2008 News

Katherine Snelling ’04  “I left School in 2004 to follow my interest in dance.  I trained for 2 years at the Dance College of Cornwall in Falmouth and completed my training in ballet and musical theatre at the Northern Ballet School, Manchester.  I obtained my first job as a dance/performer with the Disney company in April 2007 and am currently working in Disneyland Paris and having a wonderful time.

Gemma Brown 2000
I am getting married on June 20th, 2008 to Ben Jones. It is an exciting prospect and i am looking forward to seeing my old school friends there. we live in a village just outside of Coventry, and are busy doing up our cottage.
I am working at Coventry Hospital, and am in my first year of specialist obstetrics and gynaecology training.
I have just taken my part 1 exam - first since graduation so I think my brain was a little rusty!

Sarah Milburn '91 is now living in Montreal - the association has an up to date email address which is available to members if required.

Tara Dhillon 1992
Many thanks for the OGA School Tie, which I picked up recently from my old flat. I have now rented that out and have moved back into London (for my sins!) to be with my fiancé, since December 2006.
Thought I'd might drop you a line and update you with some bits of news, if you wish to add to the next OGA School Tie. I am getting married on July 12* (16 weeks this Saturday, time is really flying by, as friends have told me it would!), so that's the highlight of the year, I guess. Last year, I bought the company that I have been working at for the last nine years. I specialise in training for the pharmaceutical industry, but am currently working on offering more generic types of training, which I'll be able to pitch to all industries, that's the plan so far!
As far as old girls from Ashford are concerned, I keep in touch with Marie and Kathy Clark, Joceline Bushell (now Mrs Topham) and her sister, Genevieve, Anna Denne (now Mrs Parrett) and of course, my sister, Tanya. She's a solicitor for a law firm, specialising in divorce (so I don't aim to give her any business in the near future!!).
Many thanks for the School Tie, it's great to hear peoples' news and also to see how things are going at Ashford, it's changed considerably since I left in 1992.
 

2007 News

Claire Awcock(1990) is still much enjoying work as a Speech and Language Therapist specialising in early intervention and prevention. She wrote, ‘Up until April this year I was based at the Weymouth and Portland Sure Start Children’s Centre where I was responsible for co-ordinating and providing speech and language therapy services for local families with children aged 0-4 years as well as developing speech and language training packages for local nurseries/pre schools and family centres.
However more recently I’ve been developing my ‘mummy role’!  My partner James and I were thrilled to have a beautiful baby girl called Megan Phoebe Robinson on 8^th May this year.  I’m on maternity leave until January when I may need to be dragged back to work – can’t imagine not being with Meg every day.
I stay in contact with Sarah Gleadall, another 1990 leaver, who had a small family wedding to her partner Ajay in Italy last year.  Unfortunately we were unable to make their wedding celebrations in London in January because of moving house, but I hear that plenty of old Ashford School girls were there, including Jenny Boyd, Shan Cunliffe and Karen Baker (all now with different surnames and babies/bumps in tow!)

Amanda Curtis-Christie (Mrs Tames), '97,wrote in May in reply to a letter from Sandra Noel:
"Thank you for the subscription reminder, I must admit that I have been remiss in renewing this year as I have been extremely busy. Since I wrote last, in 2003, I graduated from the University of Manchester, as predicted I gained a 2:1 in Media specialising in Television Production with Business Management and IT. I also married my husband, Mark James, on Saturday, 5th July 2003 and this year we will be celebrating our third wedding anniversary. Our son, Daniel Benjamin James was born at Warrington General Hospital on 17th August 2004 and he is fast approaching 2 years old. My daughter, Bethany Amber James, will be 5 in November and is due to start school in the next academic year. This year I have been lecturing part time at my local college, teaching Moving Image theory to post 16 year-olds. In September this year I will be returning to University to gain my PGCE in further and higher education at the University of Bolton. We are also in the process of moving house so I would be most grateful if you could send any information at present to my parents' house and they can then forward it to me.  I would be most grateful if you forward the above information to the School Tie for its next publication."
 

2008 News

Polly Sinker ’87 (Mrs Burgess) wrote when renewing her membership: “I am now living in Kent with husband John, Charlotte (7) and Ben (3). We moved back down so John could take over the family storage business, Space Saver Storage. I live next to Frances and Joanna Sayer’s parents so see them quite regularly especially as they live nearby and have children of similar ages to mine.
I also speak regularly to Tracy Laird and Ann Lively, and can tell you more about them if needed.
My sister, Kate, works at Ashford School so you probably know more about her than I do!”
Asst Ed’s Note: Yes, please, Polly, as much news as you can!

