My name is Edwina Kyle ( nee Stephens).

I was a pupil at Eastcote Lane School from 1949-51.
We lived in Parkstone Dorset where I had gone to a school prior to Eastcote Lane. and before that I was in Exeter during the war and did my primary schooling there.
My Mum and Dad moved from Parkstone to Rayners Lane, to run the fish and chip shop on Alexandria Avenue and I was to go to a school called Eastcote Lane.
I remember I had to go by bus every day, and I found a few friends that I would journey with.
I remember being in a fairly big classroom with both boys and girls. I can just about remember some of the pupils, although not all of them.
I am still in contact with one of the girls in fact we only found each other about 5 months ago.
As far as I can remember, it was a fairly big school, and had an auditorium, which also doubled as a PT classroom that we used when it was raining. I remember it so clearly, that I was in the gym, and I caught my foot in one of the coconut mats, and twisted my ankle.
The Headmistress at the time took me to Harrow Hospital, and I had a bad sprain of my ankle. She then drove me home. ( yes she had a car at that time). My friends used to bring home some work for me to do. At that time I was studying for the Scholarship which we sat for at 11 years of age.
There was a classroom where the girls did sewing classes, and I had to make a pinny and cap for domestic science. I hated sewing, then after that we had to make dirndl skirts. I never finished my skirt someone else did it for me. The boys would be doing woodworking in one of the other classrooms.
In the domestic science class I had made an Egg, Bacon, and onion pie, and won a contest.
We had assembly every morning, and I can still see myself up on the stage, reading a paragraph out of the Bible, and my knees just shaking. All the top classes had to take a turn at doing the assembly, and we were all lined up in classes.
There was a canteen where we had hot lunches. There was also milk which we could have, I don't know if we had to pay for that or not. We had to pay for the lunches at the beginning of the week, and also we could buy savings stamps, which out of my pocket money I was able to buy stamps. I think I paid sixpence for the stamp. I was able to buy my own piano with the money I had saved.
In the fish and chip shop there was a cafe where a lot of Americans came to have a meal. I remember one in particular who when he returned to the States sent me a box of Whitman's Sampler Chocolates, and a box of Wrigley's Chewing gum. Well I couldn't chew all that stuff myself could I? so I took it to school and shared with all the pupils, and of course they left the wrappers all over the place. When in assembly it was asked who had given the chewing gum to pupils, I had to admit it. Sure got a telling off on that one.
When I was 11 I sat for the scholarship and passed, and went to Sacred Heart Grammar School for Girls in Harrow-Weald.
Then when I was 15 I immigrated to Canada with my Mumand Dad. I had no Brothers or Sisters, I I had always wanted to be a nurse, so I pursued my career over here in Canada. I got married and had 5 children, 2 girls and 3 boys, and now I have 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, the latest being born on July 1st-2008. Canada Day.
I have lived in Canada for 54 years, and people have asked why I have not become a Canadian. I tell them that I am British born and British I will die. 
My husband passed away 6 years ago, and I have had a good life here,
but if it wasn't so darned expensive, and if all my kids could come with me,
I would live back home in England. My roots are there, and I still get homesick sometimes.
 Lots of Luck...........................Edwina ©Edwina Kyle2008

Edwina and Cuddles