Suntrap

A Memory of Hayling Island.

Anyone remember Diana? I was sent to Suntrap in about 1954 or 1955 and lasted two maybe three terms as I recall. It was a harsh place. I remember the cold washrooms in the mornings; the bad food, being nigh on force fed; allowed one clean dress a week after bath night.. By the end of the week it was filthy. We were also required to wear padded bodices for warmth. After lunch we were made to sleep outside for a while in the fresh air - it was so cold.

Sweeties brought by my family on visiting day were taken away. They went into a common store from which we were allocated two sweets once a week. I remember being taken to watch tv, on Sundays in Matrons house. I used to talk to a Leon in the corridor which linked the girls dormitories to the boys. . He was very pale and blond. I though his name was Leon Munich but it might have been Vincent.

One bedtime accidentally broke a pane of glass in the window by my bed when I kicked off my slipper - that might jog someone's memory.

At one point I was so ill that I was moved to a bed in the older girls section of the dorm next to the door to the corridor I heard the staff shushing the older girls as they chatted telling them there were sick children there - meaning me and another girl in the bed opposite. There were curtains around my bed. The other sick girl was gone one morning. I missed her a lot and naively asked where she had gone! They never said. I wish I could remember her name.

Does anyone know of any photos or official records?