19th March 2010

LYME REGIS: Jo goes back to her old school

A RESIDENT at the Fairfield residential home in Lyme Regis made a return visit to her old school - more than 70 years after she was a pupil.

Jo Musk, formerly Jo Hambidge was a pupil at Lyme Regis Grammar School between 1930 and 1934.

She mentioned at the residential home that she would like to see the school, now the Woodroffe, as it is now.

Keen to involve their residents in the local community, the activities co-ordinators at Fairfield contacted the school and a visit was arranged.

Three pupils gave Jo a tour of the school, pointing out the use of particular rooms now compared to then, and were genuinely interested in Jo’s old memories.

She was delighted to see the old school photographs from her era still on the wall and recognised some of the people in them. She also thought it was tasteful to have a plaque commemorating those lost in the war, many of whom Jo knew.

On her return to Fairfield, Jo commented: “I really enjoyed that. Those boys are a credit to the school. That was the best day”

A spokesperson for the school said: “We were very pleased to welcome Jo back to her old school. It is always a pleasure when ex-students visit us, particularly in Jo’s case as she was a student at Lyme Regis Grammar School when it was first built in the 1930s.

“Jo was escorted on her visit by three of our sixth form students - William O’Shea, Mark Bray and Tim Baker - who were able to show her not only the old parts of the building that she remembers well, but also our recent additions.

“Jo has fond memories of her time at the school and it was very interesting for our students to share these with her.”

PICTURE: Former Lyme pupil Jo Musk pictured at the Woodroffe School