Ramsey, The Abbey c.1955

Photo ref: R359011

I transferred to Ramsay when my parents moved to Earith in 1955. Imagine my horror to find out that I shared the headmistress' last name, Oddy. I was Carole Oddy and she was Miss Oddy. No relationship that I'm aware of. I loved the school, the beautiful grounds and the building, even as a young girl, I appreciated it. We emigrated to Canada in April, 1957, in the middle of the school year and I was ...see more

I passed the dreaded 11 plus in 1955 to Ramsey Abbey and still remember how awesome it was. I remember Mr Barnes was headmaster and Miss Oddy was headmisteress and very particular about pupils wearing the correct uniform. I did not appreciate the beauty of the place at the time but still visit Ramsey from time to time and consider it a privilege to have gone to school at the Abbey.

I was lucky enough to pass the 11+ and attend the Ramsey Abbey Grammar School, What a picturesque place to be educated, although 11 year old children did not necessarily appreciate it. Going into the main building always seemed to make one stand up straighter and keep voices quieter (oh for such an atmosphere in modern schools!!). All teachers wore their black gowns and on speech days and other special days most wore their graduation gowns, often trimmed with fur.