We recently received an email from Canada with a photograph attached that was found in the scrap book of a lady who grew up in Ayr. It is thought to have been taken around 1940. Do you recognise anyone – or do you have any other old photos? If so please send them in.
Dear Mr. Hardy,
Pauline Cunningham
What a surprised to see this. I am second row from the bottom 3rd from the right . I think this photograph was taken in 1948/9 , I was eight or nine years old.
I remember the day very well, and many of the girls in particular. I think Miss Kirkland would have been our teacher at that time. .The headmistress was Miss Drinnan. A frightening little woman . I literally had nightmares about her. She could be quite cruel . Years later my mother in conversation with Miss Knox, who taught 6/7year-olds at the time, saying how much I had enjoyed being in her class, referring to Miss Drinnan and how afraid I was of her, Miss Knox , the kindest and loveliest person, said to my mother, Mrs. Cunningham we all were!
My last teacher at Holmston was Mr Purdy. He was absolutely wonderful .
I have quite often thought of those days when I hear about education and class sizes. Many people find it very hard to believe that we were normally 48 pupils in our class. This of course was not so long after the war and I imagine there was quite a shortage of teachers. Holmston was a lovely little school, and at the time this picture is taken our headmaster was Mr Hunter. He was quite honestly a gentleman , always immaculate in navy suit and tie, a lovely man.
We had a dining hall that was built in the playground and Mr Hunter most of the time dined with us , changing tables most days and frequently teaching his pupils table manners . He was the most wonderful father figure .
I did not have a happy childhood, so as you may imagine school made a huge difference to me. I was very lucky to be a pupil at Holmston.
I had the very good fortune to go on to Ayr Academy which I loved. Mr Cairns was the Rector. He too was a wonderful man.
I took the commercial course at Ayr Academy , to which I was ill suited! After a short time working for the General Accident Insurance company I was contacted by a Model Agent in Glasgow and became a Model.
After working for a short time in Glasgow, I went to the USA. I worked for Kodak in Rochester, New York for a year. After returning home I married and moved to London, where I modelled till I had my son in 1973.
I wonder how many of the class are still about. I am 86 and live in Berkshire.