THE BERGMAN ÖSTERBERG UNION

2013

CONTENTS Letter from the Chairman 2

Agenda for the AGM 2013 4

Minutes of the AGM 2012 5

BÖU Executive Committee 2013 12

Memorial Stone Unveiling 14

Awards and Presentations 16

News from the BÖU Archive 17

Kent Netball Archive Group 17

Netball Comes Home 18

100 years ago at Madame Bergman Österberg’s Physical Training College 19

Dartford College of PE Year Songs 20

Dr Eileen Alexander OBE (1932) 23

The Body & the Archive – review of an exhibition 25

Memories of the Mexico Olympics 1968 26

Reliving the 2012 Olympics through the eyes of a Gamesmaker 27

Book Review: St Leonards:First in the field 29

Book Review: Robbie Brightwell and his Golden Girl 30

BBC4 Timeshift – The Rise of the Lady 31

News from Former Students 32

Calling all Leavers from the Class of 1973 34

Obituaries 35

BÖU Accounts 39

Benefit Fund Account 40

The Benefit Fund 40

Changes to the Register 2011-2012 41

Diploma Badges 41

Donation of Material to the Archive 42

BÖU Website & Facebook 42

Message from the Editorial Committee 42

Appendix - BÖU Visit to Japan, 8th to 16th April 2013 43

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Letter from the Chairman

Dear Friends,

As ever, it has been a busy year for your committee as we strive to keep Madame’s name and work in the public eye. All the events of the year are fully reported here in the magazine, as well as many interesting articles which I hope you will enjoy reading. I must apologise once again this year for the late arrival of the magazine. There have been problems with the printing at the University of Greenwich, which are beyond our control.

The archive has finally been moved to its new home in the large building next to the Österberg Sports Centre. Whilst it is a mobile, it is very substantial and has been refurbished and re-carpeted. We now have considerably more space in which to mount permanent displays, provide more accessible storage plus have facilities for researchers and for holding committee meetings. Our thanks go to Penny Morgan, the Vice Principal, Ian Goodwin and John Doran at Northwest Kent College, as well as the college staff who have actually refurbished the mobile and helped to move the collection. Major thanks must go to Rosemary Moon and her team, Alan Gamwell, Gwen Seabrook Smith and her husband Martin, and Christobel Elliott. They sorted everything out amazingly quickly and we have already hosted researchers and held our first committee meeting there. I do hope that you will all enjoy visiting if you are able to.

Our regular donation towards the upkeep of the North West Kent College cricket pitch was gratefully received again, although there were not as many games played on it last year due to the lack of changing facilities.

Following a suggestion made at last year's AGM, the committee have been investigating the possible certificate conversion of our courses to Honorary Degrees. Dr Jo Harris has been particularly helpful to Jilly and the matter is now in the hands of Martyn Stephenson of the University of Greenwich Alumni Department, who is confident that the conversion will eventually take place.

In May, we were delighted to welcome Birgitta Wistrand and Maria Kristensson for a visit. As I said at the AGM, Maria is the Principal of the Apelryd School in Sweden and Birgitta is a renowned feminist and ex Swedish politician who was researching in the archive, as she is writing a book about Madame. They are both very interesting people and it was a pleasure to have them to visit. I should like to thank Rosemary, Alan and Margaret Medland for helping to make the visit so successful.

We were delighted to see so many of you at the reunion on the 8th September, particularly as we held the unveiling of the new memorial stone to Madame. The stone is placed under her tree, between it and Kingsfield. The weather was kind to us and it was a lovely occasion. A full report of the ceremony appears later in the magazine.

Our lunch after the AGM was held in the old ballroom in Kingsfield house, which turned out to be the perfect place for it on the day.

The Bergman Österberg award was given this year to Adam Ward, a student at the University of Greenwich, who gained the highest overall grade in his individual study and started his PGCE last September. His study was on: Participation motives of cyclists: investigating the differences between gender, age, style and activity levels. It was a pleasure to welcome him and his wife Jennifer to the reunion and to present him with his award.

It was also a sad pleasure to present Hazel Chapman with an engraved water jug. Hazel has been on the committee for 26 years and in that time has become quite invaluable, not least for her revisions and knowledge of the Constitution. Nothing has ever been too much trouble for her and I for one shall miss her greatly. We wish her a long and happy retirement from the BÖU. An article and photograph appear later in the magazine.

Also at lunch, we were delighted that Sheila Cutler was given the Alumni Department of the University of Greenwich Altruism Award. We were particularly pleased that Chris Philpott, the Head of the School of Education, was able to come and present the award, and that Martyn Stephenson was also able to be present.

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After lunch, we were delighted to be able to welcome Mary Green, née Tagg, 1965, who had agreed to speak about her experiences at the Mexico Olympics in 1968, where she reached the semi finals of the 400 Metres. Mary gave us a very entertaining and fascinating talk, bringing to life the excitement of competing in the Olympics and also showing us the great contrast between the athletes of that time and the current day. She had also brought with her some of the clothing she wore and even a Mexican Hat! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed listening to her and I would like to take this opportunity to thank her once again for giving up her time. We also enjoyed meeting her husband, Andrew. Photographs of the presentations and Mary's talk appear later in the magazine.

As some of you will know, we received an invitation last year from the Japan Women’s College of Physical Education for two of us to attend their 90th birthday celebrations. These will be held on their Founder’s Day, Monday April 15th 2013, and Dr Jackie Farr and I will be going to represent the BÖU. We have been overwhelmed by their generosity, as they are paying for our air fairs and hotel accommodation, as well as arranging an itinerary for us, as we are going for a week. Unfortunately the two North West Kent staff who were invited felt that they were unable to attend, as it was the first week of term. I am very grateful to my Head teacher for giving me two days unpaid leave so that I can go, and so is Jackie to the University. [There is a report of our visit as an Appendix to this magazine.]

I do hope that many of you will be able to come to this year’s reunion on Saturday 7th September, as our after lunch speaker will be Anne Packer! Anne has very kindly agreed to come and talk about her Olympic experiences, when she won Gold in the 800m, and we are all looking forward to it immensely.

Peter Boreham, one of our Vice Presidents followed up the work of Patsy Thurlow, Dartford Borough councillor, on the possible listing of the Kingsfield building. We now know how to go about this and Peter’s investigations leave us ready to make an application when the conditions are at their most advantageous for success.

Finally, I should like to make my usual thank you’s to your hard working committee. Firstly, to Jill Ellis Williams, for her excellent work as secretary. She keeps us all properly organised and it is thanks to her communication skills that so much of what we do actually happens. To Ken Challinor, who has been an excellent sounding board in his first year as president. To Christobel Elliott and Margaret Medland, for their continued efforts as treasurers and to Pat Chatters for her work as registrar. Jan Grimsey ran the well-organised reunion again and Hazel Chapman proofread the 2012 magazine. Brenda Barton edited another excellent newsletter and the magazine subcommittee (Rosemary Moon, Pat Chatters, Christobel Elliott, Jilly Ellis Williams and myself) produced the magazine, ably led by Rosemary. Dr Jackie Farr continues to give presentations about Madame's work, which keeps it in the public eye, and she keeps up our strong links with the University of Greenwich. Peter Boreham has been extremely innovative and it is thanks to him that we have our lovely new collecting boxes. He also did a thorough investigation regarding the possible listing of the Kingsfield building, as I said earlier. Dr Jo Harris brings current expertise to our work and Sheila Norman and Ann Richmond bring a wealth of experience and suggestions. Last but not least our enduring thanks go to Rosemary Moon for her commitment to the archive. This has not been an easy year for her as the worry about its new home has been ongoing for several months. I hope that now that the move is completed she and her team, Alan Gamwell and Gwen Seabrook Smith, will be able to channel their energies into the work they really want to do.

I should also like to thank the University of Greenwich, and in particular Martyn Stephenson, for paying for the printing and postage of our magazine again.

I wish you all the very best for the remainder of 2013 and I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the reunion on 7th September.

Anne Stuart

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THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE BERGMAN ÖSTERBERG UNION

Saturday 7th September 2013, 11 a.m. at Dartford

AGENDA

1. Apologies for absence.

2. President’s remarks.

3. Minutes of the 2012 AGM (to be found in the magazine).

4. Matters arising.

5. Reports: a) Chairman’s report. b) Secretary’s report. c) Treasurer’s report. d) Benefit Fund report. e) Registrar’s report. f) Archive report.

6. Election of Officers of the Executive Committee.

The current officers of the committee are:

President K. Challinor Vice-Presidents P. Boreham and Dr. J. Harris Chairman A. Stuart Secretary J. Ellis Williams Treasurers C. Elliott * and M. Medland *

Committee Members B. Barton * (Newsletter Editor) P.Chatters (Registrar) S.Dalton Dr. J.Farr J. Grimsey (Reunion Organiser) S. Norman *

Co-opted Members R. Moon (Archive & Friend of the BÖU) A. Richmond

. * Due to retire but willing to stand again. Nominations for the Committee should be sent to the Secretary by 29th Aug 2013.

7. Appointment of the Auditor.

THERE WILL BE AN OPEN DISCUSSION AFTER THE MEETING

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THE BERGMAN ÖSTERBERG UNION

MINUTES OF THE A.G.M. HELD ON 8th SEPTEMBER 2012 AT DARTFORD

PRESENT: The following members, former students and friends were present: K. Challinor, A. Stuart, J. Ellis Williams, P. Chatters, M. Toogood, H. Chapman, S. Norman, S. Cutler, M. Medland, P.Gilliland, W. Newnam, P. Frearson, C. Elliott, S. Hayes, J. Grimsey, R. Moon, A. Gamwell, N. Izard, I. Webb, D. Huges, J. Mercer, A. Brown, T. Cutler, M. Hunt, F. Carter, G. Seabrook Smith, L. Tomkins Fraser, H. Robinson, J. Hunter, P. Collins, J. Tennant, P. Newby, J. Johnstone, C. Lewis, M. Kenney, A. Richmond, R. Smith, P. Boreham. APOLOGIES: for absence were received from: M. Millar, C. Gillett, R. Heyhoe Flint, C. Martineau, J. Farr, G. Metcalfe, D. Bains, J. Harris, B. Inge, V. Weston-Smith, J. Harmer, C. Deane, B. Barton

PRESIDENT’S REMARKS

Good morning everyone, I am very pleased to welcome you all to the AGM of the BÖU.

We are very fortunate that Helena Reitberger, the Swedish First Secretary, is to join us later to unveil the memorial stone to Madame Österberg, our founder. Anne will give you details.

The reunion is one week later than usual in order to accommodate the London Olympic Games, which have proved to be a huge success with capacity crowds at most venues, and the high-tech Paralympic Games which are also delighting the crowds – even as I speak!

It is a far cry from the austerity London Games of 1948, with news coverage only in newspapers, on the radio, and on cinema newsreels, to the multi – channel television coverage of today, with its multiplicity of memorable moments.

As a personal aside, in 1948 I followed the reports as best I could because the previous month I had been called up to do my National Service in the RAF and was more than a little busy training.

I have much clearer recollection of the memorable Olympic Games in Mexico in 1968, about such competitors as David Hemery and John Sherwood, Lillian Board, and Bob Beamon, and I am very pleased that we are to welcome Mary Green today and look forward to her views as an Olympic athlete.

Finally, I should like to commend to you your very committed committee who give so much of their time to the work of the BÖU (not only in meetings!).

All the officers do first class work in administering a full agenda of planning, correspondence, funding, registration, reunions, the newsletter, and the magazine which once again is a most impressive production, and all the committee members make substantial contributions, admirably led by our excellent chairman and secretary.

I should like now to pay a special tribute to one member who has made a vital contribution to the BÖU in a quietly impressive manner over the past 26 years – for example, to the redrafting of the constitution, the membership, and proof-reading. That someone is Hazel Chapman, alongside whom I have had the pleasure of working for the whole of that period. It is to our great regret that Hazel has decided to retire from the Committee, and I should like on behalf of us all to thank her publicly for all she has done.

I hope you all have an enjoyable day. I will now pass the baton on to Anne.

Ken Challinor

MINUTES OF THE 2011 A.G.M. The minutes were signed as a correct record.

MATTERS ARISING There were no matters arising.

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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

I should like to begin by echoing Ken's words and welcoming you all most warmly to the 2012 AGM. It is a pleasure to be able to welcome him to his first AGM as President. Sadly, as you will know from the magazine, Margaret Chamberlain passed away shortly after last year's reunion. There were a large number of BÖU members at her funeral and I know that she would have been delighted and absorbed by the 2012 Olympics if she had been here to see them.

I hope that you have all enjoyed the 2012 magazine, despite its late arrival. As you know, this is the first publication that we have produced as a small subcommittee and I have already had several positive comments from members about it. It is certainly a good way to spread what had become a very large workload for one person. Unfortunately we are unable to do anything about the length of time it takes for the University to print and post the magazine out and we are always very grateful to Martyn Stephenson and his team for doing this for us. Consequently we must just try to enjoy it when it comes! I hope you felt as we did, that the reunion leaflet was a good idea. It certainly helped Jan and Jilly to organise today.

I know that you will all be wondering what is going to happen to our priceless archive. I am very pleased to be able to report that following negotiations with North West Kent College, we have secured the use of a very large mobile next to the Österberg Sports Centre. The college are going to refurbish it and organise for the archive to be professionally moved in order to protect it. I should like to thank Rosemary Moon and Alan Gamwell for their help in this process and also Chris Lydon, the Head of Sport, Leisure and Tourism at the college and Penny Morgan the Vice Principal. Rosemary will tell you more of this in her archive report.

You will remember that we had hoped to have some of our archive items on display at Dartford Museum for an exhibition they proposed to do linked to the 2012 Olympics. Unfortunately, in the end it was not possible for this to happen. However, we shall keep in touch with them and hope to be able to assist them if possible in the future.

