Margaret Wilson, RIP

[kerrensimmonds]

I am sorry to report that Margaret Wilson, revered teacher of Geography at Hertford for generations (1950-1985) died yesterday (10 November), after a long illness.

When we were at school she lived in the same staff house as the teacher of Domestic Science, Betty Jukes, with whom she spent school holidays on many overseas adventures where the interesting details were never known to their pupils and, when they both retired, they together bought a house in Hertford – where Betty still lives.

The funeral will be in Belfast, and her body is to be moved there within the next three days. I do not know the details (Betty Jukes, at 87, blind and disabled – is unable to be there [even with offered help] but if anyone really wants to know I could find out and pass on the information).

The end of another era, I fear!

I will copy this message onto the Hertford part of this Forum.

Kerren

[midget]

She must have arrived while I was at Hertford, but I dropprd Geog after school cert, so never knew her. Are you sure about her age,Kerren, as 77 would make her only 2 years older than I, and I can't imagine her starting teaching at 18!

[kerrensimmonds]

Well, tonight Betty Jukes told me that she is 87, and that Margaret was 10 years younger. Hmm... who knows? I do believe that CH was Margaret's first and only appointment. But for her to be teaching at 18 would seem incomprehensible...

[Katharine]

Yes, I am sure she must be nearer Betty Jukes' age.

I am sure so many of us will remember her and her maps and idiosyncracies (?spelling?). Mediterranean climate warm wet westerly winds in winter, hot dry sunny summers. I certainly learnt a lot from her and wanted to do Geography as a fourth A level but it wasn't permitted.

[kerrensimmonds]

Yes, I did do A level Geography. During my two A level years, Miss Wilson had time out (which was covered by Miss West and a nun from somewhere) because she had suffered a brain embolism (which in due time was probably the root cause of her ill health problems in later life). I do recall a personal project relating to the Chesil Bank, when I prevailed upon my longsuffering parents to drive me down the Bank, stopping at regular intervals for me to collect sample pebbles. They were large at one end, and small at the other..... and when I went back to school the project was displayed at the back of the Geography room until (I believe) the end of Hertford days. I wonder what happened to those pebbles?!

[maryfitz]

I usually only log on to the Forum once every few months. This is the first time that I have registered in order to post a reply.
I well remember Miss Wilson (M.M. probably Margaret Mary) coming to the school in 1950. We got on well together as I believe she came from Ireland and I was second generation Irish!! As to her age: I think she must have been more than 77.
I became hooked on Geography and did rather well. I was actually awarded the school Geography prize when I was in the Upper Fifth, although I am sure there were Sixth formers doing Geography at A. level at that time. I still lament the fact that in the end I chose to do History at University instead.
We had Cookery lessons with Miss Jukes (blue stocking cookery) even though we were in the academic stream. That I also enjoyed and did rather well.
In 1975 when we came to the U.K from Canada for a family holiday, I was able to visit with both of them and had my eldest son with me at the time.
Mary Fitz

[englishangel]

Welcome Mary, and if you are in Canada I believe you are the first on here, though we do have folks from lots of other places, Caroline being the furthest away, her nickname icomefromalandownunder being a bit of a clue. (not forgetting Greg of course when he is home)

[Jo]

How odd, that I never knew her name was Margaret - when I saw the topic subject, I didn't recognise that it was our geography teacher. I didn't have her long as a teacher as Miss Norman taught the lower forms, and I gave up geography halfway through the LV to do an intensive German course for O Level, in a new experimental scheme at the time. But she, like so many of the senior staff, was such a fixture at the school, that you just knew her whether she taught you or not. My father's family were Irish, and I used to be sent shamrock every St Patrick's Day, and I remember Miss Wilson commenting on it.

As far as I remember, she could be both kindly and stern, and it's probably significant that she is someone of whom I have no bad memories, which is more than could be said for some of the staff at the time. That sounds like faint praise, but considering I didn't have much to do with her directly, and over the passage of over thirty years, it's actually a pretty good sign.

I would have said she'd have been older than 77 but I suppose Betty Jukes knew her age, unless she has become confused in her old age.

[Katharine]

Can anyone explain why we all knew that Betty Jukes was called Betty but like Jo I didn't recognise the name Margaret Wilson. I don't remember her having a nickname or even speaking about her other than as Miss Wilson.

[kerrensimmonds]

Ditto... welcome, Mary! Margaret Wilson was indeed from Northern Ireland, and that is where her remains will be returned in a couple of days' time. Betty Jukes, although Margaret's longtime companion, is not up to going to Belfast, even with help, which is pretty sad. She told me today that she had said her 'goodbyes' when she visited Margaret last Friday (when she was still alive, but very frail).
I am glad that you were able to visit both Margaret and Betty, with your son, when you revisited Hertford. That must have been a special moment both for you and for them.
Best wishes
Kerren

[kerrensimmonds]

I think it was I who got confused re. Margaret's age. I know Betty is 87 and I think that Margaret was much the same age - but her sister is ten years younger......
Doh!

[maryfitz]

Can't believe how fast this forum moves along.
Miss Wilson came from Warrenpoint in County Down. Now how did I remember that for over fifty years?
Mary Fitz

[kerrensimmonds]

It was 'Margaret Mary', and she was 85. It's in the DT today....

I've been asked to think of someone to write an Obit for the Old Blue. Any offers? Betty Jukes is worried about receiving cart loads of cards and letters of condolence to which she will be unable to reply. It's suggested that at the end of the Obituary (whoever writes it....) there is a statement that Betty was very grateful for all the written expressions of support and regrets that she was unable to respond.

Any ideas?

Kerren

[Vonny]

I do recall a personal project relating to the Chesil Bank, when I prevailed upon my longsuffering parents to drive me down the Bank, stopping at regular intervals for me to collect sample pebbles. They were large at one end, and small at the other..... and when I went back to school the project was displayed at the back of the Geography room until (I believe) the end of Hertford days. I wonder what happened to those pebbles?!

Ha Ha! The pebbles are smaller at the west end. The pebbles are far far bigger nearer to Portland. And it's illegal to take pebbles from the bank Of course I would never dream of taking any for the fish tank

I recall taking a picture of me & my brother on Chesil Beach to show Miss Wilson in class when we were learning about it all

I also remember Miss Wilsons Ox Bow Lakes

[kerrensimmonds]

Well, I wonder what happened to my pebbles which I do remember seeing displayed in the Geography room in my last year and after I left (and of being grateful for my parents' indulgence in helping me to collect them). In those days it was not illegal...