This Was My Home From 1961 1967 Approximately

A Memory of Copthorne.

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 remember her.

Sister Assumpta was the sister in charge of us girls at the time and just before I left it was Sister Kieran, (whom I did not like). I remember I wanted Sister Assumpta to be my mother because I loved her so much. Father Rudolf was our priest and he was lovely. I remember listening to Irish songs with them both and of course the other girls and being allowed to watch The Monkeys before going to bed. I remember polishing lots of shoes and skating up and down the corridors with cloths on our feet to polish the floors.

I remember my first holy communion and my first confession. I still have some photographs. I remember a boy called Pascal and another called Anthony, who took their first communion at the same time. I think Anthony is part of the Tony & Guy Hair Salons or so I have been told. I remember mass but not too much about lessons. I remember trying to learn the piano and ballet, I did better at ballet then piano but I guess I didn't like practicing at lunchtime. So many lovely memories. Pinching gooseberries from the garden, raking grass cuttings (after the front lawn was cut) in to rooms shapes and pretending it was our house. I remember sports days, what great times.

I went back to visit a couple of times and saw Sister Attracta and Sister Bonaventure and it was like going back to visit relatives. Sister Anne (I think she was quite old) worked in the kitchen and do you remember the porridge we had for breakfast if you had run out of cereal that your parents brought. The kitchen it was down about 20 steps from the dormitory's and I was so scared in the night having to cross the corridor to the loo because it was so dark down there, I would make a mad dash both ways, in the end I was so scared I would rather wet the bed and hide the sheets under the bed hoping desperately that in the morning Sister Assumpta wouldn't find them.

I remember laying in bed on a summers evening looking at the sun shining and thinking why are we in bed so early. I remember a trip we did to Keukenhof and the memory was so beautiful, I tried to take my 13 year old daughter there to re-live it all again but unfortunately, the coach we went on was full of adults who decided they would rather stay in Amsterdam and we never did see the daffodils.

Well that's some of my memories for now. If anyone remembers me and wants to get in touch please do not be put off by my business email, I don't have a personal one at this time. :-)