Annual Re-union reports & Newsletters

Annual Newsletter & Re-union meeting report, 2015

Dear ‘Old Girl’

I’m pleased to send you this report of another most enjoyable and successful reunion, which took place over the weekend of the 11^th/12^th April. 

The weekend started when nine of us had a very jolly meal at the Bella Italia restaurant in Filey on the Saturday evening;  as always there was lots to catch up with and news to exchange.

On Sunday morning we met at the Evron Centre for coffee from 10am.  People came in at different times and there were constant cries of greeting as one after another arrived and spotted their friends and classmates, and the noise levels spiralled as the number of Old Girls increased!

At 11.45am the Annual General Meeting opened as always with the singing of ‘Come Holy Ghost’ led by the Sisters present, Sister Anne Marie Crowley and Sister Monica McWiggan.  Tessa Harrison, President, welcomed the ‘family’ of Old Girls to the meeting, with a special welcome to the Sisters.  She went on to explain the change of ‘chairs’ on the committee.  Margaret had, due to ill health, resigned as Secretary/Treasurer, but would stay on the committee.   Ann Reed had taken over as Secretary, and Susan Christie as Treasurer.  Jane Cockerill continues as the Minutes Secretary and Tessa has, once again, taken over as Chairman.  Everyone expressed their appreciation of the hard work Margaret and her mother Betty Devonshire had done over many years.

Thanks were expressed to Anne French’s husband, Paul, for setting up the website for the Old Girls’ Association.  This can be accessed either by using the webpage address:  (You can click on this link here >>> Ed.)  www.fileyconventoldgirls.blogspot.co.uk  or by putting Filey Convent Old Girls into your computer search engine - this will bring up a list and the one to click on is the link which reads:  fileyconventoldgirls.blogspot.co.uk.  If you receive this by email simply click on the website address link at the top of this page.  If you would like to send a photograph or comment to add to the website, please send it direct by email to Anne French at annefrench43@me.com  A copy of this letter and the newsletter will be added to the website.  Sally Brown (Wilson) said that she had been in touch with several former Convent pupils on our page on Facebook;  it was agreed to link Facebook to the webpage, so if you ‘do’ Facebook, have a look here .  

(The FaceBook page has been set up as the easiest way for us to communicate with each other, as well as entering any comments at the end of "posts" like this on this webpage. Ed.)

Ann gave the Secretary’s report:  firstly thanking all those who had sent generous donations of money and stamps, and to Marilyn Douglas for sending a further generous supply of paper and envelopes.  If you weren’t at the meeting,  please accept our thanks for your donation.

Ann said that she had sent Re-union invitations to all 261 names on the current address list.  Around 100 hadn’t been in touch for at least 5 years and 32 letters were returned undelivered or ‘not known at this address’.  As agreed at the last AGM, Ann had asked members to reply by 1^st June 2015 if they wished to be kept on the address list;  115 members have so far replied either to the Re-union invitation or asked to be kept on the list, so this is the number on the updated address list.   Email addresses will be used where possible to send out this Newsletter after the Re-union, the Re-union invitations will continue to be sent by post. 

Susan, our new Treasurer then gave her report – we had a balance of £676.00 at the end of the last financial year.

Pam Shaw Johnston (Shaw) said that she had been in touch with the Evron Centre Manager, Phil Armitage, who was very keen to create a collage for the main foyer of the Evron Centre explaining the history of the building as the former Convent.  It is hoped to have this ready for next year’s Re-union.  He is also working on a sign for the Concert Hall.

Sister Anne Marie and Sister Monica gave news of the Sisters – thanks to Jane Cockerill for the following report:

NEWS OF THE SISTERS

‘Sister Anne Marie Crowley gave her news of the sisters and the congregations.

She reported there were now sixteen sisters in the English province.  Although now elderly they were all active and involved in the community.  Sister Clare (Sister John whilst at Filey) is the Regional Leader and is a frequent traveller between England, Canada and Peru and is well known at Manchester Airport.  She is very busy but sends us her regards.  The Region is known as ‘Trinitas UK’ and comprises England, Canada and Peru.

Sister Angela is to come to Filey in the summer.

