Correspondence.

From: Pamela West

I have just received advice of this web page having joined friendsunited and can thank Les Beckwith for giving me the info. I joined Downhills in September 1947 (think) having just returned to London after living in the Lake District for a year. I left in 1951 so some of the current information is rather after my time. However, I can recognise one or two names and would be interested to know if anyone recognises my name which was Pamela West and I lived at Grove House, Derby Road, then in Clonmell Road. Some of the student names I remember are Walter Cohen, Ronnie Horstead, Alan Baker, Iris Blair, Brenda Tozer, Doreen Eldridge and would be pleased to hear from any of them if they are connected. I believe I have a school photo and will try to sort it out for publication. I have found the web site really interesting and will certainly be dipping in again. Thanks very much for starting it up.

Does anyone remember the school doing A Midsummer Nights Dream possibly about 1946/47? I remember it was excellent but no one has mentioned it.
Very pleased to read about the Beaverford - good work, will keep my eyes and ears open when I'm out and about - you never known where something might turn up.

My history with the school has become a little clouded - I joined 2 years later than I should have as I was living in the Lake District from 1945 until 1947 and joined in Sept of that year. Unfortunately going into the 1st year to catch up with my studies having been educated at a village school for 5-15 year olds and not going to a senior school as I should have done. This put me a little behind, but at Xmas 1947 I joined all of you at the proper level. Rita (Bruce Castle Museum, JF) was unable to find my registration - so I feel a little bit of a misfit, but I have all my school reports and appear on the photos - so I must have been registered somehow.

I attended the final party in 1963 - having only had a baby a few months earlier I think I was still in suffering from the sort of amnesia that comes with giving birth so it is a bit of a haze - but I do remember it was a great evening.

(later)

I was actually born in December1934, but had a strange entry to the school. I passed whatever exam 11plusor something while I was at West Green Junior School which would have entitled me to go to Tottenham High when I was 11 which would have been in December 1945 however, we moved to the Lake District and I did not return to the area until September 1947 when I would have been 13 in December of that year.

Needless to say I had lost the place at Tottenham High and my father negotiated for me to go to Downhills, which I did in September 1947, but I had to join the 1st year class of that year. While we had been living in the Lake District my father would not allow me to travel to Kendal to attend the High School there and I spent 2 years in a village school teaching 5 - 15 year olds. I was already past what the 15 year olds were learning and spent the time reading in a corner by myself. So when I eventually came back to Tottenham I was nearly 2 years behind, and I had to prove myself before they allowed me to join my peers in the 3rd year. I took a special exam Christmas 1947 and then joined the 3rd year and caught up with everyone who I would have been with had a joined when I should have done. As far as I can remember my father went to the Council Office at the front of the Junior School in Philip Lane, so possibly my registration was done there and did not appear on the actual school registration. I must admit it makes me feel like a nobody, but I do appear on the school photo and have all my school reports.

I believe I left school Easter 1951 but I am trying to find a testimonial I received from Mr Baker and Mr Mercer before I left. Anyway enough of me, I think the site is excellent and I am really glad I found it. I have made contact with Ron Dolman, Irene Fox and Brian Raines so far. I have always kept in touch with June Smeath and as soon I as I can find my photos I'll download them.

I do remember that one of the plays done during my time at schools was "As you like it", and if I remember rightly the lead roles were played by the head boy and head girl at the time. Walpole was the head boy I think it might have been Peter and the head girls' name was Margaret. They went on to marry. Hope to be in touch again, and would love to get into a Reunion if one occurs. (Before I get past driving too far). Best regards.

Best of luck Pam Hills (West)