Quick questions and (maybe) answers Hertford Memories thread

[kerrensimmonds]

I'm sure that for us it was crocodiles, Katharine. Maybe for you it was a bit less dragooned! I do remember walking along pathways cut in the snow, with sides up to our shoulders - but I agree that they were set walks and carefully marshalled by staff. And you are probably right about the country dancing in the gymn, too.....we did that sometimes anyway but it would be an obvious source of exercise if all else failed!

[MaryB]

In our time the railway walk used to crop up regularly, when there was a need for everyone to get some exercise with minimum effort and supervision. The route went (surprise) up one side of the line out of Hertford East, crossed it somewhere or other, and came back the other side. Can't remember how we reached the line or returned, but we were allowed not to be in a crocodile. Presumably there were mons stationed at critical points like the railway crossing.

[icomefromalanddownunder]

We did have at least one snowy winter between 1965 and 70. Have no idea when it was, but I do remember going out on a walk with Deb, Jasmine, and maybe Janessa. In my memory the snow was very deep, although not up to our shoulders, and we came back very cold and wet, but having had a great time. Well, I had a great time, and actually felt free for a brief period.

I see us wearing chapel caps, but at what age were we allowed out with fifth and sixth formers, as opposed to crocodiling our way around town and countryside?

+41oC predicted for us for the next few days. All organised activities cancelled when 38 is forecast. Daughter pi$$ed off, as the horse show scheduled for Sunday would have been her last chance to compete as a Handler under 25 years of age. In future she'll have to compete with the big girls

[Katharine]

Kerren - thinking Spring 63 over - I was a very new BA then so it is not surprising my memory of those walks is different from yours! I do remember DR pinning each day's route up underneath the arches in her oh-so familiar handwriting. Did she go out on recce to see the route had been cleared or what?

Caroline is your heat hot and dry or hot and humid? The former is so much easier to endure.

[kerrensimmonds]

I think that DR mentions those walks in 'Half to Remember', Katharine. I must have a quick scan...... I seem to recollect that she did send staff out beforehand to recce the route.

[icomefromalanddownunder]

Caroline is your heat hot and dry or hot and humid? The former is so much easier to endure.

Mediterranean climate, so hot, dry, sunny summers. We do get the odd hot and humid day which sends most people into a flurry, as evaporative air conditioning is common here (big, soggy pads on the roof that air is sucked through). I prefer it to reverse cycle, because the windows need to be open with evaporative (to prevent the house exploding from the build up of air. Well, that's what I used to tell the children when the air would whistle as it escaped through gaps where doors and windows weren't closed tight), but it uses an enormous amount of water, and, despite the severe water restrictions that we have been under for the past few years, I have heard no mutterings about banning evap a/c.

[fra828]

We did have at least one snowy winter between 1965 and 70. Have no idea when it was, but I do remember going out on a walk with Deb, Jasmine, and maybe Janessa. In my memory the snow was very deep, although not up to our shoulders, and we came back very cold and wet, but having had a great time. Well, I had a great time, and actually felt free for a brief period.

I see us wearing chapel caps, but at what age were we allowed out with fifth and sixth formers, as opposed to crocodiling our way around town and countryside?

+41oC predicted for us for the next few days. All organised activities cancelled when 38 is forecast. Daughter pi$$ed off, as the horse show scheduled for Sunday would have been her last chance to compete as a Handler under 25 years of age. In future she'll have to compete with the big girls

I remember a heavy snowfall in December 1967, my first year at Hertford-don't know how long it lasted. One January ,1969 I think, was snowy. We used to walk on icy pavements to Ware, but only have recollection of going out with 2 friends, but would this have been allowed at Hertford, 3 12/13 year old girls out ON THEIR OWN?! I can't remember any senior girls there. Maybe my memory is failing me! Hertford winters always seemed cold to me, standing about on freezing hockey pitches at Ashbourne in skimpy gym-slips.... brrrrr! I wasn't sporty at school but I always liked netball better, you got to move about more.

[gma]

The route went (surprise) up one side of the line out of Hertford East, crossed it somewhere or other, and came back the other side.

The very second I read that, I had a 'flashback' picture of walking back along the railway fenceline, extraordinary!

Hertford winters always seemed cold to me, standing about on freezing hockey pitches at Ashbourne in skimpy gym-slips.... brrrrr! I wasn't sporty at school but I always liked netball better, you got to move about more.

I always seemd to be the hockey goalkeeper and frozen for several months at a time until one of them (curly, short black hair, little terrier build, endless whistle frenzy, also did swimming standing on that damn bridge all the time??), anyway, she found out that although "quite large" (pointed out to me repeatedly), I could run, quite steadily for quite a long time so she made me a wing and then I was warm!!

