St Clotilde’s Convent, Lechlade

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St Clotilde’s Convent Lechlade Download

49 comments on “St Clotilde’s Convent, Lechlade”

Sr Susan Richert
November 2, 2016

Fr.Anthony Dolan is writing a history of the Nottingham Diocese and we are looking to ensure that the Religious Congregations who had a presence in the Diocese are included. We think the Sisters of St.Clothilde were based at the Cathedral in Nottingham at some stage.

If so, please could you send us a paragraph about the history of your congregation and its charism; as well as when you came into the Diocese, what you did and when you left.

I look forward to hearing from you asap.
Blessings,

Sr Susan Richert pbvm
Vicar for Religious, Diocese of Nottingham

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- Richard Barton
  November 2, 2016
  
  Dear Sister, Many thanks for your comment. I was Parish Priest for Lechlade as the Sisters were selling up the property so I only had direct contact with the Order for a few months back in 1998. I would recommend that you contact their headquarters which will be somewhere in France. Kind regards Richard.
  
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Lesley Hayward, ex-pupil at Lechlade [1957-1964)
March 6, 2017

Communaute des Soeurs de St Clotilde, 116 rue Lourmel, 75015 Paris.

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- Richard Barton
  March 6, 2017
  
  Thanks for commenting on this blog
  
  Reply
Lesley Hayward, ex-pupil at Lechlade [1957-1964)
March 7, 2017

Susan, no 4 in your photo is definitely Sr Odile or Dilly as we called her. Shame Sr St Patrick can’t be seen – she was known as Paddy and she was my Form Tutor in 1957! Sr Odile as I recall used to do the uniforms [including knickers, which we declined to use!]. Somewhere I have some photos which I will try to find [still sorting out a big downsize and move]
Regards to all old pupils.
Lesley [Yates-Fish]

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- Richard Barton
  March 7, 2017
  
  Many thanks for these additions. Photographs would certainly be much appreciated. With kind regards Richard
  
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- Carolyn
  November 17, 2019
  
  Hi Lesley,
  Are you related in any way to Mary Jane Ann Yates? My sister and I, Rosemary and Carolyn Batorski attended the school from ‘55-‘57. Many fond memories. I visited there in 2018 and the current owner (a retired footballer) let me wander through. Such a thrill and so lovely to see that the views from the library remain the same. Of course many acres were sold off and developed and the tennis courts were let go many years ago, but my memories flowed and were so sweet.
  
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Edith MAZURE
May 19, 2017

I am Edith Mazuré. I was in St -Clotild’s for one term in 1959 ( ?) .
I was Sr Dominic’s niece.Actually my son and his family are living in London.
So I come to London several time’s in the year.
Randomly,they are going on holiday’s near Lechlade next week .
So I ask my grandaughter Daphné to light a candle for me in the church. Life goes on whith Saint Clotilde…….
Edith,

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- Richard Barton
  May 22, 2017
  
  Lovely to hear from you.
  
  Kind regards
  
  Richard
  
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Maria Gonzalez Cort
August 24, 2017

Hello, my name is María Gonzalez and I was at the Convent for five years.
From 1960 to 1965, with my sister Mercedes. From Spain. I have unforgettable memories from those years and am sad to know the nuns are no longer part of Lechlade. I would love to visit the school, but if it is no longer there it is not really worth the trip. Please I would love to have some news and all the best to all those pupils which I remember so well. I will try to send some pictures when I get back home.

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- Richard Barton
  August 25, 2017
  
  Many thanks, Maria, the school closed in 1998 and the manor is now a private residence with some new houses in the grounds. The nuns returned to France and I presume they have all died by now. Former pupils visit this site regularly so further information would be appreciated.
  
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- Marysia White/ Ziolkowska
  August 6, 2018
  
  Hello Maria, I remember you very well – you taught me how to play Spanish Flamenca on the guitar. To this day, it’s still the only thing I can play! I am Marysia Ziolkowska/Herb and was one of a group of Polish girls that were pupils at the Convent. I joined in 1956 and left in 1968. The nuns were amazingly generous and very understanding to the plight of Polish refugees who could not return to Poland post war and were attempting to make a new life in U.K.
  
