Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2009 | Page 34
life
ISLAND HISTORY
Edna Emery, nee Sturgess, the evacuee
have existed today were it not for Yarmouth
certainly kicking in Yarmouth. As Nigel Howell,
School’s long-serving administrator, Sheila
a parent and a principle activist in saving the
McCleary. “There was a big clear-out a few
school, said in a speech thanking the local
years ago and they were going to be thrown
community for their support, there were more
out. So I took them home.”
letters of protest from Yarmouth to the IoW
Like anyone who has handled the books
and dipped into their fascinating story, Mrs
together. Stuart Dyer, in his penultimate act as
McCleary relishes their insight into the past.
town mayor, and newly elected as the town’s
She seizes on a letter, loose among the pages,
councillor, said those who wanted to close the
from one E M Phillps. Back in 1918 Miss Phillps
school were “oblivious to what Yarmouth has
was about to take up her appointment as
to offer our youngsters.”
Assistant Mistress to Yarmouth School, but
Edna, the wartime evacuee, certainly felt that
before signing up she was anxious to set a
her time in Yarmouth had been valuable. While
few ground rules. The staff, she had found,
other children returned to Portsmouth, her
had often not opened the school by the time
parents preferred that she should stay because
assembly should have started, and Miss Phillps
they felt she was getting a better education
was concerned about “the amount of time
than was available in Portsmouth at the time.
which the children waste in the playground.”
“The year before my last year at school I was
“I earnestly wish to do my very best for my
a bit naughty, we used to play about. I got a
children . . . but under existing circumstances,
nasty reports saying I wasn’t concentrating,”
and with such lack of discipline, I feel it is
she said, adding: “My auntie didn’t send it to
practically impossible.”
my mum. So for the last year I did better, I put
In 1918, it seems, potential employees could
call the shots in a way unthinkable now.
But parent power is alive and well, and
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Council than all the rest of the Island put
my mind to it. I came top of the class.” She
was able then to get a good job in a smart
shop.