Jennifer Lewis: Memories of Wallands, the New School on the hill in Lewes.

Nevill Memoirs > Jennifer Lewis (née Euston)

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It was September 1951. The summer holidays were coming to an end and we knew we were transferring to the new big school on the hill: Wallands.  Then came the announcement that the opening would be delayed by one week.  We kids were thrilled.  It wasn’t that we didn’t want to go to the new school, it’s just that another week of holidays was even better.  Our parents thought otherwise.

Then at last the day came.  My teacher was Mr. Bliss, whose room was at the end of the top corridor: up the staircase, past the wonderful long window with its view over the valley below and into a brand new classroom with a large number of old friends from Western Road school and some new ones. 

Coming to Wallands from a small, old and rather neglected school such as Western Road was then with its air raid shelters, small playground, no field and outside toilets, Wallands was to us a large, spacious and very splendid place.  We had an impressive hall, a stage, a separate dining hall and fantastic school dinners cooked on the premises.  There was always a queue for ‘seconds’ and lovely friendly kind dinner ladies, many of whom we knew as mums of kids who went to the school.

Mrs Hemsley was one such lady – her son Robert was in my class – but she was much more. Some of the girls in my class were chosen to learn how to do Italian quilting one afternoon a week for a number of weeks.  We were to make cushions and were given squares of taffeta in beautiful shiny colours: gold, turquoise, pink and from these we made our cushion, learning how to do the quilting under the guidance of Mrs Hemsley.  There was something cosy, friendly and very special being in a small group and having time to chat in a relaxed atmosphere.  We didn’t just learn quilting either. ‘Don’t sit on the radiator!’ she says. ‘It’ll give you piles.’

‘Whatever’s that?’ we say and Mrs. Hemsley explains.  A piece of information never forgotten.

Although I had no singing ability whatsoever I actually loved singing lessons in the hall. Mostly we all sang together, folk songs and such like, swaying to ‘ Bring back, bring back, bring back my bonnie to me, to me…’.

The days leading up to Christmas were very special and the classroom and hall were decorated with streamers in turquoise, silver and white so that everywhere looked magical. It was at this time that we took part in the play ‘The Queen of Hearts’.  My one line: ‘Your tablecloth, your Majesty.’

Then in June 1953 there was the Coronation and the school put on a splendid PE display.  Someone took photos from an upstairs window and you could see the formation of ER on the ground made by all the children.  The photos were put on a wall at the end of the corridor for everyone to see and I wonder now what became of them.  Looking back I think we were a very fortunate group of children.

Nevill Sports on the Rec

1952 Prizewinners

The Victor Ludorum cup was won by Irvin Brown.  Runner-up was R.Capelin, and third were J.Page and P.Weir.

The Victrix Ludorum cup was won by Alison Hall and June Young who tied, and Jean West was third.

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By kind permission of Lewes News and Malcolm Lewis