THE BERGMAN ÖSTERBERG UNION
B E R G M A N Ö N A S T E R T I B E A R R M G
D A R T F O R D
2011 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 CONTENTS
Page
Letter from the Chairman 2 Letter from the Editor 4 Agenda for the AGM 2011 6 Minutes of the AGM 2010 7 BÖU Committee 2011 18 Bergman Österberg Trust Panel 21 Dartford Museum Display 21 Calling all Leavers from the 1970s and 1980s 21 Rachael Heyhoe Flint – ‘Working Peer’ 22 Peggy Thwaites – ‘100’ 24 Malcolm Bell 26 Awards and Presentations 27 Kent Netball Archive Group 30 Dr Jackie Farr 31 Response to a Tribute 32 BBC Interview 33 The Return of Madame’s Chair - a Saga 34 News from Former Students 40 Obituaries 42 BÖU Accounts 59 Benefit Fund Account 60 Changes to the Register 2010-2011 61 The Benefit Fund 62 The Bergman Österberg Trust Awards 63 Diploma Badge 64 Donation of Material to the Archive 64 BÖU Website 65
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 1 Letter from the Chairman
Dear Friends,
It has been another busy year for the BÖU and there is plenty to read about in this Magazine. During the year,I was fortunate to be present at Malcolm Bell’s retirement function and visit the BBC radio studios in London to record an interview about Madame's life and work as well as attending the Archive sub-committee meetings. Details of the year are recorded in the Magazine. Work on the Dartford Campus is continuing and the new buildings are rapidly taking shape.As the funding for the project was cut, the changes on the site are not as drastic as was first planned; consequently those of us who still visit regularly can easily recognise our old college and feel at home. I hope that those of you who have ceased visiting because you considered the changes too extreme will feel able to join us again for future reunions knowing that familiar college buildings are still there. We are delighted that our Patron, Rachael Heyhoe Flint, has been asked to go to the House of Lords and has chosen the title Baroness Heyhoe Flint of Wolverhampton. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Rachael on behalf of the BÖU. It is an honour that she fully deserves. Our President Margaret Chamberlain is now housebound and is unable to contribute to our work as she would wish. She retains a keen interest in the BÖU and sends her best wishes to you all. In due course, we will have to appoint a new President, but in the meantime, the Committee has decided to invite two people to become new Vice Presidents. I hope to be able to report favourably on our efforts at the next AGM. I hope that many of you purchased our 2011 calendar and our Christmas cards this year.Rosemary Moon collated the calendar content once the Committee had chosen the photographs. Jilly EllisWilliams had them printed and also organised the cards. If anyone has any ideas for a theme for next year's calendar, please let us know. We have to be careful of copyright and obtaining permission for some photographs but we will do our best to include those that you suggest. I should like to thank the two members who have written to me, following my plea in the Newsletter,to advise me about students they have taught who have competed in the Olympics. If anyone has any other similar contacts, which would help with the proposed display at the Dartford Museum in 2012, please let me know. On that subject, it would be lovely if we could encourage more people to come to the reunion in 2012 and I would ask you to consider organising a year reunion if it is appropriate.
2 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 The Archive rooms have been significantly refurbished during the year; our thanks go to the North West Kent College (NWK College) management and staff for organising the changes and doing the work.We are delighted to be able to work more closely with Kent Netball and incorporate their archive into ours.Thanks also go to Sheila Cutler who is providing the nameplate for the new display room named after her.She is going to purchase one which will match the others we already have. Those of you who like to surf the net may have found the Wikipedia entry about Madame. At present we do not know who posted this entry,and although it is quite accurate in the main part, Jilly and I propose to investigate how to go about correcting the errors we have found! Our congratulations go to Dr Jackie Farr on achieving her doctorate. This achievement is acknowledged in the Magazine. I should like to thank all the members of the committee who continue to work as hard as ever. My right-hand woman is Jilly Ellis Williams, without whom I am sure I would simply fail to remember everything! Ken Challinor continues to give sound advice and support; Christobel Elliott has shouldered the majority of the work as Treasurer, aided by Margaret Medland; Pat Chatters has the register well in order; Brenda Barton produced an excellent Newsletter; Jan Grimsey organised another successful reunion; Gill Metcalfe produced another excellent Magazine; Rosemary Moon for her work in the Archive; Dr Jackie Farr for attending Archive meetings and for agreeing to represent the BÖU on the Bergman Österberg Trust Award panel, whilst Hazel Chapman and Sheila Norman have been a great help during the year. Unfortunately Betty Lewis is not well enough to attend meetings; she was unable to join us in September to receive the BÖU vase awarded in recognition for all her years of loyal service. She is however, delighted to have received it. Finally, I should also like to thank the University of Greenwich for paying for the printing and postage of our Magazine. I wish you all the very best for 2011, and look forward to seeing you at the reunion on September 3rd.
Anne Stuart
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 3 Letter from the Editor
Dear Members, My editorial starts with correcting an omission from last year – the photograph of the Year of 1960 – as promised – my first inclusion in this year’s Magazine.Thank you for the photograph Diana (Bains).The omission is a reminder that photographs do not always download in the format expected.
TheYear of 1960 Back row L-R:Anne Henderson (Wilton),PenelopeTuck (Ingle),Mary Swallow (Crake),Lin Benson (Inglis),Anne De’Ath (Saloway), Collen Jerrold (Craske) Middle row L-R: Chris Demmar (Smart), Christine Tink (Stabler; Pyle), Rosemary Acton (Chapman), Sheila Buchanan (Martin), Sue Newman (Pickles), Sheena Macdonald (Leckie), Brenda Smith (Routledge), Hilary Prowse (Varley) Front row L-R: Sue Morris (Kilburn),Marjory Smith (Thompson),Judy Humphries (Beauchamp), Ann Stubbs (Jago),Rachael Heyhoe Flint (Heyhoe),Diana Bains (Warren),Irene Moore (Payne), Judy Hilton ( Dodsworth), Pamela Baxter (King) It is also fitting that the year member taking centre spot in the photograph is the BÖU Patron Rachael Heyhoe Flint,now Rachael,Baroness Heyhoe Flint of Wolverhampton. There are no prizes for spotting the typographical errors which appeared in the last Magazine, just apologies that there were so many. Madame’s brooch features once again in the Magazine. Jane Claydon (1968) was drawn to research the former Dartford student,Christina Stevenson,from whom she inherited her brooch;her article unravels a small part of Christina’s story.By coincidence Christina coached Hockey in the States (1923);in the 1970s Dartford students,and staff member Toni Cutler, coached Hockey at the same camp, Camp Tegawitha, in the Poconos, Philadelphia. Perhaps this article will encourage others to research the background of their brooch?
4 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 I was able to spend a day with Sue Hogley (Dartford; 1968; and member of staff) last summer;we talked for ages and of course Dartford was a key topic of conversation.Her son James (early twenties) is a fully qualified plumber with, not surprisingly, plenty of work! I also spoke (phone) with Sheila Godwin (Dartford;1950;and member of staff) recently. Despite several health issues, plus being 82, she was still as sharp as ever and of course most amusing.For those students recalling her gymnastics sessions they will be pleased to know that the wood bases on wheels are now supporting her pot plants.You have to have been one of her students to understand that one! It is always sad to report the deaths of ex-students,especially early deaths;this year we have lost two high profile sports women in Heather Crouch (Newbigging; 1969) and Roey Goodridge (Squires;1978). The deaths of O M Smith (1935) and M JVizard (1947) have also been reported to the Committee. It is with much sadness that I report the death of MaryThomas, Dartford Staff 1962 – 1985 onWednesday 23rd February 2011. ‘For many people MaryThomas was England Netball and Umpiring’ (AENA tribute). We are grateful to The University of Greenwich for allowing us to place the several tributes to Mary in this year’s Magazine – we were able to recall it from the publishers in order to bring this news to you. Further tributes will be included in the 2012 Magazine. My thanks are certainly due to the Magazine’s proof reader.Editing a magazine, though fun, can be somewhat daunting, so readers will understand how grateful I am for the sagacity of Dr IdaWebb, my walk-in archive; just a touch of the phone pad and queries are solved; thank you Ida! I conclude with a plea,which was first voiced by the Editor of Vol.2 of the ‘Magazine of the Bergman Österberg Union of Teachers and Trained Gymnasts’: in citing the need for contributions to the Magazine she wrote,‘we hope that students ... recognise the fact that they are responsible for the greater part of that section of the Magazine namely contributions’ and then she exhorts,‘you of the fertile brains who read these lines, tell us what you would like and send in your suggestions’ as ‘the Magazine badly lacks contributions’. Enjoy the read. Gill Metcalfe
REMINDER, IFYOU HAVE NOT ALREADY PAID,THAT BÖU SUBS TO COVER 1st JANUARY 2011 – 1st JANUARY 2015 ARE NOW DUE. PLEASE RETURNYOUR SUBSCRIPTION FORM ENCLOSED WITHYOUR PAYMENT ASAPTO PAT CHATTERS, REGISTRAR.
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 5 THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OFTHE BERGMAN ÖSTERBERG UNION
Saturday 3rd September 2011, 11am at Dartford AGENDA 1. Apologies for absence. 2. President’s remarks. 3. Minutes of the 2010 AGM (to be found in the Magazine). 4. Reports: a) Chairman’s report. b) Secretary’s report. c) Treasurers’ report. d) Benefit Fund report. e) Registrar’s report. f) Archive report. 5. Election of Officers of the Executive Committee. The current officers of the committee are: President M. Chamberlain Vice President K. Challinor Chairman A. Stuart * Secretary J. Ellis Williams Treasurers M. Medland and C. Elliott Committee Members S. Norman B. Barton (Newsletter Editor) H. Chapman J. Grimsey * (Reunion Organiser) Co-opted Members R. Moon (Archive & Friend of the BÖU) G. Metcalfe B. Lewis P.Chatters (Registrar) J. Farr * Due to retire but willing to stand again. Nominations for the Committee should be sent to the Secretary by 29th Aug 2011. 6. Election of President andVice Presidents. 7. Appointment of the Auditor. THERE WILL BE AN OPEN DISCUSSION AFTER THE MEETING
6 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 THE BERGMAN ÖSTERBERG UNION MINUTES OFTHE AGM HELD ON 4th SEPTEMBER 2010 AT DARTFORD
PRESENT: the following members, former students and friends were present: K. Challinor,A. Stuart, J. Ellis Williams, M.Toogood, M. Millar, M. Medland, S. Cutler, H. Chapman, B. Barton, C. Elliott,A. Brown, M. Kenney,J. Grimsey,S. Norman, P.Chatters, R. Smith, J. Farr, R. Moon,A. Gamwell, N. Izard, D. Hughes,A. Dickenson, J. Noble, L. Newton, G. Seabrook Smith, S. Hayes,A. Neve,W.Newnam, P.Gilliland, G. Metcalfe. APOLOGIES: for absence were received from: M. Chamberlain, R. Heyhoe Flint, I. Webb, B. Lewis, J. Hunter, C. Lewis,A. Dixon, C. Martineau. PRESIDENT’S REMARKS In the absence of Margaret Chamberlain, Anne Stuart sent our best wishes to her and explained that the President’s remarks have been incorporated into the Chairman’s report. MINUTES OFTHE 2009 AGM The Minutes were signed as a correct record. MATTERS ARISING There were no matters arising.
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 7 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT I would like to give you all a warm welcome to our 2010 AGM and reunion and thank you very much for coming today. I must begin by conveying apologies for her absence from our President, Margaret Chamberlain. As most of you will know, Margaret has not been well for some time and is now virtually housebound with a 24-hour carer.She is always delighted to hear from any of you or see you if you have time to visit, and she has asked me to thank those of you who have done so this year. In her President's remarks, Margaret has always made a point of mentioning something to do with women's sport, and in that spirit I would like us to wish the England Women's Rugby Team the best of luck in the World Cup final against New Zealand on Sunday. As you will know from the Magazine (2010) I was honoured to represent Margaret at her honorary doctorate ceremony on 21st October.It was a most auspicious and enjoyable occasion and I was pleased that Jilly and Christobel were able to join me as representatives of the BÖU.We will be able to watch the eulogy and response later this morning. As you will have noticed on the way in, building work has progressed quickly on the site and the two major buildings are well underway.The teaching block as you drive in is well established and the substantial sports hall building further down the site looks very exciting.When these two are completed, the old swimming pool, which became a sports hall in the 1970s, will be knocked down and the area will be turned into a garden for the students to enjoy. No further major buildings will be constructed at this juncture, as the funding has been cut. I am not sure what will happen to the refurbishment of Kingsfield. However,the changes to the site are not nearly as drastic as first proposed and I am sure that ex-students will still enjoy visiting as so much of our original college buildings still exist.Provision for a swimming pool (to be attached to the end of the new sports complex) has been made should the funds become available. Remaining on the theme of NWK College, we have once again donated £500 towards the upkeep of the cricket pitch.We are also delighted that the sports courses offered on this site will be considerably expanded on the completion of the new facilities. On 31st March this year,I was fortunate enough to attend Malcolm Bell’s retirement function in the theatre here.We presented Malcolm with an engraved tumbler. He wrote a warm letter of thanks informing us that he had christened the glass and had enjoyed his association with us since 2002.
