72 THE BERGMAN ÖSTERBERG UNION

2014

72

Diploma Badges CONTENTS

Occasionally70 Diploma Badges are available to buy. 3 Page They are donated by former students and sold in aid of the BÖU Archive Fund. Letter from the Chairman 2

Agenda for the AGM 2014 5 The price is £75 Minutes of the AGM 2013 6

BÖU Executive Committee 2014 16 The Executive Committee would like to thank the following: Awards and Presentations 19 Eileen Alexander for donating her badge. A Celebration of the Life of Martina Bergman Österberg 20 Mrs Jean Wills for donating her badge. Janet M. Campbell D.B.E. 1877-1954 21 Ann Allen for re donating Mrs Toplis’ badge. A perfect training system 23 Margaret Angus for purchasing Mrs Toplis’ badge from Ann Allen. Bergman Österberg housekeeper was part of notorious gang 28 An eventful dinner party! 31 It is wonderful to see diploma badges staying in our BÖU family second time Making music at Oakfield Lane in 1970 33 around! Many thanks to all donors and recipients, past and present. Proceeds Lacrosse - who introduced the game to MBÖ’s college at Dartford? 35 from the sale of badges are very much appreciated and go directly into the BÖU News from Dartford Students 40 Archive Fund. If you would like to become a proud new owner or would like to Obituaries 55 donate your badge please contact Jill Ellis Williams [email protected] BÖU Accounts 63 Benefit Fund Accounts 64 Message from the Editorial Sub-Committee The Benefit Fund 65 Changes to the Register 66 We hope you have enjoyed the BÖU Magazine 2014. Thank you to all those who Donation of Material to the Archive 67 have contributed to this magazine and especially our proof-readers, Jane Claydon, BÖU on the World Wide Web 67 Alan Gamwell, Cathy Marsh and Gwen Seabrook Smith. We encourage everyone to Diploma Badges 68 think about contributing to the 2015 magazine. The year 2015 will be very Message from the Editorial Sub-Committee 68 significant for the BÖU, as we recognise 100 years since the death of Martina Bergman Österberg on 29th July 1915. We shall be celebrating Madame Österberg’s life and work and hope that the BÖU Magazine 2015 will be a special issue with many contributions from you, her students. The deadline for receipt of articles will be31 st December 2014.

The BÖU saved considerable postage costs by sending the 2013 Newsletter to members by e-mail. Please ensure that we have your current e-mail address by sending an e-mail to our Registrar, Pat Chatters [email protected] Members who do not have an e-mail address will continue to receive a printed copy of the Newsletter.

It is also possible to receive the BÖU Magazine by e-mail. If you would like to receive a copy of the magazine by e-mail please contact the BÖU at: [email protected] 70 3 Best wishes from your Editorial Sub-Committee: Pat Chatters, Christobel Elliott, Jill Ellis Williams, Rosemary Moon, Anne Stuart. 68 1 Letter from the Chairman Donation of Material to the Archive

Dear Friends, 4 Our Archive is a valuable asset to the BÖU69 as well as contributing to the study of Women’s Sport and Physical Education in the UK and worldwide. We provide It is a pleasure, as always, to be able to report to you on another exciting year for the information regularly to research students from all over the world and to other BÖU. Full details of all our activities appear in the magazine, which I hope you will interested parties. It is a growing and developing Archive accepting material all enjoy reading. Our many thanks go to the magazine sub-committee, and in particular the time from -ex students and former staff. Items previously donated include: Rosemary Moon, for creating, collating and proof reading it all. I hope it will have books, scrap books, photographs, uniforms, college memorabilia and Diploma arrived in good time this year, but you will still get the reunion flyer separately. Badges.

I can hardly believe that a year has passed since our amazing trip to Japan in April We will accept items and possessions as long as the ex-student was Dartford 2013, and now we are well into planning our own special anniversary, the centenary trained. Items from former members of staff are also welcomed. The material of Madame's death in 2015. More of that later. offered needs to be appropriate and relevant to their work in Physical Education and Sport. It was agreed by the Executive Committee to focus upon material The reunion on 7th September was very well attended, and we were delighted to relating to Madame Bergman Österberg and Dartford. welcome Ann Brightwell (née Packer) and her husband Robbie, as our guest speakers, telling us about the 1964 Olympics. They really made the day! Offers to donate material should be made in the first instance to Rosemary Moon: 01689 890716 [email protected] We began the day with a lively AGM, and our committee is now complete again. It was a BÖU on the WORLD WIDE WEB pleasure to welcome Toni Cutler back and to co-opt Jane The Bergman Österberg Union web site is hosted by the University of Greenwich Claydon and Jenny Haynes. This Alumni office and can be found at: http://www.gre.ac.uk/bou . From the was followed by the official introductory page there are links to the Benefit Fund, the Executive Committee opening of the new Archive and the Archive. rooms by Ann Brightwell, after The BÖU also has a Facebook page: Dartford-College-of-Physical-Education- short speeches by Cllr Ann Alumni. Please ‘like’ our page and post a message. We want to use every Allen, myself and a message opportunity to keep in touch with students from Dartford College of PE. from Sheila Cutler. Rosemary and her team had created The Archive has its own blog which can be found at: excellent displays about Ann's http://bergmanosterbergunionarchive.blogspot.com Olympic endeavours, and the The blog has been created to enable distribution of news items from the BÖU 1963 year group, and everyone The opening of the new Archive rooms Archive and there is a facility for visitors to the blog to make comments and to L-R: Robbie Brightwell, Cllr Ann Allen, Cllr Avtar Sandhu, thoroughly enjoyed seeing our sign up as ‘followers’ of the blog. We also have a ‘Name That Girl’ page where we Ann Brightwell, Anne Stuart special collection in its spacious post photos of unknown students and ask for help in providing identification. surroundings. In our increasingly electronic age it is vital that we maintain maximum publicity via We had lunch in the Österberg Centre, where earlier a Kent Netball club had been the internet for the BÖU and for the Archive. Please visit the BÖU web page and holding their trials. The hot lunch was served for us this year by Rob and Chrissie, the blog and pass on our web addresses to your family and friends. and was excellent. We were delighted to welcome the guests already mentioned and also Cllr Avtar4 Sandhu, the Deputy Mayor of Dartford, who was standing in for Patsy http://www.gre.ac.uk/bou69 Thurlow, and Cllr Jennifer Rickwood. After lunch, Ann and Robbie gave us a witty http://bergmanosterbergunionarchive.blogspot.com

2 67 Changes to the Register and highly informative talk about her Gold in the 800m and Silver in the 400m, and Robbie's Silver in 68 the 4x400m. We all had a chance to see5 and touch Olympic medals, and then we repaired to Madame's Gill Aitkenhead MBE DL (1972) New members tree and rededicated the stone. The sun shone Flat 1 brightly and the day was capped off perfectly when 3 Park Lane Susan Evans (1976) Ann agreed to become our new Patron. (Rachael Charlotte Street 32 Heyes Drive Heyhoe Flint has felt that she has not been able to Helensburgh Wallasey contribute very much to the BÖU as Patron, due to Argyll and Bute Wirral her many other commitments, and asked us to find a G24 7NT CH45 8QW replacement for her). [email protected] [email protected] After lunch, Ann presented the Bergman Österberg award to Michelle Knopp, whose study on "The K. Jackson (Stubbs; 1968) Susan McNally (Greenard; 1973) relationship between physical activity, physical self- L- Michelle Knopp Yew Trees Birchwood perceptions and self-esteem in children and R- Ann Brightwell 4 Rodwell Hall Highland Road adolescents" gained the highest overall grade (78%) in St Thomas Rd Badgers Mount the final year independent studies course from a student going into teacher training. Trowbridge Sevenoaks Michelle was one of ten students offered a place on the PGCE course at the Wilts. Kent University of Greenwich for 2013/14. She spoke about her study and answered BA14 7LU TN14 7BB questions very confidently, and we were pleased to welcome her parents Gary and [email protected] [email protected] Cheryl, who joined us for lunch.

Janice Moffat (Blanshard; 1975) In October, Birgitta Wistrand from Sweden paid a three day visit to do more research Member rejoined 87 Layhams Road in the Archive for her book about Madame. Rosemary, Alan, Christobel and I spent West Wickham time helping her and looking after her, for which she was very grateful. Valerie Thompson (Jones; 1963) Kent Westcott BR4 9HE On the 7th December 2013, Kent Netball held an afternoon tea at the Archive, which Itton [email protected] was very successful. Joan Mills has attended a committee meeting to report on their Chepstow progress with their Archive, which is stored in our Mary Duggan room. We are Monmouthshire pleased to have cemented our links with Kent Netball and are proposing to donate NP16 6BZ Sandra Reilly (Tolen; 1979) an Award for them in Madame's name, starting next year. [email protected] 32 Heyes Drive Wallasey We made our usual donation to the upkeep of the NWK cricket pitch again, but this Wirral was returned by David Gleed, as the pitch will no longer be used for cricket, and has Ann Brightwell (Packer;1963) CH45 8QW been turned into a football pitch. Cricket will continue to take place in the nets and 15 Moody Street [email protected] the sports hall only. Congleton Cheshire In February, we had a response to the letter I sent to Dartford Borough Council CW12 4AN regarding the possible listing of Kingsfield. Unfortunately, they are unable to be of [email protected] any help at present. However, Peter Boreham has created a paper ready for us to 68 present to5 English Heritage in due course, if and when the need arises. In the meantime the building continues to be unused.

66 3 Jo Harris has continued to liaise with Martyn Stephenson at the University of THE BENEFIT FUND Greenwich regarding the awarding of Honorary degrees. This will be a long process, but a worthwhile one. Our thanks go to 6 Jo and Martyn for facilitating the process 67 and keeping it moving along. Grants from this fund can be awarded to ex-students and ex–staff of Dartford College of Physical Education. As the Trustees have only received one application NWK College continue to support us very generously, and their new Vice Principal, for a grant in almost two years, we are in a good position to assist you if you are Rhiannon Hughes, who trained originally as a PE teacher, visited us at the Archive in having difficulties financially or if you know of anybody else having difficulties. the first few weeks of her appointment. She has already been tremendously helpful in facilitating some of our plans for the centenary next year. We are in the process The Charity Commissioners point out that grants can be made for a variety of of making a short promotional film with Tim Cubitt, the Head of media studies. We purposes, some of which are listed below: are going to be able to photograph the rooms in Kingsfield for the Archive, and we are discussing the possibility of a Dance display by the highly fêted NWK students on our centenary weekend. a) Weekly allowances for a limited period to meet a particular need. b) Payment of travelling expenses for visiting people in hospitals, NWK have also continued to give us help and support with the Archive rooms, and I convalescent homes or similar places. would like to thank David Gleed, Rhiannon Hughes, Ian Goodwin, John Doran, Tim c) Payment to assist in meeting electricity or gas bills. Cubitt, Lindsey O' Malley and all the various site teams for their kindness this year. d) Radio or television sets for the lonely, bedridden or housebound. A new sub-committee, led by Toni Cutler, is planning our centenary events and e) Payment for services such as house decorating, insulation, repairs. merchandise. We plan to have a centenary weekend in 2015. On Saturday 5th f) Special payments to relieve sickness or infirmity. September, we aim to host a study day at NWK college on "The Legacy of Madame g) Payment towards the cost of adaptations to the homes of the Österberg", and in the evening we are organising a dinner, the venue of which is yet disabled. to be finalised. On Sunday 6th, we will hold our usual AGM in the morning and have h) The provision of services such as help in the home, bathing and hair a display of practical work in the afternoon. I hope that many of you will try to come washing, shopping, sitting in and travelling companions. and join us for these special events. i) The provision of facilities such as arrangements for a period of rest or change of air, not only for the sick but as a temporary relief for those Finally, my usual thank you's to your hard working committee. Firstly, to Jilly Ellis having the care of the sick or disabled. Williams, for her continued dedication as our immensely hard working secretary. To Ken Challinor for his wise counsel as our President, to Christobel Elliott for her work as Treasurer, supported by Marg Kukoyi and to Pat Chatters for sorting out the We have widened the scope of the fund and if there are any ex-students involved register. Thanks to Jan Grimsey for organising the reunion and Brenda Barton and with children with special needs, deprived children or other similar groups they Pat for their organisation on the day. Also to Brenda for the newsletter, and could apply for a grant to assist them with this work. The Trustees of the Benefit Rosemary, Jilly, Pat, Christobel and myself for the magazine. Peter's expertise has Fund would discuss any applications and make awards on merit. proven to be invaluable this year with our concerns over Kingsfield amongst many other issues. Jo is leading our attempt to gain Honorary Degree status from the Grants for ex-students in financial need would University of Greenwich, and Jane Claydon has already contributed a lot of research always have first call on the Benefit Fund. and display work to the Archive. Jenny Haynes is working on budgeting and merchandise for the centenary and Jackie Farr brings her up-to-date knowledge to all our activities. Last, but not least, many thanks to Rosemary, Alan Gamwell, Gwen Please write in confidence to apply yourself or on behalf of another person to:- Seabrook Smith and their team of volunteers for all their work in the Archive this year. Our thanks also go to Martyn Stephenson for organising the printing of our The Benefit Fund, c/o Hon Treasurer, Christobel Elliott, magazine, and the University of Greenwich for paying for the printing and postage. 8, Ingatestone Road, Woodford Green, Essex IG8 9AL

I wish you6 all the very best for the remainder of 2014 and I look forward to seeing 67 you at our next reunion on the 6th September. Anne Stuart 4 65 THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE 66 BERGMAN ÖSTERBERG7 UNION Saturday 6th September 2014 10.30am at Dartford AGENDA

1. Apologies for absence 2. President’s remarks 3. Minutes of the 2013 AGM (to be found in the magazine) 4. Matters arising 5. Reports a) Chairman’s report b) Secretary’s report c) Treasurers’ report d) Benefit Fund report e) Registrar’s report f) Archive report 6. Election of Officers of the Executive Committee The current officers of the Committee are: President K. Challinor Vice Presidents P. Boreham J. Harris Chairman A. Stuart * Secretary J. Ellis Williams Treasurers C. Elliott (and Benefit Fund) M. Kukoyi

Committee Members B. Barton (Newsletter Editor) P. Chatters (Registrar) T. Cutler J. Grimsey * J. Farr* S. Norman

Co-opted Members J. Claydon J. Haynes R. Moon (Archivist & Honorary Member of the BÖU) A. Richmond

* Due to retire but willing to stand again. Nominations for the Committee should be sent to the Secretary by 29th August 2014.

66 7. 7Appointment of the Auditor

THERE WILL BE AN OPEN DISCUSSION AFTER THE MEETING 64 5 THE BERGMAN ÖSTERBERG UNION

MINUTES OF THE A.G.M. HELD ON 7th8 SEPTEMBER 2013 AT DARTFORD 65

PRESENT: The following members, former students and friends were present: K. Challinor, A. Stuart, J. Ellis Williams, P. Chatters, B. Barton, M. Toogood, H. Chapman, M. Kukoyi, C. Elliott, Dr J. Farr, R. Moon, Dr I. Webb, A. Gamwell, N. Izard, P. Boreham, M. Kenney, A. Brown, J. Horne, V. Thompson, M. Cowley, A. Neve, A. Pomfret, M. Angus, H. Shanks, G. Seabrook Smith, M. Seabrook Smith, J. Whitehead, T. Cutler, J. Haynes, J. Gibbs, S. Churchill, S. McNally, D. Hammond, S. Draper, L. Ridley, J. Scott. APOLOGIES: for absence were received from: J. Grimsey, S. Norman, S. Cutler, P. Frearson, J. Claydon, G. Metcalfe, M. Millar, A. Richmond, C. Deane, S. Hayes, C. Gale, V. Turner, J. Hunter, R. Heyhoe Flint, C. Lewis, R. Page, N. Davies, J. Perkins, W. Morris, M. Cowley.

PRESIDENT’S REMARKS It is my pleasure to welcome you to the AGM of the BÖU, in such a good number, and I hope you all have a happy day. It is just 40 years this month since I took up my post as Deputy Principal at Dartford and I began my annual attendance at Reunion day.

As Anne will outline to you, this has been a busy and remarkable year for the Committee and I cannot praise enough the time and dedication of all your committee members, particularly the officers. A year that has included an official visit to Japan, a major relocation of the Archives from Kingsfield Old to new accommodation and the compilation and editing of another most readable magazine, would not have been possible without outstanding administration and financial management backed by everyone’s support.

In the magazine I read with great interest Gill Metcalfe’s insightful book review of “Robbie Brightwell and his Golden Girl” published in 2011. If I may, I’d like to digress a little here, because in my first years as a PE teacher I took a great interest in the annual English Schools Athletics Championships. In 1954 my school 4x110 yards relay team won the Worcestershire schools junior (i.e. under 15) boys final by some 15 yards and were selected en bloc to represent the county at Ashington, Northumberland. The Championships were always very well organised and maintained high levels of performance, and in subsequent years I attended them at Plymouth, Southampton, Shrewsbury, and Chesterfield. At the first two of those venues I saw a young athlete who subsequently became an Olympic competitor, and who will be visiting us today, 8 Robbie Brightwell, who won the Intermediate Boys 220 yards at 65 Plymouth in 1956 (23.5) and the Senior Boys 220 yards at Southampton (23.0) in 1957, and went on to represent G.B. at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. 6 63

On returning to Sierra Leone, in 1995/96, together with husband Teddy (who had Tokyo, of course, is where Ann Packer won her gold medal with a devastating survived the difficult years of Tina and64 daughters’ absence), Tina helped her family sprint in the finishing straight of the9 800 metres. David Puttnam, the film and friends to re-establish life in a war-torn country. maker, wrote a magazine article about the race from which I will read you a short extract: Tina has also always worked as an active volunteer, a netball and tennis coach, a Girl Guide Leader and for 25 years was at the helm of the family Red Lion Bakery; ‘Packer had run five races in five days, all of them at either personal bests or she has also been very involved with charity work. near personal best times. In her own words, she didn’t really think she was in with a chance of winning the 800 metres but thought she “might be able to Tina was always a larger-than-life character, a very determined person, a unique snatch a medal”’. individual who left a legacy of significant accomplishments and inspiring memories when she died, after severe health complications, on July 29th 2013. ‘All the other girls were running way above their normal time for the first lap of an 800 metres,’ says Puttnam. ‘So, coming to the last bend, 150 metres from home, while it looked as though she was out of it, in her own words she “felt Dr. Ida M. Webb anything but out of it”’.

‘Ann hit the front 50 metres from the line, and I asked her if at any point afterwards she thought she might be overtaken. “No,” she said, “I was home free.” Well, she may have been home free but I was biting my nails, leaping up and down, having something very, very close to a heart attack watching her.’

Where did that sprint come from? Did he know? Do you know? It is perhaps significant that Ann Packer won the Senior Girls 100 yards in 11.4 seconds at Northwich, Cheshire, in 1959.

I’m looking forward very much to today. Ken Challinor

Ken was thanked by Anne Stuart.

MINUTES OF THE 2012 A.G.M. The minutes were signed as a correct record.

MATTERS ARISING There were no matters arising. Dartford College of Physical Education Jestina Ashwood (2nd from left); Instructor: Ida M. Webb CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

I should like to begin by echoing Ken and welcoming you all most warmly to the 2013 AGM and Reunion. I don't know how many of you realise the fact that 64 this is 9Ken's 40th year at Dartford in September, as he became Vice Principal of the college in September 1973!

62 7 I hope that you have all enjoyed the 2013 magazine, despite its late arrival Jestina Viola Wilhemina Jones (née Ashwood) known as “Tina” once again. I can only apologise both for that and for the very small print size that I am sure many of us have struggled10 to read without a magnifying glass! 63 I'm afraid that these difficulties are all beyond our control, and I can only Tina was the fifth child of seven and the record my thanks to Martyn Stephenson and the University of Greenwich for fourth daughter born to Eustace and eventually managing to produce and post the magazine under very difficult Ethel Ashwood, on March 18th 1942. circumstances this year. As you may imagine, we are particularly grateful She inherited the three names of her because of the cost of this undertaking. paternal grandmother.

On to more positive items: Her grandparents were Mayor and As you know from the magazine, our Archive has finally been moved into its Mayoress of Freetown. lovely new home in a large mobile outside this sports centre, called somewhat imaginatively T4. We are all looking forward to the official opening at 12 o'clock Lively, energetic, social, independent, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Rosemary Moon and her fearless and competitive sum up the team for sorting out the move so successfully. I am sure that you will all be main characteristics so evident through- impressed, not only with the space that we have got but with the way in which out Tina’s life. our collection is now housed and the obvious hours of work that have gone into creating displays and workspaces. It was an absolute pleasure to hold our Her love of sport and outdoor activities first committee meeting there. was developed at Primary School and very evident throughout her life, Unfortunately, Kingsfield itself has now been mothballed. We are very aware of particularly when she competed in the the need to monitor this situation and are very lucky to have Peter Boreham to 80 metres hurdles, long jump and high Top: Ann Packer jump events. Tina also actively played both advise us and act in the right way, when the time is right, to do what we Bottom L: Margaret N. Roche (Novello) tennis for well over 30 years. can to ensure the building’s survival. The situation is very delicate, but please Bottom R: Jestina Ashwood (Tina) rest assured that we are doing all that can be done at present.

As you will also know from the magazine, Dr Jackie Farr, Sarah Decent and I After representing Sierra Leone at the Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, in 1958, had a very successful visit to Japan in April. I would go so far as to say that it in the hurdles and high jump events, in 1960 she came to Dartford College of was one of the most amazing countries I have ever visited and quite a life- Physical Education and represented the College in athletics fixtures/competitions. changing experience in many ways. The overwhelming generosity and kindness of everyone we met was totally heart warming and I hope that you will be able Tina was awarded the Teachers Certificate, University of London, Institute of to meet members of the Japanese Women's College of PE Alumni Association Education at the end of her training. when they visit sometime in the next two years. There is a display and video in the Janet Campbell room in the Archive for you to see later. On returning to Sierra Leone, in 1963, Tina’s first post was at the Annie Walsh Memorial School. She then worked as a Physical Education teacher/lecturer at I must take this opportunity to thank North West Kent College for allowing us Njala University Experimental School, Bishop Johnson Memorial School, Fourah to have our Reunion and AGM in the lovely Österberg Sports Centre and also Bay College School and De International School. Tina also taught at the Amada thank the staff, headed by Ian Goodwin and John Doran for their help with the Bello University Primary School in Zaria, Nigeria from 1972-1975. archive move and making things ready for today. Also to Rob Fitzgerald and Chrissy from the catering department who will be providing and serving all In 1964 Tina married Teddy, with whom she had three daughters, Wilma, Michelle refreshments today. Unfortunately neither David Gleed, the Principal, nor and Ethel. During the ravages of the Civil War in Sierra Leone, Tina fled from 10 63 Penny Morgan, the Vice Principal, were able to join us for lunch. Jilly will tell Freetown, with her three daughters in one of the few ships that was not sunk. you about the cricket pitch in her report. Teddy remained in Freetown to run the bakery.

8 61 insufficient adults to escort them across the busy roads. So she and Sally The BÖU PE award is being given this year to Michelle Knopp, who will be volunteered to walk at the back of the line of children every week. joining us for lunch with her parents. Her study received the highest overall 62 grade (78%) in the final year independent11 studies course from a student going That the recently retired principal should so arrange her diary to be free, at into teacher training and she was one of 10 students offered a place on the 11.00am on a Monday, to enable young pupils to have their swimming lesson PGCE programme at the University of Greenwich for 2013 to 14. The study was speaks volumes for the values Eileen held dear. titled "The relationship between physical activity, physical self perceptions and self-esteem in children and adolescents.” I am sure that like me you are looking What a lady, what a life, what a legacy. forward to hearing her tell us a bit more about it after lunch today.

Eileen’s legacy is woven into the fabric of Bedford, into the outstanding We have some friends who are missing today and I wanted to update you international reputation we retain and into the persona of all those she trained. about them. Rachael Heyhoe Flint is very busy with her duties in the House of Her legacy also lives on in the fruits of her sponsorship – of the promotion of Lords, cricket and looking after her husband who is in ill health. She sends her physical education and physical activity, of scholarship, of research and of the very best and is sorry she cannot be with us. Rosemary Fisher, who is a former development of the Bedford Physical Education Archive. Chairman of the BÖU, is now in a nursing home but is doing well after the death of her husband James in January. Sheila Norman has had a lot of health Thank you Eileen, from us all, for the privilege of being party to your inspiration, problems from which she is now recovering and has been able to be placed in your friendship and your generosity. You will long be remembered with gratitude, the same nursing home as her husband. Sheila Cutler has had an operation admiration and sincere affection. from which she is recovering and is unable to be here. As you may imagine it is a source of great disappointment to her after all her many years of dedication Margaret Whitehead, 17 February 2014 to the archive and the BÖU. I know that you will all join me in wishing all four of them well for the future.

Dr Jackie Farr is still working on our behalf to try to get more funding for the Archive and also trying to set up a conference in 2015 which will help to raise our profile. She is still combining a heavy workload with working to innovate and ensure that the Archive is protected and well-known in the future. The talk she gave in Japan, which had to be translated as she went along, was excellent and I was full of admiration for the way in which she managed to communicate so much about Madame and her work, despite the language barrier.

As you will know from the flyer, we are delighted to be able to welcome as our guest speaker today Ann Brightwell née Packer, accompanied by her husband Robbie Brightwell. Her gold medal in the 1964 Olympics was a real highlight of my youth and a feat that was not repeated for 50 years until Kelly Holmes in 2004. I am sure that we will all enjoy her talk. We are also welcoming the deputy mayor of Dartford Borough Council, Cllr Avtar Sandhu, Cllr Ann Allen and Cllr Jennifer Rickwood; and Alan Gamwell, Gwen Seabrook Smith, her husband Martin who helped with the Archive move, Emma Cooper and Rosemary Moon, as well as Michelle Knopp and her parents. After Ann’s talk 2010: Eileen Alexander seated in we will go back over to the memorial stone which was unveiled last year under 1931: Eileen Alexander (top row ,2nd from Madame Österberg’s chair Madame’s tree and rededicate it, weather permitting! The timing is very tight right)62 and fellow 2nd Year students. this year11 and I know that you will bear with us if we have to slightly change things.

60 9 Finally, and as ever, I need to make my usual thanks to your hard-working Principals of Women’s Colleges of Physical Education from 1961 -1964 and committee. Firstly to Jill Ellis Williams who continues her excellent work as thereafter the Secretary. She also represented Physical Education on the secretary. She does a tremendous amount12 which goes unseen, and it is thanks to Principals’ Panel of the Association of61 Teachers in Colleges and Departments of her excellent communication skills and dedication that so much of our work runs Education. Both of these were hugely influential bodies in these most challenging smoothly. To Ken Challinor for his wise counsel, knowledge of our subject, our and turbulent years in education in the UK. Physical Education has much to thank college and his continued attention to detail. To Peter Boreham for his innovative Eileen for. and knowledgeable contributions, both to meetings and committee business. To Jo Harris for her expertise, particularly with regard to our attempts to gain Eileen also travelled widely across the world to represent Physical Education in honorary degree status. To Christobel Elliott, aided by Margaret Kukoyi, for this country. The esteem in which she was held, and the impact of her visits keeping our finances on track. To Jan Grimsey for organising the reunion, Pat abroad, can be clearly seen in the visitors’ book entries during her years as Chatters for her work as registrar and Brenda Barton for the newsletter. ToDr Principal. There were frequent visits from colleagues from USA, Canada, Australia Jackie Farr for her innovative ideas to help keep us moving forward into the 21st and South Africa as well as from Russian, Swiss, German, Indian, Cypriot, Dutch, century. And last but not least our deep thanks to Rosemary Moon, Alan Gamwell, Egyptian, Chilean, Japanese, Danish and Finnish Colleagues. Gwen Seabrook Smith and all the volunteers who have worked so hard in the Archive, both to move it and since its move. I know that Rosemary is very grateful As if this was not enough, during this time Eileen was President of the PE for all the volunteer work, particularly from Christobel and Pat, and from North Association of GB and NI, a member of the Schools Council PE Committee, a West Kent College, student archivist, Emma Cooper. member of the Sports Council, a member of the Executive Committee of the CCPR, Founder chair of the CCPR Movement and Dance Division and a Trustee of It only remains for me to thank you all again for coming and hope that you the Coulson Trust – to name but a few. thoroughly enjoy the rest of the day. How did she manage to do all this – virtually single handed? Descriptions of her Anne Stuart abilities abound in tributes written to celebrate her 100th birthday. Vision, drive, determination, passion, imagination, intellectual rigour, wisdom, patience, SECRETARY’S REPORT business acumen – I am sure we could all add to these.

Over the last twelve months I have enjoyed sending out letters of thanks and Eileen was awarded the OBE in 1973, an individual membership of the CCPR in cards to all the people who have been connected to the BÖU and our work. It is 1979, an Honorary Doctorate of Education by De Montfort University in 1995, the always a lovely task to write and thank people for their help and continued Ling Award for outstanding service to Physical Education from the Physical support. Education Association in 1997 and the CCPR Emeritus Award in 2004.

