Thinking back to when I was at School it was during the 2nd World War and food was on ration - at Christmas time in cookery class we all made a Christmas Cake,........ Miss Willis the teacher who took both the Cookery and Domestic Science classes knew how important it was for us children to get the cake just right - as it took quite a few of the rations we were allowed...then we had to make the Marzipan and Ice the top as is Tradition.
I always remember taking the finished cake home, and how pleased Mum was with the end Result..
Miss Willis as I said took Domestic Science as well - and on wash day she would bring her laundry in for us girls to do....None of us liked this arrangement - and complained bitterly to each other. We dare not complain to Miss Willis as I remember her to be a very big Lady. Or perhaps it was because we were small.
She had a linen line erected at the end of the playground where we would have to go and peg the laundry out. I can remember seeing all her smalls blowing in the breeze. All beautifully white from our hard work of scrubbing...and sore hands from them being in hot water for too long..
Cannot imagine the Children today having to do those chores....But it was supposed to prepare us for adulthood....
The School I went to was a Big Old Grey House - there were only 4 classrooms - the Domestic science Room and the Boys Woodwork room were buildings erected in the Grounds .....We did have an assembly hall where we would have morning prayers and later during the day it was used for games and exercises...
In the grounds they had built air-raid shelters where we would have to go when the air-raid sirens sounded....We had to move double smart when the Crash warning sounded.....as bombing raids were imminent ...Some days we spent a lot of time down those Shelters....and the teachers led the singing - Probably to take our minds off what was happening up above....
I remember that School with a lot of love - for the good and the bad things it taught me
I remember the teachers Miss Thorley, Miss Halligan and Miss Freeman - the men were away at war so there was Only the Head Master Mr Rudram...
16 comments:
What a lovely entry Ally................sweet memories
Ah memories...I go back in time too with mine. I do believe today's children would not do as well as we did with all the proper rules & duties that we all had to deal with. I hope you have a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year...Sandi http://journals.aol.com/sdoscher458/LifeIsFullOfSurprises
I like to hear of my Mom talk of those day's Ally, although she was in her late teens during the war, but to achieve a Christmas cake with not much of anything was very good. That was a bit of cheek the teacher had making you all do the washing lolol......no way would the kids stand for it now. Rache xx
Nice entry :o) Bit cheeky of the teacher making you all do her washing though <gg> Today it's all so commercial even more so than when i was a child Caff xx
Lovely entry today as always all these memories. What a cheek the teacher had making you do her washing. Stuart and I laugh we can remember times long ago and not what we went upstairs for. Love Joan.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful memory with us. We used to go to Home Economics classes where we were taught domestic skills such as cooking, baking, needlework, and sewing among many other. They do not have classes like that in schools now-a-days. I think they should bring them back because it is beneficial for a kid to have those skills before leaving home. http://journals.aol.com/dcmeyer420/DearDiary/
I can still remember my teachers all those years ago. Home economics, yes we did that, learnt how to launder properly, how to iron properly, how to cook, how to make beds. They had a little "bedsit" off the classroom and we did bed making and table arranging in there. Never made a Christmas cake during the war, I was too young, not yet started school.
http://journals.aol.co.uk/jeanno43/JeannettesJottings/
Oh Ally so much of this I can identify with ,we didnt do any washing,but had to make a cookery apron and wash starch and iron it ,I went to the same school right through ,Ireally enjoyed this entry ,............Jan xx
It must have been difficult with rationing, but I`ll bet your cake was lovely Ally. I remember doing Domestic Science too back in the 60`s when we had to use basic ingredients to make `real` food not the junk Kerry made at school. I remember making vegetable soup and it tasted lovely, so nice in fact that I drank it on the way home and my Mum was none to pleased...lol! My teacher was a young woman, Miss Cobb and at Christmas we made Christmas pudding. I doubt I`d know how to do that now. :o)
Sandra xxxxx
I remember my cookery teacher, she was called Mrs Swann and looked like Fanny Craddock!! We had to make our own aprons and chef hat in needlework. I remember cooking baked potato stuffed with bacon and cheese, cakes and apple pie too. We never did a Christmas cake though. Jeannette.
I love these entries Ally, you have such a vivid memory, and are so good at putting those memories into words :o) What a cheeky teacher, getting you to do her washing as domestic science!! Or was that the norm then?
Sara x
Hello Ally,
It was lovely to read of your school day memories; you painted a very vivid picture. I'm fascinated by tales of how things used to me back then. I hope you treat us to some more entries like this.
Tilly x
http://journals.aol.co.uk/tillysweetchops/Adventuresofadesperatelyfathouse/
The memories of that traumatic time must have formed a great impression on you. It does not seem today like someone could ever had made students do laundry for them. Shows how much has changed. We had atomic blast drills in the hallway of our school (grade school). We had to sit against the wall and put our head between our knees. I can not remember it very well . I do remember fire drills and having to go in single file and follow the teacher to the outside of the school. It is amazing remembering how I felt as a child. mark
I loved this entry .... it must have been something to go to school at that time, with all that was going on. I'm sure you have many vivid memories of those years. Please share more of them with us. Tina http://journals.aol.com/onemoretina/Ridealongwithme
She made you do HER laundry? You know, sometimes I look back at the things in school that I thought was unfair THEN and see what was trying to be accomplished and, in retrospect, have a different opinion.
But THAT was uncalled for then AND now. And to think students scoff at me suggesting they wash my car. Hmpfh.
:D
~~ jennifer
Hi Ally..what an interesting read about your early experiences at school. I'm still reeling thought at the cheek of Miss Willis making the girls do her washing!! What a liberty!! Did she make you iron it too?
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