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- Ruth Schofield (Boulton)
  February 13, 2020
  
  Maria – I’ve just read your post. I think of you so often if you read this please get in touch . Love Ruth Schofield (Boulton)
  
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  - María Gonzalez Vort
    February 14, 2020
    
    Dear Ruth,
    Such a lovely surprise to hear from you again!
    It would be lovely to get to see each other
    again. I gather you are married (so am I)
    and hope to remain so! My husband is a
    very successful man and your brother (the
    bike fan, not John) would love to meet him.
    My e-mail is macglez53@gmail.com
    Would love to hear from you again!
    All the best.
    Happy Valentines ❤️
    MGC
- Ruth
  November 18, 2020
  
  Hi Maria,
  I have sent you an email to the address you gave me. My email is ruthschofield1@gmail.com. Would love to hear from you.
  Ruth
  
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Elfried ( Freddy) Zimmermann
June 16, 2018

After a long time I found this webside. I spent one year at the Convent St. Clotilde (1968 – 1969) I worked as a help to learn the English Language. There are so many very special memories and I wish so very much to get in touch with some people who spent their time with me. I am from Switzerland. My name Freddy Scheuermann, I am now married for almost 50 years and my name is Zimmermann. I still am in contact with Sister Marie Jehanne who lives now in France, Voges.

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- Richard Barton
  June 16, 2018
  
  Thank you, Elfried, your memories would be most welcome. With kindest regards Richard.
  
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  - Zimmermann Elfried (Freddy was my nickname)
    June 18, 2018
    
    Dear Richard, thank you so much for your reply! I wish I could get in touch with some of the girls back then. Some names come to my mind: Jenny Lovesgrooves, Judith and Elisabeth Gsell, Trudi Giger, Elisabeth Muff. Also Sister St. Patrick, well, if she is still alive, she must be quite advanced in age. I am so absolutely grateful for this wonderfull time I was able to spend at Lechlade Manor. Thank you for all the people who made it possible and who I’ll never ever forget!
Rebecca Sarjent
November 21, 2018

I am Rebecca Sarjent and was the wonderful convent for 1962 to 1973. Number 8 of the nuns is sister Mary Margaret (Lundburg) who I think is in the graveyard and whose grave is on the left in the photo.

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- Richard Barton
  November 21, 2018
  
  Many thanks, Rebecca.
  
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- Elfried Zimmermann alias Freddy
  November 21, 2018
  
  Dear Rebecca Sarjent, if you were at St. Clotilde during 1962 to 1973 we should know each other… May name was back then Freddy Scheuermann (Switzerland) and I was there 1968 to 1969 My name is now Zimmermann. I was working as an o’pair to learn the English language… Would be nice hearing from you. Regards Freddy
  
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Gabrielle (Ledger) Bousquet
April 27, 2019

I am Gabrielle Ledger and I was at the convent from probably around 1949-1960. Some pupil names I remember are Susan Davies-Webb, Susan Freeguard, Penny Kerr, Penny Cuthbertson, Carol Walters, Angela Bronne (who was, I think, in my sister, Teresa’s class), Jane Proust. Of the sisters, I always dreaded French with Sister Augustine, and also lunch with almost raw sausages, and liver that was usually an unhealthy shade of green. One of my favourite memories is playing rounders, and walking back through a field of buttercups.

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- Richard Barton
  April 27, 2019
  
  Thanks for your comment, Gabrielle
  
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- Wendy Hurley
  December 3, 2020
  
  I remember you Gabrielle, you were good at art! I remember all those names. I wendy hurley & my sister Katrina were there the same time as you, I too enjoyed the
  sports, my favourite meal was breakfast & tea.
  
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  - Gabrielle (Ledger) Bousquet
    December 3, 2020
    
    Lovely to receive your reply, Wendy. We had good times at the Convent, didn’t we. I’m back in touch with Susan Davies-Webb, who now lives in Nova Scotia. I’m living on the Gulf coast of Florida, and loving the sunshine and warmth. Do you know where any of the others are? And what are you up to these days?
Judy Ward
July 8, 2019

Oh my goodness Gabrielle, I remember the green liver! I have never been able to eat it since (at the time I somehow forced a little bit down masked by the mashed potato that usually accompanied it). I thought I had exagerated the memory until I saw the above.
I remember your name and several others in this post.
Judy Ward.
(Judith Barton)