From Rebecca Walker '89 (Mrs Ireland)
I am a busy working mum with 2 boys - Ben 6 and Ollie 2. I am still at Clarkslegal LLP in Reading, and practice employment law. I was made up to equity partner in 2007.
Whenever possible we escape to a small apartment we bought in the Pyrenees last year, lots of fresh air and sun. The ski-ing is good in winter.
My 2 step sisters, Bo and Katie bates live near reading; Katie has 2 boys as well so family get togethers are a bit riotous. Bo still works for the British International Rowing Association, and sails at the weekend. She recently participated in a yacht race across the Atlantic, finishing second to an all professional crew. After all the hard work she was able to relax in the Caribbean Sun over Christmas.
I keep in touch with Catherine Pring, who now lives in Surbiton, commuting into London to het job in telecoms. Her real passion is photography, so I forsee a possible change of career.....

Alex Woodhouse ’89 (Mrs Bates) wrote in reply to an email, “I left Ashford after 10 years there in 1989, year off travelling, medical school and am now a GP in Buckinghamshire. Married to Rob, a psychiatrist, in 1996 and have 2 girls aged 10 and 7, India and Sorcha.
I caught up with several Old Girls in April in London. Emily Stott, married, on maternity leave after having her first baby boy – Charlie. Vicky Bright, works in PR, living in London and married with 3 children. Nicola Kerr, an anaesthetist, married with two children. Kerry Wallis, living in London. Jo Chapman living in London – has an excellent company designing stationery and has 1 daughter. Charlotte Caverhill could not make it as she was just about to have her first baby, also in London. Her sister, Lucy is a nurse working and living in Australia. I also caught up with Becky Thomas – married with 2 young children and living in Essex, currently on maternity leave. We had a great meal and catch up and are planning to meet again in the summer. I believe Sian Huxley lives in Dubai – would love to get in contact with her again. Other bits of news are a bit hazy – we had some wine!”

2007 News

Cathie Ward ’74 (Mrs Scanlan) wrote to Alexia when renewing her membership: “I am enjoying my secretarial role in the Strategy Unit of the Open University here in Milton Keynes which I took up having been made redundant from the firm of solicitors where I had worked for 15 years.
Both our girls are grown up.  Jennifer is living with her partner, Sam, and young son, Charlie, here in Milton Keynes whilst Natasha purports to live at home – we don’t see a lot of her!  Mike and I are really enjoying being grandparents.  Charlie is now 22 months old and a real gem.  We see them regularly and are now looking forward to the arrival of a brother or sister for Charlie in September.
I had a lovely email from Jenny Stott (Mrs Crumpacker, 1972) recently.  She is looking forward to having the family home for the holidays.  She has been in touch with Anne Farmer (Mrs Mamberti, 1972) who has moved back to mainland Italy from Sardinia.  Jenny thinks that Anne’s eldest daughter is at university in England, possibly Sheffield.  I had hoped to meet up with Liz Holloway (Mrs Leaper, 1974), Lynn Grantley-Smith (Mrs Samson, 1973) and Linda Smith (Dr Thomas, 1974) in May but we never managed to agree a date and have yet to set another.  Finally, I heard from Sal Coulton (Mrs Hope, 1974) at the beginning of May.  She was anticipating a busy summer season at their hotel near Newquay.  She had an unexpected visit from Lynn and husband last summer whilst they were holidaying in the area.”

Anne Bond, ’77, (Mrs Bardsley) wrote to Jo-an:  “I am well - and can't believe it is now 31 years since I left Ashford.  I read Latin at Durham University, where I met Mike, who was studying to be a music teacher.  I then got a job in Personnel at Harwell and Mike a job at Chipping Norton School.  We lived in Oxford to begin with, then moved to Chippy (Chipping Norton).  I retrained as a primary school teacher, then we had 2 children, Katharine in 1990 and Simon in 1993.  I'm now working as a Reception teacher in a large village primary school, which I adore!  Mike is in Adult Education management in Oxford, Katharine has just done her A2s and Simon will do his GCSEs next year.  We love Chippy - it is very beautiful as well as being a lively and interesting town, and an easy distance from Oxford and Stratford.  Mike and I do a lot of music together - I have continued to study singing to a high level and he is a brilliant harpsichordist and pianist.  My other passion is archaeology.
I've kept in touch with a few people - especially Lyn Otun, Barbara Kenney and Sarah Baxter.  Also Melanie Fuller and I exchange Christmas cards.  There are - surprisingly - quite a few Ashford people round here.
Liz Holloway (Mrs Leaper) and I bump into each other around town a lot.  My friend Anthea Head went to Ashford but I don't know her maiden name!  A fellow teacher at work - Rachel Davies - and one of our feeder playgroup leaders - Sarah Bowcock - are other old girls I know.  But I don't have any contact with Sarah Norton.  She was however in Judy Kenney and Susie Baxter's year - one of them might know of her whereabouts.
 