Sister Phyllis is involved in mission work.

Sister Anne Marie herself instructs children and at the moment is instructing some traveller children and this is proving a challenge.

Sister Mary Doyle came to Filey for the first time last year and loved the place and asked why the sisters ever left here (a question the old girls often ask).

Sister informed the Old Girls that Filey’s Association is the only one that is still going out of the whole community of the Sisters of Evron.  She thanked members for continuing the Reunions and keeping alive what the Convent meant to us all.

Sister Monica McWiggan said Filey Old Girls was always in her thoughts.  She is the Chaplain at Christie’ Cancer Hospital and explained her work there.

Sister Monica also reported Sister Angela is not well and has trouble with her feet but still manages to do charity work and visit the elderly.

Sister Mary Joseph also works in the community.

Sisters Monica and Pauline work with the deaf, and she explained some of their work.

Sister Irene is not well and is in bed most of the time, as she was originally a nurse she tells the doctors what to do.  She speaks good French and continues to do translation work.  Sister Irene was a former pupil at Romilly.

The sisters in Peru are all doing well and their latest project was to provide bunk beds for the children.’

The meeting finished with the De Profondis, and we all went to the Golf Club for lunch – perhaps it was as well that everyone went from the Evron Centre to the Golf Club by car as Filey had welcomed us with a brisk north-easterly breeze and showers;  however, the welcome at the Golf Club was warm, a delicious lunch awaited us and there was plenty of time to talk.  Everyone seemed very happy with the Golf Club – there were many complimentary remarks about the meal and the fact that there is plenty of space for car parking.

It was so nice to hear news from so many members, which I have summarised in the following Newsletter.  And if you didn’t manage to get to the Re-union this year, make a note now to keep the date free next year, it’s always the Sunday after Easter, so it will be early next year, Sunday 3^rd April 2016. 

Yours sincerely

Ann Reed (Baxter)

Secretary

Filey Convent Old Girls Association Newsletter 2015

36 members attended over the Re-union;  they were:  Sister Anne Marie Crowley;  Sister Monica McWiggin; Margaret Devonshire; Dawn Fixter  (Howell); Christine Hayes (Scott); Pamela Shaw-Johnston (Shaw); Judith Atkinson (Botterill); Rhona McKechnie (Penrose); Pamela Stephenson (Temple); Angela Normandale (Hawkswell); Anne French (Nicholls); Paula Boyes (Kilner); Tessa Harrison (Reeves); Jean Tennant (Atkin); Johanna Albin; Marilyn Douglas (Crossfield); Margaret Good (Hood); Judith Turner (Slack); Marjorie Hawkins (Marshall); Jane Cockerill (Leather); Jean McGill (Lewington); Jacinta Dudding (Speight); Susan Cowburn (Read); Pat Smithson (Hutchcroft);  Liz Fenby (Dyson); Pat Richardson (Flather); Elizabeth Connolly-Smith (Nicholls); Ann Reed (Baxter); Sandra Lee (Scruton); Margaret Hook (Foster); Sally Brown (Wilson); Barbara Hudghton (Marshall); Hilary Bannister (Martinson); Christine Whitehead (Wilkes);  Susan Christie (Wood), and Pat Wilkinson (McDonald).

Apologies and best wishes from Janet Dowson (Knowles); Joyce Plews (Fell); Ann Geraghty (Moor); Monica Richardson; Merrilyn Robertson; Sheila Lupton (Plows);  Lynda Perkins (Smith);  Sheila Jenkinson; June Marriott (Lovell); Sally Wilkinson (Page-Jones); Susan Richardson; Clare Westmacott (Scheerer); Rosalie Maddy (Askew); Diana Freeborn (Majdalaney);

Sandra Gardner (Mortimer) is unable to attend as she is still a carer for her husband, who cannot be left.  She sends best wishes to anyone who remembers her.  Sister Theresa (Miss Wilson) was a teacher at Filey for a short time before she entered the Carmelite Monastery in Bradfield, and Sandra takes her a copy of the Newsletter every year, which she enjoys;  she prays for all the girls and sends her best wishes.

