Children

CALDECOTT DAYS

Thoughts and Memories from Ten Years at the Caldecott Community

 By Christopher Howell

An ex-Caldecott Boy (1961-1971)

© Christopher Howell 2024

These memories were written at the suggestion of the Caldecott Association, to be posted on their website. For all other use, please apply to the author.

CALDECOTT DAYS

PRELUDE

1. Mersham le Hatch

2. Memories and names

PART ONE: MUSIC AND BETTY RAYMENT

1. A Music Room

2. Mainly hair

3. Piano lessons at last

4. Whims and manuscripts

5. A would-be composer

6. What happened to Blake, and to Miss Dave

7. Lessons in London

8. Afterwards

9. Before Betty Rayment

10. Other musical staff

11. Musical appreciation

12. Unusual instruments

13. The Chapel organs

14 A famous visitor

PART TWO: NOT ONLY MUSIC1. Diana Howarth and the Nursery

I. PEOPLE

1. Diana Howarth and the Nursery

2. Joyce Murdin and the Junior Study

3. The Senior Study: Mr. Christie, Joe Marshall and Jean Mackenzie

4. Miss Ruhl, Mima Ogilvie and Joy Blackaby

5. The Junior School 1: Margaret Robson

6. The Junior School 2: Joan Watson

7. The Junior School 3: Desmond Draper

8. Muriel Morris and Effie Devenish

9. “Going out to school”

10. “Aggie” Travers and the West Wing

11. The Colt House 1: Colin and Wendy Griffiths

12. The Colt House 2: Joe and Edna Marshall

13. The Colt House 3: Jane Abbey

14. Marion Kidd and Elizabeth Lloyd

15. Pat Meara

16. Betty Hillyer and Audrey Watsoe

17. Roma Easton

18. Major Clark

19. John Gladstone

20. The Office

21. Michael and Rosemary Clover

22. James and Tessa King

23. Ethel Davies

24. Leila Rendel

II. THINGS AND PLACES1. Food and mealtimes

1. Food and Mealtimes

2. Reading and Rest

3. Chapel

4. Entertainment

5. Punishments

6. Housework

7. Camping and other holidays

8. Buses and coaches

9. The Hornbeam Wood

10. The Deer Park

11. Not a nice subject

PART THREE: WAS IT WORTH IT?

1. Why?

2. Was it all for the best?

3. The School and the “House”

4. What’s in a name?

5. Finally

POSTSCRIPTS

1. The Caldecott Hymn and the Caldecott Carol

2. The Caldecott Hymn Books

3. Mabel Saumarez Smith

4. Miss Leila and Music

5. Musical Evenings

6. My Piano recitals