Diploma Badges – Eileen Alexander has donated her badge. Eileen enjoyed her After she retired Eileen used her financial skills to realise the value of her family 102nd Birthday back in April and I sent a card on behalf of the BÖU. The assets. This she invested astutely and then initiated the next chapter of her committee felt that we would like to keep Eileen Alexander’s Diploma Badge on contribution to Physical Education and physical activity. As we have heard from display in the Archive and she is delighted. Today we are asking for donations in Paddy, she set up the Alexander Trust from which many benefitted. Eileen was order to buy the badge for the Archive and still raise funds. enormously generous with her money, but, only on projects that furthered her passion for quality physical education experiences for young people. We had agreed to present the Swedish Embassy with a BÖU badge. The badge we had in mind has now gone to Japan. Before I close let me share with you one story Eileen told me. She said that she started and ended her time as a teacher by walking at the back of a crocodile of Many thanks to Margaret Angus who has purchased Mrs Toplis’ BÖU brooch, children. In her first post at Felixstowe one of her jobs was to walk at the back of which had been previously bought by Ann Allen, who then re-donated it. We have a line of girls on their Sunday morning walk along the promenade. After she one other12 available badge, which has been donated by Mrs Jean Wills (48). Many retired61 it came to her attention that lower school pupils from a nearby school thanks to Ann and Jean. were unlikely to be able to come to college for swimming as there were

10 59 Eileen had other ideas and she launched into her two decades at Bedford with After much discussion at committee and AGM level, there has been no movement purpose, foresight, and determination. She was a formidable force - a perceptive on the Honorary Degree front. I would like to thank members who have and able educator, an astute negotiator60 and a skilful business woman. And contributed their thoughts and ideas, especially13 Jo Harris, Ida Webb and Patricia changes she made, changes that enabled Bedford to retain and enhance its Frearson. There has been a great deal of reorganisation at the University of national and international standing, changes that remain the foundation of our Greenwich. Martyn Stephenson, Alumni Department, has explained that once continued thriving. things settle down, the University will continue to explore the possibility. Patricia Frearson has been in contact with me and is still very keen to pursue this. I have The changes she made were the result of her own philosophy and the need to forwarded information to Martyn from Patricia re Worcester University. respond to the rapidly changing education scene in the United Kingdom. As a continuing annual commitment, we have donated a cheque for £500 towards It is actually hard to separate these. But I will start with changes at Bedford and the upkeep of the N.W.K. College Cricket Pitch and received a letter from the then mention the context for these developments. Eileen’s first move wasto Principal, Mr David Gleed, thanking us but returning the money, as the cricket dissolve the college as a private institution and to negotiate its becoming part of pitch will no longer be used for cricket but for football and rugby. He has the education service of Bedfordshire County Council. This was essential to enable suggested that we might consider supporting another sporting activity. We shall students to obtain grants. And so we became Bedford College of Physical consider this at a committee meeting. Unfortunately he was not able join us for Education. She steered the course from a two year diploma to a three year lunch today. certificate, introducing both a first year teaching practice in a primary school, as well as a second subject within the course. She was as concerned with preparing Many thanks to Rosemary Smith who suggested an alternative to clothing this the students to teach as with continuing their own education. year in the shape of a BÖU cloth embroidered badge. This has been done and two designs are on sale in the Archive. It was agreed to sell them for £3.50p each or 2 The Alexander years saw a huge expansion of the college, from 141 students to for £6.00. A thank you to Rosemary Smith’s family for their professional care and 450 students, from 9 staff to 43 staff. This involved the purchase of numerous fast delivery. additional houses for student accommodation (with all the necessary alterations) as well as the building of new facilities – for example, gymnasia, a swimming pool, Significant birthdays – after much discussion by the committee it was decided to dance studios and a library (that is once she had purchased the land and gained celebrate the 100th birthday of a member with a card. Any other special birthdays planning permission to build on it). brought to our attention will also be acknowledged. Please get in touch if you know of a member who will be celebrating this coming year. Alongside this building work there was the constant problem of ensuring that Bedford training kept pace with national developments. When teaching became It has been another enjoyable and full year working alongside our dedicated Chair, an all graduate profession we had to secure an awarding body for our degrees. Anne Stuart, our wise counsellor, Ken Challinor and the hard-working Executive Sadly Cambridge refused to validate our degree and so Eileen negotiated Committee. I wish to thank them all for their continued support and amazing validation with the University of London. When other colleges were able to offer commitment. Their combined professional skills help the BÖU to run so smoothly. Honours degrees Eileen again went to Cambridge. It was truly remarkable that she managed to persuade the powers that be to allow our students to gain an My role doesn't change a great deal year on year, although we are all busier with honours degree after one year of study at Cambridge. Without being able to promoting Madame’s work wherever and whenever we can. I believe this is the award first a degree and then an honours degree Bedford would not have future for the BÖU, connecting with a wider audience and keeping her story alive. survived. Jill Ellis Williams The background to all this change was the need to monitor the continued Anne Stuart thanked Jill for her hard work throughout the year. repercussions of the Butler Act and the McNair Report and to comply with the directives of the Robbins Report. Not only was Eileen keeping abreast of TREASURERS’ REPORT challenges60 at Bedford she was also in the forefront of ensuring that Physical 13 Education maintained its place in education. She was chair of the Association of The Statement of Accounts for 2012 can be found on page 39 towards the back of the magazine. You can see that overall our financial health is still reasonably 58 11 good, although the auditor, Roger Barton, suggested that we brought to your Where did this all start? It started with a passion for physical activity – principally notice the reduction, an average of £1,350 per annum, in our uncommitted funds. hockey, although she was no mean gymnast, athlete and dancer. Little was she, or The committed funds are those for the14 Archive and the Benefit Funds, the Cricket anyone else aware, of where this passion59 would take her. Pitch Fund and also the Bergman Österberg P.E. Award. The committee is busy looking at various ways of cutting costs and also of increasing revenue; regrettably Having trained to teach at Dartford (although she always says she only went there after several years of remaining the same price, the subscription rates for 2015 to play hockey) she taught at Felixstowe College and Tamworth High School – the are to be increased. Any ideas and offers of help to raise funds will be gratefully latter to make it easier for her to play hockey for Staffordshire. While at received by the committee. Tamworth she travelled weekly to Birmingham to attend in-service courses in teaching primary children – an experience that would stand her in good stead As can be seen the income received was mainly from donations to the Archive when she applied for her next job. Fund; this total includes the sale of donated Diploma Badges and money collected in the ‘Save to Save the Archive’ boxes. We would like to thank all those who have Her next job was at Homerton College Cambridge. Now despite my repeated helped to boost the Archive Fund and to say how much we appreciate your protestations she assures me that she initially applied to Homerton, not because it generosity. Please keep filling your boxes and encouraging your families and would enhance her career to work in teacher education but because she thought friends to drop their loose change into them, as the money will all go towards Cambridge would be a nice place to work. She repeatedly claimed that she did not continuing to preserve and enhance our important international centre of know it was a teacher training college! reference. Anyway, this was the first of two very significant events in her career. The then You will also see that apart from the regular payments, one of the major ones last principal of Homerton, Miss Skillicorn, knew a good teacher when she saw one. year was on the Memorial Stone for Madame. She was clearly impressed with Eileen and supported her secondment to the ATS during the war. Here Eileen, at the age of 30, became a Major, a Unit Senior We would like to thank Roger for again giving his time, support and advice and for Commander, responsible, among other duties, for the training of P.T. Instructors. auditing the accounts; he has been sent a letter of thanks and been given a token On Eileen’s return to Homerton Miss Skillicorn appointed her as Deputy Principal of our appreciation. and subsequently guided her to become a member of His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Schools. Lastly, we would also like to thank the Chairman and Committee for all their support. Eileen enjoyed this work visiting schools, being involved in policy making and playing a part in writing two books that many of us used, Moving and Growing and Christobel Elliott & Margaret Kukoyi Planning the Programme. She might have seen out her career in this role, but Miss Skillicorn had other ideas. The Homerton Principal had connections with Bedford Anne Stuart thanked both Christobel Elliott and Margaret Medland, now Kukoyi, Physical Education and when she heard that they were looking for a new principal, for their accounting throughout the year. Miss Skillicorn knew just the right person. The outcome of Miss Skillicorn’s diplomacy was the realisation of the second significant event in Eileen’s career. BENEFIT FUND REPORT Eileen was appointed as Principal of Bedford Physical Training College in 1951. For The Statement of Accounts 2012 for the Benefit Fund can be found on page 40. Bedford this was a brave - and unprecedented move – to appoint a Dartford The income from the investments in the M&G Charifund increased slightly and trained individual. There was indeed no love lost between Dartford and Bedford. thankfully is continuing to increase. As at the end of December 2012 the value of Eileen confided in me that, when she played hockey for the Dartford first team, the investment had risen to £26,396 and is gradually getting nearer to the £35,446 they never played Bedford – in case they lost! it was in December 2006 and much better than £21,663 in 2008. Let’s hope that the M&G Chairman’s optimism for more growth in 2013 comes to fruition. But there would be no problem, Bedford staff would ensure that she would not Fortunately,14 although the value of the investments has varied, the income has rock the59 boat. Eileen was taken on one side by Miss Squire, a senior member of stayed fairly steady, averaging £1,227 per year over the last seven years. staff, and was told, in no uncertain terms, that NOTHING SHOULD change.

12 57 free, and with work prospects ahead of them. They became Eileen’s family. She There were no grants paid out in 2012; as a result, the Benefit Fund has built up to took a great interest in each of them. They are here today. One is in New Zealand £5,536. There were no expenses as there was no postage and the annual return is with his family, and Heather and Joe are58 back in New Guinea, but they join us in now done online. 15 spirit. As yet we have not received any requests for this year. We are in the fortunate In retirement, Eileen and Sally Stephenson, formerly Bursar at Bedford College of position of being able to make several small to medium sized awards should there Physical Education, shared a home together and travelled widely. Eileen missed be suitable applications. The criteria for grants as set out by the Charity her friend enormously after her death sixteen years ago. Eileen was physically Commission can also be found on page 40. If you know of any old students who and mentally fit all her life. Her brain retained its sharpness virtually to the end. are in need of financial assistance for the various purposes set out, please suggest She had a dry sense of humour and relished a good-natured debate. they write to me or perhaps even write on their behalf. We would like to make some awards before the end of the financial year in December. She was a Soroptimist for sixty-two years, but delayed taking office until her retirement. She then held posts at local, regional and national level. She and Sally Christobel Elliott loved visiting clubs on their travels, making many friends. The Bedford Physical Education Old Students Association was close to her heart. Christobel was thanked by Anne. She retained contact with many students throughout her life. Her influence was great. She planned ahead, shared ideas, and was prescient over many issues. She REGISTRAR’S REPORT was a lifelong Anglican, and her faith was a key factor in her life. Our membership has stayed much the same, given the balance between new She lived alone at Pateley House until after her one hundredth birthday members and deceased members at 255. If anyone has any changes to the celebrations. An unfortunate fall damaged her right arm, and she needed care. register from members here today please let me know. If you are in contact with She lived at Anjulita Court for nearly three years, and was most grateful for the past students who are not members please encourage them to join. I have a loving care she received from the staff, the Patricks, and her many friends who supply of membership forms here today. I am sure you are aware of the necessity visited her regularly. to have as many members as we can.

A pioneer in education, an acute businesswoman, a philanthropist, and a good Pat Chatters friend, Eileen made a difference to her world. She will be remembered for a long time to come. Anne Stuart thanked Pat. ARCHIVE REPORT Dr. Paddy Barrett MBE, 17 February 2014 “A Very Exciting Year- A Very Exciting Future” ******* Rosemary Moon showed the meeting a computer presentation illustrating the I am honoured to pay tribute to Eileen on behalf of Bedford Physical Education Archive’s very exciting year. The Archive collections were packed up in February and particularly the Bedford Physical Education Old Students’ Association. Dr and moved in March from their rooms in Kingsfield to accommodation in a Eileen Alexander OBE – what a lady, what a life – in length, in breadth and in building near to the Österberg Sports Centre. We have retained the naming of the quality – what a legacy…. Archive Rooms. The Bergman Österberg room is a staff office; the Janet Campbell Room is for meetings, visitors and research; the Mary Duggan Room is for storage Eileen made a tremendous contribution to physical education and physical activity of our hundreds of archive boxes, with plenty of flat surfaces for us to work on on local, national and international stages. There is a great deal I could tell you, preservation of the archives; the Sheila Cutler Room is like a small museum with but in the time I have, I will do my best to give you a flavour of Eileen’s information boards, photographs, objects and also facilities for showing films/ 58 15 remarkable professional life. visual presentations. The move involved a great deal of preparation, the transfer of boxes and crates took several days and unpacking has taken a lot longer, but

56 13 after a very busy summer, we are proud to be able to welcome members to our Tributes to Dr. Eileen Alexander O.B.E. Reunion Day Opening Ceremony, which will take place after the AGM. 2nd April 1911 - 20th January 2014 16 57

Thanks for the move are given to the staff of North West Kent College, especially Eileen Alexander, an only child, was brought up in Leeds and Pateley Bridge. She John Doran, Steve Caller and their team, who decorated the Archive rooms in the was proud of her Yorkshire heritage. Her Mother died when she was six years old, Dartford College colours, who looked after us very well during the move and who and her Aunt took over the household. The family moved to London, and a did all they could to help us settle into our new surroundings. Thanks also to our chance conversation on a train led to her Father sending her to North London volunteer helpers, who gave up their time on a regular basis to help with the Collegiate School. Eileen discovered hockey and physical education, which move and with the preparations to get the Archive rooms ready for the AGM and became her passion. The height of her school success was winning the Pentathlon Reunion - Pat Chatters, Jane Claydon, Emma Cooper, Christobel Elliott, Alan Cup. Her Father was so proud of this event, he had a miniature version made for Gamwell, Margaret Kukoyi, Rosemary Moon, Gwen Seabrook Smith, Martin her to keep. He took her to cricket and rugby matches to ensure she appreciated Seabrook Smith. the finer points of the games.

Special thanks must be given to a small group of volunteers who supported the Eileen adored her Father, the abiding influence of her life. Academically, Eileen move throughout the cold days of February/March 2013, turning up every day for was middle range at school and her potential was hidden. She went to Dartford almost two weeks to pack crates, supervise the move and unpack crates— College to train as a PE Teacher, but really so she could continue to play hockey. Christobel Elliott, Alan Gamwell, Rosemary Moon, Gwen Seabrook Smith, Martin Once there she began to realise she was brighter than she thought, and over the Seabrook Smith. years developed her many talents.

Thanks to Alan Gamwell and Gwen Seabrook Smith, the Archive now has an She had a lifelong interest in dance, ballet, orchestral music and travel. She impressive catalogue of over 5,000 records, which are essential for enabling dedicated herself to her career – of which more later. Her motto was ‘Excellence researchers to identify material: as standard’. She worked hard and expected others to do the same. She  1,100 letters and 1,000 books have been catalogued prepared thoroughly for whatever she set out to do. She did not suffer fools  2,100 photographs have been catalogued and scanned gladly. She was fearsome to her students. “Do what I say and do it now”  86 photograph albums have been catalogued produced results. In spite of this attitude her students came to respect her, and  36 BÖU magazines have been fully indexed many held her in lifelong affection. She instilled good standards and showed  over 8,000 person names have been indexed them of what they were capable. Her influence was wide-spread.

Now that the Archive is installed in its new rooms, we are ready for visitors and Eileen inherited her Father’s business acumen and via the Alexander Trust, a look forward to showing off to those who are attending the Reunion. We shall private charity she established many years ago, she provided monies for many continue to be open on Wednesdays from 10.00am to 4.00pm and we are keen to individuals, schools and good causes. Most notable was establishing the publicise the BÖU Archive as widely as possible and to encourage researchers to Alexander Hall at her old school, the Alexander Chair for Research at deMontfort come and use our collections. University Bedford, now the University of Bedfordshire, and four bursaries for research students, to name but a few. Following Rosemary’s report, Dr. Jackie Farr outlined proposals for developing academic research opportunities using the BÖU Archive resources. While Eileen had no close relatives once her Father died, a close friend from her student days invited Eileen to become Godmother to her daughter Heather. Rosemary Moon and Dr. Jackie Farr. Heather married Joe Patrick, and they had a family of three sons and a daughter. Anne Stuart thanked Rosemary, her volunteers and Jackie for all their hard work The parents worked for the Wycliffe Bible Translators which focussed upon throughout the year and feels that the future is very exciting. translating the Bible into the local dialects of the world’s peoples. The family 16 were brought57 up in Papua New Guinea. Seven years ago they all returned to The adoption of reports was proposed by Hazel Chapman and seconded by England. The children have each gained their degrees. Two have married with Margaret Angus and unanimously carried. the third marrying next May. Eileen ensured they completed their studies debt- 14 55 Currently member of English Lacrosse Board chairing the Strategy Implementation The adoption of reports was proposed by Hazel Chapman and seconded by and Development Sub-Committee. Now enjoying retirement with intention of Margaret Angus and unanimously carried. more travel and opportunities to enjoy 56live sport across the world. 17 ELECTION OF OFFICERS of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Sue McNally (Greenard; 1973) M. Kukoyi, C. Elliott, S. Norman and B. Barton were all willing to stand again, After leaving college in 1973 I went to work at Notting Hill and Ealing High School S. Dalton is retiring from the committee. for two years and then after getting married to Michael in 1975 I moved to be head of girls P.E. at Bexley Grammar. I enjoyed working there for 5 years until I The adoption of Officers of the Executive Committee was proposed by Norma left to have our son Paul in 1980, quickly followed by a daughter Jennifer in 1981. Izard and seconded by Margaret Toogood and carried unanimously; all officers were duly elected. Since leaving school my husband Michael had worked in London for British American Tobacco and then in 1983 we were asked to relocate to Singapore for Anne Stuart told members that we wish to propose that Rosemary Moon two years. It was a very difficult decision but we went and enjoyed the time becomes a new Honorary member, and that the following will be invited to there. After this we spent 3 years back in England, moved house and the children become Friends of the BÖU and pay a small subscription: Alan Gamwell, Gwen went to the local primary school. I managed to get a job of ¾ timetable at Seabrook Smith, Martin Seabrook Smith, Sarah Decent and Tim Williams. Parkwood Special School in Swanley. Then another big decision - whether or not to go overseas again, this time to Sierra Leone for 2 years. This was followed by 6 APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS more postings to Nigeria, Ghana, Indonesia, Northern Nigeria, Mauritius and finally Jamaica. A total of 19 years overseas after which Michael took early Roger Barton is happy to continue and is very generous to give his time. Anne retirement in 2005 and we returned to the UK. Stuart thanked Roger for his work.

The children went through boarding school and loved it. Paul is now married to Alyson and they live in New South Wales, Australia. They are both secondary The formal part of the meeting was now closed with thanks to the Secretary, Jill school teachers. Jennifer is married to Dave, and she is a primary school teacher Ellis Williams. Anne Stuart thanked everyone for attending and Jill thanked Anne for taking the Chair. in Plaxtol, Kent. Having lived in 17 different houses during our married life I feel there is at least one more move left in us - maybe overseas somewhere!! OPEN DISCUSSION  Val Thompson (63) told members that she had been given life membership Dartford College of Education Staff and 3rd Year Students 1973 but does not receive any information. It appears that there were other members who believe that they have life membership too. Ida Webb said that this went back to 1967. Some addresses were unknown and then deleted from the register. Hazel Chapman explained that changes were made regarding life membership and that letters had gone out informing them that they were no longer life members but had become ordinary members. This matter will now be looked into.  Maureen Kenney felt that what made this group so precious was that we tended to stay on the committee for years and years. She is impressed with the time and all the work the committee has done over the years and she thanked the committee.  Toni Cutler informed members that she was willing to return to the committee. She was warmly welcomed back. 56  Margaret17 Kukoyi told members that she had cards to be sent to Sheila Cutler and Sheila Norman for members to sign.

54 15 BERGMAN ÖSTERBERG UNION I have maintained my interest in hockey, especially umpiring and have been lucky EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2014 enough to operate at International and National level, now acting as an umpire 18 manager and assessor and helping to develop55 the next generation of officials.

I am single and live in Pratts Bottom with my two cats and enjoy holidaying with Officers friends and especially attending sports events. It was wonderful to be able to go President Ken Challinor to so many Olympic and Paralympic events last summer and then not have to go 2 Netherwood Close, back to work as I’d retired! Now enjoying some part time work and planning my Hastings, next holidays! East Sussex, TN34 2RE. 01424 751741 Deborah Hammond (Hodgkinson; 1973)

Vice-Presidents Peter Boreham Since leaving college I have taught for 40 years in 6 schools! Mainly PE and PE 2 Sackville Avenue, A-level, plus IT and Health and Social Care. I have just retired from St Francis Hayes, Bromley, College in Letchworth where I have been teaching age groups from 3 years to 18 Kent, BR2 7JT. years and loved it. Still working at the Princess Helena College, near Hitchin, Herts 0208 462 2228 where I am the Duke of Edinburgh Co-ordinator. [email protected] One divorce, two children, John 35 and daughter Helen 33. I am about to become Dr. Jo Harris a grandmother for the first time - Helen is due on the 4 September (2013). Happily 7 London Lane, married to husband Ian for 23 years. Wymeswold, Loughborough, Also, one new knee about 10 years ago! However, my family have all kept up the Leics., LE12 6UB. tradition of playing hockey and better than me!!!! I now play golf - my lowest 01509 880331 was handicap 11 and creeping up to 15! [email protected] Jenny Haynes (1973) Chairman Anne Stuart Taught PE for 13 years in Croydon. Moved into Local Government in Kingston 4 Copperpenny Drive, upon Thames, working in Education initially and then managing planning and Hempstead, policy in Children’s Services enjoying the challenge of the holistic approach of Gillingham, ‘Every Child Matters’ and Children’s Trust approach. Retired in 2012 just in time Kent, ME7 3DT. to enjoy and attend the Olympic Games and as a gamesmaker undertake a 01634 366248 volunteer driver role at the Paralympic Games [email protected] After leaving college continued playing territorial lacrosse as field player and in Hon. Secretary Jill Ellis Williams 1977 played in goal for first time in a club game. Ultimately life-changing as far as Hedge End, Old High Road, my lacrosse playing career was concerned, this led to my selection as Goalkeeper Yoxford, Suffolk, IP17 3HL. for England 1980-82, including a tour to USA in 1980 and participation in the first 01728 668704 Lacrosse World Cup in 1982. Have held a number of lacrosse volunteer [email protected] administrative roles nationally and internationally, including the position of Vice President on the International Lacrosse Governing body (IFWLA) for six years 2002 18 -2008 with55 responsibility for World Events. Relished the opportunities this gave me to travel the world and make new friends.

16 53 enough to represent and captain Canada at two World Netball Tournaments Hon.Treasurer & Benefit Fund Christobel Elliott (Glasgow and Singapore) and represent the Province in Senior Tennis. Good Administrator 8 Ingatestone Road, grounding at Dartford, no doubt! 54 19 Woodford Green, Now my husband and I are working through our bucket list while we can. To date Essex, IG8 9AL. we have "done" South Africa, Thailand, Cambodia, Australia and France. We have 02085 044387 also done three of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments - both keen tennis [email protected] players! US Open to go and that's just on our doorstep! The adventure continues! Hon. Treasurer Margaret Kukoyi "Those who can't do, teach. Those who can't teach, teach PE. Those who can't 49 Dene Drive, New Barn, Longfield, teach PE, become Administrators." Been there, done all that. Had a blast! Kent, DA3 7JR. 01474 704027 Ruth Daub (Allan; 1973) [email protected]

I was a tennis professional between 1974-76 and then married Peter and have Committee Members Brenda Barton (Newsletter Editor) two adult children who are married. I have worked as a stringer for the College of Burbank, 107 Darenth Road, William and Mary tennis teams for the last twenty years and my husband is also Dartford, Kent, DA1 1NJ. the men’s team coach. I play Seniors tennis tournaments across the US when I 01322 225984 can and enjoy going back to Scotland. I am currently living in Williamsburg, [email protected] Virginia and am still in contact with Meinir Heilbrun (Davies), Denise Caruana (Muir) and Sarah Clark. Pat Chatters (Registrar) 2 Farthingfield, Old London Road, Jackie Gibbs (1973) Wrotham, TN15 7DL 01732 883187 My first job was at the Douay Martyrs School in Ickenham, Middlesex where I was [email protected] in charge of Girls PE. This meant me and a part time older teacher so an interesting experience! The staff at the school first introduced me to skiing which Toni Cutler has remained a regular part of my life ever since. 1 Greyladies Gardens,

Wat Tyler Road, I moved to Streatham Hill and Clapham High School after two years and worked London, SE10 8AU. with a dynamic Head of Department who taught me a lot! It was a very multi- 020 3489 4928 cultural school and I also worked in the junior department which was another [email protected] good learning challenge. We went on the bus to the local swimming pool and ice rink for lessons and the National Sports Centre at Crystal Palace for Sixth Form PE. Dr. Jackie Farr I dread to think of the paper work if I had to do that now! I went on school ski December Cottage, trips and sports tours and spent nine happy years there. 14 Sheffield Road, I was lucky enough to be appointed Head of the PE department at Tonbridge Tunbridge Wells, Grammar School in 1984 and spent the remainder of my teaching life there. I Kent, TN4 0PD moved from PE into Careers, PSHE, Work Experience and Enterprise, ending up 01892 533457 being responsible for all of them in my last three years as I regained responsibility [email protected] for PE. I became a School Sports Co-ordinator in 2001 and thoroughly enjoyed the different54 challenges of the role especially being able to work in my family of 19 primary schools.

52 17 Sue Churchill (Randall; 1973) Jan Grimsey (Reunion Organiser) 2030 Coleridge Close, Hitchin, I began the 3-year specialist Physical Education53 course at Dartford in September Herts, SG4 0QX. 1970, with my identical twin sister, Sally. 01462 642248 [email protected] My first teaching post took me to Bromley in 1973 where I met my husband and have lived and worked ever since. I have taught Physical Education at Holy Trinity, Sheila Norman Babington House and Bromley High over a period of 34 years and have worked full 47 Salehurst Road, Ipswich, and part-time and as Head of Department. Over the years a number of my school Suffolk, IP3 8RY. teams have met with county and regional success across a range of sports. The 01473 728376 most memorable was winning the 2005 National Finals of the Girls Year 8 & Under Nestlé Schools Team Tennis Competition.

Co-opted Members Jane Claydon I have organised charity events, which have raised thousands of pounds for good Monypenny House, causes and have led numerous multi-activity holidays and ski trips. 3 Seagate, Kingsbarns, Fife, KY16 8SR. I retired in 2012 and continue to enjoy playing tennis, swimming, walking and 01334 880235 skiing and look forward to travelling extensively over the next few years. [email protected] Janice Clark (Rowsell; 1973)

Jenny Haynes Left Dartford after taking an extra year for B.Ed. Worked for 5 years at Queen’s 99 High Street, Iver, College, London, a private school for girls in the middle of Harley Street. I was the Bucks, SL0 9PN. PE department head and a quarter of the English department while there. Had 07889961053 some fascinating parent conferences with the likes of Roger Bannister, Clement [email protected] Freud and Edward Fox!

Rosemary Moon (Archivist & Got married to a Scot and emigrated to Vancouver, Canada. Started education Honorary Member of the BÖU) here as an Itinerant PE Helping Teacher - translation, helping primary classroom 56 Darrick Wood Road, teachers teach their own PE when they had no courses on how to do this! Wrote Orpington, Kent, BR6 8AW. over 50 published teaching booklets, taught hundreds of demo lessons and put on 01689 890716 oodles of workshops to get the job done. After three years, I took a position as an [email protected] Elementary (Primary) Vice Principal and classroom teacher; taught all sorts of things I knew nothing about (socials, maths and ukulele) where I stayed about half Ann Richmond a week ahead of the students in my learning! 70 Beechwood Avenue, Chatham, Kent, ME5 7HJ. After eight years in three different settings as VP, I became a Principal of an 01634 577063 Elementary school and remained this until my retirement at age 55. Throughout [email protected] my admin years, I ensured that I taught regular classes as well as fiddled with paper, both because I love teaching and to keep in touch with the real world class- room. My last five years included some innovative work one day a week in a multi age class with students with distinctive learning styles; which was a wonderful challenge for me and this whole experience was the best professional 20 53 development I could have wished for. My teaching partner and I were locally and provincially recognised for this work. Fun! During this time I also was lucky

18 51 It is the duty of the Lord Lieutenant to greet visiting Heads of State in the County Awards and Presentations and to attend funerals and memorial services. The Lord Lieutenant also presents The Elizabeth Cross and Scroll to the next52 of kin of those who die on operations or 21 as a result of an act of terrorism. This is backdated to the end of the Second World Bergman Österberg Union Physical Education Award 2013 War and is the Monarch’s way of demonstrating National recognition of Service

Families for their loss. We are delighted to announce that Miss Michelle Knopp was presented with her award at our reunion lunch. Michelle has been a student with The University of We provide names for the Royal Garden Party at the Palace of Holyrood House, Greenwich for three years and her final year independent study was on: we put names forward for Honours and Awards, we attend all Citizenship Ceremonies on behalf of The Queen and we attend all Remembrance Sunday ‘The relationship between physical activity, physical self-perceptions events to which we are invited and lay the first wreath. and self-esteem in children and adolescents.’

