Beyond THE MANOR July 2022 — Issue 6
Welcome to the Summer 2022 edition of the Manor House School Alumnae newsletter. We bring you interviews with Danielle Baynes (MHOG 2013) and Judith Marron, née Brown (MHOG 1977), who give us insights into their very different careers and Dani Poulter and Lucy Morris (MHOG 2012) share their reasons for taking part in the Pedal, Paddle and Peak Challenge in Cumbria in July. In School news, what a busy Term it has been! We welcomed over 300 guests for Platinum Jubilee drinks in May, our Seniors broke all sorts of records at District Athletics and the Prep School staged their wonderful Matilda production in June. Dates for your diary next Term include the Heritage Day Picnic and Garden Party on Saturday 10 September and the Friends of Manor House School will be hosting their Christmas Ball at Horsley Towers on Saturday 3 December. We hope many of you will be able to join us then.
All news and contributions should be sent to Sophie Milton at smilton@manorhouseschool.org.
BEYOND THE MANOR
July 2022 — Issue 6
MHOG Q&A
Danielle Baynes MHOG 2013 Friendships, work placements and hiding in the chemistry lab toilets. On the eve of starting her new job as a Marketing Manager for Berkeley Homes at their Head Office in Aldgate, London, Danielle visited Manor House School with her mum (Mrs Jane Baynes who works in our Admissions team) on a sunny morning in late Spring 2022. We chatted about the nine intervening years since she sat her GCSEs here in the summer of 2013. Now living in Clapham Old Town, South West London, we explored some of the big decisions that have shaped her life so far. What led to you moving to London? And how have you settled into London life? After graduating from University in the summer of 2019, I moved back to my parents’ home in Surrey which allowed me to save up and travel during the Summer, including a month long USA road trip on the West Coast. Following a fantastic Summer, I accepted a temporary job whilst I was interviewing for full time Marketing roles and in November 2019, I accepted a job offer as Marketing Coordinator for Lifestory Group (formerly Anthology), a residential real estate developer. I started the role in February 2020 and commuted into London Bridge from Surrey for only six weeks until the COVID19 restrictions, after which I worked from home. Once the worst of Covid had passed, a few Surrey friends started to move to London and I did the same in September 2021. I chose Clapham Old Town because the majority of my friends live nearby. It’s also relatively quick to visit my family in Surrey (which is quite often!). I share a house with two University friends and my brother lives just around the corner! I also recently found out that the boyfriend of Manor House friend lives opposite us – small world! Several of my Manor House friends who live close by also went to St John’s School, which really kept our friendships strong. Netball has also played a big part in your life so far, tell us more? Manor House was where my love for Netball began. It was the highlight of my day! Our Netball coach, Miss Buck encouraged me to join a netball club outside of school to progress my skills, it also improved my confidence. We competed regularly in matches against other schools as well as tournaments which were the highlight for me. My passion for Netball continued through to St Johns where I secured a Netball and Tennis Scholarship. 2
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I share a house in Clapham with two friends from University and my brother lives just around the corner!
BEYOND THE MANOR
July 2022 — Issue 6
MHOG Q&A
Danielle Baynes MHOG 2013 Netball also allowed me to bond with girls who weren’t in my form group or who I didn’t know so well. I am still in touch with all of the girls in the A Netball Team through social media. In fact many of us from that team now play together in a Netball league on Clapham Common every Monday night. It’s really unique that this bond was formed at Manor House and still remains strong almost ten years later. How did you find your transition to St John’s Leatherhead after Manor House School? It was pretty straight forward. It helped that there were a number of us moving across from Manor House. The main thing was getting used to boys every day! It also felt quite natural to leave Manor House because everyone was leaving at the same time given that there was no Sixth Form. It was comforting knowing that no one was being left behind and that it was the end of an era for all of us together. Looking back on your time at Manor House School, what has stayed with you most? Definitely friendships, something that I know is shared by a number of people and is unique to the School in comparison to other local schools. Also the values that underpin Manor House have really carried through with me including passion, self-belief, drive, enthusiasm and helping others. Whilst working hard and getting good grades was important to me, I had so much fun along the way which I think enabled me to succeed at Manor House. In terms of memories, the French & German School trip in Year 7 or 8 really stands out – tasting snails and that talent competition! Myself, Maddie Moriarty and Lucy Matthews performed ‘C’est La Vie’ by B*Witched accompanied by a dance and matching berets! I don’t recall winning but we were definitely worthy winners in our minds! It was a very special trip as it was my first school trip abroad. I remember my Year 3 Form Teacher and French teacher, Madame Lelong, for being so enthusiastic and caring. I also loved English lessons with Mrs Parish – I remember visiting her during lunchtime and break to share makeup tips and hear all about her dogs! I also enjoyed Food & Nutrition lessons with Mrs Tercan, however I do recall being a little bit mischevious in Year 10/11 as I sometimes handed in an empty memory stick to give myself more time! I remember once knowing that I wouldn’t get away with it and hid in the cloakroom of the chemistry lab under the benches and Libby Barnes laid out coats over me so that Mrs 3
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Many of us from that (Manor House) team now play together in a Netball league on Clapham Common every Monday night. It’s really unique that this bond was formed at Manor House and still remains strong almost ten years later.
