I, Maureen Bartlett (née Jobbins) was born in Malmesbury in 1934 in one of the small 'Weavers' cottages in the Horsefair. My Grandmother, Mrs Annie Bailey also lived in the Horsefair but on the other side also in a small cottage. As the family grew in size we later moved to a larger house (The Barton) just off the Horsefair at the end of a long drive. I lived there with my parents until my marriage in 1958.
I attended ' the Girls' school in Cross Hayes and there are so many memories of my time there-too many to quote them all! The Head Teacher was Miss Mayes who lived in the school house with her mother. This genteel and kindly lady took us for sewing. There were no toilet facilities inside the school and it really was cold to go across to 'the loo' in the winter (often frozen solid during bad weather).
At the end of the playground was a sturdy wall: beyond this but much lower down was a pathway used by the nuns in the adjoining convent. We were often reprimanded for peering over the wall trying to get our ball back.
I went from Cross Hayes school to Malmesbury Grammar school in 1945 and I can truthfully say these were "the happiest days of my life".
In 1946 following the end of the war a group of German children were sent to Malmesbury. They lived at Stainsbridge House, then a branch of the National Children's Home. They came because there was little food for them in Germany. They were known as 'The Sunshine Children'. I met one of them (Gotlind) at school and have corresponded with her in Germany to the present day. (Her English is still impeccable!)
At the time I did not realise just how high a standard was set by this small centre of learning. We were taught by a dedicated bunch of teachers who passed on much of their fervour to me. Mr Webb who brought to me my continuing love of English language and literature---a remarkable teacher! Miss Bevan (a bit of a dragon) who taught me French and Latin and who established my long desire to pursue and enjoy other languages and Miss Dean (Music) who led the school in musical productions of 'Merrie England' and later Schubert's 'Lilac Time'.
Girls and boys were separated in the 1st year only, but we did mix for ballroom dancing lessons in the Gym!
Sports and athletic competition was very keen among the various houses. I was in Avon House. The playing fields were very extensive and well maintained.
I left the Grammar School in 1951 to become a Nursery Assistant in Weston-Super-Mare then followed this by Teacher Training in Bristol. As a student I worked as an orderly at Malmesbury Hospital, which was a great experience, also at Christmas on the old Post Office in the High Street, sorting mail.
I returned to Malmesbury in 1956 and taught at Malmesbury junior school in Gastons Road with Mr Ingram (who had been the Head in my 3 brothers' years). I left there in 1958 after I married Derek Bartlett with whom I shared schooldays. I was a member of the Abbey choir and we were married in the Abbey. On my wedding day the junior school children were taken into the country to gather primroses to decorate St. Mary's Hall for our reception. The children's enthusiasm was destined to carry them a bit over the top! - the perfume was incredible.
The remainder of my teaching career was spent in Middlesex and later in the London boroughs. I became a Head Teacher in 1973 and retired early in 1982. We have now made our home in Lincolnshire among the cabbages.
All of my family still live in Malmesbury and through our visits we maintain a link with the town.