But one of the fun things that I do is to give talks to any group and any age range who wants to know about the Lieutenancy and about the funny things that This study received the highest overall grade (78%) in the final year independent happen during a Royal visit. And as you know, the Queen has a great sense of studies course from a student going into teacher training. Michelle was one of 10 humour and loves it when things go wrong! So, I have plenty of stories to tell but students offered a place on the University of Greenwich PGCE programme for if I were to put them in writing most of them would probably land me in the 2013-14. Tower of London! We congratulate Michelle and wish her all the best for a very promising future in education I did say at the start of this article that it was a wonderful job, and it really is, but it would never have come about if I had not had good fortune to be trained at Dartford where I learned the life skills that would take me through the first 42 Abstract years since leaving college. Roll on the next 42! The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between physical You can learn more about the work of the Lieutenancy of Dunbartonshire by activity, physical self-perceptions and self-esteem among both children and visiting our website at www.lordlieutenantdunbartonshire.co.uk adolescents. Participants (20 children and 20 adolescents) completed Harter’s Self-Perception Profile for Children (1985) and Harter’s Self Perception Profile for Adolescents (1985) for the measurement of physical self-perceptions and global self-worth, along with Physical Activity Questionnaire (Kowalski, Crocker

and Donen, 2004) to assess frequency levels of participation in physical activity. Statistical methods were used to analyse the data involving the Pearson Correlation and Independent Sample -T Tests. Results showed that there was a significant positive relationship between physical activity and athletic competence, however no other relationships were found between physical activity and other perceptions of the self, nor was it related to overall perceptions of self-worth. Physical appearance was found to be closely related to global self-worth, especially in adolescents. Higher values were reported for the younger participants in all areas, demonstrating a decline in sport participation and self-perceptions for adolescents.

52 21

50 19 A Celebration of the Life of Martina Bergman Österberg GILL AITKENHEAD MBE DL – HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN’S VICE LORD LIEUTENANT FOR THE COUNTY OF DUNBARTONSHIRE 22 51

Having now read and suitably digested the above title, there will be more than As mentioned in the last Newsletter, in one of my former colleagues (1969 – 1972) and considerably more of the July 2015 it will be 100 years since Lecturing Staff, who will be amazed, nay incredulous, that I have risen to the Madame Österberg died and the BÖU heights of Second in Command in Lieutenancy terms, of one of the largest, in is proposing to hold a celebration of terms of boundaries, and most diverse counties in the UK. We stretch from Argyll her life . & Bute to North Lanarkshire via East and West Dunbartonshire.

A Centenary Sub-Committee has been Having left college and after a sadly, failed marriage, I completed a Full Career established and has proposed the Commission in the Royal Navy (thanks to the sage advice and I suspect a really following programme of events: good reference from Mary Duggan) and retired as a Lieutenant Commander after 24 years. A close friend and I then started up what was to become the fastest growing Recruitment business in Scotland at that time and in 2000 I was Commissioned by the Lord Lieutenant as a Deputy Lieutenant of the County. In 2008 I was appointed as Vice Lord Lieutenant by The Queen. I will retire when I The usual BÖU AGM and Reunion, usually held on the first Saturday in September, am 75! will be extended to include the whole weekend. This is the most wonderful and privileged job imaginable! I am responsible for all Saturday 5th September 2015 Royal visits to the County and amongst other visits, hosted The Queen and Prince We shall run a study day entitled, “The Legacy of Madame Bergman Österberg”. Phillip at St Margaret’s Hospice, Clydebank as part of the Diamond Jubilee Tour of Dr. Jackie Farr and Dr. Jo Harris are organising the day. There will be a keynote the United Kingdom. We had over a thousand guests at the Hospice, 600 children speaker and others. to a BBQ and 160 guests to a sit down lunch in a marquee with the Queen. A memorable day and one in which my tracksuit would have been more In the evening there will be a celebratory dinner in Greenwich. More precise comfortable than high heels and pearls! information with prices and an application form will be sent out in 2014. th th I coordinate and read all 100 and 105 Birthday telegrams from the Queen as th th th th Sunday 6th September 2015 well as all 60 , 65 70 and believe it or not 75 Wedding Anniversary telegrams This will be the Reunion day. In the morning there will be the AGM followed by as well. our usual lunch and our speaker will be Gill Aitkenhead MBE DL - Her Majesty The Queen’s Vice Lord Lieutenant for the County of Dunbartonshire. Part of my duty is to encourage voluntary services, benevolent organisations, and take an interest in the business, industrial and social life of the county and the Our aim is to make this a truly memorable weekend. Please make a note in your voluntary activity that goes on in it. We are involved with the volunteer Reserve diary and contact as many Dartford students as you can. Why not make this the Forces and other uniformed organisations such as Police, Fire and Ambulance occasion when you organise a reunion of your year? Looking forward to seeing Services, Red Cross, Cadet Forces and local Youth Organisations such as Scouts, you all. Guides etc.

I represent The Queen at various events including duties with the Armed Forces, and get involved with the presentation of certain Honours, Medals and Awards Toni Cutler (Centenary Sub-Committee Chairman) such as the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the Queen’s Award for 22 Enterprise51 and more recently, the newly reinstituted British Empire Medals.

20 49 mine from my 1968 group at Dartford, Jackie North (now Davies) who was married and living in Cape Town and she was lecturing at the Mowbray Teacher Janet M. Campbell D.B.E. 1877 – 1954 Training College in Cape Town. She asked50 me whether I would fill a temporary 23 post for one term, lecturing 4th year Anatomy and Physiology, Hockey Trustee Member 1915 – 1954 (throughout) and Gymnastics. This I agreed to do and, though I had to prepare Chairman of the Board of Management 1943 – 1952 really well, I so enjoyed being back in Education. A Pioneer in the field of Maternity and Child Welfare From there I applied, successfully, for a full time Physical Education post at Rustenberg Girls High School. Well that was that! The teaching "bug " had bitten There are probably a number of you, like me, once more and I was finding great fulfilment in my work. After marrying, having for whom Dame Janet Campbell is just the name of someone who was connected with our my family, I returned to teaching as soon as I could. I taught at St Mary’s Convent college. I have recently discovered that she was High School in central Cape Town. From there to Holy Cross Convent in Maitland an amazing woman and a pioneer in her field and from there to Holy Cross Convent in Brooklyn (Primary). My inability to speak Afrikaanse prevented me from going back into Government Schools, hence the of medicine and for the health of women and move to Convents, who used English as the language of tuition. children, especially mothers and babies. It was probably her interest in health and education What an amazing journey. I was able to teach Coloured and Black children who that led her to being involved with our college; attended the Convent schools, to mix with their parents and to give them so much she was one of the main people involved in more than they would have been given in a Government School. We used to have seeing that the college continued after Martina wonderful swimming galas, synchronised swimming displays and many other Bergman Österberg’s death in 1915. She was activities...... my main aim was to keep them off the streets in the areas in which involved in setting up the Board of Trustees of they lived, since gangsterism and crime were prevalent - to give them an interest which she was a member, then secretary and or an activity that they could take with them into their adult lives. I also taught finally chairman until becoming ill and resigning swimming to children from 3 years of age at my pool at home for 25 years over two years before her death. the Christmas Holidays. The following is a potted history of a remarkable woman to whom not only our That was all a wonderful experience. I am now retired after nearly 35 years of college but also our country owes so much. teaching in South Africa. My own children, Grant and Kerry, both became Provincial Athletes - my son 400metres and my daughter hurdles and sprints. My son was a provincial Basketball Team member and my daughter Captained the 1896-1901 London (Royal Free Hospital) School of Medicine for Women, U18 Provincial Hockey team. My son went on to do Human Movement BSc at graduated M.B. BS; proceeding to M.D. in 1904 and M.S. in 1905 Stellenbosch University and was selected as one of the 8 strongest students in his 1901 held post of House Surgeon and in 1902 House Physician at the Royal Free year to do an Honours course in Bio-kinetics. He worked with Tim Noakes at the Hospital; in 1904 became Senior Resident Medical Officer at the Belgrave Hospital Sports Science Institute in Newlands Capetown for a couple of years before for Children; also took a postgraduate course in obstetrics in Vienna joining Bob Woolmer in Lahore, Pakistan as the team Biokineticist/Trainer for 2 1905 Assistant School Medical Inspector under London County Council years followed by 2 years with the South African Cricket team under Mickey 1908 Medical Officer to the Board of Education Arthur. Since marrying and having his own family he has left all of that and is now 1911-1918 World War I during this period on several government committees Manager, Cape Town, of Zimmer, the Swiss Company that provides "Spare concerned with women’s work, including the War Cabinet Committee on Women parts"(!!!) for the human body i.e. shoulders, knees , hips. etc.. His knowledge in in Industry which published a valuable report in 1918 terms of Bio-kinetics is inseparable from the job. 1919 Ministry of Health set up – one of six Senior Medical Officers on the staff- What a wonderful life I have lived, together with my husband Martin Compton (ex Medical Officer for Maternity and Child Welfare – special interest in the establish- Isle of Wight). We are still fit and well, we walk , climb mountains, cycle and sail ment of hospital schools for children with tuberculosis and the provision of course 50 23 our wonderful yacht on Langebaan Lagoon on the West Coast. Life has been very of instruction in motherhood good to us. My days at Dartford were very special and I treasure the memories.

48 21 News from Patty Compton (Patricia Wilson; 1968) 1919-1934 Chief Woman Medical Adviser to the Board of Education. Associated with Sir George Newman (Chief Medical24 Officer to the Board of Education) in Good to follow all the info on "Dartford49 College of Physical Education" the way I building up the School Medical Service shall always remember it. I enjoyed three wonderful years while training to be a teacher and I remain in contact with my two flatmates Sylvia ( Williams) Parsons Physical Training (P.T.) - another special interest – responsible for a staff of PT and Judith (Taylor) Atkinson from the flat that we shared, across the road from Inspectors who visited Primary and Secondary Schools throughout the country. In the college main gate in Oakfield Lane . As you will probably know our group of this field became closely associated with Dartford Physical Training College friends had a reunion in 2005. We were 13 who shared a room in Allerloo. At the (D.P.T.C.) time 2nd year students mostly lived out of college and we had a room in which to 1915 Member of the Board of Trustees of D.P.T.C. when there was a difficult keep our books and clothing that we would use during the day. Eleven of the 13 transition period following the death of the college founder Martina Österberg attended the reunion, held at the home of my dear friend and flatmate Sylvia 1918 Honorary Secretary of the Committee of Management (Williams) Parsons in Bromsgrove, near Birmingham. I travelled from Capetown, 1924 Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Hon: Doctorate of South Africa to attend and would not have missed it for the world. There we were, Hygiene Durham University all forty years "down the line" and yet that very strong bond that tied us together. 1934 Retired to marry Mr Michael Heseltine (d.1952) formerly Registrar of the One of our number, Linda Andrews, had sadly passed on in Canada and the only General Medical Council other who did not attend was living in Spain at the time.

I was an athlete when I went to Dartford, having already represented England in 1917 Founder Member of the Medical Women’s Federation and after the Long Jump event on the athletics field. I had won the All England Schools at ‘retirement’ took an active part in its work, in turn, becoming: Watford and was a member of Middlesex Ladies Athletic Club. I was 6th in the Honorary Secretary, Vice President and President World at one time with a distance of over 6 metres. During my final year, 1968 1930 – 1936 Member of the League of Nations Health Committee and after and the year in which I was selected to be a member of the Potential Olympic ‘retirement’ from the Ministry of Health served on several British Medical Athletes training squad, I was approached by Ida Webb and told that I should Association committees make a choice – Write my finals OR take up my place in the Tokyo Olympic Team. 1943 - 1952 Chairman of the D.P.T.C. Board of Management She suggested that because of the need to train at my event and the need to J.P. for Surrey and later Gloucestershire complete my practicals and theory classes and final exams at Dartford, it would be

very difficult to succeed in both. I also played First team Netball for College - Goal “It is for us to see that at Dartford, which owes her so immeasurably much, her Defence - and though selected for the British Universities team, at Dumfermline, I name is not forgotten”. K. Bird Old Student, Co-Founder of Benenden School for never represented them due to an ankle injury. Girls, Kent, Chairman of the Board of Management At that time it was Amateur Athletics and to be candid, no financial rewards for Additional information succeeding , as there are today. I LOVED teaching and the only way forward for 1919 – 1935 me and to be independent, was to have a career, so I chose to complete my A pioneer in the field of maternity and child welfare; she wrote several concise course and gave up athletics. After my first year of teaching, I realised that the and constructive reports on these subjects including in:- children in the school in which I taught had no respect for anyone, their teachers, 1923 The teaching of obstetrics & gynaecology in medical schools the Police...anyone in Authority, so I left teaching and joined British Airways at 1923 The training of midwives Heathrow as a Passenger check-in clerk. I had two wonderful years of travel and 1924 Maternal mortality enjoyed a totally different environment. 1927 Protection of motherhood 1929 Infant mortality Then after visiting Cape Town ( where my Mother was born) I fell in love with the 1935 An account of maternity services City and the Country and all of its people and packed everything I owned and took a ship’s passage to my beloved South Africa. Once there I had decided I would do Christobel24 Elliott (Newey; 1964) anything49 BUT teach - petrol pump attendant, sales person - anything to survive. However the South Africa that I had come to was still deep in the days of [Material sourced from the BÖU Archive] Apartheid and that "career choice" was a no go !!!!!!! I contacted a friend of 22 47 Leaving Song 1963 A perfect training system 1 1. 5. How many kinds of sweet students grow 48 A number of maidens have got themselves Sheila Fletcher, in Women First: The25 Female Tradition in English Physical In an English P.E. College? engaged Education 1880-1980, suggested: We’ll tell you now of some that we know, And flash around their precious rings. Wholly unused to the English system, she nonetheless perceived very quickly But this is private knowledge. When you count them you can see that games and gymnastics could be combined to form the basis of a new That marriage must be quite a thing! Hockey types and lackers types profession... To combine these games with Swedish gymnastics and thus Brenda, Beryl, Pip and Sue Dancers bursting out of tights, create a perfect training system for English girls, became henceforth the one Campers, canoers and girls who like hikes, Packer, Bennett, Jamsie too; great aim of Madame Bergman Österberg’s work in England.2 There are some who are keen Novello, Jan and Mandy,

And others never seen Julie, Shelley and Gay- Girls were playing team games before Madame founded her college at In our English P.E. College. Any more to join the fray? In our English P.E. College. Hampstead in 1885. Gillian Avery, in The Best Type of Girl reported that Miss 2. Susan Kyberd, who gave evidence to the Schools Inquiry Commission in 1866, said How many names of Merritt have we Hird 6. the girls at Chantry School in Somerset played cricket. Moira House also played in In our English P.E. College? There are some we haven’t mentioned yet the 1870s3 and the St Andrews School for Girls started in 1878.4 We’ll tell you now of some that we know In our English P.E. College. There are ten we can’t acknowledge! Joce hands out cash and Virgin has a bash School and college histories, together with articles in school magazines, provide Shelley with her turned-out feet The rest we’ll now acknowledge interesting examples of the work going on in schools and colleges during Fi-Fi with protruding seat, Ridley, Perkins, Jones and Reed, Madame’s era of influence. In many cases the students attending her college, Syred, Venn, Awburn and Hiles, Lilly-white Shirley clothed from head to feet. were appointed to teach in a school and then in turn encouraged others to Williams, Wurr and Wilson too, There is Gay who’s so frank undertake training under Madame’s direction. And Molly on the bank The last name is Green on our files to be seen In our English P.E. College In our English P.E. College. Jonathan May in Madame Bergman-Österberg makes mention of Madame’s

connection with the Friends’ School in Sidcot.5 One of her early students was Vida 3. 7. How many subjects can we absorb Sturge (1893) who published an article on her experience at the Hampstead Ann and Novello always on the phone 6 And Hogg is off out on a spree. In our extra-wide curriculum? Gymnasium in the Friends’ School magazine, in 1891. She must have suggested Nicholas and Bennett often nipping home- (Don’t you wish that you’d been abroad others should follow her as Vida was not the only student from Sidcot to be Why is it that they are always free? To increase your education?) educated by Madame. Hannah Beakbane (1895) and Florence Sophie Simpson Oggers on her Outward Bound M and M and Human Bug (1896) had also attended the school.7 Dummett who is never found Drama flowing through our lugs Rosie is dreaming all around Social Science and Music too The Mount School, York, a history of the school run by the Society of Friends, Hibbs is gathering wool Theory of P.E. provides an insight into the work of Evelyn Spence Watson (1891). She had And Anatomy And Lawrence is no fool attended Gateshead High School before embarking on her training at Hampstead. In our English P.E. College In our English P.E. College. Evelyn’s family were Quakers and her first appointment was at the Mount School.

Evelyn was appointed to teach gymnastics and games. A new gymnasium was 4. Kay and Margaret at the cinema, Val Thompson (Jones; 1963) built in 1891 and equipped largely under her direction. Records show that Sally struggling with her hooter. Madame attended the opening of the school gymnasium in 1891 and made a 8 Moira and Beryl harassing the chars speech. Of particular interest is a paragraph written about the effect the Pip and Morag bound in plaster. introduction of Swedish gymnastics had had on the school: Jenny Merritt’s wheezing still James is always feeling ill The new gymnasium was an important landmark in the history of the school... I When will Kate ever eat her fill? remember our surprise at the first lessons being given by Evelyn Spence Apply twists48 into knowts Watson;25 to hear the orders rapped out decisively, and to find that we had to Suz and Lizzie paint a lot In our English P.E. college.

46 23 obey with smart precision, instead of more or less languidly doing what we we explored the new buildings and were pleased to see the modern Sports Hall, were told. From that time the school became quickly more modern, more even then in use, as we tried to place where Allerloo and Oakfield had been. We efficient and less sloppy.9 26 were pleased to see the main house was47 there and trust it can be kept for future use. The influence on the development of games in the large girls’ boarding schools, which were established in the later part of the 1800s, has been well documented The excellent Archive Exhibition was officially opened after the AGM and we were by authors such as Kathleen McCrone and Sheila Fletcher. St Leonards, Roedean the first to see it completed. It documents very well, and with many photographs, School, Wycombe Abbey School, and Saint Felix, Southwold, all introduced team the history of the college from its founding by Madame Bergman Österberg. We games to their girls as soon as they were founded. Cheltenham Ladies eventually enjoyed the special display for our 1963 year and a surprise was the section about followed suit, when Miss Beale, the Principal, accepted that girls in other schools the PE College in Japan started by a student of Madame Österberg, which is still were being allowed to play games. training teachers today.

Madame Bergman Österberg mentioned in her report, dated 1895 that four The delicious lunch gave us time to talk to other former students who had studied students had helped to introduce hockey to her college: Elsie J. Feesy, Hannah both before and after us. We said how privileged we had been to train at the Williamson, Elizabeth Impey and Beatrice Marriage. The obituary of Elizabeth college with its high standards. This theme was continued in the talk that Ann and Impey mentions that she attended the Mount School, York, and Polam Hall Robbie Brightwell gave after the lunch. Robbie told us of Ann’s commitment to School. Both these schools were run by the Society of Friends. Hannah Williams training and not giving up when she lost races which led to her Gold Medal in the also attended the Mount and later returned to teach there. Quaker schools 1964 Olympic Games. We had the excitement of that race again in a film he encouraged girls to join the staff of their former school after completing their showed. Ann said she was honoured to become the Patron of the BÖU. Then teacher training. Beatrice Marriage was also from a Quaker family; she attended under the cedar tree in front of the main building a marble memorial stone was Polam Hall and her first post was at that school.10 re-dedicated to commemorate the founding of the college.

The involvement of Madame with the Quaker schools and their role in the early It had been a day to remember and thank you to those who had organised it. development of gymnastics and games for girls appears to have been somewhat overlooked by prominent writers in recent decades. It deserves to be more fully Jenny Merritt (1963) researched.

Elsie Feesy, the fourth student mentioned by Madame as being instrumental in the introduction of hockey, came from London so she may have attended one of the London day schools which had introduced hockey in the early 1890s. Ethel Rigby, educated at St Leonards, also played an important role in further developing the game at Dartford. In the Games Record, published by Madame and covering the years 1896-98 it was reported:

Tales of Miss Rigby’s prowess on the games field had preceded her advent as she had been games’ captain at St Andrews for several years. We attribute our strides in the science of hockey very largely to her knowledge of the game.11

Hockey for women is usually described as being made popular through the ‘club system’ but, before Madame Bergman Österberg introduced hockey to her College in 1895, a number of schools where, in some cases, her former students were in post, were already playing matches against other schools, clubs and 26 47 L-R: Linden Ridley, Beryl Wasley, Val Jones, Oxbridge college teams. Somerville College, Oxford was allowed to start hockey as Ann Packer, Jan Scott, Jenny Merritt, Liz Wurr early as 1885. Girton College introduced hockey in 1890 and matches began in

24 45 marvellous job with the archives, displaying them in several rooms. There was so 1891. It is likely that the students had either seen their brothers play or had much to see and read one couldn’t take it all in. The archivist had obviously played hockey at school.12 Students at Newnham College, Cambridge embraced sorted out the relevant photographs of 46the 1960-63 cohort. hockey with great enthusiasm in the early27 1890s. In 1894 they sent a college team on the very first women’s hockey tour to Ireland.13 The catering staff provided a splendid buffet lunch during which a slide show of photos from the Archives was projected onto the walls. This brought much St Leonards introduced their own version of hockey in 1878, which had been laughter and jogged memories of our time at Dartford. invented by one of the pupils, a game the girls called ‘goals’. They played with heavy oak sticks. There were no nearby teams to play and so all games were inter- After lunch, Ann Brightwell gave a brilliant talk, bringing back memories of house matches. The rules of ‘goals’ eventually became based on the official game Dartford days. She was ably assisted by her husband Robbie Brightwell. They told of hockey and the latter was adopted in 1895.14 The Princess Helena College, at us about the work they are doing in the Manchester area, promoting health, well that stage in Ealing, recorded that they played a hockey match against the Atlanta being and fitness, especially for children and young people. They emphasised Club in 1888.15 Bedford High School played their own version of hockey in the late how important this is in today’s sedentary culture, urging current teachers to 1880s and early 1890s. The girls used both hands and both sides of their stick.16 continue their good work in Physical Education. The Mount School, York introduced a form of hockey in the very early 1890s. A

Ann and Robbie gave opportunities for a question and answer session regarding member of staff had requested that the girls should be allowed to play shinty as it made the game sound less dangerous but the rules showed a remarkable Ann’s training for the Olympics and contrasting this with the help the British resemblance to hockey.17 At the Mount a concrete area was used and, like St Athletes get today. Ann brought her medals from the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games Leonards and their home grown game of goals, the size of the teams seemed to for us to see. be flexible. Matches at the Mount were played between different bedrooms, Ida Webb gave a tribute to Jestina Ashwood, a 1960 student from Sierra Leone perhaps equating with inter-house matches in other schools. An account of a th who sadly died earlier in 2013. Jestina did so much in Sierra Leone for Women’s hockey match played by the Mount, on 16 March 1897, against Polam Hall education including Physical Education. School, appears to suggest that the latter were considered to be a more 18 experienced side. Baker Street High School played hockey in 1891 and used The concluding part of the day was the dedication of the memorial stone on the fields at Neasden. In 1892 the Captain wrote: it is as thrilling as football without lawn outside the dining room of Old Kingsfield. the strong element of danger.19

It was amazing to see how much the Dartford site had changed over 50 years. The Wimbledon House School, later known as Roedean School, began hockey in 1893. driveway and splendid trees up to Old and New Kingsfield are still there although Christabel Lawrence, (1887) a younger sister of the Founders, introduced the New Kingsfield looks in a dilapidated state. We had to visualise where the tennis game. The school’s first opponents were Newnham College, Cambridge.20 courts used to be. Vast new blocks and car parks have replaced Oakfield and Allerloo and the swimming pool and gyms. Now there is a fantastic new indoor The North London Collegiate School began hockey in 1896 and played their first Sports Hall (which we saw in use for netball trials) and a Drama Hall and Theatre. match against Hendon Hall in 1898. The girls were shown how to play the game 21 Thanks to the BÖU Committee for allowing non members to join them for this by two members of staff who had played the game at Girton and elsewhere. special occasion. It was a most enjoyable day. This was a pattern followed in some other schools by staff educated in other colleges. Hockey was not the only team game to captivate the girls’ interest. A Beryl Cartwight (Wasley; 1963) reference in The North London Collegiate School 1850 – 1950: A Hundred Years of Girls’ Education, mentions the girls obtaining a booklet of instructions from America for the rules of netball. Unfortunately it is not possible to date this What a memorable day it was at the AGM and the Reunion to celebrate 50 years reference other than it is mentioned after the paragraph about the introduction of after qualifying. At that time one never imagined reaching a milestone! So it was hockey: The start of netball was thrilling, as it was nearly unknown in England... The helped 46by sharing it with friends with whom we had lived those three years and 27 hearing the variety of ways in which we had used the skills we had learned. It was goals were paper-baskets on top of the jumping poles... The game became good to have Ida Webb and Albert Pomfret, our lecturers, with us also. Together popular throughout the school, so we searched for a school to challenge. 44 25 Though we had never seen the game played, we challenged the Skinner’s terrapin building housing The Archives. On the stairs, another surprise meeting School.22 when Pauline Wright (two years junior and in the 1st Lacrosse Team} greets me The North London Collegiate School also28 records that the girls challenged MBÖ’s with, “Gosh! Val Jones!” - not bad memory45 since 1963!. The official opening of College to a match in 1902. The Archive at noon passed with due ceremony and it was good to catch up with Ann Packer again. What a really magnificent display of memorabilia we found in The team and umpire went by train to Dartford. The match, which was The Archive! Well done and thank you to Rosemary Moon (and husband Alan watched by an interested audience, was a draw. Madame Österberg treated Gamwell) and to all others who had presented such an incredible show of us royally, the team had shower baths, and after refreshments and a tour of memories. Our only one regret is that we did not have enough time to see the grounds, we were sent off with bouquets of flowers and cheers.23 everything - we all want to go back!

By 1897 a Games Association had been established by the London and suburban After lunch we re-grouped for the B.Ö.U. Award and talks. Firstly our ex-lecturer schools. It was presided over by a graduate of Girton College, Florence Gadesden, Dr. Ida Webb gave a tribute to Jestina Ashwood (our 1960-63 group) who Headmistress of Blackheath High School and 14 schools participated in the hockey represented Sierra Leone at Athletics. Tragically, Tina had just died, but a fund is league.24 to be set up in her memory at the Annie Walsh Memorial School where she last taught. All donations please to be sent to Dr. Ida Webb. The Gazettes, published by Wycombe Abbey School, inform that hockey was introduced in spring 1897 and they played Baker Street High School that term and Then Ann Packer and husband Robbie Brightwell gave their excellent talk also the Oxford Games Club.25 It is clear that some schools, colleges and clubs, followed by a coloured Japanese film of Ann winning gold in Tokyo 1964. such as East Molesey, founded in 1887 and Wimbledon Ladies, were playing Accompanied by the music from “Chariots of Fire”, even now it was a very hockey well before the formation of the Ladies Hockey Association in 1895. emotional experience!

