In a group of six for a Blue Plaque launch

Previously I said I was in a group of six for a special event. Now I can tell you it was for the launch of a blue plaque on The Lodge of Paddock Wood Finishing School in Lightwater.

It was quite an honour to be included in the group of six, which included the Surrey Heath Mayor, Curator of Surrey Heath Museum, the owners of the Lodge, the past school students organiser, and yours truly.

The Lodge was home, as it says on the Plaque, to many of the activities of the school. The placing of a plaque on the building is a fitting reminder of the role it played in the life of the school.

Here are photos of the Lodge, the plaque and the launch party of six. Click on the images to expand. The role of the Lodge within the school is described in the Welcome page of Paddock Wood Finishing School website.

I won’t retell the fascinating history of school and it’s associated lodge, as it is covered in depth HERE, HERE, and HERE.

PS: My wife asked the question of me, who took the photo. It was taken by a member of Windlesham & Camberley Camera Club, suitably distanced from the group of six.

Mrs Rosette Savill’s story told in the country of her birth

One must respect the dedication, perseverance, and determination of those involved in historical research. I know of one such person, and it’s Pippa Anderson, whose resolve has been to promote an appreciation of the life and work of Mrs Rosette Savill.

I’ve reported, HERE and HERE, on the unveiling of a blue plaque on the original building of the Free French Rehabilitation Centre, and subsequent Paddock Wood Girls Finishing School, which the blue plaque acknowledged.

So that Mrs Savill’s story is more widely known in Monaco, the country of her birth, Martine and her husband Robert (former PW tennis & music teacher), who live in Monaco, organised that Pippa Anderson’s article appeared in Monaco Life.  You can read the article HERE, or by clicking on the image below. It’s fitting that Monegasques should know about her, and know that she lived in Lightwater. [Note: this article has been updated to include Martine and Robert Frost’s conribution].

Lightwater’s first Blue Plaque commemorates the work of Mrs Rosette Savill

Pippa Anderson, and Gillian Barnes-Riding deserve our heartfelt thanks for their energies in arranging for the placing of a Blue Plaque commemorating Paddock Wood Girls Finishing School and the WWII Free French Rehabilitation Centre in Lightwater.

This afternoon, just after 2.0pm, the Mayor of Surrey Heath, Cllr Valerie White, unveiled the blue plaque on the School House of the Paddock Wood Girls Finishing School, one of the remaining original buildings on the site.

During WWII Mrs Savill was a Welfare Officer for the Free French Forces and the French Resistance Movement, and offered her Paddock Wood home as a rehabilitation and recovery site for injured Free French soldiers and resistance personnel. At the end of the war, those soldiers helped by Mrs Savill asked if she could arrange an English education for their daughters. It’s from these beginnings that the Girls Finishing School developed.

Today, over 20 past students and teachers witnessed the plaque unveiling, and afterwards listened to past student, Pippa Anderson, retell the remarkable story of Mrs Rosette Savill and her achievements. Here’s my brief photo montage ….. a video of the event, and image of the plaque will follow.