moore, head mistress of The Elms til 1956
Miss Moore was head mistress from 1930 until 1956. She was viewed as a forceful, formidable woman, with a late Victorian character. The grammar school for girls grew from 60 to 500 pupils while she was head mistress.
'Her high moral and academic standards influenced all who worked with her and many old girls and staff will always remember with gratitude the training they received under her leadership'
Miss Moore was awarded the OBE in 1953.
Read the full obituary from Wiltshire Gazette, 27/10/1983(571kb Word document)
If you can name some of the teachers in the photograph, please get in touch with this website.
Newspaper cutting kindly provided by Elisabeth and John Holding
_____________________________________________________________
Faringdon Grammar School for Girls - 1950s
When I joined the school, Miss Moore, the head mistress had been replaced by Miss Towns. There were still remnants of Miss Moores time though - in needlework I had to knit socks - on 4 needles(my mum did them), but making the bloomers to match the summer dresses had been dropped!!
The school was ruled by Miss Bell(PE) and Miss Moore(English)- stern women who stood for no nonsense.
The uniform was a grey bibbed skirt, a blue check blouse, and socks - long ones if it was after 1/10 and short if after 1/4 - no matter what the weather.
The grey felt hat was mandatory. Some girls tried wearing it at a jaunty angle or modifying it by creasing it - but didn't often get passed Miss Bell - who stood at the school gate, and inspected us as we left for the day.
The rumour was that if you walked out of school with nothing on, Miss Bell would say 'and where is your hat?'
I remember we were all told one day in assembly that we should not talk to children from the secondary modern school - of whom my brother was one!
Assembly was every morning - the whole school gathered together for a hymn, a prayer and the giving out of notices. One of the schools musicians would play the piano as we were marched in and out. The majority of the girls sat cross legged on the floor - only the 6th formers and teachers sat on chairs.
An academic school - we had school exams twice yearly, so by the time we got to GCE age, we were well practised in sitting formal exams. The teachers liked the clever girls who were destined for University (the name boards are still on the walls of what is now the Junior School dining room). The rest of us who wanted to be civil servants, bank clerks, secretaries, nurses were not valued in the same way.
Everyone had homework - increasing in amount as you got older- my memory is about 10-12 hours a week at age 15. Woe betide anyone who was late handing it in.
We were allocated text books, in which we wrote our name while it was ours to use. At the end of the school year these were handed in and it was checked that everyone had handed hers in. Subsequently books lasted for years and years.
A school typical of its time- focusing on exam results rather than the broader, more informal style of education that we have today. It had its merits
Gene Webb
I attended the Girl’s Grammar school until 1962 – having left at the end of the first 6th year because my parents moved – for that last year I had to travel by train and then school bus to get there. I have many happy memories of the school – things like sewing bloomers by hand with perfect French seams – and then having to wear them!!
Also of the swimming pool – which was built during the time I was there – just a pool – no filtration and murky green – with a marquee as changing rooms – but to us it was luxury – I gather its gone now.
Before that we used to go by bus to a pool in big house – my memory is sketchy but I remember frescos on the walls - rather grand for school swimming lessons I think!!
I remember also in my first year there a lovely elderly headmistress wearing a sacking apron who used to wander over the lawns and feed the ducks (or geese)
I would have been there in 1957 when the photo was taken but I seem to be absent!! (or I missed me) – however I only remember the school being Faringdon Girls Grammar though it was in that beautiful old house – never as The Elms!! We did used to take classes in a building over the road though.
I now live in Australia – having worked in Ethiopia and Zambia for several years
My name was Ann Crooks
Ann Heywood
[email protected]
December 2012
______________________________________________________________________
The Elms 1953-1957
Hello from London, Ontario, Canada. I attended The Elms from 1953 until 1957. Rosemary Haynes and I were two new girls together and we became best friends, still are and I come over to visit her at least once every year. My maiden name was Ann Tullett - I lived in Watchfield and took the bus every day to school. Some of our classmates were Bobby Anderson, Pat Smith, Helen Knapp, Pauline Paling, Wendy Allen, Sue Roberts, Peggy Collins and Margaret Smith, who sadly, was killed in a rather nasty car crash whilst we were all still at school.
I came to Canada in 1966, married and had two sons. One of my sons is married and I am now a grandmother. Anyone remember me??
A few trips ago Rosemary and I went to The Elms and were rather horrified to see our girls school had become a boys/girls school with an entrance specifically for boys! The school looked much the same though.
I started when Miss Moore was still headmistress and then Miss Towns arrived. I loved the camaraderie of all the girls but loathed the uniform, especially the awful grey felt hat. Rosemary and I still have the huge photograph taken of the whole school when the two of us "rebelled" that day by wearing black belts instead of the obligatory white belts with our blue checked dresses!
Pretty mild rebellion by todays standards. If anyone still has that photo - check us out - you can pick us out through the black belts!
Ann Neilson
[email protected]
June 2011
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Miss Towns, head of the Elms 1957-1976
Many in Faringdon and beyond will remember Miss AJ Towns who was head of the County Grammar School for Girls from 1957-1976. The school was situated where the Faringdon Junior School stands today. Miss Towns, who was originally from Suffolk, arrived at the Elms to take the reins of a school that had a good reputation and attracted girls from the whole region.
Two people who remember her well and still know her are Fred and Freda Hunt of Faringdon. Freda was housekeeper for Miss Towns, the whole time she was in Faringdon and the couple lived in a flat at the school, along with their son Ivor.