We then made our way to Kingsfield (now dwarfed by new buildings) where we Christabel Lawrence (1887) was a founder member of the Ladies Hockey 26 gathered beneath the cedar tree to re-dedicate the Memorial Stone for Madame Association and was the first Hon. Secretary in 1895. Hockey was obviously Österberg. Much chatting and many photographs later, we went in the back of underway elsewhere when the game, with the assistance of some students, was Kingsfield to the old dining room for tea. Tinges of sadness at the “mothballing” introduced at Madame Bergman Österberg’s College. of Kingsfield, the loss of playing fields and the cricket pitch were compensated for by renewed friendships and new ones too. Thank you to everyone who made it Jonathan May suggests that Madame was aware of the emerging importance of such a memorable day - we all know that people matter more than buildings!! games in the mid 1880s. She said: Val Thompson (Jones; 1963) How to utilise the spacious and airy playgrounds is a question to be solved in the future when outdoor games and outdoor exercises will be a privilege not 27 enjoyed by boys only but extended to and shared by girls. A message sent by Ida Webb to Judy Perkins in the Christmas letter 2012 suggested that our year 1960-63 have their 50th reunion at Dartford to coincide Hampstead students had the opportunity to play tennis and cricket at Neasden. with the BÖU AGM on Saturday 7th September 2013 as Ann Brightwell (née Madame had no knowledge of games but she did employ a cricket professional, Packer) was going to be the guest speaker. Although several of our year who had presumably to ensure her girls received expert tuition. Before the move to intended coming unfortunately didn’t make it because of ill health, family reasons Kingsfield, Christabel Lawrence (1887) was teaching games at Wimbledon House or out of the country, there was a small contingent who did make it. It was good School, Evelyn Spence Watson (1891) was appointed to the Mount School to to meet up with friends and fellow students from 1960-63, a few of whom we 28 teach gymnastics and games. Ethel Stevenson (1892) went in January of that hadn’t seen for 50 years, but were easily recognisable. It turned out to be a very 29 year to teach gymnastics and ‘help’ in the playground’ at St Leonards. Basketball nostalgic and memorable day. had been tried at Hampstead and Annie Hardy (1895) must have felt confident about 28 teaching this new game as she introduced it to younger girls at St After the45 AGM, the Archives which are housed in a separate building were opened 30 Katharines, in St Andrews, in 1896. The older girls played lacrosse. by Ann Brightwell and the Deputy Mayor of Dartford. The archivist had done a

26 43 Dartford Reunion - Year Group 1963 There has been criticism that Madame ‘jumped on the band wagon’ with regard to the introduction of games to her students. However, evidence suggests it may 44 have been a more calculated decision. Swedish29 gymnastics was at the heart of her After a very eventful journey from Wales in our motorhome and the jammed M4/ curriculum but Madame appears to have developed a vision of a new profession. M25 on the day of the multi-pile-up on Dartford Bridge, we arrived at our Her carefully prepared students would be trained to teach both Swedish overnight farm campsite. The following morning we set off early for Dartford gymnastics and games to girls in the newly emerging girls’ schools. through the unknown territory of low emission zones and mega traffic. Arriving via the Heath, we turned left into an unrecognisable entrance through unmanned security and hoped we had parked our large vehicle in the correct place. References Suddenly, through the pouring rain we both spotted a figure scuttling through the 1 huge glass entrance of the nearest new building. We both exclaimed, “That was Women First: The Female Tradition in English Physical Education 1880-1980. Albert Pomfret!” - so I felt reassured. Being in time for the A.G.M. I quickly Sheila Fletcher. The Athlone Press, 1984, p34. 2 changed clothes and ventured forth through the glass doors. There was no-one at Ibid. 3 the reception desk, so I went down various corridors, but was soon reduced to a The Best Type of Girl. Gillian Avery. André Deutsch, 1991. 4 “quivering mass” as all doors were automatically closing behind me. Eventually, St Leonards School Register 1895. 5 my sense of direction took me forward towards the non-visible “Kingsfield” and at Madame Bergman-Österberg. Jonathan May. George G. Harrap &Co Ltd, 1969, last in the pouring rain, a large security man appeared. I uttered the magic letters p51. 6 “B.O.U.” and was at last directed to the Österberg Sports Centre. Ibid. (In an article in the BÖU Magazine dated 2008, p22, Miss Sturge’s first name appears as Velda). The welcome sounds of Kent Netball Trials greeted me, so I finally climbed the 7 1891 Census. stairs to arrive at the A.G.M. venue, to be duly welcomed by Pat Chatters and 8 The Mount School. Sturge and Clarke. 1931, p172. ushered through a glass door. Rather reticently, as I was a little late, I entered and 9 The Mount School. Sturge and Clarke. 1931, p173. sat alongside the assembly right by the door. I glanced up at the sea of unknown 10 Polam Hall School Archive. MBÖ’s Report 1898. faces and immediately a friendly smile and frantic wave greeted me (Chris Newey, 11 MBÖ’s College Games Record from September 1896-April 1898. fellow Lacrosse Team member and not seen for 50 years!). Then, looking to the (St Leonards was originally called the St Andrews School for Girls.) back there were Linden Ridley from Northumberland (fellow student 60-63), Dr. 12 Girton College 1862-1932. Barbara Stephen 1933. Cambridge at the Ida Webb and Albert Pomfret (our ex-lecturers). University Press, p154. 13 Playing the Game. Kathleen E. McCrone. The University Press of Kentucky, As the A.G.M. progressed, it was good to meet the Committee and put names to pp 35-36. faces. I passed on apologies from Novello Roche in Pembrokeshire (60-63) who 14 SLS School Gazettes 1867-96. was Ann Packer’s room mate through college. By then Jan Scott (60-63) arrived 15 The Daisy in the Broom. Donald Clarke 1991, p143 (The History of the Princess next to me and others of our group started to gather, waving enthusiastically Helena College) through the glass door - Liz Wurr, Suz Severne, Beryl Wasley, Jenny Merritt and 16 A History of Bedford High School, K.M. Westaway (editor) 1932, p49. Chris Warne, all there to support Ann and celebrate 50 years after leaving college! 17 The Mount School. York. Sturge and Clarke, 1931, p145. 18 Ibid p205. Listening to the various Committee members give their reports and learning so 19 Polished Corners 1878-1978. Compiled by Susan Hicklin. pp50 & 51. much new information, their dedication and enthusiasm became obvious.. On (The history of Francis Holland School, London, NW1) behalf of myself and others in my year (who had believed themselves to be BÖU 20 Playing the Game. Kathleen E. McCrone. The University Press of Kentucky, p77. life members) I explained that we did not receive the magazine or newsletter and 21 The North London Collegiate School 1850-1950: a Hundred Years of Girls’ therefore were unaware of events. Dr. Ida Webb kindly offered information and Educaton. 1950 Oxford University Press, p65. the Committee will try to remedy this. There are many of us very keen to support 22 Ibid. and given44 information would be pleased to network more ex-students. 23 Ibid.29

24 Ibid p70. The A.G.M. adjourned allowing us to make our way down to the large adjoining

42 27 25 Wycombe Abbey School Gazette 1897. After that we were involved with Bryan having a hip replacement operation and 26 Hockey. Nicholson Smith and Philip Robson. The Isthmian Library No 9. Innes & weekly hydro and physio. We continued with our regular Probus and Church Co. Ltd. 1899. See chapter on women’s30 hockey. 43 27 commitments in between. Since then I have been diagnosed with L/4..L/5 nerve Madame Bergman-Österberg. Jonathan May. George G. Harrap &Co Ltd, 1969, p25. constrictions and am scheduled for spinal surgery next month. The Australian 28 The Mount School. York. Sturge and Clarke, 1931, p 172. Tennis has just finished with lots of surprises. The heat for the first week was very 29 St Leonards School Register 1895. hard for the players to cope with, never mind those of us just watching! 30 Madame Bergman Österberg’s Report 1896-98. Also the cricket Ashes series. My cousin in Cheshire says we are not to mention the cricket in our phone calls but it'll change hands again, I'm sure. The ladies' Jane Claydon (1968) cricket is much more balanced.

I have heard from Betty (Lycett), Sheila (Gell), Jennifer (Rowlatt), Ann Tilley, Catherine Martineau and Pat Holden (née Townsend) my grand junior, thanks to Bergman Ősterberg housekeeper was part of notorious gang her change of address notice in the 2013 magazine.

New research has discovered that Bergman Ősterberg’s housekeeper, Mabel Maw (known to her friends as Joyce), was a member of the notorious Ferguson’s Gang. The Gang hit the headlines in the 1930s when their anonymous masked Dartford 1957 Reunion representatives ‘stole’ money to give to the National Trust. We first started meeting up in 1977 and for the next 30 years attended the The Gang kept their identity hidden for almost a century; their representatives reunion at Dartford every five years and the Centenary and Millennium secretly delivered large bags of money to the National Trust. They wore elaborate gatherings. At the latter we decided that as we were getting older it would be a masks and disguises, delivered money wrapped around cigars or in the carcase of good idea to meet every year in a different part of the country. a goose and swore undying allegiance against house builders and developers. September 2013 saw us bound for Oxford, where Jean Harris (Menzies) and Gill However the identities of these bandits remained secret until now; they have Horrocks (Richardson), assisted by Val Russell (Robinson), had booked two large finally been revealed through research by Anna Hutton-North. Her findings show tables, for 1956 and 1957 0ld students, in the roof top restaurant of the that Mabel Joyce Maw was a great friend of Prime Minister Gladstone’s great Ashmolean Museum. By car and by train, twenty four of us made it - eighteen niece (Margaret Gladstone) who was the brains behind the Gang. from 1957 and six from 1956. And what a great time we had talking, drinking, eating and more talking before we dispersed to meet husbands, catch trains, walk All of the Gang were keen to keep their identities hidden and took on outlandish to Park and Ride and make our way home - but not before we had persuaded pseudonyms to avoid detection. Maw was known as Kate O’Brien, The Nark (after Norma Jenner (Teasel) and Janet Henderson (Bohill) to arrange another reunion in the Irish novelist whose novels carried a heavily lesbian theme); Gladstone was the north of England - accessible by road and rail - for September 2014. called Bill Stickers (as in ‘Bill Stickers will be prosecuted’). Long may our friendships last. Maw joined the staff at Bergman Ősterberg in the- mid 1930s as part of the housekeeping staff. Over the three years at the College she started out organising Mary Hunt (Wigg; 1957) the menus and doing the catering helped only by two kitchen maids. However as student numbers rose to 170 it was recognised that the kitchens needed to be refurbished and the College agreed to Kate taking on a trained Head Cook and Cook’s Assistant.30 43

41 28 News from Dartford Students During her time at the Bergman Ősterberg Physical Training College she continued to attend the Gang meetings at their headquarters in Shalford Mill, Guildford. It

was here that she was invited to make a secret drop of money to the Secretary of 42 31 the National Trust. Joyce Haslam (Smith; 1949)

She recorded her drop of the booty, like the other Gang members, in their mock- I left Dartford in 1949, but have very vivid memories of my happy time there. I Cockney. think that some of these memories will seem like the Middle Ages to more “I took the goat, documents and card in the car this afternoon, collected my father recently qualified students! Among the list of things we had to provide were two as escort, called at Harrods for a mask, then drove to the Trust. pairs of bust bodices, a tennis dress made up of three pillow cases (these were free of clothing coupons) and named cutlery. There was great excitement when I was shown into the room we last saw Hamer in. The new secretary is a nice you found your own cutlery at mealtimes! bloke, he was v charming & said it was an agreeable surprise as he hadnt expected

such a big cheque so soon. (Receipt enclosed). He asked about our feelings re Random thoughts…….plugs missing in the bathrooms so lacrosse balls were good youth hostel V. Museum. I raised the points we had discussed, i.e. Curator and substitutes and could be passed over the dividing walls when needed; going on heat, & he quite agreed & said he had asked them if they had thought of that. The teaching practice on our bikes with hoops, balls of various sizes, coloured bands local committee apparently hadnt. etc; signing out and in when leaving college at the weekend and finally, if we were going to Dartford Heath, we had to go in threes armed with whistles, one to be ….Our cards work lovely, no waiting. I dont wonder he was impressed with the attacked, one to blow their whistle and the third to run for help. Well that was goat, I ad never seen such another.” the story we were told!

What was truly fascinating about Ferguson’s Gang was that the fact the inner- I am in touch with Margaret Bowles, Beryl Cooper, Dorothy Tailford, Pat Stokes, circle of the Gang were all girls; Bill Stickers, Sister Agatha, Red Biddy, Kate Pat Davson and my grand junior in Australia, Margaret Gaitskell, but would love to O’Brien and Lord Beershop of Gladstone Islands and Mercators Projection. They hear from anyone else who was in Dartford at the same time. I was Joyce Smith, were all university blue-stockings from extremely rich families who frequently known as Smithy. mixed with the literary and political elite of the time.

During the decade when they were most active the girls raised over half a million Margaret G. Gill (Gaitskell; 1951) – News from Australia pounds (in today’s money) to save historic houses and preserve the English

countryside. They donated money to over 14 National Trust public appeals We are very fond of the Victorian High Country and once again spent two short (including Chester Amphitheatre and Avebury stone circle). They also purchased holidays in the mountains early in the year. The first was with Chris, who runs and restored five key properties: Shalford Water Mill, Guildford (immortalised in small bus tours. This time we stayed in a small town called Dartmouth, originally Ernest Shepherd’s Pooh Sticks illustration), The Old Town Hall on the Isle of Wight, built to house workers who were building the dam in this most remote part of the Priory Cottages, Steventon (recommended through their friendship with local state. It was a magnificent sight, almost full and mainly used for irrigation. The inhabitant C.S. Lewis), Trevescan Cliffs and Mayon Cliffs at Sennen. wall is over 600 feet high and rock filled. Most impressive. The surrounding countryside is wild and beautiful with a few properties running cattle. During the interwar years Ferguson’s Gang were constantly in the headlines with their outlandish activities; yet looking back it seems difficult to believe that the Our other week away was with the family in the Ski lodge. We have been group managed to keep their gang activities secret from everyone including family and friends. members of the ski club for over 50 years and skied when we were younger but now enjoy the area when there is no snow. These family times together are At the time the traditional inherited Edwardian social order was being broken precious.42 down and31 along with it much of England’s history and architectural heritage was being lost. The Gang were fighting to save England’s countryside from being destroyed by developers and house builders. 40 29 The fact we have so many wonderful historical properties and open countryside is down to their sheer determination to make a difference. References 32 1. Polam Hall School and the Mount41 School Archives. The fascinating story of how Ferguson’s Gang, including Bergman Ősterberg 2. Sheila Fletcher, Women First: the Female Tradition in English Physical College’s housekeeper, helped battle against the builders to save England’s Education 1880-1980, The Athlone Press, 1984, p34. historical heritage has now been written up by Anna Hutton-North in the book 3. Letter to Madame Bergman Österberg from J.J. Stevenson in the BÖU ‘Ferguson’s Gang – The Maidens behind the Masks’. Finally the bandits are Archive. revealed once and for all. 4. H. Winifred Sturge and Theodora Clarke, The Mount School, York, J.M.Dent and Sons Ltd, 1931,p172. Anna Hutton-North 5. H. Winifred Sturge and Theodora Clarke, The Mount School, York, J.M.Dent and Sons Ltd, 1931,p179, p205. 6. Wycombe Abbey Gazette, March 1902, Vol II, No2, p252. 7. Birmingham University Archive - Levick papers. 8. AEWLA and SLLA Records. 9. Ethel Adair’s photograph album 1896-98. a copy is held in the BÖU Archive. 10. MBÖ’s report 1898. games Records of that period. 11. St Leonards Gazette, February 1898, pages 288/289. 12. St Leonards: Cradle of Lacrosse, Jane Claydon, 2009-details this information 13. The Mount School, York, H. Winifred Sturge and Theodora Clarke. J.M. Dent and Sons Ltd, 1931, p205 14. The History of St Stephen’s College, Jenny Balston, 1994, p30. Published privately. 15. The Lacrosse Story, Alexander Weyland and Milton Roberts, Baltimore: H & A Herman, 1965 - suggested Maggie Boyd indicated an earlier date, but this is incorrect. See lacrosse archives at Birmingham University Archive. The Dartford College Staff and 3rd Years 1938- Mabel Maw, 3rd from right, bottom row Princess Helena College started lacrosse in 1901/02. 16. The term ‘Ready’ followed by a date, indicates the year the student had competed her 2 year course. “Ferguson’s Gang 17. Student Record Book, 1900-1916, BÖU Archive. The Maidens behind 18. Wycombe Abbey Gazette, Vol III, No 2, 1905, p27. the Masks” 19. BÖU Archive. Letter addressed to Jane Claydon 1977. by 20. St Leonards: Cradle of Lacrosse, Jane Claydon, 2009. Anna Hutton North 21. BÖU Magazine 1970, p20. 22. Conversation with Jane Claydon 1977. St Leonards: Cradle of Lacrosse, Jane Published by Lulu Inc 2013 Claydon, 2009, p48. ISBN 978-1-291-48453-3 23. Photographs in the St Leonards School Archive. RRP £9.99 24. AEWLA Archive. 25. SLS Archive. 26. St Stephens College Magazine, 1905. www.fergusonsgang.co.uk

32 Jane Claydon41 (1968)

30 39 playing lacrosse at that time support this comment. There is also some evidence An eventful dinner party! for this in early photographs of players at St Leonards. 23 40 Below is a synopsis of my thoughts and33 experiences, written after my first visit to E.R. Clarke and Norah Brash went on to play lacrosse for England as did Ruth The Gambia in 2003. I only went to dinner with my ex boss and his wife, the Head Craigmile.24 Lilyan Esslemont was appointed to teach at St Leonards. 25 As she teacher of a local primary school in Kent, and the next day saw me writing out a had attended a small private school in Aberdeen she too must have been a cheque for my fare to The Gambia, to join a group of teachers and friends from beginner at lacrosse when she arrived at college. two schools in Maidstone, who were going out to The Gambia to decorate and refurbish a school. The problem is – where to start, as it was just such an amazing It is possible that a Mr Wilkes was the Canadian coach who taught at MBÖ’s experience for two weeks of my life, although it felt like so much longer as we College. He was well known in the London area and coached in many schools such packed so much in. as St George’s, Ascot and The Princess Helena College in Ealing. In 1905, St Stephen’s College Magazine stated: I thought that I had seen poverty, deprivation and squalid conditions before in Mr Wilkes, our La Crosse coach, was only able to come three times this Bulgaria and Barbados etc., but it was nothing compared to the sights and smells term on account of his coaching fourteen schools in the week. 26 that we encountered in The Gambia, nor the hassling for a few dalasies (the local currency) from people who have so little. In conclusion: Even those who are working in professional jobs, e.g. teachers, are living in one  Madame may have known about the small room in a compound with a single calor gas burner to cook on in the same game of lacrosse in the early 1890s. room, or a charcoal fire outside. They fetch water from a tap in the street to wash  Ethel Rigby made her peers (and in communally and I didn’t dare ask about their toilet arrangements – I’m just Madame) aware of the game in 1897. pleased that I didn’t need to avail myself of them when we were invited to their  The growing emergence of the game of homes. However we saw sewage running down the streets amongst all the lacrosse in girls’ schools resulted in rubbish and rubble in the town where we stayed in the hotel, and just four toilets, Roberta Cunningham and Sybil Hoare cubicled holes in the ground, and only two with doors on, for the whole of the educated at Wycombe Abbey School, village, where we were staying on Jinack. Despite all of this the majority were Dorothea Cowles from St Felix, Southwold incredibly clean, except for abounding B.O., which is more than could be said for and Ruth Craigmile from Roedean being us! In the market in the town, we saw vegetables soaking in putrid water and so the students who were most likely to many flies on the fish and meat, that combined with the smell, really had me have had the lacrosse background to help retching. introduce the game to MBÖ’s College either just before or in 1904. I stroked a crocodile; fed monkeys; saw a baboon and the most amazing birds in  It seems reasonable to suggest that the wild; was separated from hyenas and lions by just a double layer of chain link lacrosse was introduced to MBÖ’s College fencing; slept in a straw covered hut; joined in African dancing; carried a baby by students who had learned the game at African style on my back; had two accidents in jeeps in three days; traipsed school. It was probably a combined effort through fields of ganja (cannabis); travelled to the island where the school is, also and no doubt students shared their known as Coconut Island and Treasure Island, by canoe, and with the group and knowledge and ideas. help from a local scout troop and some of the locals, we painted the school both inside and outside and put up teaching aids on the walls for them. Madame was responsible for the introduction of netball to college in 1893 but hockey and lacrosse appear to have been the result of the initiative of students, They were so appreciative, although we did have difficulty keeping tabs on our materials and the resources that we had taken for them as there was a tendency who passed onto their peers their knowledge and enthusiasm for games they had 40 for them33 just to vanish into thin air! learned during their school careers.

38 31 The children were clamouring for sponsorship to help them continue their Phyllis Reynolds Heathfield School Ready 1905 education after they finished at the primary school on the island. They would Rosanna Cunningham Wycombe Abbey School Ready 1905 (Entered have to go to the mainland for secondary34 education and live with friends or 39 January 1904) relatives. The cost, which includes uniform, books and school fees etc. is just the Sybil Hoare Wycombe Abbey School Ready 1906 (Entered1903) equivalent of £20 per term, but the families genuinely couldn’t afford it. Helen Brown Roedean School Ready 1906 Education only started on Jinack in 1975 with the community providing it in the Ruth Craigmile Roedean School Ready 1906 17 evening after their work in the fields. The first teacher was sent to the island by the government in 1982. We heard how in schools all over The Gambia, only 30 The students who had previously played at school and took part in the first college years ago, children could not go to school unless they took a desk, chair, five matches were: exercise books and a pencil with them. Now most schools do have furniture, Roberta Cunningham Wycombe Abbey School much of it sent out by charitable organisations both here and other European Sybil Hoare Wycombe Abbey School countries. Ruth Craigmile Roedean School Dorothea L. Cowles St Felix, Southwold The group of 12, whose ages ranged from the mid 20s to mid 60s, really gelled Phyllis Reynolds Heathfield School well together with no arguments or sniping, but many laughs. Conditions at the Lodge where we stayed on Jinack were basic – the “flushing toilet and shower” The Wycombe Abbey Gazette dated 1905 recorded that Roberta Cunningham had only worked as long as there was water in the big dustbin on the roof – not long been appointed a Games Mistress at the College. This is probably not a correct for 12 of us, so it was very much bucket and chuck it! However as soon as you assessment of her role as E.R. Clarke suggested something rather different. She stepped out of the wash cubicle you were up to your ankles in sand. I have never wrote a letter, in which she mentioned some of her own peers at Dartford: been so dirty in my entire life! The whole of the island was sand and the only transport was donkey and cart, canoe and feet. The “solar energy” was great as One very fine student was Roberta Cunningham…..tall, responsible, able long as you wanted light during the daytime, when we weren’t there! person. She was very popular with her set and Madame gave her some responsibility for games, if there was any shortage of staff for coaching We were treated to entertainment each evening, along with all the villagers, hockey and lacrosse 19 although African and reggae music amplified at great decibels after midnight was not funny when we were starting work early the next morning, and did lead to Roberta Cunningham may have been instrumental in the introduction of lacrosse problems with the owner of the campsite – a large, formidable English lady, with at Dartford as she had been considered a very good player at Wycombe Abbey flowing African robes and large bow in hair, married to an African – get the 20 School, as had Sybil Hoare together with Ruth Craigmile at Roedean. The first picture? However my over-riding picture is that of the friendliness of the representative players at Dartford included E.R. Clarke who, coming to college Gambians, of the children who just wanted to hold your hand and followed us like from Rochester Grammar School, must have been a lacrosse beginner but she was the Pied Piper. a very gifted games player. E.R. Clarke, in the BÖU Magazine, dated 1970 said:

Would I return? Sure, I would love to do something similar again and am sure Madame undoubtedly looked forward... She also welcomed ideas from that others in the group feel the same way. We learnt so much from the abroad,... appointing a Canadian expert to undertake the coaching of experience of a lifetime. We have so much and they have so little and areso Lacrosse, a game then unfamiliar in girls’ schools. 21 grateful for anything that is given. Many things have been missed out, but hopefully this has given you a flavour of our experiences – words just can’t express the kaleidoscope of emotions, thoughts, sights, sounds, smells that we It has to be assumed that the Canadian expert was male. In 1977 E.R. Clarke experienced. It truly was an adventure and the experience of a lifetime, and next explained that ‘quick sticks’ was not a new technique introduced in the 1970s but year I will tell you what has happened since I did return, if you are interested, and a skill taught to her at college in 1904. She also recalled that everyone in that era the editor of the magazine has space! was taught to play lacrosse with their left hand at the top of their stick. 22 This 34 39 Margaret E. Kukoyi (Medland, née Welch; 1964) must have been the influence of the Canadian coach as photographs of men Written after my return in April 2003 and slightly updated, January 2014! 32 37 lacrosse stick with her left hand at the top. By 1897 Ethel Rigby’s peers must have been aware of lacrosse even if it was not part of the curriculum. Making music at Oakfield Lane in 1970 38 35

Ethel Rigby was a revered Captain of School at St Leonards. Jonathan May in his book Madame Bergman-Österberg quoted from Madame’s report dated 1898: Former Dartford students might not be aware that the College premises and great strides had been made in the introduction of hockey, largely accommodation in Oakfield Lane were sometimes hired out during the summer 10 through the efforts of Miss Rigby of St Andrews. months as a venue for residential courses and cultural activities. Hiring of the In a letter Ethel Rigby sent to the St Leonards School Gazette in 1898 no mention facilities would have generated additional income for the College authorities. was made of the students playing lacrosse. However, she did say: Basket ball is an excellent game for schools... It is not unlike lacrosse During the Summer of 1970 myself (a humble viola player) and one hundred and 11 played with the hands. nineteen other budding young musicians spent a week at Oakfield Lane preparing for a concert tour which included a concert in the presence of HRH The Princess Records of college matches were not kept until 1904. A Games Record book was Margaret, Countess of Snowdon,to commemorate the Centenary of the passing of started that year and hockey, cricket and lacrosse teams are listed. This suggests the 1870 Education Act. matches and selected teams began at about this time but hockey and cricket were part of the student’s curriculum earlier on and so it is possible that lacrosse was We were all members of the London Schools Symphony Orchestra (LSSO) and introduced earlier than 1904. London Youth Symphony Orchestra, the ‘cream’ of London’s musical talent. The LSSO was formed in 1953 under the aegis of the then London County Council as a It is not difficult to narrow down a list of former students who might have been means whereby the very best young instrumentalists in London schools could influential in the introduction of lacrosse, as very few schools played initially. meet together for a week in the school holidays as an orchestra of technical 12 It was started in schools as indicated below: capability beyond that which they could hope to experience in their individual schools. The orchestra was extensively augmented by students from the four main St Leonards School, St Andrews 1890 London music colleges. The age range of the players was from 12 to 21. Many of Withington School, Manchester 1891 13 the orchestra’s players eventually went on to enjoy professional musical careers. The Mount School, York 1892 - the game was attempted at about this time We arrived on site at Dartford by coach closely followed by two extremely large Wycombe Abbey School 1896 14 London Symphony Orchestra removal lorries that were used to transport ten St Stephen’s College, Clewer 1896 double basses, a dozen cellos and an extensive range of percussion instruments St Felix, Southwold 1897 15 required to support the symphony repertoire. Smaller instruments were The Princess Helena College 1901 transported by coach. St George’s Ascot 1901 Roedean School 1902 Our first impression of the Dartford College campus was the fact that it was ‘in the Heathfield School 1902/03 country’. Most of the orchestra players lived in urban or suburban London. Everything was so quiet – particularly at night. One could actually see stars in the A college lacrosse team is listed for the academic year 1904/05. A search through sky! the Student Record Book, begun in 1900 and held at the BÖU Archive, indicates that some students, prior to the recorded matches in 1904, had probably played We were hastily ensconced in College accommodation. This was the first occasion lacrosse at school: when some of the musicians had had their own room. Other musicians slept in 16 Louise Madgewick Withington School Ready 1902 bunk beds. The food at Oakfield Lane was highly rated by the visitors; so much E. Sylvia Cowles St Felix, Southwold Ready 1903 better than the ‘slop’ that comprised school dinners. J.T. Jarvis St Felix, Southwold Ready 1904 38 35 Dorothea L. Cowles St Felix, Southwold Ready 1905

36 33 Lacrosse - who introduced the game to Quite a few of the older teenagers in the orchestra were perturbed that there was Madame Bergman Österberg’s College at Dartford? 36 37 a ‘no alcohol’ rule for the duration of the week and that the nearest pub was in Wilmington village. Some bright spark found an off licence in the area and empty Madame Bergman Österberg in her report dated 1898, recorded that hockey was violin cases were used to smuggle-in bottles of cider. In the unhealthy days of the introduced to her college by four students who had played the game at school. Of 1970s many youngsters smoked. The back of Kingsfield by Madame’s tree was an these four, Hannah Williamson had attended the Mount School, York, Beatrice excellent place to sneak off to for a quick covert ‘ciggie’ between rehearsals. Marriage had attended Polam Hall School in Darlington between 1893- 94 and 1 Elizabeth Impey had attended both the Mount and Polam Hall. These girls were There was only a week to rehearse a full programme of previously unseen music. all from families who were Quakers or members of the Society of Friends. (The The standard of playing was extremely high and seven well-known professional school Elsie Feesy attended is not known.) musicians were brought in to rehearse each section of the orchestra. Full rehearsals were held in the large sports hall. The sports hall had an amazing echo Writing in 1984, Sheila Fletcher, in Women First The Female Tradition in English – not really an appropriate acoustic for a symphony orchestra. The sound was Physical Education 1880-1980, said: deafening and could probably be heard as far away as Dartford. Rehearsals The Canadian winter game, lacrosse, which appeared at St Leonards in commenced at 9.15 am and (with appropriate meal breaks) lasted well into the 2 1890 reached Dartford via a student. evening. Most musicians were too tired for cider drinking and partying. Miracles were achieved by the then conductor (the late Peter Fletcher). Writing in The This seems to have been the most likely scenario. However, unlike the Times newspaper, music critic Stanley Sadie said of the ensuing Royal Festival Hall introduction of hockey to Dartford, there is no indication as to which students concert ‘....the orchestra are good to watch and not at all bad to listen to.’ The might have been involved with the beginnings of lacrosse. ambience of Oakfield Lane had obviously worked its magic and inspired members of the orchestra to achieve great things. It would be reasonable to suppose that Madame was aware of the new game of lacrosse for girls in the very early 1890s. One of her Hampstead students, Ethel Looking at the list of orchestra members who attended the week at Dartford, Stevenson (1892) had a sister who had played in the very first lacrosse matches at many went on to enjoy high profile careers. The list includes Christopher Warren St Leonards in 1890. Madame found appointments for all her students and so was Green (Conductor of the London Chamber Orchestra and Director of music for involved in the appointment of Ethel Stevenson to the staff at St Leonards in Will and Kate’s Westminster Abbey wedding); Irvine Arditti (leader of the Arditti 1892.3 Madame was very interested in the work of Evelyn Spence Watson (1891) Quartet); Anatol Kaletsky (former Economics Editor of The Times) and Peter Fry at The Mount School, York. She visited the school in 1891 when the new (leading percussionist). gymnasium was opened.4 An attempt to establish lacrosse at the Mount was made in about 1892 5 and so it is possible that Elizabeth Impey and Hannah Being a member of the LSSO gave me the chance to perform in some of Europe’s Williamson could have participated in those early games. most prestigious concert halls – a truly inspirational experience. The orchestra has gone from strength-to-strength and is now rated as the second best youth Lacrosse was a school based game and although Girton had a Lacrosse Club as orchestra in Britain (after the National Youth Orchestra). Today’s orchestra early as 1899 it ‘existed under difficulties as hockey is so much played’ 6. The first members have the opportunity to perform worldwide. Little did I know at the age of 15 that I would one day re-acquaint my links with the Oakfield Lane campus official ladies club, the Southern Ladies, did not form until 1905 and as the second through becoming a Vice President of the BÖU. club, Edinburgh Ladies, was not founded until 1912, the idea that Dartford was influenced by the club system can be discounted.7 The Ladies Lacrosse Association was not formed until 1912. 8

Peter Boreham (BÖU Vice President) The BÖU Archive has, in its collection, a copy of a photograph album belonging to 9 E. Adair Roberts (later Mrs Impey) which records life at Dartford during her era. 36 37 The album includes a photograph, taken in 1897 of Ethel Rigby (1898) holding a

