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Postcards and Recollections St Margaret's Convent Whitehouse Loan, Bruntsfield, Edinburgh |
© Copyright: For permission to reproduce, please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk
© Copyright: For permission to reproduce, please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk
St Margaret's School and Convent Recollections |
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BACKGROUND The entrance to St Margaret's School was in Whitehouse Loan. See the photograph above. Some of the teachers at the school were nuns from St Margaret's Convent, round the corner in Strathearn Road. Danny Callaghan, Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland: October 24, 2009 |
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The Postcard |
- The Cloisters - Entrance Hall - High Altar |
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1. |
Jan Still |
- Early History - 1960s - Today - Cottage - Postulants |
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2. |
Lynda Maine |
- Canada |
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3. |
Madeline Beaumont Wirt |
- USA - Travel to School - First Day - At School - Francess Berry |
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4. |
Madeline Beaumont Wirt |
- More Photos - Gillis House |
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5. |
Jan Still |
- School Houses |
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6. |
Phyl Carruthers (née Allan) |
- Age 5 to 8 - St. Crescentia's - Spring Time - School Classes - Friends - Lunch Times - My Sisters - Moving On - Return to Edinburgh |
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7. |
Jim Gilmour |
- Mass - Breakfast - Father Hamilton |
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8. |
Judy Corr |
- RAF Kirknewton - Schoolwork - Teachers - Sports |
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9. |
George Smith |
- The Building - School Hours |
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10. |
Berenice Robertson |
- Day Students |
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11. |
Berenice Robertson |
- Teachers - Uniforms |
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12. |
Janice Vissenga |
- Reply to Jan Still |
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13. |
Janice Vissenga |
- Nuns - Other Teachers - Shep - School Houses - Catholic School |
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14. |
Linda Vaughan Kinser |
- Nuns - Friends |
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15. |
Sally Blackledge and comments from and |
- Memories - Junior Classes - Senior Classes - The Building - Meals - Uniform |
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- Today |
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- The Gillis Centre |
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16. |
Heather Durham |
- 1960s |
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17. |
Karin Maxwell |
- Early-1960s |
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18. |
- 1960s |
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19. |
- 1960s - Jan Still |
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20. |
Phyl Carruthers (née
Allan) |
- Rebecca Murgatroid |
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21. |
James Brodie |
- Marchmont Road - Convent Wall - Following the Girls |
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22. |
Graham Marshall |
- Wall by Warrender Baths - Inside the Convent - Bruntsfield House - Nuns - Crab Apples |
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23. |
- 1960 to 1972 - My First Teachers - Headmistress - Other Teachers - Houses - Friends |
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24. |
- 1974-79 - Clapperton House - Teachers - The Gardener |
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24. Reply 1. |
- 1974-79 - Friends |
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25. |
Jane Litherland (née
Oag) |
- 1961 - Age Seven - Prayers - Washing - Dormitories - Breakfast - Tea Time - The Nuns - We 'Did a Runner' - Return to School - Teachers - Friends - Study, Prayers and Bed - Bad Behaviour - Houses - Weekend - Education - Leaving School - Contact |
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26. |
Delia Perrett |
- The Convent Building - Now a 'B and B' - My Schooldays - 1963-68 - Friends - Memories - School Holidays |
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27. |
Suzanne Denny |
- 1960 - Mother Martina - School Lunches - The School Buildings |
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28. |
Stan Urbaniak |
- Mother Martina |
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29. |
Avril Lamb (née
Capaldi) |
1960-72 - Pupils - Other Memories - Best Wishes! |
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30. |
From around 1972 - Teachers - Pupils - Memories |
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31. |
Teaching at St Margaret's - 1966 |
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32. |
Attending the Convent - 1953-61 First Impressions Teachers Refugees Visit to France France Again! Pupils Emigration - Canada then USA Convent Reunion Making Contact |
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33. |
Darryn McGreevy |
My Sisters Thirlstane Road: The Wall |
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34. |
1969-81 - My family - Food - Lessons - The Library - The Bell - Skipping School - Last Day of Term - Uniforms - Singing - The Church - Sports Day - Leaving School - Discipline |
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35. |
1958-70 Move to London |
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36. |
Janet Harvell |
1964-70 - Headmistress - Teachers - Memories - Friends - Leaving Edinburgh - Return visit to Edinburgh |
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37. |
Dave McDougal |
Video - Cardinal Gray |
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38. |
Roza Bloom |
Video - Cardinal Gray |
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39.
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Jan Roberts |
- 1962-68 - Teachers - Boys |
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St Margaret's Convent Postcard |
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Photogravure Postcards This postcard is from a series described as 'Photogravure Post Cards - Edinburgh South Side'. The cards were sold in packs of eight , packed in a window envelope, with a sheet of tissue between each card. Neither the card not the packaging names the publisher. This card has not been posted and there is no transport in the photo, so I find it difficult to say when the photograph might have been taken. However, judging by the occasional vehicle that appears in other cards in this series, it might be reasonable to date the photograph as being around 1920. |
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Inside St Margaret's Convent Here are two more postcards of St Margaret's convent. These are interior views. I don't know when the photos were taken.
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Recollections 1. Jan Still Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Jan Still who was a boarder at St Margaret's Convent in the 1960s, for sending her recollections of the convent. Jan sent me her recollections of: Jan also wrote: |
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Early History "St Margaret’s was the first convent in Scotland after the Reformation. When it was built, there was nothing but farmland around; hence perhaps the high walls surrounding all the buildings and playing fields. The original gated door at the front was clad with iron (front and back) and internal wood, making a total depth about 5 ins. It had studs in a gothic style on the front. There was a door, bolted and chained from the inside, through which we entered the main gates. In my opinion, it gave the convent an imposing and portentous atmosphere. There was also a carved stone rope on the wall above the gate, tracing the upper circle of the gate." |
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1960s "I boarded at St Margaret's Convent in the 1960s, as my Father worked abroad in the Far East until he retired to Edinburgh. I went there when I was 8, leaving at 18. Even then, I loved the old buildings and architecture, though, needless to say, we never bothered to take photos of our school! |
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Today "The convent is now the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh and I believe a Seminary too. The door has been renewed with a new wooden one, no doubt, to create as a softer, less daunting exterior, but ghastly in my opinion! I think the carved stone rope on the wall above the gate has also been removed. They have also upgraded the chapel, in what I would call a 'happy clappy' style. The playing fields are now modern flats. Our netball court is now an entrance from Thirlstane Road with a car park! Oh, well, t’was ever thus – creating 'carbuncles' out of lovely old buildings and unbuilt areas. When will they ever learn?" |
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Cottage "Behind the Chapel that you can see in the postcard is a little cottage. The last I hear is that Cardinal Grey (who was an Archbishop when I was young) was being nursed in his old age by one of the nuns. He may have passed by now. Cardinal Gray died in 1993. |
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Postulants "The Convent also owned a building (next to the now car park facing Thirlestane Road) in which the Postulants lived until they became consecrated Nuns. The Nuns always told us that you had 7 years to make up your mind about giving your life to God for ever, and virtually no time to consider marriage! The Postulants' house and its small crab-apple orchard was 'out of bounds' to the boarders. Needless to say, one had to climb the wall and grab a crab-apple to prove you had so done. - innocent dares! Unfortunately, the young do not seem to have such innocent games now, nor such a secure, protected childhood." |
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Jan Still, Edinburgh: e-mail and guest book messages, December 28 + 29, 2007 |
Recollections 2. Lynda Maine Colinton Mains, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Lynda Maine, Edinburgh who wrote: Canada "This morning I noticed there was an article about St. Margaret's Convent Edinburgh. Is that the one that used to be in Whitehouse Loan, Edinburgh? If it is, there is a sister convent called St. Margaret's Convent in White Loan, Edmonton, Alberta Canada. I will try and find out if it is still there." Lynda Maine, Colinton, Edinburgh: January 3, 2008 |
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Yes. The photograph above is of St Margaret's Convent at Whitehouse Loan, Edinburgh. - Peter Stubbs: January 3, 2008 |
Recollections 3. Madeline Beaumont Wirt Gainesville, Georgia, USA |
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Thank you to Madeline Beaumont Wirt, now living in Gainesville, Georgia, USA, who wrote: |
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USA "My father was in the US Air Force and he was stationed in Edinburgh, while I was a student at St Margaret's convent, approx 1961-1964. I was in 2nd thru 5th grade (- USA grades). I have many strong vivid and happy memories of St. Margaret's. I was a day student. Most students were boarders." |
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Travel to School " started school there at the age of 7 and I would get to school by taking the public buses (double deckers). I walked to the the bus stop and then had to change buses every day. (The first day I missed the change and the bus driver had to figure out what to do with me.) I remember vividly going through the small door in the large arched gate. We would be met by the gate nun - she was always there each morning." |
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First Day "My first day of school was the day of the week where we went to weekly confession. ( - lots of incense.) I had no religious instruction prior to that day and I did not know anything about what was going on. I was too shy too ask any questions (I was only 7 or 8). I followed everyone else and when it was my turn, I walked to the door and opened it. It was a gigantic and creaking door. Inside was a tiny cubicle and it was dark. I heard a voice from out of nowhere telling me to "kneel down". I was scared to death but I knelt as instructed. There was a silence. The voice said, "Are you ready to make your confession"? I answered, "I am new. I am from America." I was very frightened. The priest asked me to step outside. He made arrangements for me to have 'instruction' every day during lunch and an elderly nun met with me and taught me and gave me a chocolate each day. Eventually they deemed me ready for my First Confession and First Communion. I was an adult before I had the nerve to share this story with my parents." |
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At School I remember: - the beautiful grounds. In the spring and summer we had our lessons in the field and we would make daisy chains as we listened to our teacher. - having sewing lessons in the room just over the gate house. We learned hemming and embroidery. - the chart where our 'marks' were recorded for conduct. I mostly got bad marks for conduct - either talking too much, or my uniform missing pieces, or losing my homework - on and on. - helping at lunch by setting the table, and clearing the table and doing the dishes. At our lunches we had vegetables that the nuns had grown in their garden, especially potatoes and Brussel sprouts. - the grotto and the chapel. - being on the net ball team. |
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Francess Berry "I remember the name of only one person during my time there. It was Francess Berry. She lived in Portobello and her mother had diabetes and had to give herself a shot every day, which I found to be shocking. Francess: if you are reading this, please contact me. I'd love to reminisce."
