Miss Marjorie Burden was appointed to the staff in September 1944 and gave 34 years of her life to the service of the school and the musical life of Gloucester, before her retirement.   Her contribution to the music of the school was enormous and her energy and enthusiasm made it an enjoyable activity for hundred of girls.  

She was an accomplished pianist and cellist.  She organised orchestras, choirs and instrumental groups.  She staged grand concerts and small informal affairs and provided the music for Speech Day and the Cathedral Service every year.  She also taught Geography and helped with the school Guide Company.

She was also a keen artist, having exhibited her water colours with the Gloucestershire artists.

Miss Burden wrote My Brook Became a River which was published in September 1980.

Pleated skirts replaced games shorts in 1979 and from 1981 navy athletic briefs replaced the hated black gym pants which had remain unchanged for over 40 years!

In 1977 the school began to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's award scheme involving mostly fourth and fifth year girls.  

 

Old Girls' News

Susan Bartlett has gained a Commission as Pilot Officer in the Photographic Interpretation Branch of the WRAF and is now working at RAF Bampton as a Photographic Interpretor at Joint Air Reconnaissance as a Flying Officer.

Diana Chetcuti has been accepted by the Tattersal School of Dancing, Taunton, where she will train for a Teacher's Diploma in Dancing.

Isabel Crane has been accepted to read for a PhD in Genetics at Queen Mary College, London.

Cynthia Fairhurst after teaching Classics at Sherborne School for Girls and Bedford High School, became Headmistress of Kingsley School, Leamington Spa in September 1977.  On her staff is Jean Dance (nee Phelps).

Catherine Pearce is a Trainee Chartered Surveyor with Cooke and Arkwright, Surveyors, London.

Deborah Whitmore is following a BA Hons Course in Fashion Design at Leicester Polytechnic.

The following have taken up teaching posts:

Mary Atherton (nee Barclay) at Moat Junior School, Moira Callaghan at Sapperton Infant School,  Barbara Clutterbuck physical education at Clifton High School for Girls and Heather Fry physical education at Backwell Comprehensive School, near Nailsea.

Sheila Reid (nee Mitchell) is Staff Nurse on the Children's Ward of GRH and is very happy indeed!

Alison Swift is at the College of Law, Chancery Lane, London.

Daria Brill is working in London as a Bilingual Secretary.

Monica Sims has been appointed Controller of BBC Radio 4.

Angela Roberts has a language studio for adults and children in Merino, Italy.

Christine Bridges (nee Anderson) is a Tax Officer at Gloucester Inland Revenue.

Helen Wollington has been appointed as Assistant Social Worker with Gloucestershire County Council.

 

​Drawn by Jane Trenfield

 

 

What's happening in history?

2nd of April 1977 : Red Rum wins the national for 3rd time
25th of May 1977 : Star Wars Opens
7th of June 1977 : Silver Jubilee Celebrations
1st of July 1977 : Wade wins Jubilee Wimbledon
16th of September 1977 : Marc Bolan dies in car crash
10th of October 1977 : First Brit Awards
8th of February 1978 : First Episode of Grange Hill
25th of July 1978 : First Test Tube Baby Born
22nd of January 1979 : Space Invaders Hit UK
9th of February 1979 : Worlds first £1 Million footballer is bought
18th of February 1979 : Antiques Roadshow 1st Broadcast
4th of May 1979 : Margaret Thatcher becomes Britains 1st Female PM
27th of August 1979 : Lord Louis Mountbatten assasinated by IRA