Boarding at The Visitation Convent
My brother and I attended the Convent as boarders from 1958 to 1961 after the death of our mother. We were pretty traumatised on our first day there but were gently looked after by the wonderful Sister Edith. I later remember serving at her funeral. The discipline could be quite harsh at times and I do recall the infants being forced to eat there own vomit at breakfast. Not being allowed to go to the loo when you needed to, especially at night, is a lasting memory.The education was very good and I did well there, having joined with English as my second language. I do remember the room with the strange creatures in jars, it was where we would go for our haircuts. My brother and I enjoyed playing football and represented the school in local competitions. Our home games were played on the field opposite. We went on to win a cup competition against a local school, who were the strong favourites. My brother Steve was the goalkeeper and team captain. We got our pictures in the local paper and played the match at the Bridport FC ground. Mr. Greening, our coach, was so pleased he took the whole team out one afternoon to watch Bridport FC play and introduced us to the players. It was the first football competition the school had won. I remember the long walks to West Bay and elsewhere come rain or shine and sunny summer afternoons on the beach under the cliffs. There were many pupils attending the Convent whose parents were serving in the forces overseas and they would go away for the holidays to exotic places like India, Africa and Asia, locations I could only dream about then. I have fond memories of the school, but we were always glad to get away at the end of term and be back in London.
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RE: RE: Boarding at The Visitation Convent
My brother John and I attended the convent for about a year, from Autumn 59 -Spring 60. Sister Edith was my brother's teacher, mine being Sister Anne. Memories of our time there are mostly poignant but the sisters were very strict to the point of abuse. My dad was stationed at Bovington and we came from an RC background so were sent as boarders to Bridport. It was certainly a different life then, like a time that we see reflected in BBC plays. I don't really remember any of the names of the other boys but we probably met.
Comment from David Robbins on Saturday, 25th October 2008.
RE: RE: Boarding at The Visitation Convent
I remember the Molnar twins and that football match! The center forward was Andrew Colombini & the opposing school was St Mary's. I was sitting on a wall watching the match and fell off with the excitement of it all.
The strange thing is that to my recollection it was in 1962.
My brother and I boarded from that time until 1965. Our first teacher was Sr Mary Michael an absolute brute but had a better time with Sr Magdalene who was tough but fair. I have a great many fond memories of that school and a few bad ones most of which involve Mary Michael. My Brothers team beat St Mary's in 1965 with him as captain. I'm afraid to say they beat my team the previous year in the final with me as captain. I still have nightmares about it :-).
Comment from Steve Salvary on Wednesday, 7th July 2010.