Mary Norman (Beardsley) is unable to come as it is too complicated getting from her home in the Isles of Scilly.  She says it seems a long time ago since she came with Anne Fullera (Windebank), when they had so much fun catching up with old friends.  Mary said she hoped we have a very happy weekend.

Valerie Swallow (Steer) sent her best wishes for a most joyful weekend;  she and Shirley  Penfold attended both the first and the fiftieth re-unions.

We were sorry to hear that Kath Monkman (Foster) died in August 2014.

Molly Shepherd (Law) – Molly’s daughter, Mary Carville wrote to say that Molly is now living in residential care;  she had been living with Mary for the past two years, but her health deteriorated last year after a couple of falls, and they had to take the dreaded decision to put her into residential care.  She is keeping well for her 96 years and appears to be happy and content in her new surroundings.  Her days at Filey were very happy and she is able to remember them clearly.  Mary says to give her best wishes to everyone who remembers Molly, and have a lovely weekend.

Angela Jones (Shouler) was sorry not to be able to be with us as she retires on the Re-union weekend and her family had organised for them all to be together in Wales.

Pat Collier will be thinking of us all and having a mental trip down memory lane.  She sends her best wishes and remembers the Golf Club well, and that the weekend crocodile used to pass nearby.  She loves to hear all about the Re-union and who was doing what when!

Pauline Barber (Evans) can’t remember when she last attended a meeting (the 1970s?); however although she’s not able to attend, it doesn’t mean she doesn’t think of us all on the day and sends up a small prayer for everyone’s safe travel to and from, and hopes the sun shines for us all.

Susan Lynch (Jagger) is with the family in Quatar and doesn’t return home until 18^th April, so will unfortunately miss the Re-union this year.  She hopes we all have a wonderful day/weekend.

Fiona Passingham (Walker) wrote that she was so sad not to be able to join everyone, but she has an appointment at Southampton General Hospital on 1^st April and doesn’t know what the outcome will be as she has cancer and just takes one day at a time.  Our best wishes, Fiona, for successful treatment.

Sallie Sackur (Caley) sent congratulations to all the Committee for keeping the FCOGA going all these years.  Sadly, Sallie’s eldest son aged 53 years died of cancer on Friday 13^th February 2015;  our heartfelt condolences to you and your family, Sallie.

Pamela Shaw Johnston now has 2 grandchildren – Ava (2) and Dylan (10 months).  She would love to hear from anyone in her year.  She is still in touch with five of her classmates and they meet for lunch regularly and have dubbed themselves the “FOGIES” (Filey Old Girls Imbibing and Eating Society).

Barbara Bateman (Bleasdale) says it is always with great regret that she hasn’t been able to get to the Re-unions since the mid-50s.  She has such happy memories of her school days, scrambling along the Brigg searching for various “sea creatures” with Sr Mary Francis very much in charge! – such happy days never to be forgotten.  She is still in touch with Pat Collier and Eunice Moore (Waring) and they have long telephone chats reminiscing about their happy days at the Convent.  She hopes we have a wonderful sunny weekend and looks forward to receiving the Newsletter.

Pam Barrett (Heath) is unable to make the journey from Cornwall as she doesn’t drive long distances now. Also the week after Easter is very busy with all the family visiting.  She will be thinking of us all, and hopes we have a lovely day.

Susan Robertson says that as she lives in Sydney, Australia she will be unable to attend;  however, as she does come over to UK and Europe on a regular basis she may be able to attend a future reunion.  She was a boarder at Filey Convent for 5 years from 1956 to 1961 (she was 9 years old when she started school at the Convent).

 Sheila Gibson (Clubley) says:  Please say ‘ hi’ to all my class mates (and yourself).  I hope you have a great day.  I appreciate you sending me all the invites and news by e-mail it saves a lot of money and I do not feel so guilty for costing the fcoga so much.  I do like to get the news of what is happening.

Sister Mary Angela is unable to be with us, but will be in Filey later for her retreat.  She will remember all in her prayers and says it’s always good to hear of past pupils.