8 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 Work in the Archive has progressed in leaps and bounds this year, mainly thanks to the grant received from the University of Greenwich.This has paid for Alan Gamwell and Gwen Seabrook Smith’s employment in the Archive. Many of our priceless photographs and documents have been catalogued using the computer system purchased by Rosemary Moon, on our behalf, and this, coupled with the generosity of NWK College, means that the Archive is being stored more effectively and is easily accessible to visitors. NWK College has provided us with a new computer,and has removed the sinks and cupboards from the old student bedrooms and replaced them with shelving, as well as redecorating the rooms.The BÖU purchased CCTV from the University budget, the installation of which was organised by Rosemary Moon. On her instigation, the NWK College management supported this installation and linked our CCTV to Reception. We are very grateful both to the University and College for their generosity.Recently,we heard that the funding has now been extended until the end of December, which is excellent news. I shall take this opportunity to thank most profusely Rosemary Moon, whose dedication, expertise and enthusiasm have contributed so much to all these developments. I am also aware that Rosemary gives much of her own time towards this work, so thank you very much Rosemary. In connection with the Archive, Rosemary and I visited the Dartford Museum (16th August 2010) and met with Chris Baker (museum curator). Subsequent to our discussion, it was agreed that the Museum will put on a display linking Madame's work to the 2012 Olympics.To that end we shall be asking members in the forthcoming Newsletter if they or any of their pupils/students have had any involvement with the Olympics in the past. On 21st August I went to the BBC Broadcasting House in London, to be interviewed about Madame’s life and work.This was for a series of 30 programmes on the development of sport in schools. It is to be hosted by Clare Balding, and will be broadcast in the autumn of 2011, with a view to repeating the programmes before the Olympics in 2012. It was a most unusual experience, as there is high security at the BBC; I was taken to the Woman's Hour studio and I sat in Jenni Murray's place to do the interview.This in itself was strange,as I was interviewed by a producer who was on the telephone from Birmingham and I had no one to look at while I was talking. I was not allowed to use any of the notes I had prepared. I had done a lot of preparation and I can only hope that I managed to present Madame and her work in the most positive light. It is interesting to note that of the 30 programmes, only three will be about the development of women's sport.As a supporter of the emancipation of women, I wonder if Madame would be disappointed to find that nearly 100 years after her death, equality is not yet completely with us!
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 9 A further exciting development is the arrival today of Madame's Chair and the Commemoration Plaque which Gill Metcalfe collected for the BÖU from the Bedford College of Physical Education Archive.The whereabouts of other items of Madame's furniture, which were entrusted to the PEA, is unknown; we are delighted that these two items are back where they belong. Our thanks go to Gill, as she attended Peggy Thwaites’ 100th birthday celebrations in August. Toni Cutler wrote to me during the year to thank us for the BÖU vase we sent her. We miss her wise counsel and good humour at committee meetings. Today we also thank Ken Challinor for representing the University of Greenwich on the Bergman Österberg Trust Panel. He has served this body faithfully for the last thirty-four years and has helped to keep the name of Madame and the work of the BÖU at the forefront of people’s minds.We thank too Marge Millar, who has represented the BÖU on the same body for over twenty years. Her place will now be taken by Jackie Farr; thank you Jackie.
I am delighted to welcome our luncheon guests: - Deputy Mayor of Dartford Cllr Eddie Lampkin and his wife the Deputy Mayoress, and Cllr Ann Allen; - Martin Stephenson from the Alumni Association, University of Greenwich; - Rosemary Moon, the Learning Services Manager at Avery Hill and our Archivist; - Alan Gamwell, who has been working in the Archive; - Gwen Seabrook Smith, who has also been working in the Archive and previously worked in the library at Avery Hill; - Peter Scullion, former student and winner of the BÖU PE Award 2009; - Sengul Vefa, former student and winner of the BÖU PE Award 2010, and her four guests; - from NWK College, Craig Norman: Estates; - from the Kent Netball Association, Joan Mills; - and Greta Newman, the daughter of Helen ‘Sadie’ Newman.
10 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 We are pleased that they are able to join us today. I hope you all will enjoy the presentations that we will be making, at lunch, later. Finally, I should like to thank all the hard-working members of our Committee. In particular my thanks go to Jilly, who is the backbone of our association and a great personal help to me.To Ken Challinor, who as ever gives sound advice and support; to Christobel Elliott and Margaret Medland for all their work as Treasurers and Benefit Fund Administrators; to Pat Chatters for her work as Registrar; to Jan Grimsey for organising another successful reunion; to Gill Metcalfe for another comprehensive Magazine, and I should mention here our thanks to Ida Webb for proof reading it; to Rosemary Moon, as previously mentioned for her work in the Archive; and to Brenda Barton for the forthcoming Newsletter; also thanks go to Betty Lewis, Hazel Chapman, Sheila Norman and Jackie Farr for all their help during the year. It only remains for me to thank you all again for coming and I hope that you enjoy the rest of the day.
Anne Stuart
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 11 SECRETARY’S REPORT Every year seems to get busier, which is most encouraging for an organisation such as ours; our tentacles are extending as our contacts increase! My pleasure is, as always, in sending and receiving good news; in particular,sending a flower card to Peggy Thwaites for her 100th birthday in August - congratulations Peggy! A lot of my efforts have also been directed towards organising items to sell. Please note that at the BÖU shop we now have a large range of merchandise including: note cards, Christmas cards and a superb ‘2011 Calendar’ and, not forgetting, the fabulous BÖU range of clothing.Order forms can be collected at the shop;sale items are also on display at the shop. I wish to thank Hazel Chapman and Sheila Norman for running our shop so efficiently and also thank Rosemary Moon for preparing it. We like to keep in contact with our friends, supporters and guests so at Christmas our own BÖU cards are sent to them. A Diploma badge has been kindly donated by Sheila Mitchell (Gatherall; 1950). It is for sale, priced £75. If anyone is interested please contact me. Unfortunately, the BÖU Dartford Sports Trophy will no longer be awarded due to the local Dartford Council cuts. The last award was conferred in 2008. The Trophy will be kept in the Archive until we decide how to proceed. I cannot believe that another year has passed and I am once again standing here reporting upon an excellent year. We seem to manage to cram in such a lot. I don’t know how I ever fitted in work; this reminds me that Anne Stuart really does have to fit in a full time job and her dedication to the BÖU is admirable. In fact, all the Committee members are such dedicated people with a genuine passion for our organisation. A big thank you goes to all the Committee for supporting me in my role. In fact, many of our guests comment upon the enthusiasm of our little band. I like to think that this reflects the Bergman Österberg spirit – doesn’t it?
Jill Ellis Williams Anne Stuart thanked Jill for her hard work throughout the year.
12 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 TREASURERS’ REPORT Christobel Elliott presented the report. The Statement ofAccounts for 2009 can be found on page 68 of the Magazine (2010); as you will see, overall, our financial health has remained reasonably good, although, as might be expected, yet again we have seen a reduction in our total assets. At this point we would like to thank all those who have helped us by generously making donations to the Archive Fund,including via the purchase of a Diploma Badge, and also to the General Fund. You will see that we were able to make payments totalling £1,200 from the Benefit Fund.Unsurprisingly,as we anticipated,less income was earned from our investments; the good news was that the market value of the units in the M&G Charifund began to increase steadily again and by 31st December 2009 was £23,588.40. Once again £500 was donated from the Cricket Pitch Fund to NWK College for maintenance of the cricket pitch. We would like to thank Roger Barton, our voluntary auditor, for his advice and guidance and for again auditing our accounts.A letter of thanks and a token of our appreciation have been sent to him. Finally,we would also like to thank the Chairman and Committee for all their support and help when needed. Are there any questions or comments on the audited accounts? There were no questions.
Margaret Medland & Christobel Elliott. Anne Stuart thanked both Christobel Elliott and Margaret Medland for their clear report.
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 13 BENEFIT FUND REPORT As mentioned previously,we were able to give grants of £1,200 last year. This is less than the previous year, due to fewer applications being received; see Statement of Accounts on page 69 of the Magazine (2010). So far this year we have only given a grant of £425. Fortunately, at the moment, we are in a position to make more awards should there be suitable applications.The criteria for grants as set out by the Charity Commission can be found towards the end of the Magazine. If you know of any old students who are in need of financial assistance for the various purposes set out, please suggest that they write to me or perhaps even write on their behalf.We do not have vast sums of money available but would like to make some more awards before the end of the financial year in December.
Christobel Elliott. Anne Stuart thanked Christobel.
REGISTRAR’S REPORT Membership stands at 395 which includes 15 members who receive the Magazine, who are Honorary Members or have past links with the college. Magazines were returned from: Mrs L.Adams (Jones; 1965), Mrs B.Ashdown (Robey; 1958), Mrs G.Thompson (Tetley; 1951), Mrs G. de Berry (Simms; 1969), Mrs S. Lazar (Crook; 1969), Mrs S. Smith (Byrne; 1973). New addresses or information please! Sadly a few members and past students who were not members of the BÖU have died; this news can be found in the obituary section in this Magazine. To date I have received about 80 subscriptions for the next five year period.There are forms here today if you are able to pay your subs.
Pat Chatters Anne Stuart thanked Pat.
14 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 ARCHIVE REPORT Rosemary Moon gave an informative Powerpoint presentation to members, illustrating an exciting year for the BÖU Archive.
The University of Greenwich Olympic Challenge Fund enabled: Employment of part-time Archive Assistants Purchase of 14 units of storage racking Purchase of IT equipment for display and presentations Purchase of specialist acid-free storage materials Purchase and installation of CCTV Purchase of three notice boards for corridors Redecorations carried out by North West Kent College: Removal of sinks and wardrobes from all rooms Painting; new electrical sockets; improved lighting Removal of kitchen fittings; redecoration and carpeting Installation of new storage racking Achievements over the past year include: Over 2,500 catalogue records 306 letters and 712 books catalogued 1,127 photographs catalogued and scanned 64 photograph albums catalogued 15 BÖU Magazines fully indexed Over 3,000 person names indexed Photographs, letters and other documents stored in acid-free materials College reports 1895-1917 digitally scanned Powerpoint presentation for visitors Visitor access available everyWednesday,10am to 4pm (other days by arrangement)
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 15 Designated role for each of the Archive Rooms: Sheila Cutler Room – used for the display of Archive materials Janet Campbell Room – used for books, computer presentations,Archive catalogue, visitors carrying out research Mary Duggan Room – used for storage of photographs, costume, rare and precious items. Bergman Österberg Room – used asArchive staff office and for storage of committee papers, staff and student records, manuscripts Kingsfield – used for storage of new acquisitions, acid-free materials and BÖU shop stock ‘Kitchen’ – refurbished and used for the Kent Netball Archive
The Future Rosemary Moon explained that the BÖUArchive has a very positive future,including: the continuation of cataloguing and preservation of materials, collaboration with the Kent Netball Archive Group, increased publicity and marketing, development of fundraising and involvement with the Olympics 2012 Exhibition at the Dartford Museum.
Rosemary Moon Anne Stuart thanked Rosemary and her volunteers for all their hard work throughout the year.
The adoption of reports was proposed by Margaret Medland and seconded by Sue Hayes; this was carried unanimously.
16 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 ELECTION OF OFFICERS of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Christobel Elliott, Margaret Medland, Sheila Norman and Brenda Barton agreed to continue so the Committee was elected as it stands. This was proposed by Rosemary Smith and seconded by Maureen Kenney.
APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS Roger Barton is happy to continue.Anne Stuart thanked Roger for his work.
The meeting was closed with a vote of thanks given to the Secretary,Jill EllisWilliams, and to Anne Stuart for taking the Chair. Anne Stuart thanked everyone for attending.
The AGM and Reunion will be held next year on Saturday 3rd September 2011.
