Kingsley School For Girls, Horley, Surrey

A Memory of Horley.

Hello this is Melanie Jane Howick (married name Erickson). I attended Kingsley from 1958 - 1965. I married an American and have lived in Northern Minnesota, USA since 1982. I have been fortunate to visit my homeland every year and have stayed connected to my best friends Sara Ireland (Woolger) and Jane Brooks (nee Lyster). I have very happy memories of Kingsley and can remember all the teaching staff, especially Miss Willet, Miss Davies, Mrs. Steel, Miss Booth, Miss Edwards, Miss Knight, Mrs. Hancock, Miss Bagwana, Miss Gowbraith, Miss Cue, Brown Owl and Matron. Mr. Adams and his helper and their dog, Nicki, tended the grounds. I believe I owe my love of nature, art and history to Miss Willet. My brother Paul attended Kingsley for kindergarten and went on to become a lawyer.
Other friends I remember are Maureen Craddock, who I have occasionally met with, including last year. Annabel Quilter was another very good friend but sadly we lost touch. Marion Hepburn, Lesley Crewdson, Gillian Davies, Mary Wale, Mary and Charles Winter, Amanda Dyson, Pauline Finch, Rosalind Hutchinson, Sally Morrison, Leoni Cross, Susan Mobsby, Helen Yarwood, Ann Berry, Mandy Coal.
Valerie Smith recently connected with Sara, Val I would love to connect with you!
I have twin daughters, Tara and Tamsin. I have 4 grandchildren.
I spent years working for The Boys & Girls Club of America, an after school program for youth. I started taking college classes late in life and graduated valedictorian from Leech Lake Tribal College with an AA degree. I then attended Bemidji State University gaining my BA and then my Masters Degree in Liberal Studies (writing and literature). I still love to draw, paint and write. I have had some of my poetry published in college journals.
Well enough about me! I would be thrilled to hear from old friends from Kingsley.
Sincerely, Melanie