Anna Nockels (Wilkins) wrote that she was one of the last pupils at the Convent, and actually left in December 1968, aged eleven, when it closed.  Unfortunately she cannot attend the reunion this year because she will be at a wedding, however, she hopes to join you all next year.  Wishing you all a lovely day,

Tanis duParc (Barnard) wrote:  Would loved to have come , but have to attend a girl guide meeting. As I am the president I have to attend!!!  Perhaps next year if I am still alive!  Good luck to you all and best wishes. Tanis.

Anne Flint (Mounsey) says: Many thanks for the invitation to this year's reunion. I would love to be there but because I live in the Orkney Isles it's not possible for me to make it. Hopefully, one day, before we are all too old, I will manage to be in Yorkshire at the right time.

Sandra Massender ( McGuire):   Many thanks for old girls communication, sadly I don't  often make it these days but look forward to all news so can you keep me on list please.

Elaine Andrews (known at school as Pat Akroyd) wrote: I  will not be attending the Reunion in April, but thank you for your interesting letter.  I know I never come to the Reunions but I do like to receive the letters.  I am 78 this year in July, I still drive, although it’s mostly pootling around Ripon; I have a mother who has just celebrated her 100th birthday in January, she had a luncheon for 24 people at the South Lodge in Ripon, and her flat looked like a florists shop, the Mayor and Mayoress came to see her.  I lost my husband 9 years ago, but for the past three years I have been going out with Patrick, who also lost his wife 11 years ago.  He fills a gap in my life, we have been on two cruises and booked two weeks in Tenerife this year, and he is a wonderful family man.  He is 18 months younger than me, and he tells everybody he is my “toyboy”. Good luck with 2015.

Margaret Sintes (Stone) sends her good wishes to anyone who remembers her.  She is 84 years old, and still in contact with three “girls” of her era.

Mary Outhwaite (Maplesden) has a family celebration over the Re-union weekend so is unable to be with us; she hopes we have a great re-union and hopes to be with us next year.

Eunice Moore (Waring) lives too far away to attend the Re-union, but sends best wishes and hopes we have a wonderful weekend, especially bringing back old memories of Filey, the Sisters and so many old friends.

Pam Jones (Winship) wrote that for the second year running the re-union has coincided with the Sunday that her grandsons go back to University and they always have a farewell meal.  She has been a member since the OGA was founded and she has found a photograph taken of the first committee and there she is on the front row with her leg in plaster – kicked by a horse!  She hopes the meeting will be a great success.

Judith Ogilvie (Powell) wrote: Many thanks for the invitation to this year's Reunion.  Once again I'm afraid I won't be able to join you as I will be away on holiday in Tenerife with my family, this week being the school Easter holidays.  Nevertheless I do hope you have many "old girls" present and that you will all have an enjoyable weekend.  I am still living in Perthshire and not looking forward to another year of trying to keep on top of a large garden but I shall no doubt be more enthusiastic once the weather turns a bit warmer. We've had quite a lot of snow throughout January, February & March and we keep being teased by spring and then reverting to chilly days and even chillier nights.  My Mother is still plodding along and has now reached the grand age of 95.  My grandsons are now 8, 7 & 6 and developing into their own characters!  I spend a lot of time with my daughter's little boy as she is just over half way through a children’s nursing degree as a mature student and as a single parent needs support when she is on hospital placement and doing long shifts.  It's good fun but always good to get back to my own bed.  I send best wishes to everyone and look forward to reading the Newsletter. Congratulations on the website. I think I may have some photos and will endeavour to find them and get them to Anne in due course.

Liz Ellis  (Haxby) wrote:  I have received your invitation to the Re-union and would love to attend (out of curiosity!) but I left Filey Convent when I was 10 and don't really know anyone there and would feel out of it, although I did go to a re-union some years ago to meet Karen Jessiman who was my best friend when I was there!   Although I don't wish to attend this year I would love to receive the Newsletter as there are quite a few people who I used to know (including some of the nuns) and it would be good to know how they are getting on.  I do keep in touch with Jill Verrall (Brown) who attended, I think, from around 1960 and would be able to show her a copy of the Newsletter.  Her friend at the time was Clare Angas who now lives in Canada.  If you would, please at the next reunion, remember me to Jane Cockerill (Leather) who I haven't seen for ages.  

