大象传媒

The following notes were written by Jan Moorland (Blagden) at Sidcot School about the announcement of the end of the War - I was 14 years old; the notes are probably missing one page:-

Monday May 7th 1945:

Got up as usual, washed and dressed. Did dining-room waiting and then had a music lesson.
Everything was ordinary, until after the games, when we had rounders on the field. Coming up at about 16.20, some lower fifth told us that the end was very near. On the notice board outside the library there was this notice:
"If the Fire alarm and bells are rung this evening it will be to summon all the school family to the hall. Go there at once. GWH". (George Hutchinson, Headmaster).

We were not called during the first part of prep - French lesson and Latin it happened to be, but we had the message that the news was expected before tomorrow.

News Flash: "The announcement of VE Day will be made by the Prime Minister at 15.00 tomorrow. The two days holiday will be on Tuesday and Wednesday. All the school may listen to the 21.00 news. Which we did.

Got to sleep at about 23.00 after having played several jokes.

Tuesday.

Got up at 7.15. Breakfast at 8.00. All helped with dining waiting etc.

"Hats must be worn with school coats to the church service. In Assembly sit your Evening Meeting places".

After the Assembly we had to go out on the boys' playground and watch the Union Jack hoisted by the two youngest in the shcool, Marion Smith and Michael Cox. We sang God Save the King. Then June Smith and I went down to the P.O and got soaked. It cleared up later, and then we had lunch and siesta. At 15.00 we heard the P.M in the Hall. In the evening the bonfire was being prepared on the top pitch and some boys were flying kites. It was very hot and sultry.

After High Tea at 18.30, we listened to the wireless until 21.00. Afetrwards we went up to the top pitch. The bonfire was lit and then the whole school played twos and threes until it got dark. Several fireworks were let off, after about an hour we all sang 'Auld Lang Syne' in a circle, holding hands around the bonfire.

Wednesday.

We got up 8.00 and had Assembly at 9.45 - 10. Then there was free time until 11 when there was service at Winscombe Church. Lunch was at 12.30. Siesta until 14.00. Then all of the school had ice creams under a beech tree in the girls playground.

Magaret Hatdon and I went to Wavering together, where we had tea at 16.30, hard boild eggs, sandwiches, milk and....(page missing)

Unfortunately I have only the vaguest memories of these events but I was fully aware at the time that this was an historic occasion, which was I took the trouble to write it down. I can't even remember from which dormitory we watched the flares but it was probably the Wing.

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