BEYOND THE MANOR
July 2022 — Issue 6
MHOG Q&A
Danielle Baynes MHOG 2013 Tercan couldn’t spot me! Safe to say it worked and we all laughed a lot (even Mrs Tercan… maybe not at the time however!). Congratulations on your new role with Berkeley Homes. Tell us about your career path to date? Why was a work placement so important to you? After studying and completing my A-Levels (Spanish, Business Studies and Philosophy & Ethics) at St Johns, I chose a degree in Business Management at The University of Leeds. Despite receiving an unconditional offer to the University of Nottingham, I chose Leeds as they offered a 4 year degree with a year in industry. I felt it would provide me with real industry experience and differentiate me from others when searching for a job. Following a challenging six months of applications, interviews and assessment centres, I accepted a role as Marketing Intern at Hilton Worldwide for my placement year (year 3 of my degree) and I can honestly say it did not disappoint. Not even the three hours of driving per day from Surrey to the Head Office in Watford put me off! I learnt so much during my 12 months with Hilton and I couldn’t recommend a placement year enough as it definitely did help to differentiate me from other applicants without industry experience when applying for graduate jobs. I also based my final year dissertation on my placement year experience and utilised contacts from that year to interview which was fantastic and definitely made me more invested in and more passionate about my dissertation! Hilton was where my passion for Marketing began. What do you enjoy about working in Marketing? Give us a flavour of what the role involves? I began my new role in May 2022 and am really enjoying it so far. It’s a big step up from my previous role and definitely the challenge I needed. I am the Marketing Manager for two Berkeley developments meaning that I manage all the Marketing collateral across these two sites: 250 City Road located in Islington (955 homes upon completion) and Woodberry Down located in Finsbury Park (5,500 homes upon completion). Working across two developments is really enhancing my marketing experience, developing strategies with very different price points and USPs. I work closely with the Sales Managers and Sales Consultants to determine what we can do to boost sales and achieve our targets. I also work closely with the Commercial, Build and Land & Planning teams which ensures I am aware of key project milestones. My role is extremely strategic which I really enjoy and I am looking forward to what is to come. 4
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Despite receiving an unconditional offer to the University of Nottingham, I chose Leeds as they offered a 4 year degree with a year in industry. I felt it would provide me with real industry experience and differentiate me from others when searching for a job.
BEYOND THE MANOR
July 2022 — Issue 6
MHOG Community Wall Michaela Clarence MHOG 2018
Harriet Weight MHOG 2002 “Having spent many years travelling the world working on board private superyachts, I now live in London working for a superyacht brokerage.”
Michaela is currently studying for a BA in Illustration at the University of Arts London and hopes to follow it with an MA in either Fashion History or Art History after you graduating. In addition to her studies, Michaela is also the Head of Costume at the Guildford Opera Company!
Emily Bushnell MHOG 2012 After travelling during her gap year and undertaking a study abroad year during her Geography degree at the University of Exeter, Emily now works as Student Mobility Coordinator at the University of Surrey in the International Engagement Office.