2007 News

200rom Vicky (88) and Teresa(83) Heaton.  Vicky is now married (Mrs Heaton-Tongsi), living in the north of Thailand with her young son, Toby.  She also works part-time for the British Council

Teresa (Mrs Heaton Adegbile);  married with two sons, lives in Thamesmead and is currently trying to start up her own business selling children’s clothes

Margaret Cecil ’60 (Mrs Vasconcelos) wrote to Carolyn. “Janet Griffiths and husband Pat with twin Angie and friend Affra Cox and husband are coming to see me the last weekend of April. Jan and Pat have a house in Obidos and spend quite a lot of each year in Portugal. Angie lives near them in the UK and often comes to Portugal with them now that she is retired. No news of Affra (can't remember if it is Afra or Affra) but will tell you more after their visit.
It's often difficult to remember which are school friends and which are from college or later on in life but I don't think I have seen or heard of anyone else recently. A couple of years ago Rachel, who is off cruising again, last heard of in Samoa on the way to Australia, came over and we met up with Rae Sasson and husband Gordon. He has the most fantastic yacht and sailed into Leixões without Rae. She, as often happens I believe, takes a plane to the nearest harbour and catches up with him there. The boat was fantastic, Rae cooked us a lovely meal and it was fasinating to see how every half inch had been utilized in some way. She had all mod cons on board including a washing machine and freezer and every nook and cranny had been put to a good use.
Last summer Jane Prebble and husband came to stay. It was great to catch up on all her news and to meet her as an adult. I've probably told you these news items before in any case.
Really lovely to hear you, I just wish we had known each other better at Ashford. So glad you are really enjoying living in France, its a big step to take although more and more people seem to be doing it. Northern Portugal is becoming quite popular too with ex-pat Brits. Do send love/regards to anyone who remembers me at any of your functions.”

Pam Broadfield ’62 (Mrs Britton) has an entry in Friends Reunited and when contacted (by the Asst. Ed.) said that her husband travels sometimes to Wales so that although living in Beaconsfield they also have an apartment in Dinas Powys. She is in contact with Penny Culliford, Jane Brangwin, Kathleen Francis, Nick Cini and Sally Hunter (the latter two she meets every 2 or 3 years), all day girls is her day, Hazel Ford from Alfred and Ruth Fletcher from Somerville. See also ‘Where are they now?’ for names of people she would love to hear from.

Rachel Cecil ’62 (Mrs Hardy) included this with her Travel (which see) information:
“Apart from the travels, I have recently joined Midland Opera Company as a member of the chorus. It is an amateur group with several professionally trained members. We have a production of Carmen coming up at a city centre theatre in early November, so I am very tied up at the moment with rehearsals and singing lessons (I was very rusty), but I am enjoying it enormously. I think cruising will be limited to one assignment a year in future.”

Susan Petitpierre ’63 (Mrs Godding) has also contacted Sue Dart ’63 (Mrs Lockie) through Friends Reunited who is now living in Canada with her husband. Susan is delighted to be in touch with her again after many years.

Beth Richardson ’69 (Mrs Green) wrote: “Thank you so much for the book and for your card - yes, what a surprise, and a very nice surprise! This is the first time in a month that I've been near a computer, so I do apologise for not having replied sooner. I read the book from cover to cover in Scotland, and (as the rain poured down!) thought about it all. By a huge coincidence I also saw Jean Scott- Miller while I was there for the first time in about twenty years. She took your address and may well have been in touch with you as well.
I had heard that Pat Earlam had died, and was so very sorry. She was a wonderful house mistress and history teacher, with a great sense of humour. I often think of her, as will so many others. That network of friends and memories and the sense of continuity in a School is so far-reaching and important - I felt it again as I read her book.
You asked about my news and who I'm in touch with. I'm an archaeologist/museum curator, and I've worked as a Roman pottery specialist at the Museum of London, more or less since I left university - with a break in the 90's when I got the job as curator of archaeology and history at Canterbury museum (I loved it, but it was difficult as my husband was working in St Albans, and then (in 1995) we had our first and only child Kate). So, it was back to St Albans (where Chris also works in museums) and (in 2000) back to the Museum of London, where I work part-time. I miss Kent very much (I grew up near Ashford, and my grandmother lived in Dymchurch - actually next door to Bridget Miller and her sisters!), but I'm lucky that Tricia Barham lives in St Albans too, and we see a lot of each other. Her parents still live in Hythe (as does my mother in law - a friend of the Barhams) and so there is a connection still.
So there's Tricia - who in turn is in touch with Mary Wigram, and a lot of other people from her year (she was the year above me - I was there from 1964-71). And in my year I'm in touch with Susan Locke and Jean, and Vicky Wallington (who you probably won't remember as she was only at Ashford in the 6th form - we became great friends at university).
Jean and I like the idea of Quaglinos in November, and Tricia may be able to come too.”