Madeline Beaumont Wirt, now living in Gainesville, Georgia,
USA. |
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Contacting Madeline Francess (or anybody else) if you would like to contact Madeline, please e-mail me and I'll give you her email address. - Peter Stubbs: March 28, 2008 |
Recollections 4. Madeline Beaumont Wirt Gainesville, Georgia, USA |
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Thank you to Madeline Beaumont Wirt, Gainesville, Georgia, USA, who wrote in the EdinPhoto Guest Book: |
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More Photos "Thank you for posting three more photos of St. Margaret's Convent!!! Gillis House I read the recollections and have this question about the 'House of Gillis' Was the Gillis House the one that wore the blue badges (and the three other houses wore red, yellow and green)? Dividing into teams with the colored badges is very British and unheard of here in the US. I'm pretty sure I was on the blue team and that we called it Gillis! I haven't thought of that for over 40 years!! What fun!" Madeline Beaumont Wirt, Gainesville, Georgia, USA: .Guest Book: Jun 6, 2008 |
Recollections 5. Jan Still Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Jan Still, formerly a border at St Margaret's Convent in the 1960s, for providing the answer to Madeline's question. |
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Jan wrote: School Houses "The House Colours were: - Red = Trail - Green = Clapperton - Yellow = Menzies - Blue = Gillis" Jan also asked Madeline: "Do the names of Janice, Karen, Joanie, Sheelagh and Paddy ring a bell with you?" Jan Still, Edinburgh: Jun 3+5+6, 2008 |
Recollections 6. Phyl Carruthers (née Allan) Belford, Northumberland, England |
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Thank you to Phyl Carruthers who wrote: |
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Age 5 to 8 "I went to school at St. Margaret's from the age of 5 until I was about 8, about 1960 to 1963. I remember the Mother Superior was Mother St. John. I was taught first by Mother Dympna (who once hit me over the head with a rolled up newspaper for being naughty) and then by Miss Murray and Miss Dick." |
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St Crescentia's "I attended the building across the road from the convent, which was called St. Crescentia's and which is now, sadly, a funeral home. I can also remember a nun called Mother St. Patrick who used to do the laundry and had very red hands." |
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Spring Time "In the spring we used to be taken outside to collect sticky buds from the horse chestnut trees. I was always fascinated by the way the buds burst and the bright green leaves unfolded." |
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School Classes We learned to write with flat sided pencils in books lined in red and blue. I still write with an italic hand. We learned sums with the Cuisenaire Rod system." |
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Friends I remember that there was another girl in my class, who was also a protestant, called Elizabeth. We were excused going to chapel, although I recall going to the Corpus Christi services and feeling very envious of the little girls who were going to be taking their First Communion. They got to wear such pretty dresses. There was a boy in our class for a while, called Jimmy, and I remember an Indian girl who was, I think, called Danuta. I remember she fell and gouged her knee on an iron gate stop." |
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Lunch Times "I used to go home at lunch time because I lived in Warrender Park Road. My father worked at the North British Rubber Company in Fountainbridge and we would walk back up the road together after lunch." |
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My Sisters "I remember Mother Dympna being quite taken by the fact that I had identical twin sisters who went to Easter Road to watch the Hibs play football with a pink teddy bear mascot that had his own Hibs strip in green and white. They were big fans of Jim Easton and Joe Baker. Later, my mum was personnel manageress at Goldbergs for a couple of years, and my sisters used to work there in the evenings with the man who did all the art displays. I think his name was Kevin Hind. They used to come home covered in glitter." |
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Moving On "When I left St. Margaret's I went to Sciennes for a couple of years until we moved to Newcastle. My sisters went to Gillespies and my brother to Heriots." |
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Return to Edinburgh "I was up in Edinburgh a few weeks ago and Cuthill's the Butcher is still in Warrender Park Road. I was sad to see the convent. I remember it always being in a state of high polish with a lovely smell of polish - but the stone rope is still above the main gate. I was very happy there." |
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Phyl Carruthers née Allan, Belford, Northumberland, England: August 15, 2008 |
Recollections 7. Jim Gilmour Corby, Northamptonshire, England |
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Thank you to Jim who wrote about his memories of Father Hamilton, who he describes as his mentor at St Katherine's Church, Gracemount. Did Father Hamilton also have connections with St Margaret's Convent in Edinburgh. |
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Acknowledgement: Jim Gilmour, Corby, Northamptonshire, England: August 15, 2008 |
Recollections 8. Judy Corr (née Valersky) |
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Thank you to Judy who replied to Madeline Beaumont Wirt's messages in 'Recollections 3' and 'Recollections 4' above. Judy wrote: |
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USAF - Kirknewton "Madeline: I was so happy to see more pictures of my school. My Dad was in the USAF in Kirknewton, too. We were there 1952 through 1955. My Dad died shortly after his 90th birthday, about a year ago." |
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Schoolwork "I have so many memories of school. We did most of our work in rough copy and then transferred what we wrote into good books that had the school name embossed in gold lettering on the covers." |
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Teachers "I started in Transition Form I remember: - Mother Celceus - Miss Bodie (Geography) - Miss Auntphont (spelling off, but that is the way her name was pronounced)." |
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Sports "I played field hockey and tennis. I remember striped summer dresses. So many memories. I hope to hear from you." |
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Judy Corr (née Valersky), Hendersonville, North Carolina, USA: September 2, 2008 |
Recollections 9. George T Smith Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada |
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Thank you to George T Smith who wrote: |
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The Building "I'm finding the correspondence about the convent very interesting. I remember the sturdy iron clad door and the carved rope around the lintel from my days spent in the neighbourhood while at school at Boroughmuir. It was certainly an impressive building." |
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School Hours "I regret that, at the time, I did not have the curiosity to ask questions about the place, and had no idea it was a school. It seems that the school hours there were likely to have started earlier than ours - note the Altar Boy who started at 7.30am. So we would be unlikely to have seen quietly uniformed young girls trooping towards the gate." |
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George T Smith, Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada: September 6, 2008 |
Recollections 10. Berenice Robertson (née Beard) Toodyay, Western Australia, Australia |
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Thank you to Berenice Robertson who wrote: |
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Day Student "I am a former student of St. Margaret's Convent. I seem to remember being there as one of the only Day Students from an early age, with a break to other schools as my parents moved around Edinburgh' I did do all my senior years there to 'O Level' or perhaps a bit younger, then left to go to work to help support our family. I'd love to reminisce with any student from there. The name I remember most is Nora Simpson" Berenice Robertson (née Beard), Toodyay, Western Australia, Australia: February 9, 2009 |
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Contacting Berenice If you would like to send a message to Berenice, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to her. - Thank you. - Peter Stubbs: February 9, 2009 |
Recollections 11. Berenice Robertson (née Beard) Toodyay, Western Australia, Australia |
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Thank you to Berenice Robertson who added: |
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Teachers "Does anybody remember: - the French teacher we had who always dressed in a very male fashion? - the male Art teacher we had for a while? - the very pretty English teacher?" |
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Uniforms "Sister Mary Margaret was always on my case regarding the uniform! I was a Day Student who lived in a Boarding House in Thirlestane Road. We were a large family with Dad being out of work quite a lot, so I did not always wear the correct skirt, blouse, etc. if Mum & Dad couldn't afford these items." |
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Berenice Robertson (née Beard), Toodyay, Western Australia, Australia: April 2, 2009 |
Recollections 12. Janice Vissenga Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Janice Vissenga who wrote: |
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Reply to Jan Still "I attended St. Margaret's Convent as a boarder from approx 1966 to 1975. I recognise some names and places in the comments above. On the whole, I had some fond memories of the school. Jan Still, whose name I do not recognise, asks (in 5 above) if anyone knew a Janice who attended the school, probably around the same time as myself. I wonder if she is relating to myself?" Janice Vissenga, Edinburgh: May 7, 2009 |