Claudette Norris (née Rowe) MHOG 1987
She enjoys welcoming students coming to Surrey from all over the world for a semester or year long study exchange, as well as encouraging Surrey students to broaden their horizons by studying or working abroad and supports them on their journey. Emily is very happy to chat to anyone interested in a career in international education.
“I was a day girl first then a boarder at Manor House. I remember Miss Grubb, Mrs Perris, Miss Lester, Miss Parr, Mrs Ireland. I was in Victory House. I loved Sport and athletics was my favourite. I can remember walking up the mound to collect trophies & certificates. I also remember our school productions of Oliver and Midsummer Night’s Dream in the Dell. I also remember the mini milk & iced bun delivery for morning break. I also slid many times down the iconic staircase banisters… oops! I have many happy memories. Sadly due to a family event beyond a 13 year old’s control I left Manor House early. But I hold my time there with fondest thoughts.”
Emily and a number of Manor House School friends are looking forward to celebrating a 20 year reunion at this September’s Heritage Picnic and Garden Party, we looking forward to welcoming them! 5
BEYOND THE MANOR
July 2022 — Issue 6
MHOG Community Wall Susanna Hall (née Higgins) MHOG 1957 “It is many years since my time at Manor House and I was sad to miss last year’s celebration as I was having one of my own! I live in Dorking with my husband, spending more time in our garden after many years travelling all over the world when he lectured on cruise ships.
Susanna with her husband with their UK based grand children at the Albert Hall for Cirque du Soleil.
Meriel Eve Hunt (1937-2022) MHOG 1949 Lady Meriel Hunt attended Manor House School as a day girl and subsequently a boarder. She later served the school both as a Tennis Coach and a School Governor. Meriel was the wife of Admiral Sir Nicholas Hunt and mother of three children including the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP. Meriel died after a short illness in January 2022. Her funeral was held in Shere where the Manor House School Choir was honoured to sing at the service.
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We love seeing our families and grandchildren, two in this country and four in Sweden. I very much hope to be at the next party in September.”
BEYOND THE MANOR
July 2022 — Issue 6
MHOG Challenge Dani Poulter & Lucy Morris MHOG 2012 Taking part in the eight hour Pedal Paddle Peak Charity Challenge in July 2022 in support of Muscular Dystrophy UK and her brother who lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The all-day event kicked off in Penrith on 2 July 2022 where participants were joined by family and friends, cheering them on. With 130 participants taking on the eight-hour challenge, the event was at its fullest capacity since before the pandemic. Dani’s brother John who is 32, lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy – a life-limiting genetic muscle wasting condition for which there is currently no cure. John is in the later stages of the condition and is reliant on a ventilator and a gastric tube and uses a wheelchair. At the time of writing, Dani and team were days away from the challenge and had already smashed their fundraising target (originally £2,500) achieving over £3,000 and still counting. As well as fundraising, Dani is keen to raise awareness of the devastating impact the pandemic has had on John and others with muscle -wasting conditions. Pedal Paddle Peak is Muscular Dystrophy UK’s own annual event with all proceeds helping to fund the charity’s pioneering research into treatments – and ultimately cures – and supporting for people living with 60 different muscle-wasting conditions. Dani’s team of four will compete against others, cycling thirty hilly miles, paddling canoes for two miles of Ullswater Lake and then climbing Helvellyn – all in one go! So motivated is Dani to improve the lives of people in John’s situation, that the Criminology graduate, who once had ambitions to be a Police Officer, now works at Muscular Dystrophy UK as a Digital Marketing Assistant, motivating others to take on fundraising feats. ”It’s going to be quite a challenge for all of us, so we’ve called our team ‘Without a Paddle’. I’ve skydived to raise funds before and climbed a few mountains but have never done anything as gruelling as this”. “By raising at least £2,000, we can fund 48 hours of research to help find a cure and better treatments for future generations with Duchenne muscular dystrophy or improve the quality of people’s lives. It’s such a critical time for people with muscle-wasting conditions, John has been so impacted by both the many months of self-isolating and the continuing lack of available carers owing to the pandemic and Brexit. It has really taken its toll on all of us as a family“. Lucy, who works as a Civil Servant and lives in Fetcham, and Dani have been friends since their Manor House School days: “I grew up just around the corner from Dani and John, so have seen some of the challenges John and his family have faced over the years – especially during the pandemic”. You can donate to Dani's fundraiser here: www.justgiving.com/team/ withoutapaddle and find out more about Pedal Paddle Peak here: www.musculardystrophyuk.org/getinvolved/events/pedal-paddle-peak-2022 Dani’s other team-mates are Emil Way, 27, a complex injury paralegal from Claygate and Lucy Morris, 26, and Emily Runton, a physio from Horsley. We wish them the best of luck and will be sharing more news of their success in next term’s newsletter. Sections of this article are reproduced from Dani Poulter’s original press release. 7
BEYOND THE MANOR
July 2022 — Issue 6
MANOR HOUSE News Summer Term 2022 Ski Trip - Crans Montana
District Athletics - Medals galore!
