Bexley Tec' School For Girls, 1965 66 And Beyond.

A Memory of Bexleyheath.

I started in the 6th form in September, 1965, Mrs. Taylor was our form mistress, Miss Fuller the Headmistress, Mrs. Richards for French, Miss Simms for English. In those days my name was Ruby Little; I always hated my first name, so changed it legally to Victoria and eventually my surname was changed through marriage. In late November 1965 I became very suddenly critically ill and was blue-lighted to the Brook Hospital, Shooters Hill, Woolwich, where I eventually stayed until early March 1966, being treated for an infection caused by brain abscesses, which also caused me to have a stroke, from which I completely recovered. I believe Miss Fuller asked the whole school to pray for me in assembly one morning, when I was close to death. I eventually returned to school after the Easter holiday in 1966, with very short hair as I'd had my hair completely shaved off for the operations. Luckily the model Twiggy was popular then, so I was unwittingly quite fashionable with that hairstyle! I continued with my exam studies, managing to pass all of my exams, although I had several months to catch up on. After I left school I returned to the Brook Hospital to start my nurse training. Once I qualified, I added Midwifery and Psychiatry to my experience, and also did other studies to increase my nursing specialities. I married and had 2 children, both girls, living in Willersley Ave Sidcup and working at Queen Mary's Hospital Sidcup until we moved to Broadstairs. Before retiring I continued nursing at what used to be Margate Hospital. I now live very happily in Birchington Village with my daughters and their families not far away. I remember the Silver Lounge in Bexleyheath, and the Bowling Alley that used to be a cinema, the big R.A.C.S department store on the corner of Townley Rd, and of course Hides near the clock tower. Before marriage I lived with my parents near Upper Belvedere. I often wonder what happened to my friends and other girls from my class at 'The Grey School'. All ok and doing well in life, I hope.