CONTENTS
1
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 11920 - formation of the Guild and early reunions.
Chapter 21948 - restarting of the Guild after the War
Chapter 3Unveiling of the John Hampden Memorial
Chapter 41951 - 1953 - Miss Hockley becomes President and Dorothy Hamilton-Hill
becomes Chairman
Chapter 51954 - 1959
Chapter 61960 - 1962
Chapter 7Failing health of Miss Hockley and Miss Messenger
Chapter 8Death of Miss Hockley
Chapter 91967 - decision that the Guild should continue
Chapter 101968 - 70 includes the deaths of Miss Messenger and Clarice Coles
Chapter 111976 - 1983
Chapter 121983 - 1989 - formation of the Thame Team to run the Guild
Chapter 13 1990 - Dorothy Avery becomes Chairman on resignation of Dorothy Hamilton-Hill
Plans for celebrating 70 years of the Guild.
Chapter 14 1992 Unveiling of plaque marking the site of the historic buildings in which the School
was housed
Chapter 15 1993 - 1994 preparations for 75th anniversary of the Guild
Chapter 16 1995 - 1996 includes the death of Dorothy Hamilton-Hill
Chapter 17 1999 - 2000 Millennium celebrations and presentation of bird bath to Thame
churchyard. Doreen Taylor succeeds Dorothy Avery as Chairman.
Epilogue
PREFACE
2
A highlight of the week for me when I was at school was Miss Digby's Tuesday dancing class which took place after lessons in the early evening. We had to change into cream shantung dresses with brown and yellow embroidery at the neck and, of course, into dancing pumps. These were brought to school in attache cases.
I am one for keeping things which might still have a use so the case was not discarded when it was no longer used but gathered dust in a corner of the house. I also keep correspondence and when I became a member of the T vv04/12/18E04/12/18 c chame G.G.S. ^JUild the case seemed an appropriate place for keeping any papers relatfving to the Guild- As the years went by the papers grew until the lid of the now battered case would
scarcely shut.
Recently I asked myself what would happen to these papers on my demise. Would they just be thrown out? If they were passed to the Guild, who would have the time or patience to go through them? I deciZ~$~DDFXFSip8./D.8/.fi/.njFjoipipDFyddr54Q35 QQQ XZX CPI08O/;PM efrffzrzd that the person t-9.=].o do this was me and that many of them might well be of interest. I have now been th/rough them and discarded any that were only of temporary relevance. This history of the Guild is
the result.
It reveals how in the early years it was influenced by Miss Hockley; how, despite having no 'home' after the closure of the school, it survived; and how at last it has found a meeting place in Thame which seems its rightful venue.
We are all aware that it must inevitably have a limited existence as we all grow older and it will be interesting to see how it meets this challenge. The old Tamensians of our age groups have shown interest in it - will there be some link-up with them? What is certain is that the Guild has developed in a marvellous way into a fellowship where members show concern for each other and it has kept faith with the ideals of its founders. May it flourish for many years yet!
2001
Dorothy Avery
INTRODUCTIONJ
Thame has been associated with schooling at least since 1559 when Lord Williams bequeathed property for a free school which was established in Church Lane. After its move to the Oxford Road site in 1879 it was succeeded by the Oxford County School for the Boys of Gentlemen which by the turn of the century occupied the High Street premises which we remember so well. There was no equivalent provision for girls until a school was started in the Church Lane buildings. This was run by Miss Co well, Miss Dodwell and Miss Hughes who, when the Oxford County School for Boys ceased, moved to the High Street buildings. When in 1918 the time came for them to retire, the school was acquired by Miss May Hockley and Miss Clara Messenger and became the Thame Girls' Grammar School.
Miss Messenger was a member of a well knownOxfordshire family of auctioneers. She was a talented business woman and, having been trained in domestic science, she looked after the secretarial and domestic side of the school as well as the catering and housekeeping. It is not known how she came to know Miss Hockley, but they formed a firm partnership and friendship which was to last to the end of their lives.
Miss Hockley came from Clapham High School where she was senior mistress. She looked after the educational side and was an excellent teacher. She had the reputation of being a disciplinarian and was feared by many, but behind a somewhat forbidding exterior, she was a kindly woman who, unknown to most people, helped pupils and their parents who were finding it difficult to pay the very modest fees. Above all she was a woman of principle and instilled into her girls standards which would carry them through life. How many of us, when faced with some of today's behaviour will murmur "What would Miss Hockley have thought of this?" Her concern was for her pupils and her aim was to provide an environment in which they could develop their full potential. Thus, under Miss Messenger and Miss Hockley, the school began a new phase in its history in 1918.
