POSA

 Newsletters

For the last 10 years POSA has produced an annual Newsletter which is sent out to all current members. The Newsletter contains articles from members on a range of topics under the headings of:

News A-Z; Archives; Memories; Staff Corner; Letters and E-mails; Obituaries;

 History of the School; Where are they Now? and others.

The annual newsletters have proved to be a very successful forum for sharing reminiscences about our school days and a tool for putting ex-students in touch with long lost class ‘mates’ through the ‘Where are they Now’? section.

Committee Members hold some back copies of previous Newsletters and some of these are available at Reunions, though we must ensure that some copies are retained for the POSA Archives Cabinet which stands in the entrance hall of the North Building of Plashet School.

Sue Foulsham (nee Wingrove) EHGS 1956-63

EHGS Staff 1968-71 and Plashet Staff 1973-2000

 Items for the next Newsletter should be posted to:

Mrs Sue Foulsham

‘Cranbrook’

Rattlesden Road

Drinkstone

Bury St. Edmunds

Suffolk

IP30 9TL

or e-mailed to: suefoulshamster@googlemail.co

(deadline for next edition - Mid November 2009)

On the following pages you will find a selection of items which have appeared in previous newsletters.

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Newsletter 2009

Chairman’s Report 2008-2009

In spite of encountering a few problems this year, I feel that we, as an association, have had a successful year as we have made some very significant steps in laying the foundations for the future of  POSA. Since acquiring Broadband, my wider and more frequent use of the internet, and in particular the ability to communicate by email, have certainly meant that I have been able to carry out my role, both as Chairman and as Newsletter Editor, in greater depth and hopefully much more efficiently.

The committee members continue to work hard on your behalf:

Jill Johnson-Biggs continues to carry out a very vital job as Treasurer and first point of contact for members.

Margaret Edwards (Membership Sec.) and I have been in constant touch (at least weekly, and often much more frequently!) by phone and, more especially, by email, and I would like to thank her, both personally and on your behalf, for her ongoing encouragement, prompting, efficiency and general all-round support. These qualities have helped to ensure a smooth path to yet another good year, and a successful Reunion, for POSA.

Margaret Bell (Publicity Officer) has worked hard to ensure that members have been informed about the Reunion, through emails and by keeping in touch with the Friends Reunited website.

Deidre Morris is my saviour when it comes to Desk Top publishing the newsletter which is a skill that I haven’t been able to master as yet! I think our publication is one of many that she undertakes during the year and we thank her for slotting us in to her busy schedule.

Christine Watkinson and Doris Goodchild are very willing general committee members.

We were extremely grateful to Ruth Webb for coming forward and offering her services as catering manager for the Reunion. And what an absolutely delicious spread she provided for us!! We have had so many complimentary comments about it, we are keeping our fingers crossed that Ruth will be able to repeat the feast for our Reunion in 2010. Thanks again, Ruth.

The 2008 POSA Reunion was held on the 28^th June in the South Hall (Grammar School building) of Plashet School (thanks to the generosity of the present Head, Bushra Nasir and the support of Senior Teacher, Sue Rosner). At a rough guess I would estimate that we had 200+ members in attendance, and once again this ensured a really fantastic atmosphere. It was also an extra-special occasion as we were able to make three of our oldest members our guests of honour for the day. Gladys Read, Kate Northam and Dorothy Parker, attended our school in the early 30’s, and it was a real privilege to meet them in person. We felt that it was very appropriate to ask them to help to present the POSA Citizen of the Year Awards to the current students (oldest congratulating the youngest!)

 I would like to thank Jean Pickering (nee Eldred) for purchasing the Microsoft Front page software that is necessary for updating our POSA website. I was unable to buy it here as it had been discontinued but she was able to find it in the USA and has insisted that she give it to us as a donation. Unfortunately I have had major problems with accessing the Website host, which have meant that I have not yet been able to update it. My apologies to Jean for this delay after her very kind gesture, however I hope that by the time that you receive this newsletter I will have ironed all these problems out. Jean has also suggested that we set aside some space on the website for digitalisation of the Esthamian Magazine, and has offered to pay for this process, initially for the years when the Eldred girls were at EHGS i.e. 1944-57. Jean says, “As a writer (and a teacher of writing) for a living, I would like to read again, and have other POSA women read, the articles that we wrote”. This sounds like a great idea, which could be extended to include all surviving copies, so it would be great to hear from any of you that have copies.  