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I have given Jan Still's email address to Jan Vissenga, so I hope they are able to get in touch with each other. - Peter Stubbs: May 7, 2009 |
Recollections 13. Janice Vissenga Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Janice Vissenga sent more recollections of the Convent. Janice wrote: |
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Nuns "I remember: - The top two nuns, Mother Superior, Mother Ignatius and Sister St. John. - Sister Kieran. She liked me because I was good at art and sewing! - Sister Fildema who became Sister Christina. She was the nicest nun of all. I recall she was very young. She had polio and taught piano. - There was a horrid nun (her name escapes me) but she looked after Kindergarten, over in the dormitory area. She was forever cutting the boarder girls' hair with a bowl. We were all petrified of her!! - Sister Daphne and St. Justina. They looked after the dormitories." Other Teachers "I remember: - Miss Omphrey, the French teacher - Miss Gordon, the Geography teacher. She didn't like me. She caught me cheating at exams and mimicking her in front of a School Inspector!" Shep Let's not forget about Shep the dog!! School Houses "I was in the Gillis House (blue). I remember Clapperton (green) had the brainiest pupils. There were also Trail House (red), and a yellow house whose name I can't remember." Catholic School "Like one of your other senders, I also was not a Catholic but still had to go to Mass and Benediction. I always felt a little bit left out of things, although I loved Saint Days because we got to have coffee and toast for breakfast and chips and cakes later on!! I also loved summer when we wore our summer uniform and studied outside beside the Grotto and Laburnum tree." Janice Vissenga, Edinburgh: May 7, 2009 |
Recollections 14. Linda Vaughan Kinser Middletown, Ohio, USA |
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Thank you to Linda Vaughan Kinser for leaving a message in the EdinPhoto guestbook. Janice wrote: |
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Nuns "My sister, Maria, and I attended as boarders during the 1950s and 1960s. We fondly remember: - Mother Phadelma Joseph - Sister Mary Patrick - Mother John." Friends "My friends were: - Magdalen McLellan - Andrena Devlin - Pamela Fox - Otelia Saxil - Maria Torello. I am interested in contacting anyone in the school. I also would appreciate any information about any of the persons mentioned above" Linda Vaughan Kinser: Middletown, Ohio, USA: Message left in EdinPhoto guestbook, Jul 8, 2009. |
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UPDATES Messages for Linda Vaughan Kinser Hi Linda. Thanks for the message above that you left in the EdinPhoto guest book. |
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1. I've received an email from Andrena, who was in your class at St Margaret's in the 1960s. She would like to contact you. Please email me to let me know your email address, then I'll pass it on to Andrena. Thank you. Peter Stubbs: October 5, 2009 |
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2. I've received an email from another former pupil of St Margaret's College who would like to contact you - Judy Corr. She contacted me on 25 January 2013, telling me that she would like to get in touch again with you and with Sally Blacklege If you email me to let me know your email address, then I'll pass it on to Judy. Thank you. Peter Stubbs: October 5, 2009 |
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3. I've now received an email from another former pupil of St Margaret's College who would like to contact you - Otilla Saxi. She tells me that she knew you and your sister, Maria, very well. If you email me to let me know your email address, then I'll pass it on to Otilla. Thank you. Peter Stubbs: October 5, 2009 |
Recollections 15. Sally Blackledge At St Margaret's Convent, Sally was known as Alison McGhee Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland |
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Thank you to Sally Blackledge who wrote: |
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Memories "How interesting to read others’ memories of St Margaret’s Convent, and how nearly – but not quite – they chime with mine. Jan Still was in the year above me, and her memories match mine most closely." Junior Classes I attended as a Non-Catholic Day Girl from about 1958 in Form 2, until my family left Edinburgh in about 1964. In Form 2, upstairs in St Crecentia’s, we had the wonderfully kind young nun, Mother Kenneth. We then moved over the road, to the main building, for Transition (P6 & P7) with the rather fierce Mother Bernadette. Initially we were in a classroom converted from the nun’s recreation room, as there had been a severe fire. Later we moved into a lovely refurbished classroom, on the top floor." Senior Classes In the Senior classes we had a fairly steady teaching staff during my time there: - Mother Teresa Margaret taught Maths. - Mother John, the Headmistress, taught Latin. - Mlle Anfry, rather severe, had 2 outfits, one for winter for ¾ of the year, and a modification of that in the summer term.. - Miss Maclean took English and History, though Miss Robertson spent some time at the school, teaching English. - Mother Kieran, Art and Needlework. - First Miss Burchill, and then Miss Woodhawks taught Science. - Miss Boddie, and then Miss Gordon, for Geography. - Miss MacDonald for Music. - Mrs Nowasielska for Gym and Games." The Building "I loved the aesthetic nature of the building. Even as a small child I appreciated that I was privileged to play and work in a beautiful environment. The Museum Hall had a wonderfully varied collection of treasures, all lovingly cleaned and polished. Assemblies were held in the long, narrow Hall on an upper floor. There was a small stage at one end, and I remember at least two productions: - 'The Importance of Being Earnest' by a class a year or so older than mine, and - a sort of sub 'Mikado' operetta. Behind the Hall was quite the gloomiest room in the universe – The Library. I can’t imagine why it seemed so dull, but I never wanted to linger." Meals "Meals were less than enthralling. The kitchen was in a basement, close to the Day Girls’ Entrance and Cloakroom. My heart would sink as I scuttled up a flight of stone stairs to escape the cabbage smell that lingered." Uniform "The uniform was fairly standard – gymslip or skirt, knee length fawn socks and brown shoes. What made the ensemble outstanding was the blazer edged with purple and white striped braid, with a beautiful shield-shaped badge on the breast pocket. The badge showed St Margaret herself, with the school motto “Scio cui servio” (I know whom I serve). Berets and gloves were mandatory out of school. The building has gone through a number of identities since it was “The Convent”. It is now a conference centre run by the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh." Sally Blackledge, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland: September 6, 2009 |
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The building, as Sally says, is now a conference centre run by the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh. But it also includes Bed & Breakfast accommodation. It is known as 'Gillis Centre' and has been graded as a 3-star Guest House by Visit Scotland. Peter Stubbs: September 6, 2009 |
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Thank you to Ian Stewart who added: The Gillis Centre "There are also Archdiocesan offices and a Library in the Centre, as well as the fine Chapel. The centre is named after Bishop Gillis, early to mid 19th century Bishop of what was then the Eastern District of the Catholic Church in Scotland." Ian Stewart, Morningside, Edinburgh: November 18, 2009 |
Recollections 16. Heather Durham (née MacIntyre) Greece |
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Thank you to Heather Durham for posting a message in the EdinPhoto guest book. Heather wrote: |
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1960s "I chanced on the EdinPhoto site when doing ancestry research. How amazing to see the St. Margaret's stuff!! I went to school there in the 1960s and remember: - Anna Pettigrew - Anne Argent - Mandy?. We were boarders in the senior school. Does this jog anyone's memory? Do get in touch!" Heather Durham, Greece: Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook, September 20, 2010 |
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Reply to Heather? I don't know Heather's email address, so if you'd like to contact her, the easiest way would probably be to post a reply below the message that she posted in the EdinPhoto guest book on September 20, 2010. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: September 21, 2010 |
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Update July 2011 Hello Heather: I hope you read this! I have just received an email from Marion Hart, now living in Saudi Arabia. She has a message that she would like me to pass on to you, but I don't have your email address. If you can tell me your email address, I'll pass on Marion's message to you. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: July 21, 2011 |
Recollections 17. Karin Maxwell (née McKerron) Tasmania, Australia |
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Thank you to Heather Durham for posting a message in the EdinPhoto guest book and sending me an email. Karin wrote: |
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Early-1960s "I've been looking for past students from St Margaret's Boarding School, Whitehouse Loan, Edinburgh. I boarded there in the early-1960s. Looking at the entries above brought back vivid recollections. And yes, that awful cabbage smell from the kitchens below the boarders' dining hall – I remember it well. I remember: - Elvira Neri - Philomena Kane - Heather MacInyre - Delia Perrit - the Visocchi sisters - the McLellan sisters, especially the late Magdalen McLellan who showed me great kindness. It would be great to catch up.