The garden side of the School buildings in Thame High Street showing the archway on the right. The
open window was in Miss Hockley's study.
CHAPTER 1
4
In 1920 the senior girl, Dorothy Adams was due to leave. She had enjoyed her school years and she suggested to Miss Hockley that some kind of old girls' association be started so that its members could keep in touch with the school and with each other and so the Thame Girls' Grammar School Fellowship began with Miss Hockley as its chairman and Dorothy (Doss) Adams as its secretary. At school Dorothy Adams was called Doss Adams to distinguish her from another girl of the same name and Doss she remained until the end of her long life. She claimed to be and was always regarded as the founder of the Guild.
A membership card was produced which contained the following message from Miss Hockley and the rules:-
When we open our hearts to the Holy Spirit of Love and Beauty our sense of the world unseen is awakened whereby we may see deep into the life of things. 'Then are we lifted above the unstable current of self-will and the bondage of ignoble fear into accordance with the Divine will and purpose. It is then that the heart grows wise and understanding and learns to throb with others' joy and bleed for others' woe, which is true fellowship. Then, too, the powers we have, but use not, are raised within us and gifts lying waste and hidden are brought to light As we grow older the Divine Reality will become clearer and fuller - a guide in perplexities - a rock amidst the changes of this life -and a joy outliving the shadows of pain and ffl. M.H.
RULES
1.To promote a feeling of good fellowship among all with whom I come in contact, especially any past members of the School I may happen to know, and to make a point of trying to become acquainted with other members living in the vicinity of my home.
2.To take up some ONE piece of definite work for others and to cany it on perseveringly, e.g. Missionary work - Sunday School teaching - Girls' Club work - Girl Guiding, etc.
Or, if circumstances do not permit this, to subscribe REGULARLY what I can afford to some object supported by the School "Universal Helpers Society," and to bring or send this contribution on Old Girls' Day.
3.To further in some way the interests of the School, e.g. by making it known to others, by getting other "Old Girls" to join the Guild, by the donation of books to the library, etc.
4.To make every effort to come to the Annual Old Girls' Meeting, and, if unable to do this, to send news of myself once a year, with any items of personal interest, also notification of change of address, for inclusion in the Magazine.
Some of the old girls might have been put off by this and wondered what they were letting
themselves in for, but the Guild started.
There was an entrance fee of 2/6d (12AAp in today's currency) and an annual subscription of 5/-
.Subscribing members received the twice yearly school magazine, the Grammarian and two meetings
were held each year, one in London in the Spring and one at the school in the summer.
Few papers survive from those early pre-war days but we have reports of the 1930 summer reunion
and the 1931 Spring and Summer reunions in editions of the Grammarian. The account of the 1930
reunion at the School, at which 35 members were present, reports proposals which would hardly fit the
established pattern of the Guild reunions today.
" The 1930 summer reunion took place at the School on May 31st and proved a delightful gathering, pervaded by a really happy spirit. Three of the Old Girls had responded to the invitation to bring small sons and daughters, and the one young gentleman produced amused the whole dining hall during dinner, the weather being somewhat unsettled, the afternoon was spent in the gymnasium where a very jolly sing-song was held, the School entertained the visitors with items from the recent concert, consisting chiefly of national dances in costume. In their turn the visitors contributed to the entertainment. Pat Fellows recited with much feeling, and Audrey Betts danced in costume.
Eveiyone then repaired to the dining-hall for tea. Here we were joined by Miss Lyrthall, who was greeted enthusiastically by her old pupils. At the official meeting which followed there was little business to transact. After a hearty vote of thanks to Miss Hockley and to Miss Messenger for their hospitality, the meeting dispersed."
"The 1931 winter reunion was held in London on March 14th. Members met at the Old Vic for a matinee of Madam Butterfly, and this charming little opera, beautifully sung, was much enjoyed. Dinner at the Kingsley Hotel followed as usual. We were delighted to welcome Miss Coleman to the matinee, Miss Joce and Miss Lythall to dinner, and Miss Hockley and Miss East to both.
In the course of the evening Miss Hockley (unanimously supported by the meeting) proposed that a beauty competition for members' babies be held, to be judged from photographs or snapshots by a committee consisting of Staff and Sixth Form, the three winning pictures to be published in the next number of "The Grammarian". We hope that members will make a noble response - as, indeed, they undoubtedly will, to such a fascinating idea. Members are once again invited to bring their children and/or grandchildren (we are getting ambitious) to the next reunion at the School on June 6th."
The Summer Reunion makes no reference to the photographic competition proposed at theLondon meeting - perhaps the response was insufficient, though the Grammarian for that year contains a delightful photograph of a little boy, Michael Lamb.
