10 January 2025
Below is a poem from the Herald in Summer 1980 when children and staff vacated Mersham-le-Hatch during the holidays marked as 'Anon.' - maybe James King. Pardon old spelling etc.
Silent and empty now the children have gone,
the great house stands and slumbers on,
awaiting the day that a new term approaches
when the children return all packed in the coaches.
For seven long weeks she can stand and rest;
the ladies have cleaned her, she's looking her best.
There's peace all around, the silence is bliss,
but we know in our hearts that the children are missed.
The staff have gone too, for a well deserved rest
for the whole of the term they have done their best.
They've washed and they've scrubbed dirty ears and vests
(and a lot of other things as well).
They've scolded, encouraged and counselled and blest.
Stripped beds, packed cases and waved their good-bye,
and I swear I saw Chic with a tear in his eye,
so rest easy old house, a new term will come
with its noise and its trials, tribulations and fun.
And for many long years may we all be blest
with your walls safe about us as we all do our best,
for the children who came here, and are after all
the heart of old HATCH, refuge for them all.