School Colours

Over on Harriet Devine’s blog I was reminded, by the colour of her grandson’s jacket, that it often takes quite a while till we can bring ourselves to wear anything the colour of our old school uniform. The colours of mine were maroon and yellow.

Here you can see Class 2x, with form teacher, Miss Cooper (alias Kiss Mooper) in the summer of 1970. The uniform was in the transitionary stages from belted, gatherered, solid yellow dresses to shapeless sacks with a pattern of fine white grid lines on yellow. I can also see the two allowed styles of regulation indoor shoes, for of course no young lady would dare to wear her outdoors, indoors. Rumour had it that two 4th years had been hung, drawn and quartered for such an offence in 1962 during the height of the rule of the tyrant “BX”.

I am horrified to note that several members of the form appear to be flouting the “no more than 3 inches above the knee” rule. Kiss Mooper’s hemline seems dangerously high as well. It is no wonder that by 1972 one or two of the staff began to wear trouser suits.

Can you spot me amongst this motley rabble? In the photo are future:

Doctors x 3, Vet x 1, Fashion Editor of Vogue, Other Journalists x 2, Archeologist, Professional Musician, teacher x 2, Nurse turned Homeopath, Nurse, Local Govt Official, Tax Inspector, me and the rest unknowns.

Have you found me yet and is it sad or wonderful that I can tell you the name of every single girl in the photo, without the slightest hesitation?