February Half Term 2022
Our U15 and U17 Athletes excelled themselves at the Kingsmeadow Stadium, Kingston. The event saw twenty schools coming together to compete in the pinnacle event in the School’s Athletics calendar.
Although the Ski Trip fell in the Spring Term, we couldn’t help share photos in this edition, as it narrowly missed the previous publishing deadline.
Our U15 girls medalled twice in discus, 100m and hurdles and finished in third place overall. Our U17 team achieved new heights medalling (at least once) in eleven of the thirteen events they competed in, coming first in 100m, 80m hurdles, long jump, high jump, triple jump, shot putt and
The week was filled with sunshine and provided a welcome adventure for staff and students after the restrictions of the last two years. Imogen H in Year 8 reflected: “My favourite thing about the whole trip was getting to spend time with my friends and having fun on the slopes. My funniest memory was when Mrs Redward skied into the group and wiped out a few people!”
smashing the 1982 relay record in 4 x 100m relay taking gold. They also came second in triple jump and took third place in 200m, 1500m and discus. These combined results put Manor House School in first place overall in the district with a total of 121 points. To put this into perspective, the School who came second overall this year scored a total of 64 points. This margin shows just how well the girls performed.
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BEYOND THE MANOR
July 2022 — Issue 6
MANOR HOUSE News Summer Term 2022 Platinum Jubilee Drinks
calendar. Feedback was very positive with Year 9 and 10 Manor House School families who are now looking ahead to A’ Levels and beyond.
May 2022 Manor House School opened its doors to pupils and their families for a grand Platinum Jubilee celebration in late May.
Willow Tree Planting Our 2022 Leavers The day before the beginning of their GCSE examinations, our Year 11 pupils delivered a moving Assembly in which they thanked the staff and reflected on their many positive memories of School life.
We were very grateful to our School caterers, Holroyd Howe, for looking after all our guests so well. Although we had asked for families to register their attendance ahead of time, the numbers just seemed to grow and grow on the day! A wonderful celebration of our Manor House School Community.
Sixth Form Event
Pupils and parents also presented the school with a leaving gift of a beautiful Willow tree which was planted on the School field. The tree will remain as a lasting memory of the 2022 cohort.
May 2022 Manor House School hosted its first Sixth Form Future School event in three years in May this year. With twenty schools and over 250 registered visitors (both Manor House School and external families) attending, the event confirmed there is a clear appetite for in person events returning to the 9
BEYOND THE MANOR
July 2022 — Issue 6
MANOR HOUSE News Summer Term 2022 Prep School Production 2022 Matilda was chosen as the Prep School Production this year, and what a production! Our thanks go out to all those involved including our budding actors and staff team who produce such high quality shows year on year. We are very proud of our performance arts heritage at Manor House School.
Ukraine Football Skills Sessions Our thanks to Mr McSweeney (Year 5 parent) who has been organising and running a Saturday morning football skills session at Manor House School for the children of Ukrainian families currently being housed in the Bookham area. Thank you also to the Bookham Colts Football team for sending several of their own players to help coach and for donating kit and football boots. The sessions started in May and will run until the end of the Summer at Manor House School. They are aimed at children of all abilities, boys and girls, aged 5-14. If you know of any families or host families who might be interested in taking part, please email Mrs Tauber at htauber@manorhouseschool.org. We are extremely fortunate to have members of our School community who give their time so generously. 10
BEYOND THE MANOR
July 2022 — Issue 6
MHOG Q&A
Judith Marron, née Brown MHOG 1977 Following a recent visit to Manor House School with her sister, we caught up with Judith on Zoom where she shared some of her career highlights working in the fields of biochemistry and clinical research and development along with memories of Miss Pettigrew and grass tennis courts covered in daisies.