In May, we were delighted to welcome Birgitta Wistrand and Maria Kristensson for a visit. You will recall that Maria is the Principal of the Apelryd School in Sweden, founded by Madame Österberg. Birgitta is a renowned feminist and ex Swedish politician who was researching in the archive, as she is writing a book about Madame. They are both very interesting people and it was a pleasure to have them to visit. I should like to thank Rosemary, Alan and Margaret Medland for helping to make the visit so successful.

Following the Radio Four series Sport and the British, which included the interview that I did on Madame's life, we were contacted in July by the BBC 4 Timeshift programme. They came and spent a day filming on college pitch and in the archive with Rachel Johnson, the sister of Boris, as the presenter. Dr Jackie Farr did an excellent job of being interviewed by Rachel, whilst Rosemary, Alan, Gwen and I tried to provide everything that the team needed. The programme is about the development of the “Lady” and should air in the autumn, so keep an eye out for it. It is very exciting that we are becoming increasingly noticed by the media and we can only hope that one day an entire programme will be made about Madame's life. I suggest it to anyone and everyone that I can!

The BÖU PE Award is being given this year to Adam Ward, who gained the highest overall grade in his individual study and is starting his PGCE this year. His study was on ‘Participation motives of cyclists: investigating the differences between gender, age, style and activity levels’. We look forward to welcoming him and his wife Jennifer at lunch, when the presentation will take place.

We also need to congratulate Sheila Cutler, who has been given the University of Greenwich Altruism award by the Alumni Department. It will be presented by Christopher Philpott, the Head of the School of Education at the University. It has been given for her commitment to the BÖU and devoting 25 years voluntarily to the preservation of the BÖU archive. Thanks to Sheila the archive has gained international significance in its coverage of the history of women in education and sport. We are delighted that her work has been recognised by the University in this way and offer many congratulations from the BÖU.

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A few weeks ago, we were delighted to receive an invitation from the Japan Women’s College of Physical Education to the 90th birthday celebrations of the founding of their college. Dr Jackie Farr and I will be attending on your behalf and we hope that this will strengthen our links with their college. They have also invited two representatives from North West Kent College to attend and we hope that this too will reinforce our links here.

Before I move to the events that follow this AGM, I should like to take the time to offer my personal thanks, those of the committee and the whole of the BÖU to Hazel Chapman who, as you know from Ken’s remarks, is standing down from the committee after 26 years. Hazel has been a stalwart member of the committee for all that time. We rely upon her for all matters to do with the constitution, for her proofreading abilities, all her help with the archive, in the shop and mainly for her calm and sensible approach to everything that we do. You will be greatly missed Hazel and I hope that you will enjoy a long and happy retirement. We are very pleased that you will still be available on the telephone and for proofreading duties in the future!

Immediately after this meeting, we are excited to be able to host the unveiling of the memorial stone under Madame's tree. The inspiration for this came from the Apelryd school who have a large stone in the woods above their buildings. Once a year they hold a ceremony round it to remember and commemorate Madame’s work. We have had our memorial stone made and placed ready for unveiling and propose in future to have a similar ceremony once a year on our reunion day. We are particularly delighted that the First Secretary to the Swedish Embassy is able to be with us today to do the unveiling and look forward to meeting Helena Reitberger after this meeting. Councillor Ann Allen, the Mayor of Dartford, will also be here but I regret that Rachael Heyhoe Flint, Baroness Flint of Wolverhampton and our patron, is unable to be with us today due to her husband's ill-health. We have invited the BBC South-East at Six team and the local Kent Messenger to attend and hope that this will provide even more media coverage of Madame’s work.

We are also delighted to welcome as our guests today, Chris Philpott and Martyn Stephenson from the University Alumni Department, Miss Kim Cooper, escort to the Mayor of Dartford, Cllr Patsy Thurlow, the Deputy Mayor and Cllr Jennifer Rickwood, all of whom are great friends of the BÖU. Also Mary Green, née Tagg, and her husband. Mary will be speaking about her experiences at the Olympics after lunch. Finally we welcome Rosemary Moon, Alan Gamwell and Gwen Seabrook Smith, our archivists.

I should like to thank all the hard-working members of your committee. Jilly, our thoughtful and hard- working secretary, who is the backbone of our association; Ken Challinor, our new President, who continues to give sound advice and support; Christobel Elliott and Margaret Medland, our well- organised treasurers and the benefit fund administrators; Pat Chatters for her work as registrar; Jan Grimsey for organising the reunion; Brenda Barton for the newsletter and Rosemary Moon for her sterling work with the archive. Rosemary, Jilly, Christobel, Pat and I are also the magazine subcommittee! Dr Jackie Farr continues to present academic papers on our behalf with great expertise. Peter Boreham has been extremely innovative with ideas for raising funds and has many contacts that are already proving to be very useful to us. Here, for example is our new collecting box, sourced and organised by Peter! (A box was shown to the meeting)

Also Dr Jo Harris brings a wealth of knowledge about our subject and contacts that we could not hope to make otherwise. Ann Richmond’s experience is also proving to be a great help in meetings and Sheila Norman is as positive as ever. My thanks also go to Alan and Gwen who have continued to work voluntarily in the archive this year. We were also delighted to be able to welcome a new co- opted member on the committee during the year, Sue Dalton.

It only remains to me to thank you all again for coming and hope that you fully enjoy the rest of the day.

Anne Stuart

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SECRETARY’S REPORT

Every year there seems to be the usual housekeeping duties to do as well as any new events and activities.

As a continuing annual commitment, we have donated a cheque for £500 towards the upkeep of the N.W.K. College Cricket Pitch and received a thank you letter from the Principal, Mr David Gleed. Unfortunately he was not able join us for lunch today.

Christmas cards were again sent to all our luncheon guests as well as other BÖU friends and supporters. I would like to thank Sheila Norman who shared the task with me. It is good to keep our links strong.

I would like to thank all our Diploma Badge donors. The money raised goes to the Archive Fund. It was agreed to present a Diploma badge as a gift to Rachael Heyhoe Flint, this has been done and Rachael was delighted. She has corresponded with Anne Masefield, the donor of the diploma badge.

Miss Margaret Pumfrey’s (53) badge has been purchased by Ann Smith née Warren (54).

Miss Jean Calder’s (50) badge has been purchased by Hilary Hawkyard (56).

Heather Van Gennep’s (46) badge has been purchased by Meinir Heilbrun, who now lives in San Diego, USA.

Sheila Mitchell née Gatherall’s (1950) badge has been purchased by Janet Evans née Dickinson (1970),who lives in Victoria, Australia.

I write to all donors to thank them and the proud new owners are encouraged to contact them too.

I would like to remind members of our range of photo postcards. They can be bought individually or in packs of 6 from the BÖU shop. Another item is a new BÖU Xmas card with the photo of student carol singers 1935.

Following the discussion at the last AGM, I have had a very interesting conversation with Martyn Stephenson at the University of Greenwich about Course Conversion to Degree. He informed me that our certificate conversion to Honorary Degrees has already been discussed at the University and that he is intending to pursue it further. I assured him that Tricia Frearson, Celia Gillett, Anne Richmond and Ken Challinor are all willing to help in any way. He hopes that he may have some information/news for us soon.

In the meantime, Dr. Jo Harris has gathered very interesting information from Loughborough University’s Jim Overend, who is Head of Alumni Relations at the Development & Alumni Relations Office. She has written a paper on it and I have sent this information onto Martyn Stephenson and Dr. Colin Reeves at the University of Greenwich. Exciting times ahead, I hope!

I wrote to Alison Woods (Head of Marketing) at the University of Greenwich to request that we are included in the “Staying in touch” section under UK groups on the Alumni website and explained that we could not access our web pages. I am happy to report that this has been resolved and we are back on the internet! Our Facebook page and blog is developing well too.

Another busy but enjoyable year working alongside our Chair, Anne Stuart, who manages to see the whole picture as well as being able to focus on the finer details too. I wish to thank Ken Challinor, our wise President and the incredibly hard working Executive Committee for their support and friendship.

Jill Ellis Williams Anne Stuart thanked Jill for her hard work throughout the year.

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TREASURERS’ REPORT

Christobel Elliott presented the report.

If you wish to refer to the Statement of Accounts for 2011, you will find it on page 80 near the back of the magazine. You can see our financial health is still reasonably good. Although there was a fall back in the stock market during the year, there was a slight improvement in the value of our investments for the Benefit Fund; the income from these investments was much the same as that in 2010 and 2009.

We have been pleased to receive more subscriptions and also several donations, mainly for the Archive Fund. The sale of donated Diploma Badges has also helped boost the Archive Fund. We are most appreciative of this generosity and thank all those who have made contributions; please keep these coming in as we need to keep boosting the funds to continue to preserve, maintain and enhance the Archive as an international centre of reference.

A donation of £500 towards the maintenance of the cricket pitch was again made to North West Kent College.

Roger Barton, our voluntary auditor, has made some helpful suggestions in order to assist making the accounts clearer e.g. all the committee meeting expenses are together, whereas previously refreshments appeared under ‘sundries’; this and an increase in mileage allowance (agreed in view of the cost of petrol) explains the difference in committee meeting expenses between 2011 and 2010.

We would like to thank Roger for again giving his time, support and advice and for auditing the accounts, for which he has been given a token of our appreciation and sent a letter of thanks.

Lastly, we would also like to thank the Chairman and Committee for all their support.

Margaret Medland & Christobel Elliott

Anne Stuart thanked both Christobel Elliott and Margaret Medland for their clear report.

BENEFIT FUND REPORT

The Statement of Accounts 2011 for the Benefit Fund can be found on page 81. As mentioned in the previous report the income from the investments in the M&G Charifund increased slightly and at the moment the signs are that this trend has continued. Unfortunately, as can be seen, the market value of the units in the M&G Charifund was down on the 2010 market value. We can but hope for better news this year.

Last year we gave grants totalling £850 which was more than for the previous year. As yet we have not received any requests for this year. We are in the fortunate position of being able to make some awards should there be suitable applications. The criteria for grants as set out by the Charity Commission can be found on page 82. If you know of any old students who are in need of financial assistance for the various purposes set out, please suggest 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 awards before the end of the financial year in December.

Christobel Elliott

Anne Stuart thanked Christobel for her work on the Benefit Fund

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REGISTRAR’S REPORT Our membership has increased slightly from last year to 252. Members have obviously been turning out their cupboards and found the membership forms that they had buried! Obviously there is an advantage to increasing the membership so if you are aware of other past students who are not members, please encourage them to join.

Since the publication of the magazine, I have to report sadly two deaths, Ann Dixon, née Flaxman 1952, Kathleen Thompson, née Parry 1957.

Please update me if there are any other changes I should make. Thank you.

Pat Chatters

Anne Stuart thanked Pat.

ARCHIVE REPORT

Visitors & Enquiries We have continued to open the Archive on Wednesdays from 10.00am until 4.00pm and there has been a steady growth in interest. Enquiries from BBC4 and the Archives & Records Association have been particularly rewarding. With the opening of the Österberg Sports Centre there has been an increase in interest from College staff, although the location of the Archive rooms in Kingsfield has made it difficult for visitors to just drop in. Enquiries by e-mail continue to keep us busy. Cataloguing & Preservation Alan Gamwell and Gwen Seabrook Smith have continued their excellent work of cataloguing and indexing the collection. There are now over 4,300 records on the catalogue, with over 7,000 people listed in the person index. We are continuing to store the collection in acid-free materials wherever possible but we still need funding for the purchase of storage wallets etc. Overseas Contacts Our contact with friends in the Apelryd School in Sweden and the Japan Women’s College of Physical Education has increased this year, with invitations to visit and an interest in exchange programmes with students at North West Kent College. Publicity & Marketing We are continuing to publicise the Archive whenever and wherever possible. There are of course the web pages and the blog, which are kept up to date, but we also have a large notice board in the Österberg Sports Centre. Enquiries have been particularly rewarding from BBC4 (wishing to film in the Archive for a ‘Timeshift’ programme to be shown in the autumn) and the Archives & Records Association (inviting me to write an article about Madame Österberg and her College for the August 2012 issue of ARC magazine). In November 2011, Dr. Jackie Farr presented a paper to the History of Education Annual Conference, University of Glasgow, ‘A sound mind in a sound body: Dartford College of PE and the BÖU Archive’. Today, 8th September 2012, Jackie is presenting a paper to the British Society of Sports History Annual Conference, University of Glasgow, ‘Madame’s girls: training to teach Physical Education in the UK, 1885-1946.’ Onwards & Upwards A colleague at work once said to me at a period of enormous change that he didn’t mind change because without change we wouldn’t continue to grow. As many of you already realise, the Archive is embarking on a time of change and I am looking forward to this as an opportunity for growth and development. New premises close to the Österberg Sports Centre will enable us to strengthen the links between the Archive and the Sports Centre. The Archive will be housed in a larger and more flexible space, which will be more accessible for visitors and will enable us to raise the profile of the collection in the College and in the local community. So it’s “onwards and upwards” for Madame’s Girls!

Rosemary Moon

Anne Stuart thanked Rosemary and her volunteers for all their hard work throughout the year.

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The adoption of reports was proposed by Ann Richmond and seconded by Rosemary Smith and unanimously carried.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

It was proposed by Anne Stuart and seconded by Jill Ellis Williams that Ann Richmond be a co-opted member and Sue Dalton a member of the Executive Committee.

The adoption of Officers of the Executive Committee was proposed by Sue Hayes and seconded by Hazel Chapman and carried unanimously; all officers were duly elected.

APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS Roger Barton is happy to continue and is very generous to give his time. Anne Stuart thanked Roger for his work.

The formal part of the meeting was now closed with a vote of thanks to the Secretary, Jill Ellis Williams, and to Anne Stuart for taking the Chair. Anne Stuart thanked everyone for attending.