Karin Maxwell (née McKerron), Tasmania, Australia,: |
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Reply to Karin? If you'd like to contact Karin, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to her. Thank you. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: May 14, 2011 |
Recollections 18. John Timms Essex |
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John Timms wrote: |
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1960s "I was at St Margaret's day school in the 1960s. I remember some of the girls in my class: - the twins, Fifi (Fiona) and Debbie - Sheila Mckenzie - Linda (I forget her last name. The nuns that I remember are: - Mother Mary Martina - Mother Mary (I'm not sure of her full name.) If anybody recognises any of these names it would be good to hear from them." John Timms, Essex, England: July 25, 2011 |
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Reply to John? If you'd like to send a message to John, please email me, then I'll pass it on to him. Thank you. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: July 28, 2011 |
Recollections 19. Kate Sainsbury (née Kathleen Ablett) |
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Thank you to Kate Sainsbury, née Kathleen Ablett, who wrote: |
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1960s "I was a boarder at St Margaret's Convent. Reading the memories above has brought back so many memories. I'd love to be able to contact Jan Still who wrote 'Recollections 1 and 5' above. She was in my year at the Convent.." Kate Sainsbury (née Kathleen Ablett): September 27, 2011 |
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Jan Still I've now passed on to Kate the latest contact details that I have for Jan. I hope that Jan is still using the same email address, and that Kate will be able to contact her. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: October 3, 2011 |
Recollections 20. Phyl Carruthers (née Allan) Belford, Northumberland, England |
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Thank you to Phyl Carruthers for adding to the comments that she sent in Recollections 6 above. Phyl wrote: |
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Rebecca Murgatroid "I've now remembered the name of another of the girls in my class at St. Margaret's. She was Rebecca Murgatroyd. I think she went to the Royal School of Ballet in London eventually. Her father was my father's boss at the North British Rubber Company. I think she had several brothers. Her family lived on Regent's Terrace and her birthday parties were legendary." Phyl Carruthers née Allan, Belford, Northumberland, England: November 19, 2011 |
Recollections 21. James Brodie Edinburgh |
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Thank you to James Brodie for sending his memories of the convent below. It will be interesting to see if any of the former pupils (or nuns!) reply to James' comments. James wrote: |
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Marchmont Road "I was born in January 1941 and grew up at the top of Marchmont Road, which meant that St. Margaret's Convent lay within the boundaries of the local 'gang' of boys like myself." Convent Wall "The Warrender swimming baths were a great draw for us and on sunny days, after swimming, a group of us would gather to sit on the narrow ledge of walling that ran along the bottom of the girls' playing fields. Well, no matter how much the fierce nuns remonstrated with us we refused to budge, and we lived in constant fear of falling off the wall. Our suspicion that the girls liked us being there seemed to be born out by the great frequency with which the ball came our way! As the post-war age structure of our group was large, the girls did not realise what a major contribution they made to male adolescent development." Following the Girls "Possibly on a Sunday, a 'crocodile' would emerge from the arched gateway and girls and nuns set off in a procession down Thirlstane Road, closely followed by 'us', making loud but innocent comments - and on occasion, pelting them with snowballs. Sometimes we would follow like this right down to the Blackford Hills and round to the burn, where we tailed off. So, girls and nuns (some of whom were just girls themselves) and the rascal boys all had fun - I'm sure." James Brodie, Edinburgh: January 2, 2012 |
Recollections 22. Graham Marshall Southern Spain |
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Thank you to Graham Marshall for following up the comments from James Brodie above. Graham wrote: |
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Wall by Warrender Baths "Although my childhood in Marchmont was through the 1950s and early-1960s, I can identify with the magnetic appeal of the convent school and its boarding house over the road beside Warrender Church I seem to remember it was never the young ladies who objected to our gathering in the gloaming by the gate. I also remember well that short piece of wall at the top of the stairs to the right of the entrance to Warrender Baths. It did indeed overlook the playing fields and gave access to a ledge along which it was possible to walk all the way to Thirlestane Lane, pursued at one end by nuns and the other by the boilerman from the baths." Inside the Convent "I also remember the Sunday crocodile setting off down Whitehouse Loan towards the Blackfords, more carefully guarded than any royal convoy by black-robed nuns. Curiously, I also have memories of the inside for in those days I took an interest in Marchmont and was writing my first book (never published) on the Bruntsfield Estate. A friend, one of the many spinster ladies in the area, suggested asking the convent for information. It was with trepidation I rang the bell operated by a long black metal bar and waited until eventually Sister Gatekeeper opened the postern a crack, and asked my business. I was told to wait, outside the door in the street. The postern was closed and silence returned for several long minutes. The door opened again, this time fully, and i was invited to enter. I was escorted through the pend and across the inner courtyard by my guide, who I later discovered was Sister John, the guest master." Bruntsfield House "Sister John showed me into one of the three guest parlours where visitors met the nuns. Shortly afterwards I was introduced to a warm and friendly old lady, Mother Cuthbert, a retired Reverend Mother. She remembered the convent and its next door neighbour while Bruntsfield House was still a family home, I sat entranced while she told tales of the flag being raised when the admiral was at home and him leaving by carriage for his ship in Leith." Nuns "We met several times and as we became friendlier. I was treated to more than one guided tour through the convent. I remember the forbidding chapel and nuns everywhere. These were the days when there were still many nuns about, from Scotland, France where the mother house lay and, of course, Ireland." Crab Apples "Your correspondent who remembered the crab apples will know it was not only the boarders who stole apples, although to this day I don’t understand why as they tasted awful! The postulant wore white habits and were often seen walking the streets near the convent in twos, and they were young enough to be tempted into conversation by the teenage youth." Marchmont "St Margaret’s a part of the old Marchmont destined not to survive in its original form. I also remember Bruntsfield House and its home park before the new school (about to be redeveloped I believe) - but most of the old institutions are still there albeit in different guises and speak well of the Victorian developers who constructed a district which will live on relatively unchanged for a very long time to come." Graham Marshall, Southern Spain: January 5, 2012 |
Recollections 22. Graham Marshall Southern Spain |
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Thank you to Graham Marshall for following up the comments from James Brodie above. Graham wrote: |