34 35 Lacrosse - who introduced the game to Quite a few of the older teenagers in the orchestra were perturbed that there was Madame Bergman Österberg’s College at Dartford? 36 37 a ‘no alcohol’ rule for the duration of the week and that the nearest pub was in Wilmington village. Some bright spark found an off licence in the area and empty Madame Bergman Österberg in her report dated 1898, recorded that hockey was violin cases were used to smuggle-in bottles of cider. In the unhealthy days of the introduced to her college by four students who had played the game at school. Of 1970s many youngsters smoked. The back of Kingsfield by Madame’s tree was an these four, Hannah Williamson had attended the Mount School, York, Beatrice excellent place to sneak off to for a quick covert ‘ciggie’ between rehearsals. Marriage had attended Polam Hall School in Darlington between 1893- 94 and 1 Elizabeth Impey had attended both the Mount and Polam Hall. These girls were There was only a week to rehearse a full programme of previously unseen music. all from families who were Quakers or members of the Society of Friends. (The The standard of playing was extremely high and seven well-known professional school Elsie Feesy attended is not known.) musicians were brought in to rehearse each section of the orchestra. Full rehearsals were held in the large sports hall. The sports hall had an amazing echo Writing in 1984, Sheila Fletcher, in Women First The Female Tradition in English – not really an appropriate acoustic for a symphony orchestra. The sound was Physical Education 1880-1980, said: deafening and could probably be heard as far away as Dartford. Rehearsals The Canadian winter game, lacrosse, which appeared at St Leonards in commenced at 9.15 am and (with appropriate meal breaks) lasted well into the 2 1890 reached Dartford via a student. evening. Most musicians were too tired for cider drinking and partying. Miracles were achieved by the then conductor (the late Peter Fletcher). Writing in The This seems to have been the most likely scenario. However, unlike the Times newspaper, music critic Stanley Sadie said of the ensuing Royal Festival Hall introduction of hockey to Dartford, there is no indication as to which students concert ‘....the orchestra are good to watch and not at all bad to listen to.’ The might have been involved with the beginnings of lacrosse. ambience of Oakfield Lane had obviously worked its magic and inspired members of the orchestra to achieve great things. It would be reasonable to suppose that Madame was aware of the new game of lacrosse for girls in the very early 1890s. One of her Hampstead students, Ethel Looking at the list of orchestra members who attended the week at Dartford, Stevenson (1892) had a sister who had played in the very first lacrosse matches at many went on to enjoy high profile careers. The list includes Christopher Warren St Leonards in 1890. Madame found appointments for all her students and so was Green (Conductor of the London Chamber Orchestra and Director of music for involved in the appointment of Ethel Stevenson to the staff at St Leonards in Will and Kate’s Westminster Abbey wedding); Irvine Arditti (leader of the Arditti 1892.3 Madame was very interested in the work of Evelyn Spence Watson (1891) Quartet); Anatol Kaletsky (former Economics Editor of The Times) and Peter Fry at The Mount School, York. She visited the school in 1891 when the new (leading percussionist). gymnasium was opened.4 An attempt to establish lacrosse at the Mount was made in about 1892 5 and so it is possible that Elizabeth Impey and Hannah Being a member of the LSSO gave me the chance to perform in some of Europe’s Williamson could have participated in those early games. most prestigious concert halls – a truly inspirational experience. The orchestra has gone from strength-to-strength and is now rated as the second best youth Lacrosse was a school based game and although Girton had a Lacrosse Club as orchestra in Britain (after the National Youth Orchestra). Today’s orchestra early as 1899 it ‘existed under difficulties as hockey is so much played’ 6. The first members have the opportunity to perform worldwide. Little did I know at the age of 15 that I would one day re-acquaint my links with the Oakfield Lane campus official ladies club, the Southern Ladies, did not form until 1905 and as the second through becoming a Vice President of the BÖU. club, Edinburgh Ladies, was not founded until 1912, the idea that Dartford was influenced by the club system can be discounted.7 The Ladies Lacrosse Association was not formed until 1912. 8

Peter Boreham (BÖU Vice President) The BÖU Archive has, in its collection, a copy of a photograph album belonging to 9 E. Adair Roberts (later Mrs Impey) which records life at Dartford during her era. 36 37 The album includes a photograph, taken in 1897 of Ethel Rigby (1898) holding a

34 35 lacrosse stick with her left hand at the top. By 1897 Ethel Rigby’s peers must have been aware of lacrosse even if it was not part of the curriculum. Making music at Oakfield Lane in 1970 38 35

Ethel Rigby was a revered Captain of School at St Leonards. Jonathan May in his book Madame Bergman-Österberg quoted from Madame’s report dated 1898: Former Dartford students might not be aware that the College premises and great strides had been made in the introduction of hockey, largely accommodation in Oakfield Lane were sometimes hired out during the summer 10 through the efforts of Miss Rigby of St Andrews. months as a venue for residential courses and cultural activities. Hiring of the In a letter Ethel Rigby sent to the St Leonards School Gazette in 1898 no mention facilities would have generated additional income for the College authorities. was made of the students playing lacrosse. However, she did say: Basket ball is an excellent game for schools... It is not unlike lacrosse During the Summer of 1970 myself (a humble viola player) and one hundred and 11 played with the hands. nineteen other budding young musicians spent a week at Oakfield Lane preparing for a concert tour which included a concert in the presence of HRH The Princess Records of college matches were not kept until 1904. A Games Record book was Margaret, Countess of Snowdon,to commemorate the Centenary of the passing of started that year and hockey, cricket and lacrosse teams are listed. This suggests the 1870 Education Act. matches and selected teams began at about this time but hockey and cricket were part of the student’s curriculum earlier on and so it is possible that lacrosse was We were all members of the London Schools Symphony Orchestra (LSSO) and introduced earlier than 1904. London Youth Symphony Orchestra, the ‘cream’ of London’s musical talent. The LSSO was formed in 1953 under the aegis of the then London County Council as a It is not difficult to narrow down a list of former students who might have been means whereby the very best young instrumentalists in London schools could influential in the introduction of lacrosse, as very few schools played initially. meet together for a week in the school holidays as an orchestra of technical 12 It was started in schools as indicated below: capability beyond that which they could hope to experience in their individual schools. The orchestra was extensively augmented by students from the four main St Leonards School, St Andrews 1890 London music colleges. The age range of the players was from 12 to 21. Many of Withington School, Manchester 1891 13 the orchestra’s players eventually went on to enjoy professional musical careers. The Mount School, York 1892 - the game was attempted at about this time We arrived on site at Dartford by coach closely followed by two extremely large Wycombe Abbey School 1896 14 London Symphony Orchestra removal lorries that were used to transport ten St Stephen’s College, Clewer 1896 double basses, a dozen cellos and an extensive range of percussion instruments St Felix, Southwold 1897 15 required to support the symphony repertoire. Smaller instruments were The Princess Helena College 1901 transported by coach. St George’s Ascot 1901 Roedean School 1902 Our first impression of the Dartford College campus was the fact that it was ‘in the Heathfield School 1902/03 country’. Most of the orchestra players lived in urban or suburban London. Everything was so quiet – particularly at night. One could actually see stars in the A college lacrosse team is listed for the academic year 1904/05. A search through sky! the Student Record Book, begun in 1900 and held at the BÖU Archive, indicates that some students, prior to the recorded matches in 1904, had probably played We were hastily ensconced in College accommodation. This was the first occasion lacrosse at school: when some of the musicians had had their own room. Other musicians slept in 16 Louise Madgewick Withington School Ready 1902 bunk beds. The food at Oakfield Lane was highly rated by the visitors; so much E. Sylvia Cowles St Felix, Southwold Ready 1903 better than the ‘slop’ that comprised school dinners. J.T. Jarvis St Felix, Southwold Ready 1904 38 35 Dorothea L. Cowles St Felix, Southwold Ready 1905

36 33 The children were clamouring for sponsorship to help them continue their Phyllis Reynolds Heathfield School Ready 1905 education after they finished at the primary school on the island. They would Rosanna Cunningham Wycombe Abbey School Ready 1905 (Entered have to go to the mainland for secondary34 education and live with friends or 39 January 1904) relatives. The cost, which includes uniform, books and school fees etc. is just the Sybil Hoare Wycombe Abbey School Ready 1906 (Entered1903) equivalent of £20 per term, but the families genuinely couldn’t afford it. Helen Brown Roedean School Ready 1906 Education only started on Jinack in 1975 with the community providing it in the Ruth Craigmile Roedean School Ready 1906 17 evening after their work in the fields. The first teacher was sent to the island by the government in 1982. We heard how in schools all over The Gambia, only 30 The students who had previously played at school and took part in the first college years ago, children could not go to school unless they took a desk, chair, five matches were: exercise books and a pencil with them. Now most schools do have furniture, Roberta Cunningham Wycombe Abbey School much of it sent out by charitable organisations both here and other European Sybil Hoare Wycombe Abbey School countries. Ruth Craigmile Roedean School Dorothea L. Cowles St Felix, Southwold The group of 12, whose ages ranged from the mid 20s to mid 60s, really gelled Phyllis Reynolds Heathfield School well together with no arguments or sniping, but many laughs. Conditions at the Lodge where we stayed on Jinack were basic – the “flushing toilet and shower” The Wycombe Abbey Gazette dated 1905 recorded that Roberta Cunningham had only worked as long as there was water in the big dustbin on the roof – not long been appointed a Games Mistress at the College. This is probably not a correct for 12 of us, so it was very much bucket and chuck it! However as soon as you assessment of her role as E.R. Clarke suggested something rather different. She stepped out of the wash cubicle you were up to your ankles in sand. I have never wrote a letter, in which she mentioned some of her own peers at Dartford: been so dirty in my entire life! The whole of the island was sand and the only transport was donkey and cart, canoe and feet. The “solar energy” was great as One very fine student was Roberta Cunningham…..tall, responsible, able long as you wanted light during the daytime, when we weren’t there! person. She was very popular with her set and Madame gave her some responsibility for games, if there was any shortage of staff for coaching We were treated to entertainment each evening, along with all the villagers, hockey and lacrosse 19 although African and reggae music amplified at great decibels after midnight was not funny when we were starting work early the next morning, and did lead to Roberta Cunningham may have been instrumental in the introduction of lacrosse problems with the owner of the campsite – a large, formidable English lady, with at Dartford as she had been considered a very good player at Wycombe Abbey flowing African robes and large bow in hair, married to an African – get the 20 School, as had Sybil Hoare together with Ruth Craigmile at Roedean. The first picture? However my over-riding picture is that of the friendliness of the representative players at Dartford included E.R. Clarke who, coming to college Gambians, of the children who just wanted to hold your hand and followed us like from Rochester Grammar School, must have been a lacrosse beginner but she was the Pied Piper. a very gifted games player. E.R. Clarke, in the BÖU Magazine, dated 1970 said:

Would I return? Sure, I would love to do something similar again and am sure Madame undoubtedly looked forward... She also welcomed ideas from that others in the group feel the same way. We learnt so much from the abroad,... appointing a Canadian expert to undertake the coaching of experience of a lifetime. We have so much and they have so little and areso Lacrosse, a game then unfamiliar in girls’ schools. 21 grateful for anything that is given. Many things have been missed out, but hopefully this has given you a flavour of our experiences – words just can’t express the kaleidoscope of emotions, thoughts, sights, sounds, smells that we It has to be assumed that the Canadian expert was male. In 1977 E.R. Clarke experienced. It truly was an adventure and the experience of a lifetime, and next explained that ‘quick sticks’ was not a new technique introduced in the 1970s but year I will tell you what has happened since I did return, if you are interested, and a skill taught to her at college in 1904. She also recalled that everyone in that era the editor of the magazine has space! was taught to play lacrosse with their left hand at the top of their stick. 22 This 34 39 Margaret E. Kukoyi (Medland, née Welch; 1964) must have been the influence of the Canadian coach as photographs of men Written after my return in April 2003 and slightly updated, January 2014! 32 37 playing lacrosse at that time support this comment. There is also some evidence An eventful dinner party! for this in early photographs of players at St Leonards. 23 40 Below is a synopsis of my thoughts and33 experiences, written after my first visit to E.R. Clarke and Norah Brash went on to play lacrosse for England as did Ruth The Gambia in 2003. I only went to dinner with my ex boss and his wife, the Head Craigmile.24 Lilyan Esslemont was appointed to teach at St Leonards. 25 As she teacher of a local primary school in Kent, and the next day saw me writing out a had attended a small private school in Aberdeen she too must have been a cheque for my fare to The Gambia, to join a group of teachers and friends from beginner at lacrosse when she arrived at college. two schools in Maidstone, who were going out to The Gambia to decorate and refurbish a school. The problem is – where to start, as it was just such an amazing It is possible that a Mr Wilkes was the Canadian coach who taught at MBÖ’s experience for two weeks of my life, although it felt like so much longer as we College. He was well known in the London area and coached in many schools such packed so much in. as St George’s, Ascot and The Princess Helena College in Ealing. In 1905, St Stephen’s College Magazine stated: I thought that I had seen poverty, deprivation and squalid conditions before in Mr Wilkes, our La Crosse coach, was only able to come three times this Bulgaria and Barbados etc., but it was nothing compared to the sights and smells term on account of his coaching fourteen schools in the week. 26 that we encountered in The Gambia, nor the hassling for a few dalasies (the local currency) from people who have so little. In conclusion: Even those who are working in professional jobs, e.g. teachers, are living in one  Madame may have known about the small room in a compound with a single calor gas burner to cook on in the same game of lacrosse in the early 1890s. room, or a charcoal fire outside. They fetch water from a tap in the street to wash  Ethel Rigby made her peers (and in communally and I didn’t dare ask about their toilet arrangements – I’m just Madame) aware of the game in 1897. pleased that I didn’t need to avail myself of them when we were invited to their  The growing emergence of the game of homes. However we saw sewage running down the streets amongst all the lacrosse in girls’ schools resulted in rubbish and rubble in the town where we stayed in the hotel, and just four toilets, Roberta Cunningham and Sybil Hoare cubicled holes in the ground, and only two with doors on, for the whole of the educated at Wycombe Abbey School, village, where we were staying on Jinack. Despite all of this the majority were Dorothea Cowles from St Felix, Southwold incredibly clean, except for abounding B.O., which is more than could be said for and Ruth Craigmile from Roedean being us! In the market in the town, we saw vegetables soaking in putrid water and so the students who were most likely to many flies on the fish and meat, that combined with the smell, really had me have had the lacrosse background to help retching. introduce the game to MBÖ’s College either just before or in 1904. I stroked a crocodile; fed monkeys; saw a baboon and the most amazing birds in  It seems reasonable to suggest that the wild; was separated from hyenas and lions by just a double layer of chain link lacrosse was introduced to MBÖ’s College fencing; slept in a straw covered hut; joined in African dancing; carried a baby by students who had learned the game at African style on my back; had two accidents in jeeps in three days; traipsed school. It was probably a combined effort through fields of ganja (cannabis); travelled to the island where the school is, also and no doubt students shared their known as Coconut Island and Treasure Island, by canoe, and with the group and knowledge and ideas. help from a local scout troop and some of the locals, we painted the school both inside and outside and put up teaching aids on the walls for them. Madame was responsible for the introduction of netball to college in 1893 but hockey and lacrosse appear to have been the result of the initiative of students, They were so appreciative, although we did have difficulty keeping tabs on our materials and the resources that we had taken for them as there was a tendency who passed onto their peers their knowledge and enthusiasm for games they had 40 for them33 just to vanish into thin air! learned during their school careers.

38 31 The fact we have so many wonderful historical properties and open countryside is down to their sheer determination to make a difference. References 32 1. Polam Hall School and the Mount41 School Archives. The fascinating story of how Ferguson’s Gang, including Bergman Ősterberg 2. Sheila Fletcher, Women First: the Female Tradition in English Physical College’s housekeeper, helped battle against the builders to save England’s Education 1880-1980, The Athlone Press, 1984, p34. historical heritage has now been written up by Anna Hutton-North in the book 3. Letter to Madame Bergman Österberg from J.J. Stevenson in the BÖU ‘Ferguson’s Gang – The Maidens behind the Masks’. Finally the bandits are Archive. revealed once and for all. 4. H. Winifred Sturge and Theodora Clarke, The Mount School, York, J.M.Dent and Sons Ltd, 1931,p172. Anna Hutton-North 5. H. Winifred Sturge and Theodora Clarke, The Mount School, York, J.M.Dent and Sons Ltd, 1931,p179, p205. 6. Wycombe Abbey Gazette, March 1902, Vol II, No2, p252. 7. Birmingham University Archive - Levick papers. 8. AEWLA and SLLA Records. 9. Ethel Adair’s photograph album 1896-98. a copy is held in the BÖU Archive. 10. MBÖ’s report 1898. games Records of that period. 11. St Leonards Gazette, February 1898, pages 288/289. 12. St Leonards: Cradle of Lacrosse, Jane Claydon, 2009-details this information 13. The Mount School, York, H. Winifred Sturge and Theodora Clarke. J.M. Dent and Sons Ltd, 1931, p205 14. The History of St Stephen’s College, Jenny Balston, 1994, p30. Published privately. 15. The Lacrosse Story, Alexander Weyland and Milton Roberts, Baltimore: H & A Herman, 1965 - suggested Maggie Boyd indicated an earlier date, but this is incorrect. See lacrosse archives at Birmingham University Archive. The Dartford College Staff and 3rd Years 1938- Mabel Maw, 3rd from right, bottom row Princess Helena College started lacrosse in 1901/02. 16. The term ‘Ready’ followed by a date, indicates the year the student had competed her 2 year course. “Ferguson’s Gang 17. Student Record Book, 1900-1916, BÖU Archive. The Maidens behind 18. Wycombe Abbey Gazette, Vol III, No 2, 1905, p27. the Masks” 19. BÖU Archive. Letter addressed to Jane Claydon 1977. by 20. St Leonards: Cradle of Lacrosse, Jane Claydon, 2009. Anna Hutton North 21. BÖU Magazine 1970, p20. 22. Conversation with Jane Claydon 1977. St Leonards: Cradle of Lacrosse, Jane Published by Lulu Inc 2013 Claydon, 2009, p48. ISBN 978-1-291-48453-3 23. Photographs in the St Leonards School Archive. RRP £9.99 24. AEWLA Archive. 25. SLS Archive. 26. St Stephens College Magazine, 1905. www.fergusonsgang.co.uk

32 Jane Claydon41 (1968)

30 39 News from Dartford Students During her time at the Bergman Ősterberg Physical Training College she continued to attend the Gang meetings at their headquarters in Shalford Mill, Guildford. It

was here that she was invited to make a secret drop of money to the Secretary of 42 31 the National Trust. Joyce Haslam (Smith; 1949)

She recorded her drop of the booty, like the other Gang members, in their mock- I left Dartford in 1949, but have very vivid memories of my happy time there. I Cockney. think that some of these memories will seem like the Middle Ages to more “I took the goat, documents and card in the car this afternoon, collected my father recently qualified students! Among the list of things we had to provide were two as escort, called at Harrods for a mask, then drove to the Trust. pairs of bust bodices, a tennis dress made up of three pillow cases (these were free of clothing coupons) and named cutlery. There was great excitement when I was shown into the room we last saw Hamer in. The new secretary is a nice you found your own cutlery at mealtimes! bloke, he was v charming & said it was an agreeable surprise as he hadnt expected

such a big cheque so soon. (Receipt enclosed). He asked about our feelings re Random thoughts…….plugs missing in the bathrooms so lacrosse balls were good youth hostel V. Museum. I raised the points we had discussed, i.e. Curator and substitutes and could be passed over the dividing walls when needed; going on heat, & he quite agreed & said he had asked them if they had thought of that. The teaching practice on our bikes with hoops, balls of various sizes, coloured bands local committee apparently hadnt. etc; signing out and in when leaving college at the weekend and finally, if we were going to Dartford Heath, we had to go in threes armed with whistles, one to be ….Our cards work lovely, no waiting. I dont wonder he was impressed with the attacked, one to blow their whistle and the third to run for help. Well that was goat, I ad never seen such another.” the story we were told!

What was truly fascinating about Ferguson’s Gang was that the fact the inner- I am in touch with Margaret Bowles, Beryl Cooper, Dorothy Tailford, Pat Stokes, circle of the Gang were all girls; Bill Stickers, Sister Agatha, Red Biddy, Kate Pat Davson and my grand junior in Australia, Margaret Gaitskell, but would love to O’Brien and Lord Beershop of Gladstone Islands and Mercators Projection. They hear from anyone else who was in Dartford at the same time. I was Joyce Smith, were all university blue-stockings from extremely rich families who frequently known as Smithy. mixed with the literary and political elite of the time.

During the decade when they were most active the girls raised over half a million Margaret G. Gill (Gaitskell; 1951) – News from Australia pounds (in today’s money) to save historic houses and preserve the English

countryside. They donated money to over 14 National Trust public appeals We are very fond of the Victorian High Country and once again spent two short (including Chester Amphitheatre and Avebury stone circle). They also purchased holidays in the mountains early in the year. The first was with Chris, who runs and restored five key properties: Shalford Water Mill, Guildford (immortalised in small bus tours. This time we stayed in a small town called Dartmouth, originally Ernest Shepherd’s Pooh Sticks illustration), The Old Town Hall on the Isle of Wight, built to house workers who were building the dam in this most remote part of the Priory Cottages, Steventon (recommended through their friendship with local state. It was a magnificent sight, almost full and mainly used for irrigation. The inhabitant C.S. Lewis), Trevescan Cliffs and Mayon Cliffs at Sennen. wall is over 600 feet high and rock filled. Most impressive. The surrounding countryside is wild and beautiful with a few properties running cattle. During the interwar years Ferguson’s Gang were constantly in the headlines with their outlandish activities; yet looking back it seems difficult to believe that the Our other week away was with the family in the Ski lodge. We have been group managed to keep their gang activities secret from everyone including family and friends. members of the ski club for over 50 years and skied when we were younger but now enjoy the area when there is no snow. These family times together are At the time the traditional inherited Edwardian social order was being broken precious.42 down and31 along with it much of England’s history and architectural heritage was being lost. The Gang were fighting to save England’s countryside from being destroyed by developers and house builders. 40 29 25 Wycombe Abbey School Gazette 1897. After that we were involved with Bryan having a hip replacement operation and 26 Hockey. Nicholson Smith and Philip Robson. The Isthmian Library No 9. Innes & weekly hydro and physio. We continued with our regular Probus and Church Co. Ltd. 1899. See chapter on women’s30 hockey. 43 27 commitments in between. Since then I have been diagnosed with L/4..L/5 nerve Madame Bergman-Österberg. Jonathan May. George G. Harrap &Co Ltd, 1969, p25. constrictions and am scheduled for spinal surgery next month. The Australian 28 The Mount School. York. Sturge and Clarke, 1931, p 172. Tennis has just finished with lots of surprises. The heat for the first week was very 29 St Leonards School Register 1895. hard for the players to cope with, never mind those of us just watching! 30 Madame Bergman Österberg’s Report 1896-98. Also the cricket Ashes series. My cousin in Cheshire says we are not to mention the cricket in our phone calls but it'll change hands again, I'm sure. The ladies' Jane Claydon (1968) cricket is much more balanced.

I have heard from Betty (Lycett), Sheila (Gell), Jennifer (Rowlatt), Ann Tilley, Catherine Martineau and Pat Holden (née Townsend) my grand junior, thanks to Bergman Ősterberg housekeeper was part of notorious gang her change of address notice in the 2013 magazine.

New research has discovered that Bergman Ősterberg’s housekeeper, Mabel Maw (known to her friends as Joyce), was a member of the notorious Ferguson’s Gang. The Gang hit the headlines in the 1930s when their anonymous masked Dartford 1957 Reunion representatives ‘stole’ money to give to the National Trust. We first started meeting up in 1977 and for the next 30 years attended the The Gang kept their identity hidden for almost a century; their representatives reunion at Dartford every five years and the Centenary and Millennium secretly delivered large bags of money to the National Trust. They wore elaborate gatherings. At the latter we decided that as we were getting older it would be a masks and disguises, delivered money wrapped around cigars or in the carcase of good idea to meet every year in a different part of the country. a goose and swore undying allegiance against house builders and developers. September 2013 saw us bound for Oxford, where Jean Harris (Menzies) and Gill However the identities of these bandits remained secret until now; they have Horrocks (Richardson), assisted by Val Russell (Robinson), had booked two large finally been revealed through research by Anna Hutton-North. Her findings show tables, for 1956 and 1957 0ld students, in the roof top restaurant of the that Mabel Joyce Maw was a great friend of Prime Minister Gladstone’s great Ashmolean Museum. By car and by train, twenty four of us made it - eighteen niece (Margaret Gladstone) who was the brains behind the Gang. from 1957 and six from 1956. And what a great time we had talking, drinking, eating and more talking before we dispersed to meet husbands, catch trains, walk All of the Gang were keen to keep their identities hidden and took on outlandish to Park and Ride and make our way home - but not before we had persuaded pseudonyms to avoid detection. Maw was known as Kate O’Brien, The Nark (after Norma Jenner (Teasel) and Janet Henderson (Bohill) to arrange another reunion in the Irish novelist whose novels carried a heavily lesbian theme); Gladstone was the north of England - accessible by road and rail - for September 2014. called Bill Stickers (as in ‘Bill Stickers will be prosecuted’). Long may our friendships last. Maw joined the staff at Bergman Ősterberg in the- mid 1930s as part of the housekeeping staff. Over the three years at the College she started out organising Mary Hunt (Wigg; 1957) the menus and doing the catering helped only by two kitchen maids. However as student numbers rose to 170 it was recognised that the kitchens needed to be refurbished and the College agreed to Kate taking on a trained Head Cook and Cook’s Assistant.30 43

41 28 Dartford Reunion - Year Group 1963 There has been criticism that Madame ‘jumped on the band wagon’ with regard to the introduction of games to her students. However, evidence suggests it may 44 have been a more calculated decision. Swedish29 gymnastics was at the heart of her After a very eventful journey from Wales in our motorhome and the jammed M4/ curriculum but Madame appears to have developed a vision of a new profession. M25 on the day of the multi-pile-up on Dartford Bridge, we arrived at our Her carefully prepared students would be trained to teach both Swedish overnight farm campsite. The following morning we set off early for Dartford gymnastics and games to girls in the newly emerging girls’ schools. through the unknown territory of low emission zones and mega traffic. Arriving via the Heath, we turned left into an unrecognisable entrance through unmanned security and hoped we had parked our large vehicle in the correct place. References Suddenly, through the pouring rain we both spotted a figure scuttling through the 1 huge glass entrance of the nearest new building. We both exclaimed, “That was Women First: The Female Tradition in English Physical Education 1880-1980. Albert Pomfret!” - so I felt reassured. Being in time for the A.G.M. I quickly Sheila Fletcher. The Athlone Press, 1984, p34. 2 changed clothes and ventured forth through the glass doors. There was no-one at Ibid. 3 the reception desk, so I went down various corridors, but was soon reduced to a The Best Type of Girl. Gillian Avery. André Deutsch, 1991. 4 “quivering mass” as all doors were automatically closing behind me. Eventually, St Leonards School Register 1895. 5 my sense of direction took me forward towards the non-visible “Kingsfield” and at Madame Bergman-Österberg. Jonathan May. George G. Harrap &Co Ltd, 1969, last in the pouring rain, a large security man appeared. I uttered the magic letters p51. 6 “B.O.U.” and was at last directed to the Österberg Sports Centre. Ibid. (In an article in the BÖU Magazine dated 2008, p22, Miss Sturge’s first name appears as Velda). The welcome sounds of Kent Netball Trials greeted me, so I finally climbed the 7 1891 Census. stairs to arrive at the A.G.M. venue, to be duly welcomed by Pat Chatters and 8 The Mount School. Sturge and Clarke. 1931, p172. ushered through a glass door. Rather reticently, as I was a little late, I entered and 9 The Mount School. Sturge and Clarke. 1931, p173. sat alongside the assembly right by the door. I glanced up at the sea of unknown 10 Polam Hall School Archive. MBÖ’s Report 1898. faces and immediately a friendly smile and frantic wave greeted me (Chris Newey, 11 MBÖ’s College Games Record from September 1896-April 1898. fellow Lacrosse Team member and not seen for 50 years!). Then, looking to the (St Leonards was originally called the St Andrews School for Girls.) back there were Linden Ridley from Northumberland (fellow student 60-63), Dr. 12 Girton College 1862-1932. Barbara Stephen 1933. Cambridge at the Ida Webb and Albert Pomfret (our ex-lecturers). University Press, p154. 13 Playing the Game. Kathleen E. McCrone. The University Press of Kentucky, As the A.G.M. progressed, it was good to meet the Committee and put names to pp 35-36. faces. I passed on apologies from Novello Roche in Pembrokeshire (60-63) who 14 SLS School Gazettes 1867-96. was Ann Packer’s room mate through college. By then Jan Scott (60-63) arrived 15 The Daisy in the Broom. Donald Clarke 1991, p143 (The History of the Princess next to me and others of our group started to gather, waving enthusiastically Helena College) through the glass door - Liz Wurr, Suz Severne, Beryl Wasley, Jenny Merritt and 16 A History of Bedford High School, K.M. Westaway (editor) 1932, p49. Chris Warne, all there to support Ann and celebrate 50 years after leaving college! 17 The Mount School. York. Sturge and Clarke, 1931, p145. 18 Ibid p205. Listening to the various Committee members give their reports and learning so 19 Polished Corners 1878-1978. Compiled by Susan Hicklin. pp50 & 51. much new information, their dedication and enthusiasm became obvious.. On (The history of Francis Holland School, London, NW1) behalf of myself and others in my year (who had believed themselves to be BÖU 20 Playing the Game. Kathleen E. McCrone. The University Press of Kentucky, p77. life members) I explained that we did not receive the magazine or newsletter and 21 The North London Collegiate School 1850-1950: a Hundred Years of Girls’ therefore were unaware of events. Dr. Ida Webb kindly offered information and Educaton. 1950 Oxford University Press, p65. the Committee will try to remedy this. There are many of us very keen to support 22 Ibid. and given44 information would be pleased to network more ex-students. 23 Ibid.29

24 Ibid p70. The A.G.M. adjourned allowing us to make our way down to the large adjoining

42 27 Though we had never seen the game played, we challenged the Skinner’s terrapin building housing The Archives. On the stairs, another surprise meeting School.22 when Pauline Wright (two years junior and in the 1st Lacrosse Team} greets me The North London Collegiate School also28 records that the girls challenged MBÖ’s with, “Gosh! Val Jones!” - not bad memory45 since 1963!. The official opening of College to a match in 1902. The Archive at noon passed with due ceremony and it was good to catch up with Ann Packer again. What a really magnificent display of memorabilia we found in The team and umpire went by train to Dartford. The match, which was The Archive! Well done and thank you to Rosemary Moon (and husband Alan watched by an interested audience, was a draw. Madame Österberg treated Gamwell) and to all others who had presented such an incredible show of us royally, the team had shower baths, and after refreshments and a tour of memories. Our only one regret is that we did not have enough time to see the grounds, we were sent off with bouquets of flowers and cheers.23 everything - we all want to go back!