Jo Goss (Hutchinson) wrote: Thank you for your invitation to attend this year's re-union. Unfortunately, I must decline yet again.  Living here on the south coast makes it too difficult to travel to Filey. However, we are in the process of moving back to the Newmarket area in East Anglia so perhaps we will be able to make in a future year.  Congratulations to all of you in new posts on the committee, there wouldn't be an Old Girl's Association without you. May I wish you all a very happy re-union in April. 

Val Lakin (Johnstone) says: I am sorry I will be unable to attend this year’s reunion.  My grandson is playing in a semi final in a national rugby union cup.  The RFU move slowly and I was waiting to hear the date, unfortunately it is on the 12th.  Not much news, Natalie is getting married in June 2016 on Santorini, Jack and Libs are busy with A levels. Jack has had 5 offers from unis, he wants to study psychology, so hope he does ok in his exams, Libs is in her first year at York College.  Hope to see you in 2016

Charlotte Gledhill (Link) will be in Tenerife during the Re-union weekend, but hopes to be with us next year.

Susan Hughes (Taylor) is very disappointed not to be able to attend the Reunion this year, but is recovering from a recent op.  She’s doing well, but 12^th April is just a bit too soon to be travelling to Filey.  She will be thinking of everyone, and hopes we have a great time.

Sheila Pearce (Allan) is not able to attend but hopes to make it next year.  She hopes we all have a good weekend and sends regards to anyone who remembers her.

Pat Hicklenton (Townsley) 1940-1945 says: I am really sorry that health issues prevent me from coming up to Filey, and send my apologies.  I have so enjoyed these re-unions over the past 17 or 18 years, and look forward to hearing about the weekend. Again –apologies.  With every good wish for a happy and successful weekend.

Some news from Margaret Beuck (Mitchell) who lives in Australia.  Margaret sadly was widowed some time ago, and her neighbour, Graham, was also widowed;  Margaret and Graham were married in February 2014.  She says it was a very casual wedding but a very happy day;  she and Graham are very happy together and enjoy the same interests – they both love music, choir etc, Graham plays the organ in the Wondai Anglican Church and Margaret leads Services in the Uniting Church.  Congratulations and very best wishes to you both, Margaret.

Rosalie Maddy (Askew) was sorry not to be joining us at the Reunion this year;  she hopes to be with us all next year and sends her love and best wishes to the Sisters and Old Girls.  She writes she has had both wonderful – and sad - events since the last Reunion – Rosalie’s daughter,  Louise, who accompanied Rosalie to Filey last year, had a baby boy, Luke, in February.  Louise’s twin, Nick and his Swiss fiancée, Monika, were married in Porthcawl last September, and were expecting their first baby at the end of July. Sadly the baby, a girl, was stillborn at 28 weeks.   Colin and Rosalie are both well.  Rosalie is still kept busy with Churches Together work, preaching, acting in Cowbridge am.dram. and still learning Welsh which, she says, is getting more difficult as the years progress – she is on the ‘higher’ course now. 

Jennifer Simpson (Milner) wrote that the Convent ‘was an amazing school and such an inspiration to us all’.  Unfortunately Jennifer suffers from arthritis very badly;  she says the doctor is working on it for her so she hopes one day she may be able to get to the Re-union.

Tina Sell (Harris) wrote that she will not be able to attend the reunion this year but would like to receive the news in the letters.  She misses visits to Filey since her sister Pauline Goodson (Harris) and Pauline’s husband Roger passed away.  She used to come up regularly to see them.  She is still playing golf but is pleased the winter is nearly over.  She recently left the Board of Maidenhead Golf Club where she has been Chair of the Social Committee for three years, so life is very relaxed nowadays.  Tina hopes we have a successful weekend and the sun shines on us - Filey at its best!

A reminder to anyone who would like a copy of Sister Anne Marie’s book, "Serving God’s People – a history of the English Province of the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Evron".  Sister still has a few copies left;  please contact me if you would like her address to order a copy.

And finally – I hope you have enjoyed catching up with the news from the Old Girls’ Association members –  my apologies for any errors or if I have left anyone out.