A Sunday Afternoon At Heatherwood Hospital School, Ascot

Heatherwood Sunday School

It was a dismal wet Sunday in November- but outside the ward only. Inside brightness and happiness filled the room. Flowers, bright against copper beech leaves were everywhere. Colourful leather and felt articles, made by the girls themselves, made brilliant splashes of colour. Even the golliwogs and giraffes seemed to be enjoying the proceedings, as they gazed un-winking at the girls, with their tidy trim figures and merry faces and their parents, sitting in little clusters round the ward.

The head mistress Miss Cannon, began to speak of the daily service of worship in the ward and of the girls pleasure in good music. The sad, sweet “ Air on the G string ” brought with it a feeling of solemnity and worship and the clear voices of the girls soared as they sang “ Brother James Air ” and “ Jesu, joy of mans desiring ”. The readings which included animals and even insects in their blessing were from the book of proverbs, from “Hiawatha “ and “ the ancient Mariner “. As the lovely words of the Te Deum floated on the air, the voices of the parents mingled with those of the children in the hymn of praise.

Miss Henry, Red Cross Commandant, a great friend to all the patients and the staff of the hospital, had kindly consented to present the gifts to the girls. She and all of us were delighted that there was a gift for every girl, for all had excelled at one or more of the many varied pursuits their teachers provide for them. Then it was the turn of the teachers to receive gifts from the parents and children. After the bouquet from the school to Miss Henry had been presented by Betty McKimmie, bouquets of lovely chrysanthemums against a background of beech leaves and asparagus fern, were the gifts to the teachers. As Lily Culverwell, the smallest pupil came limping stolidly down the ward there was a loud burst of applause.

A vote of thanks to Miss Henry, proposed by Matron, followed, and this was seconded by Mercy Dixon, who gave the impression that she had been making speeches all her life, she spoke so confidently and sincerely.