Matters highlighted in the open discussion:  Diploma Badges – Maureen Kenney informed members that ‘Hart ‘ in Chipping Camden, who made the original badges, can also make earrings to match. Jill Ellis Williams will make contact.  Honorary Degrees - Tricia Frearson felt we need more publicity on Madame’s work and how it could strengthen our bid. The Archive could be put online and possibly it could be a job for students. Jackie Farr does lecture on Madame and her work at the University of Greenwich. N.W.K. College are also keen to include this in their courses. An article in ‘The Lady’ magazine was suggested. Rosemary informed members that there is already a lot of information on the internet but we have to think very carefully with regards to copyright and data protection.  A presentation was made to Hazel Chapman for all her hard work and many years of service on the Executive Committee. Hazel thanked Ken Challinor and Anne Stuart for their kind words and explained how she has so enjoyed being on the Committee and how it has a great, happy atmosphere.  Ann Richmond felt that an article should highlight Madame’s work within Health, how it contributed to the nation as a whole and the influence she had on the wider community. We heard that Gary, the painter in NWK College, learnt to swim here and that his mum was a cleaner in Allerloo. He is going to talk to his mum about her memories and see if she has any photos. Hopefully we can have an article covering the health link to the wider community and local hospitals.

The A.G.M. & Reunion will be held on Saturday 7th September 2013.

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Bergman Österberg Union

Patron Baroness Heyhoe Flint of Wolverhampton

Executive Committee 2013

Officers

President Ken Challinor 2 Netherwood Close, The Ridge, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 2RE. 01424 751741

Vice-Presidents Peter Boreham 2 Sackville Avenue, Hayes, Bromley, Kent, BR2 7JT. 0208 462 2228 [email protected]

Dr. Jo Harris 7 London Lane, Wymeswold, Loughborough, Leics., LE12 6UB. 01509 880331 [email protected]

Chairman Anne Stuart 4 Copperpenny Drive, Hempstead, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 3DT. 01634 366248 07957 583942 [email protected]

Hon. Secretary Jill Ellis Williams Hedge End, Old High Road, Yoxford, Suffolk, IP17 3HL. 01728 668704 [email protected]

Hon. Treasurers & Christobel Elliott Benefit Fund Administrators 8 Ingatestone Road, Woodford Green, Essex, IG8 9AL. 02085 044387 [email protected]

Margaret Medland 49 Dene Drive, New Barn, Longfield, Kent, DA3 7JR. 01474 704027 [email protected]

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Committee Members Brenda Barton (Newsletter Editor) Burbank, 107 Darenth Road, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1NJ. 01322 225984 [email protected]

Pat Chatters (Registrar) 2 Farthingfield, Old London Road, Wrotham, TN15 7DL. 01732 883187 [email protected]

Dr. Jackie Farr December Cottage, 14 Sheffield Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 0PD. 01892 533457 [email protected]

Jan Grimsey (Reunion Organiser) 30 Coleridge Close, Hitchin, Herts, SG4 0QX. 01462 642248 [email protected]

Sheila Norman 47 Salehurst Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 8RY. 01473 728376 [email protected]

Co-opted Members Rosemary Moon (Archive and Friend of the BÖU) 56 Darrick Wood Road, Orpington, Kent, BR6 8AW. 01689 890716 [email protected]

Ann Richmond 70 Beechwood Avenue, Chatham, Kent, ME5 7HJ. 01634 577063 [email protected]

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Memorial Stone Unveiling

Immediately after the AGM on 8 September, we all gathered under Madame’s tree. It was a beautiful sunny day and the stone itself was covered with a piece of purple fabric. The unveiling ceremony began with a short address by Anne Stuart, the BÖU Chairman:

“Madame Martina Bergman Österberg, 1849 to 1915, trained at the Royal Central Gymnastics Institute in Stockholm from 1879 to 1881. She was appointed Superintendent of Physical Education for Girls and Infants to the London School Board in 1881, charged with training existing teachers to deliver Swedish Gymnastics and Drill. This she did extremely successfully and demonstrated her work using regular displays, one in the presence of the then Prince and Princess of Wales. In 1885 she founded her College for the training of teachers in Hampstead, the very first of its kind for women. She resigned from the School Board in 1887 to concentrate on the expansion of her college, and in 1895 moved to Kingsfield House on Dartford Heath.

In following her life's work, she established a new profession for women, Physical Education, based on physiological and educational values. Her students went on to found or teach at other colleges and many schools both in Britain and abroad, taking her beliefs and ideals with them. One student came from Japan in 1913 and went back to found the Japanese Women’s College of Physical Education.

Under Madame’s guidance her students created the gymslip, the first piece of clothing in the Victorian era that allowed for free movement for girls and women, and they adapted the game of basketball to create netball. Her work also helped to break down the barriers to participation in sport by women, refuting long-held beliefs that it would damage their reproductive systems.

She was a firm believer in the emancipation of women and a supporter of women's suffrage, both here and in her native Sweden.

Her life's work changed the nature of Physical Education in schools in a remarkably short time. The college became renowned and was visited by King George V and Queen Mary in 1918. She amalgamated Swedish gymnastics with the teaching of games and her influence spread through public and state schools and even into the Royal Navy. Her basic principles are still in use today and there is no doubt that she laid the foundation of structure of Physical Education that is now so firmly established in this country.” 14

Helena Reitberger, the First Secretary for political affairs from the Swedish Embassy in London said a few words. She mentioned that Madame's work was not as well-known in Sweden as it is here, but she looked forward to finding out more about it in the future. Helena then unveiled the stone.

Councillor Ann Allen then spoke on behalf of the people of Dartford. Ann talked movingly about her childhood in the nearby village of Hawley and how, as a small child, she could remember seeing students from the College cycling to teaching practice. She herself was taught by some of them. She also said that the people of Dartford had had very strong links with the college over the years and looked upon it with great fondness. Many of them had attended the clinic and been helped to recover from childhood illnesses or ailments. Many more had been taught to swim by students in the college pool. Ann hoped that the close ties between Dartford Borough Council and the BÖU would continue for many more years.

It was a very joyous occasion and we were delighted to have so many members and guests with us to celebrate. The only person missing was the photographer from the Kent messenger, who went to the wrong part of the site and unfortunately was not redirected to Madame’s tree.

We look forward to meeting regularly by the stone every reunion day from now on, to celebrate the life and achievements of Madame Martina Bergman Österberg, and hope that many of you can join us in the future.

Anne Stuart

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Awards and Presentations

Bergman Österberg Union Physical Education Award 2012 It was with great pleasure that Anne Stuart presented Adam Ward with his award at our BÖU reunion lunch. Adam has been a student with The University of Greenwich for three years and his final year independent study was on:

Participation Motives of Cyclists: Investigating the differences between gender, age, style and activity levels.

We congratulate Adam on his achievement and wish him all the best for the future.

At our reunion lunch we presented Hazel Chapman with an engraved water jug. Hazel first joined the BÖU when she left college in 1947. She was on the committee from 1955-58, but had to leave when meetings began to be held in the evenings in London, and she found it too tiring to attend with her full teaching load at the time. She came back onto the committee at the AGM in 1986, until last year, 2012. In that period, Hazel undertook three reviews of the constitution, in 1986, 1992 and 2001, and took over from Sheila Cutler as Registrar for a period when that was split from the Treasurer’s job. She also gave Sheila considerable help in the Archive throughout the 1990’s, coming down to Dartford regularly. For example, she did a lot of work on the original orange files. Hazel continued to help with the Archive until her retirement, helped to run the shop on Re-union days and has proof read the magazine for the last two years. All in all, her calm and logical approach to issues has made her an ideal committee member. She tells me she always enjoyed our nice meetings! I would like to thank her on behalf of the BÖU for all her hard work and commitment during her 29 years of service. Anne Stuart

Also at lunch, we were delighted that Sheila Cutler was given the Alumni Department of the University of Greenwich Altruism Award. We were particularly pleased that Chris Philpott, the Head of the School of Education, was able to come and present the award and that Martyn Stephenson from the Alumni department was also able to be present.

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News from the BÖU Archive

In March 2013 the BÖU Archive moved from its accommodation in Kingsfield House to spacious accommodation in one of the buildings nearer to the Österberg Sports Centre. We have retained our individual names for each of the rooms. The Bergman Österberg Room is the Archive office. The Mary Duggan Room is our main store of archive materials and includes a large work bench for working on preservation of the collection. The Janet Campbell Room is set up as a research room for our visitors, with adequate facilities for meetings of up to twenty people and the potential for us to be able to hold historical research seminars. The Sheila Cutler Room is our ‘museum’ room with information boards and display cabinets explaining about Martina Bergman Österberg and her College.

We are grateful to the Principal and staff of North West Kent College, who have recognised the importance of preserving the BÖU Archive and have provided us with rooms which will enable us to develop the Archive and increase public awareness about Madame Österberg’s work.

Our new accommodation is accessible for all visitors (with a ramp for those who wish to avoid the steps). The Archive is now within sight of the Österberg Sports Centre, where we already have close connections, with BÖU Archive display boards in the entrance foyer. We are now looking for opportunities to raise the profile of the Archive in the local community and further afield and we urgently need a BÖU member with an interest in publicity and marketing to come and work with us.

We are also looking for volunteers to help in the Archive on a rota basis. You would work with Alan, Gwen or me in the Archive, helping us to preserve and catalogue the collection. You would also help us to talk to visitors about life at College. We would not expect you to work alone in the Archive so there is no need to be concerned about not knowing enough about the collection. If you would be interested in helping please contact me by phone or e-mail.

Finally, please remember to pop your loose change in your “Save to Save the BÖU Archive” collecting box and then send your cheque to our Treasurer, Christobel Elliott. We need your financial support in order to be able to continue our work of preserving the Archive collections.

Rosemary Moon

Kent Netball Archive Group

We were delighted to welcome Rosemary Moon and Alan Gamwell to our Kent Netball Reunion luncheon last September and our members were interested to hear not only about the progress made with the Kent archives but also the amazing items and photographs within the BÖU archives.

Several members donated items for the archive, especially many old records from the Kent Schools Netball Association and these have kept us busy over the winter months.

Cathy Hickey and I met with England Netball last year to show them how we are archiving all our historical records as they have realised that they too hold the history of our sport within their offices. In fact they have a whole room stacked from floor to ceiling with boxes and files full of old records, photographs, magazines etc. and are looking to have a member of staff working full time building their archive.

We are looking forward to moving into the new BÖU Archive premises within the North West Kent College and hope to hold an open day during 2013.

Netball enthusiasts may have heard that history was made earlier this year when England played Australia in Bath, Wembley and Birmingham and won all three test matches, knocking Australia from their number one world ranking spot. With the Commonwealth Games taking place in Glasgow in July 2014 this puts England as one of the main challengers for the Gold Medal. Another great piece of history to be recorded in the archives.

Joan Mills 17

Netball Comes Home

As you know from the article in the previous magazine the new Österberg Sports Centre opened in October 2011. This huge, magnificent building offers many sports indoor facilities and, as an ex-county netballer, I was interested to attend a netball event and see the hall being used.

I went along on a Wednesday evening to watch Telstars netball club training. This club have hired the centre for the season and the facility allows them to have space for a warm up, skills training and two courts. It also has the advantage of a viewing gallery for spectators.

Telstars netball club began life in 1996 and now runs 9 teams, ranging from players of 8 years of age to seniors of 30 years plus. They have a team in Div.2 in the National League and teams in the N W Kent league. Over the years, various links with schools and training programmes have ensured that the club has grown from strength to strength. The Premier League play their matches indoors and long gone are the days of sweeping the snow from the court or brushing aside puddles. They even have padded goalposts!

I should like to thank Anita Hollman, founder and coach to Telstars for giving me an insight into modern day netball and to wish Telstars a very happy and successful stay in their new home.

It is good to see our old college, where netball first started, being such a hub for netball activity – I am sure Madame would be amazed at the professional development of netball over the years and delighted that this is now going on in the Österberg Centre. Pat Chatters (Dixon; 1969) 18

100 years ago at Madame Bergman Österberg’s Physical Training College

Tokuyo Nikaido was born in 1880 and from the early 1900’s her focus was physical education for girls and women in Japan. She applied to study abroad and was chosen from many applicants by the Ministry of Education to study gymnastics at Madame Bergman Österberg’s Physical Training College. After a fifty-eight-day sea journey to England, Tokuyo Nikaido lived at Kingsfield from 1913-1915 and studied with Madame Österberg and her staff (Miss Ackerley, Miss Blower, Miss Clarke, Miss Mears, Miss Rothera, Miss Ruck, Miss Strathairn, Miss Wikner). We assume that Tokuyo established a good relationship with Madame Österberg, as we have a letter in the BÖU Archive in which Madame addresses Tokuyo as “my dear little Japanese friend”. She also encouraged Tokuyo to found her own college. She said: “When you return to Japan, you should found a Women’s Physical Education Training College named Queensfield College after Kingsfield”. Tokuyo Nikaido

Standing l-r: Miss Ackerley, Miss Blower, Miss Rothera Standing l-r: Miss Blower, Miss Strathairn, Miss Ackerley Sitting l-r: Miss Clarke, Dr. Österberg, Miss Wikner Sitting l-r: Miss Rothera, Miss Clarke

Through studying at Madame Bergman Österberg’s Physical Training College, Tokuyo Nikaido learnt new ways to teach physical education and she believed that this would enhance personal happiness and the social welfare of women. She also had an interest in dance and learnt about this not only at the College but also at the English Folk Dance Society. When she returned to Japan, she wanted to establish a school where she could put her experience to use and in 1922 she started the first teacher training school of physical education for women, Nikaido Taiso Juku (Nikaido Gymnastic Private School) which had the motto: “Physical education for women by women”. In 1950, this school became Japan Women’s Junior College of Physical Education and in 1965 Japan Women’s College of Physical Education was established.