I also remember the "quite large" being muttered in quite stunned tones when she found out that, although I was said size, I could swim, "quite well"!

[fra828]

The route went (surprise) up one side of the line out of Hertford East, crossed it somewhere or other, and came back the other side.

The very second I read that, I had a 'flashback' picture of walking back along the railway fenceline, extraordinary!

Hertford winters always seemed cold to me, standing about on freezing hockey pitches at Ashbourne in skimpy gym-slips.... brrrrr! I wasn't sporty at school but I always liked netball better, you got to move about more.

I always seemd to be the hockey goalkeeper and frozen for several months at a time until one of them (curly, short black hair, little terrier build, endless whistle frenzy, also did swimming standing on that damn bridge all the time??), anyway, she found out that although "quite large" (pointed out to me repeatedly), I could run, quite steadily for quite a long time so she made me a wing and then I was warm!!

I also remember the "quite large" being muttered in quite stunned tones when she found out that, although I was said size, I could swim, "quite well"!

GMA, I seem to remember one of above mentioned favourite words was 'nasty' and I think we also nicknamed her nasty N..... with good reason I think !

[icomefromalanddownunder]

I always seemd to be the hockey goalkeeper and frozen for several months at a time until one of them (curly, short black hair, little terrier build, endless whistle frenzy, also did swimming standing on that damn bridge all the time??), anyway, she found out that although "quite large" (pointed out to me repeatedly), I could run, quite steadily for quite a long time so she made me a wing and then I was warm!!

Was that Nellie N?

I used to get stuck in goal for netball and hockey. Netball frustrated me enormously, because I was a good shot (so much easier when your gorilla arms can reach so close to the net, of course). Hockey: didn't mind being in goal if we were losing, as it got quite busy. If we were winning, it was boring as bat poo, not to mention cold. However, my whingeing did get me put on the wing once, and I couldn't believe how long a hockey pitch is . Back to goal I shuffled, never to complain aloud again

xx

[englishangel]

I remember Gerrie as being small, but I ws 6 years older so she would only have been 11. I was 5'6" at the end of my first year so I was with Caroline, in goal, but at the other end presumably. And goal defence in netball.

[sejintenej]

Caroline is your heat hot and dry or hot and humid? The former is so much easier to endure.

as evaporative air conditioning is common here (big, soggy pads on the roof that air is sucked through). I prefer it to reverse cycle, because the windows need to be open with evaporative (to prevent the house exploding from the build up of air. I have heard no mutterings about banning evap a/c.

That system sounds far far too close to the conditions over here which encourage Legionnaires Disease; has it not got to Australia yet?

[englishangel]

10 degrees C when I arrived in my office this morning (half an hour early). Yes I know it is illegal, it was 14 by the time I should have arrived (9am) and the requisite 16 degrees by 0910.

[midget]

We did have at least one snowy winter between 1965 and 70. Have no idea when it was, but I do remember going out on a walk with Deb, Jasmine, and maybe Janessa. In my memory the snow was very deep, although not up to our shoulders, and we came back very cold and wet, but having had a great time. Well, I had a great time, and actually felt free for a brief period.

I see us wearing chapel caps, but at what age were we allowed out with fifth and sixth formers, as opposed to crocodiling our way around town and countryside?

+41oC predicted for us for the next few days. All organised activities cancelled when 38 is forecast. Daughter pi$$ed off, as the horse show scheduled for Sunday would have been her last chance to compete as a Handler under 25 years of age. In future she'll have to compete with the big girls

I remember a heavy snowfall in December 1967, my first year at Hertford-don't know how long it lasted. One January ,1969 I think, was snowy. We used to walk on icy pavements to Ware, but only have recollection of going out with 2 friends, but would this have been allowed at Hertford, 3 12/13 year old girls out ON THEIR OWN?! I can't remember any senior girls there. Maybe my memory is failing me! Hertford winters always seemed cold to me, standing about on freezing hockey pitches at Ashbourne in skimpy gym-slips.... brrrrr! I wasn't sporty at school but I always liked netball better, you got to move about more.

Croc walks until you got your BA in the UVth, then in groups of at least 5 including a 6th former. In the 6th we were allowed out in groups of at least 3.

[Katharine]

Croc walks until you got your BA in the UVth, then in groups of at least 5 including a 6th former. In the 6th we were allowed out in groups of at least 3.

I think that we were more generous after the BA than in your time, Maggie. Mons were allowed out on their own, I think, but as I became a Prefect at the same time it may have been Prefects. I don't think it had to be as many as 5 once you had your BA but can't be certain of the details.