Days 2 and 3

Margaret Cornish O.B.E.

Margaret was born in 1922; as she is now 89 years old. She was born in Bristol and an only child. She trained to be a teacher in the Anglican college there. This was at a time when she tells us that the only colleges were Anglican, Methodist and Catholic. (I have nor reason to doubt her.) She worked in various school in Bristol and was for a time the Headteacher of a school in the deprived area of the city. At this time she had married a much older man named Bertram. He worked for Imperial Tobacco and was a friend of the a Harvey of Harvey's Bristol Cream fame. Bertie supported Margaret by allowing his secretary to work as a school secretary as these were not available from the local authority. She tells a story of how, at this school, she encouraged groups of fathers to give evenings to school maintenance. She enjoys telling the story that against the convention of the day, she worked alongside the fathers and would even join them for a drink afterwards. This practice of fraternisation was heartily and vocally disapproved of by her colleagues.

Her husband encouraged Margaret to seek a School Inspector's post. This led them to Nottingham and home in Cloud Avenue, Bramcote, around 1958. We gathered this information from two sources. A lady who attends our sequence dance evening told us that Margaret interviewed her when she applied for a teacher post in the city in 1958 when she was 22. She told us that Margaret was known as 'The Hat Lady' because of the flamboyant hats that she wore. The second source is a couple called the Puckys. Margaret has often asked us if we know them. On Sunday 20th we were to meet them.

On Sunday the 20th we held a party for Margaret in the common room of Leicester House where she has had a room for longer than the 13 years that we had known her. 25 friends from church, education and the house turned up for cakes and refreshments. Margaret insisted on making a speech. In her confusion she started by thanking everyone for coming to her retirement party. This was accepted in good humour. A representative of the house spoke and gave Margaret a lovely plant. Mr Pucky spoke. He was very glowing in recalling how Margaret had appointed he and his wife and had helped them throughout their careers. They had both become headteachers. They both kept in regular contact with Margaret. He also spoke about how Margaret had revolutionised Primary School education in Nottingham.

Leaving Leicester House

On Thusday 24th we got to moving day. We made a first trip with Margaret and her essential items.

Willowcroft Care Home, Spondon

The chaplain Rev. Paul greeted Margaret and spent sometime talking with her as we unpacked.

We were able to have lunch with her in a somewhat elegant dining room. One of the carers was assigned to take her photograph.

After lunch we returned to collect a further load of things. We made another delivery on Friday morning. Margaret is in a good place and is beginning to settle.

The home that Margaret is in is a brand new Methodist Housing Association Care home. She is about the third or fourth resident to take a room. Residents are being admitted a few at a time. The rooms have full en suite, new flat screen TVs, a video player, a refrigerator and Wi Fi. The dining areas are small and cosy as are the lounges. Dementia patients are in an identical, but more secure half of the home.

It will take some time, but we are sure that this is the best place for her to be in.