Jean Scott-Miller ’69 (Mrs Wood) wrote at about the same time: “I left after 5th year ‘O’ levels and I am not sure many will remember me. I am working full time at the moment to put my daughter through Edinburgh University – she is doing engineering which takes 5 years.
I am now doing costumes with a local amateur group again as my other daughter has followed in my footsteps, or is that boards. She sings and dances which I am sure everyone would remember I did not! I look forward to seeing you at Quaglinos.”

2007 News

Felicity (Flick) Johnson '61 (Mrs Ellis) has been in touch by email with Carolyn: from August "Such a long time ago but I remember you vividly. We were in Nightingale together and you invited me to stay in your mews house in Kensington one weekend. Just recently I met Carolyn Waterhouse (Mrs Smith) at my mother's funeral. She put me in touch with the Ashford O.G.A. where I have just seen your name as the Secretary on a copy of the May newsletter. I am planning to come to the Hop Pickers lunch on llth October and wondered if you would be there? I'm afraid 1 haven't been any good at keeping in touch though Clare Davidson and I are still best friends! She is returning from Santa Fe, New Mexico next year and would also like to visit Ashford again and, like me, make connections to an earlier life!" and from the following day! "As I read your email the years rolled back! Do you remember some of us called you 'Nelms'!? How wonderful of your father to pay half my fare to Australia! This I had forgotten. I stayed there for over 2 years and after that returned to London and have been here ever since though have done a great deal of travelling as well. We also have a boy and girl - Rachel 30, Joe 28. Rachel is in Brazil though we have much contact via Skype and visits; Joe lives round the corner with a long-term girlfriend who is much like another daughter. I could go on and on but will refrain from too much information at this stage!! We've probably both had lives that would fill several volumes (most people have by the time they get to our age).
My sister-in-law has a beautiful farmhouse house just outside La Guepie, in SW France so we know the area quite well and have over the years spent many holidays all over France. We love it." Ed's Note: My father's huge investment totalled £5!! Remember the Government Scheme?

Rachel Cecil '62 (Mrs Hardy) wrote a note on their Christmas letter saying they had met up with Janet Richer (now White) and her husband Chris in Melbourne. They all had dinner together and Rachel sent a lovely photo (which we'll put on the website). Later in the year she joined up with Margaret (Cecil, Mrs Vasconcelos) and Alec and their family...children, spouses and their children in a hilltop village on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees. They got fit walking up and down the steep path between the house and the car. She also visited sister Anne in Ohio for Thanksgiving, another wonderful family get-together. These are just notes for us on the back of a very interesting "travel" documentary with photos about a five week trip to Sydney on the Silver Cloud, spending their 40th wedding anniversary on board, and many other trips to US and around Europe which followed. As a proud mum Rachel tells of her daughter Catherine's success with her restaurant in Edinburgh, The Left Bank, winning the Best Cheap Eats Restaurant in the UK award. She ends by saying that the old Town Hall in Birmingham has been beautifully restored to its original splendour, and is back in business with musical concerts several times a week, and just outside their front door.

Sue Hooker '64 (Mrs Waters) wrote before the last Quaglinq's luncheon: "No doubt you will know by now that I have succumbed and will be coming to the lunch this November!! Sandy Hollander spurred me into action and I have since been in touch with Sue Helfand (Mrs Banks) who I gather has been in touch with you, and also Val Taylor who will be coming. Am trying to get Jenny Massey, Carol Scott and Pauline McDermott (Mrs Finn) to come! I have persuaded Gill Waters, my sister-in-law, to come. She is trying to find a few of her contemporaries - she is 10 years older than me.
Di Wiggins asked me to play in the Silver Tassie Cup this year but unfortunately I ended up going into The Somerfield Hospital to have a total knee replacement at the beginning of May. I have been putting off the evil day for about 4 years and was hoping to leave it until this autumn, but the consultant was very adamant that I wasn't to play golf this summer so I thought I might as well get on with it -1 had 10 weeks to get back to some sort of normality as James our eldest son was married, down in Cornwall at the end of July! - a very happy occasion enjoyed by all. Anyway, all seems to be going in the right direction and am back on the golf course, in a buggy at the moment until I can walk down hills comfortably. Hitting 60 seems to be a milestone for problems!!! Really looking forward to meeting up with you again at Quaglinos!"

