Franciscan Convent School c1960, Copthorne
Franciscan Convent School c1960, Copthorne Ref: C422041
Memories of Franciscan Convent School c1960, Copthorne
SPANISH ENGLISH STUDENT
I think I was one of the first Spanish students that went to England to learn English. This was forty years ago, and I suppose that I have lost a lot of my English. I lived in the Franciscan Convent School from September 1969 till April 1970. I remember Sister Filomena, Mark Balard and some other colleagues. I had such a nice experience there and I hope to visit the place again although I have read that nowadays it is not as I remember the place. It would be a pleasure to hear from others students at that time.
Copthorne Convent
My name is Maggie Wilkinson. My mum Elizabeth Pilkington lived at Copthorne Convent, then it was called Bank Farm House, she was married from there on 6th June 1942. My parents were married at St John's church. Mum's stepfather owned the house, his name was Sydney Levett. Mum has many memories of Copthorne and Surrey, I have many photos of the house and the gardens which my grandmother created. I managed to visit the house many years ago. Mum would be very sad to hear it has been demolished, she loved living there. When they sold the house my grandparents moved to Yew Tree Cottage in Smallfield where one of my brothers, Blair, was born in 1947.
Franciscan Convent School
I lived at the convent from 1970 to 1975, Sister Philomena looked after us as children, I was 5 years old when my father sent my 2 brothers and I to live there. The nuns made my childhood memories so good, I think I was very lucky and over the years have revisited the convent. I am travelling back to England next week and will take my wife and children to visit Sister Philomena and the convent. The main building is as the picture but unfortunately the boys dormatories were sold off to housing developers. Many of the Sisters who were there in the 70's are still at the convent.
Copthorne & local memories
Read and share memories of Copthorne and West Sussex inspired by Frith photos.
The Dukes Head
I remember having to pass The Duke's Head every day on my way to school in the 60's, but have never been inside. We lived on Snowhill Road at an old country stores and off license, which was called Fletcher's Stores - now a private house. Mum or Dad would take us to Crawley Down C of E school in the little blue shop delivery van. Occasionally, we had to walk up to the Dukes Head to catch the bus to Crawley Down, but not often. I can even remember having to (as children) push the van to get it started. This picture is exactly as I remember it.
Convent School
I worked on the then new school class rooms in 1950 Jack Cockrell was the builder also working there were Bill Cockrell, Eric Bew, Nobby Harber, his son, and Reg Denman, G. Askew. Ray Budgen, and now it has been knocked down flats built there lasted 59 years.
