School Days in Monks Kirby
I vividly remember my days as a boarder at the convent school in Monks Kirby. I was very young when I attended this school, but the memories have never left me, and I believe my experiences there shaped my personality to a large extent. Are there any other ex-pupils who attended Monks Kirby school around the same time? I would love to hear some of your memories!
Memories Links
See more memories of Monks Kirby
Add a Memory for another place
Tips & Ideas
How does Monks Kirby feature in your personal history?
What are your best memories of Monks Kirby?
How has Monks Kirby changed over the years?
Share memories about your local community, its history and people.
Comments
4 comments have been shared so far in response to the memory "School Days in Monks Kirby".
Why not get involved and post your comments using the comment form below.
Comments
RE: RE: School Days in Monks Kirby
Hi Mary,
I have lived in Monks Kirby most of my life and went to Brockhurst School and St Joseph's Convent in the early 1970's when the Mother Superior was Sr. Linda and the priest Fr. Seaston. I went to the new Revel School built in the playing field of Brockhurst School when it first opened.
St Joseph's School closed in 1996 and the Convent closed in 1998 and has been empty since. My wife is trying to reopen the Convent as a day nursery and kindergarden with a village shop and bakery with two other villagers at the moment so it would be nice to have your recollections to pass onto another generation.
I remember 'Gentleman' George Busby who had his farm and farm shop opposite the Convent and also the Truelove family who owned Gate Farm up the street. The Inder family still own the farmhouse opposite St Joseph's playground.
I am afraid a lot of the village cottages were demolished in the 1960's and 1970's to make way for housing estates but there are still some farming families left and the Denbigh Estate.
You can see some pictures of Monks Kirby at http://gallery.me.com/alexchambers1#100100 and add your own.
When were you at St. Joseph's and how many boarders were there? Fr. Seaston wrote "The Catholic convent-school of St Josephs was founded in 1873 by the Sisters of Charity whom the Eighth Earl of Denbigh had invited for that purpose, giving them a chapel, school and other buildings. The nuns in addition to day-scholars were able to take up to thirty girl boarders, and for the boys also a boarding school was opened in Pailton, which however was later moved
elswhere. "
When did you board at St Joseph's?
Regards, Alex Chambers The Old School House, 1 Brockhurst Lane, Monks Kirby CV23 0RA
Comment from Alex Chambers on Tuesday, 15th September 2009.
RE: RE: School Days in Monks Kirby
Hi Alex,
I was a boarder at St. Joseph's Convent School, Monks Kirby, from about 1942 to about 1947. I believe the sisters at that time were Sisters of Mercy. There was one large classroom and one small room for the first year pupils.
Looking back over my experiences there, I have had much to forgive and try to forget about this period in my life. Caning was applied daily for almost anything considered "wrong". I was removed from the school by my parents when I came home one holiday with bruises on my back from the waist down as a result of beating. I realise that this was wartime and there was understandably much tension. I also believe that this kind of action was considered normal in the raising of children at that time.
I remember the crab-apple tree in the yard and the paddocks next door, and the weekly march along the lane. I'm not sure how many boarders there were at that time. I remember an outbreak of Scarlet Fever when we were quarantined for a while.
I visited Monks Kirby once a few years ago and everything seemed a lot smaller than I remembered it.
I have been living in Canada since 1966 and I have retired from teaching after about 35 years in the profession.
Best Wishes
Mary Chew (nee Parker)
Comment from Mary Chew on Monday, 21st September 2009.
RE: RE: School Days in Monks Kirby
Hi to all who attended the convent school in Monks Kirby. Anybody attend this school between 1955 to 1960? I lived in Broklehust Cottage, opposite Lees Farm and to the right of the convent. I remember Maureen Neville, Caroline Neville, Paul Angrave and the McAuley brothers. Thomas, Phillip and Vincent. The teachers in the infants were Sister Maryrose and Sister Iola. Miss Shawcross was our teacher in the middle class and Sister Bernard taught the top class. I remember the dinner van coming and loaded the trolly with the aluminium containers. Our family moved to a place called The Kennels, in Newnham Paddox. Our neighbours were the Tarpy family. Do you remember the old oak tree and water pump next to the bus stop for the bus to Rugby? My family moved to Rugby in 1960. My sister Margaret and myself went to Bishop Wulstan RC High School, and my brother went to Dunsmore Grammer School for Boys. I wonder if anybody remembers my family? Regards, Paul Quirke.
Comment from Paul Quirke on Monday, 3rd May 2010.
RE: RE: School Days in Monks Kirby
Hi to all who attended the convent school in Monks Kirby. Did anybody attend this school betwwen 1955 to 1960? I lived in Broklehust Cottage, opposite Lees Farm and to the right of the convent. I remember Maureen Neville, Caroline Neville, Paul Angrave and the McAuley brothers. Thomas, Phillip and Vincent. The teachers in the infants were sister Maryrose and Sister Iola. Miss Shawcross was our teacher in the middle class and Sister Bernard taught the top class. I remember the dinner van coming and loaded the trolly with the aluminium containers. Our family moved to a place called The Kennels, in Newnham Paddox. Our neighbours were the Tarpy family. Do you remember the olf oak tree and water pump next to the bus stop for the bus to Rugby? My family moved to Rugby in 1960. My sister Margaret and myself went to Bishop Wulstan RC High School, and my brother went to Dunsmore Grammer School for Boys. I wonder if anybody remembers my family? Regards, Paul Quirke.
Comment from Paul Quirke on Monday, 3rd May 2010.