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 17 Bergman Österberg Union Patron Baroness Heyhoe Flint of Wolverhampton Executive Committee 2011
President Dr Margaret Chamberlain Brooklands, Crockenhill Lane, Eynsford, Kent, DA4 0JL 01322 863407 Vice President Ken Challinor 2 Netherwood Close,The Ridge, Hastings, East Sussex,TN34 2RE 01424 751741 Chairman Anne Stuart 4 Copperpenny Drive, Hempstead, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 3DT 01634 366248 [email protected] Hon. Secretary Jill Ellis Williams Hedge End, Old High Road,Yoxford, Suffolk, IP17 3HL 01728 668704 [email protected] Hon.Treasurers Margaret Medland and Benefit fund 49 Dene Drive, New Barn, Longfield, Administrators Kent, DA3 7JR 01474 704027 [email protected] Christobel Elliott 8 Ingatestone Road,Woodford Green, Essex, IG8 9AL 02085 044387 [email protected]
18 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 Registrar Pat Chatters 2 Farthingfield, Old London Road, Wrotham,TN15 7DL 01732 883187 [email protected] Archive and Friend Rosemary Moon of the BÖU 56 Darrick Wood Road, Orpington, Kent, BR6 8AW 01689 890 716 07960 793 991 [email protected]
Reunion Organiser Jan Grimsey 30 Coleridge Close, Hitchin, Herts, SG4 0QX 01462 642248 [email protected] Magazine The BÖU Magazine will be organised and produced by a sub-committee from this edition onwards. On behalf of the main committee and members, we would like to thank Gill Metcalfe for all her hard work and commitment as editor during the last seven years. We would also like to thank Dr Ida Webb for proof reading so well.The production of the magazine is a very big job, and from now on will be spread among more people. For 2012, please send any articles for the magazine to: Rosemary Moon 56 Darrick Wood Road, Orpington, Kent, BR6 8AW 01689 890 716 07960793991 [email protected]
Newsletter Brenda Barton Burbank, 107 Darenth Road, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1NJ 01322 225984 [email protected]
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 19 Committee Members
Dr Jackie Farr December Cottage. 14, Sheffield Road,Tunbridge Wells, Kent.TN4 0PD 01892 533457 [email protected] Betty Lewis 18 Rosedene Court, Shepherds Lane, Dartford, Kent, DA1 2NP Hazel Chapman 17 Sherbrook House, 174, Ballards Lane, Finchley, London, N3 2NT 02083 715624 Sheila Norman 47 Salehurst Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 8RY 01473 728376 [email protected] Publicity/Fund-Raising We need to co-opt a Publicity/Fund-Raising Officer onto the Committee. This person would need to look into publicising the work of Madame Österberg via for example, magazine articles, the Internet, women’s groups and local history societies. They would also need to try to find ways to raise funds to help us continue the vital work being done in the Archive. If you are interested in this role, please contact the Secretary, Jill Ellis Williams.
20 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 Bergman ÖsterbergTrust Panel
I should like to formally record the BÖU’s profuse thanks to Ken Challinor for representing the University of Greenwich on this panel for the last 34 years. Ken has decided to retire having served this body faithfully. In this role he has been instrumental in keeping the name of Madame and the work of the BÖU at the forefront of people's minds. We must also thank Marge Miller who has represented the BÖU on the same body for over 20 years. Her place on the panel will now be taken by Jackie Farr.
Anne Stuart
Dartford Museum Display As you will know from the last Newsletter,Rosemary Moon and I visited the Museum on 16th August 2010 and met with curator Chris Baker. The Museum proposes to put on a display linking Madame’s work to the 2012 Olympics.We are very excited about the potential of this display for showing some of the items we have in the Archive and for advertising its existence. I have received two letters from members so far who taught Olympic athletes and I would ask you please do contact me if you or any of your students have had anything to do with the Olympics in the past.Thank you.
Anne Stuart
Calling all Leavers from the 1970s and 1980s We are planning to run a reunion in 2012 for as many of our younger ex-students as possible. I left in 1977, so 2012 will be our 35th year Reunion.We are very aware that our membership is dwindling and that we do not have many members from our younger age-groups, particularly from the mid-70s through to the time the college closed. So, if you would like to attend the reunion, please get in touch with either myself or Jilly as soon as possible. It would be particularly useful if you have any contact with ex-students who are not members so that we can write to them directly. Thank you!
Anne Stuart
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 21 Rachael Heyhoe Flint ready to assert peer pressure at other Lords
Former England Women’s Cricket Captain says that she is relishing her role in the second chamber.
Rachael Heyhoe Flint is introduced into the House of Lords, as a Conservative Peer, 25th January (photos from:‘TheTimes’, 26th January 2011;‘ECB website’, (www.ecb.co.uk)
Lords, the home of Cricket has been a part of Rachael Heyhoe Flint’s life for more than thirty years.The 71-year-old, who earned 51Test Caps in an outstanding career, was appointed MBE in 1972 before receiving an OBE in 2007 for her services to Cricket and charity work. She was also the first woman to hit a six in Test Cricket, the first Captain of a women's side to play at Lord's and the first female member of the MCC. Earlier this year she was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame,the first woman to receive this recognition. She also serves on the ECB board as a representative of the women's game. Today, she begins a new chapter when she will be ennobled to sit in the House of Lords, becoming Baroness Heyhoe Flint of Wolverhampton. Her title comes from the city where she was born and of which she remains very proud.“I was very tempted to use ‘Molineux’ (home of her belovedWolverhampton Wanderers) but was informed by the Garter King of Arms that it is a French family name,” Heyhoe Flint said.“I am very jealous of LordWood ofAnfield,though,” adding, “I was astounded to receive a call from David Cameron, speechless in fact, saying he would like to nominate me as a Working Peer. I’ve done a lot of work in sport, the community, and charity and tried to make a difference, so I am thrilled to have this chance.” Honoured to accept this nomination, Rachael Heyhoe Flint is looking forward to commuting between the two Lords. She took about half an hour to cycle the route in a charity event last year. She commented,“We stopped off for a coffee and then had an ice-cream on Edgware Road, so I am familiar with the route.”
22 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 At home inTettenhall, where she has lived with her husband , Derrick, for all of their almost forty years of married life, the seventy-one year old says that she is sad that he remains a “Mr” while their son, Ben, becomes “The Honourable.” As a Life Peer, Rachael may elect to style herself as Lady Heyhoe Flint. “I’d like to think I may have earned any honours through my various contributions,” she said.“My nine-year battle with the MCC to get 18,000 members to change the constitution and admit women was a triumph I’m particularly proud of.I love Cricket and have been involved in the game for so long that I felt very strongly about taking a stand.” In charge of community affairs at Wolves and President of the Lady Taverners for ten years, during which time they have raised nearly £7 million, she has had frequent dealings with ministers, shadow ministers and sporting celebrities.“I am not the sort of person who has a name on a letter heading and does nothing,” she says,“and I have always been a paid-up member of the Conservatives.” It has been a remarkable journey for the daughter of two Physical Education teachers from the Midlands. Rachael followed in their footsteps, qualifying at Dartford College of Physical Education (1960). While she admits to being no academic, Heyhoe Flint, during a stellar cricketing career combined with International Hockey honours, grabbed every chance to raise her profile, going on to make a living from television appearances, journalism and broadcasting. Even when her star waned she displayed considerable resilience, and through sheer force of character reinvented herself as an administrator and energetic fundraiser. There have been times when her extrovert personality and indefatigable talent for self-promotion have played into the hands of her detractors. Sacked as England Captain and dropped from the team in 1977 after she was judged to‘be getting bigger than the game’, she points out that it only generated more publicity. “It really hurt at the time, but these things happen,” Heyhoe Flint said.“I am not bitter about it because in sport you have to learn to lose graciously.” Of the former England cricketers to take their place in the Lords, Heyhoe Flint was amused to learn that she boasts the highest Test batting average. Only just, but her 45.54 edges Colin Cowdrey’s 44.06,with David Sheppard and Learie Constantine,and Lords Hawke and Harris not even close. Business starts tomorrow, with Baroness Heyhoe Flint determined to take her responsibilities extremely seriously.
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 23 “There are so many traditions and sequences I need to learn that for once in my life I’ll just sit quietly,” she says.“I’ve listed my interests as culture, Olympics, media and sport. I’ll have to deliver my maiden speech. I’m definitely not slowing down and you won’t find me nodding off or nipping off to watch any Cricket.”
Cathy Harris (‘THETIMESTuesday January 25 2011’) /‘ECB website’, www.ecb.co.uk
PeggyThwaites – ‘100’ Eastbourne, Saturday 21st August 2010
Peggy ‘100 years’; note the college brooch, worn at an angle, as insisted by Peggy, thus indicating her qualification at Dartford in an odd year
Today marked a very special day,for whom I believe to be our oldest former Dartford student, Peggy Thwaites; the occasion – her 100th birthday!
On meeting Peggy it was difficult to accept that she had reached such an age. Sat resplendent wearing a stunning dress, especially purchased in honour of the day, she held forth in a most genial and lively manner.Peggy, with flute of champagne in hand, was clearly intending to enjoy her day to the full.The birthday cake from her friends at Gibby’s Restaurant (a favourite long-time haunt of Peggy) added the proverbial icing to the day; even these friends had kindly remembered her.
It became clear that the day had been remembered by so many; family, neighbours, Church friends, representatives of the Girl Guides Association, BÖU members, and even six former pupils of Clapham County Grammar School for Girls were in attendance! Boxes of flowers arrived from many sources, fortunately extra vases had been purloined in advance, whilst the cards piled up beside her – not of course
24 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 forgetting the bouquet of flowers and the one all important card from HM the Queen! Ian Duncan Smith,Work and Pensions Secretary, and former Conservative Leader also presented her with a card and flowers; friends in high places indeed!
The Dartford flower card (sent on behalf of the BÖU) was also received with much pleasure.A borrowed BÖU brooch was pinned to her dress (lent by Sheila Cutler because Peggy had already donated hers to the BÖU), but only after she had reminded all present that it had to be pinned on at an angle because she had left college in an odd numbered year!This practice was recorded in Sheila Cutler’s article, ‘The Dartford Diploma Badge – a history’ in the 2010 Magazine.The brooch prompted memories of Peggy’s long-term career in teaching – its origins being in Dartford.
Indeed, it is some 79 years since Peggy Thwaites left Dartford Physical Training College to commence her teaching career, a career which spanned 40 years of continuous teaching ending after 25 years spent at Clapham County Grammar School for Girls (1945-1970).Although at one time employed as a lecturer - dare it be said, at Nonington PE College (1943-45), she clearly preferred teaching in schools. The tribute paid to her by Natalie Guttmann, in last year’s Magazine (page 45-46) testifies to her reputation as an outstanding teacher and member of the profession.
Her friends of the Trefoil Guides also joined in the celebrations.They organised a garden party in her honour, held just in advance of ‘her day’. Peggy was collected by a ‘special taxi’ to the party held at a guider’s home; eyeing the swimming pool in the garden, Peggy suggested a swim!
When interviewed by a reporter from her local, ‘Eastbourne Herald’ Peggy told him, “I talked non-stop to all my friends who called on me and opened lots of packets and parcels”.
To see her surrounded by so many well-wishers,with cards and flowers in abundance and to catch the absolute pleasure in her eyes and voice was a memorable experience; a big thank you goes to Peggy for allowing us into ‘her day’.
Dr Ida Webb/Gill Metcalfe
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 25 Malcolm Bell
Malcolm Bell at his retirement ‘farewell’ as Principal of NorthWest Kent College receiving his BÖU glass from Anne Stuart, which was presented in recognition of his support and commitment to the BÖU
As you may know, Malcolm has been the Principal of North West Kent (NWK) College since 1995, and has worked with the BÖU since the College transferred to the Dartford site in 2002. He came to NWK College from South Kent College in Folkestone and began his career in Further Education at Kingston-upon-Thames College, Surrey.
During his fifteen years at NWK College, he has been a great supporter of our work, particularly with the Archive, where he was largely instrumental in acquiring the current rooms in Kingsfield for the BÖU. He has also been most generous in supplying us with IT equipment, cleaning services, telephone and other vital commodities. Equally, he was generous with his own time, regularly attending the AGM lunch and latterly hosting meetings with representatives of the University.
Malcolm has retired, and on 31st March 2010 I was fortunate to attend his retirement function in the Miskin Theatre at the North West Kent site. I met with Malcolm before the function and presented him with a crystal glass tumbler engraved with the MBÖ emblem.There were countless people there that afternoon and Malcolm was the recipient of numerous wonderful gifts, glowing speeches and thanks for his work at the College. He made a point of thanking everyone for their gifts, including the BÖU. He sent a very warm letter of thanks informing us that he had christened his glass and had enjoyed his association with us during his time as Principal.
I should like to take this opportunity to record our thanks to him once again. He was always very charming, kind and considerate even when under great pressure. He saw the college through the move from Miskin Road, Dartford, to the current site and also coped with the planning of the new buildings, as well as their day-to-day running. He always had time for us all; a real gentleman.
Anne Stuart
26 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 Awards and Presentations
The BÖU PE Award 2009/2010 After the BÖU lunch which followed the AGM, Anne Stuart made several introductions and presentations.Peter Scullion and SengulVefa, BÖU Award winners (2009/2010 respectively) were introduced to the BÖU members.
Peter Scullion, former student and winner of the BÖU PE Award 2009 Congratulations go to Peter Scullion on winning the BÖU PE Award in 2009. He was the first recipient of the Award which replaced the joint PEA/BÖU Award. Peter has taken up his first teaching post atThe Harris Academy (mixed secondary school). His main sporting interests include Games (Rugby) and Outdoor Education.We wish him much success and enjoyment in his career.
SengulVefa, former student and winner of the BÖU PE Award 2010. Sengul Vefa was accompanied by her partner Matt Sealey. Matt is a member of the GB ParalympicWheelchair BasketballTeam and was in the winning squad which took the BTWorld Cup in May 2010. Sengul has taken a year off from her studies in order to join Matt in Italy as he pursues his Basketball career. Congratulations and best wishes go to them both.
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 27 Service to the BÖU Sue Hayes Sue Hayes was presented with a BÖU vase for her services. She has served us loyally for almost 30 years, having been BÖU Secretary and Administrator of the Benefit Fund.
