THOGA Newsletter TALBOT HEA TH OL D GIRL S A SSOCIATION
Autumn 2012
An Al truis tic Donation Service to the community takes many forms. Why Joanna has donated one of her kidneys. Her own good health meant that Joanna Kozubska had no hesitation in deciding to sacrifice one of her kidneys to give better health to someone else. Most of us would consider a kidney donation to save a member of our families, but Joanna’s gift was to an unknown recipient. She says, “For me, it was simply to give somebody else the chance of a better life”. Her dearest wish is that other people will consider doing what she has done. It is not a process undertaken lightly, however. The application process took more than six months, including with psychological assessments, extensive medical tests and scans. After the operation at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, there was a period of six weeks’ convalescence. Thousands of people carry donor cards, but they are for use after the donor’s death. The success rate for transplants from a living donor, like Joanna, is higher than those from a cadaver. At any given time, about 6,500 people in this country are waiting for the gift of a donated kidney and the transplant rate is only 2,500 per year with 300 patients a year dying from kidney failure. To find out more, go to www.giveakidney.org
Entertainment We propose to invite Old Girls/former pupils to join us in producing a show in the style of the “End of Term Entertainments” (to include musical items, vocal and/or instrumental and short “Talking Heads”-style performances). If you have talent in any aspect of theatrical or musical production, do contact Celia Wood. We plan to put on this “Show” after tea on 21st September following the AGM Business Meeting. This could be great fun, so don’t hide your light under a bushel!
Reminder Please let us know if you change your name and/ or address, particularly your email address (these can go out of date so easily) otherwise we can “lose” you.
Pictured at the Jubilee Celebration at TH in June 2012, left to right: Joanna Kozubska, Sue De Giralamo (née Smith,) Mary Simpson (née Smith), Gaynor McCarthy (née Cheese), Hazel Hebditch (née Laugharne), Judy Kelley (née Todd). They are all representatives of Group H2.
Congratulations to Emily Woodward, Group secretary for 2012, who is going to trek the Great Wall of China to raise funds for the Make a Wish charity!
Badges As most of you know, we do provide badges for you to wear at reunions, if we possibly can. We have had a request for improvements, so that the badge shows your current name (and former name, if applicable) the years you attended TH and your Group. This is a lot of detail to put in a typeface big enough for anyone to read without getting up close or requiring an A5 size badge! Providing we have enough notice, we will do our best next year – or you might like to make your own, which would be nice, particularly if you are of an artistic bent.
THOGA on the internet The new school website should be up and running in the New Year 2013, with links to the Minutes of the AGM Business Meeting and current Newsletters (www.talbotheath.org). A School Magazine is to be published in 2013. Any former pupil can submit articles and of particular interest would be items to inspire today’s young women embarking on their further education and careers. Celia Wood: cwood@talbotheath.org
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THOGA Newsletter
Modern Makeover For a 1930s Gem Viewed from above, Talbot Heath School’s Boarding House is designed to resemble a butterfly, built in an era celebrating the early days of flight. Designed by architect Hubert Worthington (a pupil of Edwin Lutyens), the foundation stone was laid on 14th December 1933 and the building was completed in March 1935. This year the school invested in a seven-phase extensive refurbishment to modernise, upgrade and refresh the facilities, to house 40 girls and five staff members. After six months of work it is now complete and the interior boasts newly created communal, study and pupil rooms, redesigned staff quarters and office, bath and shower rooms, and an en-suite sick bay, along with new furnishings, laundry, décor, windows and rewiring for computers. At the heart of the woodland campus the striking red brick building of St Mary’s (as it is now known) retains its exterior charm, including the unique Lunettes created by leading art deco designer Eric Gill. It is not just the pupils who have benefitted from this modernisation but local businesses and charities too. Dorset Reclaim received much of the old furniture in January, which is being replaced by modern new cabin beds, wardrobes, desks, shelving and chairs; all of which have been made locally in Bridport. Waggy Tails Dog Rescue and Monkey World both received sizeable donations of disused blankets from the Boarding House and school community. The refurbished boarding house was officially opened on 20th September by our Chair of Governors, Mr Graham Exon, who was joined by members of the school community and local Heads for tours and tea inside. The full Ofsted inspection report described every aspect of boarding provision at Talbot Heath, including pastoral care, as ‘outstanding’ in February 2008; the final refurbishment has received an ‘outstanding’ from the boarders and staff too.
