Nostalgic memories of Copthorne's local history
Share your own memories of Copthorne and read what others have said
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
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Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 18 in total
Hello, hope you are all well. My name is Carlos Lovett Linares (then Carlitos Linares Rana). I also attended Copthorne from 1961 to 1967. I have so many happy fond memories. I visited the School back in 2001 with my dear Mother and wife. The School had closed to boarders back in 1994 but we were able to meet some of the sisters again including Sr Philomena :). I went back a year ago and ...see more
In my book I write about my experience with the cold, harsh nuns. Not a nice place for me and many others.
Hi all, I attended the convent from 1956 to 1959 and my Christian name then was Joseph. How well I remember Strs Annunciata, Bonaventure, Ignatius, and Claire. Annunciata (the 'farter' as we called her behind her back) was a little too strict for the boys liking as she was in charge of the boys' section. Strs Ignatius, Claire, and Bonaventure were very warm loving characters. Str. Bonaventure and I had one thing in ...see more
Came across this picture of the Franscican convent. I went there as a boarder as a 4 year old and still shudder at the awful memories I had. Brutal nuns, punishments with a bamboo cane. Hanging out wet sheets on cold mornings. Forced fed greens and cabbage, no hugs whatsoever. Nasty place with nasty memories. Nasty nuns with irish accents. I ran away a couple of times. Ridiculous catholic superstitions. Left when I was 11. ...see more
Alexandra Welch, I messaged you under your memories 😊
My name is Alexandra Walsh and I was a border at this wonderful school from 4 to 10 years old. I loved this place so much that it broke my heart when I went back to visit and it was no longer there. I do not have a great memory for names but I remember a girl called Karen and another called Maria (who was older than me) and I think having seen Rachel's name in another post, that I also ...see more
I was at Copthorne convent from 69-74....
This was a very special place and I remember it like yesterday... The girls and boys there were equally like brothers and sisters.. I still remember how gutted i was when i left....I remember walking up the drive after summer hols into the amazingly neat gardens being greeted by Rev mother. Edmund... And lugging the suit case up the drive to the boys place ! Through the ...see more
I, m sure this is the convent me and my brother stayed in in the 60, s if so it had a walled garden full of cabbages and in the middle was a swing and I thought if I swung high enough I could escape I was about 8yrs old the 1st time we went my brother was about 4 yrs I remember his bedroom was at the top of winding stairs in a seperate building from ours the school was along side the walled garden ...see more
I remember a fair bit about this place and the people who were there. Boys were Demo Bennett, John Cunningham, Nick Fosco, Aloysuis Gamotea, Bendon Slattery (who went to Stoneyhurst) Phivos Petrou and his bothers (I think they had a hotel in Bournemouth), Daryl Grant, Augustin and Gonzalez Diaz, Simon Slater . Jamie and Katie Mumford who were day pupils. I don't remember many of the girls but Karen Naylor, Susannah Mathews, ...see more
I believe I went to this convent when I was around 4 years old. I lived on Smallfield Road and was born in 1949. I remember the names Nina and Maryann Bear as they were family friends. Please could you let me know if this was the school I went to. I went to Leicester when I was 6 years old and my surname was Bell.