By 1897 a Games Association had been established by the London and suburban After lunch we re-grouped for the B.Ö.U. Award and talks. Firstly our ex-lecturer schools. It was presided over by a graduate of Girton College, Florence Gadesden, Dr. Ida Webb gave a tribute to Jestina Ashwood (our 1960-63 group) who Headmistress of Blackheath High School and 14 schools participated in the hockey represented Sierra Leone at Athletics. Tragically, Tina had just died, but a fund is league.24 to be set up in her memory at the Annie Walsh Memorial School where she last taught. All donations please to be sent to Dr. Ida Webb. The Gazettes, published by Wycombe Abbey School, inform that hockey was introduced in spring 1897 and they played Baker Street High School that term and Then Ann Packer and husband Robbie Brightwell gave their excellent talk also the Oxford Games Club.25 It is clear that some schools, colleges and clubs, followed by a coloured Japanese film of Ann winning gold in Tokyo 1964. such as East Molesey, founded in 1887 and Wimbledon Ladies, were playing Accompanied by the music from “Chariots of Fire”, even now it was a very hockey well before the formation of the Ladies Hockey Association in 1895. emotional experience!

We then made our way to Kingsfield (now dwarfed by new buildings) where we Christabel Lawrence (1887) was a founder member of the Ladies Hockey 26 gathered beneath the cedar tree to re-dedicate the Memorial Stone for Madame Association and was the first Hon. Secretary in 1895. Hockey was obviously Österberg. Much chatting and many photographs later, we went in the back of underway elsewhere when the game, with the assistance of some students, was Kingsfield to the old dining room for tea. Tinges of sadness at the “mothballing” introduced at Madame Bergman Österberg’s College. of Kingsfield, the loss of playing fields and the cricket pitch were compensated for by renewed friendships and new ones too. Thank you to everyone who made it Jonathan May suggests that Madame was aware of the emerging importance of such a memorable day - we all know that people matter more than buildings!! games in the mid 1880s. She said: Val Thompson (Jones; 1963) How to utilise the spacious and airy playgrounds is a question to be solved in the future when outdoor games and outdoor exercises will be a privilege not 27 enjoyed by boys only but extended to and shared by girls. A message sent by Ida Webb to Judy Perkins in the Christmas letter 2012 suggested that our year 1960-63 have their 50th reunion at Dartford to coincide Hampstead students had the opportunity to play tennis and cricket at Neasden. with the BÖU AGM on Saturday 7th September 2013 as Ann Brightwell (née Madame had no knowledge of games but she did employ a cricket professional, Packer) was going to be the guest speaker. Although several of our year who had presumably to ensure her girls received expert tuition. Before the move to intended coming unfortunately didn’t make it because of ill health, family reasons Kingsfield, Christabel Lawrence (1887) was teaching games at Wimbledon House or out of the country, there was a small contingent who did make it. It was good School, Evelyn Spence Watson (1891) was appointed to the Mount School to to meet up with friends and fellow students from 1960-63, a few of whom we 28 teach gymnastics and games. Ethel Stevenson (1892) went in January of that hadn’t seen for 50 years, but were easily recognisable. It turned out to be a very 29 year to teach gymnastics and ‘help’ in the playground’ at St Leonards. Basketball nostalgic and memorable day. had been tried at Hampstead and Annie Hardy (1895) must have felt confident about 28 teaching this new game as she introduced it to younger girls at St After the45 AGM, the Archives which are housed in a separate building were opened 30 Katharines, in St Andrews, in 1896. The older girls played lacrosse. by Ann Brightwell and the Deputy Mayor of Dartford. The archivist had done a

26 43 marvellous job with the archives, displaying them in several rooms. There was so 1891. It is likely that the students had either seen their brothers play or had much to see and read one couldn’t take it all in. The archivist had obviously played hockey at school.12 Students at Newnham College, Cambridge embraced sorted out the relevant photographs of 46the 1960-63 cohort. hockey with great enthusiasm in the early27 1890s. In 1894 they sent a college team on the very first women’s hockey tour to Ireland.13 The catering staff provided a splendid buffet lunch during which a slide show of photos from the Archives was projected onto the walls. This brought much St Leonards introduced their own version of hockey in 1878, which had been laughter and jogged memories of our time at Dartford. invented by one of the pupils, a game the girls called ‘goals’. They played with heavy oak sticks. There were no nearby teams to play and so all games were inter- After lunch, Ann Brightwell gave a brilliant talk, bringing back memories of house matches. The rules of ‘goals’ eventually became based on the official game Dartford days. She was ably assisted by her husband Robbie Brightwell. They told of hockey and the latter was adopted in 1895.14 The Princess Helena College, at us about the work they are doing in the Manchester area, promoting health, well that stage in Ealing, recorded that they played a hockey match against the Atlanta being and fitness, especially for children and young people. They emphasised Club in 1888.15 Bedford High School played their own version of hockey in the late how important this is in today’s sedentary culture, urging current teachers to 1880s and early 1890s. The girls used both hands and both sides of their stick.16 continue their good work in Physical Education. The Mount School, York introduced a form of hockey in the very early 1890s. A

Ann and Robbie gave opportunities for a question and answer session regarding member of staff had requested that the girls should be allowed to play shinty as it made the game sound less dangerous but the rules showed a remarkable Ann’s training for the Olympics and contrasting this with the help the British resemblance to hockey.17 At the Mount a concrete area was used and, like St Athletes get today. Ann brought her medals from the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games Leonards and their home grown game of goals, the size of the teams seemed to for us to see. be flexible. Matches at the Mount were played between different bedrooms, Ida Webb gave a tribute to Jestina Ashwood, a 1960 student from Sierra Leone perhaps equating with inter-house matches in other schools. An account of a th who sadly died earlier in 2013. Jestina did so much in Sierra Leone for Women’s hockey match played by the Mount, on 16 March 1897, against Polam Hall education including Physical Education. School, appears to suggest that the latter were considered to be a more 18 experienced side. Baker Street High School played hockey in 1891 and used The concluding part of the day was the dedication of the memorial stone on the fields at Neasden. In 1892 the Captain wrote: it is as thrilling as football without lawn outside the dining room of Old Kingsfield. the strong element of danger.19

It was amazing to see how much the Dartford site had changed over 50 years. The Wimbledon House School, later known as Roedean School, began hockey in 1893. driveway and splendid trees up to Old and New Kingsfield are still there although Christabel Lawrence, (1887) a younger sister of the Founders, introduced the New Kingsfield looks in a dilapidated state. We had to visualise where the tennis game. The school’s first opponents were Newnham College, Cambridge.20 courts used to be. Vast new blocks and car parks have replaced Oakfield and Allerloo and the swimming pool and gyms. Now there is a fantastic new indoor The North London Collegiate School began hockey in 1896 and played their first Sports Hall (which we saw in use for netball trials) and a Drama Hall and Theatre. match against Hendon Hall in 1898. The girls were shown how to play the game 21 Thanks to the BÖU Committee for allowing non members to join them for this by two members of staff who had played the game at Girton and elsewhere. special occasion. It was a most enjoyable day. This was a pattern followed in some other schools by staff educated in other colleges. Hockey was not the only team game to captivate the girls’ interest. A Beryl Cartwight (Wasley; 1963) reference in The North London Collegiate School 1850 – 1950: A Hundred Years of Girls’ Education, mentions the girls obtaining a booklet of instructions from America for the rules of netball. Unfortunately it is not possible to date this What a memorable day it was at the AGM and the Reunion to celebrate 50 years reference other than it is mentioned after the paragraph about the introduction of after qualifying. At that time one never imagined reaching a milestone! So it was hockey: The start of netball was thrilling, as it was nearly unknown in England... The helped 46by sharing it with friends with whom we had lived those three years and 27 hearing the variety of ways in which we had used the skills we had learned. It was goals were paper-baskets on top of the jumping poles... The game became good to have Ida Webb and Albert Pomfret, our lecturers, with us also. Together popular throughout the school, so we searched for a school to challenge. 44 25 obey with smart precision, instead of more or less languidly doing what we we explored the new buildings and were pleased to see the modern Sports Hall, were told. From that time the school became quickly more modern, more even then in use, as we tried to place where Allerloo and Oakfield had been. We efficient and less sloppy.9 26 were pleased to see the main house was47 there and trust it can be kept for future use. The influence on the development of games in the large girls’ boarding schools, which were established in the later part of the 1800s, has been well documented The excellent Archive Exhibition was officially opened after the AGM and we were by authors such as Kathleen McCrone and Sheila Fletcher. St Leonards, Roedean the first to see it completed. It documents very well, and with many photographs, School, Wycombe Abbey School, and Saint Felix, Southwold, all introduced team the history of the college from its founding by Madame Bergman Österberg. We games to their girls as soon as they were founded. Cheltenham Ladies eventually enjoyed the special display for our 1963 year and a surprise was the section about followed suit, when Miss Beale, the Principal, accepted that girls in other schools the PE College in Japan started by a student of Madame Österberg, which is still were being allowed to play games. training teachers today.

Madame Bergman Österberg mentioned in her report, dated 1895 that four The delicious lunch gave us time to talk to other former students who had studied students had helped to introduce hockey to her college: Elsie J. Feesy, Hannah both before and after us. We said how privileged we had been to train at the Williamson, Elizabeth Impey and Beatrice Marriage. The obituary of Elizabeth college with its high standards. This theme was continued in the talk that Ann and Impey mentions that she attended the Mount School, York, and Polam Hall Robbie Brightwell gave after the lunch. Robbie told us of Ann’s commitment to School. Both these schools were run by the Society of Friends. Hannah Williams training and not giving up when she lost races which led to her Gold Medal in the also attended the Mount and later returned to teach there. Quaker schools 1964 Olympic Games. We had the excitement of that race again in a film he encouraged girls to join the staff of their former school after completing their showed. Ann said she was honoured to become the Patron of the BÖU. Then teacher training. Beatrice Marriage was also from a Quaker family; she attended under the cedar tree in front of the main building a marble memorial stone was Polam Hall and her first post was at that school.10 re-dedicated to commemorate the founding of the college.

The involvement of Madame with the Quaker schools and their role in the early It had been a day to remember and thank you to those who had organised it. development of gymnastics and games for girls appears to have been somewhat overlooked by prominent writers in recent decades. It deserves to be more fully Jenny Merritt (1963) researched.

Elsie Feesy, the fourth student mentioned by Madame as being instrumental in the introduction of hockey, came from London so she may have attended one of the London day schools which had introduced hockey in the early 1890s. Ethel Rigby, educated at St Leonards, also played an important role in further developing the game at Dartford. In the Games Record, published by Madame and covering the years 1896-98 it was reported:

Tales of Miss Rigby’s prowess on the games field had preceded her advent as she had been games’ captain at St Andrews for several years. We attribute our strides in the science of hockey very largely to her knowledge of the game.11

Hockey for women is usually described as being made popular through the ‘club system’ but, before Madame Bergman Österberg introduced hockey to her College in 1895, a number of schools where, in some cases, her former students were in post, were already playing matches against other schools, clubs and 26 47 L-R: Linden Ridley, Beryl Wasley, Val Jones, Oxbridge college teams. Somerville College, Oxford was allowed to start hockey as Ann Packer, Jan Scott, Jenny Merritt, Liz Wurr early as 1885. Girton College introduced hockey in 1890 and matches began in

24 45 Leaving Song 1963 A perfect training system 1 1. 5. How many kinds of sweet students grow 48 A number of maidens have got themselves Sheila Fletcher, in Women First: The25 Female Tradition in English Physical In an English P.E. College? engaged Education 1880-1980, suggested: We’ll tell you now of some that we know, And flash around their precious rings. Wholly unused to the English system, she nonetheless perceived very quickly But this is private knowledge. When you count them you can see that games and gymnastics could be combined to form the basis of a new That marriage must be quite a thing! Hockey types and lackers types profession... To combine these games with Swedish gymnastics and thus Brenda, Beryl, Pip and Sue Dancers bursting out of tights, create a perfect training system for English girls, became henceforth the one Campers, canoers and girls who like hikes, Packer, Bennett, Jamsie too; great aim of Madame Bergman Österberg’s work in England.2 There are some who are keen Novello, Jan and Mandy,

And others never seen Julie, Shelley and Gay- Girls were playing team games before Madame founded her college at In our English P.E. College. Any more to join the fray? In our English P.E. College. Hampstead in 1885. Gillian Avery, in The Best Type of Girl reported that Miss 2. Susan Kyberd, who gave evidence to the Schools Inquiry Commission in 1866, said How many names of Merritt have we Hird 6. the girls at Chantry School in Somerset played cricket. Moira House also played in In our English P.E. College? There are some we haven’t mentioned yet the 1870s3 and the St Andrews School for Girls started in 1878.4 We’ll tell you now of some that we know In our English P.E. College. There are ten we can’t acknowledge! Joce hands out cash and Virgin has a bash School and college histories, together with articles in school magazines, provide Shelley with her turned-out feet The rest we’ll now acknowledge interesting examples of the work going on in schools and colleges during Fi-Fi with protruding seat, Ridley, Perkins, Jones and Reed, Madame’s era of influence. In many cases the students attending her college, Syred, Venn, Awburn and Hiles, Lilly-white Shirley clothed from head to feet. were appointed to teach in a school and then in turn encouraged others to Williams, Wurr and Wilson too, There is Gay who’s so frank undertake training under Madame’s direction. And Molly on the bank The last name is Green on our files to be seen In our English P.E. College In our English P.E. College. Jonathan May in Madame Bergman-Österberg makes mention of Madame’s

connection with the Friends’ School in Sidcot.5 One of her early students was Vida 3. 7. How many subjects can we absorb Sturge (1893) who published an article on her experience at the Hampstead Ann and Novello always on the phone 6 And Hogg is off out on a spree. In our extra-wide curriculum? Gymnasium in the Friends’ School magazine, in 1891. She must have suggested Nicholas and Bennett often nipping home- (Don’t you wish that you’d been abroad others should follow her as Vida was not the only student from Sidcot to be Why is it that they are always free? To increase your education?) educated by Madame. Hannah Beakbane (1895) and Florence Sophie Simpson Oggers on her Outward Bound M and M and Human Bug (1896) had also attended the school.7 Dummett who is never found Drama flowing through our lugs Rosie is dreaming all around Social Science and Music too The Mount School, York, a history of the school run by the Society of Friends, Hibbs is gathering wool Theory of P.E. provides an insight into the work of Evelyn Spence Watson (1891). She had And Anatomy And Lawrence is no fool attended Gateshead High School before embarking on her training at Hampstead. In our English P.E. College In our English P.E. College. Evelyn’s family were Quakers and her first appointment was at the Mount School.

Evelyn was appointed to teach gymnastics and games. A new gymnasium was 4. Kay and Margaret at the cinema, Val Thompson (Jones; 1963) built in 1891 and equipped largely under her direction. Records show that Sally struggling with her hooter. Madame attended the opening of the school gymnasium in 1891 and made a 8 Moira and Beryl harassing the chars speech. Of particular interest is a paragraph written about the effect the Pip and Morag bound in plaster. introduction of Swedish gymnastics had had on the school: Jenny Merritt’s wheezing still James is always feeling ill The new gymnasium was an important landmark in the history of the school... I When will Kate ever eat her fill? remember our surprise at the first lessons being given by Evelyn Spence Apply twists48 into knowts Watson;25 to hear the orders rapped out decisively, and to find that we had to Suz and Lizzie paint a lot In our English P.E. college.

46 23 News from Patty Compton (Patricia Wilson; 1968) 1919-1934 Chief Woman Medical Adviser to the Board of Education. Associated with Sir George Newman (Chief Medical24 Officer to the Board of Education) in Good to follow all the info on "Dartford49 College of Physical Education" the way I building up the School Medical Service shall always remember it. I enjoyed three wonderful years while training to be a teacher and I remain in contact with my two flatmates Sylvia ( Williams) Parsons Physical Training (P.T.) - another special interest – responsible for a staff of PT and Judith (Taylor) Atkinson from the flat that we shared, across the road from Inspectors who visited Primary and Secondary Schools throughout the country. In the college main gate in Oakfield Lane . As you will probably know our group of this field became closely associated with Dartford Physical Training College friends had a reunion in 2005. We were 13 who shared a room in Allerloo. At the (D.P.T.C.) time 2nd year students mostly lived out of college and we had a room in which to 1915 Member of the Board of Trustees of D.P.T.C. when there was a difficult keep our books and clothing that we would use during the day. Eleven of the 13 transition period following the death of the college founder Martina Österberg attended the reunion, held at the home of my dear friend and flatmate Sylvia 1918 Honorary Secretary of the Committee of Management (Williams) Parsons in Bromsgrove, near Birmingham. I travelled from Capetown, 1924 Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Hon: Doctorate of South Africa to attend and would not have missed it for the world. There we were, Hygiene Durham University all forty years "down the line" and yet that very strong bond that tied us together. 1934 Retired to marry Mr Michael Heseltine (d.1952) formerly Registrar of the One of our number, Linda Andrews, had sadly passed on in Canada and the only General Medical Council other who did not attend was living in Spain at the time.

I was an athlete when I went to Dartford, having already represented England in 1917 Founder Member of the Medical Women’s Federation and after the Long Jump event on the athletics field. I had won the All England Schools at ‘retirement’ took an active part in its work, in turn, becoming: Watford and was a member of Middlesex Ladies Athletic Club. I was 6th in the Honorary Secretary, Vice President and President World at one time with a distance of over 6 metres. During my final year, 1968 1930 – 1936 Member of the League of Nations Health Committee and after and the year in which I was selected to be a member of the Potential Olympic ‘retirement’ from the Ministry of Health served on several British Medical Athletes training squad, I was approached by Ida Webb and told that I should Association committees make a choice – Write my finals OR take up my place in the Tokyo Olympic Team. 1943 - 1952 Chairman of the D.P.T.C. Board of Management She suggested that because of the need to train at my event and the need to J.P. for Surrey and later Gloucestershire complete my practicals and theory classes and final exams at Dartford, it would be

very difficult to succeed in both. I also played First team Netball for College - Goal “It is for us to see that at Dartford, which owes her so immeasurably much, her Defence - and though selected for the British Universities team, at Dumfermline, I name is not forgotten”. K. Bird Old Student, Co-Founder of Benenden School for never represented them due to an ankle injury. Girls, Kent, Chairman of the Board of Management At that time it was Amateur Athletics and to be candid, no financial rewards for Additional information succeeding , as there are today. I LOVED teaching and the only way forward for 1919 – 1935 me and to be independent, was to have a career, so I chose to complete my A pioneer in the field of maternity and child welfare; she wrote several concise course and gave up athletics. After my first year of teaching, I realised that the and constructive reports on these subjects including in:- children in the school in which I taught had no respect for anyone, their teachers, 1923 The teaching of obstetrics & gynaecology in medical schools the Police...anyone in Authority, so I left teaching and joined British Airways at 1923 The training of midwives Heathrow as a Passenger check-in clerk. I had two wonderful years of travel and 1924 Maternal mortality enjoyed a totally different environment. 1927 Protection of motherhood 1929 Infant mortality Then after visiting Cape Town ( where my Mother was born) I fell in love with the 1935 An account of maternity services City and the Country and all of its people and packed everything I owned and took a ship’s passage to my beloved South Africa. Once there I had decided I would do Christobel24 Elliott (Newey; 1964) anything49 BUT teach - petrol pump attendant, sales person - anything to survive. However the South Africa that I had come to was still deep in the days of [Material sourced from the BÖU Archive] Apartheid and that "career choice" was a no go !!!!!!! I contacted a friend of 22 47 mine from my 1968 group at Dartford, Jackie North (now Davies) who was married and living in Cape Town and she was lecturing at the Mowbray Teacher Janet M. Campbell D.B.E. 1877 – 1954 Training College in Cape Town. She asked50 me whether I would fill a temporary 23 post for one term, lecturing 4th year Anatomy and Physiology, Hockey Trustee Member 1915 – 1954 (throughout) and Gymnastics. This I agreed to do and, though I had to prepare Chairman of the Board of Management 1943 – 1952 really well, I so enjoyed being back in Education. A Pioneer in the field of Maternity and Child Welfare From there I applied, successfully, for a full time Physical Education post at Rustenberg Girls High School. Well that was that! The teaching "bug " had bitten There are probably a number of you, like me, once more and I was finding great fulfilment in my work. After marrying, having for whom Dame Janet Campbell is just the name of someone who was connected with our my family, I returned to teaching as soon as I could. I taught at St Mary’s Convent college. I have recently discovered that she was High School in central Cape Town. From there to Holy Cross Convent in Maitland an amazing woman and a pioneer in her field and from there to Holy Cross Convent in Brooklyn (Primary). My inability to speak Afrikaanse prevented me from going back into Government Schools, hence the of medicine and for the health of women and move to Convents, who used English as the language of tuition. children, especially mothers and babies. It was probably her interest in health and education What an amazing journey. I was able to teach Coloured and Black children who that led her to being involved with our college; attended the Convent schools, to mix with their parents and to give them so much she was one of the main people involved in more than they would have been given in a Government School. We used to have seeing that the college continued after Martina wonderful swimming galas, synchronised swimming displays and many other Bergman Österberg’s death in 1915. She was activities...... my main aim was to keep them off the streets in the areas in which involved in setting up the Board of Trustees of they lived, since gangsterism and crime were prevalent - to give them an interest which she was a member, then secretary and or an activity that they could take with them into their adult lives. I also taught finally chairman until becoming ill and resigning swimming to children from 3 years of age at my pool at home for 25 years over two years before her death. the Christmas Holidays. The following is a potted history of a remarkable woman to whom not only our That was all a wonderful experience. I am now retired after nearly 35 years of college but also our country owes so much. teaching in South Africa. My own children, Grant and Kerry, both became Provincial Athletes - my son 400metres and my daughter hurdles and sprints. My son was a provincial Basketball Team member and my daughter Captained the 1896-1901 London (Royal Free Hospital) School of Medicine for Women, U18 Provincial Hockey team. My son went on to do Human Movement BSc at graduated M.B. BS; proceeding to M.D. in 1904 and M.S. in 1905 Stellenbosch University and was selected as one of the 8 strongest students in his 1901 held post of House Surgeon and in 1902 House Physician at the Royal Free year to do an Honours course in Bio-kinetics. He worked with Tim Noakes at the Hospital; in 1904 became Senior Resident Medical Officer at the Belgrave Hospital Sports Science Institute in Newlands Capetown for a couple of years before for Children; also took a postgraduate course in obstetrics in Vienna joining Bob Woolmer in Lahore, Pakistan as the team Biokineticist/Trainer for 2 1905 Assistant School Medical Inspector under London County Council years followed by 2 years with the South African Cricket team under Mickey 1908 Medical Officer to the Board of Education Arthur. Since marrying and having his own family he has left all of that and is now 1911-1918 World War I during this period on several government committees Manager, Cape Town, of Zimmer, the Swiss Company that provides "Spare concerned with women’s work, including the War Cabinet Committee on Women parts"(!!!) for the human body i.e. shoulders, knees , hips. etc.. His knowledge in in Industry which published a valuable report in 1918 terms of Bio-kinetics is inseparable from the job. 1919 Ministry of Health set up – one of six Senior Medical Officers on the staff- What a wonderful life I have lived, together with my husband Martin Compton (ex Medical Officer for Maternity and Child Welfare – special interest in the establish- Isle of Wight). We are still fit and well, we walk , climb mountains, cycle and sail ment of hospital schools for children with tuberculosis and the provision of course 50 23 our wonderful yacht on Langebaan Lagoon on the West Coast. Life has been very of instruction in motherhood good to us. My days at Dartford were very special and I treasure the memories.

48 21 A Celebration of the Life of Martina Bergman Österberg GILL AITKENHEAD MBE DL – HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN’S VICE LORD LIEUTENANT FOR THE COUNTY OF DUNBARTONSHIRE 22 51

Having now read and suitably digested the above title, there will be more than As mentioned in the last Newsletter, in one of my former colleagues (1969 – 1972) and considerably more of the July 2015 it will be 100 years since Lecturing Staff, who will be amazed, nay incredulous, that I have risen to the Madame Österberg died and the BÖU heights of Second in Command in Lieutenancy terms, of one of the largest, in is proposing to hold a celebration of terms of boundaries, and most diverse counties in the UK. We stretch from Argyll her life . & Bute to North Lanarkshire via East and West Dunbartonshire.

A Centenary Sub-Committee has been Having left college and after a sadly, failed marriage, I completed a Full Career established and has proposed the Commission in the Royal Navy (thanks to the sage advice and I suspect a really following programme of events: good reference from Mary Duggan) and retired as a Lieutenant Commander after 24 years. A close friend and I then started up what was to become the fastest growing Recruitment business in Scotland at that time and in 2000 I was Commissioned by the Lord Lieutenant as a Deputy Lieutenant of the County. In 2008 I was appointed as Vice Lord Lieutenant by The Queen. I will retire when I The usual BÖU AGM and Reunion, usually held on the first Saturday in September, am 75! will be extended to include the whole weekend. This is the most wonderful and privileged job imaginable! I am responsible for all Saturday 5th September 2015 Royal visits to the County and amongst other visits, hosted The Queen and Prince We shall run a study day entitled, “The Legacy of Madame Bergman Österberg”. Phillip at St Margaret’s Hospice, Clydebank as part of the Diamond Jubilee Tour of Dr. Jackie Farr and Dr. Jo Harris are organising the day. There will be a keynote the United Kingdom. We had over a thousand guests at the Hospice, 600 children speaker and others. to a BBQ and 160 guests to a sit down lunch in a marquee with the Queen. A memorable day and one in which my tracksuit would have been more In the evening there will be a celebratory dinner in Greenwich. More precise comfortable than high heels and pearls! information with prices and an application form will be sent out in 2014. th th I coordinate and read all 100 and 105 Birthday telegrams from the Queen as th th th th Sunday 6th September 2015 well as all 60 , 65 70 and believe it or not 75 Wedding Anniversary telegrams This will be the Reunion day. In the morning there will be the AGM followed by as well. our usual lunch and our speaker will be Gill Aitkenhead MBE DL - Her Majesty The Queen’s Vice Lord Lieutenant for the County of Dunbartonshire. Part of my duty is to encourage voluntary services, benevolent organisations, and take an interest in the business, industrial and social life of the county and the Our aim is to make this a truly memorable weekend. Please make a note in your voluntary activity that goes on in it. We are involved with the volunteer Reserve diary and contact as many Dartford students as you can. Why not make this the Forces and other uniformed organisations such as Police, Fire and Ambulance occasion when you organise a reunion of your year? Looking forward to seeing Services, Red Cross, Cadet Forces and local Youth Organisations such as Scouts, you all. Guides etc.

I represent The Queen at various events including duties with the Armed Forces, and get involved with the presentation of certain Honours, Medals and Awards Toni Cutler (Centenary Sub-Committee Chairman) such as the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the Queen’s Award for 22 Enterprise51 and more recently, the newly reinstituted British Empire Medals.

20 49 It is the duty of the Lord Lieutenant to greet visiting Heads of State in the County Awards and Presentations and to attend funerals and memorial services. The Lord Lieutenant also presents The Elizabeth Cross and Scroll to the next52 of kin of those who die on operations or 21 as a result of an act of terrorism. This is backdated to the end of the Second World Bergman Österberg Union Physical Education Award 2013 War and is the Monarch’s way of demonstrating National recognition of Service

Families for their loss. We are delighted to announce that Miss Michelle Knopp was presented with her award at our reunion lunch. Michelle has been a student with The University of We provide names for the Royal Garden Party at the Palace of Holyrood House, Greenwich for three years and her final year independent study was on: we put names forward for Honours and Awards, we attend all Citizenship Ceremonies on behalf of The Queen and we attend all Remembrance Sunday ‘The relationship between physical activity, physical self-perceptions events to which we are invited and lay the first wreath. and self-esteem in children and adolescents.’