Those of you that remember Maureen Laws will be sad to hear that her husband, Ken, sadly passed away earlier in the year. Maureen has been in poor health herself and I am sure that  POSA members are thinking of her and wish her well for 2009.

We look forward to seeing you all at the next Reunion to be held on the last Saturday in June 2010.

 Sue Foulsham (nee Wingrove) EHGS 1956-63 . EHGS & Plashet Staff 1968-2000.

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Letters/News/E-mails

Norah Anderson (nee Drew) EHGS 1933-39

The last newsletter had interesting articles in it, as usual, including those of Gladys Read, Dorothy Davey and Kathleen Steele from my era. I have the long photograph of EHGS staff and pupils in 1934. I am 17^th from the right in the front row, cross-legged. It is a treasured possession. Following on after Kathleen Quinn, I was also successful in the gymnastic competition and won my colours in gymnastics, netball, athletics, tennis and swimming. Hard to think now of what my body could do then! As for Miss Rosalind Bennett, Games Mistress, she certainly presented an imposing figure in her brown tunic – I believe she came from Bedford College. We also had two other games teachers – Peggy Turner and Dorothy Way – I believe? Best wishes to you all.

Beverly Baptiste (Joseph) Plashet Comp. 1990 -91

It is with much gratitude that I write to thank the members of POSA for their kindness for giving me a grant from the POSA Memorial Award Fund, which I was able to use to attend a Music Technology Course in Logic 5 Studio Recording. After experiencing a long period of ill-health, the Logic 5 Course has proven to be very helpful in my healing, creativity and growth. I feel that can now look forward with enthusiasm to recording and distributing my own material and to encouraging others to embrace their talents. I will never forget this charitable act and, once again, I would like to thank all members of the association for their understanding and their moral and financial support.

Elsie Bedford (nee Walker) EHGS 1943-48

I have finally got round to joining the Old Students Association. The last two Newsletters were fascinating – evoking memories galore. The mention of my being Mrs Malaprop in The Rivals production has revived many happy memories of various escapades at that time and later.  I look forward to attending the Reunion and hope that someone will recognise me!!

Christine Brand (nee Langley) Monega/PCSS 1953-57

Keep up the good work. I really enjoy the Reunions.

Ethel Buvyer  EHGS 1931-39

Please place the enclosed (black & white) photo into the POSA Archives. It was taken at a Sports Day in about 1933/4. It was of a wheelbarrow race in which my sister Joan Buvyer (now Mrs Jackson) and I took part. The gym costumes were probably green in colour and the gymnastics teacher was Miss Bennett, who I remember as being very tall.

Our thanks to Ethel for contributing to the Archives – Ed.

Valerie Clark EHGS 1959-63

I have stayed in contact with Doris Quraishi (my English Teacher 1959-63) through the years. At one time we lived close to each other so I saw her quite a lot and she asked me to read a poem at her husband’s funeral. I now realise how inspirational she (and all the other female staff) was to me in my teenage years.

Penelope Farries (nee Gadsby) EHGS 1932-39

Although I am now nearly 87, I still do a lot of teaching – 4 days a week mainly with Pakistani, Bangladeshi and West Indian people. I hope to attend the Reunion on June 28^th.

Joyce Fletcher (nee Perrett) EHGS 1942-48

The arrival of the 2008 Newsletter caused quite a stir in our house. I had opened the envelope and the back cover was visible when I was distracted and left it lying on the table. My husband, Ron Fletcher (EHGS for boys- 1943-50), caught sight of the item “Boy’s Stories: Historical (or should it be Hysterical?) Come Dancing”! As he was a contemporary of John Bradbury, he enjoyed the various contributions about the classes run by Mrs Waggett(?), which started in 1948.