Sue Hayes with her BÖU vase presented in recognition of her years of service to the BÖU
Betty Lewis
Betty Lewis receives recognition for service to the BÖU Betty Lewis was given a BÖU vase to thank her for her services to the Committee and to the Archive. Unfortunately, Betty was not able to attend the BÖU lunch and the vase was presented to her at home later in the day. Anne Stuart asked Sheila Cutler if she would say a few words in appreciation of Betty.
28 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 An Appreciation of Betty Lewis It is disappointing for Betty, and indeed for all of us, that she is not able to be here to receive this gift. Her work in the Archive since 1990 has been outstanding and she had particular responsibility for one of our great treasures, the vast photographic collection. It was her pride and joy and the catalogue she produced meant we could quickly locate material for exhibitions, displays and general enquiries. Photographs always bring things to life. Betty first became interested in the Archive by chance - that's often how the best things happen. I had been working alone for some years and in 1990 decided to put on a ‘Focus on Newquay Exhibition’ as it was the 50th anniversary of the evacuation. Betty was one of the many Newquay students who came to the reunion that year. During my research I had come across a letter and on the back of it was another older letter crossed out (paper was never wasted during the war). The old letter was to Miss McLaren, the Principal, from Betty's Headmistress. It said,‘I am writing to tell you that Betty Lewis, who is coming for interview next week, has had a bicycle accident and has damaged her face, knocking out her front teeth. She is normally a good looking girl ....’. I showed Betty this and gave her a photocopy. She was absolutely astonished, but more importantly for us, she was hooked ! Her passion for the Archive grew and grew and her friendliness and welcoming manner endeared her to visitors and researchers alike. Nothing was ever too much trouble. The fact that she lived and taught in Dartford for many years was a great asset; she knew so many people in the town who were associated with the college. We have a permanent record of this sort of contribution in the book ‘A Sound Mind in a Sound Body’ which Betty, the Curator of the Dartford Museum and I wrote to coincide with the 1995 exhibition. Betty was responsible for all the very personal interviews with local people who had worked at the college or provided a service in the early days. She was always a welcome guest in their homes. Betty loved Dartford and I am grieved that she is not here today to hear how much she is appreciated by us. It is especially poignant that a fall, which has damaged her face, is the reason she can't be with us. What a good thing that the bicycle accident in 1944 did not stop her attending her interview and charming the forewarned Miss McLaren. Thank you Betty for all you have done over the years to help create the splendid Bergman Österberg Union Archive: you have been invaluable.
Sheila Cutler (BÖU Reunion, 4th September, 2010)
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 29 Kent Netball Archive Group
Joan Mills photographed with Rosemary Moon under the Bergman Österberg Commemorative Blue Plaque A small group of Kent Netball Life Members have been talking for some time about archiving Netball memorabilia before historical records become lost forever. The group met on several occasions in 2010.They have talked with Rosemary Moon and members of the BÖU Committee about how the Kent Netball Archive Group might collaborate with the BÖU Archive. By the end of 2010, Kent Netball archives had use of a room within the BÖU Archive and early in 2011, Joan Mills and Cathy Hickey deposited the first archives in their new room. Joan and Cathy have also been busy learning how to catalogue their archives, following the practices established for adding catalogue records to the BÖU Archive catalogue. Kent Netball archive records are now being added to the BÖU Archive catalogue and can be searched along with BÖU Archive records. This is an exciting development which is being publicised on the Kent Netball web pages: http://www.kentnetball.co.uk/ (follow the link 'Archives'). There will also be an article in the February issue of "Netball", the England Netball magazine, together with the photograph above, of Joan Mills and Rosemary Moon at Dartford, standing under the Blue Plaque which commemorates Martina Bergman Österberg, the Bergman Österberg Physical Training College and the beginnings of Netball.
Rosemary Moon
30 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 Dr Jackie Farr (Rowlands; 1980) Congratulations are due to Committee Member and former Dartford student, Jackie Farr (BEd (Hons); MA), who was awarded her Doctorate in Education (University of Greenwich) last year. Jackie is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at the University of Greenwich and is based at the Avery Hill Campus. On leaving Dartford, Jackie taught Physical Education in secondary schools in Kent for ten years before moving into Special Education as a residential Head of PE in a school for children with physical disabilities and complex medical needs. She moved from teaching into Sports Development, holding County and Regional Management posts in Disability Sport.She has published training materials on inclusion and worked as an Equity Trainer for Sport England; additionally, she has acted as a consultant to a number of governing bodies of sport in their development of both child protection in sport and equity policies and worked for theYouth SportTrust supporting special schools in the specialist sports college bid process. Jackie has also been a member of the coaching staff of the Great Britain Paralympic Swim team. At the University, Jackie is responsible for the teaching of swimming, practical areas and co-ordinates undergraduate and postgraduate courses in sports policy, sport and disability and sports equity. She is also an Associate Teaching Fellow of the University. Her doctoral research investigated the role of Teaching Assistants in supporting physically disabled pupils in mainstream school PE using a theoretical perspective from disability studies.
Dr Jackie Farr/ Gill Metcalfe
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 31 Response to aTribute Firstly,I would like to thank the BÖU for the most beautiful vase which I was presented with last year. It is in a prominent place receiving praise from all who see it. I gather that there was supposed to be a little ceremony when I received it and a photograph taken;because of the complicated organisation that was involved in its delivery I actually received it from my osteopath when I was in my bra and pants; obviously the wrong sort of photo for our sort of magazine; the Sheilas, Cutler and Norman, retrieved the situation. Secondly, I would like to thank those who contributed to the magazine article concerning my career at Dartford for the very positive things that were said about me, and also to pick up on the comment of the word ‘inspirational’ that was used to describe my work with the final cohort. In my opinion they were the ones who were inspirational. Out of a total of seventeen students in their last two years they fielded Volleyball, Netball, Hockey and Cricket teams. In the Hockey and Cricket teams there was a core of players who knew what they were doing and they provided a climate of support and encouragement which enabled the less experienced players to feel they could join in.As a result, they improved and prospered. The spirit in the teams was magnificent and they exemplified all the good that comes from participating. I admired the group tremendously; they made me think back to the lost opportunities for the hundreds of students over the years who did not make a college team,but would have played for a Dartford ‘club’ team if there had been one for the sheer fun of it. They would have improved because they were learning and participating. Thirdly,we went to the PE CollegesTournament to the end (as befits the college that started the tournament in the first place). Our numbers were bolstered by some extras (if I recall correctly, two past students and one research student) and we won the respect of everyone there by our commitment and perseverance. We were playing Chelsea and I think it was the final match. In the dying moments Chelsea was leading one nil. They were pressing very hard and our whole team was back in defence trying to prevent them scoring again. I shouted out,“Come on Dartford – I think you are marvellous”.My vocal encouragement was never orthodox!Another college coach (an ex-England International) who was standing next to me said,“You are quite right – they are”. Those six words finished me off and for the first time in thirty five years of coaching I was unable to go onto the pitch at the final whistle to talk to the team because I was too emotional to speak. What I should have done of course, was to go on to the pitch and hug them all! Chelsea did not break through and the score remained the same. It is not necessary to win the match in order to be triumphant. “Guardians of the Spirit of Dartford”, have no fear. You can be proud of that final cohort who kept the Dartford flag flying to the end.
Toni Cutler
32 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 BBC Interview
Anne Stuart at the BBC contributing to the forthcoming series of programmes on the development of women’s sport On 21st August 2010, I went to the BBC Broadcasting House in London at the invitation of producer Sara Conkey,to record an interview about the life of Madame Bergman Österberg.This is due to be featured in a 30 part series about the history of British sport fronted by Clare Balding, in a programme that looks at the development of sport through public schools for girls. It is scheduled to be broadcast in the autumn of 2011, with a view to repeating it all before the Olympics in 2012. The whole experience was thoroughly enjoyable, despite my initial nervousness. Once I had been taken through security and issued with a visitor’s badge, I was taken upstairs to studio 50A which is the Woman's Hour studio. I sat in Jenni Murray's place to do the half hour interview, which was in itself quite an honour! I had done a great deal of preparation and I should like to thank Rosemary Moon,Alan Gamwell, Gwen Seabrook Smith and Sheila Cutler for all their help beforehand. However, I was not allowed to use the notes I had prepared and can only hope that I presented Madame and her work in the most positive light. Naturally I thought of several more things to say once the interview was finished! It was a somewhat surreal experience as the producer Sara, in Birmingham, was talking to me in one ear and a sound engineer in London spoke to me in the other, whilst I spoke into a microphone. It made me appreciate the art of the good radio presenter all the more. I hope that by the time of the next Magazine I will be able to give you details of the title of the series and when it will be broadcast.
Anne Stuart
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 33 The Return of Madame’s Chair – a Saga When, in 1986, the axe fell and the college as we knew it closed, our thoughts turned to ways we might perpetuate the name of Martina Bergman Österberg.A portrait and commemorative plaque were unveiled in Kingsfield entrance hall that year and negotiations began with the Physical Education Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (1956),which some of us remember as the LingAssociation (1899). We offered them financial assistance from our Centenary Fund for the refurbishment of their main committee room in London and Thames Polytechnic (technically, everything on the college site belonged toThames Polytechnic and not to the BÖU) agreed to the loan of Madame's furniture to enhance it.The room would then be called The Bergman Österberg Committee Room. With others, I visited in the early stages of the negotiations. Rosemary Fisher, our Chairman then, was a Fellow of the PEA and we were offered free use of the facility when completed, for our meetings and reunions.With Dartford no longer ‘ours’ it seemed perfect. It was not! In the years following, serious imperfections appeared. The furniture was in place but we with-held our offer of money as there were financial problems at the PEA which we felt should be cleared up first. In 1990 we heard that the Association was to be relocated due to the Kings Cross Development. Prior to their move to Birmingham it was arranged that the furniture, other than Madame's Chair,was to be returned to the Avery Hill campus ofThames Polytechnic as there would not be enough space in the new offices. Rosemary Fisher, Hazel Chapman and I then went to Birmingham to view the new accommodation. It was attractive and we committed our promised funds to providing curtains, seating cushions, a door sign and other minor things. Rosemary undertook to deal with all of this and she also stitched a splendid replacement tapestry for Madame's Chair, plain for the seat, the back depicting the Diploma Badge. In addition, a huge brass memorial plaque, an octagon, was restored, re-polished and presented. It had been funded by admirers of Madame Bergman Österberg's work following her death in 1915. I remember it in the Dining Room before the extension was added and did not expect to see it at the back of a broom cupboard when I was looking for a dustpan and brush in my early archive days. It looked magnificent in the new committee room but, as with the Chair,one should note a sentence in the 1996 BÖU Magazine stating that the Plaque was ‘on loan’ to the Physical Education Association (1992). While we were busy over the next few years establishing the BÖU and working to retain our place on the Dartford site, the PEA was getting into further difficulties it seems.There was anger and upset when we heard that they were to move to Reading and our beautiful room would be abandoned. Obviously we had no control over this and were assured that the Chair and the Plaque were safe at the new site.Then, in 2010 came a startling revelation.
