Nostalgic memories of Monks Kirby's local history
Share your own memories of Monks Kirby 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 15 in total
Wow! No more canings from the towering Sister Lawrence? And in my day it was California Syrup of Figs we were forced to take to keep us regular (we held it in the mouth and spat it out in the playground). There was a middle dorm and a far dorm as well as the big dorm and a sanitorium sick room. I was so well tended there that my undiagnosed and untreated pneumonia created a shadow on my lung and a year off ...see more
I spent a year or so boarding at St Joseph's Convent School and wonder if we were all in the same place? Does nobody remember; the winter cold, the dreadful food in the refectory, carrying bowls to the sink in the freezing washroom, older girls bathing the little ones, the scary Big Dorm, Sister Lawrence's beatings with the slipper, tiny children terrified, Sister Bernard's cane? Weekend letters "Dear Mummy and Daddy, I ...see more
I remember the Convent of Mercy as one of my fondest memories. I boarded there from the young age of five until I was eleven. Some of my best memories were of the summers when we made long daisy chains with all the daisies on the front lawn, long walks to the spinney in the early fall, May Day, and garden fetes and playing hide and seek in the closets on the second floor. I remember Sister Mary Rose ...see more
I was Lorraine Weaver when I attended there, shared the smaller dormitory with Bernadette Menahan. Does anyone remember me?
I started at St Joseph's when I was seven as a boarder to join my cousin Julieanne Benifer who had been at the school from the age of 2. I liked Mother Lawrence and did not like Sister Bernard, she was not nice to me. Loved Sister Rose, and my favourite was Sister Zita who taught me to play the piano and sing. Was known at the convent as their little nightingale. Food was good too. Anyone else ...see more
I too was a boarder for just one year, along with my two younger sisters Linda and Angela. One night Angela was ill - do you remember? To call the sisters you had to pull the bell rope on the landing. Sister Lawrence always seemed so strict but underneath I think she was a big softie, Sister Bernard well, she was strict but Sister Rose was the worst and such a beautiful face too!! As boarders we had to go ...see more
I lived at 61, COVENTRY RD, PAILTON and went to this school. My best friend was Christine Bakewel that lived at No. 34. My Dad died in our house when I was 2 weeks off 11 and he is buried in the church in Monks Kirby. It wasn't until recently that I found his grave. I remember we had to get the bus from Monks Kirby to Pailton and once there was an accident between 2 buses and 1 passenger on ...see more
Hi to all who attended St Joseph's. We moved to Monks Kirby in 1974. My father was Trevor Vaughan, the Vicar. We lived in the Old Vicarage, this is a now a hotel or private home now I think? Monks Kirby were the happiest days of my life, I was aged 7. Sister Rose at the school could be terrifying, yet gentle also. She was very angry with me when I entered the girls loos as a bet. Is the school or ...see more
My best memory was Sister Rose, the smallest scariest women ever xx; I loved that school sooo much, my happiest memories as a kid are of there. We left Pailton in 1981 and moved to Norfolk but have never forgotten my roots xx
My father, Kenneth Hollingsworth, took over the headship of the school in 1951 and I spent the happiest of childhood years both at the school and in and around the village. I particularly remember Coronation Day when the school was filled with television sets so that the whole community could gather together to watch and celebrate. We had a fancy dress parade when I was dressed as Queen of Hearts ...see more