Judi Wilson '67 (Mrs Hirst) has been in touch: "I am Judi Hirst nee Wilson at school from 1961 -1967. I was a boarder in Nightingale House.   I am in contact with Yvonne Bridgeland (Mrs Goodwin) Hilary Kirby (Mrs Paterson), Kathryn Pittock (Mrs Sarton-La Pierre) Marion Goodchild (Mrs Riley), Lesley Cannings and Sue Bates (Mrs Reynolds).
I have just met up with Hilary Paterson having not seen her since 1967.
I would love to get in touch with Elaine Webb, Cilia Parkei; Maryanne Seldon, Sanishad Pirani and Jackie Barton that were all at school with me.   I have just joined the Old Girls' Association and was wondering if any of the above have been in touch with you.
I live near Sandwich in Kent - have 2 children both married and a 15 month grandson which I enjoy looking after 1 day a week."

Dianne Geary '69 (Mrs Weeks) who wrote on becoming a member: "Having just joined the OGA and having received the latest bulletin, I have been inspired to write and say how exciting it all is to stir up those old grey cells with names from the past, so much so, I will update you on a great reunion of my own I have had recently with 2 other Old Girls.
My name at school was Dianne Geary and I was there from the Prep school in 1958 (I think!) until I left after A levels in 1969. I subsequently went to King Alfred's College in Winchester to train as a teacher and have just retired (well, very early, you understand!) from my second headship in a junior school in Andover, Hants. I am married with 2 boys (21 and 23) to David and we are both now dabbling with a spot of property developing, restoring and racing vintage cars, breeding chocolate Labradors, writing novels (me, that is) and travelling the world.
In conjunction with this last activity, we met up last year with Fiona McAdam (now Dr Foster) and Susan (Tophee) Sharp, now Sue O'Leary, on a round the world trip we did over some 5 weeks and 5 countries, including Grand Cayman where Figgs lives and Australia where Tophee now resides. The exchanges of photos and memories was relentless; schoolgirl giggles rang through the homes and our husbands were subjected to seeing their beloved wives revert to childhood once again. They can now both sing the School Song and the Liberty song, though more through involuntary saturation than independent desire. Tophee was still working in the Tax Office 1 believe when we saw her but she was so taken with stories of us "Retirees" that she has since joined the club. They have recently moved to Queensland to be near her first grandchild. (I can't believe she is old enough or sensible enough to be a grandmother, for goodness sake!) We had a fab time in Perth with them both and were given a tour of the area with plenty of swimming (with no necessity, I am glad to say, of having to change on Lib Lawn as we did at school!) We tried to love their two alpacas but they were rather aloof but their horse Blue Gum loved being tickled. We finished up our tour of far-flung places in Grand Cayman where once again the years were rolled back. We were greeted at the airport by Figgs wearing an old Ashford panama hat, just in case we didn't recognise each other but we needed no such aide-memoire. (I was impressed that she still had the hat which she had commissioned a friend in Scotland to bring over, as I distinctly remember shredding mine on the last train journey home between Ashford and Bearsted!) Again we saw the lovely island from top to toe and all the ravages of Hurricane Ivan two years previously. We played Scrabble (Figgs always won as she uses medical words that I have never heard of) and swam in her lovely pool and the crystal blue sea with the stingrays (pre Irwin's demise) and ate and drunk a little (no, I lie, a lot!). It was so strange to see her dressed up looking like a real doctor on the morning we left and she went back to work. Such wonderful memories were aroused and new ones made during the trip. I can't wait to meet up again with them and others to capture my youth which tries to get away from me all the time I'm not looking. With any luck I will try to get to the London Lunch in November in case there may be some other old (as in the past, not wrinkly) faces.
All power to the OGA which beats Friends Reunited any time. I look forward to keeping in touch with other OGs. All the best."

Dell Filmer ’50 (Mrs Williams) Cranmer has written: “Last night I was looking through the School Tie, reading news of friends I remember well. That inspired me to write some of my own news!
Since leaving Ashford in 1950, I spent 4 years at art school studying book illustration and graphic design. First at Maidstone and then at The Central School of Arts and Crafts in London. After that I started work with Moral Re-Armament (now known as Initiatives of Change) and have been connected with it ever since. For 7 years I lived in Bern
and Geneva in Switzerland, working on the layout of its international
magazine. In 1965 I got married to a producer and playwright. Early on in our marriage we travelled to Africa, to Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania also to The Sudan and Ethiopia. A fabulous experience. On our return to Britain we worked in London at the Westminster Theatre. My job was designing posters leaflets and theatre programmes which I loved. A few years on we travelled to India, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and some of the Pacific islands, returning home from Hong Kong. Later still we visited the United States several times.
We have two sons. The elder is an artist who paints endangered species in exciting and hostile habitats all over the world. He has also just published his first novel. Our younger son is a photographer doing fashion, advertising and documenting the film industry. Having had sons, we are delighted to have two lovely daughters-in-law who have presented us with three gorgeous grandchildren.
I loved my schooldays at Ashford and made some very good friends. I think of Gill Chudleigh, Hazel Byrne, Jean Snow, Sally Alderson, Maggie Izard, Alisamon Wolf, Julia Brock, Ann Head, and Claudine Hickman just to mention a few. Also Rosemary Richmond and Monica Emerson who, sadly, I have lost all contact with over the years.
We now live in the village of Yalding in Kent and are very involved in its lively village life.”

