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I was 8 years old when the war started. My father had volunteered for the RAF. My mother and I went to live with my grandparents in South Manchester. I remember September 3rd very well. We were all standing up in the lounge listening to the wireless. It did not mean much to me, except I realised it was something important. My mother joined the WVS, she was in Manchester clothing evacuees.
A week or two later I was told I was going to boarding school. I spent 8 years away from home , except for holidays, and I must admit, I really enjoyed myself. I went to a school in Colwyn Bay. I spent three years at the Junior School. At the beginning of the war, the Ministry of Food took over the Middle and Senior School. After a lot of secrecy, it was decided to accept the Duke of Devonshire’ s invitation to evacuate us to Chatsworth House. That is were I went in 1943. What an experience, very cold, washing facilities very primitive. I remember standing on duck boards, each dormitory had 10-15 minutes to wash, watched over by Matron! Assembly was in the Painted Hall, the choir sitting on the stairs. We had to take our turn to wash up, I really hated that, food floating in the water! All the State Rooms were used as dormitories. The tapestries were boarded up. In the winter Long Water froze over and we were allowed to skate.
I was there on VE day, we had a huge bonfire, and the Emperor Fountain was turned on, it was a great day.
We returned to Colwyn Bay in time for the summer term 1946. I left in 1947. I had a wonderful time at Penrhos, and I made some good friends, who I still keep in touch with.

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