WALK IN THE LIGHT
Buildings and finances In spite of lingering economic recession, as evidenced by continued high unemployment and the inability oflarge sections of the community to purchase such luxuries as motor cars or to own their own homes, Methodist Ladies' College was in a position to undertake some new building and to expand significantly its property holdings. In 1935 an enclosed elevated corridor, known as Tower Bridge, was constructed to join the Central and Tower wings of the college. This made for much easier access between the upper storeys of these two buildings. In the jubilee year 1936, a large two-storey house adjoining the school in Grantham Street - the property of a Mr Hardie - was purchased for the sum of 3000 pounds. It was named Sutton House in honour of the longserving headmistress and was used at the time to provide additional classrooms. In his 1936 Speech Day report, however, Mr Foreman looked ahead to the future development of the site when he stated that the new property gave the college 'increased grounds and provides for us a site for future building'. Later on Sutton House would be developed as the school's new library. Three years later, in 1939, two more properties, in Park Road, were purchased for 1250 and 1400 pounds respectively. During late 1937 and early 1938 sounds reminiscent ofthe great building boom of the twenties once again rang throughout the school. This time the Rowley Street facade was completed to make a continuous frontage joining the Assembly Hall and the Prescott Wing and providing additional classroom and dormitory accommodation. It represented, according to Mr Foreman, a 'consummation devoutly to be wished'.8 A view along Rowley Street before the construction in 1937 of the frontage linking the Assembly Hall with the Prescott Wing.
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