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March 2022 March 2022

OBITUARIES

worked at Sturminster Newton School and thoroughly enjoyed
working there. She caught the fish train up from Poole and the milk
churn train down via Sturminster Marshall dairy on the now closed Somerset
and Dorset Railway.
Joan took pride in her teaching, and had a wonderful day out just before
lockdown, when she went to Salisbury Cathedral to receive her degree.
Originally the teacher training students did not qualify for a degree but a few
years ago it was decided that their educational achievements meant the
students deserved this honour. Alan Titchmarsh presented her the degree
with the words: ”I am sorry you have had to wait so long for this”.
youngest pre-school and reception children
enjoyed an interactive Space themed session In 2016 they celebrated their Diamond (60 Wedding anniversary. Joan and
th)
and children in Key stage one and two, took part Geoffrey’s wedding was brought forward from Easter 1957 to Christmas 1956,
in an environmental based session. due to Lt Booth being posted to Germany. His Commanding Officer had
denied them permission to get married, so no quarters were avaliable. They
As part of our outdoor education programme, we have recently rehomed three ignored his order, bought a mobile home, had it transported to Osnabrook,
chickens. Each week, a different class is responsible for their care, and collecting Germany where it was sited on a farm. Geoffrey’s final posting was in London
the eggs, which we have been able to use in cookery activities. We have also and ended 22 Years of service and periods of separation but Joan always
been busy keeping our school grounds tidy and ‘in check’ with the help of some coped well with being left alone for long periods whilst Geoffrey was often
willing parent, grandparent and community volunteers. Our next gardening away on exercise or detachment for weeks or months at a time. Officer’s
morning will be on Saturday 5 March at 10am- 12pm; everyone is welcome! wives were expected help look after soldier’s families as part of their unpaid
th
Having received a generous donation at from the Pop-in-place performers duties as well as looking after their own children.
Christmas raffle, we are planning on building some raised beds this term, which Geoffrey and Joan moved to Tower House, Bere Regis in 1968 they went to
we will plant with a selection of vegetables. These will accompany our fruit bushes church regularly on Sundays, made many lovely friends. One of her greatest
and apple trees and will be cared for by the children, so that they can learn more joys was to enter competitions and crossword puzzles. She won lots and used
about growing their own food. her extensive reference library situated in the dining room to help her with the
Continuing with the outdoor theme, we are hoping to work with The Dorset competition entries, happy to find a fresh crossword to tackle in the weekend
Wildlife Trust on their rewilding project at Court Farm. I am meeting with Seb later papers. Prior to the invention of the internet and Wikipedia, Mum had a lot of
this week to see how we can get involved. This promises to be a valuable success winning quite useful items, a freezer a tumble dryer and a Fondue set
experience for the children and will give them the opportunity to give something amongst other items. She had a witty turn of phrase with words and could
back to their local environment. often write a winning slogan.

So Spring 2022, we hope, will be the start of new and exciting things for Bere Regis One year when she won144 tins of Fruit Pie Filling
School community as we move into a more settled time. We are thankful for all (billed as “A year’s supply"!). There was a mix up with
the support the local community has given us and hope that you will all continue the delivery, so a week after she'd received the 144
to get involved in whatever way you can. tins then another 144 tins arrived! She rang up to
inform them and was told keep them we don’t want
Rachael Brown them back.

Joan was always a superb cook but later admitted
that after she’d been married to Geoffrey for a few
weeks, he bought her a cookbook as a hint! She also

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