Mickleover, Derbyshire

Evacuee during the Second World War

Dear Mr Lord,

My sister Jean Marie Church and I, Marie Elizabeth Church, attended Findern School for four years plus during the Second World War. I was almost 7 years old, my sister almost 6 years old.

As I recall, Miss Cassandra Sanders was Head Teacher. She was my mentor, friend and companion. She took me under her wing and spent considerable time grooming me for the 11 Plus, though at the time I was not aware of this. Sadly, my parents for some reason I fail to understand, telegraphed that I was not to sit the examination. I was taken out of the class, sadly disappointed.

School was alwys so enjoyable that I cried when summer break came around.

At the time I visited Findern School, in 1999, Mrs Tully was Head Teacher.
Coincidentally, she was teaching her class about the evacuees, so my timing was great! She was most gracious!

Findern holds mixed memories, a few rather sad, but those of  Findern School will always be treasured.

If you have any photographs of the evacuees, I would be delighted to use them in my Memoirs, something I've been working on now for several years.

Thank you for the privilege of submitting my memories.

Respectfully,

Marie Elizabeth Church-Davidson

Derby's old West End

My father had a scrap-yard in Nuns Street. It was right next to the bridge over Markeaton Brook. I remember always asking to be picked up so I could look over the bridge - I don't know why! Markeaton Brook was filled with old bed-steads and all sorts of rubbish in those days - but it always fascinated me.  There was an old building opposite Dad's scrap-yard. I remember it as Bennet and Sayers - but know nothing else about it. Can anyone enlighten me?