Margaret Egar (née Walker) 03.12.1920 - 26.07.2012 Born in 1920, the daughter of a parish priest in Peterborough, Margaret (Mags) was one of six children, although two of her sisters died in the dreadful flu epidemic of 1918 aged 7 and 8. She went to Talbot Heath at the age of 8. When back at home she dreaded being called to her father's study to go through the school report, not that they were bad, but she preferred sport. She captained the school cricket, tennis, netball and hockey teams before going to Gloucester Domestic Science College, where she was head girl – and then came World War II. She joined the WAAF and rose to Flight Officer (Captain). Her cousin recalls: “We got up to no good during the war, living day by day – Mags was quite a gal”. She loved London, where she was stationed, finding it attractive and liberating. As the war ended she met Sam Egar, returning from a dreadful time at the hands of the Japanese. They married in 1947. Sam became Resident Agent to the Bradford family on their estate in Staffordshire. They had three children, Susan, Janet and Mark. So Margaret had to throw herself into country life, supporting Sam and bringing up the family in a tiny community. There were lots of pets: dogs, guinea fowl, chickens, pigeons, guinea pigs, and so on. She learned to prepare game that was brought in: plucking and drawing. In 1960 they moved to Milton, Peterborough, where Sam was Chief Agent to the Fitzwilliam Estates. When Sam died aged 59 in 1973, Margaret was devastated. She threw herself into voluntary work: for the Citizens Advice Bureau, as a guide in Peterborough Cathedral, and a Volunteer at the hospital shop and family planning clinic – and became a fearsome bridge player. She loved to share her life with people. The three children all married and she has 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren; they live in America, Hong Kong and Singapore. Margaret lived independently, with some help from carers, and was blessed with a sharp and active mind. She was taken to hospital just 3 weeks before she died. By chance, or perhaps a quirk of fate, she saw all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren (bar 3) in the previous month.
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Obituaries Lynne Ferguson (née Pheasey) 1944-2012 Group Secretary, F2 Lynne started as a boarder in St Margaret's in September 1955, just before her 11th birthday. She was tiny – so tiny, she had to wear socks instead of the regulation thick lisle stockings, as Daniel Neal were unable to supply them so small! At that time she lived with her mother and grandmother in Hammersmith and regularly travelled on the "accompanied train" from Waterloo to Bournemouth West at the start of each term and half term. Some of us remember the excitement of a stay in the big City in the holidays and being taken to a West End show – a real treat in those days.
For all boarders, letters were a lifeline to home and Lynne used to read aloud letters from her dear grandmother, always signed off with "Your aff. Gran" which amused us greatly. Those at TH with Lynne will recall her nervous/anxious energy (how did she chew off the end of her pencil, rubber or ruler so quickly?) her vibrant giggle, her elegant sophistication, sharp intellect and love of drama and poetry. She acted in various school and house productions. Who can forget her as Portia in The Merchant of Venice when she delivered her "quality of mercy" speech? She won a poetry competition, using the amusing pseudonym "Cowan T. Gates". By then the family had moved to Bournemouth and she was fully acquainted with the geography of the town. The October 1961 school magazine included a poem of hers, "The Lost Scorer, or Goodbye, Greaves!" recalling footballer Jimmy Greaves leaving Chelsea FC to play for Milan for a vast sum of money. It seemed an unusual topic for her to choose, given her vehement dislike of any sport or games at school! The love of drama and poetry continued throughout her busy life as she published a booklet of her poems entitled "A Christmas Garland" in 2010 and, after acting in many local drama performances, made her directing debut earlier this year, putting on a play by TH Old Girl Lesley Bruce. Only last year when Lynne met up with a friend from school she recounted how as a boarder she learned to speak up quickly because if you came up with a comment after a subject had been discussed, you were immediately shouted down by the other girls. Lynne certainly took this lesson to heart and stood her ground in adult life. She became F2 Secretary in 1981, and worked tirelessly to reconnect those of us who spent our school days at TH. The reunion she organised in Bournemouth in June this year was a true testament to her dedication in finding us all and encouraging us to keep in touch. Those who attended will be delighted they did so and met up with Lynne again, but how sad that we have now all lost such a lively and talented friend. May she rest in peace.
Francine Marjorie Bowsher (née Grange) (born 1953, died 10th February 2011) Francine Bowsher (Grange) was born at Barton on Sea, Hampshire and chose to spend most of her life living by the sea. She attended Talbot Heath and subsequently studied Medicine at the London Hospital where she met her husband, Anthony. After house jobs in Chelmsford and at the London she trained for General Practice in Hull and Torquay, and worked as a GP in Clacton from 1984. She took premature retirement from the East Lynne Medical Practice in the summer of 2010 due to ill-health. Francine had a life-long interest in art and English literature and was an avid reader. She greatly enjoyed following her children on the sports field, often providing medical support on the touch line. She leaves her husband, mother, three sons and a daughter. Written by Francine’s husband, Anthony Grange, June 2012.
