Mountford House School - Northend, Park Hall Lane, West Hallam

I would like to tell you about my old school Mountford House, Park Hall Lane, West Hallam during late 60's early 70's, I do have some great memories of being there - we had some brilliant times. Christmas and Birthday parties, serious snow weather and proper summers and thunderstorms in those days, so I remember!  Great trips to Swimming in Derby, Thursdays I think, and special treat of Spaghetti hoops on toast for tea when we got back! 

Also, lovely, 'proper' dripping on bread and butter.  All sorts. I didn't like the rounder’s games though in the back grounds sports field, but loved the Brownie Guide campfire meetings in the old orchard at the back, singing such great old songs as 'Under the spreading chestnut tree', with all the movements of arms etc we had to do to the song, as they did in those days! Great fun - as with Sports Day, when all the parents came to watch us, and we had the Three-legged race, the Sack race, Wheelbarrow race - all good fun!

I do remember well too, Mr and Mrs Hill - Mrs Hill used to be our Cook, but she used to let us help with doing the toast under the grill for breakfast etc   Mr Hill as the gardener, handyman and such, as well as running his farm, which I also remember had cows, as we used to go and have a look at them sometimes!  He used to look after the boiler down the dark steps in the courtyard, but we used to have great fun helping in the fields with the hay bales and such, and a brilliant Guy Fawkes bonfire night every year, with homemade Treacle Toffee made by Mrs Hill, and also foil wrapped hot baked potatoes!  Too many great memories!

The main house was a lovely old house, with lead-pained windows, and a rose garden in front, with a cobbled courtyard, with what used to be stables around the courtyard, which we used as classrooms.  It also had an annexe or cottage in the courtyard, with wonderful lawns at the back with a round, stone edged man-made pond, and an orchard beyond the lawn.  The two head-mistresses were Nancy Sutton and Jessie Halcrow.
I remember, amongst other things,

It had a lovely curved tree-lined driveway too) - I know one of the girls who were there with me at the time - her parents, I believe, bought the school - the Springthorpes.  

Lisa MacLeod (nee Barber) - Mevagissey

My sincere thanks to Lisa for her memories and wonderful photographs.
 
If you remember the school or used to attend it, I would love to hear from you.

Aerial Photo of Mountford House, Date Unknown. Showing Sports Day Lawn, Orchard, Courtyard and Classrooms

School Girls in Courtyard

Deborah Chaplin, Danielle Carr and Georgina Brooksbank on Barrel Frame

Either Danielle Carr or Jacqueline Howells on Bars in Back Grounds, Walled Sandpit on Her Right

In the Garden Playground by Ballet Kindergarten, Mrs Stanley

Jacqueline Howells and Danielle Carr in Courtyard

Jane Archer in the Courtyard

Louise Hallam and Sally Wright in the Courtyard and Showing the Lodge

Matron, Miss Nancy? Dalgliesh

Mrs Stanley

One of My Reports from West Hallam School

Stables and Classrooms in Courtyard

Two Boys Playing in the Field Playground

A Message from Richard Clayton, Ex Pupil Mountford House School, 1958 - 1961

Hi, I was at Mountford House from 1958 to 1961. A few of the pupils I remember are Michael Carter, Philip Palfreman, David St John, and my sister Gillian Clayton.

My name is Richard Clayton and I would love to hear from anybody from that time.

Regards,
Richard Clayton

A Message from Pamela Jones, Ex Pupil Mountford House School, 1962 - 1965

Hi,
I was so excited to see something about Mountford House School when I went on the internet searching just now!

I was there for 3 years (age 8 - 11) from Autumn 1962 until July 1965.

I remember Ruth Eyres, Lorna Young, Marylyn ?, Melinda Moore, Jane Shipstone, Gillian Penticost, Keith?, James Cooper.

We rode the ponies - Misty, Za Za, Gi Gi, Snowy. Gillian and Ruth were both very good riders. We fed the calves and helped pick potatoes. Mucked out the stables and had a small veggie patch of our own, where I remember growing radishes.

There was a round pond that we used to swim in in summer. Walks in Bluebell Wood.

We used to pretend we were horses/riders and put bailer twine around a friend to act as reins! Pogo sticks, hula hoops, roller skates - we played on the cobbles outside the stables I think. 

Miss Jessie Halcrow and Miss Sutton were teachers. One of them was Headmistress but unsure which one.

I would love to get in touch with anyone who contacts you from that time. 

Kind regards, 
Pamela  Jones
Australia

NOTE – Pamela would love to hear from you if you remember her and I would love to hear from you if you have more information, memories or photographs  Please also contact me to put you in touch with Pam. 

(Contact me for their email address)

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