Like Madame Bergman Österberg, Tokuyo Nikaido was a pioneer of physical education for women. Her work in Japan was particularly significant because she founded her school at a time when the role of women in Japanese society was starting to change. The core disciplines of Nikaido’s school were calisthenics, gymnastics and dance. An early student at Nikaido’s school was Kinue Hitome, who became the first Japanese woman to compete in the Olympic Games.

In 2013, one hundred years after Tokuyo Nikaido studied at Madame Bergman Österberg’s Physical Training College, Japan Women’s College of Physical Education celebrates its 90th birthday and invited two members of the BÖU to join in the celebrations as honoured guests. Anne Stuart and Dr. Jackie Farr were delighted to travel to Japan and represent the BÖU on this auspicious occasion.

Further information about Japan Women’s College of Physical Education can be seen at: http://www.jwcpe.ac.jp/en/ and for anyone interested in reading more about this topic I recommend Japanese Women and Sport: Beyond Baseball and Sumo, by Robin Kietlinski, Bloomsbury Academic, 2011, ISBN 1849663408

Rosemary Moon

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Dartford College of Physical Education Year Songs

Year Song 1966-69

Tune – John Brown’s Body

1. We came upon our interview So Dartford here we are We thought we’d have some fun Chorus But the exercise they made us do It really made us run 4. We’ve heard that social life down here We thought we’d never get here Was something really great But the Lord was on our side But now we’ve had a taste of it So Dartford here we come We’d rather emigrate We’ve no hope of getting hitched Glory, glory what a hell of a way to live Before the course is done Repeat So Bedford here we come We’ll never make the end of it Chorus But we shall have a try So we still go marching on 5. With all this healthy exercise We some times feel quite weak 2. We’re up before it’s 8 o’clock And so we moan and groan And on the hockey pitch About the salads every week. The lecturers are full of it The study hour is always used But we don’t think it’s rich For making pots of tea We sometimes have it easy To build up our strength for tomorrow’s But those times are very few P.E. So we spend the next lecture resting Chorus on the loo. Chorus 6. The playing fields are soggy And the buildings are condemned 3. We think that child psychology And even with these faults Is just a lot of rot The college we’ll defend But we must learn to teach it Although there is nobody else To the little tiny tots Who seems to be impressed, We’ve heard that teaching practice We all know that DARTFORD IS THE Holds a lot of treats in store BEST!!!!

Pat Chatters (Dixon; 1969)

First Year song - Composed December 1967 Sung to the tune “Seven Drunken Nights”

1. When we arrived in Dartford Town 2. They had a thrill in store for us As slim as slim could be The first week we were here We went into the College there A fire drill from 2nd New To learn to teach P.E. To try out all the gear We limped about in our first week We wondered how to take the plunge, With muscles pulled galore, then With feet or rear or head? They sent us down to Sister and Miss Pepper kindly helped us down That was the final straw Whoops! A week in bed Chorus Chorus Oh! 3. It was “courage” here We’re fit and fat and fairylike And “go, go” there And happy as can be And “mind the bloody whippet, Since we came to College here Keep it away from the tulip tree” To learn to teach P.E It really isn’t cricket. The land is very Marshy here Be careful where you tread, Rhythm and Method is on the way and Mr Grogan’s red. Chorus 20

4. With dazzling wit and Chinagraph 7. The second years were oh so pleased Anat. And Phys. Is fun, ANAT. AND With Games Duty they’d done PHYS. IS FUN. For they had handed all to us We weren’t prepared to do a strip Here’s more of FUN, fun, FUN. To surface mark the ...... tum. We linseed oiled the leather thongs Aghast at Dance we ploughed along And vaselined the wood In seas of sticky glue, And pumped down all the netballs Lifting our heel and ball and toe there IT REALLY CAN’T BE TRUE. As only First Years could. Chorus Chorus

5. For half a term no paddling pool, 8. We’ve been and had our coffee now A crack it did appear, With Lord and Lady C. The filter plant was all bogged up We tottered back along the path With chewing gum and hair. From drinking Cherry B. At last the great occasion came The workmen cut a cable and We stepped into the mire, They left us in the dark, A beaming face showed through the Miss Pepper handed candles out, steam Oh, what a flippin’ lark. ALL HAIL to Macintyre. Chorus Chorus 9. At last our song is finished, for 6. In freezing fog and pouring rain We’ve run right out of words. With Knight forever near We’ve ridiculed our Mums and Staff It was swing and drive and push and The Third Years are much worse. flick We’re very glad we came here though, And make that whistle clear. And that you let us come. The Grand Old Duke came into play We couldn’t go to anywhere else With Dewhurst at his heels, Because we are so dumb. To cradle better was her aim Chorus Despite our awful squeals. Chorus

Jan Grimsey (Spink; 1970)

Third year Song 1976 Tune - Glory, Glory, Alleluia

Chorus Up the second and the first years, When we leave you’ll shed a few tears, But we’ll spare a thought when we’re long gone As you go grovelling on.

We’ve had lectures since September, But most of them we don’t remember, The greatest lesson that we’ve been taught Is how to survive and not get caught. Chorus

The social life at Dartford’s really something to be seen, We have fun nearly every night, nudge nudge know what I mean, The Discos and the Dances are really not so bad, AS LONG AS YOU CAN FIND YOURSELF A DECENT LOOKING LAD. Chorus

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In making good use of the males that we find, The third years at Dartford are never far behind, That’s why when you see us on our faces there’s a smile, Though midnight visiting tends to cramp your style. Chorus

So take me back to dear old Colditz, Compared to Dartford College it’s the Hilton or the Ritz, But though we’re always joking we know we can’t go wrong, So here we’ll end the third year song. Chorus

Susan Beckford (Cocker; 1976)

College Song mid 1970’s (1974-77) To the tune “Milord” as sung by Edith Piaf

We are the Dartford girls, We wear our hair in curls, We wear our dungarees way up above our knees, We wear our father’s shirts, Instead of mini-skirts, And when it comes to boys, We throw away our toys. We neither smoke or drink, (that’s what our parents think), We only go so far, Then drop into a bar, We are notorious, We are victorious, We are the Dartford College girls.

Repeat to La, la, la with rasping voice, singing the last three lines as above.

Anne Stuart (1977)

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Dr Eileen Alexander OBE (1932)

Career résumé1 Eileen trained at Dartford (1929-1932) and taught in two schools before she was appointed Lecturer at Homerton College Cambridge. She was seconded into the ATS in 1941 for War Service in the Anti-Aircraft Command. On release she returned to Homerton, leaving in 1946 to become HMI of Schools. In 1951 she was appointed Principal of Bedford College of Physical Education and retired in 1971, when she was awarded the OBE and in 1995 an Honorary Doctorate of Education by De Montfort University.

Other appointments have included: 1959 - 61 President of the Physical Education Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; 1977-1985 Member of the Sports Council; 1953-1991 Member of the CCPR Executive Committee and Chair of the Movement and Dance Division; UK Representative on the Council of the International Association of PE and Sport for Girls and Women from 1965-1977; 1997 PEAUK Ling Award for Services to the Association and the profession. Eileen was President of BPEOSA from 1958-1971 and is currently a Vice-President.

‘I only wanted to play Hockey’ – a tribute to Eileen Alexander

Eileen Alexander, at the age of 101 years and 9 months2, has the honour of being our most senior former student and BÖU Member. It is hard to envisage that Eileen’s career in physical education started in 1929, at Dartford, 83 years ago! Her choice of college was prompted by her father, a highly successful business man who clearly doted on his young daughter. He thought Dartford was ideally placed (somewhat in the wilds) for his daughter and that it would be easy to study at such a place. Somewhat ironically he did not think Bedford so suitable3!

Like all potential students Eileen had to apply for Dartford. Coming from the prestigious North London Collegiate School (founded by Frances Mary Buss in 1850) Dartford could expect an all round and significant standard from the applicant. The records of both Eileen’s application and interview are held in the Dartford Archive. Her application for ‘The Bergman Österberg Physical Training College’ lists her school achievements. Academically she had passed all her examinations and would be taking her final Matriculation exams in June 1928. Her studies included: Chemistry, English, Maths, French, History, Geography, Civics and the Arts. Her school’s physical training programme had covered: 3 years of Gymnastics, Ballroom Dancing, Country Dancing and Ballet; Hockey, Netball, Cricket, Lacrosse, Tennis and Swimming. The Hockey inclusion has been heavily starred on the application form, indicating some prowess in the game.

Her school profile stated that in her final year, in a school of 600 girls, she ‘had held no special office’. The majority of students applying for college would have been expected to have been prominent in some school activity, been a team captain, Games Captain or Head Girl even; it appears not the case for Eileen. The college’s assessment of her at interview, under the heading of, ‘General’ judges her as, ‘jolly, responsive, keen and friendly’, whilst the ‘Summary’ offers an overall assessment of B; thus she was accepted for Dartford. However a reflection on this suggests that, Hockey apart, her background was somewhat modest and certainly not a predictor of the outstanding career to follow.

Eileen’s own account4 serves to fill in some of the gaps and certainly tells why she was not school Hockey Captain:

“Father adored me and would have done anything to educate me. He was in a train talking to a fellow passenger – where do you send them to school? How EA came to go there. Good fortune. PE and games, Gym, Dance – Hockey. Splendid. Could beat any school. Results – 1st XI walked across stage. Ramsey MacDonald’s daughter was captain of my team. Didn’t have brothers and sisters, so school very important. North London Collegiate Pentathlon cup. I naturally could run and jump quite well without much training. Staff excellent – they were wonderful. Very academic school.”

1 Résumé by Anita Tedder and Stephanie Daniels (2010) for Bedford College OS celebration of Eileen Alexander’s 100 birthday 2 Born April 2nd 1911 3 Principal of Bedford PE College for 20 years; responsible for the acceptance of BEd PE at Bedford/Cambridge 1968 4 Extract from transcript of taped interviews with Eileen Alexander made by Anita Tedder/Stephanie Daniels Thursday 28 June 11.15. 01 23

Given this information more could certainly have been written on her application form and perhaps her academic ability is also understated. Eileen reveals this also in5:

“Didn’t think to go to university – thought of exams but wanted to go to Dartford. Never thought of teaching just wanted to do more of it. Aunt became ill went back to Leeds and had physiotherapy. Physio’s daughter was at Dartford and got prospectus. Bedford and Chelsea trained teachers. Father said, ‘That’s not a proper college,’ when he visited Bedford!!! Greatest shock and came from an academic school; found could do Dartford work easily. Topped lists in exams. Was in A stream at school but never top 10 so never thought she had any real academic ability. Competition she’d come from. Played Hockey in first XI and Lax Second 12 (at Dartford). Avoided Netball! Not keen on jumping for ball! Self- preservation. Beginning of Hockey season very out of breath and stiff. When we played every day just got fit. No real training. Active every day. Practical programme very heavy.”

These revelations suggest that at interview she was able to expand on her school achievements or alternatively college staff read more into her application!

In November 2012 I was able to talk with Eileen specifically about her Dartford days. For my visit I had made a collage of photographs from Eileen’s own college album (held in the Dartford Archive), and she was able to talk me through it. We discussed her application (copied into the collage) and her absence from all but one of the team photos; her album includes the full team photo complement of the college teams. Despite being a Tennis player and a cricketer she was not in these team photos. This was pointed out to her. ‘Oh,’ was her response, and then with a sharp riposte smiled and said, ‘but I was in the Hockey!’

Indeed on meeting Eileen and asking her about physical training at Dartford she stated most emphatically that, ‘we did all the other things, Gym (lectures every day) and Dance but I only went there to play Hockey, just the Hockey!’ She recalled the names of staff members, Miss Lett and Miss McLaren (college Principals) and in particular Miss Doman (‘an excellent Hockey Coach’) who played International Hockey whilst on the Dartford staff. Eileen reminded me that there were no tracksuits in her college days and that the wind often howled across the pitches; former students, less enthusiastic about Hockey, will remember that long walk to them!

She vividly remembered having to dive from the top diving board for one of her final assessments. In doing so she gained extra marks. I had the feeling that this was an achievement that she had thoroughly enjoyed, hence her delight in relating it.

When asked about her student social life she told me about the 2/6d return rail fare from Dartford to Charing Cross. In the interview (op cit Interview Thursday 28 June 11.15 01) she recalled:

“No social life. Incredibly immature. My Father gave me £5 a term which had to pay for social activities. Used to go to London on Saturdays and went to theatre/gallery. We were very protected. Didn’t go round town - no time. Every morning we marched in to breakfast (in file) and bowed to Principal. Never thought rebelling. Not enough time. Saturdays played in matches.”

Having previously said that they never thought of rebelling against the regime she commented to me that the student body had protested to the Principal at one time, because so many good members of staff were leaving college!

Although Hockey was her first love she soon realised (ibid): “I was going be involved in teaching. I immediately enjoyed it. Remembered first class taught. Had a Miss Dewey. Everybody take a partner and line up in front of me. First lesson – you divide the friends!! Discipline easier. Splendid idea! Enjoyed teaching so converted to it. Really concerned with achievement and a standard. Like things being done well and to gain confidence. Succeed somewhere.”

5 ibid 24

Having been enthralled with one particular game and been drawn into education through it, this experience made her recognise the importance of physical education and what her pupils and later what her students could gain through this medium. She came to, ‘Believe in the power of PE to do an enormous amount, which no other subject can offer’ (ibid). Her three years at Dartford, ‘only for Hockey’, served her well.