We are thankful to say that we are still together and this summer we hope to celebrate our 55^th wedding anniversary. I wonder if the Mrs Waggett realised what she had sparked off?

Georgina Galpin (nee Seager) Plashet County Secondary School 1957-1961

It was such a surprise to receive a communication from Margaret Edwards (Heudebourck), who, I later found out, was informed by another school friend that I was Mayor of Havering.   It really was a weird feeling. After leaving school, I really only kept in touch with Diane Hedger now Thompson, and then at the reunion to catch up with other school chums was
just great. I still get an excited feeling when thinking about it.
I married Brian who I actually met when I was 12 years old, we began going steady 5 years later, and at 21 were married, we remained in East Ham for 8 years then moved onto Gidea Park with our three children later to be joined by another two. Now I am lucky to have five wonderful grandchildren, who I love so much.
For many years I was just wife and mother, getting involved in jumbles and odd community events, then when the children were off hand, giving me more time, my community work involvements got busier and I was encouraged to get involved in politics, not national, but local - eventually became an elected councillor and then last year Mayor of Havering - what an achievement, what an honour - something really special.
The term of office in London Boroughs runs for a year, and mine ended 21^st May 2008, but life does not seem to have got easier, I do find it difficult to say no, I have a responsible role as Chairman of Licensing, a controversial area, in fact the only woman in the elected council area who has a responsible role.
The Leader's post is held by a man, the nine cabinet posts are also held by males, Chairman of Regulatory services that is planning again held by a man, and then me as Chairman of Licensing. Not an easy world for women in general, but in politics very difficult to get anywhere, as women we need to be 10 times better than any man to be even recognised.
The other 42 elected councillors are back-benchers. I did hold a cabinet post for the two years preceding my deputy mayor year, and I really do believe that was to side line me, but like everything in life I made the most of my move, became Mayor and showed them all what I was made of - I had two exceptionally successful years - my goal is now to return to the Cabinet. In Havering we have 52% of the people who are females, yet no representation
within the Cabinet with views for the women. Watch this space.
Enough about me. I really had a good time at the reunion, and it made me sit and think about my early days, my schooling, my aspirations which were nothing like they are today, I wanted an easy life, but as we mature our outlook on life changes. It was a surprise to learn that so many of the old girls live in Havering, with so many residents of our borough who moved down the line from my birth-place East Ham. East Ham is my birth-place, my roots which I will never forget and Havering is my home.
It was an experience to walk over the old school - in the eyes of an 11 year old the building was large and daunting, and sometimes intimidating, but how things have changed. In schools now it is more friendly, more inclusive for parents, staff, and parents and governors are on first name terms - I like these changes, but am not so happy about the deterioration of discipline and respect in many areas.
I hope to write about my period of Mayor there is so much to tell, my
experiences and knowledge to share - I have memories to last me a life-time.
Thank you for the donation towards my charity Age Concern Havering, and I learnt that I raised £20,500 over the year and I am working with the organisation to open a 5 day a week centre in two places in the borough where more housebound and lonely people will be able to join each other, perhaps to get computer skills, share their skills in other arts and crafts,
just chat and have a cup of tea, widen their horizon. Age concern in our borough have over 250 volunteers so the centre will be run by volunteers that will save lots of money, our arts department are only too happy to get involved. It is an exciting time. None of us know what is around the corner, and many of us will probably need the help of the organisation in some form during our later years, independence and a quality of life is so important as we get older.
I will most certainly be at the next reunion in 2010 but hope that many of my year will not have to wait that long, we need to catch up before that time, it will be good to share our experiences and good times. I cannot wait to get to know old school chums once again.
 

Margaret Gilchrist (nee Clarke) EHGS 1960-66

Thank you for producing the Newsletter with so many interesting articles and fond memories, of what was surely the best possible education, from so many wonderful, gifted Tutors, all excelling in their knowledge and gift to teach! Let’s hope that the next Reunion on June 28^th is well attended and will be a marvellous afternoon for all. Thanks again!

