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 34 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.