Freda recalls a time when she made pupils stay behind on the last day of term to clean the floor where ink had been spilt from the inkwells when desks were turned upside down. She knew every one of the 600 girls by name and when she went into the playground a hush descended. On another occasion on discovering that the chains from the toilets were missing she had them replaced with rope as the girls were using the chains to make belts. She had a reputation for being strict, but was always firm and fair and instilled a sense of what was right and what was wrong in her pupils.
She retired in 1976 soon after the school amalgamated into a comprehensive with Tollington to form the current Community College. Miss Towns moved back to Suffolk, near Woodbridge, where she occupied herself with her passions for bird watching and travelling.
This article appeared in Faringdon Folly, January 2009
_______________________________________________________________________
The Elms - 1943-1951
My name is Tricia Stayne,( now Elms) I was at The Elms when Anstace Moore was headmistress, from 1943- 1951. I remember Miss Moore's deep spirituality and humility, in assembly she would always kneel on the floor to pray on the platform in front of the whole school her sincerity was clear, it inspired all the staff and the girls. her strength came from God. Yes, at times she was 'formidable' teachers have to be in charge, but my main memories are of her compassion and understanding.
I was a teenager with excess physical energy needing an outlet so I was often up trees or on the games field at the wrong time, somehow while holding my absolute respect and drawing the best from me, Miss Moore never squashed me or made me feel falsely guilty. She once said to my concerned parents "There is nothing Pat does that I have not also done when I was at school" She always had faith in me, expected more from me, but totally honoured the person I was, as I was. She seemed to draw the best from each situation;
on one occasion I had to spend a day in her office as a punishment for over exuberance in a maths lesson. I worked hard all day under the eagle eye, at four -o -clock I was given a piece of chocolate cake and lemonade acompanied by a 'Don't do it again' smile. Her pschychology was perhaps ahead of her time.
Anstace work in the juvenile court and for young disadvantaged people was outstanding, her sense of justice and persuit of justice was a wonderful example to us all, she was able to combine the ability to 'see it' from the point of view of the family with difficulties while at the same time applying the official helps and support in the best possible way.
Miss Grizel Bell came as PE teacher during my time at The Elms. Sometimes in ones life the right person arrives for you at the right time. Grizel inspired me with her discipline and teaching ability, Yes, but she also had this 'something' that Anstace had, an empathy with the child, a humanity that built you up, corrected calmly while at the same time, encouraged progress.
Subsequently, I, who was initially not an enthusiastic acedemic pupil at all, gained my teachers diploma at Bedford PE college and have enjoyed my teaching career.
There is so much more I could say, I'd love to get in touch with Valerie Barker,Gwen Large, Betty Sanger, Mollie Miles who was head girl and of course Grizel Bell.
I did visit Anstace and Miss (Mary?) Craig once in Torrington Devon, near Newton Abbot which is where I am now.
But it's not just happy memories of THE ELMS, but of a school that gathered up my abilities without damping my energies and individuality.
I am so happy to find this opportunity of expressing my appreciation.
[email protected]
_______________________________________________
Miss Moore, head mistress of The Elms til 1956
Miss Moore was head mistress from 1930 until 1956. She was viewed as a forceful, formidable woman, with a late Victorian character. The grammar school for girls grew from 60 to 500 pupils while she was head mistress.
'Her high moral and academic standards influenced all who worked with her and many old girls and staff will always remember with gratitude the training they received under her leadership'
Miss Moore was awarded the OBE in 1953.
Read the full obituary from Wiltshire Gazette, 27/10/1983(571kb Word document)
If you can name some of the teachers in the photograph, please get in touch with this website.
Newspaper cutting kindly provided by Elisabeth and John Holding
_____________________________________________________________
Faringdon Grammar School for Girls - 1950s
When I joined the school, Miss Moore, the head mistress had been replaced by Miss Towns. There were still remnants of Miss Moores time though - in needlework I had to knit socks - on 4 needles(my mum did them), but making the bloomers to match the summer dresses had been dropped!!
The school was ruled by Miss Bell(PE) and Miss Moore(English)- stern women who stood for no nonsense.
The uniform was a grey bibbed skirt, a blue check blouse, and socks - long ones if it was after 1/10 and short if after 1/4 - no matter what the weather.
The grey felt hat was mandatory. Some girls tried wearing it at a jaunty angle or modifying it by creasing it - but didn't often get passed Miss Bell - who stood at the school gate, and inspected us as we left for the day.
The rumour was that if you walked out of school with nothing on, Miss Bell would say 'and where is your hat?'
I remember we were all told one day in assembly that we should not talk to children from the secondary modern school - of whom my brother was one!
Assembly was every morning - the whole school gathered together for a hymn, a prayer and the giving out of notices. One of the schools musicians would play the piano as we were marched in and out. The majority of the girls sat cross legged on the floor - only the 6th formers and teachers sat on chairs.
An academic school - we had school exams twice yearly, so by the time we got to GCE age, we were well practised in sitting formal exams. The teachers liked the clever girls who were destined for University (the name boards are still on the walls of what is now the Junior School dining room). The rest of us who wanted to be civil servants, bank clerks, secretaries, nurses were not valued in the same way.
Everyone had homework - increasing in amount as you got older- my memory is about 10-12 hours a week at age 15. Woe betide anyone who was late handing it in.
We were allocated text books, in which we wrote our name while it was ours to use. At the end of the school year these were handed in and it was checked that everyone had handed hers in. Subsequently books lasted for years and years.
A school typical of its time- focusing on exam results rather than the broader, more informal style of education that we have today. It had its merits
Gene Webb