Kennylands

I think Kennylands was a similar wartime evacuation expedient as the very closely nearby Bishopswood Camp, at Kidmore End, where I was between 1951 and 1953, when the place closed down and we were eventually transferred to a new site near Reigate, Surrey. My school was of orphanage boarding origins, dating in London from 1758, and was at Hampstead at the time of war breaking out. The transfer to Bishopswood Camp (which in appearance resembled a very spartan POW camp!) commenced in early 1940, and it was for mixed children.

I attended the school during a school holiday period circa 1949. A long way from home in Braintree in Essex. I enjoyed the free Gibbs toothpaste, not sure about the dancing, I was shy in those days. The walks in the countryside were enjoyable.

My parents who were both born in 1935 (Sidney Thomas Webb and Vera Rose Turner) met at Kennylands camp school at one of the dances. It would have been around the times mentioned here as they were both very young. They went their separate ways and met again years later and married. My father tried to find out about some filming that was done at the camp school when he and my mother were filmed during the dancing. Sadly both my parents have passed away but it was lovely to read your memories of what sounded such a wonderful place.

At age 10 courtesy of then Chelmsford Education Board, Essex, (age 11 October 1954) I attended Kennylands Park School, Sonning Common, Reading, Berkshire. I have fond memories of a very eclectic curriculum with everything from art, woodwork, domestics, gardening, literature, math, needlework, tennis, table tennis, football, soccer, cricket, field sports annually and 'gating out' for a days walk local village and countryside. Our teachers included, Mr and Mrs Gibbs, Principals; Miss Shearcroft Arts, Mr Derwandeler; Mr and Mrs Garbot Sciences; Miss Taylor Girl Guides; Mr .....? English and French Teacher; and a Geography Teacher? We had a 'sick bay' and a Matron on duty daily and nightly. David Miles; Brian Taylor, Peter. Chamberlain, Peter Howard, Graham Wakefield were popular dance partners along with Geraldine Milani; Yvonne (Dinkie) Sutton; Joan.....Angela Fowler, Shirley Wakefield and Jane Lunt my best friend. Jane passed away c. 1972 from asthma complications. I was Diana Lee then and now Diana Lee-Gobbitt, age 77 yrs living in Windsor NSW. I attended the school from Sept 1954-1957. (b. 19/10/1943) It was a great school for learning and certainly gave many children a safe and secure space to live and learn.

I was one of the first 4-5 year group of pupils to go to Kennylands in 1953 and I loved it!!
I maintain the 1940-1980 database and would love to hear from any former pupils from that range of years. (Some info from the very early years is sparse and I am always looking to fill in the blanks of names of pupils and teachers, original locations in Essex, years at school, Date of birth and marriage data (change of last name for girls) and current contact info.
I maintain confidentiality of all info unless I obtain prior permission from the "owner" to share. I can be reached at : maureenc42@aol.com
A little personal info: Born in Buckhurst Hill during an air raid in 1942. Started school at 4-1/2 at Ray Lodge School. Moved to Seven Kings, Ilford in 1947 when my parents bought a grocery shop. Attended Downshall infants and primary before going to Kennylands in 1953. (The Kennylands database now has over 3,000 names/data for pupils, teachers and staff.
Married and moved to USA in 1963 with a 2 yr old and a 5 month old. Divorced; retired and now live in Florida (21 yrs).
(Sounds like the good life; but it wasn't always!) Ups and downs, just like everybody.
I look forward to hearing from anyone willing to share their KPS experience, memories and life's ups and downs.
Moe (as I now prefer to be called)

I can be reached via email - maureenc42@aol.com
By snailmail to:
Maureen C. Townsend,
420 20th Ave NW,
Naples, FL 34120, USA
OR BY PHONE (at country code 011 - 239 770 3850