34 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 This took place when Stephanie Daniels, the dedicated Bedford Archivist, and her associate Anita Tedder,who is also much involved in their Archive, came to tea.After an interesting discussion on their current research, they produced a photograph and asked if I knew anything about it - it was of Madame's Chair! Together with a huge brass Plaque, they revealed that Madame’s Chair was at Bedford. Many years ago,Bedford had given two large oak tables which I had seen in the original conference room at the PEA and they had recently received a letter from Reading asking them to collect an old chair,a plaque and the tables or they would be disposed of.The PEA linked with BAOLPE (British Association of Organisers and Lecturers in Physical Education) in 2006 was moving from Reading toWorcester and there would be no room for these things. Even though Stephanie and Anita had no recollection of a chair and a plaque they fortunately agreed to pick up everything and sent a van.The words ‘disposed of’ still enrages me. It seems incredible that our national Physical EducationAssociation did not recognise the name of Madame Bergman Österberg on the plaque,have a record of the loan and the grace to contact us directly through our web site. Fortunately our treasures are now back where they belong. On receipt of these items at Bedford,they immediately knew in their hearts that they would have to be returned to Dartford but asked me if they could keep them until their Old Students Day. Stephanie has given me permission to include in this article, parts of an email she sent to me, which I have linked together, reporting her speech at their 2010 Reunion and AGM and what followed: I stood up at our AGM and said, “We have Madame Bergman Österberg's chair.” Everybody cheered – “Hurrah !” “Dartford should have it back,” I stated. “Boooooooooo,” they all went. We all dissolved with laughter and then everybody cheered again - straight out of an Enid Blyton book.Of course our President reminded us that Miss Alexander was a former Dartford student and we should mind our P's and Q's.It was all very good humoured and I made sure I was the first Bedford Old Girl to sit in the chair - after Miss Alexander. Dr Eileen Alexander OBE, (Dartford; 1932) is a former Principal of Bedford College of Physical Education (1951- 1971), despite having trained at Dartford. After she had christened the chair there followed a huge respectful queue for photographs of Bedford girls sitting in it. Having told this story in a light-hearted manner I do also want you to know that I really understand that sense of outrage you felt. I think it all worked out well in the end and shows how we PE girls, rivals at one time, now stick together to preserve all that was passed on to us. I would like to thank Stephanie, Anita and the Bedford Old Students’ Association for their part in restoring our 'treasures' to us at Dartford: it is greatly appreciated. It's
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 35 splendid to have these valued items back where they belong and to have our magnificent Archive rooms in Kingsfield in which to display them.I had never expected furniture to feature in our exchanges with Bedford and while we have certainly shared information in the past, I hope this is the last time removal vans will be required.With that thought, it is appropriate to end by saying a very big thank you to those who organised the return of the chair and the plaque from Bedford to college in time for our reunion in September,where they were received to the sound of trumpets ! The chair can be seen by typing in http://bergmanosterbergunionarchive.blogspot.com
Sheila Cutler
‘They go literally everywhere’ (Madame Bergman Österberg’ –Women’s Herald 20th June 1891) It was from 4 Porchester Gardens, London,W.that Mr John J. Stevenson wrote a letter addressed to Madame Österberg in December 1891. He enclosed a cheque for £13.13/. - the fees for his daughter Ethel for the past term. He said: Her Mother, if she were here would join with me in thanking you for her training for the last two years which has been most valuable for her physical development and health, besides making her independent by giving her the power of earning her own living, and we have also to thank you for finding the opportunity of exercising her acquirements at St Andrews, and also for telling her that if she really wished to leave, when you had another teacher ready to take her place, you would see if another appointment could be found for her in London or at least nearer home, where she could be more with her family and where probably she would have more opportunity than at St Andrews of teaching gymnastics in which she is most interested...1 Mr Stevenson’s letter could suggest that Ethel’s Mother had died but this was not the case. Her death was recorded in 1932.2 Jonathan May in, ‘Madame Bergman Österberg’ made reference to Madame Österberg choosing posts for her students. He gives the impression that Madame had acted somewhat harshly and without much sensitivity. Posts for students upon leaving college were arranged by the Principal herself. If the job proffered was not accepted another was not forth coming. One student,having had a post found for her in St Andrews, far from her native London, was obliged to take up the appointment. Later she was informed that if she really wanted to leave, when another student was ready to take her place, Madame Österberg would see if an alternative post could be arranged.3
1. Letter held in the BÖU Archive 2.Ancestry.com 3. May, Jonathan, ‘Madame Bergman Österberg’ Published for the University of London Institute of Education by George Harrop & Co Ltd page 50 reference (50)
36 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 The school to which Ethel Stevenson was sent was St Leonards School in StAndrews. Council Minutes dated November 1891 state that 'Miss Dove was empowered to employ a playground mistress'.4 In the same minutes mention is made of Miss Dove being allowed to purchase a weighing machine at the cost of £9. Presumably Miss Dove contacted Madame Bergman Österberg and requested a suitable student. We probably know very little about the families of Madame’s early students but the Dictionary of Scottish Architects indicates that Mr John J. Stevenson was extremely well known in his field. He was born in Glasgow and married to Jane Omond, a fellow Scot from Edinburgh. They had four other daughters in addition to Ethel and four sons. Being aware of the existence of Mr Stevenson’s letter and Jonathan May’s interpretation, I was interested to discover, very recently, that one of Ethel’s older sisters Mary Stevenson, born in 1868, was a pupil at St Leonards from 1885-1887. She won the Tennis doubles in 1887 and after leaving school went to Newnham College, Cambridge.5 A younger sister Jean Evelyn Stevenson, born in 1873, entered St Leonards in 1888. She left in 1890 having been Captain of her House and winner of the prize for best Batting Average.6 Ethel also had cousins at the school, the daughters of John Stevenson’s older brother James Cochrane Stevenson – at one time Mayor of South Shields and a Liberal MP (1868 – 1895). Louisa Mary Stevenson,born in1866,entered St Leonards in 1881 and was Captain of Games in 1883/84.7 She was clearly a very good games player and she later became well known as a suffragette. Dora, her sister, entered St Leonards in 1891 and left in 1894.8 The girls in this family seemed to enjoy games and were good at them. Dora was obviously attending the school when Ethel was a member of staff. D. Gilfillan, Captain of Games at St Leonards in 1892 commented,“on the marked improvement in cricket, due chiefly to Miss Stevenson’s careful training...”9 It is reasonable to assume that Ethel had played Cricket and Tennis at Neasden which is where the college had playing fields before the move to Dartford.10 As Ethel was teaching at St Leonards that year she should also have been aware of the new game of Lacrosse being played by the girls.
4. SLS Council Minutes 9.11.1891 5. SLS Register 1895 page 36 6. SLS Register 1895 page 46 7. SLS Register 1895 page 28 8. SLS Register 1895 page 58 9. SLS Gazette SLS Gazette June 1892 page 88 10. May, Jonathan, ‘Madame Bergman Österberg’ Published for the University of London Institute of Education by George Harrop & Co Ltd pages 44 and 45 (References dated 1891)
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 37 At the time St Leonards needed someone who could help ‘in the playground’ i.e. with games and perhaps Madame felt Ethel could fill this vacancy more easily than any of her other students, especially if her family were interested in Cricket and Tennis. The numbers in each year were merely six or seven at that stage and so the choice was limited.11 Madame now seems to emerge from this situation much more favourably than first thought. She did not send Ethel into the ‘unknown’ but instead to a school which the family knew well, in Scotland where her parents had been born and where aunts and uncles lived. Far from sending Ethel to a post in remote Scotland where she knew no one, St Leonards seems to have been a sympathetic appointment for Ethel, matching her talents to the needs of the school. We know from her father’s letter to Madame that Ethel was most interested in teaching Gymnastics and Ethel resigned her post after two terms. Swedish Gymnastics was being taught at St Leonards as early as spring 1891, by Miss Schermanson.12 She had been trained as,of course,had Madame at the Royal Central Gymnastics Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, and was one of the very few ‘graduates’ of the institution to be working in this country. Miss Schermanson was the senior gymnast at the school and maybe Ethel felt she was not fully engaged in the teaching of Gymnastics, which was what she had been trained to do, and was not really interested in ‘teaching in the playground’. Ethel did not have to wait until she could be replaced by another Hampstead student. Instead Miss J.K. Stewart, a Senior (Old Girl) of the school, took on the role of Playground Mistress in 1892.13 She had not trained at Dartford,as has been otherwise indicated by some. It was not until 1906 that another of Madame’s students, Miss Esslemont, from Aberdeen14, was appointed ‘Assistant Drill and Playground Mistress’ and she was followed, in 1911, by yet another, Gladys Campbell, also a Senior. She remained in post until 1915.15 The niece of Ethel Stevenson, E.A. MacLeod (1916), 16 one of Madame’s last students provided further information about her aunt’s subsequent career. In a letter dated 26th May 1965 she wrote: My aunt ran a gymnasium at 42 Linden Gardens, Notting Hill Gate and gave remedial treatment to private patients. She took as a partner a Miss Anna Coltman, thereby incurring Madame’s displeasure, Miss Coltman not having trained at a college of which she approved. My aunt Ethel Stevenson,later Mrs A.E.McLaren also joined the Ling Association which was anathema to Madame...17 This additional information about Ethel and her family has clarified the situation. Madame’s students did indeed ‘go literally everywhere’ but maybe her decisions as to where to place them may have been more carefully considered than earlier interpretations have led us to believe.
38 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 This extended Stevenson family has yet another link to College. James Cochran Stevenson’s granddaughter, Christina, also went to St Leonards and proceeded to Dartford in 1920. Immediately after leaving college in 1923 she sailed to America18 where, together with Rosabelle Sinclair (Dartford;1912) and Helen Armfield (Dartford;1919) she assisted Constance Applebee, who introduced Field Hockey to women in the USA, coach hockey for the first time to high school girls at Camp Tegawitha in the Poconos, PA.19 Christina married Alexander Gordon Guthrie in April 192420 and was a keen supporter of the BÖU throughout her life. At one stage she was on the BÖU Committee and a Trustee of the Benefit Fund. She very generously gave me her BÖU brooch in 1977, when she discovered I was teaching at St Leonards. I was aware that Christina had two younger sisters, Helen and Jean, and today, a house diary kept by Christina’s sister Jean, while she was a pupil at St Leonards, arrived on the school Archivist’s desk. Out fell a photograph of Dartford and then more small snaps with Madame’s tree,and the buildings with which we are so familiar, in the background. Jean attended college too (1927-1930); a coincidence but further research has showed that Mrs McLaren nominated21 both girls to attend St Leonards. Ethel clearly retained links with the school through her family, despite teaching in St Andrews for such a short time.
Jane Claydon I should like to acknowledge the assistance of Rosemary Moon, the BÖU Archivist, who has allowed me to make use of material held in the Archive for this article. I am most grateful to Gill Metcalfe who informed me that Christina Stevenson was related to Elizabeth Garrett Anderson. Further research enabled me to establish that Christina’s grandmother was Alice Garrett, a younger sister of Elizabeth Garrett and an older sister of Millicent Garrett, who became Mrs Fawcett.
11. Ibid page 135 12. SLS Register 1895 page 6 and Ibid page 136 13. Grant, Julia M., McCutcheon, Katherine H. and Sanders, Ethel F.(eds), (1927) ‘St. Leonards School, 1877-1927’ Oxford University Press, Oxford 14. SLS Register 1905-10 15. SLS Gazette October 1911VolVII No 6 page 131 16.Ethel Stevenson marriedAlexander E.McLaren in 1915 –Ancestry.com. E.A Macleod’s Mother,Emily,was Ethel’s eldest sister. She married Roderick H. Macleod. (Ancestry.com) 17. May, Jonathan. ‘Madame Bergman Österberg’ Published for the University of London Institute of Education by George Harrop & Co Ltd page 77 18.Ancestry.com 19. BÖU Magazine (1923) and Hockey and Lacrosse Field Magazine( 1st November 1923) 20. SLS Gazette May 1924Vol X No 8 page 385 21. At that time all girls wishing to enter St Leonards had to be nominated by someone who had a connection with the school
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 39 NEWS FROM FORMER STUDENTS 1950s and very active [This item of news is not available to view online.] There never seems to be much news from our year, but I plead guilty myself; as we must all be in our eighties now we should try next year. Living in the South of France I don’t see too many folk but Jacky Edwards (Chambers) with Janet Symons (Edwards) came to stay in 2008 which we thoroughly enjoyed. In 2010 Natalie Guttman (Sutton) should come in August and I have ‘Christmas/New Year’ contacts with several others. I go to gym for the oldies and do country dancing as often as possible and I swim a lot in the summer.I wonder if Anne Read is still playingTennis for Britain in the over eighties? Does this still exist? Please say “hello” from me to Cath Martineau, my junior, who wrote in 2009.
Daphne Laurent (Heath; 1950) [This item of news is not available to view online.] 1951s - It is good to keep in touch – even if briefly Our year was 1951, including Sheila Gooch, Betty Mailing (Lycett), Jennifer Heaviside (Rowlatt), Catherine Martineau,AnnTilley and Julie Harrison (Gill) whose Christmas card has just arrived.The other two, who became good friends,Joyce Haslem (Smith) and Rosemary Barker were 1949. I also hear annually from Pat Holden (Townsend; 1952) who now lives in Queensland. Haven't contacted Sybil Bond (Lawley; 1952) lately but I will do so as she sent me greetings. She lives not far away. I hadn't intended to write anything for the Magazine but Sheila Gooch (Gell; 1951) said in her Christmas letter that she was going to put some news in so I thought I would too. I hear from her, Betty Mailing (Lycett),Anne Tilley, Jennifer Heaviside (Rowlatt), and Catherine Martineau, usually but not this year yet. Hope all is well. However, my Grand-Senior, Joyce Haslem (Smith) and I, now exchange cards and e mails!We met up again at the 2001 reunion. Rosemary Barker and her husband came out to Australia a few years ago when their daughter was teaching out here and we met through Sheila and we exchange cards. Sorry if that sounds rather list-like but it is good to keep in touch, even briefly. We had a wonderful holiday in the first half of the year when we went to Darwin by train, followed by three weeks motoring, in a 4xwheel drive, across the Northern Territory and Western Australia, through the Kimberley region.This is a vast area of national parks, gorges and coloured cliffs and mountains.We finished the tour in Broome, the pearling capital. Since then we have had some health happenings and have slowed down somewhat, but we hope they will all be overcome before long.We have plans for next year!
40 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 Best wishes to all on the Committee and we hope 2011 will be kind to you. Living here I have found the Test match very interesting!
Margaret Gill (Gaitskell; 1951)
1957s – trying something different [This item of news is not available to be viewed online.] As a year, we are still in contact with 40 members and meet annually at a variety of places, usually National Trust properties, which always involves driving to different parts of the country. When Fiona Carter (McWalter) and I were ‘delegated’ to arrange a meeting for 2010 we decided to try something different and suggested London.The immediate reaction was concern that it was a rather big place! Anyway Fiona and I had a great day investigating various venues and the Royal Festival Hall came out on top – easy access to stations, plenty of meeting space, terrace cafe, and walks by the Thames. On 28th September 2010 Fiona and I caught a train from Sussex, walked across Hungerford Bridge, just as we used to all those years ago, and waited anxiously to see who would turn up.We were expecting fifteen.Very punctually (of course) friends began to arrive and we commandeered more tables and chairs in an area close to the cafe - and the toilets! Four hours were then spent catching up on news and reading letters and emails from those who were unable to join us. Eventually we strolled along the South Bank, still talking, before separating to catch trains home or to accommodation in London. It is always great to realise how our friendships have developed over the last 50+ years,especially with people we did not know well whilst at Dartford.Smaller groups do meet in neighbouring areas throughout the year but we hope to continue these annual get-togethers with Tricia Reason (McCue) investigating the possibility of a visit to Greenwich University and Heritage Site in 2011.