Penny Hoes ’53 (Mrs Fawkner) contacted Dilys Lougher (Mrs Harlow) for information about Rosemary James. Penny met Alison Furneaux (Mrs Hough) for a chatty lunch last summer; at Christmas she received a long, newsy letter from Margaret Taylor – Mexie (Mrs White). She and her husband live in the United States and are still travelling extensively in their retirement. Penny also heard from Angela Gibson (Mrs Martin), whose husband, Michael, is recovering from surgery following a heart attack in August 2006. Penny had a shoulder operation last October to mitigate the effects of arthritis, but she and her husband are still very active in a number of local societies with various hobbies including music and painting – there are never enough hours in the day for everything.

Judy Turner 1946—54 (Mrs Simmonds) wrote to Jo-an Baxter:
“Having been deposited at a 'tender' age at Charing Cross station to start at Ashford seems a long time ago! But I survived and, after Bridge House, I lived in Somerville for the rest of my school life. Memories too--! Doing handstands by the swimming pool to knock the cherries off as we weren't allowed to pick them, and picking walnuts in the Autumn from the big tree outside Somerville--now long gone, I fear.
When I left I went to Gloucestershire Domestic Science College, which I loved, and then followed some good years working for different companies. Eventually I landed in the Isles of Scilly and had some happy years there. Now I live in Cornwall and, having retired, my husband and I enjoy life to the full. When the weather is good we sail in our yacht, moored in Falmouth, and there are beautiful places around us here to which to sail. I also teach 5--6 year-olds cooking at our local school; it is great fun and a challenge when I try to get the 'healthy eating' way over to some of them.
I keep in touch with Ann Gibbins (Mrs Matthews); who lives in Hertfordshire now and is well. I have one daughter and three grandchildren who live scattered around, but I see them regularly.
I would love to hear from any of my contemporaries.” (Letters can be forwarded from The Pastures, Bilsington, Kent TN25 7JX but please give Judy's maiden name when requesting communication).

Jo-an Baxter, ’57 writes: “My news for School Tie! I had a lovely holiday in April 2008 when I stayed in Edinburgh and was entertained for a day by Val Bennett (Mrs Beaver 1957), who lives in a delightful cottage in the Scottish Borders surrounded by beautiful hills and streams. Val's husband is an architect and he designed and built the best country kitchen I have seen. They are kept busy by their grandchildren and some interesting excavations in the garden. I also met Ali Caldicott (Mrs Mowatt 1957) and we enjoyed lunch in her and her husband's former pub, where we were treated especially well and Ali told me some of its history, in the evening I again saw Ali and her husband this time at their house for a very entertaining and lively meal.
I also see Margaret Ames (Mrs Lewis 1955) for lunch and gossip; she is now 'well' having been in an accident a year or two back. Maggie and her husband, David, are very keen Bowls' players; Rozel Lattimer (Mrs Poole 1957) and I meet for coffee; she often stays with her sister Alex or her daughter Caroline Poole (Mrs Quinton 198?) and grandchildren; Lizzie Fleetwood (Mrs Ogram 1957) and husband, Roger, are very, very thrilled to be grandparents; Ann Revill (Mrs Reed 1957) goes on the occasional, calm sailing trip with her adventurous husband, Charles; Sue Bailey (Mrs Traynor 1972) and I met in Goudhurst, Sue works with her husband, their two daughters keep them interested in all their activities, we are sorry that Hazel Bailey (Mrs ---1974) is not too well at the moment; Bridget Miller (Mrs Naidu 1972) finds that teaching according to the 'state dictats' is very wearing especially as her expertise is often sought beyond the classroom, Claire, Louise and Sheila Miller are all married and busy with children of all ages; Judy Finn-Kelcey (Mrs Craig 1956) has had a busy time being 70 and then holidaying to recover from it; Judy Hancox (Mrs Wey 1956) has enjoyed an energetic holiday in Canada and was unaware that she was near to Cath Collier (Mrs Fuller 1957) who has been over to England to see her sister, Marjorie, who was not well, and Cath has since been on a walking holiday; Sue Fairbairn (Mrs Manning 1956) has 'downsized' and is busy fitting things into her new flat--she still plays tennis. It was good to speak to Patricia Osmond (Lady Williams 1936) on the phone and to hear that Jill's knee operation has at last been successful (Jill Williams (Mrs Pett-Ridge 1956)); Val Bucknell (Mrs Lipscomb 1955) has been busy with her daughter's wedding and Val also often sees, and helps, Enid (Annie) Allen who does not enjoy very good health. It is good to chat with Jean Parry (Mrs Binnie 1957); she is always full of life and often on a holiday as her husband occasionally works as the doctor on cruise ships.
I also see Janki Patel (2004) who is in her last year at Birmingham University doing dentistry; Janki did her three week Summer assignment in a remote spot near Lahore observing dental treatment for the local coffee plantation workers. Miss Amor is well and busy with her organ playing for church; speech examining and her dog--she loves meeting her former friends from Ashford. Of course, I see my cousin Susan Blacklocks (Mrs Record 1957) sometimes with Diana Ames, Carol Hobbs and Ann Holliwell. Susan is kept busy with her three sons (a doctor, a businessman and an artist) and her three grandchildren. We are pleased to hear that Heather Rule (Mrs Lovesy 1943) is back home after an illness.
Did anyone see the film on T.V. of Michael-John Knatchbull's Christening? It was good to see our former long-standing Governors, Lord and Lady Brabourne and totally amazing to catch sight of Cherub walking out of the church wearing a dark dress (navy blue?) with white trim, she must have had a flower button-hole, and of course she was smiling broadly just like she always did--it will always be her school for those of us fortunate enough to have known her; how really lucky we were."