When were you at Manor House School? I joined the Senior School with my twin sister, Janet, in 1972. We were at Bookham Primary beforehand. My sister Fiona (who is two years older) was already there, she started in the Junior School.
Where did you go on to study? I went on to Epsom College, studying Biology, Chemistry and Physics. I was amongst the second intake of girls. Jane Kirby and I from Manor House were two of only thirty girls there amongst six hundred boys! Academically it was a superb place to go, it also introduced me to new subjects such as philosophy and debating. I really enjoyed it there. The main challenge was moving from a comparatively small girls’ school to a large boys’ school and the relentless teasing! For my degree, I studied Biochemistry at Manchester University. In my final year I did a research project as part of my finals which I enjoyed and as a result I decided to do a PhD at Birkbeck college in London. My PhD project, linked with St Thomas’ hospital in London, investigated the use of Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy to monitor low molecular weight metabolites. I spent a lot of time going up to the Medical Research Council facility in Mill Hill where there was a big NMR spectrometer, picking up samples from various Manchester University today hospitals and then analysing them to look at how effective this technique was. I was lucky to work with a team of great scientists. It was hard work studying for a PhD but I managed to complete it in 3 years. I then took up a postdoctoral research position with Sandoz, one of the heritage companies of Novartis, based in Basel, Switzerland. The project used in vivo NMR to investigate glucose metabolism. Working at Sandoz also gave me a good insight into other opportunities available in the pharmaceutical industry. This was effectively the springboard to my career at GSK (Glaxo SmithKline).
What led you to move on from academic work? I realised that there were other exciting roles available in the pharmaceutical industry and the Wellcome Foundation was recruiting junior clinical research scientists to work in their expanding anti-virals clinical development department. When I started there I was part of a large team charged with designing and implementing clinical development programmes for eventual approval of new drugs for HIV and hepatitis. This was the early ‘90s and a very exciting place to work. It was a real eye opener and I ended up working in clinical development for my entire career until I retired. 11
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I was part of a large team charged with designing and implementing clinical development programmes for eventual approval of new drugs for HIV and hepatitis. This was the early ‘90s and a very exciting place to work.
BEYOND THE MANOR
July 2022 — Issue 6
MHOG Q&A
Judith Marron, née Brown MHOG 1977 Tell us more about working in Clinical development? In general terms, we were looking to deliver new medicines that would be safe and efficacious and provide benefit over other existing therapies already out there. A large part of designing and then implementing a clinical development programme involves working closely with your regulatory colleagues and regulatory agencies like the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority in the UK and the Food and Drug Administration in the US. Each country has their own regulatory authority, and you need to meet their individual requirements. We were running global clinical trials working closely with the central development team in the US and many of our local operating companies, including Japan. Working with international teams was part of my role I really enjoyed. I retired three years ago and for my last project, we were at the later part of the process and had submitted a huge dossier of data to various regulatory authorities to support approval for a new treatment for a rare disease called Eosinophillic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). I was leading a clinical development team charged with monitoring the progress of the project. It’s usually a very tight turnaround when questions from regulators come through and everyone needs to pull together quickly. But there is never really a typical day, it was always very dynamic!
What would be your advice to someone at the beginning of their career, trying to decide where to apply? And what are the benefits of working for a large PLC like GSK? Working for a large PLC provides such good opportunities for career development and GSK took this very seriously. At your performance review each year, you were always asked are you happy with what you’re doing? Are you meeting your own career aspirations? You could consider secondment to another department or moving to other departments. You were never static in one role.
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I had so many opportunities, thirty years went by very quickly! I can honestly say I was never bored, it just whizzed by, I felt very privileged to be part of it.