Mary Hunt (Wigg)
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 41 OBITUARIES Christine C. Black (Weir) 1939 Christine C Black (Weir), of Peterborough died peacefully at her home on May 14th, 2010.She was born on January 9th 1918,in Edinburgh,Scotland to David and Christina (Sinclair) Weir. She was educated at St George’s School for Girls, Edinburgh and the Bergman Österberg PhysicalTraining College, Dartford, Kent. DuringWorldWar II she taught Physical Education at St George’s School. In 1943 she married the Rev Hubert Black, Minister of St John’s Church in Newton- Stewart.In 1948 she and her family moved to Dalkeith,outside Edinburgh,where she raised two children before emigrating in 1958 to the USA. Mrs Black then lived with her family in Fayetteville, North Carolina where her third child was born.After moving to Baltimore, Md., in 1964, she was employed as a physiotherapist at the Children’s Hospital. Upon retirement Mrs Black and her husband lived in Point Roberts,Washington; Tahoe-Donner, California, and Mountain View, California, where she pursued her interests in Scottish Country Dancing, Chinese Brush painting, Skiing, Calligraphy and hospital volunteering. She was a life-time avid golfer. In 1988, Mrs Black and her husband settled in Peterborough, New Hampshire.After her husband’s death in 1997, she lived at the Scott-Farrar Home until moving to the home of her daughter and son-in-law in 2005. Mrs Black is survived by her daughter, Lorraine Black Bishop, and her husband, Bradford Taylor; her son, Michael J. Black and his wife, Lee Millard, of Providence, Rhode Island, and three grandchildren. A son, James H. Black, pre-deceased her in 1991. Memorial donations may be made in Mrs Black’s name to The Hospice at HCS, PO Box 496, Peterborough, 03458. The Cournoyer Funeral Home and Cremation Centre of Jaffrey is assisting the family with the arrangements. Tuesday, May 18, 2010 MONADNOCK LEDGER –TRANSCRIPT Editorial Note: The BÖU Magazine (1937) records that Mrs Black, then as ChristineWeir, gained the University of London Diploma in the Theory and Practice of Physical Education and, Part 1 of the Chartered Society of Massage and Medical Gymnastics Conjoint Examination. She achieved Part 2 in 1938. She played 3rd Home in the College 2nd XII LacrosseTeam.
42 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 Heather Alice Crouch (Newbigging; 1969)
February 1st 1949 – November 24th 2010 ‘Heather Crouch MBE and the President of Netball SouthWest sadly passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday 24th November 2010 after bravely fighting an 18 month battle with a brain tumour.Heather was 61.Heather's legacy will continue to live on even though she is sadly no longer with us.’ (www.englandnetball.com)
A College Friend Remembers Heather and I met on our first day at College when we were allocated rooms opposite each other on 3rd New in Kingsfield. We immediately became friends and were pleased to find that we were in the same lecture group too. Heather was very striking as she was tall and had long blonde hair and with her height advantage it was always good to have her in your team. She was a talented games player as well as being good at Swimming and Athletics. However,Dance was something else! My abiding memory of Heather is of a Dance lecture with Miss Godwin, with Heather being told that she looked like a “desiccated jellyfish” while trying to execute a graceful run and leap in the middle of a dance. Needless to say, Heather opted for the Alpha course and dropped Dance and Gym after the first year to concentrate on the aspects of PE that she enjoyed. During our 1st year Heather became engaged to her boyfriend Gordon, whom she phoned every evening and went home every weekend to see, so she never played Netball for the College Netball teams. At the end of our 3rd year when we were leaving, Miss Pepper,who was theWarden of Kingsfield, was retiring. As a year group we racked our brains for a memorable gift that we could present to Miss Pepper and I’m sure it was Heather who came up with the bright idea of buying her a dog. So on her return from a weekend at home, near the end of term, Heather brought a black Labrador puppy back to College with her – the poor thing must have been scared stiff. However,it stayed hidden for the night in Heather’s room until we could present it to Miss Pepper. Looking back now, it seems a slightly foolish thing to have done but we all thought was a brilliant idea. Luckily Miss Pepper thought so too! After leaving Dartford, the first thing Heather did was to marry Gordon and take up a teaching post at Caterham School. She taught there for 2 years before moving on to Mayfield Girls’ Secondary Modern School in Chadwell Heath. Whilst there she took a sabbatical year and went to Brentwood College to gain her BEd.
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 43 She had qualified for the BEd course while at Dartford but she chose to teach rather than take this option initially. Later she joined the staff of Brentwood College as a lecturer specialising in PE and during the 1980s she followed a part-time MEd course. Her final teaching job was at Nene College as Head of Department and from here she took early retirement and moved to Devon. During all of this time she was becoming more involved with Netball, firstly as a player and then as a coach. In 1975 Heather was a county coach and by 1980 she was England Schools’ Coach, progressing to become England Senior Coach in 1987. During this time Heather’s first book ‘Netball Coaching’ was published; it became the official All England Netball Association Coaching Manual and Heather signed the royalties to England Netball, thus raising significant funds for the organisation. She was awarded the ‘Coach of the Year’ by the British Association of Coaches in 1989 and in 2001 Heather was inducted into the UK Coaching Hall of Fame by the Princess Royal for her significant contribution to coaching in England. In 2004 Heather was appointed a Life Member of England Netball and she was entered into England Netball’s Hall of Fame.
Heather receiving her award from the Princess Royal Heather was awarded the MBE in the 2010 NewYears Honours list for her volunteer services to sport and this was presented to her by the Queen in March 2010. Heather made a huge impact on sport and coaching in this country, particularly in Netball. She made many friends around the country who will really miss her but she must be gratified to know that she will live on in our memories and in the legacy she left through her influence in many aspects of physical education. Jan Grimsey (1969)
44 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 Tribute to Heather Crouch (Newbigging) All of you here today I’m sure will remember the first time you met Heather.You are likely then to go on to say how she would light up the room you were in and how she went on to light up your lives. For me it was when I was 13 – how lucky am I to have known Heather for 38 years. In all that time the energy Heather had for life and for others has never failed to amaze me. How did one person give so much to so many? How did she make us all feel so special? If you look around you today you will see people you recognise and some you don’t. Later we will share those special memories of how Heather enriched our lives. I want to try now and share with you some of the many aspects of Heather’s life. Heather the Sports Woman If you were at school with Heather you would remember her more for playing Hockey and Rounders than Netball. She didn’t play Netball seriously until she went to Dartford PE College – she soon found she had talent in Netball, and having always a competitive streak and a want to improve, she soon started playing competitively. She went on to play Club Netball with East Ham Rec followed by County Netball with Essex Met, a team that became National Intercounty Champions, and also had an England trial. I can also tell you she was a useful Squash and Basketball player. Heather the Educator Heather started her professional life as a PE Teacher in 1970. How lucky am I that I was one of her pupils as a 13 year old. If you speak to anyone associated in this aspect of her life they will tell you about how she inspired them with her knowledge drive and energy,and gave them confidence to make the best of their ability - and so much more. On retirement in 1989 she was a Head of School at Nene University in Northampton showing what an accomplished academic she was. In those 30 years in Education thousands of young people will tell you about how she guided them through to success. Her Colleagues from this time They will tell you ‘we could not have wished for a better colleague, she was reliable, thorough, loyal and totally committed to making the best possible provision for her students’ and that ‘she brought a breath of fresh air to everything she did’.
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 45 Heather’s Coaching Career Heather was described as ‘a coach before her time’ in the new thinking she brought to high performance Netball through new training regimes and sport science support. She started as a County Coach in 1975 and by 1980 was England Schools’ Coach;she is one of the few coaches who coached at all age groups. In 1987 at the Glasgow World Netball Championships, where she was England Senior Coach, I still believe to this day that England could have beenWorld Champions under Heather’s reign, if there hadn’t been some injuries to key players in the final rounds. She even found time to write a book, ‘The Netball Coaching Manual’, which still remains a best seller. But was you know Heather wasn’t ‘just’ a coach – she gave so much to the game - there has hardly been an area in Netball that she hasn’t touched with the same energy and passion she gave to everything she did. There are so many stories to tell you about how she inspired, motivated, encouraged and led so many people in her passion for the game; not least over the last 8 years in the SouthWest. We are known as a leading Region and so much of that is due to Heather’s inspirational and motivational leadership. Heather and England Netball So apart from being England Coach – which for most of us that would have been enough – Heather just kept on giving. In her role as Vice Chair, from 2005, she was on numerous national Netball groups always giving support and advice to help develop the game. Then in Sept 2009 she was elected by the country's members to the England Netball Chair – so many of you here today supported Heather at that time and she was very proud that she got your vote. Then again if that wasn’t enough, she did more volunteer work with other National and Local Groups – this includes Sports Coach UK where again she became Chair – colleagues will tell you about how her energy and drive helped move the organisation forward. A brief outline of her Coaching and Lifetime awards 1987:‘Coach of theYear’, presented by the then Minister of Sport Colin Moinyhan; 2001: Entered Sport Coach UK Hall of Fame, presented by the Princess Royal - for her significant contribution to coaching in England; 2004: Entered into England Netball’s Hall of Fame; 2004:Appointed Life Member of England Netball.
46 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 Her Volunteer positions: 2002-2010: Director on the Board of England Netball; 2005-2010:Vice Chair England Netball; 2009-2010: (Sept - Dec) Chair England Netball; 2004-2010: Chair Netball South West; 2002-2010: Board Director of SportsCoach UK; 2009-2010: Chair of SportsCoach UK; 2006-2009: Sport England South West Regional Sports Board; 2006-2009: UK Coaching Standards Group; 2006-2010: SW Executive Advisory Board for 2012 Olympics; 2006-2010: Board of Active Devon County Sports Partnership; 2002-2010:Treasurer of Beaworthy Parish Hall at Patchacott; 2003-2010: Member of Beaworthy Parish Council; Her MBE for volunteer service to sport in the 2010 NewYear Honours List was so well deserved. Heather and Horses Until this day I will never know how she found the time to have a hobby with horses! But of course we know how much she loved animals. In Essex,atToot Hill,she would enjoy time at the stables after she had been working at Brentwood College or Coaching Netball. After retiring as England Coach in the 1980s she had more time to ride and started to compete with her localToot Hill team. Can you believe, well actually I’m sure you can - that she competed with her local Toot Hill team at a National level. Over the last year Heather was feeling stronger than she had been for many years and rode Roxy again for the first time in 5 years. Heather and the Local Community Thankfully Heather spent the last 11 years here in the South West in Patchacott – she loved it with such a passion.The way she embraced the local community with her same energy and drive, meant that the feelings had to be reciprocated – the stories you hear today about what they got up to will go on forever – they will include things like the Patchacott Olympics and the fantastic Scottish Ceilidh evenings.Again I say to you – how did she give so much to so many? Finally - Heather the Friend You like me will all have your special memories of such a special person. We love you Heather and miss you already but know you will always be a part of our lives. Linda Daly The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 47 Rosemary (Roey) Goodridge – ATribute Daughter of Dr and Mrs Squires of Woodbury, Devon, Roey was a devoted sister to Julia, Pip and Andrew. She was the much loved Auntie of Oliver, Rebecca and Eva,Andrew and Karen’s three children, who were always totally engaged and excited by what the next exciting trip or adventure, had in store for them, courtesy of Auntie Roey (their affectionate name for her). Roey grew up in Woodbury and soon began to show her prowess as an outstanding sportswoman. Wendy Underhill her PE teacher at the Maynard School said, “she could have gained international honours in a number of sports including Hockey, Netball or Athletics”. Roey’s hockey career began at Exmouth Hockey Club when she was 13 years old. JoanTreece who was at the club when Roey joined in 1970 said,“She was a fantastic player and had a glittering hockey career.She was just so enthusiastic and a fantastic person - an example to everybody.” A Devon junior, Roey naturally progressed to senior levels for Devon, the West of England,England and Great Britain.She was capped 16 times by the EnglandWomen’s Hockey Association, making her debut on September 12th, 1982, in a 4-1 win over Belgium. Rosemary was in the 1983 World Cup squad in Kuala Lumpur where England finished 5th. She was a loyal and supportive member of the Rambling Roses, a team of ex-England players. She recently turned down the invitation to play for the Wembley Legends at the Women's Champions Trophy in Nottingham in July 2010, feeling that there were too many others who should play. Her great love of sport made her career choice an easy decision and from the Maynard School she continued her education at Dartford College of Physical Education from 1974 – 1978 studying PE and Geography and playing throughout her four years for the first XI Hockey Team and for the first Tennis Team. She was very highly regarded throughout the college and proved a great role model for her peers through her enthusiasm, sportsmanship and team spirit.