Elizabeth Hasler (nee Joynes) EHGS 1950-57

A belated correction to an article on page 5 of the 2004 Newsletter. The prayer of dedication was offered by the Rev. Sir James Roll Bt. Please note that ‘Bart.’ was not his surname but his title – he was a baronet. His preferred address was ‘Father Roll’.

Jean Hubbard (nee Clark) EHGS 1943-49

I remember Pearl Tuszynski very well and she mentioned Jean Budgeon who was in my form. I also remember her very great friend, Elsie Walker – is there any news of her? (I have put Jean and Elsie in touch with each other and they met up at the Reunion this year-Ed.) I am amazed that there are so many references to teachers and girls that I knew over 60 years ago. Elsie Walker was Henry VIII in a play once and waved a scroll around and inadvertently wiped off half of her beard! The school collapsed in laughter but Miss Mitchell was definitely not amused!!

Elizabeth Mehta (Liz Hurst) EHGS 1958-63

I settled in India after graduating with a BSc. in Psychology from the University of Leeds and have been involved in education in India for 40 years. In 2003 I set up a project – ‘Muktangen’ – training young women from slum communities to teach their own children. We are currently running 7 schools and I am about to set up Training of Trainers Centre in which we will train trainers in our specialized methodology (see website: www.muktangenedu.org)

Kathleen Parker (now Davey) EHSS & EHGS 1929-35

(written on June 29^th 2008)

Dear Everybody,

Yesterday I went to the Old Student’s Reunion. There were three of us there who had been pupils of the old East Ham Secondary School and EHGS from 1929-35. We were treated as special guests – shaking the hands of the present pupils who were receiving awards. There was a large turn out and it was a beautiful day. I must congratulate the committee for the splendid refreshments that were provided. Hoping to be at the next Reunion in 2010!

Margaret Pedge (nee Hill) EHGS 1953-57

I find the Newsletter very interesting and would appreciate it being sent to me every year. Hopefully I may be able to attend the Reunion on 28^th June.

Gladys Read (nee Anderson) EHSS & EHGS 1929-35

We so enjoyed the Reunion and meeting the faces to go with the names. The special welcome to the ‘90’s’ was wonderful. So a very big ‘thank you’ to the committee and all the other contributors to a ‘Grand Do’!

Pat Self (nee Allvey) EHGS 1946-52

No news I’m afraid, although it would be lovely to hear news of other girls in my year. Many thanks to Sue Foulsham, and all the committee members, for keeping POSA going. Looking forward to the Reunion on June 28^th.

Rita Taylor (nee Potts) PCSS 1959-63

I have a letter, dated 25^th June 1944, of my late mother’s from a friend who lived at 231 Plashet Grove. Mum told me that shortly after this letter was written, her friend + her sister and mother, were killed when a bomb was dropped on this site in July 1944.

Christine Tilley - EHGS 1958-65 (1G – Mrs. Glading) (Upper 6^th – Miss Cruttenden)

has published 'Florence’s Diary’ in Sardinia

Benjamin Piercy, a Welsh engineer, was responsible for the project and construction of the first railways in Sardinia in the 1860s. A true Victorian pioneer, he decided to take his wife and nine children to live in a beautiful villa he built for them in the woods at Baddesalighes in the centre of the island. ‘Florence’s Diary’ is an interesting account of the family’s life in Cagliari in 1872-73, written by Florence Piercy, the third child born in 1859. I transcribed the original manuscript and translated it, together with a friend, Maria Manca, and an English Italian version was published locally in 2006 by Editrice Taphros. 