Judith Liddell, ’57 (Mrs Catlow) wrote a brief note on her Membership Payment form: “I hope to visit Kent in the Spring/Summer to meet up with 2 School friends, Pauline Hagger (Mrs Hart) and Pam Carter (Mrs Scott). I was very sorry to read of Diane McDermott’s death in the School Tie having last seen her in 2000 at Founders’ Day.”

Hilary (now Helen) Lyndon Jones ’57 “I am an Old Girl, now 68 years old, and a bit disabled. My mother would have been 100 now were she still alive. We both attended Ashford School, and she also taught the kindergarten classes there before she got married. My mother was Eleanor Mills, at School from 1917 to 1927 approximately. She was a day pupil who cycled from Smarden to Pluckley then caught the train to Ashford; in bad weather (before global warming) she stayed over at school. In those days Cherub kissed everyone goodnight every night. The last two years, after she matriculated, mother worked in your kindergarten as an apprentice teacher. She died in 1995.
Her best friend, my sort-of godmother was Joan Shepherd who lived at Smeeth. Joan only died three years ago.
I was Hilary Lyndon Jones. I was a Chaucer Merchant living in lodgings with a family in the town until there was a space for me in Cranmer with Pongo, Miss Churchill, and Milo, Miss Miles. 1952 -1957.
I often come over very nostalgic when I remember the sound of five hundred girls singing the Spacious Firmament on High, with great joy and enthusiasm. The music teachers at the time were Miss Salmon and Miss Rowe; they were magic, and we responded with magic. I am sure this is one aspect of school life which may not have changed all that much. I have seriously tried to find a recording of the hymn, on line and through a music retailer, but it doesn't seem to exist. Does the school possess a CD of it? If not, you could always make a recording and sell it to parents and pupils and old girls as a fund raising project for a school activity or for Barnardos.
I still think it would be a wonderful project for the School choir to make a recording; I am sure a lot of old pupils and parents etc would buy a CD with the School Song and the profits could go to a good cause, either in the school or outside. I am convinced the School still has a brilliant choir!
I visited Ashford about fifteen years ago; I drove up East Hill; it was during the Easter holiday and the School was deserted. I didn't recognise anything at all, not the School nor the town. I would like to visit again, but am going through a patch of bad health and limited mobility so it’s fairly unlikely.”

Jean Richmond ’59 (Mrs Whittle) Jean wrote to Jo-an who has forwarded this information. She visited the School about 10yrs. ago and then again last July when travelling in the area and noticed a great difference from Miss Harland's time with the familiar Ashford style buildings and carefully tended paintwork. She said the new Ashford roads and the 'cultivated park' effect across from the river at Bottom Nightingale took away the peacefulness which she had enjoyed there whilst going on the punt. The indoor pool, albeit useful, lacked the outdoor fun atmosphere of the old pool. She was very sorry not to be able to see her old dormitory in Bridge but the National Child Protection Laws prevented entry to non staff. (Bridge now houses children who have their lunch in lovely colourful high chairs--the youngest members of the School.)
Jean is married and lives in Dorset. She and her husband have 2 daughters; one of whom recently got married in Kent, and the other was a teacher but has now become a counsellor mostly with children. Jean still does one nursing shift a week.
Jean keeps in touch with Jenny Green who became a Maths teacher; she married Tom, an Agricultural Contractor, they have a musical daughter who is married and they have a little boy. Sue Brown is a doctor in Kent; she and her husband have two children who have become a doctor and an engineer. Jean is also in touch with Beryl, and Jean Maddieson who we are sorry to hear is very poorly indeed.