But one of the fun things that I do is to give talks to any group and any age range who wants to know about the Lieutenancy and about the funny things that This study received the highest overall grade (78%) in the final year independent happen during a Royal visit. And as you know, the Queen has a great sense of studies course from a student going into teacher training. Michelle was one of 10 humour and loves it when things go wrong! So, I have plenty of stories to tell but students offered a place on the University of Greenwich PGCE programme for if I were to put them in writing most of them would probably land me in the 2013-14. Tower of London! We congratulate Michelle and wish her all the best for a very promising future in education I did say at the start of this article that it was a wonderful job, and it really is, but it would never have come about if I had not had good fortune to be trained at Dartford where I learned the life skills that would take me through the first 42 Abstract years since leaving college. Roll on the next 42! The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between physical You can learn more about the work of the Lieutenancy of Dunbartonshire by activity, physical self-perceptions and self-esteem among both children and visiting our website at www.lordlieutenantdunbartonshire.co.uk adolescents. Participants (20 children and 20 adolescents) completed Harter’s Self-Perception Profile for Children (1985) and Harter’s Self Perception Profile for Adolescents (1985) for the measurement of physical self-perceptions and global self-worth, along with Physical Activity Questionnaire (Kowalski, Crocker

and Donen, 2004) to assess frequency levels of participation in physical activity. Statistical methods were used to analyse the data involving the Pearson Correlation and Independent Sample -T Tests. Results showed that there was a significant positive relationship between physical activity and athletic competence, however no other relationships were found between physical activity and other perceptions of the self, nor was it related to overall perceptions of self-worth. Physical appearance was found to be closely related to global self-worth, especially in adolescents. Higher values were reported for the younger participants in all areas, demonstrating a decline in sport participation and self-perceptions for adolescents.

52 21

50 19 Sue Churchill (Randall; 1973) Jan Grimsey (Reunion Organiser) 2030 Coleridge Close, Hitchin, I began the 3-year specialist Physical Education53 course at Dartford in September Herts, SG4 0QX. 1970, with my identical twin sister, Sally. 01462 642248 [email protected] My first teaching post took me to Bromley in 1973 where I met my husband and have lived and worked ever since. I have taught Physical Education at Holy Trinity, Sheila Norman Babington House and Bromley High over a period of 34 years and have worked full 47 Salehurst Road, Ipswich, and part-time and as Head of Department. Over the years a number of my school Suffolk, IP3 8RY. teams have met with county and regional success across a range of sports. The 01473 728376 most memorable was winning the 2005 National Finals of the Girls Year 8 & Under Nestlé Schools Team Tennis Competition.

Co-opted Members Jane Claydon I have organised charity events, which have raised thousands of pounds for good Monypenny House, causes and have led numerous multi-activity holidays and ski trips. 3 Seagate, Kingsbarns, Fife, KY16 8SR. I retired in 2012 and continue to enjoy playing tennis, swimming, walking and 01334 880235 skiing and look forward to travelling extensively over the next few years. [email protected] Janice Clark (Rowsell; 1973)

Jenny Haynes Left Dartford after taking an extra year for B.Ed. Worked for 5 years at Queen’s 99 High Street, Iver, College, London, a private school for girls in the middle of Harley Street. I was the Bucks, SL0 9PN. PE department head and a quarter of the English department while there. Had 07889961053 some fascinating parent conferences with the likes of Roger Bannister, Clement [email protected] Freud and Edward Fox!

Rosemary Moon (Archivist & Got married to a Scot and emigrated to Vancouver, Canada. Started education Honorary Member of the BÖU) here as an Itinerant PE Helping Teacher - translation, helping primary classroom 56 Darrick Wood Road, teachers teach their own PE when they had no courses on how to do this! Wrote Orpington, Kent, BR6 8AW. over 50 published teaching booklets, taught hundreds of demo lessons and put on 01689 890716 oodles of workshops to get the job done. After three years, I took a position as an [email protected] Elementary (Primary) Vice Principal and classroom teacher; taught all sorts of things I knew nothing about (socials, maths and ukulele) where I stayed about half Ann Richmond a week ahead of the students in my learning! 70 Beechwood Avenue, Chatham, Kent, ME5 7HJ. After eight years in three different settings as VP, I became a Principal of an 01634 577063 Elementary school and remained this until my retirement at age 55. Throughout [email protected] my admin years, I ensured that I taught regular classes as well as fiddled with paper, both because I love teaching and to keep in touch with the real world class- room. My last five years included some innovative work one day a week in a multi age class with students with distinctive learning styles; which was a wonderful challenge for me and this whole experience was the best professional 20 53 development I could have wished for. My teaching partner and I were locally and provincially recognised for this work. Fun! During this time I also was lucky

18 51 enough to represent and captain Canada at two World Netball Tournaments Hon.Treasurer & Benefit Fund Christobel Elliott (Glasgow and Singapore) and represent the Province in Senior Tennis. Good Administrator 8 Ingatestone Road, grounding at Dartford, no doubt! 54 19 Woodford Green, Now my husband and I are working through our bucket list while we can. To date Essex, IG8 9AL. we have "done" South Africa, Thailand, Cambodia, Australia and France. We have 02085 044387 also done three of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments - both keen tennis [email protected] players! US Open to go and that's just on our doorstep! The adventure continues! Hon. Treasurer Margaret Kukoyi "Those who can't do, teach. Those who can't teach, teach PE. Those who can't 49 Dene Drive, New Barn, Longfield, teach PE, become Administrators." Been there, done all that. Had a blast! Kent, DA3 7JR. 01474 704027 Ruth Daub (Allan; 1973) [email protected]

I was a tennis professional between 1974-76 and then married Peter and have Committee Members Brenda Barton (Newsletter Editor) two adult children who are married. I have worked as a stringer for the College of Burbank, 107 Darenth Road, William and Mary tennis teams for the last twenty years and my husband is also Dartford, Kent, DA1 1NJ. the men’s team coach. I play Seniors tennis tournaments across the US when I 01322 225984 can and enjoy going back to Scotland. I am currently living in Williamsburg, [email protected] Virginia and am still in contact with Meinir Heilbrun (Davies), Denise Caruana (Muir) and Sarah Clark. Pat Chatters (Registrar) 2 Farthingfield, Old London Road, Jackie Gibbs (1973) Wrotham, TN15 7DL 01732 883187 My first job was at the Douay Martyrs School in Ickenham, Middlesex where I was [email protected] in charge of Girls PE. This meant me and a part time older teacher so an interesting experience! The staff at the school first introduced me to skiing which Toni Cutler has remained a regular part of my life ever since. 1 Greyladies Gardens,

Wat Tyler Road, I moved to Streatham Hill and Clapham High School after two years and worked London, SE10 8AU. with a dynamic Head of Department who taught me a lot! It was a very multi- 020 3489 4928 cultural school and I also worked in the junior department which was another [email protected] good learning challenge. We went on the bus to the local swimming pool and ice rink for lessons and the National Sports Centre at Crystal Palace for Sixth Form PE. Dr. Jackie Farr I dread to think of the paper work if I had to do that now! I went on school ski December Cottage, trips and sports tours and spent nine happy years there. 14 Sheffield Road, I was lucky enough to be appointed Head of the PE department at Tonbridge Tunbridge Wells, Grammar School in 1984 and spent the remainder of my teaching life there. I Kent, TN4 0PD moved from PE into Careers, PSHE, Work Experience and Enterprise, ending up 01892 533457 being responsible for all of them in my last three years as I regained responsibility [email protected] for PE. I became a School Sports Co-ordinator in 2001 and thoroughly enjoyed the different54 challenges of the role especially being able to work in my family of 19 primary schools.

52 17 BERGMAN ÖSTERBERG UNION I have maintained my interest in hockey, especially umpiring and have been lucky EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2014 enough to operate at International and National level, now acting as an umpire 18 manager and assessor and helping to develop55 the next generation of officials.

I am single and live in Pratts Bottom with my two cats and enjoy holidaying with Officers friends and especially attending sports events. It was wonderful to be able to go President Ken Challinor to so many Olympic and Paralympic events last summer and then not have to go 2 Netherwood Close, back to work as I’d retired! Now enjoying some part time work and planning my Hastings, next holidays! East Sussex, TN34 2RE. 01424 751741 Deborah Hammond (Hodgkinson; 1973)

Vice-Presidents Peter Boreham Since leaving college I have taught for 40 years in 6 schools! Mainly PE and PE 2 Sackville Avenue, A-level, plus IT and Health and Social Care. I have just retired from St Francis Hayes, Bromley, College in Letchworth where I have been teaching age groups from 3 years to 18 Kent, BR2 7JT. years and loved it. Still working at the Princess Helena College, near Hitchin, Herts 0208 462 2228 where I am the Duke of Edinburgh Co-ordinator. [email protected] One divorce, two children, John 35 and daughter Helen 33. I am about to become Dr. Jo Harris a grandmother for the first time - Helen is due on the 4 September (2013). Happily 7 London Lane, married to husband Ian for 23 years. Wymeswold, Loughborough, Also, one new knee about 10 years ago! However, my family have all kept up the Leics., LE12 6UB. tradition of playing hockey and better than me!!!! I now play golf - my lowest 01509 880331 was handicap 11 and creeping up to 15! [email protected] Jenny Haynes (1973) Chairman Anne Stuart Taught PE for 13 years in Croydon. Moved into Local Government in Kingston 4 Copperpenny Drive, upon Thames, working in Education initially and then managing planning and Hempstead, policy in Children’s Services enjoying the challenge of the holistic approach of Gillingham, ‘Every Child Matters’ and Children’s Trust approach. Retired in 2012 just in time Kent, ME7 3DT. to enjoy and attend the Olympic Games and as a gamesmaker undertake a 01634 366248 volunteer driver role at the Paralympic Games [email protected] After leaving college continued playing territorial lacrosse as field player and in Hon. Secretary Jill Ellis Williams 1977 played in goal for first time in a club game. Ultimately life-changing as far as Hedge End, Old High Road, my lacrosse playing career was concerned, this led to my selection as Goalkeeper Yoxford, Suffolk, IP17 3HL. for England 1980-82, including a tour to USA in 1980 and participation in the first 01728 668704 Lacrosse World Cup in 1982. Have held a number of lacrosse volunteer [email protected] administrative roles nationally and internationally, including the position of Vice President on the International Lacrosse Governing body (IFWLA) for six years 2002 18 -2008 with55 responsibility for World Events. Relished the opportunities this gave me to travel the world and make new friends.

16 53 Currently member of English Lacrosse Board chairing the Strategy Implementation The adoption of reports was proposed by Hazel Chapman and seconded by and Development Sub-Committee. Now enjoying retirement with intention of Margaret Angus and unanimously carried. more travel and opportunities to enjoy 56live sport across the world. 17 ELECTION OF OFFICERS of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Sue McNally (Greenard; 1973) M. Kukoyi, C. Elliott, S. Norman and B. Barton were all willing to stand again, After leaving college in 1973 I went to work at Notting Hill and Ealing High School S. Dalton is retiring from the committee. for two years and then after getting married to Michael in 1975 I moved to be head of girls P.E. at Bexley Grammar. I enjoyed working there for 5 years until I The adoption of Officers of the Executive Committee was proposed by Norma left to have our son Paul in 1980, quickly followed by a daughter Jennifer in 1981. Izard and seconded by Margaret Toogood and carried unanimously; all officers were duly elected. Since leaving school my husband Michael had worked in London for British American Tobacco and then in 1983 we were asked to relocate to Singapore for Anne Stuart told members that we wish to propose that Rosemary Moon two years. It was a very difficult decision but we went and enjoyed the time becomes a new Honorary member, and that the following will be invited to there. After this we spent 3 years back in England, moved house and the children become Friends of the BÖU and pay a small subscription: Alan Gamwell, Gwen went to the local primary school. I managed to get a job of ¾ timetable at Seabrook Smith, Martin Seabrook Smith, Sarah Decent and Tim Williams. Parkwood Special School in Swanley. Then another big decision - whether or not to go overseas again, this time to Sierra Leone for 2 years. This was followed by 6 APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS more postings to Nigeria, Ghana, Indonesia, Northern Nigeria, Mauritius and finally Jamaica. A total of 19 years overseas after which Michael took early Roger Barton is happy to continue and is very generous to give his time. Anne retirement in 2005 and we returned to the UK. Stuart thanked Roger for his work.

The children went through boarding school and loved it. Paul is now married to Alyson and they live in New South Wales, Australia. They are both secondary The formal part of the meeting was now closed with thanks to the Secretary, Jill school teachers. Jennifer is married to Dave, and she is a primary school teacher Ellis Williams. Anne Stuart thanked everyone for attending and Jill thanked Anne for taking the Chair. in Plaxtol, Kent. Having lived in 17 different houses during our married life I feel there is at least one more move left in us - maybe overseas somewhere!! OPEN DISCUSSION  Val Thompson (63) told members that she had been given life membership Dartford College of Education Staff and 3rd Year Students 1973 but does not receive any information. It appears that there were other members who believe that they have life membership too. Ida Webb said that this went back to 1967. Some addresses were unknown and then deleted from the register. Hazel Chapman explained that changes were made regarding life membership and that letters had gone out informing them that they were no longer life members but had become ordinary members. This matter will now be looked into.  Maureen Kenney felt that what made this group so precious was that we tended to stay on the committee for years and years. She is impressed with the time and all the work the committee has done over the years and she thanked the committee.  Toni Cutler informed members that she was willing to return to the committee. She was warmly welcomed back. 56  Margaret17 Kukoyi told members that she had cards to be sent to Sheila Cutler and Sheila Norman for members to sign.

54 15 after a very busy summer, we are proud to be able to welcome members to our Tributes to Dr. Eileen Alexander O.B.E. Reunion Day Opening Ceremony, which will take place after the AGM. 2nd April 1911 - 20th January 2014 16 57

Thanks for the move are given to the staff of North West Kent College, especially Eileen Alexander, an only child, was brought up in Leeds and Pateley Bridge. She John Doran, Steve Caller and their team, who decorated the Archive rooms in the was proud of her Yorkshire heritage. Her Mother died when she was six years old, Dartford College colours, who looked after us very well during the move and who and her Aunt took over the household. The family moved to London, and a did all they could to help us settle into our new surroundings. Thanks also to our chance conversation on a train led to her Father sending her to North London volunteer helpers, who gave up their time on a regular basis to help with the Collegiate School. Eileen discovered hockey and physical education, which move and with the preparations to get the Archive rooms ready for the AGM and became her passion. The height of her school success was winning the Pentathlon Reunion - Pat Chatters, Jane Claydon, Emma Cooper, Christobel Elliott, Alan Cup. Her Father was so proud of this event, he had a miniature version made for Gamwell, Margaret Kukoyi, Rosemary Moon, Gwen Seabrook Smith, Martin her to keep. He took her to cricket and rugby matches to ensure she appreciated Seabrook Smith. the finer points of the games.

Special thanks must be given to a small group of volunteers who supported the Eileen adored her Father, the abiding influence of her life. Academically, Eileen move throughout the cold days of February/March 2013, turning up every day for was middle range at school and her potential was hidden. She went to Dartford almost two weeks to pack crates, supervise the move and unpack crates— College to train as a PE Teacher, but really so she could continue to play hockey. Christobel Elliott, Alan Gamwell, Rosemary Moon, Gwen Seabrook Smith, Martin Once there she began to realise she was brighter than she thought, and over the Seabrook Smith. years developed her many talents.

Thanks to Alan Gamwell and Gwen Seabrook Smith, the Archive now has an She had a lifelong interest in dance, ballet, orchestral music and travel. She impressive catalogue of over 5,000 records, which are essential for enabling dedicated herself to her career – of which more later. Her motto was ‘Excellence researchers to identify material: as standard’. She worked hard and expected others to do the same. She  1,100 letters and 1,000 books have been catalogued prepared thoroughly for whatever she set out to do. She did not suffer fools  2,100 photographs have been catalogued and scanned gladly. She was fearsome to her students. “Do what I say and do it now”  86 photograph albums have been catalogued produced results. In spite of this attitude her students came to respect her, and  36 BÖU magazines have been fully indexed many held her in lifelong affection. She instilled good standards and showed  over 8,000 person names have been indexed them of what they were capable. Her influence was wide-spread.

Now that the Archive is installed in its new rooms, we are ready for visitors and Eileen inherited her Father’s business acumen and via the Alexander Trust, a look forward to showing off to those who are attending the Reunion. We shall private charity she established many years ago, she provided monies for many continue to be open on Wednesdays from 10.00am to 4.00pm and we are keen to individuals, schools and good causes. Most notable was establishing the publicise the BÖU Archive as widely as possible and to encourage researchers to Alexander Hall at her old school, the Alexander Chair for Research at deMontfort come and use our collections. University Bedford, now the University of Bedfordshire, and four bursaries for research students, to name but a few. Following Rosemary’s report, Dr. Jackie Farr outlined proposals for developing academic research opportunities using the BÖU Archive resources. While Eileen had no close relatives once her Father died, a close friend from her student days invited Eileen to become Godmother to her daughter Heather. Rosemary Moon and Dr. Jackie Farr. Heather married Joe Patrick, and they had a family of three sons and a daughter. Anne Stuart thanked Rosemary, her volunteers and Jackie for all their hard work The parents worked for the Wycliffe Bible Translators which focussed upon throughout the year and feels that the future is very exciting. translating the Bible into the local dialects of the world’s peoples. The family 16 were brought57 up in Papua New Guinea. Seven years ago they all returned to The adoption of reports was proposed by Hazel Chapman and seconded by England. The children have each gained their degrees. Two have married with Margaret Angus and unanimously carried. the third marrying next May. Eileen ensured they completed their studies debt- 14 55 free, and with work prospects ahead of them. They became Eileen’s family. She There were no grants paid out in 2012; as a result, the Benefit Fund has built up to took a great interest in each of them. They are here today. One is in New Zealand £5,536. There were no expenses as there was no postage and the annual return is with his family, and Heather and Joe are58 back in New Guinea, but they join us in now done online. 15 spirit. As yet we have not received any requests for this year. We are in the fortunate In retirement, Eileen and Sally Stephenson, formerly Bursar at Bedford College of position of being able to make several small to medium sized awards should there Physical Education, shared a home together and travelled widely. Eileen missed be suitable applications. The criteria for grants as set out by the Charity her friend enormously after her death sixteen years ago. Eileen was physically Commission can also be found on page 40. If you know of any old students who and mentally fit all her life. Her brain retained its sharpness virtually to the end. are in need of financial assistance for the various purposes set out, please suggest She had a dry sense of humour and relished a good-natured debate. they write to me or perhaps even write on their behalf. We would like to make some awards before the end of the financial year in December. She was a Soroptimist for sixty-two years, but delayed taking office until her retirement. She then held posts at local, regional and national level. She and Sally Christobel Elliott loved visiting clubs on their travels, making many friends. The Bedford Physical Education Old Students Association was close to her heart. Christobel was thanked by Anne. She retained contact with many students throughout her life. Her influence was great. She planned ahead, shared ideas, and was prescient over many issues. She REGISTRAR’S REPORT was a lifelong Anglican, and her faith was a key factor in her life. Our membership has stayed much the same, given the balance between new She lived alone at Pateley House until after her one hundredth birthday members and deceased members at 255. If anyone has any changes to the celebrations. An unfortunate fall damaged her right arm, and she needed care. register from members here today please let me know. If you are in contact with She lived at Anjulita Court for nearly three years, and was most grateful for the past students who are not members please encourage them to join. I have a loving care she received from the staff, the Patricks, and her many friends who supply of membership forms here today. I am sure you are aware of the necessity visited her regularly. to have as many members as we can.

A pioneer in education, an acute businesswoman, a philanthropist, and a good Pat Chatters friend, Eileen made a difference to her world. She will be remembered for a long time to come. Anne Stuart thanked Pat. ARCHIVE REPORT Dr. Paddy Barrett MBE, 17 February 2014 “A Very Exciting Year- A Very Exciting Future” ******* Rosemary Moon showed the meeting a computer presentation illustrating the I am honoured to pay tribute to Eileen on behalf of Bedford Physical Education Archive’s very exciting year. The Archive collections were packed up in February and particularly the Bedford Physical Education Old Students’ Association. Dr and moved in March from their rooms in Kingsfield to accommodation in a Eileen Alexander OBE – what a lady, what a life – in length, in breadth and in building near to the Österberg Sports Centre. We have retained the naming of the quality – what a legacy…. Archive Rooms. The Bergman Österberg room is a staff office; the Janet Campbell Room is for meetings, visitors and research; the Mary Duggan Room is for storage Eileen made a tremendous contribution to physical education and physical activity of our hundreds of archive boxes, with plenty of flat surfaces for us to work on on local, national and international stages. There is a great deal I could tell you, preservation of the archives; the Sheila Cutler Room is like a small museum with but in the time I have, I will do my best to give you a flavour of Eileen’s information boards, photographs, objects and also facilities for showing films/ 58 15 remarkable professional life. visual presentations. The move involved a great deal of preparation, the transfer of boxes and crates took several days and unpacking has taken a lot longer, but

56 13 good, although the auditor, Roger Barton, suggested that we brought to your Where did this all start? It started with a passion for physical activity – principally notice the reduction, an average of £1,350 per annum, in our uncommitted funds. hockey, although she was no mean gymnast, athlete and dancer. Little was she, or The committed funds are those for the14 Archive and the Benefit Funds, the Cricket anyone else aware, of where this passion59 would take her. Pitch Fund and also the Bergman Österberg P.E. Award. The committee is busy looking at various ways of cutting costs and also of increasing revenue; regrettably Having trained to teach at Dartford (although she always says she only went there after several years of remaining the same price, the subscription rates for 2015 to play hockey) she taught at Felixstowe College and Tamworth High School – the are to be increased. Any ideas and offers of help to raise funds will be gratefully latter to make it easier for her to play hockey for Staffordshire. While at received by the committee. Tamworth she travelled weekly to Birmingham to attend in-service courses in teaching primary children – an experience that would stand her in good stead As can be seen the income received was mainly from donations to the Archive when she applied for her next job. Fund; this total includes the sale of donated Diploma Badges and money collected in the ‘Save to Save the Archive’ boxes. We would like to thank all those who have Her next job was at Homerton College Cambridge. Now despite my repeated helped to boost the Archive Fund and to say how much we appreciate your protestations she assures me that she initially applied to Homerton, not because it generosity. Please keep filling your boxes and encouraging your families and would enhance her career to work in teacher education but because she thought friends to drop their loose change into them, as the money will all go towards Cambridge would be a nice place to work. She repeatedly claimed that she did not continuing to preserve and enhance our important international centre of know it was a teacher training college! reference. Anyway, this was the first of two very significant events in her career. The then You will also see that apart from the regular payments, one of the major ones last principal of Homerton, Miss Skillicorn, knew a good teacher when she saw one. year was on the Memorial Stone for Madame. She was clearly impressed with Eileen and supported her secondment to the ATS during the war. Here Eileen, at the age of 30, became a Major, a Unit Senior We would like to thank Roger for again giving his time, support and advice and for Commander, responsible, among other duties, for the training of P.T. Instructors. auditing the accounts; he has been sent a letter of thanks and been given a token On Eileen’s return to Homerton Miss Skillicorn appointed her as Deputy Principal of our appreciation. and subsequently guided her to become a member of His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Schools. Lastly, we would also like to thank the Chairman and Committee for all their support. Eileen enjoyed this work visiting schools, being involved in policy making and playing a part in writing two books that many of us used, Moving and Growing and Christobel Elliott & Margaret Kukoyi Planning the Programme. She might have seen out her career in this role, but Miss Skillicorn had other ideas. The Homerton Principal had connections with Bedford Anne Stuart thanked both Christobel Elliott and Margaret Medland, now Kukoyi, Physical Education and when she heard that they were looking for a new principal, for their accounting throughout the year. Miss Skillicorn knew just the right person. The outcome of Miss Skillicorn’s diplomacy was the realisation of the second significant event in Eileen’s career. BENEFIT FUND REPORT Eileen was appointed as Principal of Bedford Physical Training College in 1951. For The Statement of Accounts 2012 for the Benefit Fund can be found on page 40. Bedford this was a brave - and unprecedented move – to appoint a Dartford The income from the investments in the M&G Charifund increased slightly and trained individual. There was indeed no love lost between Dartford and Bedford. thankfully is continuing to increase. As at the end of December 2012 the value of Eileen confided in me that, when she played hockey for the Dartford first team, the investment had risen to £26,396 and is gradually getting nearer to the £35,446 they never played Bedford – in case they lost! it was in December 2006 and much better than £21,663 in 2008. Let’s hope that the M&G Chairman’s optimism for more growth in 2013 comes to fruition. But there would be no problem, Bedford staff would ensure that she would not Fortunately,14 although the value of the investments has varied, the income has rock the59 boat. Eileen was taken on one side by Miss Squire, a senior member of stayed fairly steady, averaging £1,227 per year over the last seven years. staff, and was told, in no uncertain terms, that NOTHING SHOULD change.

12 57 Eileen had other ideas and she launched into her two decades at Bedford with After much discussion at committee and AGM level, there has been no movement purpose, foresight, and determination. She was a formidable force - a perceptive on the Honorary Degree front. I would like to thank members who have and able educator, an astute negotiator60 and a skilful business woman. And contributed their thoughts and ideas, especially13 Jo Harris, Ida Webb and Patricia changes she made, changes that enabled Bedford to retain and enhance its Frearson. There has been a great deal of reorganisation at the University of national and international standing, changes that remain the foundation of our Greenwich. Martyn Stephenson, Alumni Department, has explained that once continued thriving. things settle down, the University will continue to explore the possibility. Patricia Frearson has been in contact with me and is still very keen to pursue this. I have The changes she made were the result of her own philosophy and the need to forwarded information to Martyn from Patricia re Worcester University. respond to the rapidly changing education scene in the United Kingdom. As a continuing annual commitment, we have donated a cheque for £500 towards It is actually hard to separate these. But I will start with changes at Bedford and the upkeep of the N.W.K. College Cricket Pitch and received a letter from the then mention the context for these developments. Eileen’s first move wasto Principal, Mr David Gleed, thanking us but returning the money, as the cricket dissolve the college as a private institution and to negotiate its becoming part of pitch will no longer be used for cricket but for football and rugby. He has the education service of Bedfordshire County Council. This was essential to enable suggested that we might consider supporting another sporting activity. We shall students to obtain grants. And so we became Bedford College of Physical consider this at a committee meeting. Unfortunately he was not able join us for Education. She steered the course from a two year diploma to a three year lunch today. certificate, introducing both a first year teaching practice in a primary school, as well as a second subject within the course. She was as concerned with preparing Many thanks to Rosemary Smith who suggested an alternative to clothing this the students to teach as with continuing their own education. year in the shape of a BÖU cloth embroidered badge. This has been done and two designs are on sale in the Archive. It was agreed to sell them for £3.50p each or 2 The Alexander years saw a huge expansion of the college, from 141 students to for £6.00. A thank you to Rosemary Smith’s family for their professional care and 450 students, from 9 staff to 43 staff. This involved the purchase of numerous fast delivery. additional houses for student accommodation (with all the necessary alterations) as well as the building of new facilities – for example, gymnasia, a swimming pool, Significant birthdays – after much discussion by the committee it was decided to dance studios and a library (that is once she had purchased the land and gained celebrate the 100th birthday of a member with a card. Any other special birthdays planning permission to build on it). brought to our attention will also be acknowledged. Please get in touch if you know of a member who will be celebrating this coming year. Alongside this building work there was the constant problem of ensuring that Bedford training kept pace with national developments. When teaching became It has been another enjoyable and full year working alongside our dedicated Chair, an all graduate profession we had to secure an awarding body for our degrees. Anne Stuart, our wise counsellor, Ken Challinor and the hard-working Executive Sadly Cambridge refused to validate our degree and so Eileen negotiated Committee. I wish to thank them all for their continued support and amazing validation with the University of London. When other colleges were able to offer commitment. Their combined professional skills help the BÖU to run so smoothly. Honours degrees Eileen again went to Cambridge. It was truly remarkable that she managed to persuade the powers that be to allow our students to gain an My role doesn't change a great deal year on year, although we are all busier with honours degree after one year of study at Cambridge. Without being able to promoting Madame’s work wherever and whenever we can. I believe this is the award first a degree and then an honours degree Bedford would not have future for the BÖU, connecting with a wider audience and keeping her story alive. survived. Jill Ellis Williams The background to all this change was the need to monitor the continued Anne Stuart thanked Jill for her hard work throughout the year. repercussions of the Butler Act and the McNair Report and to comply with the directives of the Robbins Report. Not only was Eileen keeping abreast of TREASURERS’ REPORT challenges60 at Bedford she was also in the forefront of ensuring that Physical 13 Education maintained its place in education. She was chair of the Association of The Statement of Accounts for 2012 can be found on page 39 towards the back of the magazine. You can see that overall our financial health is still reasonably 58 11 Finally, and as ever, I need to make my usual thanks to your hard-working Principals of Women’s Colleges of Physical Education from 1961 -1964 and committee. Firstly to Jill Ellis Williams who continues her excellent work as thereafter the Secretary. She also represented Physical Education on the secretary. She does a tremendous amount12 which goes unseen, and it is thanks to Principals’ Panel of the Association of61 Teachers in Colleges and Departments of her excellent communication skills and dedication that so much of our work runs Education. Both of these were hugely influential bodies in these most challenging smoothly. To Ken Challinor for his wise counsel, knowledge of our subject, our and turbulent years in education in the UK. Physical Education has much to thank college and his continued attention to detail. To Peter Boreham for his innovative Eileen for. and knowledgeable contributions, both to meetings and committee business. To Jo Harris for her expertise, particularly with regard to our attempts to gain Eileen also travelled widely across the world to represent Physical Education in honorary degree status. To Christobel Elliott, aided by Margaret Kukoyi, for this country. The esteem in which she was held, and the impact of her visits keeping our finances on track. To Jan Grimsey for organising the reunion, Pat abroad, can be clearly seen in the visitors’ book entries during her years as Chatters for her work as registrar and Brenda Barton for the newsletter. ToDr Principal. There were frequent visits from colleagues from USA, Canada, Australia Jackie Farr for her innovative ideas to help keep us moving forward into the 21st and South Africa as well as from Russian, Swiss, German, Indian, Cypriot, Dutch, century. And last but not least our deep thanks to Rosemary Moon, Alan Gamwell, Egyptian, Chilean, Japanese, Danish and Finnish Colleagues. Gwen Seabrook Smith and all the volunteers who have worked so hard in the Archive, both to move it and since its move. I know that Rosemary is very grateful As if this was not enough, during this time Eileen was President of the PE for all the volunteer work, particularly from Christobel and Pat, and from North Association of GB and NI, a member of the Schools Council PE Committee, a West Kent College, student archivist, Emma Cooper. member of the Sports Council, a member of the Executive Committee of the CCPR, Founder chair of the CCPR Movement and Dance Division and a Trustee of It only remains for me to thank you all again for coming and hope that you the Coulson Trust – to name but a few. thoroughly enjoy the rest of the day. How did she manage to do all this – virtually single handed? Descriptions of her Anne Stuart abilities abound in tributes written to celebrate her 100th birthday. Vision, drive, determination, passion, imagination, intellectual rigour, wisdom, patience, SECRETARY’S REPORT business acumen – I am sure we could all add to these.