Three years ago, Stephanie Daniels (Archive Director, Bedford CPE Archive) discovered the BÖU commemorative plaque and Madame’s chair in storage at Reading whilst retrieving a table labelled ‘Bedford’. These articles had been on loan to the PEA which, in the process of down-sizing, could no longer house them. Stephanie actually ‘rescued’ the Dartford property and contacted Sheila Cutler who then organised their return. In picking them up I visited the Bedford Archive housed in the University of Bedford; such memorabilia. Eileen had also kindly invited me to her home for tea.

Before Madame’s chair had been returned to Dartford she, somewhat mischievously, had had her photograph taken regally seated in it! This is exactly what former students do when visiting the Dartford Archive! Last year Eileen suffered a fall in her home. This resulted in a severe fracture of her right arm, which unfortunately has restricted its use. The accident influenced her decision to move from her Bedford home into residential care. For this visit I met her in her new home; she immediately drew my attention to the view of open fields from her window – commenting that they would make wonderful hockey pitches.

Eileen seated in Madame’s chair: 2010 Gill Metcalfe Note: I am indebted to Anita Tedder and Stephanie Daniels (BCPEOSA) for giving me access to their work and allowing me to include it in this article. It has enabled me to add Eileen’s earlier recollections of her college days extending the brief notes made in our November 2012 meeting. With their permission the full transcript has been placed in the Dartford Archive.

The Body & the Archive

My name is Emma Cooper and I am studying for a degree in Professional Writing at North West Kent College, Dartford. From the age of eleven I have wanted to be an Archivist and have therefore been volunteering for the BÖU Archive on site since September, and enjoying myself tremendously.

On Wednesday 28th November I was invited to attend the 'THE BODY & THE ARCHIVE' exhibition at the Stephen Lawrence Gallery in the University of Greenwich. I did not know what to expect when I entered the small room, in the historic setting of Greenwich University, and was surprised to see before me four display cabinets spread around the room, and two television screens mounted on the wall adjacent to the door, directly at eye level.

The first plinth held information about Madame Österberg herself, along with the diet the students were instructed to follow in order to perform their best. This included meat being heavily replaced by fruit, vegetables, cereals, milk and eggs. Madame Österberg was also extremely keen to use the best of the day and taught with the motto, 'early to bed, early to rise'.

The second plinth held information about the gymslip, an invention in 1883 by student Mary Tait who believed the pupils needed an outfit that was more subtle and easier to perform gymnastic movements in. The third displayed images of Netball, showing the early game and the later editions that developed as a result of Madame Österberg's work.

The fourth was in partnership with the television screens that occupied the walls. These played images of a woman demonstrating the techniques and exercises used by Madame in her lessons, with the display cabinet showing the gymnastic exercises.

Overall, the exhibition, although small, held information that showed the true extent of the wonderful work that Madame did for the students at her college. A massive thank you must go out to the exhibition’s curator David Waterworth who did a fantastic job in highlighting Madame's work and expertise.

Emma Cooper Editor’s Note: A photographic record of the exhibition ‘the Body & the Archive’ is held on CD in the BÖU Archive. 25

Memories of the Mexico Olympics 1968

We started the year as 3 Olympic hopefuls. Brother Mike, husband Andrew and me. Qualifying is always difficult and stressful and in the end it was Andrew who waved us off as did my parents at Heathrow.

First Target - To achieve the Olympic qualifying time. Achieved on the 1st June at Women’s Southern Counties Championships at Chiswick. Finishing first in 400 metres final.

Second Target - To gain an Olympic Games selection. Achieved at the WAAA Championships, Crystal Palace. Came 3rd to Lillian Board and Janet Simpson in the 400 metres final. Heat and semi final on Friday evening with the final on Saturday.

Third Target - Team Selection. On 5th August received letter from Buckingham Palace informing me of my selection by the British Amateur Athletic Board to represent Great Britain and Northern Island at the XIXth Olympic Games in Mexico City in October 1968. Your event is : 400 metres. Signed Philip. Brother Mike was also selected for the 10,000 metres at the age of 21.

Left for Mexico on the 15th September with the following in my suitcase. Red hat, blue Hardy Amies dress, gloves, blue handbag, white stockings and blue shoes ( to be worn on the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and official receptions) I still have some of this special team outfit today! There were plenty of other things as well i.e. running kit.

Arrived in Mexico City to a thunderous rainstorm but were greeted at the airport by a Mariachi Band and flowers. Then off to the Olympic Village. I shared a twin room with 800 metres runner Sheila Taylor. The 21 lady athletes were managed by Maria Hartman who helped us to settle into the village routine. We had four weeks to prepare for our event and acclimatize to the altitude of Mexico City at 7,500 feet. Resumed normal training with occasional sightseeing visits to the Pyramids, Floating Gardens, Cathedral, Presidential Palace, Palace of Fine Arts and the Reform Club. Every time a new team arrived in the village there was a flag ceremony which we could attend. We were well fed and watered in our western style restaurant. A big surprise was the arrival of my parents prior to the Opening Ceremony.

The Opening Ceremony took place on October the 12th. One hundred and twelve Nations paraded, doves flew, the flame was lit and the Olympic Oaths taken; all very simple in comparison with the 2012 London Games. The first day of action involved my brother in the 10,000 metres final where he finished 13th ( a year later he won a silver medal in the European Games). My event was the next day where I finished 2nd in 53.9 a personal best. The semi-final was on the 15th of October where I came 5th in another pb of 53.6. This was the 6th fasted time of both races so I was unlucky not to make the final. The women’s final was won unexpectedly by Colette Besson of France from Lillian Board 2nd with Janet Simpson 4th.

Highlights of great athletic moments David Hemery’s brilliant victory in the 400 metres hurdles in a new world record with John Sherwood snatching 3rd place. His wife Sheila, going one better coming 2nd in the long jump. Kip Kenio beating world record holder Jim Ryan in the 1500 metres. Dick Fosbury deciding to go backwards over the high jump introducing us to new style - taught by all PE teachers and coaches from that day on. He cleared a height of 2.14 mtrs. ( 7ft 4½ inches!). Bob Beamon’s gigantic jump of 8.90 metres (29ft 2½ inches!) He destroyed all the competitors’ confidence, the 2nd competitor jumped 26ft 10½; his new world record lasted 23 years!! The famous men’s 200 metres Black Power Salute ceremony featuring Tommy Smith ( 19.8 secs ) and John Carlos. Al Oerter of the USA winning his 4th consecutive Olympic Discus gold medal. World records by Jim Hines 100 metres and Lee Evans 400 metres. 26

Poland’s Irina Szewinska 200 metres victory and later to dominate women’s athletics for 10 more years. Maureen Caird Australia, youngest ever winner of a Gold medal at 17 years old in the 80 metres hurdles. I enjoyed watching some swimming and cycling events. Visited the equestrian stables with Harvey Smith, and enjoyed the men’s marathon from the back of Maurice Herriot’s motorbike.

The flight home was considerably heavier with all our Mexican souvenirs. I returned to work at Southend High School for Girls having had an unforgettable once in a lifetime Olympic experience.

Mary Green (Tagg; 1965)

Reliving the 2012 Olympics through the eyes of a Gamesmaker

I’m sure everyone who saw the Olympics and Para-Olympics watched in awe and wonder at all the events, be they the sporting achievements or the ceremonies, and felt proud to be British. Many of you will have been amongst the spectators or like me one of the thousands of Gamesmakers. We will all have our own unique experiences and I just want to share mine.

So what was it like being a Gamesmaker? I was one of 70,000 volunteers who lived and breathed the games for over a fortnight. It was hard work and exhausting but an amazing experience probably never to be repeated but worth all the effort.

It all started in 2009 when I retired from teaching PE for most of forty years, twenty-nine at the same school in North Lincolnshire. I heard that volunteers were needed for the London games and looked online for information. It was there I found the application form and filled in the detailed form and sent it off.

Some time later I received an e-mail to say that I had been successful and was asked to have an interview. By this time I had become a full time carer and so I opted for a telephone interview. It was not a good decision! For half an hour I answered questions from a voice from which I received no feedback, no eye contact and no knowledge as to whether I was saying too much or too little. Also I had to speak quite slowly so the interviewer could write down my replies! I thought I had blown my chances.

However six months later I was e-mailed to say I had been successful and was offered the role of Team Leader in the Events Services team at the Riverbank Stadium for the Hockey competition. Wow!

Training started in earnest in February, but unable to attend the session at Wembley, my first training was at the end of March at Hackney Community College. It was extremely good and spurred me on for the next event in my diary- the test event. This took place in the wet and cold of April/May. Despite the weather it was a real eye-opener. I have been involved in lots of competitions and organised events myself, but this was something really special and BIG. Living and travelling in London from a very rural community in Lincolnshire was an event in itself.

After that, in June, I stayed for a few days with a cousin in Woolwich. I attended a cinema for orientation, accreditation and uniform collection, which was an event in itself, and then finished with Team Leaders training at McDonalds University in North London.

The training was extremely well delivered by enthusiastic people, many of whom were volunteers themselves. I learnt such a lot. We were told we had to hit the ground running when it all began.

So I was ready for THE GAMES

27

We had to pay for all our own expenses, except travel to our shifts, and also find our own accommodation. Luckily I was able to live at my son’s flat in South London although it often took me over two hours to travel in time for my shift. My shifts were quite long with me working either 6am to 4pm (5pm for the last three days) or 2 to 11.30pm. Add another couple of hours on for travel and you can see I had early starts or late nights. We were on our feet all the time; the only breaks we had were twenty minutes in the first hour or two and a meal break of forty-five minutes several hours later . One of my jobs was to rotate team members round so no-one was stuck in a boring or lonely job for hours on end. Also I had to organise the roster for breaks which was quite difficult as everyone was needed at the start and end of matches. However the Gamesmakers were a fantastic bunch and were always most obliging.

My role, in the Events Services Team, involved checking tickets, dealing with any problems, giving information and helping spectators in and around the stadium. We showed people to their seats, checked on health and safety issues, cleared and did some cleaning of the seating area between sessions. We were also used in some areas for security where we worked with paid contractors too. They tended to do the same jobs every time whereas we rotated round to have more variety.

The first week, the weather was very changeable – very hot and sunny one moment, followed by short, sharp, heavy showers. This caused a number of problems at my venue, as there was virtually no shelter at all. We even had to quickly find tarpaulins for the more than a hundred pushchairs and buggies that had been left at the mobility hub. The shop ran out of ponchos (and then sunscreen) and sadly spectators were not well prepared. By the end of week one, with all the media attention, most spectators realised they had to be prepared for all conditions. It wasn’t only the weather. The gates opened for hockey at 7.30 am for the first game at 8.30, while the last match didn’t end until nearly 11pm. It could be very cold, windy and unpleasant watching all the action at those times.

However, despite varying conditions, the stadium dazzled throughout, with the blue pitch and its pink surround. Whether on the TV or by the pitch, the play was very fast, skilful and eventful. With an appeal system in place and action replays on the big stadium screen, the game became a more exciting event for the spectators. Although I personally detested the Mexican wave, I think I was in the minority when it took place, especially when a match was rather one sided or lacking in interest.

My favourite role was with the accessibility/mobility group. There were only a small number of Gamesmakers who had received extra training for this so they were a close knit group and they knew and worked together well. The job entailed checking that anyone in a wheelchair had an accessibility ticket to allow them to go on the ‘ramp’ at the side of the pitch. Also they had to be watchful to see if anyone with a mobility problem might like one. Their base was a small tent at the side of the entrance area which stored both wheelchairs and mobility scooters which could be booked at the mobility hub in the main park area. I learnt to my cost that the training for the latter was very basic and not only did one drive over my foot and clatter into some wheelchairs, but at the end of the session we needed to be mechanically minded because they had forgotten how to re-start them! The other items we stored were pushchairs and baby buggies. The most we had in one session was about 150, the smallest baby was two weeks old and the most pregnant lady had a week to go! Luckily for the medics the game was not too exciting and she managed to get home!

My other lasting memories as well as the fantastic people I met – all ages, from all walks of life and different countries – watching dawn break and travelling through London at 5am, seeing the Athletics Stadium with hardly a soul about early in the morning, using a radio for the communication between other group and team leaders, trying to sort out how to get to the park when the transport changed due to the marathon on the second and third Sundays, dancing with Chris Hollins when he came through the gates one day with Seb Coe, seeing the Duchess of Cambridge in the stands on semi- finals day. Of course watching the women’s GB team win bronze was also a great highlight.

Altogether it was a marvellous experience. What did many people say ‘An experience of a lifetime’ Well it certainly was!

Helen Cresswell (Staniland;1970)

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Book Reviews

St Leonards: First in the field – the development of sport at St Leonards School 1827-1927 by Jane Claydon, 2012

A very readable and thorough piece of historical research, detailed on p6-8 embracing, “Sport, History and Women”. Jane has paid meticulous attention to detail. The book, 86 pages long, has 70 black and white photographs, 9 coloured photographs, 5 black and white print copies and 8 copied, framed quotes. The text has 212 notes from 34 sources, see the bibliography p85- 86 and 3 appendices.

The enthusiasm, at St Leonards, for physical training, physical education, sport and games oozes from the first page of the book, when the school was under the leadership of Miss Louisa Lumsden, to the final sentence of the conclusion: “The contribution St Leonards made to the development of games can only be described as extraordinary and unsurpassed”. Jane’s style of writing leads to factual information being interestingly but clearly presented. A must purchase for anyone interested in historical research, education, visions of Headmistresses, forward thinking, factually supported photographs as well as sport and games. That should include all members of the BÖU!

