Tuesday 20th May 2025

Tuesday 20^th May

SHE SAID:

Day 2 of our mini holiday & we headed into Canterbury. The first stop was at mum’s old school’, Simon Langton Girls Grammer School, on the Old Dover Road. She vaguely remembers the sports pavilion, which was all that remained of the 1950’s era buildings.

I suggested we ask at reception if there was any other building remaining from when mum went there. A kind lady spoke with the deputy principle who kindly came to show us around; mum seemed really happy that he took the time to show us around & explain where the old school had been & the building of the new school. He took ½ hour out of his day to take us around.

From there we drove past where mum thinks her first job was, & where she lived with Nan & Granddad; though No. 29 wasn’t there; the houses started from no.30, & the remembered bomb site was obviously all built on now! It was a busy road & there was nowhere to stop for a better look.

We headed for the city centre, spending quite a time in Canterbury Cathedral & the old city, which was full of lovely old Tudor buildings. It was around 5pm by the time we returned to the motel.

HE SAID:

We drove around Canterbury, to sites from Jan’s younger years. Jan’s old school, while totally different today, was very entertaining for Jan, as the deputy head gave her a personal guided tour. It was very generous of him.

The Canterbury Cathedral was an interesting, and very historical, place. It was also bloody freezing, and must have been horrible for everybody over the centuries.