In March 1932 the annual Reunion began with a visit to the Old Vic for the matinee performance of the Vic-Wells Ballet with Anton Dolin. This was followed by dinner at the Kingsley Hotel. Theatre tickets were 2/ 6d and dinner was 4/-
The summer reunion of that year was held at the School on June 6th. The Thame reunions
seemed to be dogged by inclement weather and this was no exception, as the following report describes:-
"A programme of outdoor events had been arranged but, sad to say, the rain which fell during the previous night rendered it out of the question to adjourn to the field. However, the afternoon proved beautifully sunny, and an amusing rounders match, School v Old Girls, was staged in the playground. From this the Old Girls retired ignominiously beaten (rounders has become more scientific since their day!). We really should not like to compute the number of balls sent into adjacent premises - by School,, needless to say, but trust they were eventually recovered. Prior to the rounders match, an outdoor sing-song was held, at which an orchestra, assembled for the occasion, did nobly. Again the small people who accompanied their mothers caused much delight - but we haven't noticed any great-grand-children yet!
After tea the usual business meeting was held. The Secretary announced that as the Guild had a certain sum in hand, it was the wish of many Old Girls to make a presentation of some kind to the School, and invited suggestions from the meeting. A number of ideas were put forward, the most favoured being a competitive cup or shield. It was decided that these alternatives should be submitted to the present members of the School for a decision to be arrived at.
The decision reached was a shield to be held by the House gaining most points for tennis during the season. It was formally presented to the School by Dorothy Gunner (later to become Dorothy Hamilton-Hill) who had taken over as Secretary from Doss Adams in 1928. She said:
"Miss Hockley, Miss Messenger, the Staff and present girls of the School - This is a very happy moment in the life of the Guild and the School. The Guild representing the girls who were once members of the School, as you are now, wished to show how keen their interest still is in the School and in you all and they have given me the privilege of presenting to you a Shield. We want to see you all at Wimbledon one day so we decided to give a shield to be held by the House which gains the most points for tennis during die Season. I hope the interest in the shield will be keen and that you will all take great pleasure in competing for it. Both Houses have our good wishes in the competion but -please don't listen Wykehamites - I hope, as an old member of Hampden - that Hampden has the .honour of first placing its name on this Shield
I wonder if you, the girls at the School, realise what a real delight it is for us, the old girls, to come and see you each year. We look forward with joy to our meetings here as once more it makes us feel what a really happy time we had when we were here, shall I say, many years ago.
I would like to take this chance of asking you all to join the Old Girls' Guild when you leave. I know I'm the Secretary and that it's part of my job to enrol as many members as possible but as a member of the Old Girls' Guild, I do stress this point as it's a wonderful link between girls, past present and future, not only for pleasure but also for the help they are to each other.
I am going to take this excellent opportunity, on behalf of the members of the Old Girls' Guild, to thank the members of the staff for the kindness they show to us, old girls, at these meetings and for their help in making the day such a success.
May I now call upon the Captain of the School - Norah Neighbour - On behalf of the Old Girls' Guild I have the very greatest pleasure in asking you to accept on behalf of the School this Shield to be held by the House gaining the most points for Tennis during the season".
After the closure ot the School at Thame the cup was handed over to Wheatley Park School where it is now in their possession.-
By 1936 the Guild was experiencing problems. Numbers were falling and membership had lapsed. A questionnaire had been circulated to members requesting answers and suggestions. 134 letters had been sent out but only 48 replies had been received. Miss Hockley said this was most unsatisfactoiy and added, ominously, that something definite should be done about the defaulters. The replies received indicated a majority in favour of two meetings a year, two numbers of the Grammarian per year instead of one, and the appointment of assistant secretaries. The question ofa life-membership fee was discussed by the meeting, but only a minority was in favour, and the matter was shelved. It was felt that the appointment of assistant secretaries, besides helping to lighten the duties so devotedly carried out by Mrs. Hamilton-Hill would be of value in bringing back into touch with the Guild members whose membership had lapsed for various reasons. Some of these, it was argued, might now feel that the Guild consisted largely of different 'generations' from their own, and would hesitate to take the first step. Several names of members suited for this work were submitted, and the Secretaiy undertook to approach these members. It was hoped that all who desired to remain members would respond punctually, as failure to do so would entail more trouble and uncertainty for the Secretaiy, who had given long and splendid service and deserved every consideration. Dorothy Hamilton-Hill, formerly Gunner, who had succeeded Doss Adams in 1928,e wrote an account of that Reunion, of which the following is an extract:-