My Unforgetable Time at Delamere

Hi old Delamerites!
My name is Marilyn Levy. I was sent to Delamere at the age of six, and remember crying myself to sleep every night. I probably annoyed all the girls in that dormitory with the notion that I was going home.  In retrospect, my stay in that beautiful paradise was probably the best thing that happened to me!  I have so many memories.  I remember my peg number being lucky thirteen, and can see the dormitory. The windows were always opened, and the air was fresh and sharp. Quite often in the winter, the snowflakes would blow onto our beds. The nurse would always ask "Did anyone have a loose bowel movement?", and if anyone anwered in the affirmative, they did not have to go outside in the bitterly cold snow. I once faked having a stomach ache in order to avoid going outside.
My teacher's name was Mrs. Tyler. I stayed in the Juniors' class for two
years. I think I was definitely learning disabled, although I made up for lost time when I returned home. Like Sid, I remember boys and girls who ran away to the train station - I was one of those naughty children who dared to run away - and on the Sabbath! Ms. Davis, who was the Intermediary teacher, really gave us a good telling off. We got our idea from a movie that was shown on a Saturday night about children who tried to run away from their group home. What were they thinking? Ms. Landau, our headmistress, was none too pleased with our efforts for freedom.  
I remember attending the Brownies with Mrs. Werner, and can still tie a reef knot. The gardens had a huge sunflower in the middle, Virginian Stock around the borders, and beautiful poppies. I am 59 years old, and still love to garden. I reside in New York, and am a member of one of the largest community gardens in the U.S.  Next to the gardens was the dining hall, which had walls that folded in accordian style to allow fresh air to circulate during the summertime.
My favorite spot was Second Valley, which was a space that was beautiful, and naturally out of bounds. I can still visualise the large grounds and the little stream that ran behind the second valley. There was a farm adjacent to the school with a cow named Molly.
I can still visualise many of the staff members. Ms. Langdon was a kindly person who wore ankle socks, and a kindly smile.  Ms. Landau was a no nonsense person who was quite strict. I thought the name of the cook was Ms. Dunster, although in Sid's article. her name was Ms. Dunston. The visiting doctor was Dr. Landau, who insisted that I did not slouch. Just to be contrary, I always slouched whenever I entered the examining room. There was a lovely teacher called Myra Lichtenstein who taught us poetry, such as Henry Longfellow's "Hiawatha".  She was a thorough teacher who loved her craft.
I remember with details the choir, and the little shows that we made. There were many chidren with beautiful voices. Brian Davidson and Brenda Gilson sang so clearly, as well as Joan Selby. I sang in the choir, and sometimes can remember the songs we sang, although I forget who taught us those lovely
melodies
I was bitter for many years that I had been sent away from home, but in retrospect, the structured life at Delamere was the best thing for me at that time of my life. In later years, the bitterness left me, and I pursued a career in education. I reside in the United States of America, and am a certified Board Of Education teacher. To quote a phrase from Ms. Landau, I went "very far in life!". I try to do kind deeds, which to my memory, was one of the Ten Delamere Laws.