newsletter

The War Memorial

Great News…. Update from the AGM. Reg Rogers made contact with Ms Doda Panayiotou, the Headmistress of Nightingale School and took the samples of the proposed replacement Memorial Plaque. On the 26th February I met with Ms Doda and members of her staff. They had been horrified to learn the story of our original Memorial, and were fully supportive of having a replacement in the school.

This year there will be a new reception area by September, and they feel that this will be the appropriate place for the Memorial.

For those of you who were not at the AGM, the replacement will be very like the original, though slightly smaller— i.e.

Brass Plaque 16.5’’ x 11.75’’, etched detail and filled black with 4 countersunk holes, screws and caps mounted onto 1 off 18” x 13 ¼” solid oak

backing board with mahogany or clear stain and wall fixings

Final details will be agreed with the School/Memorial supplier.

The estimated cost will be £400 including art-work and fitting.

If you would like to make a donation towards the cost of this Memorial, please send to me with your cheque made out to T.O.S.A

Please mark back of cheque with “MEMORIAL FUND”

Beryl Skinner

110 Reading Road

Finchampstead, Berks, RG40 4RA

On the 26th February, I was delighted to accompany Kemal (Kim) Ghafur 1951 when he visited

Nightingale Primary School (which now occupies the Trinity building) to talk to pupils about “going to school in the 1950’s.”

Together with Alan Johnson (50) we were the intrepid Three Musketeers – Kim complete in school uniform (long trousers of course) together with Mortar Board and Gown, Alan with school cap /prefects badge, and me with a borrowed prefects badge – the nearest I ever came.

Kim had managed to put together a fantastic array of memorabilia from that era :-

School captain's eagle. Gown and Mortar Board which he wore, much to the amusement of the audience and on display were his Trinity Report Book; Hymn Book; school drama photos (Admetus) football; cricket; tennis; prefects (Kim and Alan); class photos; Latin; English Lit. and General Science exercise books; Coronation programme for Wood Green; Intimate Theatre Palmers Green Programme; Primary school exercise books ;Report Book. Meccano plane; original boxed set; and book; Hornby clockwork train (which whizzed across the hall); Wells Tin Clockwork Trolley Bus; set of Dinky Racing Cars; School Friend; Film Fun; Rainbow comics; ABC Ritz and Gaumont and Famous Five badges. Old money and Ration Books; 40s wooden jigsaw puzzle; 40s toy tin sword; Rupert and School Girls Annuals; 1953 Coronation spoon.

The children (approximate 60) and their teachers, were fascinated by the stories Kim related, and were very keen to answer the questions he put for fun, when the one who answered correctly, won a prize.

A short history of their school was given and they were made aware of the foundation stone and also the link to Woodside High which now stands on the old playing field. They could not believe that farthings were used to raise money in 1933 for the 100 trees planted.

A good afternoon was enjoyed by all. Beryl Skinner