A visit to the Headmistress Our story takes us back to the 1950s when schoolgirls behaved like young ladies, played the game and obeyed the rules….or did they? “Hello Gill, your eyes look very red, are you feeling ill?” asked Susan studying her friends face intently. ‘I’m ok now,’ replied Gillian, t...

Lisa and Karen had just arrived in the changing room for their PE lesson. They had gone to their lockers to collect their kit when Lisa spoke. “Oh no, I’ve left my shorts at home again.” “Not again,” retorted Karen.” You’ll be for it this time.” “Don’t I know it. Especially as we’re now in the upper...

We visit the Barrington-Brown household where on the last weekend of the school holidays Fiona and Emma have just been out horse riding. “Fiona, Emma, come here,” said their mother as they entered the house. “Yes mummy, what is it?” asked Fiona, puzzled at her mother’s rather stern tone. “Your fathe...

The life of a domestic servant Part 3 Time has moved on; summer had given way to winter and Christmas was fast approaching. With the changing of the season I now had extra chores, such as bringing in coal for the fires which I also had to light as well as cleaning out the grates first thing in the m...

The life of a domestic servant Part 2 After the children returned to school, life became a little easier although I was still kept busy. Mrs Tyson was very strict about routine and I learned this very early on to my cost. My first duty each morning was to prepare breakfast for Mr Tyson at precisely ...

The life of a domestic servant. Part 1 My name is Elsie Adams and I entered service as a maid in 1934 at the age of fourteen. I never knew my parents as my father died as a result of wounds received during the war and mother died in childbirth. In consequence I was brought up in an orphanage. Life t...