Memories of Grey Friars from 100 Years Ago
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From Miss L.C.Reynolds
I spent 14 years at CCHS joining the Staff the same term at Miss Hurt. What a fine scholar and clever teacher she was, as well as an amusing colleague!
I remember as vividly as if it were yesterday, September 17th 1917, my first day at North Hill when my beginner’s shyness was at once dispelled by the kindly welcome of the Head Girl, Doris Wells (now Mrs Nicholson) who, protectively towering above me with hair ‘up’ and skirt long, looked a far more fitting member of the Staff than I felt.
How lucky I was to have the opportunity of teaching Latin in the old Roman capital of Britain! I used to start off the IIIa beginners with lessons on the Roman wall, overlooking Balkerne Lane, on the edge of the School grounds, where double snowdrops grew in profusion in Spring; and often a parent would send me a hurried invitation to run over in the dinner hour to a bit of mosaic pavement he’d unearthed while gardening; and once when a sceptical member of the class, questioning the origin of some earthenware fragments that I proudly showed, took them to Mr Hull, the Curator of the Castle Museum, for verification, I found the next morning written on the blackboard: “Miss Reynolds’s remains are genuine”! Who could fail to enjoy teaching and perhaps even learning the classics under such conditions?
I am grateful for all the help and guidance and fun from those far-off days at CCHS enjoying my experience as Senior Mistress, both with Miss Crosthwaite and Miss King. My initial training and progress essentially depended on Miss Crosthwaite’s influence and inspiration, and later her friendship.
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