When I returned to Sherrardswood, after 46 years, I felt such a sense of familiarity and of coming home, everyone was so welcoming. I don’t think I had expected that, I had been away a long time, done a lot of things, got married had a family, become a grandmother.
Did I realise, when I was young, how privileged we were to go to a school like that?
My form was born in the 40’s, probably too young to know about the war and not really aware of current political situations, halcyon days in some ways.
The games afternoons at Lockleys and Digswell in those beautiful grounds. Going through Monks Walk to Digswell (my husband and I went for a walk there and he couldn’t believe that little girls were sent through the woods on their own!) There was so much competitive sport. We learnt, unlike today, that some people win and some people lose and that you accept victory or defeat with graciousness. The long walks to ICI tennis courts and swimming in that funny little pool somewhere in WGC.
What an interesting mix we were, very cosmopolitan, I am partly Russian myself (the White variety!) I can remember one of the six formers coming to school in lederhosen and a beard but I think he was quickly asked to shave it off.
The opportunities we had to take part in drama, ‘Our Town’ sticks in my memory, wonderful productions produced by Hugh Croydon, music, Speaking of English competitions, I won it one year and it was a great help in later life, debating, bible studies.
A friend of my mine, who is married to one of our old boys, told me once she thought that ‘Sherrardwoodites’ were very confident people. I like to think that is the case, the ones I have met certainly are but also very courteous. ~ Anne Udell (Cooper)
Sherrardswood Old Scholars' Association