There’s an enormous variety of careers available at GSK, for example in Chemistry, Biology, but also Data Management, Legal, Manufacturing, Communications! You don’t necessarily need to have a scientific background for some roles. GSK offers apprenticeships from ‘A’ Level, future leader programmes and graduate programmes. There is some great content on their website including videos, lunchtime seminars which I would recommend (Careers | GSK, Apprentices, students and graduates | GSK, Applications guidance and tips with GSK | Lunchtime Live YouTube). From the outset, I found GSK to be balanced and fair environment gender wise and very diverse. Everyone was treated the same, something they really embraced. And of course, the current Chief Executive is female, Dame Emma Walmsley, I did consider moving to other firms during my career but to be honest the job I was doing is similar in other companies and for personal reasons (the job was near my home) I stayed happily at GSK. I had so many opportunities, 30 years went by very quickly! I can honestly say I was never bored, it just whizzed by, I felt very privileged to be part of it. What are your thoughts about the Covid vaccine, and how quickly the industry mobilised to deliver it? Obviously, we were in unprecedented times and we needed a vaccine as quickly as possible. In the usual drug development process, it takes a lot longer to approve a new medicine.
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BEYOND THE MANOR
July 2022 — Issue 6
MHOG Q&A
Judith Marron, née Brown MHOG 1977 You work on a programme for a long time and then submit the data to the regulatory authorities who take their own time to review it. I can see here that the regulators worked hand in hand with the research teams. Having been involved in drug development I’m in total admiration for how they got the vaccines out so quickly. I have real faith in the regulatory authorities when they review the data. The MHRA in the UK is one of the most respected regulatory authorities in the word and they’re meticulous in their review. It has been incredible to watch how the partnership has worked to deliver the critically important covid-19 vaccines that have saved so many lives. I think the biggest problem is that people are going to expect it again! I believe companies shared knowledge and there was sharing of data in scientific journals. I understand they waived subscriptions so people could access information more easily, there was real collaboration.
What were some of the breakthroughs you were most excited about? A major breakthrough that occurred during my career, and still continuing, is the progress in immunotherapy, such as monoclonal antibody therapy. For example, in rheumatoid arthritis, there is a small protein in the body which affects the inflammation of joints called TNF. A monoclonal antibody was developed which effectively blocks TNF. It revolutionised treatment, by dampening down inflammation and the immune response in this disease and is incredibly effective. It is a much more targeted therapy than those previously available. Immunotherapy is also being used in cancer treatment. There is a high failure rate in clinical development. I worked on a huge project looking at a treatment for osteoarthritis for about 5 years. It was going to be investigated for all sorts of pain indications but sadly it failed the clinical trials. I worked on it with a big team and it was investigated fully. I don’t see that as a failure, we did the right thing, we tested it properly.
What has stayed with you from your Manor House School days? My Headmistresses were Miss White and then Miss Moody. I also remember Miss Pettigrew very well, she looked a bit like Miss TiggyWinkle. She taught English and was brilliant at doing Shakespeare plays in the Dell, she was famous for it. I remember being in The Taming of the Shrew, I think I auditioned for every part and ended up as Servant 2! My twin sister was Grumio.
Judith with her great-niece at the Wisley Winter Wonderland last December
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The MHRA in the UK is one of the most respected regulatory authorities in the world and they’re meticulous in their review. It has been incredible to watch how the partnership has worked to deliver the critically important covid-19 vaccines that have saved so many lives.
BEYOND THE MANOR
July 2022 — Issue 6
MHOG Q&A
Judith Marron, née Brown MHOG 1977 The only male teacher was Mr Bhalodia, he taught Maths and Physics. I’d struggled with Maths in Primary School and he was a really inspirational teacher, he really helped me to “get Maths”. Mrs Wielding for Chemistry, I have very fond memories of her, and Mrs Newman for Biology. I also loved Athletics and Hockey with Miss Stephenson. The great thing about Manor House was that it was such a caring and happy place to be, that has really stayed with me. It instilled a sense of not being afraid to do the right thing and thinking about other people.
