Kenyngton Manor School And Swimming In The Thames

A Memory of Sunbury.

I went to the School approx 1952-1957 firstly in the old School and then in the new school which was so modern and spacious- it had everything. The Gym was brilliant, albeit I wasn't very good. There was a sewing room where us girls learnt how to machine, sew and make our own clothes. My leaving outfit was a skirt & stole which I wore with hand knitted fawn ankle socks ! There was a great cookery class which taught us how to cook, wash items ie silk and clean - it helped us all even though our Mam's taught us at home - it would be an asset for the youngsters today,
At 14 yrs old we all had Saturday jobs - mine was in Woolworths, Feltham High Street. I worked on the biscuit counter- very different from the wrapped packets today. There was boxes of biscuits which each morning had their lids removed so the customers could see and choose which variety they wanted. Of course biscuits were still a luxury in most homes so perhaps 4 ounces or 1/2 lb and even 1 lb might be picked and put into scales and then into brown paper bags. Of course, there was also boxes of 'broken biscuits' straight from the factory, nothing wrong with them, and so much cheaper - these were most popular. I think I worked from 8.30 - 6.00pm for 9/11d a day - it was a small fortune.
We would walk to the river and sit near the swimming pool and have a picnic and be there all day - it was quite sandy there, almost like a mini beach and yes we swam in the river, sometimes we would go to the pool - but it did cost and it wasn't always possible.
I remember on Boxing Day a neighbour gave us all a lift in his car to visit relatives in the evening and he went the wrong way round the Clock Tower in the middle of the road..its possible he had been celebrating!
The Winters were very cold and lots of snow in the 1940/1950's and we didnt have all the anoraks and trousers that the children have today, The boys wore short trousers with socks to the knees and also the girls had skirts and socks held up with elastic garters. How did we manage? I know we were always pleased to get home to a good stew with vegetables from the garden..and suet dumplings - still my favourite.
A friend of mine was Rosemary who lived quite close to the school - she came from a very large family - we lost touch when we left school and went immediately into work.
So much has changed, but it would over the years - but it will never be the same walk down the leafy Avenue to the river.
Carol Storey.