Mailbag

MY SISTER, Joan Webb, of Bampton, has sent me a copy of another interest-packed Memory Lane, including Peter Ponting’s memories of Cotuit Hall, the children’s home in Pullen’s Lane, Headington, Oxford (Memory Lane, May 27). This is my story.

I was born at 81 Great Clarendon Street, Oxford, on September 22, 1939 and in May 1942, Joan and I were taken to Leckford Road to be looked after.

I was playing in the sandpit when my dad came to take me home.

Of course, I didn’t want to go and leave the sandpit, but I said goodbye to ‘Uncle and Aunty Wright’.

In July 1951, Joan and I were put in a home again, this time Cotuit Hall, and were reunited with ‘Uncle and Aunty Wright’, the heads of house.

It was a very happy place. It was easy to make friends and we were well looked after, with clean clothes, baths and lovely meals.

We were given a sweet ration and pocket money every week.

During the week, Joan and I walked from Cotuit to the main road to get a bus to St Barnabas School in Jericho.

Quite often, the headmaster, Mr Gallop, would come by in his car and give us a lift to school.

If I had to say who had the greatest influence on me in those years, it would be my dad, ‘Uncle and Aunty Wright’ and Mr Gallop. They were the most caring people in my life.

I visited Cotuit on one of my visits to England and found it was no longer a children’s home, but full of students – a sign of the times.

So many needy children passed that way and now it is no more, very sad.

I am now 73 and my thoughts are always with my sisters, especially Joan. We both went to Leckford Road and Cotuit and that gave us a special bond.

We both like the same things, such as museums, the Oxford Covered Market and the old Scala cinema in Walton Street, and we both love art.

Thank you for a most interesting walk down ‘memory lane’.

LES AMOS Queensland Australia

Viking spotting

I WROTE to you saying that I had played lots of sports for Viking Sports Club in Oxford, pictured below, and asked if any of your readers remembered me and had any photographs or memories of having played against me or with me (Memory Lane, December 3).

The response, as you later heard, was overwhelming. One message I received was from Della Andrews, who included this photograph of a Viking football team. Although I recognise myself in the picture, when I try to enlarge it, it becomes too distorted to recognise any of my teammates.

The Oxford Mail has done its best to improve the quality. Can anyone tell me who else is in the picture? Any help would be appreciated. Please email willshire_harvie@hotmail.com

HARVIE WILLSHIRE Bedford

St Barnabas Gala was highlight of summer 1954

PAM Powell’s letter about St Barnabas Gala Day in Jericho, Oxford (Memory Lane, June 17) did indeed evoke memories.

It was the highlight of the summer in the parish of St Barnabas which always retained a village-like community.

In 1954, I was an attendant to the Gala Queen with Valerie Smith.

The Queen that year was Jean Tustin, daughter of Kath and Aubrey Tustin, who were posing as the Pearly King and Queen in the photograph you published.

Sadly, I understand, Jean is no longer with us. Valerie's mum kept a hairdressers in Walton Street.

There is a photograph of the Gala Day in the Changing Faces of Jericho, the popular series of local history books.

There was always a fancy dress and I remember one year I went as Annie Get Your Gun.

I wore a costume made from a sack and dad made me a rifle and bought a rabbit, still in its fur coat, which I carried over my shoulder, much to the disgust of everyone!

The day always ended with a dance in the Junior School hall.

Thanks for the memories, Pam. I used to live right next door to the Senior School.

JENNY HIGGINS (nee Dunsdon) Morton Avenue Kidlington

Coronation remembered

I WAS so pleased to see the photograph of our Coronation party in the playground at SS Mary and John School in East Oxford (Memory Lane, June 3).

A copy of this edition was sent to me by another of the children, Pamela Hale, who was sitting next to me in the picture.

We were among the children who attended from Essex Street. I lived with my parents in the house opposite the school, the one with the Union Jack strung between the bedroom windows.

I am sitting on the back table, third along with ribbons in my hair.

I am sitting next to my friend, Pamela Hale, and a little further along that table are my friends, Diane Grant and Rita Wheeler.

We were all aged five and six at the time, all born within 12 months of one another, and are all still in contact.

I remember the headmaster, Mr Welch, very well. I attended SS Mary and John School from about 1950 to 1958 when I went on to Oxford Central Girls’ School, which then moved to Headington to become Cheney Girls’ Grammar School.

PAULINE STEELE (nee Cowley) Danbury Essex