Over the last twelve months I have enjoyed sending out letters of thanks and Eileen was awarded the OBE in 1973, an individual membership of the CCPR in cards to all the people who have been connected to the BÖU and our work. It is 1979, an Honorary Doctorate of Education by De Montfort University in 1995, the always a lovely task to write and thank people for their help and continued Ling Award for outstanding service to Physical Education from the Physical support. Education Association in 1997 and the CCPR Emeritus Award in 2004.

Diploma Badges – Eileen Alexander has donated her badge. Eileen enjoyed her After she retired Eileen used her financial skills to realise the value of her family 102nd Birthday back in April and I sent a card on behalf of the BÖU. The assets. This she invested astutely and then initiated the next chapter of her committee felt that we would like to keep Eileen Alexander’s Diploma Badge on contribution to Physical Education and physical activity. As we have heard from display in the Archive and she is delighted. Today we are asking for donations in Paddy, she set up the Alexander Trust from which many benefitted. Eileen was order to buy the badge for the Archive and still raise funds. enormously generous with her money, but, only on projects that furthered her passion for quality physical education experiences for young people. We had agreed to present the Swedish Embassy with a BÖU badge. The badge we had in mind has now gone to Japan. Before I close let me share with you one story Eileen told me. She said that she started and ended her time as a teacher by walking at the back of a crocodile of Many thanks to Margaret Angus who has purchased Mrs Toplis’ BÖU brooch, children. In her first post at Felixstowe one of her jobs was to walk at the back of which had been previously bought by Ann Allen, who then re-donated it. We have a line of girls on their Sunday morning walk along the promenade. After she one other12 available badge, which has been donated by Mrs Jean Wills (48). Many retired61 it came to her attention that lower school pupils from a nearby school thanks to Ann and Jean. were unlikely to be able to come to college for swimming as there were

10 59 insufficient adults to escort them across the busy roads. So she and Sally The BÖU PE award is being given this year to Michelle Knopp, who will be volunteered to walk at the back of the line of children every week. joining us for lunch with her parents. Her study received the highest overall 62 grade (78%) in the final year independent11 studies course from a student going That the recently retired principal should so arrange her diary to be free, at into teacher training and she was one of 10 students offered a place on the 11.00am on a Monday, to enable young pupils to have their swimming lesson PGCE programme at the University of Greenwich for 2013 to 14. The study was speaks volumes for the values Eileen held dear. titled "The relationship between physical activity, physical self perceptions and self-esteem in children and adolescents.” I am sure that like me you are looking What a lady, what a life, what a legacy. forward to hearing her tell us a bit more about it after lunch today.

Eileen’s legacy is woven into the fabric of Bedford, into the outstanding We have some friends who are missing today and I wanted to update you international reputation we retain and into the persona of all those she trained. about them. Rachael Heyhoe Flint is very busy with her duties in the House of Her legacy also lives on in the fruits of her sponsorship – of the promotion of Lords, cricket and looking after her husband who is in ill health. She sends her physical education and physical activity, of scholarship, of research and of the very best and is sorry she cannot be with us. Rosemary Fisher, who is a former development of the Bedford Physical Education Archive. Chairman of the BÖU, is now in a nursing home but is doing well after the death of her husband James in January. Sheila Norman has had a lot of health Thank you Eileen, from us all, for the privilege of being party to your inspiration, problems from which she is now recovering and has been able to be placed in your friendship and your generosity. You will long be remembered with gratitude, the same nursing home as her husband. Sheila Cutler has had an operation admiration and sincere affection. from which she is recovering and is unable to be here. As you may imagine it is a source of great disappointment to her after all her many years of dedication Margaret Whitehead, 17 February 2014 to the archive and the BÖU. I know that you will all join me in wishing all four of them well for the future.

Dr Jackie Farr is still working on our behalf to try to get more funding for the Archive and also trying to set up a conference in 2015 which will help to raise our profile. She is still combining a heavy workload with working to innovate and ensure that the Archive is protected and well-known in the future. The talk she gave in Japan, which had to be translated as she went along, was excellent and I was full of admiration for the way in which she managed to communicate so much about Madame and her work, despite the language barrier.

As you will know from the flyer, we are delighted to be able to welcome as our guest speaker today Ann Brightwell née Packer, accompanied by her husband Robbie Brightwell. Her gold medal in the 1964 Olympics was a real highlight of my youth and a feat that was not repeated for 50 years until Kelly Holmes in 2004. I am sure that we will all enjoy her talk. We are also welcoming the deputy mayor of Dartford Borough Council, Cllr Avtar Sandhu, Cllr Ann Allen and Cllr Jennifer Rickwood; and Alan Gamwell, Gwen Seabrook Smith, her husband Martin who helped with the Archive move, Emma Cooper and Rosemary Moon, as well as Michelle Knopp and her parents. After Ann’s talk 2010: Eileen Alexander seated in we will go back over to the memorial stone which was unveiled last year under 1931: Eileen Alexander (top row ,2nd from Madame Österberg’s chair Madame’s tree and rededicate it, weather permitting! The timing is very tight right)62 and fellow 2nd Year students. this year11 and I know that you will bear with us if we have to slightly change things.

60 9 I hope that you have all enjoyed the 2013 magazine, despite its late arrival Jestina Viola Wilhemina Jones (née Ashwood) known as “Tina” once again. I can only apologise both for that and for the very small print size that I am sure many of us have struggled10 to read without a magnifying glass! 63 I'm afraid that these difficulties are all beyond our control, and I can only Tina was the fifth child of seven and the record my thanks to Martyn Stephenson and the University of Greenwich for fourth daughter born to Eustace and eventually managing to produce and post the magazine under very difficult Ethel Ashwood, on March 18th 1942. circumstances this year. As you may imagine, we are particularly grateful She inherited the three names of her because of the cost of this undertaking. paternal grandmother.

On to more positive items: Her grandparents were Mayor and As you know from the magazine, our Archive has finally been moved into its Mayoress of Freetown. lovely new home in a large mobile outside this sports centre, called somewhat imaginatively T4. We are all looking forward to the official opening at 12 o'clock Lively, energetic, social, independent, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Rosemary Moon and her fearless and competitive sum up the team for sorting out the move so successfully. I am sure that you will all be main characteristics so evident through- impressed, not only with the space that we have got but with the way in which out Tina’s life. our collection is now housed and the obvious hours of work that have gone into creating displays and workspaces. It was an absolute pleasure to hold our Her love of sport and outdoor activities first committee meeting there. was developed at Primary School and very evident throughout her life, Unfortunately, Kingsfield itself has now been mothballed. We are very aware of particularly when she competed in the the need to monitor this situation and are very lucky to have Peter Boreham to 80 metres hurdles, long jump and high Top: Ann Packer jump events. Tina also actively played both advise us and act in the right way, when the time is right, to do what we Bottom L: Margaret N. Roche (Novello) tennis for well over 30 years. can to ensure the building’s survival. The situation is very delicate, but please Bottom R: Jestina Ashwood (Tina) rest assured that we are doing all that can be done at present.

As you will also know from the magazine, Dr Jackie Farr, Sarah Decent and I After representing Sierra Leone at the Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, in 1958, had a very successful visit to Japan in April. I would go so far as to say that it in the hurdles and high jump events, in 1960 she came to Dartford College of was one of the most amazing countries I have ever visited and quite a life- Physical Education and represented the College in athletics fixtures/competitions. changing experience in many ways. The overwhelming generosity and kindness of everyone we met was totally heart warming and I hope that you will be able Tina was awarded the Teachers Certificate, University of London, Institute of to meet members of the Japanese Women's College of PE Alumni Association Education at the end of her training. when they visit sometime in the next two years. There is a display and video in the Janet Campbell room in the Archive for you to see later. On returning to Sierra Leone, in 1963, Tina’s first post was at the Annie Walsh Memorial School. She then worked as a Physical Education teacher/lecturer at I must take this opportunity to thank North West Kent College for allowing us Njala University Experimental School, Bishop Johnson Memorial School, Fourah to have our Reunion and AGM in the lovely Österberg Sports Centre and also Bay College School and De International School. Tina also taught at the Amada thank the staff, headed by Ian Goodwin and John Doran for their help with the Bello University Primary School in Zaria, Nigeria from 1972-1975. archive move and making things ready for today. Also to Rob Fitzgerald and Chrissy from the catering department who will be providing and serving all In 1964 Tina married Teddy, with whom she had three daughters, Wilma, Michelle refreshments today. Unfortunately neither David Gleed, the Principal, nor and Ethel. During the ravages of the Civil War in Sierra Leone, Tina fled from 10 63 Penny Morgan, the Vice Principal, were able to join us for lunch. Jilly will tell Freetown, with her three daughters in one of the few ships that was not sunk. you about the cricket pitch in her report. Teddy remained in Freetown to run the bakery.

8 61

On returning to Sierra Leone, in 1995/96, together with husband Teddy (who had Tokyo, of course, is where Ann Packer won her gold medal with a devastating survived the difficult years of Tina and64 daughters’ absence), Tina helped her family sprint in the finishing straight of the9 800 metres. David Puttnam, the film and friends to re-establish life in a war-torn country. maker, wrote a magazine article about the race from which I will read you a short extract: Tina has also always worked as an active volunteer, a netball and tennis coach, a Girl Guide Leader and for 25 years was at the helm of the family Red Lion Bakery; ‘Packer had run five races in five days, all of them at either personal bests or she has also been very involved with charity work. near personal best times. In her own words, she didn’t really think she was in with a chance of winning the 800 metres but thought she “might be able to Tina was always a larger-than-life character, a very determined person, a unique snatch a medal”’. individual who left a legacy of significant accomplishments and inspiring memories when she died, after severe health complications, on July 29th 2013. ‘All the other girls were running way above their normal time for the first lap of an 800 metres,’ says Puttnam. ‘So, coming to the last bend, 150 metres from home, while it looked as though she was out of it, in her own words she “felt Dr. Ida M. Webb anything but out of it”’.

‘Ann hit the front 50 metres from the line, and I asked her if at any point afterwards she thought she might be overtaken. “No,” she said, “I was home free.” Well, she may have been home free but I was biting my nails, leaping up and down, having something very, very close to a heart attack watching her.’

Where did that sprint come from? Did he know? Do you know? It is perhaps significant that Ann Packer won the Senior Girls 100 yards in 11.4 seconds at Northwich, Cheshire, in 1959.

I’m looking forward very much to today. Ken Challinor

Ken was thanked by Anne Stuart.

MINUTES OF THE 2012 A.G.M. The minutes were signed as a correct record.

MATTERS ARISING There were no matters arising. Dartford College of Physical Education Jestina Ashwood (2nd from left); Instructor: Ida M. Webb CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

I should like to begin by echoing Ken and welcoming you all most warmly to the 2013 AGM and Reunion. I don't know how many of you realise the fact that 64 this is 9Ken's 40th year at Dartford in September, as he became Vice Principal of the college in September 1973!

62 7 THE BERGMAN ÖSTERBERG UNION

MINUTES OF THE A.G.M. HELD ON 7th8 SEPTEMBER 2013 AT DARTFORD 65

PRESENT: The following members, former students and friends were present: K. Challinor, A. Stuart, J. Ellis Williams, P. Chatters, B. Barton, M. Toogood, H. Chapman, M. Kukoyi, C. Elliott, Dr J. Farr, R. Moon, Dr I. Webb, A. Gamwell, N. Izard, P. Boreham, M. Kenney, A. Brown, J. Horne, V. Thompson, M. Cowley, A. Neve, A. Pomfret, M. Angus, H. Shanks, G. Seabrook Smith, M. Seabrook Smith, J. Whitehead, T. Cutler, J. Haynes, J. Gibbs, S. Churchill, S. McNally, D. Hammond, S. Draper, L. Ridley, J. Scott. APOLOGIES: for absence were received from: J. Grimsey, S. Norman, S. Cutler, P. Frearson, J. Claydon, G. Metcalfe, M. Millar, A. Richmond, C. Deane, S. Hayes, C. Gale, V. Turner, J. Hunter, R. Heyhoe Flint, C. Lewis, R. Page, N. Davies, J. Perkins, W. Morris, M. Cowley.

PRESIDENT’S REMARKS It is my pleasure to welcome you to the AGM of the BÖU, in such a good number, and I hope you all have a happy day. It is just 40 years this month since I took up my post as Deputy Principal at Dartford and I began my annual attendance at Reunion day.

As Anne will outline to you, this has been a busy and remarkable year for the Committee and I cannot praise enough the time and dedication of all your committee members, particularly the officers. A year that has included an official visit to Japan, a major relocation of the Archives from Kingsfield Old to new accommodation and the compilation and editing of another most readable magazine, would not have been possible without outstanding administration and financial management backed by everyone’s support.

In the magazine I read with great interest Gill Metcalfe’s insightful book review of “Robbie Brightwell and his Golden Girl” published in 2011. If I may, I’d like to digress a little here, because in my first years as a PE teacher I took a great interest in the annual English Schools Athletics Championships. In 1954 my school 4x110 yards relay team won the Worcestershire schools junior (i.e. under 15) boys final by some 15 yards and were selected en bloc to represent the county at Ashington, Northumberland. The Championships were always very well organised and maintained high levels of performance, and in subsequent years I attended them at Plymouth, Southampton, Shrewsbury, and Chesterfield. At the first two of those venues I saw a young athlete who subsequently became an Olympic competitor, and who will be visiting us today, 8 Robbie Brightwell, who won the Intermediate Boys 220 yards at 65 Plymouth in 1956 (23.5) and the Senior Boys 220 yards at Southampton (23.0) in 1957, and went on to represent G.B. at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. 6 63 THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE 66 BERGMAN ÖSTERBERG7 UNION Saturday 6th September 2014 10.30am at Dartford AGENDA

1. Apologies for absence 2. President’s remarks 3. Minutes of the 2013 AGM (to be found in the magazine) 4. Matters arising 5. Reports a) Chairman’s report b) Secretary’s report c) Treasurers’ report d) Benefit Fund report e) Registrar’s report f) Archive report 6. Election of Officers of the Executive Committee The current officers of the Committee are: President K. Challinor Vice Presidents P. Boreham J. Harris Chairman A. Stuart * Secretary J. Ellis Williams Treasurers C. Elliott (and Benefit Fund) M. Kukoyi

Committee Members B. Barton (Newsletter Editor) P. Chatters (Registrar) T. Cutler J. Grimsey * J. Farr* S. Norman

Co-opted Members J. Claydon J. Haynes R. Moon (Archivist & Honorary Member of the BÖU) A. Richmond

* Due to retire but willing to stand again. Nominations for the Committee should be sent to the Secretary by 29th August 2014.

66 7. 7Appointment of the Auditor

THERE WILL BE AN OPEN DISCUSSION AFTER THE MEETING 64 5 Jo Harris has continued to liaise with Martyn Stephenson at the University of THE BENEFIT FUND Greenwich regarding the awarding of Honorary degrees. This will be a long process, but a worthwhile one. Our thanks go to 6 Jo and Martyn for facilitating the process 67 and keeping it moving along. Grants from this fund can be awarded to ex-students and ex–staff of Dartford College of Physical Education. As the Trustees have only received one application NWK College continue to support us very generously, and their new Vice Principal, for a grant in almost two years, we are in a good position to assist you if you are Rhiannon Hughes, who trained originally as a PE teacher, visited us at the Archive in having difficulties financially or if you know of anybody else having difficulties. the first few weeks of her appointment. She has already been tremendously helpful in facilitating some of our plans for the centenary next year. We are in the process The Charity Commissioners point out that grants can be made for a variety of of making a short promotional film with Tim Cubitt, the Head of media studies. We purposes, some of which are listed below: are going to be able to photograph the rooms in Kingsfield for the Archive, and we are discussing the possibility of a Dance display by the highly fêted NWK students on our centenary weekend. a) Weekly allowances for a limited period to meet a particular need. b) Payment of travelling expenses for visiting people in hospitals, NWK have also continued to give us help and support with the Archive rooms, and I convalescent homes or similar places. would like to thank David Gleed, Rhiannon Hughes, Ian Goodwin, John Doran, Tim c) Payment to assist in meeting electricity or gas bills. Cubitt, Lindsey O' Malley and all the various site teams for their kindness this year. d) Radio or television sets for the lonely, bedridden or housebound. A new sub-committee, led by Toni Cutler, is planning our centenary events and e) Payment for services such as house decorating, insulation, repairs. merchandise. We plan to have a centenary weekend in 2015. On Saturday 5th f) Special payments to relieve sickness or infirmity. September, we aim to host a study day at NWK college on "The Legacy of Madame g) Payment towards the cost of adaptations to the homes of the Österberg", and in the evening we are organising a dinner, the venue of which is yet disabled. to be finalised. On Sunday 6th, we will hold our usual AGM in the morning and have h) The provision of services such as help in the home, bathing and hair a display of practical work in the afternoon. I hope that many of you will try to come washing, shopping, sitting in and travelling companions. and join us for these special events. i) The provision of facilities such as arrangements for a period of rest or change of air, not only for the sick but as a temporary relief for those Finally, my usual thank you's to your hard working committee. Firstly, to Jilly Ellis having the care of the sick or disabled. Williams, for her continued dedication as our immensely hard working secretary. To Ken Challinor for his wise counsel as our President, to Christobel Elliott for her work as Treasurer, supported by Marg Kukoyi and to Pat Chatters for sorting out the We have widened the scope of the fund and if there are any ex-students involved register. Thanks to Jan Grimsey for organising the reunion and Brenda Barton and with children with special needs, deprived children or other similar groups they Pat for their organisation on the day. Also to Brenda for the newsletter, and could apply for a grant to assist them with this work. The Trustees of the Benefit Rosemary, Jilly, Pat, Christobel and myself for the magazine. Peter's expertise has Fund would discuss any applications and make awards on merit. proven to be invaluable this year with our concerns over Kingsfield amongst many other issues. Jo is leading our attempt to gain Honorary Degree status from the Grants for ex-students in financial need would University of Greenwich, and Jane Claydon has already contributed a lot of research always have first call on the Benefit Fund. and display work to the Archive. Jenny Haynes is working on budgeting and merchandise for the centenary and Jackie Farr brings her up-to-date knowledge to all our activities. Last, but not least, many thanks to Rosemary, Alan Gamwell, Gwen Please write in confidence to apply yourself or on behalf of another person to:- Seabrook Smith and their team of volunteers for all their work in the Archive this year. Our thanks also go to Martyn Stephenson for organising the printing of our The Benefit Fund, c/o Hon Treasurer, Christobel Elliott, magazine, and the University of Greenwich for paying for the printing and postage. 8, Ingatestone Road, Woodford Green, Essex IG8 9AL

I wish you6 all the very best for the remainder of 2014 and I look forward to seeing 67 you at our next reunion on the 6th September. Anne Stuart 4 65 Changes to the Register and highly informative talk about her Gold in the 800m and Silver in the 400m, and Robbie's Silver in 68 the 4x400m. We all had a chance to see5 and touch Olympic medals, and then we repaired to Madame's Gill Aitkenhead MBE DL (1972) New members tree and rededicated the stone. The sun shone Flat 1 brightly and the day was capped off perfectly when 3 Park Lane Susan Evans (1976) Ann agreed to become our new Patron. (Rachael Charlotte Street 32 Heyes Drive Heyhoe Flint has felt that she has not been able to Helensburgh Wallasey contribute very much to the BÖU as Patron, due to Argyll and Bute Wirral her many other commitments, and asked us to find a G24 7NT CH45 8QW replacement for her). [email protected] [email protected] After lunch, Ann presented the Bergman Österberg award to Michelle Knopp, whose study on "The K. Jackson (Stubbs; 1968) Susan McNally (Greenard; 1973) relationship between physical activity, physical self- L- Michelle Knopp Yew Trees Birchwood perceptions and self-esteem in children and R- Ann Brightwell 4 Rodwell Hall Highland Road adolescents" gained the highest overall grade (78%) in St Thomas Rd Badgers Mount the final year independent studies course from a student going into teacher training. Trowbridge Sevenoaks Michelle was one of ten students offered a place on the PGCE course at the Wilts. Kent University of Greenwich for 2013/14. She spoke about her study and answered BA14 7LU TN14 7BB questions very confidently, and we were pleased to welcome her parents Gary and [email protected] [email protected] Cheryl, who joined us for lunch.

Janice Moffat (Blanshard; 1975) In October, Birgitta Wistrand from Sweden paid a three day visit to do more research Member rejoined 87 Layhams Road in the Archive for her book about Madame. Rosemary, Alan, Christobel and I spent West Wickham time helping her and looking after her, for which she was very grateful. Valerie Thompson (Jones; 1963) Kent Westcott BR4 9HE On the 7th December 2013, Kent Netball held an afternoon tea at the Archive, which Itton [email protected] was very successful. Joan Mills has attended a committee meeting to report on their Chepstow progress with their Archive, which is stored in our Mary Duggan room. We are Monmouthshire pleased to have cemented our links with Kent Netball and are proposing to donate NP16 6BZ Sandra Reilly (Tolen; 1979) an Award for them in Madame's name, starting next year. [email protected] 32 Heyes Drive Wallasey We made our usual donation to the upkeep of the NWK cricket pitch again, but this Wirral was returned by David Gleed, as the pitch will no longer be used for cricket, and has Ann Brightwell (Packer;1963) CH45 8QW been turned into a football pitch. Cricket will continue to take place in the nets and 15 Moody Street [email protected] the sports hall only. Congleton Cheshire In February, we had a response to the letter I sent to Dartford Borough Council CW12 4AN regarding the possible listing of Kingsfield. Unfortunately, they are unable to be of [email protected] any help at present. However, Peter Boreham has created a paper ready for us to 68 present to5 English Heritage in due course, if and when the need arises. In the meantime the building continues to be unused.

66 3 Letter from the Chairman Donation of Material to the Archive

Dear Friends, 4 Our Archive is a valuable asset to the BÖU69 as well as contributing to the study of Women’s Sport and Physical Education in the UK and worldwide. We provide It is a pleasure, as always, to be able to report to you on another exciting year for the information regularly to research students from all over the world and to other BÖU. Full details of all our activities appear in the magazine, which I hope you will interested parties. It is a growing and developing Archive accepting material all enjoy reading. Our many thanks go to the magazine sub-committee, and in particular the time from -ex students and former staff. Items previously donated include: Rosemary Moon, for creating, collating and proof reading it all. I hope it will have books, scrap books, photographs, uniforms, college memorabilia and Diploma arrived in good time this year, but you will still get the reunion flyer separately. Badges.

I can hardly believe that a year has passed since our amazing trip to Japan in April We will accept items and possessions as long as the ex-student was Dartford 2013, and now we are well into planning our own special anniversary, the centenary trained. Items from former members of staff are also welcomed. The material of Madame's death in 2015. More of that later. offered needs to be appropriate and relevant to their work in Physical Education and Sport. It was agreed by the Executive Committee to focus upon material The reunion on 7th September was very well attended, and we were delighted to relating to Madame Bergman Österberg and Dartford. welcome Ann Brightwell (née Packer) and her husband Robbie, as our guest speakers, telling us about the 1964 Olympics. They really made the day! Offers to donate material should be made in the first instance to Rosemary Moon: 01689 890716 [email protected] We began the day with a lively AGM, and our committee is now complete again. It was a BÖU on the WORLD WIDE WEB pleasure to welcome Toni Cutler back and to co-opt Jane The Bergman Österberg Union web site is hosted by the University of Greenwich Claydon and Jenny Haynes. This Alumni office and can be found at: http://www.gre.ac.uk/bou . From the was followed by the official introductory page there are links to the Benefit Fund, the Executive Committee opening of the new Archive and the Archive. rooms by Ann Brightwell, after The BÖU also has a Facebook page: Dartford-College-of-Physical-Education- short speeches by Cllr Ann Alumni. Please ‘like’ our page and post a message. We want to use every Allen, myself and a message opportunity to keep in touch with students from Dartford College of PE. from Sheila Cutler. Rosemary and her team had created The Archive has its own blog which can be found at: excellent displays about Ann's http://bergmanosterbergunionarchive.blogspot.com Olympic endeavours, and the The blog has been created to enable distribution of news items from the BÖU 1963 year group, and everyone The opening of the new Archive rooms Archive and there is a facility for visitors to the blog to make comments and to L-R: Robbie Brightwell, Cllr Ann Allen, Cllr Avtar Sandhu, thoroughly enjoyed seeing our sign up as ‘followers’ of the blog. We also have a ‘Name That Girl’ page where we Ann Brightwell, Anne Stuart special collection in its spacious post photos of unknown students and ask for help in providing identification. surroundings. In our increasingly electronic age it is vital that we maintain maximum publicity via We had lunch in the Österberg Centre, where earlier a Kent Netball club had been the internet for the BÖU and for the Archive. Please visit the BÖU web page and holding their trials. The hot lunch was served for us this year by Rob and Chrissie, the blog and pass on our web addresses to your family and friends. and was excellent. We were delighted to welcome the guests already mentioned and also Cllr Avtar4 Sandhu, the Deputy Mayor of Dartford, who was standing in for Patsy http://www.gre.ac.uk/bou69 Thurlow, and Cllr Jennifer Rickwood. After lunch, Ann and Robbie gave us a witty http://bergmanosterbergunionarchive.blogspot.com

2 67 Diploma Badges CONTENTS

Occasionally70 Diploma Badges are available to buy. 3 Page They are donated by former students

and sold in aid of the BÖU Archive Fund. Letter from the Chairman 2

Agenda for the AGM 2014 5 The price is £75 Minutes of the AGM 2013 6

BÖU Executive Committee 2014 16 The Executive Committee would like to thank the following: Awards and Presentations 19 Eileen Alexander for donating her badge. A Celebration of the Life of Martina Bergman Österberg 20 Mrs Jean Wills for donating her badge. Janet M. Campbell D.B.E. 1877-1954 21 Ann Allen for re donating Mrs Toplis’ badge. A perfect training system 23 Margaret Angus for purchasing Mrs Toplis’ badge from Ann Allen. Bergman Österberg housekeeper was part of notorious gang 28 An eventful dinner party! 31 It is wonderful to see diploma badges staying in our BÖU family second time Making music at Oakfield Lane in 1970 33 around! Many thanks to all donors and recipients, past and present. Proceeds Lacrosse - who introduced the game to MBÖ’s college at Dartford? 35 from the sale of badges are very much appreciated and go directly into the BÖU News from Dartford Students 40 Archive Fund. If you would like to become a proud new owner or would like to Obituaries 55 donate your badge please contact Jill Ellis Williams [email protected] BÖU Accounts 63 Benefit Fund Accounts 64 Message from the Editorial Sub-Committee The Benefit Fund 65 Changes to the Register 66 We hope you have enjoyed the BÖU Magazine 2014. Thank you to all those who Donation of Material to the Archive 67 have contributed to this magazine and especially our proof-readers, Jane Claydon, BÖU on the World Wide Web 67 Alan Gamwell, Cathy Marsh and Gwen Seabrook Smith. We encourage everyone to Diploma Badges 68 think about contributing to the 2015 magazine. The year 2015 will be very Message from the Editorial Sub-Committee 68 significant for the BÖU, as we recognise 100 years since the death of Martina Bergman Österberg on 29th July 1915. We shall be celebrating Madame Österberg’s life and work and hope that the BÖU Magazine 2015 will be a special issue with many contributions from you, her students. The deadline for receipt of articles will be31 st December 2014.

The BÖU saved considerable postage costs by sending the 2013 Newsletter to members by e-mail. Please ensure that we have your current e-mail address by sending an e-mail to our Registrar, Pat Chatters [email protected] Members who do not have an e-mail address will continue to receive a printed copy of the Newsletter.

It is also possible to receive the BÖU Magazine by e-mail. If you would like to receive a copy of the magazine by e-mail please contact the BÖU at: [email protected] 70 3 Best wishes from your Editorial Sub-Committee: Pat Chatters, Christobel Elliott, Jill Ellis Williams, Rosemary Moon, Anne Stuart. 68 1

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