After a happy time at Higham Ferrers Junior school just after WWII, when John Woodhall was head teacher, and "Bob" Tanner and Kathleen Sugars were teaching, I went the County High School at Wellingborough. Most mornings I had to run to catch the bus at Tollbar. After picking up in Rushden the bus would wend its way to Wellingborough down the old twisted A45. Only 4 girls went from Higham Ferrers school that year.

At that time it was WCHS not a happy place, with several old teachers. When they had qualified after WWI, there were strict rules on no work of after marriage. Girls in the "A" stream got on quite well, as the school was hoping to send more girls on to a university education.

Our first class mistress was a newly qualified physical educational teacher. My favourite subjects were maths and sciences. Dinner was taken in two sittings, with about eight to a table. We lined up to ask for small, medium or large portions of the various offerings. I remember the pink custard, and sponge puddings. One particlar day there was 'coconut tapioca' on the menu. One of the teachers came to each table, leaned over and said "I advise to you ask for very small" of this pudding! Next door was the Rubber Improvement Company, and we all decided they would have given us a better offering! But on the whole they were good wholesome meals.

Swimming was at the Wellingborough Boys' school across the road, and meant changing in wooden shelters, with no facilities! Everyone hated that.

By the time I left, I was eager to start earning my own wage, and to pay some "board" towards my keep. My first monthly salary was £25 per calendar month. I paid around £5 for board, and the rest after stoppages, was mine to buy my own clothes and toiletries, and go to the cinema, or to a dance. It was now the 1960s, and great times!