What advice would you give to those Manor House School girls in their GCSE years here? Take all the opportunities you can, get the best grades you can, build your friendships. As you move forward to ‘A’ Levels it’s very hard to decide what subject or job you want to do. Particularly when you leave University, it’s really important to find something that you really enjoy, that really interests you. You should be confident in yourself and realise that everyone is new to so many situations. In the pharmaceutical industry where you have to deal with precision all the time and really get everything right, I used to get worried about making mistakes. A colleague once said to me “the biggest mistake you can make is being afraid of making one” and I think that’s right, you can only do your best. Don’t be afraid that you can’t do something or that you’re going to get it wrong, believe in yourself. Just go with your instinct and you’ll get there. You visited the School recently with your sister, having not been here for a long time, what changes did you notice? I saw that the swimming pool has a fence around it – it didn’t in my day! And the tennis courts were very smart, we had the most appalling grass courts where they had daisies and weeds sticking out, it made serving quite challenging! But the school does still look the same, the same lovely building. And if you were to be given the run of Manor House for the day, what would you do here? I think I might come on a nice hot sunny day and sit by the pool and have a swim and have a run around the athletics track. I have such happy memories of summers there, I was there for that really hot summer in 1976, the pool was just lovely.
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BEYOND THE MANOR
July 2022 — Issue 6
MANOR HOUSE Events Heritage Day Picnic & Garden Party
Friends of Manor House Christmas Ball
Saturday 10 September 2022, 10 am to 5 pm
Horsley
We are looking forward to hosting another Picnic and Garden Party this year. The day will be filled with live music from our Manor House School Scholars as well as the Mole Valley Silver Band. With inflatables, zorbing, pedal carts, food trucks, ice cream, a licenced bar and a selection of local business stalls, there will be plenty to keep everyone entertained. We look forward to welcoming families, friends and neighbours. Old girls can also register on arrival and book onto a guided tour of the Manor House School.
Towers
Saturday 3 December 2022 The Friends of Manor House School will be hosting their first ball in over 3 years on Saturday 3 December 2002 at Horsley Towers. To register your interest, please contact Sophie Milton on smilton@manorhouseschool.org.
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BEYOND THE MANOR
July 2022 — Issue 6
From the Archives Manor House Magazine 1980 Ghost Story By Sarah Skinner & Sharon Quinn. IV. “I was sleeping in the dormitory at the top of the house during the Spring Term 1980. One night, early in March, I experienced something I will never forget; an event which I must stress, is not fiction but hard fact. At nine o’clock Miss Grubb, our matron, came to turn out the lights and for a while we talked in the dark as one by one each of the eight people in the room went to sleep. Jane, the girl in the next bed, and I talked until we felt our eyes closing involuntarily and then the room was in absolute silence. “Top”, as the room is called, is the warmest, most homely room in the boarding house with a low ceiling, unlike some of the other rooms, and fresh paint on the walls. That is why what I saw and felt was so inexplicable and shocking. I woke suddenly from a deep sleep, at some hour well after midnight, as a masculine figure at the end of the bed tapped my feet and called out the name “Joe” again and again. I said in assertive tones “Who’s there?” but the figure just stood silently watching me. I recoiled in horror because I knew then that it was no trick of the mind. The thing, or man, was as real as the suffocating darkness that was relieved only by the chink of light from under the door. As I lay still and unbelieving he walked around the end of the bed and stood in the aisle between the two beds. I turned away and when I looked back, no more than a split second later, he was gone. I did not think that he could have vanished with no sound; the door and windows were shut. Perhaps he was crouching in the shadow between my bed and Jane’s and with this in mind, I called urgently and insistently for someone to wake but it was as if each person in that room was in a drugged sleep. I began to cry very frightened and confused. No-one had woken to the sound of my shouting so I didn’t expect anyone to awake at the almost inaudible sound of my sobs. But then Jane’s sleepy voice rang comfortingly out of the blackness, “Sarah, what’s the matter?”. I began to tell her between sobs of relief and fear and as I spoke everyone began to wake up and by the time I had finished they were all sitting up as scared as I was. After a while we persuaded the girl nearest the door to turn on the light and at that point I realised that it was 3.30am. Jane and I talked softly and the others gradually went to sleep but nobody dared turn out the light.”
Manor House School, Manor House Lane, Little Bookham, Surrey KT23 4En I I Tel: 01372 457 077 admissions:@manorhouseschool.org
A SELECTIVE INDEPENDENT DAY SCHOOL FOR GIRLS AGED 2-16 AND BOYS 2-7 www.manorhouseschool.org