Looking back on my years at EHGS Miss Frost stands out as one of my favourite teachers; she was a lovely person and not apparently aware of how good her teaching methods were. Not knowing what I wanted to do in life, I remember thinking touch-typing would always be useful, and it certainly has been. It later enabled me to type my own degree thesis and was fundamental for translation work. After ‘A’ levels (French and Geography) in 1965, I worked as a secretary for the Bunzl Group and - with the City of London College nearby - did a French shorthand course in the lunch-hour and Italian one evening a week. I then got a secretarial job in Paris in 1967, which was my dream, but Bunzl contacted me after a few months and offered me a better job in Brussels, so I spent a year there. I returned to London and worked for a director of Horizon Holidays, using French and Italian, which soon gave me the wanderlust again and in 1970 I asked to work for a summer season in Sardinia as a Horizon representative. And there I stayed. I met my husband, an art teacher in Alghero, and we married in 1971. By 1976 we had a daughter and two sons and I decided to enrol at Sassari University to combat winter boredom! This was quite a challenge as although my EHGS French and German were still latent (what great school exchanges we had with Paris and Mannheim!), there was also plenty of Italian and English literature to study, not to mention general subjects like cultural anthropology, philology and linguistics, all in Italian. I then worked in the English department at the University for a couple of years, while studying for teaching certificates. This meant that in 1987, at the age of 40, I was able to become a grammar school teacher of English language and literature in Alghero, teaching up to (and examining for) ‘A’ level English. Later, in the nineties, I studied, partly as a distance learner, for a Master in Education at Sheffield University and this led to further work in teacher training. 

I have always done translations locally but decided to prepare for retirement by doing a course in translation for medicine/pharmacology in Milan, and this has now become my main activity. I became a member of the Institute of Linguists in 2000. I also translate textbooks for the Architecture Faculty at Sassari University, published by Springer Verlag. My interest in ‘Florence’s Diary’ was stimulated initially by the sadly-decaying state of the Piercy Villa, which has recently been restored, thanks to E.U. funding.

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Where Are They Now??

Sheila Burry (nee Carr) EHGS 1959-64

I am still in touch with friends that I made at EHGS. Jacqueline Burford (nee Dorey) is now living in Queen Adelaide near Ely. Margaret Eggington (nee Oxlade) is in Leigh on Sea. Carol Range (nee Simpson) now lives in the USA and we are cruising to Alaska with her this summer. Carol Flower (nee Whiting) has been working in Tenerife for a few years and is now back living in Cornwall. I also hear from Carol Hay (nee Elton) now living in Australia, Margarte Clarke (nee Gilchrist) in Collier Row and Margaret Cockerton (nee Patterson) in East Ham. Not bad after nearly 50 years of friendship!

Jeanne Farrance (1959)

Would like to trace Irene (1960) (no surname given) and Gloria Grey.

Ann Gordon (nee Squibb) EHGS 1953-61

Does anyone have any details for Diana Harrison (nee Asater) EHGS 1953-61)? Her last contact details were in Longfield, Kent, I think, but the phone number that I have is no longer recognised.

 Inez Knight (nee Smithson) PCSS 1962-66/7

Would like to contact the following former school friends: Shirley Shears, Heather Yearwood and Christine Johnson.

 Brenda Newhouse (nee Squibb) EHGS 1953-58

Is anybody there?  Come on my year group where are you?? – June Williams, Doreen Everitt, Valerie Leach, Nicky Heagren, Dorothy Munn to name but a few. Do you remember when…..?

 Irene Poole (EHGS) 1934-39

I plan to attend the 2008 reunion in the hope that I will find somebody from my year there! This has yet to happen!

Angela Rose (nee Parker) EHGS 1960-67

Would like to contact Susan Alexander and Lesley Raby both EHGS 1960-67

Indu Sashi (nee Pandya)  EHGS & Plashet Comp. 1969-74

I would like news of Lyn Isles, Linda Beechey, Pauline Levingbird, Eileen Parker, Gillian Case/Cose?) and anyone else who remembers her.

 Janice Yeadon (nee Dutnall) & Anne Johnson (nee Bowyer) EHGS 1952-59

We would like to contact any former pupils of Salisbury Junior Mixed School – Mr Walden;s and Mr MacMillan’s classes 1948-52, many of whom went on to attend EHGS and Plashet.

 Pearl Weisbaum (nee Tuszynski) EHGS 1944-49

The 2008 Newsletter was an interesting read that once again took me down memory lane! Many thanks for including another of my write-ups! Where are my classmates of 1944-49?