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Wall by Warrender Baths "Although my childhood in Marchmont was through the 1950s and early-1960s, I can identify with the magnetic appeal of the convent school and its boarding house over the road beside Warrender Church I seem to remember it was never the young ladies who objected to our gathering in the gloaming by the gate. I also remember well that short piece of wall at the top of the stairs to the right of the entrance to Warrender Baths. It did indeed overlook the playing fields and gave access to a ledge along which it was possible to walk all the way to Thirlestane Lane, pursued at one end by nuns and the other by the boilerman from the baths." Inside the Convent "I also remember the Sunday crocodile setting off down Whitehouse Loan towards the Blackfords, more carefully guarded than any royal convoy by black-robed nuns. Curiously, I also have memories of the inside for in those days I took an interest in Marchmont and was writing my first book (never published) on the Bruntsfield Estate. A friend, one of the many spinster ladies in the area, suggested asking the convent for information. It was with trepidation I rang the bell operated by a long black metal bar and waited until eventually Sister Gatekeeper opened the postern a crack, and asked my business. I was told to wait, outside the door in the street. The postern was closed and silence returned for several long minutes. The door opened again, this time fully, and i was invited to enter. I was escorted through the pend and across the inner courtyard by my guide, who I later discovered was Sister John, the guest master." Bruntsfield House "Sister John showed me into one of the three guest parlours where visitors met the nuns. Shortly afterwards I was introduced to a warm and friendly old lady, Mother Cuthbert, a retired Reverend Mother. She remembered the convent and its next door neighbour while Bruntsfield House was still a family home, I sat entranced while she told tales of the flag being raised when the admiral was at home and him leaving by carriage for his ship in Leith." Nuns "We met several times and as we became friendlier. I was treated to more than one guided tour through the convent. I remember the forbidding chapel and nuns everywhere. These were the days when there were still many nuns about, from Scotland, France where the mother house lay and, of course, Ireland." Crab Apples "Your correspondent who remembered the crab apples will know it was not only the boarders who stole apples, although to this day I don’t understand why as they tasted awful! The postulant wore white habits and were often seen walking the streets near the convent in twos, and they were young enough to be tempted into conversation by the teenage youth." Marchmont "St Margaret’s a part of the old Marchmont destined not to survive in its original form. I also remember Bruntsfield House and its home park before the new school (about to be redeveloped I believe) - but most of the old institutions are still there albeit in different guises and speak well of the Victorian developers who constructed a district which will live on relatively unchanged for a very long time to come." Graham Marshall, Southern Spain: January 5, 2012 |
Recollections 23. Susan McIntyre |
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Thank you to Susan McIntyre who wrote: |
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1960 to 1972 My First Teachers "I was at St Margaret’s Convent from 1960 to 1972. My first teachers were: - Primary 1: Mother Dympna - Primary 2: Miss Murray - Primary 3: Miss Dick - Primary 4: Miss Murray." Headmistress "Mother St John was the headmistress and taught English and Latin. I remember her becoming very annoyed when I said I didn’t want to learn Latin. There was benediction every Thursday after school in the Chapel and we had to go. Mother St John caught me sneaking away one Thursday and gave me a real row. When she retired, she was replaced by Sister Mary Carr." Other Teachers "I remember: - Mother St Patrick - Mother Fidelma. She later changed her name back to Margaret. She had been a St Margaret's girl herself, Margaret Connor. - Miss Anfry, the French teacher - a scary lady! - Miss Brown, who taught Gym - Miss Gordon, who taught Geography - Mrs Hare, who taught history and was replaced by Miss King." Houses "We weren’t put in a house until we were in the 'big' school. I was in Menzies (the yellow one). Every Friday at lunchtime, the houses had a house meeting. If you had an order mark (which was a punishment) you had to stand at the back of the house and explain yourself. Every order mark cancelled out an 'A'. At the end of the year, the house with the most 'A's won the house cup." Friends "I remember that an American girl was in my class for a while but I can’t remember her name. My best friends in Primary 1 were: - Susan Mackay and - Elizabeth Callicott. I remained friends with them until I left school. Other names I remember are: - Sanjukta Nandy - Danuta Mackay - Danuta Jastrebska - Frances Connor. Around 1970, Craiglockart Convent closed and many of their pupils joined our school." Susan McIntyre: February 3, 2011 |
Recollections 24. Paddy Votadrini (née Harris) |
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Thank you to Paddy (Patricia) who wrote: |
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1974-79 Clapperton House "I was a student from 1974 to 1979, in Clapperton House." Teachers "The teachers that I remember are: - Sister. Mary Carr, Headmistress and Latin/French teacher. - Miss King, history. She had a flash sports car. - Miss Gordon, Geography. I got into trouble doing an impression of her pulling her robe around her and talking about her cats! - Mrs Train, Latin. She was great fun, always quoting romantic poetry and Shakespeare (Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.) - Miss ?, Latin. She wore flowing robes and wove scarves through her hair, filed her nails to points and made us pray in Latin before class. - Mrs ?, English. She was good fun. She had a niece, Rachel Hawkes, who was my best friend - St. John Bosco, music, could rock a mean folk guitar - Sister Christinna (aka Teenie Bash) would terrorize us driving around the grounds while learning to drive on the convent's mini The Gardener "I remember the Gardener and his dog. We kidnapped his garden gnome and ransomed it for Mars bars, I don't recall whether he paid up or not!" Paddy (Patricia) Votadrini, (née Harris), Utah, USA : February 12, 2012 |
Recollections 24. Reply 1. Linda Orr (née Ellison) |
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Thank you to Linda Orr (née Ellison) who wrote: |
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1974-79 "I attended St Margaret's Convent School from 1974 to 1978. My sister, Sharon Ellison, attended from 1978 to 1979. Friends "I read Paddy Harris' Paddy's Recollections 24 with great interest. Paddy was in my class. I remember she was great friends with Rachel Hawkes, the niece of our English teacher Mrs Goodman. My friends at the school were Gina Fitzpatrick and Katie Brooks. I'd love to know if another school reunion is planned?, and also to have the chance to catch up with Paddy and my other classmates and teachers. Linda Orr (née Ellison):23 April 2016 |
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Reply to Linda? I've passed on the latest email address that I have for Paddy to Linda. I hope that Paddy will still be using the same email address now, and that Linda will be able to get in touch with her. If anybody else would like to contact Linda, please email me to let me know, then I'll pass on Linda's email address to you. Thank you Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: 11 July 2016 |
Recollections 24. Reply 2. Jacqui Lamb Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Jacqui Lamb for responding to Linda Orr's comment about the St Margaret's Convent Reunions. Jacqui wrote: |
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School Reunions "The St Margaret's Convent School Reunion is held every year on the first Saturday in June (normally 18.30 hrs). It is now organised by Sheila Lamont (following the death of Sheila King a few years ago). Jacqui Lamb, Edinburgh: 12 July 2016 |
Recollections 24. Reply 3. Suzie Harvey (née Ferguson) Reno, Nevada, USA |
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Thank you to Suzie who wrote in response to the final paragraph of Paddy Votadrini (née Harris)'s Recollections 24 above. |
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In reply to Paddy's comment:
Suzie wrote:
Suzie Harvey (née Ferguson), Reno, Nevada, USA: 27 January 2018 |
Recollections 25. Jane Litherland (née Oag) Hathersgate, Derbyshire, England |
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Thank you to Jane Litherland for sending me all her memories below of the years that she spent at St Crescentia's. St Crescentia's has already been mentioned in Recollections 6 above. Jane explained that St Crescentia's was part of St Margaret's convent. It was the name of the site across the road from the main convent buildings. St Crescentia's comprised a junior school classroom, a playground and dormitories.