Dr. Ida Webb

St Leonards: First in the field is available for £10.00 (incl p+p in England, Scotland & Wales) from m.dick@stleonards-fife.org or from [email protected]

Jane Claydon was educated at Colchester County High School and Dartford College of Physical Education. She was appointed Head of the Physical Education Department at St Leonards School in 1975 and Housemistress of Abbey Park North in 1983. Jane Claydon’s final post at St Leonards was Deputy Head. She retired in July 2007. In 2009 she wrote “St Leonards: Cradle of Lacrosse”, a book which outlined how lacrosse was introduced at St Leonards in 1890 and the influence the school had subsequently on the development of Lacrosse elsewhere. Jane Claydon was President of Lacrosse Scotland between 2008 and 2010. She is now Lacrosse Scotland’s representative at meetings of the Federation of International Lacrosse. Jane Claydon was the lacrosse consultant for “Lacrosse”, by Annabelle Tometich, published in the USA in January 2012. She is currently President of the SLSS St Andrews Centre and Convenor of the SLSS Museum.

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Robbie Brightwell and his Golden Girl – The Posh and Becks of Yesteryear by Robbie Brightwell, 2011

In the wake of the 2012 London Olympics to review a text which focuses on the world of Athletics in the 1960s may seem somewhat late in the day. It seems a travesty that this book was not published when the two main protagonists, Robbie Brightwell and Ann Packer (MBE), were in the spotlight of Olympic glory at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Had it been published immediately after the games, then without doubt it would have been a national best seller. It would have certainly sold out to students at Dartford College of Physical Education, where Ann Packer had been a student (1963). However such earlier publication would have both exposed the plight of UK athletics prior to Tokyo, and the frustrations of international athletes and their coaches, who were clearly inhibited by an antiquated UK governing body. To attack such a prominent establishment at the time might well have back-fired on the writer irrespective of truth and sense. As it is their names, and even their achievements, were probably unfamiliar to the mass of those who attended the 2012 Olympics.

Ann Packer was almost an unknown when she became the second British woman ever to gain an Olympic Gold Medal (1), Mary Rand being the first (at the same Olympics). She was however the first British female track athlete to win an Olympic Gold. Brightwell will be remembered for his failure to achieve a Gold (400 metres) when British expectations were so high for him, yet those who recall those Olympics will have seen that on Ann’s Gold success in the 800 metres (having already won a Silver medal in the 400 metres) she ran straight into Robbie’s arms – a consolation for them both. That Robbie had captained the Olympic team and also won a Silver medal in the 4x400 relay seems to be just confined to history books.

As a 16 year old, whilst researching an A level essay, Brightwell, an aspiring athlete, discovered that the modern Olympic Games owed its revival to an Englishman, ‘a Dr William Penny Brookes ... who revived the Games in his home town of Much Wenlock, Shropshire’, 50 years before ‘Baron de Coubertin entered the picture’(2). De Coubertin visited Wenlock and, ‘after viewing the ‘Olympic Games’ arranged in his honour’, the Baron ‘became convinced that such a sporting festival could internationalise sport’. The rest was history; the first modern Games were launched in 1896 in Athens’. Brightwell was driven to investigate the Much Wenlock venue; his view from the Wrekin over to the town changed his life. He writes(3) :

“Life changing awakenings occur at unannounced times ... My awakening sparked standing atop my Olympus overlooking the cradle of the modern Games. In a sudden rush of energy and enthusiasm I determined to achieve the highest Corinthian honours. It was a decision that would profoundly affect my life, launching me on a turbulent journey, populated with people whose passion and conviction would pitch me into adventure, adversity, romance and challenge. Even today, after a passage of 50 years, not a day passes that I don’t think of them.”

Brightwell’s accounts of his representative races, international competitions, the open camaraderie between competing athletes, and the life-long friendships made, make for enviable reading; this is surely what sport gives to those who compete - the maxim of the ‘taking part’; the winning not as important although of course enjoyed. In addition, romance with Ann Packer flourished. In all these positives the one real negative, the role of the UK Athletics Association governing body, is exposed as both negligent and ignorant; so much so that it faced a major rebellion from the athletes it professed to serve.

The modern day athlete would spurn the ‘international’ deprivations of these former athletes, yet is forever indebted to them. Brightwell recalls marking out his own track and using flower pots to highlight the bends: all this on an unsuitable football pitch ‘sited on a sharply inclined slope, and pitted with stud marks’. Facilities, training schedules, diet, equipment, race preparation, the luxury of being 30 free to train, sponsorship – all so technically determined today were virtually up to the individual athlete; few had the luxury of a coach; none received lottery funding – they were amateurs! Thus the book also reveals the full definition of the term amateur – an ideal hardly recognised today, yet at one time so much an Olympic ethic.

The 2011 publication of the book is not directed at best seller attainment. It is a latter – day account of the struggles of credible 1960s hopefuls who were fanatical about their sport. It is a book inspired by the author’s sheer passion for his sport and his genuine joy of being involved at the highest possible level –the Olympics. It is a book that needed to be written irrespective of the when.

A text beautifully written making for compelling reading. A refreshing view of a love of sport.

1. Her Gold Medal time being a World Record 2. Op cit Brightwell text 3 Op cit text page 6

Gill Metcalfe

Editor’s Note: Robbie Brightwell and his Golden Girl – The Posh and Becks of Yesteryear, by Robbie Brightwell, 2011. Only available as Kindle edition £5.14.

BBC4 Timeshift – The Rise of the Lady

We were delighted when BBC4 approached Rosemary Moon to discuss using the archive and Madame’s work as part of a documentary charting the rise of the Lady in Victorian and Edwardian times. The one-off programme for BBC4 Timeshift forms part of a series which showcases Britain’s cultural and social history.

Dr Jackie Farr from the University of Greenwich’s School of Education, a former Dartford student and BÖU committee member was interviewed by Rachel Johnson (sister of the Mayor of London and former Executive Editor of The Lady) in August 2012 and Jackie, Anne Stuart, Alan Gamwell, Gwen Seabrook Smith and Rosemary Moon spent a pleasant day entertaining a delightful film crew and enjoying watching Rachel make a tour of the cricket pitch on an original Victorian bicycle!

Setting out for teaching practice in 1913 The bicycle track – now the cricket pitch

BBC4’s researcher had spent some time prior to the filming working with the BÖU and using both the material from the archive and some of Jackie’s research papers to ensure that Rachel was well- briefed. The resulting piece, we hope, will again promote the archive to a wider audience. It was certainly a fascinating day made more enjoyable by the obvious interest and enthusiasm of the film crew for the archive.

Dr. Jackie Farr (Rowlands; 1980)

Note: “How To Be A Lady: An Elegant History” was broadcast on BBC4, 26th March 2013. A copy of the film will be held in the BÖU Archive. 31

News from Former Students [News items are not available to view online.]

Jackie Edwards (Chambers; 1950)

I still keep up with nine people from our year and hear news of others. We are all about 83 years old. At Dartford one of my friends was Janet Edwards (now Symons) and I stayed with her on a farm in the middle of Exmoor and married her brother John!

I was born in Cirencester and went to school at Ancaster House which was evacuated to Byuscot Park near Faringdon. My mother had been to Bedford, so to ring a change I went to Dartford where I made so many good friends.

My first job was at St. George’s school in Edinburgh and then Downe House at Newbury. On marrying John, I taught in a Secondary Modern at Wiveliscombe. Then came a busy time having three children, two boys and a girl and helping on the farm Westermill, in the centre of Exmoor. Teaching started again when they were at school, firstly in a convent in Minehead. We were snowed up in ’63 and I could not get there for 6 weeks. When I told them I could return they said they had someone else so I was taken on at Dulverton Secondary Modern for 5 years and a further 5 years when it changed into a Middle school We were starting tourism on the farm and I could not manage teaching as well, so I became a School Governor instead

Concentrating on lambing, which I did for 40 years on the beef and sheep farm, we slowly built up what we now have, namely six Scandinavian style cottages for self-catering and a campsite in this beautiful valley with the river Exe running through.

I started a tourism cooperative in our area called the Exmoor Holiday Group and became the South West representative on the newly formed national farm tourism enterprise, now called Farm Stay. Then there was a busy time for years running our tourism and doing the marketing while John was on the Exmoor National Park, being a County Councillor and farming.

Now we are retired. We built a house on the farm now run by our son Oliver. We started a croquet club in the village and we keep very active. John shoots and I “pick up” with our Labrador. I paint pictures and we both gobble pills to keep going! Both daughter and daughter-in-law teach locally. We have eight grand-children. We exchange Christmas cards with Sheila Fisher (Dunsire); Jean Hill (Peacock); Panks Neve (Glanville); Nat Guttman (Sutton); Daph Laurent [was Snitselaar] (Heath) who lives in France; Paddy Davis (Crowe) in New Zealand; Jean Calder in Edinburgh; Rona Nish (Speirs) and Doreen Seward who was a head mistress and now paints Pastels. I hear of Maya Giri and of course there is my sister-in-law Janet Symons!

Margaret Gill (Gaitskell; 1951)

We have enjoyed watching all the celebrations that have taken place in the UK this year. The Olympics were magnificent in all respects and seeing all those London landmarks made me quite nostalgic. The opening and closing ceremonies were astonishing in their complexity. Also, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations were wonderful. Our only complaint is that the time difference makes for very late nights…or early mornings!

We were watching the Queen’s River Pageant while we were staying in a small place called “Tibooburra”, known as the most remote town in New South Wales, population about 150. That was the starting point for the 70km journey to the “Corner Country” where three states borders meet – New South Wales, South Australia, and Queensland. It’s just a dot on a map really but has a Road House with a few stores, camping facilities and a large communication tower. Quite a lot of people pass through as there are large National Parks around it. Roads in that part of the country are formed but not sealed and it is predominantly red soil, fine when dry but becoming clingy mud when wet. It started to rain when we were leaving and the roads became slippery and the tyres on the bus clogged up and couldn’t get any traction. The driver tried to put chains on, hard when you are knee deep in mud! We had got out of the bus and were soon standing inches higher with the accumulation on our shoes. It has been described as being like cake mixture. Certainly there’s nothing like it in the UK. 32

The bus driver had a satellite phone and was able to call for help from the hotel proprietor and he got permission to come and tow us out with his four wheel drive. He had to get permission because, once it rains, the roads are closed to all traffic in every direction until they dry up, which happens quickly, once the sun comes out and a breeze. It took a lot of hard work to clean the bus inside and out and clean our shoes and clothes….if you were unfortunate to slip over, as I did! It was three days before we could carry on with our tour but we enjoyed our stay in the small but very welcoming town. Luckily the hotel had enough food until more supplies could come in!

Now we are experiencing wide varieties of weather with storms and floods in Queensland and bush fires here in Victoria. A lot of people have been dispossessed and it is so sad to see the devastation that these two extremes can cause.

It was good to see the news from the 1951’ers last year.

Year 1957 We meet yearly in September and this time the venue was a National Trust House, Baddesley Clinton, near Coventry. We had coffee and talk, lunch and talk and tea and talk! We also did a guided tour of the outside of the house and wandered through the inside and the gardens all of which was interesting but reminiscing and catching up were the important part of the day. Nine of us were there and we had letters from 12 others who were not able to join us, but sent us their news. Present were Edith Huphreys (Tuffley), Tricia Frearson (McCue), Jenny Field (Watson), Judy Herten (Sanderson), Joy Adams (Sydney), Shirley Atkinson (Lofthouse), Jean Harris (Menzies), Gill Horrocks (Richardson) and Val Russell (Robinson).

We hope to meet in Oxford in September 2013 and intend to continue these gatherings for as long as we can drive or catch a train.

Val Russell (Robinson; 1957)

Travels of an Athletics Fan

My love for Athletics started as a schoolgirl when I discovered I could run quite fast!! Representing school, county and ultimately national schools’ association cemented my obsession with the sport (yes, it has become an obsession!!).

My first teaching post in Cardiff and I took on local organisation, as well as teaching my school team and becoming involved in my local club Cardiff AAC. 45 years later and I’m still involved in the club (Membership Secretary) and presently hold the post of Secretary with Welsh Schools’ Athletic Association.

My love for the sport has been passed on to my son Matt who has competed at the highest level which has led to me becoming an athletics groupie!!

The 1st trip abroad was to Gothenburg in July 1999 for the European U23 Champs (a bronze medal) followed 2 years later to Amsterdam for the same competition, this time resulting in 2 gold medals, 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay.

One of the most exciting trips was to Manchester for the Commonwealth Games. Some of you might remember the pink-haired Welsh athlete who took silver in the hurdles and almost upset the hosts in the last event of the competition, well that was Matt!! One week later I was in Munich watching him take European gold as part of the GB 4x400m relay team.

Although Matt then missed competitions through injury a group of us had got the bug and over the next 2 years attended the world champs in Paris and numerous European Team championships.

2004 saw Mum make the journey to Athens for the Olympics, and the greatest pride was seeing him compete in the 4x400m final the same night Kelly Holmes won her 2nd gold followed by the 4x100m relay team taking a surprising gold. What an experience. 33

My next trip was to the other side of the world to see him compete in the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne where unfortunately illness took away his chance of another medal.

Our group continued to support the GB Team, having the good fortune to be in Berlin for the World Championships when Usain Bolt set 2 world records, completely blown away by these performances.

Last year was of course Olympic year. What a problem getting tickets; we managed to get tickets for 2 morning sessions. However, I was extremely lucky as Matt (now working for Welsh athletics) managed to get 2 tickets for the 100m men’s final and decided to take his Mum, so I was there.

I’m off in 3 weeks to Gothenburg (3rd time to this city) for the European Indoor Championships and then in June it’s the European Team Championships in Gateshead (not quite so exotic!!).

I’m still working (part-time in Morrisons) in order to fund my trips and hope to keep travelling for a good few years yet. There are cities and countries I look forward to visiting and more fantastic athletics to cheer.

Kath Elias (Hutchinson; 1969)

Calling all Leavers from the Class of 1973

Is it really 40 years ago?

Are you still in touch with others who left Dartford then and were let loose into the wide world to teach PE?