Pamela Gower – married Alan Purdam (Boy’s Grammar)

Patricia Russell – lived on Clements Road

The Tilmer twins – Margaret & Dorothy

Doreen Shipman – great artist

Ann Sheridan – worked for Hartnell

Gladys (Rusty) – danced on the London stage.

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 Obituaries

Sheila Bensilum (nee Halls) EHGS 1953-60

Sadly Sheila died last September (2007). Five of her contemporaries attended her funeral.

Reported by Barbara Coker EHGS 1953-60.

Beryl Bunker (nee Wood) EHGS 1933-38

I have heard the sad news of the death of Beryl Bunker who was not a member of POSA but maybe some of her friends are. She married John Bunker who was at the Boys Grammar School at the same time. John died in 2007 and Beryl died on 6^th July 2008. They had moved to Sherborne, Dorset a few years ago, to be nearer their son. I’m sure that some members will remember her.

Reported by Joan Mackinnon (nee Wiseman) EHGS 1933-37

Sylvia Chester PCSS 1959-63

My sister Sylvia (Chester) PCSS 1959-1963, died on 26th January 2008. She is remembered for her musical gifts especially her beautiful singing voice and she was also a talented hairdresser. Sylvia had lived in Australia for many years and leaves 4 children. She was a loving, caring, giving person and I am proud to be her sister.

My grateful thanks must go to the 'Plashet Girls' who managed to trace Sylvia's school friend Stephanie Madden who made contact with Sylvia just before her passing.

Reported by Christine Crease (nee Chester) Plashet County Secondary School 1955-1959.

Freda Cain (nee Wheeler) Monega & PCSS 1950-54

Sadly I have to inform you that my sister Freda passed away in the Isle of Man on 16^th December 2007. She normally enjoyed good health but was suddenly diagnosed with several cancer tumours in July 2007 and passed away peacefully in the hospice just 5 months later. Her husband Cliff had died suddenly six years previously. Freda went to live in the Isle of Man when she married Cliff, who was her second husband, in 1971. She had no children of her own but, with her marriage to Cliff, she had 3 step-sons and a step-daughter who between them had 8 children. This meant that Freda had 8 step-grandchildren and she thought the world of them all. Apart from myself, Freda had two brothers, David and Roy.

Freda joined Monega School in September 1951 and transferred to the new building of Plashet School in September 1954. I do not know all of Freda’s friends but I do know that she was in touch with Valerie Powell and Ann Cartwright. She had also mentioned being friends with Ann Freshwater, Connie Hanson, Angela Dyer and Coral Wilmot but had not been in touch with them for some years.

I do have a photo taken of Freda’s class at Monega School, which was Miss Elliot’s class 2B, in 1953. On the back Freda lists the following names:

Pamela Dyer, Frances Baines, Beryl Prendergast, Davina Thompson, Pat Robinson, Ann Cartwright, Rita Bowden, Connie Hanson, Joyce Veals, Jean Mead, Maureen Williams, Valerie Harris, Ann Merry, Diane Thorpe, Yvonne Murray, Christine Gill, Carol Williams & Sybil Thorpe.

Freda often spoke fondly of her memories of Monega and Plashet and of the many friends she had made there. She left Plashet School at Christmas 1954.

Reported by Margaret Bell (nee Wheeler) PCSS 1957-61

 Pat Gwillim (nee Gordon) PCSS 1957-59

Pat died in June 2008. She is especially remembered by school friends for her splendid needlework skills.

Reported by Margaret Edwards (Nee Heudebourck) PCSS 1957-63 

Daphne Smith (nee Martin) EHGS 1952-57

I would like to inform POSA members of the sad death of Daphne Smith (nee Martin) who regularly received POSA Newsletters. Daphne was 67 years of age and passed away suddenly on Saturday 19^th July 2008 in Australia. She had been very ill fighting Leukaemia but managed to conquer the disease only to die suddenly of a stroke.

Reported by Irene Sheath (nee Harrison) EHGS 1953-60

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