The recollections from both Phyl (6 above) and Jane (below) come from the early-1960s. Jane wrote: |
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1961 Age Seven "I started at St Crescentia's, aged 7 years in 1961 as a day-girl and later became a boarder." Prayers "I have vivid memories of praying a lot! First thing in the morning Mother Ender or Mother Saint Patrick would come into the dormitory ringing the bell with "Morning girls - get down on your knees and say your Morning Offering." Washing "We would collect water (for washing in), carrying large plastic jugs from a room with a large sink back to the dorm and pour the water into a plastic basin, wash there and carry the slops back to the sink room." Dormitories "I was in various dormitories throughout my school career. I remember starting off in 'Holy Angels' with Mother Martina in charge. One bath a week! Sanitary towels were dispensed by Mother Saint Patrick in humongous Dr White's boxes discreetly covered in brown paper." Breakfast "We all prayed on our knees in the large hall at St Crescentia's after getting dressed before 'going over the other side' - the expression universally used for crossing the road to the main convent where we had breakfast in the refectory - which for some reason or other we all pronounced as the 'refretry'." One child would be a server at each table. They would carry four plates at a time until the table was served. If we wanted large portions the server asked for 'extraordinary'." Tea Time "We boarders had 'tuck boxes' to which we were allowed access to at tea time. Tea was bread and butter and very lurid jam, so home comforts were a boon. Food generally was pretty ghastly. I have vivid memories of lumpy semolina and frogs eyes." The Nuns "The custom was to curtsey every time one saw a nun - and as it was a busy convent, much of the day was spent bobbing up and down saying "good morning/good afternoon, Sister" as we went about the school. Yes, the nuns changed from being Mothers to Sisters somewhere along the way." We 'Did a Runner' "I remember running away from St Margaret's when I was 10 because some of us boarders felt we were being victimised by one of the nuns. Whilst we were on boarders' duties of cleaning the classroom after school - Helen Robertson, Felicity Sheridan and I did a runner and caught the bus to Portobello where we had decided we would live indefinitely with Felicity's Aunty." Return to School "Several hours later, after Felicity's Uncle had come home horrified to find us there, we were quickly despatched back to school. We were 'sent to Reverend Mother' (in the Parlour), severely told off and sent to Chapel to say we were sorry to God. We remained in enforced disgrace for a couple of weeks and were sent to Coventry, but actually were considered rather heroic by the other girls. Poor Felicity for some reason or other seemed to get most of the blame and left soon after. The nuns and girls had apparently all been looking for us for hours outside in the rain and one can imagine the school's panic." Teachers "Miss Anfrey (French) was a hoot, and always wore the same brown leather boots. Mrs Macnamara was very jolly and taught biology; I remember her occasionally producing a plastic transparent naked woman evidently to be used for illustration purposes, but I never remember her getting below the neck without turning pink. Human reproduction was a matter of reading from pages x to y, and certainly had no illustrations Mother John was Headmistress. She taught me Latin; she was an inspirational enthusiastic teacher and wonderful person, but Lord help us if we misbehaved. Sister Fidelma Joseph was a great singing teacher and went on to become reverend mother. Sister Kieran taught sewing and loved raising money for the 'Elna' - a sewing machine, I believe, but I never used it." Friends "My best friend for years was May Pettigrew. I was huge friends with: - Christine Maclellan - Maureen Galbraith - Colette Duddy - Marilyn Macready and later on - Monica Macduff (now Monica Wilson). I remember Rosa and Donna Visocchi and how Mother John laughed when their father snored through our concerts. I remember looking up with awe to older girls who seemed very sophisticated. - Wanda Kaye - Alison Groves - Loreto Maclellan Study, Prayers and Bed "We all stood for the 'Angelus' at mid-day. We had study after tea until supper. We went to chapel after supper for Night Prayers before going back 'over the other side' to bed - and prayers again before lights out. Because of enforced 'lights out', at exam time we used to do our last-minute swotting under our sheets and blankets in bed by torch light." Bad Behaviour "Bad behaviour or poor work was punishable by receiving 'Order Marks' and very bad behaviour merited a 'Conduct Mark' - a real shock-horror event." Houses "We were all in Houses and there was a lot of competition between the houses: - Gillis, - Trail - Menzies - Clapperton. Basically all sport, academic and artistic achievement benefited the house - so competition was a pretty motivating factor for just about everything - all incredibly politically incorrect I suppose." Weekends "We had endless weekend walks up Arthur's Seat and to The Museum in 'crocodiles', then when we were older we were allowed to wear our own clothes at weekends and even go out for a couple of hours. We would have a coffee in George Street and sneak fags back to school and think we were wicked." Education "I'm not sure if any of us was all that brilliant academically. The idea was that we would be strong characters, and there were a lot of those about. It was a quirky, slightly crazy school by modern standards maybe - but I loved it." Leaving School "Sadly, I had to leave before Highers - but I always stayed in touch with Mother John. Years later, she came to visit me at home in Derbyshire. (I was married with I think 3 children at that stage.) She told me that after she left St Margaret's she ended up teaching at a comprehensive in Wales where all the nuns were 'penguins' - no curtseying there - but unsurprisingly she loved that school too and, reading between the lines, the kids there loved her too. She was a remarkable person." Contact "I'd like to hear from anyone. Monica is the only person I am still in touch with and she has remained a great friend." Jane Litherland, née Oag, Hathersgate, Derbyshire, England: November 6+25, 2012 |
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Reply to Jane If you'd like to send a reply to Jane, please email me, then I'll pass on her email address to you. Thank you. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: November 26, 2012 |
Recollections 26. Delia Perrett Perth, Western Australia, Australia |
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Thank you to Delia Perrett who wrote: |
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The Convent Building Now a 'B and B' "By chance a colleague of mine is in Edinburgh and I asked her to take a look along White House Loan to see if the old St Margaret's Convent school was still there. Yes, the building is still there, but not as a school. So in an idle moment at work I went on the net just to see if and when the place changed from a school to a 'B and B'." My Schooldays 1963-68 "Imagine my surprise to find all the folk who are connected to the place and asking about past students. I began at St Margaret's Convent in 1963 and left the joint in 1968 to commence nursing. I'm still slogging along in 'Health', albeit in Perth, Western Australia." Friends "I lost touch with my school mates as we came from all over the world. My parents were living in Kenya and then went to live in Malawi and then, in my final years, in South Africa. I see Karin McKerron, now living in Tassie, gave me a mention in her 'Recollections 17' above. I'd love to be in touch with her again. I don’t know if she remembers half the mob that we used to know. I have a pan photo of all the school students hanging in my house, as well as a class photo taken in 1966." Memories "I remember: - the dog, 'Jip'. She was loved by everyone. - being made to get up every morning to say prayers on our knees. Oh, how I hated that. - playing hockey for the school, which I loved. I wonder if the hockey pitch is still there? - the cold in winter. I hated it. Every year in November we were dragged off to Edinburgh Castle to visit St Margaret’s Chapel. I remember the snow and the bitter winds up there on the parapet!" School Holidays "As I could not go home to Africa for most school holidays. I stayed with: - Pamela Fox and her sisters and brothers. - Anne Stoddert. Her folks lived in India and retired to Edinburgh. - my talented artist friend, Andrena Devlin. Her Mum had a Chinese restaurant opposite the Odeon cinema where we saw 'The Sound of Music'. Man, that's so long ago!" Delia Perrett, Perth, Western Australia, Australia: August 29, 2012 |
Recollections 27. Suzanne Denny (née Spiers) near Yateley, Hampshire, England |
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Thank you to Suzanne Denny who wrote: |
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1968 "I started St Margaret's at the age of four, in August 1968. Unfortunately I was only there for 5 terms as I was taken kicking and screaming to live in England. Mother Martina "I remember Mother Martina, sitting at her desk as I was learning to read. Sometimes she let my little sister stay for part of the day. After she retired she moved to a convent in Paisley. My mother kept in touch with her until she died." School Lunches "When I was at St Margaret's, the junior school was over the road from the Convent. That building is now an undertakers. I remember hating school lunches, so when my grandfather retired, during my first term, I used to go my grandparents' house in Barclay Place for lunch. There was a sweet shop that we sometimes stopped at on the way back to school." The School Buildings In P1, we were in he Victorian part of the building. The room seemed huge to me with lots of big windows. In P2 we were in the new section. I remember we were taken over the road to the convent, and I remember meeting someone important. I've been told it was Archbishop Gray. The names of classmates that I can remember (forgive spelling mistakes) are: - Jacqueline Drolow - Janet Brown - a boy called Francis. Italian names also come to mind. Someone in the class shared a birthday with me, October 30. Suzanne Denny, near Yateley, Hampshire, England: July 29, 2013 |
Recollections 28. Stan Urbaniak Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Stan Urbaniak who read Suzanne Denny's comments above and posted a message in the EdinPhoto guestbook. Stan wrote: |
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Mother Martina "Suzanne Denny's comments re Mother Martina at brought back memories. I attended St. Margaret's from 1953 to 1955, aged 5, and well remember a very young Mother Martina. She was a lovely person." Stan Urbaniak, Edinburgh: Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook, August 13, 2013 |
Recollections 29. Avril Lamb (née Capaldi) Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Avril Lamb (née Capaldi) who wrote: |