48 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 Despite her great skill she always placed her fellow members of the team at the fore, supporting them to be the best they could possibly be. Roey was blessed not just with sporting talent but also with high academic ability,so she excelled in her studies both in Physical Education and Geography. She was always an exceptionally conscientious and hard working student who had an attention for detail which, not only supported her academic studies but also her teaching and planning of adventures in her future career and life. I shall never forget the immense amount of time and precision which Roey invested in mapping the countryside of Devon for her final dissertation in Geography and her distress when she left numerous maps on the top of her Mini when she drove out of College. Many pages were destroyed but Roey’s self control, patience and determination (which shone through, throughout her life) ensured that they were re-worked to an even higher standard. Roey began her sporting adventures overseas in 1975 as a member of the Dartford team on tour to the east coast of the United States. In the following 3 years she was delighted to coach in the Pocono Mountains where she worked with elite hockey players from schools and universities all over the Eastern seaboard. Her lecturer and Hockey CoachToni Cutler said:“on first meeting Roey one could not fail to be struck by her maturity and quiet air of assurance. During the four years she was with us the quality of her character became apparent; she was a student who epitomised all the qualities that we tried to inspire in a teacher who qualifies at Dartford. It was a privilege knowing her.” After a very happy and successful time at Dartford, Roey returned to live in her much loved Devon and taught Physical Education, first in Minehead for three years and then from 1981 in Ivybridge Community College where she was to become the Head of a large Physical Education Department, and one of the Sports College’s longest and most loyal members of staff. A colleague at Ivybridge Community College said:“Rosie Goodridge was an extremely popular and well-loved member of our college community. She was a highly respected teacher and head of department, who led an outstanding PE department, and was instrumental in the college’s development as a sports college over a number of years”. Having coached in America with Roey in our college years, I know firsthand the love that she had for travel and adventure. She could always entice others to join her on the intrepid walk,run or bike ride which were not only lengthy,but also often reached a high peak with a beautiful view. Her enthusiasm for life and adventure was contagious. From those first adventures in America (which also included visiting new places and old friends) she continued to achieve her dreams to see the world and experience many different cultures. Roey was also a very keen skier,and on many occasions shared her joy of the slopes with her pupils, during skiing trips which she organised and led for Ivybridge
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 49 Community College. She was also an intrepid biker (not the motorised type).With friends from her home town of Bovey Tracey she was cycling the Devon coast through undertaking various stages over many weekends. Her friends told me that she was the inspiration of the adventure; the precision organiser of each stage; the one who motivated them to even think it possible and the member of the three- woman band who kept them going and loving the experience when the going got tough. Roey, who was wonderful company, with many friends who thought the world of her,also enjoyed her own company and the peace and tranquillity of the mountains, as demonstrated by her sole crossing of the Alps. Her ambitions grew and she was thrilled when Geoff Rees, the previous Head of Ivybridge granted her a sabbatical year in 2007. During this period she travelled extensively in South East Asia and Australia where she made an instant yet long lasting connection with the culture and people of Thailand. I think her highlight though was her success in climbing to the top of Kilimanjaro - just for a ‘spot of adventure and fun’. Roey, in 21st Century terms, had a short life, yet it was a life packed with adventure, success and above all, a great capacity to make a very positive difference to so many people’s lives. Despite her great skills and achievements Roey was extremely humble and self-effacing. She always thought of others more than herself. She will no doubt be deeply missed by her family and friends; however I hope the knowledge of her very full and meaningful life, which was lived with a wonderful zest, will give great comfort and hope. Mary Hunter (Flanagan; 1978) Editors note:A wreath with the note ‘from your Dartford friends’ attached made a poignant reminder.
50 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 HockeyWorld in Mourning The Hockey family is in mourning following the news of the sudden death of former international player Rosemary Goodridge (Squires) at her Bovey Tracey, Devon home on 22nd February aged 52. Known throughout Hockey as Roey, she was Head of the PE Department at Ivybridge Community College in Devon where she had taught since 1981. Roey played her Hockey at Exmouth and achieved representative honours at County, Territorial and International level in junior and senior age groups. Her forward thinking and inspirational leadership took the Club into the National League in 1989 and former Exmouth Club Secretary, Joan Treece says that everyone has been shell-shocked by the news.“She was a fantastic player and had a glittering Hockey career. She was an example to everyone and very popular.” Following Exmouth’s merger with Exeter Ladies, Roey became aVice President of Exe Hockey Club and played in the ExeVeteran’sTeam in the West Finals in 2008. Roey was capped 16 times by England, making her debut on 26th September 1982 in a 4-1 victory over Belgium. Roey was in the 1983 World Cup squad in Kuala Lumpur where England finished 5th. Team mate Ruth Hine recalls Roey being exceptionally fit, putting the rest of the squad to shame with her training runs in the very hot, humid conditions of Singapore where England acclimatised for the World Cup. When England hosted the EuroHockey Nations Championships at Picketts Lock in 1987,Roey picked up a silver medal as England lost out toThe Netherlands on penalty strokes in the Final. She was proudly cheered on by many Hockey friends who had travelled up to London from Devon for the day. Roey's achievement at international level was recognised locally when she was named Teignbridge Sports Personality of theYear 1987. A loyal and supportive member of the Rambling Roses (ex-England players) activities, Roey had recently turned down the invitation to play for theWembley Legends at the Women’s Champions Trophy in July, feeling that there were too many others who should play. Organiser Katie Dodd recalls Roey always living life to the full and dragging her out on a cycling escapade in Holland – why drive to our match against the Dutch Masters when we could cycle the 12 miles across wonderful countryside? Tributes have been flowing in from around theWorld. Jan Martin was a member of the New Zealand squad and met Roey for the first time in Kuala Lumpur. Such is the bond of friendship forged through Hockey that Roey stayed with Jan on two trips to New Zealand. “Roey has many friends amongst us Kiwis and she will be sorely missed by each of us.”
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 51 Roey was a keen walker,skier,cyclist,Tennis player and had recently taken up Golf. Half term had been spent skiing in Norway. Our thoughts are with Roey’s family at this time. Tribute on the West of England Hockey Association’s web site; www.englandhockey.co.uk/west (dated: 01.03.2010)
MaryThomas MBE - England Netball Announcement It is with sadness that England Netball has to announce that Mary Thomas MBE, and Honorary Life Member passed away suddenly, although she had not been in the best of health for some time, on Wednesday 23 February 2011. For many people Mary Thomas was England Netball and Umpiring. Her playing, umpiring and coaching started in Lincolnshire in 1948; various moves saw her in Kent, then Norfolk and finally in Sussex. In 1947 she gained the Panel Umpiring Award at the age of 19. She represented England in the first Senior Netball team in 1948 and achieved the Advanced Coaching Award in 1963 – amongst only 6 people who received this.She gained international umpiring status and presented papers at the first World Championship in 1963. Mary held the National positions ofVice Chair,Vice President, and NationalTechnical Officer from 1978-1987. She was awarded with the England Netball Honorary Life Membership in 1989, received an MBE in 1995 and received the IFNA Service to Netball Award in 1995. Mary was instrumental in the production of England Netball’s first videos which include Coaching, Umpiring, and Netball for the Under 12’s to name a few. She was also responsible for the ‘Planning a Tournament’ booklet together with producing ‘Netball’, part of the Sportsmasters Series for CU Press. In 1993 she re-wrote ‘Know the Game – Netball’ ready for publication in a more updated format in 1994. On retiring from Netball in 1999 she moved to Norfolk; Bowls became her first sport with her playing at the Gallow Club in Fakenham. She became Norfolk’s Zone 5A Competition Secretary and served on the National Executive Committee for several years. She was made an EWIBATrustee,until the EWIBA joined with the EIBA,and qualified for the County but ill health over took her in November 2008 when her Bowling became less and finally stopped in mid-2009. England Netball has received many kind emails from all over the world and these are being passed onto her lifelong friend Jill Pendrill. Our thoughts are with Mary’s relatives and Jill at this sad time. www.englandnetball.com
52 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 Tribute to Mary AlwyneThomas (written by ClareWallace, her niece, on the occasion of her funeral onTuesday 8th March 2011 with thanks to Helena, David, Paul and Jill for their contributions) Mary was born in 1928, the second oldest of a family of six children,two of whom (both girls) died in infancy before the war. Of the surviving family Mary was the eldest daughter, with one older brother, Peter, a younger brother, David, and a sister, Helena, who was six years younger than her. Their mother relied on Mary a great deal for help with the children and in the house. This must have helped to shape the very high standards and great sense of responsibility for which we all remember Mary. David remembers some difficult years for the family when their father lost his job in the 1930s’ Depression but he later found employment again and in August 1939 David remembers a happy family holiday that they were able to have at Leigh-on-Sea which was cut short prematurely by the outbreak of war. Very shortly afterwards came evacuation and until the end of the war the children only met each other during the odd week or two in school holidays and life as a family really ended at this point. Mary was eleven when war broke out and she, together with her younger sister Helena, was evacuated on September 10th 1939 with her school, the Mary Datchelor Girls’ School to which she had just obtained a scholarship. At first they went to Ashford, Kent, and then in June 1940 the school was sent to Llanelli, South Wales, where they remained until the end of the War. The two brothers meanwhile were dispatched to Sussex and Surrey. During evacuation Mary continued to do her duty, following her mother’s strict instructions that she was to “look after her little sister”. Helena remembers for example how Mary would accompany her in the middle of the night “up the back” to the “privy”, there being no indoor toilet in their foster parents’ house. The girls shared a double bed and Helena remembers games of “guess the tune” before going to sleep, where one tapped out the rhythm of a tune and the other had to recognise which tune it was. We still play this game every NewYear’s Eve in our family, so Mary’s legacy lives on. In 1944 at the end of the Lower Sixth Mary felt that she needed to return to London to be with her parents and she obtained a post in the head office ofW H Smiths, but when the school returned to London in May 1945, she returned for her Upper Sixth year,passing Higher School Certificate with flying colours and she pursued a career in teaching.
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 53 Mary’s chief interests were in sport and dance, particularly Netball and later Bowling, but she also liked amateur dramatics and singing, for both of which she showed great talent. She was also a gifted dressmaker and Helena remembers that, as well as making many of her own clothes, Mary made for Helena her beautiful wedding dress. She was a sister that both Helena and David remember with love and gratitude and also great pride. Netball Mary had an illustrious career in Netball and her achievements are too numerous to mention in the time available. However,I shall try to summarise them for you. She gained her first umpiring award at the age of 15 and followed this with her Panel Umpiring Award at the age of 19. From 1948 she coached her school Netball team for the next five years to the position of County Champions. In 1949 she was selected for England’s first ever national team and she followed this in 1952 with her first AENA (All England NetballAssociation) coaching award. She was selected for Sussex County in 1954. She wrote her first publication‘Tackle NetballThisWay’ in 1961 and subsequently was involved in the publication of many training manuals and videos culminating in her appointment as Producer of Resources for the AENA in 1986. In 1963 she attended the first ever World Tournament and presented a paper on umpiring. Her various positions in the AENA thereafter took her all over the world. Her first visit abroad was in 1966 when she led a group of coaches to South Africa for a seven week tour. She also visited Zambia, Jamaica, New Zealand, Singapore, Malta and Fiji as a coach, umpire, England delegate and representative of the FENA (Federation of European Netball Associations). From 1972-82 Mary was an England selector and from 1978-87 she held various administrative posts at the AENA including Vice-President, Vice-Chairman and National Technical Officer. From 1989-93 she was Chairman of the Umpiring Committee and from 1988-90 she was Kent Netball President. The AENA honoured Mary in 1989 with Life Membership. After further work with the IFNA (International Federation of Netball Associations) and the FENA she was awarded the MBE in the 1995 NewYear’s Honours List for her Services to Netball and in the same year was awarded the IFNA Long ServiceAward. Teaching The term‘inspirational teacher’ is much bandied-about these days,but Mary truly was one. I remember, when I was training to be a teacher at Avery Hill College,Aunty Mary drilling into me that I should never repeat a lesson, as after evaluating a lesson I had just done, I would always want to improve it next time. I have never dared to repeat a lesson since!