To celebrate this occasion we thought it would be fun to meet at the BÖU reunion day this year on 7th September and share experiences and generally just have a good old chat. Please spread the word to anyone you're in contact with and let's meet up to reminisce and share memories of both then and now!

No need to reply, but if you want to please respond to Jackie Gibbs ([email protected]) or Jenny Haynes ([email protected]). Now both enjoying retirement!

If you decide to come to the BÖU reunion on Saturday 7th September 2013 please e-mail the reunion organiser Jan Grimsey [email protected] .

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OBITUARY

Gillian Margaret Thomson MBE (Tetley; 1951) "Pioneering campaigner for dyslexia recognition and support in Scotland"

Elder daughter of John and Margaret Tetley, Gill was born in Leeds on 10th July 1929. In May 1931, Gill was joined by sister Susan (Sue). Their father, John was involved in the family brewing business and on the Board of the Tetley’s Brewery with his cousins. He elected to go solo, sold up and moved the family to Guernsey where he took up farming. Being a Tetley, brewing was in his blood, so he started a small brewery. Gill fondly remembered that her duties included leading the normally tethered cows to the water trough.

Under threat of invasion by the Germans, the family missed the last official evacuation boat, however John secured places for them on a private yacht. John himself elected to stay behind to ensure the farm animals were looked after. After the invasion (and possibly due to the dislike of ‘the English’ by the islanders) John was interned by the Germans in a civilian concentration camp near Salzburg where he waited out the war in less than ideal conditions (no Geneva Convention for civilians).

Deprived of her father, Gill spent the war years living in Dorking with Sue, mother Margaret and the extended family (four uncles and her grandfather). As soon as possible after the war, Gill travelled by boat to South Africa to live with her Aunt Lucy where she stayed for two years helping with Lucy’s three children and the fourth who was born while she was there, gaining valuable experience in how to cope with four boisterous children. During this time she enjoyed a good social life with no rationing and a lot of tennis.

Returning to Britain she attended Dartford College studying for a Teaching Diploma in Physical Education. While there, she was the first student to be allowed to have a private motor car, resulting in many weekend trips and picnics with student friends. A family story tells that one day she took a ‘sickie’ and went with her Grandpa to Wimbledon, but her cunning plan backfired when her tutor spotted a newspaper photograph of the two of them, and she was well and truly busted. She still managed to graduate in 1951. Her mother, Margaret who nursed her uncle Bernard as he suffered and died from TB, contracted the disease herself and had died in 1950 while Gill was still relatively young. Her Aunt Lucy became her much-loved maternal figure.

Between 1951 and 1953 Gill taught at Reigate Girls Grammar School. While attending her sister’s wedding to John Hearn, in December 1953 she met and fell in love with John’s best man, Captain Neil Paton Thomson, a career soldier then working with John in military intelligence in Whitehall. Six months later, in June 1954, they were married from the family home known as GP (Goodwyn's Place) in Dorking. The first of their four children, Iain, was born 10 months later.

Being a soldier, Captain, latterly Major, Neil Thomson had many postings which meant a succession of moves (17 in all) from Army Quarters to Army Quarters mainly in West Germany. Gill embraced the duties of an officer’s wife, acting as hostess for parties of officers from the occupying forces, and as family therapist for the young wives of the soldiers, as well as organising Scottish Dancing lessons for the ex-pats. Her second and third children, Guy and Robin, were born in West Germany. Neil came out of the army in 1961 to take a job in Glasgow as Computer Manager for a textile company, Coats Paton and Baldwin’s, and the family moved to their first permanent home in Helensburgh on the west coast, where daughter Fenella was born in 1963. Settling quickly into civilian life, Gill established herself as a tennis coach, revitalising the Helensburgh Tennis Club, and was rewarded with an Honorary Life Membership. In 1970, following the death of Neil’s mother, the family moved to Neil’s family home at Nenthorn, near Kelso in the Scottish Borders, where Neil had taken over running the family farm.

For their era, Gill and Neil were well travelled, Gill to Europe and South Africa and Neil with the Army, and they also took holidays together: Malta, Egypt, Greece, Norway, Grand Canary, Zimbabwe and America. The annual family holiday was a skiing trip to Europe.

Being trained in education Gill realised that her children all suffered to some degree from dyslexia. This was in the days when few people had heard of dyslexia and the Government refused to accept its existence. More importantly. there was nowhere for desperate parents to turn to get help for their children. Gill knew that something had to be done so she founded the Scottish Association for the Study of Dyslexia, and, having no official funding, threw herself into fund raising mode, at which she 35 was very good. Never happier than when organising something, she was Chairperson and Secretary for over 30 years, and in the early 70s she helped start the British Dyslexia Association and was Vice Chair for a number of years. She started and organised the prestigious Annual Scottish Dyslexia National Conference with many International guest speakers. One of her proudest moments was when the Minister for Education stated that he and his colleagues now officially accepted that “Dyslexia is a disability which requires adequate provisions to be included in all future policy making”. It had been a long hard struggle.

In 1994 Gill retired from being Chair and Secretary of the Scottish Dyslexia Association. During her time she set up branches throughout Scotland, creating points of contact for the many parents who were desperately looking for information and help.

In 2004 The Scottish Dyslexia Trust merged with the Association to form Dyslexia Scotland which still functions according to the principles set up by Gill and her original group.

There are now 5 paid members of staff and 14 branches. The national helpline answered 2,000 calls and the website received almost 3,000,000 hits last year. Facebook and Twitter are also used. Grant funding received in 2012 amounted to £174,000. Information booklets for teachers have been provided for every primary and secondary school in Scotland.

A member of the Association is the Secretary of the Cross Party Group on Dyslexia at the Scottish Parliament. The Annual Conference is still held at Heriot Watt University with 350 delegates, most from within the education sector, many of whom sign up each year for the next conference. An ever increasing number of people have good reason to thank Gill for the huge effort she made on their behalf.

Her tireless work for Dyslexia was recognised in 1993 when she was awarded an MBE of which she and the rest of the family are very proud.

Throughout the 1970s and 80s, Gill taught children, and latterly adults, to swim. She also gave tennis lessons. All this tuition was done in return for donations to the Scottish Dyslexia Association. Simultaneously she was very active in the WI, the local branch of the Conservatives, supporting her husband who was an elected Regional Councillor, and the Girl Guide Movement where she was County Commissioner from 1979 to 1989.

Parties were always one of Gill’s pleasures and over the years Nenthorn saw its fair share with 21sts, birthdays, New Year’s Eve and wedding celebrations, always with Scottish Dancing. The last big party at Nenthorn House was in 1987 the wedding of her daughter, Fenella, after which Gill and Neil moved into Cakemuir House, a former manse, and of a more manageable size.

An important element in her life was her faith in God. Over the course of thirty years Gill was an enthusiastic member of St. Andrew’s Church in Kelso. She attended Bible reading classes and religious retreats, served on the Vestry Committee and was a key organiser in the annual summer sale and other fundraisers.

Throughout her life, tennis was an enduring passion, and Wimbledon Fortnight was always compulsory viewing, as were the Olympics. Every summer she had a friend to stay for the duration of the Edinburgh Festival and enjoyed the classical music concerts. Christmas was always family time, and Christmas or Boxing Day Lunch a major production.

By 1998 Gill had withdrawn from most of her voluntary work and was able to take time to have a bi- lateral (i.e. both) hip replacement, which was a great success, leaving only the general problem of arthritis, however this did not interfere with her new pastimes of tapestry and calligraphy.

In 2004 Gill and Neil celebrated their 50th Wedding anniversary with a lunch party at the Ednam House Hotel and marquees on the lawn at Cakemuir. Hundreds of friends and relations attended for what was a superb weekend and a fitting finale to a succession of major parties over the years. In true form she even wrote all the speeches.

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Neil suffered increasingly from short-term memory loss and other problems from 1995, and Gill was his constant companion and carer up until her first stoke on 12th February 2006. While in the Cauldshields Ward at the Borders General Hospital she suffered a second stoke which rendered her blind and with severe memory loss. She then spent six and a half years at Knowesouth Care Home. For the first few months she had the company of Neil until he passed away in October 2006, and spent the subsequent time being well looked after in her twilight world where she did not even know that she was ill. Mercifully and quickly a bout of flu released her from this state on Sunday 13th January, just one month short of the seventh anniversary of her first stroke. A well attended Service of Thanksgiving was held at St Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Kelso on Wednesday 23rd January. Gill is survived by her four children, and five grand-children.

Robin Thomson

Gillian Thomson - An Appreciation

Gill died on 13th January 2013 aged 83. She was born in Leeds but her parents moved to the isle of Guernsey, a time of which Gill had fond memories, being allowed to roam freely and helping to bring in cows to the water troughs.

When invasion was imminent in 1939, she, her Mother and Sister “evacuated” back to Dorking in Surrey to be with Grandfather and several Uncles, but her Father remained on Guernsey to ensure the welfare of his animals. This led to his being interned at a civilian “camp” in Germany for the duration of the War, mercifully with no after effects.

Before Dartford in 1948, Gill had spent two years in South Africa helping an Aunt with four lively small children and playing a lot of tennis. She was one of the oldest of our Year, having had her 18th birthday only two months before entry. She is remembered as a friendly and capable student, with initiative and good teaching skills.

Gill “made history” at Dartford because she got permission to have a car at College in the summer term of our final year; an elderly Hillman Minx with a drop-head roof. It came in handy for a Camping Weekend with the roof down, piled high with rucksacks, tents etc.! Our Year were “pioneers”, having P.E. Leisure Activities added to the Curriculum. This Camping Weekend at Footscray House grounds was part of that innovation, as was camping on College Pitch the previous weekend!!!

Gill taught for two years at Reigate Girls’ Grammar School during which time she met her husband Neil, when she was bridesmaid for her Sister and he was Best Man ! They were married in 1954 and as he was a Captain in the Royal Artillery, a Posting to Germany for several years was inevitable. Whilst in Germany, Gill was an asset among the Army Wives, organising social functions and teaching Scottish Dancing! When Neil left the Army as a Major in 1961, they settled in Helensburgh where Gill revitalised the town’s Tennis Club.

Being trained in Education, Gill realised that all four of her children (three boys and one girl) suffered from Dyslexia to some degree. This was when no Authorities recognised Dyslexia as a treatable condition, or even that it existed. So Gill set to work and, against opposition, set up The Scottish Association for the Study of Dyslexia, which later became the Scottish Dyslexia Association, of which she was Chairperson for eleven years, continually struggling for finance. Since 2004 this Association has been known as “Dyslexia Scotland”.

In 1971 she helped to start the British Dyslexia Association, being its Vice-Chair for four years. She organised an annual Scottish Dyslexia National Conference, regularly hosting international calibre guest speakers. Also she attended Dyslexia conferences in USA..

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Her tireless work for Dyslexia was rewarded with an MBE in 1993, presented at Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. On another occasion, one of her proudest moments was when the Minister for Education stated publicly that Dyslexia was to be accepted as a disability, needing funding and adequate “policy making”. IT HAD BEEN A LONG HARD STRUGGLE.

Alongside her Dyslexia work, Gill found time to be active in the WI and Girl Guides, for whom she was the County Commissioner for over ten years. In the 1970s and 80s she taught children to swim and gave tennis lessons at her own pool and court in the garden of Neil’s family home, near Kelso. All tuition was done in return for donations to the Scottish Dyslexia Association. In 1998 Gill retired from all her voluntary work and had both hip joints replaced at the same time.

In 2001 Gill collected career information from a large number of our year and compiled a superb loose-leaf file for us all, a history “50 Years On” since our graduation. This was marked by a Celebration Luncheon arranged by Sheila Gouch (née Gell) at her Tennis Club in Ilkley, Yorkshire: an excellent event.

At this luncheon, Gill and I found a mutual interest in Classical Music, Literature and Drama, which we had not discovered in our student days. As a result she kindly invited me to join her in Scotland for parts of the Edinburgh Festival, the following three summers. They were enjoyable and enriching experiences.

After these visits, and also because we shared some distant family ancestors, my brother and I were invited to Gill and Neil’s Golden Wedding Celebration in June 2004; superb, in spite of the long journey from Devon to Kelso!

By then, Neil was beginning to show signs of “Short Term Memory Loss”, so Gill became increasingly his Carer, as well as his Companion, until she had her first Stroke. Later, she had a second Stroke, and together they went to a good Care Home nearby, because she lost her sight and memory.

Neil died in 2006 and Gill’s twilight world continued until a bout of ‘flu released her.

Gill’s Faith had been very real to her and she had been a regular and very active member of the Church in Kelso, so her funeral, which was well attended, was there on 23rd January 2013.

A Full and Active Life, Well Lived.

(I am indebted to Gill’s son Robin for some of this information to add to my own memories.)

