Was It Arley

A Memory of Upper Arley.

Hoping that this may spark a memory and help me. I have a five year gap in my life and the name Arley springs up a lot. Its not the one in Cheshire.
My Godmother would drive me down from Glasgow and then leave me there, at first I thought it was friends, but reading the memories, more springs back. One lady mentioned the flagstones everywhere, and the dressing up. I recall a larger hall with seats down the side that lifted up to access toys and dressing up clothes, also can recall sleeping in like a dormitory with a corridor separated by a metal wall.. I can recall that the River Severn was not to far from the grounds. I would have left in 1954-55 on returning to my mother in Cheltenham..
I have returned to Arley and although the Castle has long gone, many things seemed to spark memories.

Was it a normal school or one for Children whose Parents may not have been socially acceptable in that era, such as divorced or affairs? I intend no offence, as I can find no reason to be there at all and that was one train of thought

If anyone has any clues, ideas or suggestions I would love to hear them.

Best Regards

Rob Griffin


Added 06 January 2021

#687905

Comments & Feedback

I'm not 100% positive but I think it was an all girls school. There is a Facebook page called Upper Arley and Shatterford Memories that might give you some more clues.
It was indeed a Girls’ school, and quite prestigious. However, it might also have offered places for ‘deserving children’ as well as the regular, fee-paying students. I recall exploring the interior, a year or two after the school had closed. There were still piles of exercise books, and Jotters, lying around. I took a few of them home with me, as the handwriting was so beautiful. It seemed a shame to let them rot.
John Thank you for your thoughts, although it muddies the water even more :), I think the part about maybe taking in from deserving families, as my Godmother was definitely in that bracket. maybe one day I will find out. Wish there were interior shots lurking somewhere.
Regards
Rob

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