Pandora’s Box

A Memory of Fornethy Residential School.

I’ve just found this website, I had already spoken to Thomsons after finding out about case and seeing it in the daily record. I had a terrible abusive childhood and I was sent to Fornethy several times from 1971 - 1976 when I first went I was only about 5, memories from that time had been locked away, I told Thomsons all the dorm names, couldn’t remember teachers names except Mrs Fletcher. I’m reading all the comments and I’m now in bits, more and more memories are coming to the surface. I remember the beatings, the long walks, wearing other peoples socks, the floral pinafores, being made to eat food that you didn’t like, the blue light at night, being made to stand in the corridor all night, being humiliated if you wet the bed, communal showers, horrible nurse, Abernathy biscuits and wee bottles of milk, watching the tea time cartoons, the cupboard shop to get sweets and “souvenirs” if you had got a postal order. I was slapped, kicked and had my hair tugged, I had lots of fear. There are some good memories but with also having an abusive mother and being abused by a neighbour and cousin Fornethy seemed for all the abuse to be better than home. I lived in Easterhouse, I was at Rogerfield Primary. I was feisty, always giving back chat, I was forever threatening to run away. I’m now remembering the song Johnny Appleseed and Tie a yellow ribbon (down in bothwell St) I remember a miss bremner now, and a young mrs Robertson(?) I also remember the names of some of the other girls. I really hope they find our records. I feel I’m only just starting to open Pandora’s box and I’m not sure if I can handle what’s in there.


Added 01 May 2022

#759165

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