Cath Martineau (1951)

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BERGMAN ÖSTERBERG UNION STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 2012

2012 2011 RECEIPTS £ £ Subscriptions 60 1,245 Donations - 10 Cricket Pitch Project - - Deposit Interest – Gross 9 10 Reunions 652 459 Sale of BÖU goods 107 272 Sale – Dartford Museum Books - - Archive 419 504 Benefit Fund 1,358 1,270 TOTAL RECEIPTS 2,605 3,770

PAYMENTS Committee meetings, travelling, officers’ expenses 1,506 1,194 Telephone & postage 152 114 Printing & stationery 174 273 Archive 56 299 Cricket Pitch Project 500 500 Reunions 19 1,463** Sales – Dartford Museum Books - - Donations 916* 418 BÖU Merchandise - 470 Sundries 148 343 Modes User Association Licence 211 201 Archive Security 252 Benefit Fund - 851 BÖ PE Award 200*** - TOTAL PAYMENTS 4,134 6,126

(Deficit)/Surplus (1,529) (2,356)

Funds as at 1 January 19,325 21,681 Funds as at 31 December 17,796 19,325

ASSETS

Deposit Account 17,456 19,089 Current Account 357 320 17,813 19,409 Less outstanding cheques (17) (84)

Assets as at 31 December 17,796 19,325

* Includes cost of Memorial Stone and Save to Save Archive Boxes ** 2010+2011 costs ***2011 & 2012 Awards

C.A. Elliott M.E. Medland Joint Treasurers

Auditor’s Report: I have audited the above statements and I can confirm that the information is in accordance with the records provided

R.P. Barton Auditor

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BERGMAN ÖSTERBERG UNION – BENEFIT FUND STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 2012

2012 2011 RECEIPTS £ £

Investment Income – M&G “Charifund” 1,358 1,270 Donation - - TOTAL RECEIPTS 1,358 1,270

PAYMENTS

Grants - 850 Expenses - 1 TOTAL PAYMENTS - 851

(Deficit)/Surplus 1,358 419

Funds as at 1 January 4,179 3,760

Funds as at 31 December 5,536 4,179

Benefit Fund investments as at 31 December 2012 2,200 units in M & G “Charifund” market value £26,396.04 (31 December 2011 £23,981.98)

C.A. Elliott Treasurer

Auditor’s Report. I have audited the above statements and I can confirm that the information is in accordance with the records provided

R.P. Barton Auditor

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 Hon Treasurer, Christobel Elliott, 8 Ingatestone Road, Woodford Green, Essex, 1G8 9AL.

Christobel Elliott

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Changes to the Register

Change of address Toni Cutler 1 Greyladies Gardens Moira Scott (1952) Wat Tyler Road Grace Joel Retirement Village London Apt.68 SE10 8AU 184 St Heliers Bay St Heliers Jennifer East (1972) Auckland 93 Stone Brig Lane New Zealand Rothwell Leeds Pat Wright (Johnson; 1956) LS26 0UD 1 The Bungalow Church St. Patricia Holden (Townsend; 1953) Shoreham 15 Royal Drive Kent TN14 7SD Buderim QLD 4556 New members Australia. Lesley Fraser (Tomkins; 1965) Betty Mailing (Lycett; 1951) 34 Hodges Court 41130 Fox Run Rd Oxford MS516 Novi. OX1 4NZ MI.48377 USA Jackie Gibbs (1973) 12 Foxwood Grove Margaret Martin (Lynch; 1954) Rushmore Hill 10 Cornerway Lodge Pratts Bottom Headley Rd. Orpington Grayshott BR6 7HA Hindhead GU26 6TN

Pat Chatters

Diploma Badges

Occasionally beautiful Diploma Badges are generously donated to be sold in aid of BÖU funds. 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] The price is £75

Thank you to the following for donating their Diploma Badges:

Eileen Alexander (1932)

Betty Mailing nee Lycett (1951)

Moira Scott nee Chapman (1952) 41

Donation of Material to the Archive

Our Archive is a valuable asset to the BÖU as well as contributing to the study of Women’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: 01689 890716 [email protected]

Rosemary Moon

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 BÖU also has a Facebook page: Bergman-Osterberg-Union-Dartford-College-of-Physical- Education-Alumni. Please ‘like’ our page and post a message. We want to use every opportunity to keep in touch with students from Dartford College of PE.

The Archive 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. We also have a ‘Name That Girl’ page where we post photos of unknown students and ask for help in providing identification.

The internet has the potential to reach ex-students and encourage them to make direct contact with us. The internet is also a valuable source of information for researchers and has been the origin of many enquiries, not just from the UK but worldwide. In our increasingly electronic age it is vital that we maintain 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

Message from the Editorial Sub-Committee

We hope you have enjoyed the BÖU Magazine 2013 with its varied mix of reports, news and research from the Archive. We thank all those who have contributed to this magazine and we especially thank our proof-readers, Alan Gamwell and Cathy Marsh. We encourage everyone to think about contributing to the 2014 magazine. Your contributions make the BÖU Magazine an interesting and professional publication and we rely on you to help us maintain our excellent standards. The deadline for receipt of articles for the next magazine will be 31st December 2013.

As mentioned in the 2012 Newsletter, the BÖU will be saving considerable postage costs by sending the 2013 Newsletter to members by e-mail. You can ensure that we have your current e-mail address by sending an e-mail to [email protected]@nwkcollege.ac.uk. Members who do not have an e-mail address will continue to receive a printed copy of the Newsletter.

Best wishes from your editorial sub-committee: Pat Chatters, Christobel Elliott, Jill Ellis Williams, Rosemary Moon, Anne Stuart. 42

APPENDIX BÖU Visit to Japan, 8th to 16th April 2013 for the Japan Women's College of Physical Education 90th anniversary celebrations.

Anne Stuart, Jackie Farr and Sarah Decent flew to Japan on 8 April at the invitation of Mr Misumi, the Director General of the college. Jackie and I were delighted to be flown by the college Business Class on British airways. Japan is eight hours ahead of the UK and after a 12 hour flight we arrived at 9.00 am on Tuesday morning. We were met by Ritsuko Kataoka and Yurika Aiba, two of the professors at the college who were to become very good friends during the following week, as they accompanied us on many of our trips and travels. Having deposited our bags at the Keio Plaza hotel we were taken straight to the college. There we met Mr Atasuma, the college President, Professor Sakuko Ishisaki and were delighted to see Shigeyo Murayama, the college archivist, who along with Ritsuko, visited England and our archive at Dartford two years ago. A new English Professor, Nanae Yamada, joined us and helped to translate. Having discussed the work of Mme Österberg, politics and the state of the country, we had an excellent Bento box lunch and were then given a full tour of the college by Sakuko and Ritsuko. I am sure that you will be most jealous to know that they have wonderful facilities and extremely enthusiastic, polite, dedicated students who were delighted to meet us. We then met formally with Mr Misumi and more of his colleagues and were amazed to find that he was personally going to fund a trip to Kyoto and Nara for us. We were also given 300 yen spending money. From then on, we had a very full itinerary as follows:

Wednesday 10th April Morning- Visit to Nikaido Grammar school, (students aged 16-19 years), the school which is linked to the college, accompanied by Shigeyo, Sakuko and Yurika. We had tea, discussion about Mme Österberg and education in England and a full tour of the school, including Anne speaking to an assembly and seeing the Creche. Afternoon- A sightseeing tour of Tokyo by coach and river cruise, including the Hama-Rikyu gardens and the Asakusa Kannon Temple.

Thursday 11th April Morning- visit to the Joshi-Seigakuin High School, (students aged 11 to 19 years), a Christian school. We saw a sixth form assembly, had a full tour of the school, met with some students for a discussion in their English room, and had lunch. Afternoon – visit to the Nihon Buyou Dance School (Azumaji-ryu Japanese Dance) where we saw some traditional dance, were dressed in kimonos and given beautiful fans. We were accompanied all day by Ritsuko and Yurika. Evening – we took Ritsuko, Shigeyo, Yurika and Nanae out for an Italian meal to show our appreciation for their kindness.

Standing: Shigeyo Murayama Sitting L-R: Yurika Aiba, Ritsuko Kataoka, Sakuko Ishisaki Anne, Jackie & Sarah with bust of Tokuyo Nikaido

Friday 12th April Accompanied by Shigeyo and Yurika, we went on the bullet train to Kyoto. After lunch, we went by coach to Nara and visited the Todaiji Temple, which houses a 15metre high Buddha, and saw the herd of sacred bowing deer. We went on to the Kagusa Taisha Shinto shrine, with its 3,000 stone lanterns. We stayed at the New Miyako hotel and at 5.34 the next morning, we experienced an earthquake, the strongest in Japan for over a year. It lasted nearly a minute and was 6.3 at its epicentre at an island just to the south of us. An interesting but somewhat scary experience!

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Saturday 13th April We went on a guided tour of Kyoto, visiting the Kinkaku-ji Temple, also called the Golden Pavilion, which was particularly beautiful. Also, the Nijo Castle which was the official residence of the Shogun rulers of Japan, and the Sajusangen-do Temple of 1001 statues of the Buddhist deity, made of Japanese cypress from the 12th and 13th centuries. We returned on the bullet train, with a Bento box as our evening meal.

Sunday 14th April Our only free day was spent wrapping up presents for our hosts, including items from the BÖU and personal gifts that we had brought from England. Afterwards we went shopping in Times Square. In the evening we went to the Hilton hotel as guests of Mr Misumi. We were treated to a seven course Chinese meal in a private room with eight other members of the college staff. President Nagashima, Mr Hiroyasu Uchida, the deputy director-general, Professor Cato, Professor Ishisaki, Mr Onishi, the college accountant, Shigeyo, Ritsuko and Yurika. The meal included some beautiful dishes such as tempura prawn and scallop, shark's fin soup, snail and abalone. We were able to present Mr Misumi with a framed poster about our college that Jackie had made and gave everyone our other gifts, which were all well received. We were given beautiful traditional fans with special display stands.

Monday 15th April Finally the day of the celebration arrived, and we were taken to the college by taxi in the morning. Whilst Jackie went to prepare for her lecture, I went through my speech with Shigeyo and Yurika again and made sure I had learnt my final Japanese sentence (courtesy of Nanae) off by heart. We were then taken over to the impressively large performance hall for the formal events. We were given very large material white flowers with red ribbons to wear and celebratory bags with gifts and a book about the history of the college. There were very large number of dignitaries who arrived in limousines as well as all the college students and many other guests, around 1,500 in total.

We were taken through the hall and ushered onto the stage where we sat on one side with some of the dignitaries, including the Minister of Education for Japan. The ceremony began with everyone facing the Japanese flag and singing the national anthem, followed by the college song. There were speeches from Mr Misumi, the Minister of Education, and two others, and then it was my turn. The text of my speech appears at the end of this article. This was followed by some presentations to ex- students who had represented Japan in the 2012 Olympics, including their country's football captain and a silver medallist in the rhythmic gymnastics.

Once the formal part of the ceremony was over we moved to seats in the front of the audience in the hall and enjoyed a simply stunning display of song, dance, rhythmic gymnastics and cheerleading all of an amazingly high standard of performance. The dance included students dressed in gym slips who recreated some of the traditional style English country dances that Miss Nikaido created when she returned from England. These had been lost for a time, but were recreated by Shigeyo from written notes that were found in their archive.

Afterwards there was a reception with an extensive buffet, during which we were introduced to many guests and a large number of people from their Alumni Association, including their Chairman and Mrs Sayoko Usuda. Mrs Usuda is 99 years old and trained under Miss Nikaido. Later, Jackie gave a lecture to around 40 people about Madame and Dartford college, which was translated by Nanae as she went along. This was very well received, and we also managed to cope with the question and answer session at the end.

Members of JWCPE incl. Mrs Sayoko Usuda

It was with heavy hearts that we left Japan the following morning. We all agreed that it had indeed been the trip of a lifetime. We were treated royally by everyone that we met and will never forget their kindness and generosity. We hope to return one day and to be able to reciprocate when they visit us.

Anne Stuart

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Anne Stuart’s Speech

Mr Chairman Tetsuo Misumi, other trustees, President Atsumasa Nagashima, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am deeply honoured to be with you today on this very special occasion and I bring with me many congratulations from the Bergman Österberg Union. I would also like to thank you for your generosity, and for making my colleagues and myself so welcome during our stay.

Tokuyo Nikaido was sent to England by the Japanese government at the beginning of the Meiji era, to study under our founder, Madame Martina Bergman Österberg. Tokuyo’s journey took 58 days; I wonder what she would have thought of the current journey time of only 12 hours by aeroplane?

There were many similarities in the careers of our two founders. Both of them began their working lives with very different careers in mind from the one they finally found to be their true calling. Mme Österberg originally worked as a governess and as a librarian. She did not enter into training in gymnastics or the world of Physical Education until she was 30, encouraged by the man who would later become her husband, Dr Edvin Per Österberg. Tokuyo Nikaido originally wanted to become a teacher of humanities, but during her time at Kanazawa she began to see the importance of gymnastics and Physical Education through her association with missionaries from Canada, particularly Miss Frances Morgan. She must have been very able, as she was chosen by your Government in 1913. She arrived at the age of 31 charged with studying Mme’s methods and bringing them back to Japan.

It is clear from the papers in both our archives, that the two women had a great deal in common and shared a bond of friendship. Indeed, Mme Österberg called Tokuyo “My dear little Japanese friend” in a letter written in April 1914. She also encouraged Tokuyo to found her own college. She said: “When you return to Japan, you should found a Women’s Physical Education Training College named Queensfield College after Kingsfield”. So another great similarity occurred when your college was founded in 1923, 38 years after Mme founded her college in 1885.

The two women shared a similar philosophy about the need for good postural and aesthetically pleasing forms of exercise, which would enhance the physical attributes of women and make them into better mothers and citizens. Mme focused on Gymnastics, whilst Tokuyo became more interested in Dance, but the end results were the same. Both were known for being strict teachers, but they cared deeply about their young students, and dedicated their lives to creating educational methods which would enhance the development of women, creating sound minds in sound bodies.

These two charismatic women changed the nature of physical education for girls in both our countries and subsequently around the world. Their spirit lives on through their ex-students and those still training today.

The similarities ended in 1986, when Dartford was closed as a Physical Education College, although the work still goes on at the University of Greenwich, our parent institution. It is a joy that your College goes from strength to strength, and the work of Tokuyo Nikaido continues today.

I would like to close by presenting Mr Misumi with this framed Diploma Badge. These badges were given to students who completed the training at Mme Österberg’s college. The original recipient, Agnes Mason Tarrell, trained from 1914 to 1916, and would have known Tokuyo Nikaido personally.

Thank you again for all your kindness and generosity, and many congratulations again from the BÖU on your 90th Anniversary: “Mina-sama, hon-jitsu wa, omedetou gozaimasu” (I would like to congratulate everyone here on this anniversary) Anne Stuart & Mr Misumi

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