'She gave me beautiful poetry books'

'She gave me beautiful poetry books'

Avril Patterson remembers her school days, her teachers, friends and the games she played.

Avril Patterson

Trinity College Dublin

1939

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Avril Patterson

Childhood and Early Life

Life Story

Enniskillen,Co. Fermanagh

1930's

The first school I attended was Malone P.E. School,Balmoral Avenue,Belfast. I also attended Moybane School,Letterbreen and the Model School,Enniskillen and the Enniskillen Collegaate School.I walked,cycled and took the bus to school.My teachers included Miss Clarke,Miss Kathleen Gridle and Miss Blackburn. Mrs Clarke was a lovely lady. She gave me beautiful poetry books; Paradise Lost,Milton. She taught me English. Miss Gridle was a famous artist,she taught me art. Miss Blackburn taught maths and was a great teacher.We played skipping,rounders and ball games at school. My best friend was Maureen (Malone School) and Marie (Enniskillen Collegiate).When I attended the Collegiate I took part in a production of Alice in Wonderland. I was a playing card. It took place in Enniskillen Town Hall. I recited The Salt of the Earth in Enniskillen Town Hall.My educational attainments included G.C.S.E in English Literature and English Language. A City and Guild's qualification in Patchwork. And the Guildhall School of Music and Drama ' Elocution with Merit (June 1939).

Irish Research Council for Arts,Humanities & Social Sciences (IRCHSS)

Dr Kathleen McTiernan (Trinity College Dublin)

Dr Deirdre O'Donnell (Trinity College Dublin)