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1961-72 "I attended the St Margaret's Convent from 1960 to 1972. Pupils "I remember many of the names mentioned above: - Rebecca Murgatroyd was my friend at school. We went to the same ballet school for years. - Janice Vissenga was a very talented artist. We were on stage together as part of a comedy duo. - Danuta Bizio was my best when I was a teenager. - Heather Macintyre is another girl that I remember. Other Memories "I also remember: - the names of many of the nuns that have been mentioned previously. - I was in the House 'Gillies' . It had the blue badge. - the grounds were very pretty, as I recall - I received my First Communion in the chapel - I spent 11 years of my life at St Margaret's, so have lots of memories from that time, long ago Best Wishes I pass on my best wishes to the people I remember. Avril Lamb (née Capaldi), Edinburgh: August 24, 2013 |
Recollections 30. Rebekah Boyns (née Samuels) Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England |
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Thank you to Rebekah Boyns who wrote |
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From around 1972 "I was a pupil at St Margaret's Convent on Whitehouse Loan from about 1972 until I left at the end of Senior 3. - I was a day girl, starting in St Cresentia's over the road. - I was in Clapperton which had the green badge Teachers Teachers I remember were - Sister Mary Carr, headmistress. - Mrs Train for French - Miss King for History - Miss Dee for pe and games - Sister Bernadette took me for Maths. - Miss Gordon for Geography. We used to see if we could get her to talk about her cats. Pupils I remember: - Tracey Gibbons - Marie Elena - Vivienne Tut - Suzie McInnis - Fiona Farmer - Caroline - Lucy - Helen - Victoria - Anne Memories I remember: - sliding down the slope to the field on icy days. - House Competitions, which I used to love. - our year performing 'Joseph' - the 'secret' library behind the stage, which I loved! - Physics was taught in the house down by the field. - There was a sort of museum at the end of the cloisters. I remember a picture hanging on the wall that had eyes seemed to follow you everywhere. I was very sad to leave the school. My days at St Margaret's were very happy." Rebekah Boyns (née Samuels), Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England: October 17+18, 2014 |
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Recollections 31. Ann Hirst (née O'Hara) |
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Thank you to Ann Hirst who wrote: |
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Teaching at St Margaret's 1966 "I got my first teaching job at St Margaret's in 1966, teaching Primary 3 and then Primary 6. I was then Ann O'Hara. I remember being told that I nearly didn't get the job because my skirt was rather too short! I left to get married and still have the placemats which I was given as a wedding present. Happy memories ." Ann Hirst (née O'Hara): December 1, 2014 |
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Recollections 32. Liz Petrie (née Elizabeth Johnson) Phoenix, Arizona, USA |
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Thank you to Liz Petrie who wrote: |
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Attending the Convent 1953-61 "I was just surfing the web when I came across photos of the convent and lots of memories of old students and boarders. It brought back so many memories to me. When I attended the convent, from age 10 to 17, I was known as Elizabeth Johnston. I was a day girl and travelled from Corstorphine changing at Lothian Road with my neighborhood chums who went to Boroughmuir and Gillespies." First Impressions "I remember the first few weeks there as quite daunting, having to go through the small door in the large entrance. I hated to have to knock to get in when I was late." Teachers "I believe I began in Transition with Mother Celsius. I was in Gilles house (blue). - Mrs. Nowosielska was my mother's cousin and she was our gym teacher. Her daughters Olenka, Barbara, Anna and Charles all attended the convent while I was there. Olenka was in the year above me, Barbara was a year younger. - The other teachers I had were: - Mother John of the Cross, Latin - Mother Theresa Margaret, Math - Miss Bodie, Geography - Mademoiselle Anfry, French - Miss Maclean, History - Miss Birchhill, who was Canadian and taught Science (in the lab over in another building with a turret and spiral stairs. She was followed by Miss Woodhawks - Mother St Clair, art and sewing - Mother Bernadette, but I can't remember if that was when I first went to the convent. ( Some memories are not as vivid as others.) We had a Polish tennis coach by the name of Mr. Twachinsky (I'm not sure of the spelling.)" Refugees "During the Hungarian Revolution, the convent was involved with refugees. I know my mother and Mrs Nowosielska were kept busy." Visit to France "I went to France with a group of girls, accompanied by Mother John and Mother Theresa Margaret. We stayed in Ursuline convents around France including: - La Rochelle, - Ste Jean De Luz, outside Biarritz, - Lourdes, which was the main reason for the trip." France Again! "On the convent's 100th anniversary. We also went to Chavagnes to see one of our nuns take her final vows. I believe there were 18 girls. I remember being on the beach in Biarritz and getting a horrendous sunburn. It was August and scorching!" Pupils "I came across a photo of myself and Marie Simpson being presented with a ribbon or pin for winning the three legged race! What an achievement! Girls that I remember are: - Stephanie Dolan - Margaret Pickering - Andrea Eddington - Marie Simpson - Norah Simpson (Marie's sister) - Christine Wisden - Christine King - Jane Minkly - Jane Regan - many more." Emigration - Canada then USA "I married the brother of two of the pupils at the convent, Elizanne and Kathleen Petrie. Gordon and I married and emigrated to Canada in 1968, supposedly for a couple of years, but although we return every year we still live in North America - now in the Phoenix, Arizona area in the USA where we have been for 35 years." Convent Reunion "A few years back I attended a convent reunion with Elizanne. We met up with quite a few of the old girls including Otilia Saxl and Valerie Metcalf. I had hoped to attend this year's reunion but I won't be over until mid-July. Making Contact "I'd love to catch up with some of the girls who attended the convent between 1953 and 1961. I'd also like to get in touch with some of the girls living in the States. Perhaps we could have a US branch of 'Old Girls'! Liz Petrie, Phoenix, Arizona, USA: 18 March 2014 |
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Reply to Jane If you remember Liz and would like to send a message to her, please email me, then I'll pass on her email address to you. Thank you. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: March 2014 |
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Recollections 33. Darryn McGreevy Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Darryn McGreevy who wrote: |
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My Sisters "I also have a lot of memories of St Margaret's Convent as my two sisters, Cindy and Paula, attended it from Kindergarten through until about 1977-78 Thirlstane Road The Wall "We also lived in Thirlestane Road so also have a lot of memories of climbing along the wall that joined Warrender Baths and the St Margaret's Playing Fields, often after being told to leave the hockey pitch which we used for playing football We would end up having to either jump down into the coal pile that stoked Warrender baths to then get away down Thirlestane Lane, or we would jump down via the garages and get away via Strathearn Road. Sometimes the nuns moved us on; other times they didn't seem to bother I can't really remember but I'm told I also attended the nursery which was across the road from the main school and is now a funeral directors" Darryn Mcgreevy, Edinburgh: February 17+24, 2015 |
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Recollections 34. Louisa Matos (née Livornese) |
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Thank you to Louisa Matos who wrote: |
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1969 to 1981 My Family "I was a day pupil at St Margaret's from 1969 for 12 years. My brother, Richard Livornese, went there until boys could no longer attend, then he failed his exams to Scotus Academy so went to a normal school I got the cane once in P1." Food "I remember lunch times with the long tables in a room off the Cloisters. I loved the sponge with strawberry jam and coconut but hated custard with skin and still do. There was a tuck shop in the 'big school', and sometimes I was allowed to help sell the fizzy juice at lunch time." Lessons "Miss MacAri taught PE. I used to dance, so I liked it when we had country dancing as the term subject,. Miss King taught history. You always left her class with a sore wrist as it was constant dictation. She made great toffee apples which she sold at the school. She had the top floor room above the big hall that had the stage." The Library "The Library was a awesome place to go. If you were not being monitored you could rake through the bottom cupboards and look at all the old photos of events at the school. A door led off from here to the nuns' quarters. Cloisters had some stuffed animals in glass cases." The Bell "It was a big deal if you were allowed to ring the bell for the end of a period." Skipping School "If you skipped school, Morningside people would call in to the school and tip the nuns off. You had to walk the back streets if you skipped school and to avoid the bus at all costs. Last Day of Term "The last day of term in the Summer was always a big day. That was when the house cup was won. The final event was the musical or play or montage that we had worked for weeks on. You built up points doing things like creative writing, flower arranging and crafts. I remember doing Italian songs one year. (Lots of Italian descendants were in Trail like me ) and I was practicing at home and my dad was annoyed that we were singing a communist song." The Last Day of Term "Feast Days were a huge celebration and I recall Corpus Christi with much affection. We had to wear white gloves to the ceremony with a summer dress and blazer with Panama hat." Uniforms "We had set uniforms for different seasons: - Summer dress with blazer and Panama hat in the summer - Harris tweed coat and beret in the winter - Felt beret and blazer in spring and autumn. There were no short skirts. At PE, you had to wear culottes or 'skorts' as they were known then - big blue pants at all times." Singing "We used to have singing practice with a nun, almost always hymns. She was a good singer." The Church "There was a gate at the side of the church and every so often the inner door was left open and you could see into the room where there were coffins." Sports Day
"Sports
day was a huge family event with stalls as well as the usual three legged
race, etc.