Volunteers required to represent THOGA It is proposed that we have a small band of volunteers ready to attend funerals and thanksgiving services of Old Girls in their area, possibly with very little notice. If you are able and willing to provide this kindly service, it would be greatly appreciated. The more names we have the more likely it is there would be someone available at short notice. Please email or write to me at school.
Third annual Christmas Tea Party You are warmly invited to attend our Christmas Tea Party on Tuesday 4th December at 3.00pm in the Boarding House. Please send your cheque and SAE to Celia Wood for a ticket, using the reply slip on the back of this page. Be prepared for festive food and, hopefully, some musical entertainment. Please bring a small wrapped gift for a raffle in aid of the Guild of Help.
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THOGA Newsletter
THOGA Accounts THOGA INCOME & EXPENDITURE A/C YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2012
Income Life subscriptions Donations Reunion fees/DVD sales Tea parties Chronicle Interest received Expenditure Honorarium Reunion expenses Tea party expenses Post and stationery Chronicle Leaving gifts Net income/expenditure Inc & exp a/c b'fwd Inc & exp a/c c'fwd
31/03/2012 £
THOGA BALANCE SHEET AT 31 MARCH 2012 31/03/2012 31/03/2011 £ £ Current account 392.12 1700.19 Deposit account 38.17 6932.22 National Savings 5143.10 5093.10 Investment 3.5% War Stock 50.00 50.00 Debtor for membership subs 2350.00 0.00 Accruals -700.54 -250.00 Represented by: Income & exp a/c £7272.85 £13525.51
31/03/2011 £
2700.00 20.00 97.00 165.00 820.50 57.69 3860.19
1050.00 10.00 648.50 82.50 15.00 84.03 1890.03
300.00 0.00 128.90 1734.25 7949.70 0.00 10112.85
300.00 501.68 79.00 1615.12 0.00 82.29 2578.09
-6252.66 13525.51 £7272.85
-688.06 14213.57 £13525.51
Please complete the slip below if you would like to attend our Christmas Tea Party on Tuesday 4th December at 3pm. The cost of £7.50 per person includes festive fare. Please bring a small wrapped gift for a raffle in aid of the Guild of Help. Mrs Holloway, the Head, is happy to entertain Old Girls to a tour of the school and a cup of tea. It is advisable to give a little notice, as she is not always available but do contact her secretary, Mrs Irene Richards, if you would like to do this.
TREASURER’S REPORT At the June AGM, Janet Stone distributed the Accounts for y/e 31 March 2012. She reiterated that last year was a year of high expense due to publication of the Chronicle but previous figures had not included the £2,350 which represented lifetime subscriptions of the 2011 leavers. Judith confirmed that nearly all the 2012 leavers would be joining the Association, so the annual subscriptions would continue to accumulate. Janet Stone felt the OGA was financially sound, with ample time to build up reserves again before the next Chronicle.
Deaths notified since March 2012 Newsletter Name: Group: Last lived in: Miss Adrian May O Abingdon Dr Francine Grange (née Bowsher) L2 Clacton on Sea Mrs Pamela Benedyk (née Games) V Bournemouth Mrs Una Mawson (née Bosonnet) B2 Canada Mrs Yvonne Dina (née Jerrom) O Italy Mrs Jill Campbell (née Adams) 2B Australia Mrs Susan Hunt (née Timson) 2G Somerset Mrs Margaret Egar (née Walker) R Peterborough Mrs Denise Rayner (née Adamson) O Christchurch Mrs Lynne Ferguson (née Pheasey) 2F Hampton Court
Change of Contact Details / Christmas Tea Party reply slip Do we have your correct contact details? Please complete and return this slip to: Mrs Celia Wood (THOGA),
Peel House, High Street, Tisbury, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP3 6PS or email: cwood@talbotheath.org Name …………………………………………………………………........ Maiden Name………………………………………………. Group/Year of leaving school ……...........…... Address …………..………...........……..…………………..................................... ……… …………..……………………………………………………………….........................………… Postcode ………................. Telephone (home) ………………........………… (work) ………......................…………… (mobile)…......................................... Email ……….................................................…………………………………….
I would like to attend the Christmas Tea Party on Tuesday 4th December 2012. I enclose a cheque for ......... at a cost of £7.50 per person, plus a stamped addressed envelope for receipt. Cheques are payable to “Talbot Heath School Trust Ltd”.