Mary Wainwright ‘59 (Mrs Hedgecoe) “Six years ago I retired from the job as School secretary which I had for 20 years - loved the job although I never felt I quite reached Miss Harland's formidable heights! I continued with a very part time secretarial job for a friend of ours for 5 years but have now fully retired. We have three sons all married and five grandsons four of whom live in London and Brighton so I am very involved which is lovely. Our youngest son and his Ecuadorean wife live in Madrid with their new baby so we do quick darts backwards and forwards. My family lived in Madrid when I was a child and when I started at Ashford I went back to Madrid for the first three holidays - then my father was sent to Argentina so I used to go out one year to see the family and they would come over the next year! It sounds quite archaic now but there were a lot of us at Ashford who were in the same situation and in fact I think one of the reasons my parents chose the school was because it was "abroad-friendly".
My sister Katherine lives in London (she is 3 years younger than me) and my youngest sister Frances (8 years younger) lives in Yorkshire. The person I keep most in touch with is Georgina Hyde (who is now known as Annie Chariesworth). She lives in Wiltshire, works for a charity and leads a very busy life. I also do Christmas cards each year to (but have not seen recently) Gillian Evans (Mrs Oxenham), Susan Brown (Mrs McGlaggan), Jean Richmond (Mrs Whittle). Annie and I have thoughts of trying to organize a reunion perhaps next year as it is 50 years since the last of our year group left. Should we get our act together I will certainly get back in touch with you.
Thank you all for everything you do to produce the School Tie. I love reading it but as you know I'm not very good at keeping in touch.”

Irene Dawson 1930-1934 wrote to Sandra in October '07 saying: "I am writing to tell you that I do NOT have computer access. My postal address will remain as above (Reading). I enjoy receiving occasional news and was interested to see news from Muriel Judd. I hope she is still well. I had a quiet but pleasant 90th birthday in February (2007). I keep in touch with Betty Allnut (Mrs Knight) 1 do not think she is still a member. I appreciate my Hon. Membership very much indeed. Please convey this to the Committee.
It is two-and-a-half years since I moved here. The management arranges interesting outings by minibus so I am able to discover the beautiful countryside but I still miss the sea at Tankerton very much, especially as I can walk quite well with a three-wheeled walking frame out of doors.
Sorry this is rather a long letter but you did mention you would like to know what we are "up to". With best wishes."
Asst. Ed's Note: For Irene's address please contact a member of the Committee
 

Rosemary Freeland would love to hear about Sheila Tritton and Josie Brockman (1937-1941)
Sarah Selbie, (Mrs Cook)'72, is looking for Alison Wright who was in Brooke House at the same time as herself.
Margaret Fearnehough, (Ferney) (Mrs Langoulant)'63,  would like to contact Carol Scott and Penny Shute if anyone can help her.
Joyce Moir would like any information possible regarding Aimee Margaret Moir who became Mrs. Mervyn Osmond in 1940 and was known as "Marge". Any help would be much appreciated. She was born in Calcutta in 1915 and returned to this Country when her mother was ill and subsequently died. Please contact Carolyn with any information so that she can send it to Joyce.
Mrs Carolyn Chamberlain (nee Nelms)
Tel:  00 33 5 53 28 86 32
Email : carolyn.chamberlain@wanadoo.fr

We would like addresses for the following: Claire Andrews, Jacqueline Atkins (Mrs Doodie Grubb); Alison Bradstock, Caroline Court, Rotimi Dare, Freya Faulkner, Suzanna and Kirstin Ferguson; Charlotte Foad (Mrs Rix), Candice Fulker-Stuurman, Tara Gammon, Olivia Haydock, Emma Hayes, Wing Yan Teresa Lau, Aimi Phillips, Laura Phillips, Charlotte Pollet; Jacqueline Potter; Victoria Price; Aime Reed, Sarah Shirley (Mrs Pattle); Tara Smith; Sarah Turley, Bhairrvi Upadhyaya, Fern Winter and Jovita Wong.

Alexia Swatland (Mrs Pagdham), as Membership Database Organiser would like to know the whereabouts of: Holly Blackham, 2004; Norah Browne, 1922; Victoria Davidson, 2007; Jun Dong, 2007; Reem Elamin, 2006; Miss Ka Wan Irene Fu, 2004; Megan Hills, 2004; Naree Kang, 2006; Karis Mawer, 2007; Yasmin Robertson-Riley, 2007; Yasmin Robertson-Riley, 2007; Shu Kei Zoe Wai, 2007; Hoi Ying Eterna Wong, 2007; Danielle Worker, 2004; Zheng Yan Jennie Zhang, 2007

Please email news@ashfordschoolassociation.co.uk  if you know the up-to-date address of any of the above, and make sure you send her your own address change!! You can download a form to fill in your details here