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Laura di Ciacca Leaving School "I left in 5th year but most stayed on to do 6th year. I'd never have got the exams I passed without the school, as I hated studying and still do." Discipline "I've still got my first blazer. Discipline from school times is still with me today. I have very good memories of the school, and great stories to tell the kids." Louisa Matos (née Livornese): January 11, 2015 |
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Recollections 35. Margarette Grant-Brown (née Schafer) London. England |
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Thank you to Margarette Grant-Brown who wrote: |
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1958-1970 "I attended St Margaret's convent school from 1958 to 1970. I was in 'Trail House'. (The school also had other houses - 'Gillies', 'Clapperton' and one that I've forgotten.) I made my First Holy Communion and Confirmation there. I have lots of memories. None any good! I loved the building but hated the school. They suppressed my artistic talent and I found the lessons boring and uninspiring. I was put a class ahead when I first went to school there as I was a very bright kid. However, they ruined that and in the end put me down again! I lost all interest in school there. They were just not good teachers!" Move to London "I left St Margaret's and moved to London where I received a proper education and was encouraged in every way to learn from foreword-thinking, more imaginative people. I went on to attain degrees in English, History and Art. I would not have got these had I stayed in St Margaret's. I've had a brilliant career in the City banking industry, and have travelled all over the world. I'm afraid that in St Margaret's, if your face fitted and you were a 'mouth-shut' conformist who agreed with everything they told you, that was OK, but if not you were ignored and left basically uneducated. I was obviously the latter. I asked too many questions! After getting no answers, I just gave up sat at the back and ignored everything they said. It worked out great for me, thanks to a London education! How many others did they ruin?" Margarette Grant-Brown (née Schafer), London, England: 18 December, 2015 |
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Recollections 36. Janet Harvell (née Ferla) Worcester, Worcestershire, England |
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Thank you to Janet Harvell who wrote: |
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1964-1970 "I've been doing some research, having turned 60 last year, I'm trying to find out about my old school, St Margaret's Convent which I attended roughly between 1964-1970, and was a day boarder." Overall, I have good memories of my time there. My name then was Janet Ferla. Headmistress "I remember when I went for my interview to join the school, the Headmistress telling us about the different hiding places in the convent (I am sure I can remember her showing us one) where the Christians hid during the Reformation. I also remember the ordination of Cardinal Gray." **
Teachers "I remember several of the teachers: - My favourite teacher was Mrs Flanagan. I still remember her to this day. - I remember Sister Philomena who had had polio as a child and wore a leg brace. - I remember the very stern French teacher who was quite masculine - There was also a younger French teacher at one time who I remember the nuns introducing to my parents because they were of a similar age (my parents were very young when they had me) - I think her name was Marie Claire. Memories "Looking at the postcards I can remember ducking into the arch to get through on my way to school. The bus would drop us off just outside. I can't remember much visually, but I do remember an outdoor grotto feature I can remember liking sports I remember deportment classes and us all walking around the classroom with a book on our heads I also remember needlework classes and singing along to the Sound of Music. The gardens were lovely Friends "My best friends were: - Anita Di Ciacca - Amelia Greig - Susan Mackay (We went on holiday and she was fantastic at making her own clothes) - Louise Locke I also remember Sanjukta Nandy. Between us we used to come first and second place Leaving Edinburgh "I left the school in 1970 when my father got a job in Zambia. That was just before my O levels (or the equivalent). I attended the Dominican Convent in Ndola, Zambia where I took my O Levels and then came back to UK for A levels." Return Visit to Edinburgh "I returned to Edinburgh for a visit about 15 years ago to look at the old place, I was sad to see that it had closed down, but the memories came flooding back."
Janet Harvell (née Ferla), Senior Lecturer, University of
Worcester, |
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Recollections 37. Dave McDougal Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Dave McDougal who wrote: |
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Cardinal Gray You Tube Video 1966/67 "Janet Harvell, in her Recollections 36 above, mentions the Ordination of Cardinal Gray .** I went hunting on the Internet for more information about the Convent and discovered this youtube video." Dave McDougal, Edinburgh: 25 January, 2015
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Recollections 38. Roza Bloom (née Visocchi) London, England |
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Thank you to Rosa Bloom who wrote: |
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My School Friends "I was a boarder at St Margaret's Convent from 1962 to 1969. I recently met up with Linda Duthie after 48 years. We had a good reminisce about our schooldays. I recognise quite a few names from the past amongst the contributors to this page. I particularly remember: - Andrea Devlin - Heather McIntyre - Delia Perett - and members of the Drama or Operatic Groups . I was in performances of : - 'Arms and the Man' - 'The Importance of being Ernest' - The Mikado' and - 'HMS Pinafore' If any of these performances rings a bell for you, I'd love to hear from you." The Gillies Centre "St Margaret's is now 'The Gillies Centre'. I took my husband on a tour of the place and I swear it still has a whiff of boiled sprouts about it! It wasn't Mallory Towers but I had a lot of fun there and even managed to achieve Dux of the school, probably to Sr John's consternation!" Hogwarts "My daughters are convinced that I went to Hogwarts! - not quite, but we did manage to create our own bit of magic there." Roza Bloom (née Visocchi), London, England; 12 July 2017 (2 emails) |
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Reply to Rosa If you remember Roza Visocchi, and would like to send a message to her, please email me to let me know. Then I'll pass on her email address to you then you can try to contact her. Thank you. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: 12 July 2017 |
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Recollections 39.
Jan Roberts North Wales |
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Thank you to Jan Roberts for telling me that she remembers Roza Bloom (née Visocchi) who wrote Recollections 38 above. I've now passed on Roza's email address to Jan and hope that they will be able to make contact again with each other. Jan wrote: |
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1962-68 Roza Bloom (née Visocchi) "I remember Rosa well. We watched all the drama performances mentioned. She was a natural performer, both on and off stage! There was an older girl too, Alison Greave (l think her name was) who went on to Drama College. I remember seeing her occasionally on TV in the early-1970s. Rosa and I were in the same year group. We were not close friends, but in a class of 24 or so, you knew each other fairly well. I was then 'Janet Chaning Pearce' - a name that caused me considerable inverted snobbery reactions when l arrived at the school after living in London for a few years. I was very thankful when I became simply 'Jan Roberts' some years later." Teachers "Many of the teachers from that period have been mentioned above, I remember them well. My favourite was Mrs MacNamara (spelled wrong, I'm sure, but being Dyslexic my spelling was always my downfall.) She taught general Science and was strict, but fair. There was only a small lab, well away from the main school. It was in the house by the entry to the hockey pitch - the pitch that backed on to Warrender Swimming Pool, mentioned earlier. We had a few different teachers during that period and I can't remember any names. Our PE teacher was not a nun. Boys "Yes, boys did sit on the wall often as we played! I hope you enjoyed it! I think the nuns had given up trying to get them to move away by then." Jan Roberts (née Janet Channing Pearce): 21 August 2017 |
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