Brussel Sprouts Boiled to Oblivion

Lindy, who has kept in touch with a handful of friends from her time at LEH, leads a busy life, reading, gardening, knitting, painting and writing.  She is also look forward to being a volunteer usher of the Opera, Symphony and Ballet when its allowed to re-open. She is planning to start writing her memoirs soon, and gives us a quick taster here.

"I became a Holles girl in 1941 - so here is a short memory of that time -
 
The Junior School pupils walked to the Senior School for lunch. Sometimes it seemed like a long walk.  Immediately to the right of the path were two lines of staggered bunkers. We were instructed to jump into these if we were strafed on the way to lunch. The rest of the area, from the hedge to the bicycle sheds, was used for growing vegetables. I especially remember Brussels sprouts which would be boiled to oblivion. The tennis court was put in later.
 
Mr. Raynor worked so hard for all of us. He was in charge of the grounds, the gardening, the orchard and the chickens. He used to tell us “You can’t have good gardening without good tilth”. Every day after Senior School Assembly he had to put out all the chairs and tables for lunch and after lunch fold them all up and put them away until the next day.
 
I remember one year (it may have been more than one) that the field was left to grow wild so that the long grass could be cut and used at hay for animals.  A small square under the pink May tree was cut and left open as a play area for us. The teachers took turns to make sure we didn’t batter the grass down.

I was very interested in the the comments about “the land between the schools” and the news that there is now direct access between LEH and Hampton.  I do remember that it was strictly out of bounds - Miss Scott must be rolling in her grave that there is now a GATE and the possibility of a quick hug at lunch time!"