54 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 Mary gained herTeaching Certificate in 1948 at LincolnTeacherTraining College and then taught in a Secondary Modern School for the next five years. She often spoke to me about these first years of her teaching career and I know that she demanded extremely high standards of her pupils, despite the fact that they had not ‘made it’ to grammar school. While she was in Lincoln she lodged with her great friend Stella in the Cathedral Close, or the Cloisters as they are known in Lincoln, and I know that she was thrilled when her great niece was also born in a Cathedral Close in Norwich some forty years later. She then moved on to become a lecturer in Physical Education at Bishop Otter College in Chichester and I am told by my father that she sang tenor in the College choir there. A fairly rare achievement for a woman! In 1954 she gained her Dance in Education Certificate. After three years at Bishop Otter Mary moved to Bromley High School to be nearer her mother after the death of her father. She spent five fulfilling years here and then returned to the world of lecturing at Dartford PE College, which subsequently became part ofThames Polytechnic, and latterly the University of Greenwich. Here she rose to the position of Principal Lecturer. In 1972 she took a sabbatical year to do a Masters Degree in Leeds and, as children, my brother and I were delighted that she had become M A Thomas MA! During her professional life Mary moved house twenty times! She lived in London, Lincoln,Addlestone, Chichester, London again, the Dartford area, Leeds, Eynsford, Norfolk and Sussex. However,the most significant of all these moves was when her great friend Jill joined her in Swanley 45 years ago. This was fantastic for me and my brother because we got to ride around Swanley on the back of Jill’s extremely trendy Vespa scooter! Bowling From the age of 60, after her involvement in Netball had stopped, Mary and Jill became highly involved in the Bowls world. Mary threw herself into this new challenge with all the vigour of her previous interests and was highly competitive. Both Mary and Jill held prominent Club committee roles in Norfolk and Sussex – a formidable team. As in her Netball career, Mary took on a national role and was an Executive Committee Member of the EWIBA (the English Women’s Indoor Bowling Association) as Zone Secretary for six years. She was also an EWIBA Trustee until the organisation was disbanded and amalgamated with the men’s association to become ‘Bowls England’.
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 55 Mary loved Bowling and it offered her in retirement all the challenges, excitement, high standards, deep friendships, sense of purpose and fulfilment of all her experiences in her previous professional life. Conclusion My brother and I will always remember our aunt, speaking in today’s terms, as the most cool and trendy aunt that you could wish for. She bought us the best Galt toys, turned up at our house in a yellow ochre Fiat 850 Coupé (the most trendy car at the time in the most trendy colour), was the proud owner of a Nachamicki portable cassette recorder, which was ‘de rigeur’ before MP3 players and is now a cult item. She fostered and supported our love of classical music and also encouraged us to maintain a healthy lifestyle. She certainly expected to see us running upstairs and never walking! Mary will be much missed by all the family, especially her surviving sister Helena and brother David, and also of course particularly by Jill, who has shared interests and companionship with her for 45 years and has become a vital part of our family. ClareWallace
MaryThomas MBE - a sad loss to England's Netball community Posted on Friday, 4 March 2011 at 22:36 by MaggieG Distinguished Datchelor Old Girl Mary Thomas MBE died on February 23rd 2011. The funeral took place on March 8th in Worthing. Jean Bourne, Mary's friend from school during the 1940s reported this to us. The website for Netball England carries a fulsome tribute to Mary noting her pivotal role in the game. It says: ‘For many people Mary Thomas was England Netball and Umpiring’. She was one of the youngest to receive an umpiring award in the late 1940s and she represented England in the first senior Netball team in 1948. Later she gained international umpiring status and held top positions in Netball England. In 1993 she wrote, ‘Know the Game - Netball’. She retired in 1999, settling in Norfolk, and became an active member of the Gallow Bowls Club, Fakenham. Mary had been unwell for the last two years. Maggie Gebbett (Mary Datchelor Old Girls’ Club (www.marydatchelorogc.co.uk)
56 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 Marie Whelon (1935) You will be very sorry to hear that Miss Whelon died in Puddletown, Dorset, just after Christmas. She was 96. I remember her at College (IM Marsh - staff) as one of the ‘big three’ who, with Miss Crabbe and other staff, had such a strong influence on our training.The other two were her great friends, Ruth Morison and Joan Iremonger. Marie Whelon taught Lacrosse,Tennis andAnatomy applying new ideas in education and movement understanding to develop different approaches to teaching. It is testimony to her abilities that each year the Beginners’ Lacrosse team was unbeaten, and, at the same time, Marie was selecting and coaching the 1960 Great Britain Lacrosse team which was unbeaten on a 9 week tour to America, and also selecting the English Lacrosse team. Marie Whelon was born March 22, 1914 in Bickley Kent. She was educated at Roedean where she enjoyed all types of sports and I believe was Games Captain. She excelled at Tennis, Cricket and Lacrosse.This passion led her to study Physical Education at Dartford College of Physical Training (as it was then called) in Kent. In the Colleges at that time students could choose to take a course which was the first part of a Physiotherapy qualification, and after leaving College Marie went to St Thomas’ Hospital to complete the qualification. She taught for some time at Haberdashers’ Aske’s School but when the school was evacuated to Wales the numbers dwindled and fewer staff were needed. During the war she worked for the Red Cross as part of the medical team in Chislehurst Caves in Kent.The caves provided a safe haven at night for people from London who travelled down to Kent every evening. Within a short time the caves became an underground city of some 15,000 inhabitants with electric lighting, a cinema, a chapel and a hospital. Marie used to tell remarkable tales of events that occurred in those caves, including the birth of a baby girl called Rosa Cavena. Ever forthright and practical, Marie seemed to thrive on the challenges.After the war she returned to teaching and, after spending a short time lecturing at Nonington College, she was appointed onto the staff at I M Marsh joining Miss Crabbe and Miss Morison and, later, Mrs Iremonger, all of whom had trained at Dartford. Marie was a very special person. She had a wide range of interests and was knowledgeable on so many fronts. She was the cameraman and editor behind Miss Morison’s gym films, after retirement she kept bees, she piloted their motor launch in around islands off the south coast of Norway, she could name the plants which puzzled you in your garden, she could recognise bird song, and she could discuss the latest Cricket orTennis results and the personalities involved. She was very generous with this knowledge.
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 57 Interested in and extremely perceptive about people of all ages, Marie had a remarkable ability to remember the names of Old Students and their time at College. When we met I was often asked;“do you remember when ……. ”. Many students will remember the oldWelsh Farmhouse called Blaenddol which the ‘big three’ rented, furnished and set up for use by staff, students and friends.At least one student saw her first lamb while visiting Blaenddol. Maire kept close contact with her sister and family in Canada.Two of her nieces have been in touch and I am grateful for the information that they have given me. One of her nieces in Canada writes:‘Aunty was popular with her Canadian family and friends, and I always remember her infectious laugh and storytelling. She loved animals and especially cats.The aunties had two Siamese cats that were treated better than royalty! She had a great love of nature, which took her around the world on bird watching stints. She had an impressive knowledge of gardening, knitting, and bee keeping, not to mention a huge knowledge in sports and sports medicine’.Another niece writes:‘My tribute to my Aunt is the incredible love of sports that I know that I gained from her.When we lived in Manchester we used to visit the College and were allowed to play in their enormous gym. I remember Aunty challenging me to climb the ropes and the ‘monkey bars’.We played Netball and did gymnastic-like movements on the mats. Great fun. Every time I talked to Aunty she was so curious and interested in the many endeavours in which I was involved’. Marie had a very full life while working and in her retirement. She and her friends had a great zest for life and were great fun to be with.There are many, many of us who remember them with gratitude and affection. Dr B J Lewis (1958; IM Marsh) and ex Member of Staff IM Marsh Editor’s comment: I am much indebted to Dr B J Lewis for allowing me to include her text in our Magazine. It was produced to commemorate the life of MaryWhelon, as a member of the IM Marsh staff.The Dartford Archive unfortunately only holds a record of the dates of MarieWhelon’s College years as a student.As such Dr Lewis has provided the Magazine and the Archive with a valuable record of MissWhelon’s life.
58 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 59 60 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 Changes to the Register 2010 - 2011 [This information is not available to be viewed online.] New Members Freda Bussey (Smith; 1971) 83 Hillside Ave.,Worthing,W.Sussex Carol Christophi (Charles; 1986) 22 Butts Lane, Danbury, Essex, CM3 4NP [email protected] Janet Evans, (Dickinson; 1970) 29 Aberfeldie St.,Aberfeldie,Victoria, Australia 3040 [email protected]
Change of Address Linda Adams (Jones; 1965) 7 Ambleside Close, Upper Newbold, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 8AF Betty Ashdown (Robey; 1958) 1 Wharf House, Canal Wharf, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8EW Daphne Bennett (Spicer; 1966) 1/16 Hancock Street., Caboolture, Queensland, 4510,Australia Margaret Bunney (Nowell; 1966) 38 Primrose Court, Primley ParkView, Alwoodley, Leeds, LS17 7UY Jay Brooks (Robertson; 1966) 18 Portormin Rd., Dunbeath, Caithness, KW6 6EF [email protected] Hazel Chapman (1947) 17 Sherbrook House, 174 Ballards Lane, Finchley, N3 2NT Sandra Hillson (1966) Mount Pleasant Farm, Musbury,Axminster, Devon, EX13 8BE Pat Kitson (Gillan; 1956) 19 Selwood Park, South Shields, NE34 6 QJ [email protected] Pam Knight (Green; 1969) Stable House, Marsworth, Herts, HP23 4LX [email protected] Sarah Nutter (1966) Elstree House, Sherston Road, Luckingham, Wilts., SN14 6PH [email protected]
Pat Chatters
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 61 The Benefit Fund The Benefit Fund is for former students in need of financial assistance, who completed a full-time course of initial teacher training on the Dartford Campus or later at the University of Greenwich (also Dartford Campus). Former members of staff are also eligible. Although the money available from this fund is very limited, the Committee would like to feel it was being used.The Charity Commissioners point out that grants can be made for a variety of purposes, some of which are listed below. (a) Weekly allowances for a limited period to meet a particular need. (b) Payment of travelling expenses for visiting people in hospitals convalescent homes or similar institutions. (c) Payments to assist in meeting electricity and gas bills. (d) Radio or television sets for the lonely, bedridden or housebound. (e) Payment for services such as house decorating, insulation and repairs. (f) Special payments to relieve sickness or infirmity. (g) Payment towards the cost of adaptations to the homes of the disabled. (h) The provision of services such as bathing and hair washing, shopping, sitting in and travelling companions, and help in the home. (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 having the care of the sick or disabled. We have widened the scope of the fund and wondered if there were any ex-students involved with children with special needs, deprived children or other similar groups who would like to apply for a grant to assist with this work.The trustees of the Benefit Fund would discuss any applications and make awards on merit. Grants for ex-students in financial need would always have first call on the fund. If you are experiencing serious difficulties financially or if you know of anyone who is, please write in confidence to: The Benefit Fund, C/o HonTreasurer, Christobel Elliott, 8 Ingatstone Road,Woodford Green, Essex, 1G8 9AL
Christobel Elliott
62 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 The Bergman ÖsterbergTrust Awards In addition to its original funds the Bergman Österberg Trust now covers a number of prize funds and similar charitable bequests which have been given to the University of Greenwich. Eligibility for these awards was extended to all current students of the University in 2003.The name of the Bergman Österberg Trust has thus been given to an enlarged trust. Students and former students in need of financial assistance, who completed a full- time course of initial teacher training as teachers on the Dartford Campus, Oakfield Lane, Dartford are invited to apply for an award from the Trust. Awards may be granted for the following purposes to: (i) obtain higher or further education qualifications; (ii) travel in furtherance of education or training; or (iii) study music, or other arts.
Application forms which are returnable immediately may be obtained from: The Secretary (BÖU Trust Awards), University of Greenwich,Avery Hill Campus, Bexley Road, Eltham, London, SE9 2PQ
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 63 Diploma Badges The BÖU occasionally receives Diploma Badges from former students.These generous donations are given to be sold in aid of the BÖU Archive Fund and are priced at £75. If you would like to become a proud new owner or would like to donate your badge please contact Jill Ellis Williams on 01728 668704 [email protected] Thank you to Sheila Mitchell (Gatherall; 1950) for donating her Diploma Badge; Janet Evans (Dickinson; 1970) is now the new owner.
Jill Ellis Williams
Donation of Material to the Archive Our Archive is a valuable asset to the BÖU as well as contributing toWomen’s Sport and Physical Education in the UK and worldwide.We provide information regularly to research students from all over the world and to other interested parties. It is a growing and developing Archive accepting material all the time from ex-students and former staff. Items previously donated include: books, scrap books, photographs, uniforms, college memorabilia and Diploma Badges. We will accept items and possessions as long as the ex-student was Dartford trained. Items from former members of staff are also welcomed.The material 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 relating to Madame Bergman Österberg and Dartford. Offers to donate material should be made in the first instance to Rosemary Moon. Tel: 01689 890 716 [email protected]
The BÖU Committee
64 The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 BÖU on the WORLD WIDE WEB The Bergman Österberg Union web site is hosted by the University of Greenwich Alumni office and can be found at: http://www.gre.ac.uk/bou From the introductory page there are links to the Benefit Fund, the Executive Committee and the Archive. The Archive also has its own blog which can be found at: http://bergmanosterbergunionarchive.blogspot.com The blog has been created to enable distribution of news items from the BÖU Archive and there is a facility for visitors to the blog to make comments on news items and to sign up as ‘followers’ of the blog. The internet has the potential to reach ex-students and encourage them to make direct contact with us. The internet is also great for researchers and has recently enabled us to receive enquiries from as far afield as South Africa and the USA. In our increasingly electronic age it is vital that we obtain maximum publicity via the internet for the BÖU and for the Archive. Please visit the BÖU web page and the blog and pass on our web addresses: http://www.gre.ac.uk/bou http://bergmanosterbergunionarchive.blogspot.com
Rosemary Moon
The Bergman Österberg Union 2011 65