THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — These Findon Chronicles are created by Valerie Martin and contain scenes from her home village of Findon, West Sussex, U.K.
MISS E. G. ALEXANDER
Copyright Valerie Martin 20010
The Headmistress of the school in Findon c.1946 was Miss E. G. Alexander and I did not know much about this lady until Lawrie May in Antigua told me about her....
| 7th October 2004 Letter from Antigua.
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I echo your last sentiments, Lawrie.
| 4th January 2005 Hello Valerie Myrtlegrove |
Yes, there was an institution at Myrtlegrove around this time. Perhaps Lawrie will tell us a bit more about it.....
| 5th January 2005 Myrtlegrove What sad memories Sandra Hopkins rekindled in her letter
about Myrtlegrove. Lawrence May, Scottish Highlands. (Antigua, West Indies).
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More reminiscences.... this time from W. J. Dixon
in Hayling Island, Hampshire...."Hi
Valerie...A Walk Down Memory Lane.....I have only just found your web-site and
what memories that has evoked.
My name is Jim Dixon and I lived in Lime Tree Avenue, Findon Valley and was born
in 1942. I lived there with my brother John and parents Oliver and Connie
and we were there until 1964 when we moved to Hayling Island, Hampshire, here I
am still living.
I went to the Village School in about 1946/7. Miss Alexander was the
Headmistress and the other teachers were Miss Phillamore and Miss Sheppard.
Names I can recall from those days Keith Langridge, Nigel Wiglesworth, David
Ockendon, Valerie Dean, Josephine Anscombe, Nigel Oliver, Derek and Roger
Bushrod, Edward Spooner. I have a photo of the School sports day in 1950,
running a 3 legged race with Nigel Wiglesworth in which we came second. Miss
Sheppard is standing on the side with whistle in hand.
My early memories are of Elson toilets, using slate and chalk for drawing in
Miss P's class due to paper shortage after the war. Miss Alexander washing
out the mouths of boys caught swearing,with a large bar of soap, and shaking
naughty boys by their ears, which we called 'getting a good wigging'.
Despite her rough treatment she was quite a kindly person underneath, and in
fact I still have a book called' xploring England' by Charles S Bayne that
she gave me because I showed an interest in Nature.
Nativity plays in the Village Hall just down the road I remember and also in
winter in Miss A's class when we used to listen to the radio,s chool programme,s
he would remove her false teeth before falling asleep, but always woke up
as the programme finished. She used to sit right in front of the large
open fire which I'm sure was what sent her to sleep.
Shops I can remember are Wintons Stores, the Blacksmith Forge, Ma
Browns(greengrocer) I once bought an apple for a penny,t he cost a my bus
fare to Findon Valley, and had to walk home as a result which was something I
did quite often with Nigel Oliver who also lived in the Valley.
I also recall Nurse Day and P.C Griffen.
I left the School in the early 50's to go the The Vale Primary School which on
reflection I have always thought was a mistake, from there I want to Tarring
Secondary Modern and left there in 1960.
Thank you for a interesting and thought provoking web site.
Regards, Jim Dixon, Hayling Island, Hampshire."
A few days later, Jim emailed to me again.....

On the sports day photo from
left to right are as follows:
Edward Spooner, Keith Langridge, Self, Nigel Wiglesworth, ?, Valerie Dean,? ?,? ?, Miss Sheppard, ?, Josephene Anscombe.

The single photo is me taken at Easter 1949.
Thinking about my start at school I think it was Sept.1946 as I came home from
school and told my Mother that as I had started early I only had to go in the
morning.
No one said anything until the School Inspector arrived home one day to find out
why I only attended for a half day and when told I had to go all day just said 'alright
then' and off I went.
The strange thing was that none of the teachers ever asked why I was not there
in the afternoon.
My other recollection was collecting newts and tadpoles from the dew pond at
Tolmare Farm.
Regards, Jim Dixon"
That cheeky little boy looks the sort to me that would come home from school and say he only had to attend in the mornings!
Susan Robinson also emailed with
reminiscences of Miss Alexander....."I used to ride
around the area. I would spend as much time as possible helping at Jeanette Harran's stables and sometimes had a 'free hack' in exchange. On other occasions
my parents gave me 3s. 6d for half an hour ride or for special treats 7
shillings for one hour ride.
How times have changed! My Parents moved to the village sometime in 1951. My
Father Richard (known as Jack) Drake was the village Policeman, we left in 1954
when my Father was transferred to Lancing.
I had the pleasure of being taught by the notorious Miss Alexander (known as
Alleybags by some), my Father saw fit to ask Miss Alexander to give me private
piano lessons, I believe I still have the marks on my back when I was hit for
playing the wrong note. She should have been in the Olympics, she could stand at
the blackboard with her back to class, board rubber in hand, turn and score a
bulls-eye with miraculous accuracy - connecting with the pupil who had been
talking."
In November 2010 I heard from Alan Munro....ex-Findonian... now in
Jacksonvillage, Florida, USA....."Hi
Valerie....Findon School.....I was one of the children who attended the Findon
School from 1946-1950 and read with amusement the comments about the
Headmistress Miss Alexander.
I remember her well...She was a "holy terror" indeed and I was wrapped over the
knuckles many a time and had my mouth washed out with soap for saying something
bad that I shouldn't have said! I am not sure that her heavy handed tactics
really hurt us in later life though. I think she prepared us for the tough
world out there when we left school.
I visited the school while in England with my daughter in 1997 and it was much
the same as I remember it.
My school records were still there at the time and the current headmistress kindly copied them for me. Findon was like going back in time for me. It was as I remembered it and I hope the village never changes.. A delightful part of England. Alan Munro Jacksonville Fl. USA"
Alan added....."Hi Valerie....Thanks for getting back
to me. I spent 4 years at the school from 1946 to 1950..I was six when I went
there.
We lived however in Findon Valley above the "Linga Longa" on Kings Parade I
think it was called then.The Linga Longa is still there! I commuted by bus with
other students such as Roger Dean,John Parsons,Sheila Cunningham and Nigel
Oliver.
In the school records I am best known for slamming an iron gate into Nigel
Oliver who was sent to the doctor for stitches. I think I got suspended for a
couple of days. We were playing and chasing each other at the time,it was an
accident,not intentional!
I have vivid memories of those days including the school plays in the village
hall near the Gunn Inn. They used to show regular films at the village hall.
I remember a banner over the butcher's shop in the square for "Anchors
Aweigh,"with Frank Sinatra and Katherine Grayson. This would have been about
1946 since the movie was released in 1945. They were happy days for me,despite
Miss Alexander and her strict ways.
Miss Shephard was my favorite teacher.....There was also a Miss Philamore.
We played a lot of "Conker" games in those days and kicked up dust storms in the
school yard to the consternation of the staff!
Great times to be sure! Best,Alan"
FROM
ALAN..."Hi Valerie.....I found one pic from my Findon school days. I was about 6 when
this was taken which would have been 1946. Miss Alexander told my parents I was
a little hooligan!
I think this pic confirms that!
.....thanks,Alan"
CLICK TO ENLARGE
IMAGES
Alan says....."Another note on Miss Alexander.
According to the Findon School records now in Chichester, she died in 1957.Quite
a legend that's for sure!"
Continue if you would like to now read about The Crooks and the Nativity Play.
THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — www.findonvillage.com is a continually growing record created by Valerie Martin exclusively for documenting life in Findon.
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Do let me know of anything you hear about Findon - not too controversial. Please note that opinions expressed in the Findon Chronicles are not necessarily reflective of my own thoughts.... but sometimes they are! |