Netherwood School For Boys And Girls

A Memory of High Wycombe.

I used to live on the London Road, two doors from St. Bernard's Convent, across the side road, in Mead Cottage. It was painted white. From 1945 to 1951 I attended Netherwood further down the London Road out of town. Where are my classmates now? Drovna. Alexandrovna Lane. You always were a bit of a mystery girl! My name was Lesley then. I love looking over the school photos of my classmates. One of my favorite stores was the newsagents opposite the school. I used to buy comic books and sweets there.
Also a toy shop in High Wycombe. Can't remember their names.
The Rye was my sanctuary. Caught tiddlers and also tadpoles which were raised in our back garden which was always teeming with frogs! My Aunt told me a few years ago that the cottage and another house had been destroyed to make way for a roundabout. Such is life. The times I spent on the Rye will always be with me.
Rowing the boats, exploring the woods and fields beyond the waterfall and being with my father as he refereed field hockey and flew model aeroplanes. Riding on the little miniature train and playing on the swings and the BIG slide and in the paddling pool. I noticed it's not available now. Pity. Does anyone remember "Uncle Tom" and his cabin? I saw my first baseball games there when the visiting US servicemen played. Wasn't there some sort of food stall at that entrance? Recently met a neighbor here in the US who attended the High School at the same time as I did. It's a small world. We were both in the same "house".
She met her American husband at the NCO base where she was secretary. He recently passed on. They had been married for 52 years. He was part of the 485 Communications Squadron at Daws Hill Lane from April '55 to April '56 and she often wonders if any one in that squadron is still alive and remembers him. S/Sgt. Richard D. Schrock? My own father was at RAF Bomber Command. So many memories. I'll try and find some High Wycombe photos for these archives.
Thanks for "visiting". Zoe Hodgins.


Added 10 June 2010

#228600

Comments & Feedback

Was your surname Barlow I remember the white house you could see it from the rye, uncle Tom used to lock all the slides with chains at dusk.I was at Netherwood about same time as you. John Sparrowhawk was about a foot taller than the rest of us who lived in park street which was behind Thomas the news agent. Derek Darville is another name I recall lived in Homer Green. Terry Williams
I was at Netherwood from 1952 till 1958 first at London Road then West Wycombe when the school merged with Lyndhurst school. The headmistress was Miss Kitchener and other teachers were Mrs Harris,Mrs James,Mrs Higgins, Mrs Brown and others.Quite a good school really it’s purpose was to educate pupils for the 11 plus if you passed you went either to Wycombe Grammer,Wycombe High School for girls,or the Technical College. Those that didn’t usually ended up at Hatters Lane. I failed and went onto St.Davids College on Amersham Hill which was a private school. Did manage to contact a couple of former pupils when Friends Reunited was running.
Currently March 17th 2019 on “The Bucks Free Press “ website there is a short article on Netherwood School at its Gordon Road location and its later location in West Wycombe Road.
I would be appreciate if any of you guys could let me know if you have communicated with Zoe Hodigins (Barlow) recently.I am try to contact her and having no luck.
I went to St Bernards for a short while from 1966 to1968 I loved it there and have happy memories of the school teachers and friends.
I lived in Marlow and travelled over by bus
I was very sad to leave but my family moved away and the school was closed down later that year I remember coming back to stay with a friend and we explored the then empty school !
A few years ago I lost in a move my whole school photo summer 1967
Long shot but would dearly love a copy if anyone has one
Kind regards Linda

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