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- Elfried Zimmermann
  July 10, 2019
  
  Oh dear……. I worked for some time in the kitchen, I had no choice 😢I wasn‘t supposed to work there…. but they were short of stuff… I hope I wasn’t guilty of green liver!!!!! I was there 1968 1969 just for one year… Regards Freddy Switzerland 🇨🇭
  
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Lesley Hayward
August 9, 2019

HI, I am Lesley and was at the convent from 1959-1964. The sister th from left in the group photo is definitely Sister Odile. She used to measure us for our uniforms and insisted we had the purple knickers which were part of the uniform. We never wore them as the new close fitting stretch ones were available in the shops! Rebels, or what!!! I can’t see Sister Edmund but she was definitely shorter than Sister Odile. I attended the stone unveiling and the Lechlade church ceremony. I don’t remember the liver but I do remember one of the sisters going to Swindon on a catering course and making the most wonderful stuffed cabbage with a tomato sauce. I also remember the bread and milk we had at breaktime – there was always a rush when the fresh bread had been delivered!

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- Richard Barton
  August 9, 2019
  
  Thanks, Lesley, for your memories. Richard
  
  Reply
  - Elia masi
    July 23, 2020
    
    Hello..was there ever a sister veronica there?,my mother Maria masi nee falvo worked there sometime between the 1960s maybe very early 70’s,its important that I find her whereabouts
    Thank you
- Elfried Zimmermann
  August 9, 2019
  
  You must be Lesley who was down the flat with Sister Marie Jehanne and me Freddy from
  Switzerland
  
  Reply
Lesley Hayward
August 9, 2019

4th from the left!!!!!

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Judi Davies-Webb
August 11, 2019

I am Susan Davies-Webb’s little sister Judith, or as Dilly called me The Little Terror! The time I spent at St Clotilde was some of my happiest memories. Swimming in the river, jumping the bonfire with Eddie, very pagan, the kindness and gentleness toward a scared 4 year old and being taught to sew, which I still do. See all the photos was wonderful, Susan Davies was one of my sister’s dear friends and her sister Phillipa was a friend to me.

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- Richard Barton
  August 11, 2019
  
  Thank you, Judi, for those happy memories.
  
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Carolyn
November 17, 2019

My sister, Rosemary and I (Carolyn Batorski) would love to connect with any classmates from 1955-1957. Our Father, Captain Joseph H Batorski, worked at Fairford. We were day students living in Coleshill and both have wonderful memories of our time at the Convent of St. Clotilde. Madame St Odile was a special and beloved teacher.My best friend then was Mary Jane Ann Yates who had a Malaysian connection, I believe. Thank you

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Carolyn Himmelfarb
November 18, 2019

Hello all, Rosemary Batorski is looking for old friends, Vicky Bartrop, Susan Hemlitsia (sp), Ms Cania, ms Gittens, Mrs Fisher (ballet teacher). Any information re these lovely people is appreciated. Thanks

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ERNST Christiane
April 7, 2020

Hi, I was at Convent Ste Clothilde from 1957 to July 1959 as a help to learn the English language and a teacher called Miss Siller taught us English starting with the ABC. We were 3 french girls. Could anyone tell me what happened to Diana Siller. She was of lithuania’s origin, gave piano lessons as well. Our tutor was Mother Marie Christine. Sister Margaret was in the kitchen. I would appreciate having more news. I also spent some days during Christmas with the family Doctor Gilmore.
(am not sure of the spelling anymore)

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- Sarjent Rebecca
  April 7, 2020
  
  I was there 1962 – 1973. I am sure I read Miss Siller had died but not sure when or where. She taught me German
  
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Elia Masi
July 24, 2020

Hello..was there ever a sister veronica there?,my mother Maria masi nee falvo worked there sometime between the 1960s maybe very early 70’s,its important that I find her whereabouts
Thank you

Reply
Joan Bodey
September 1, 2020

I was at Lechlade from 1958-1964 & have many memories of my time there. Contemporaries were Julia Morse, Michele Adams, Lesley Yates- Fish, Marie-Helene Sippy, Susan Dixon, Jane Webb, Catherine King & many others& I remember many of the names of others mentioned in these comments.
I was at the Convent in 1998 when it closed & in 2008 when the memorial stone was laid.
I am still in touch with Julia, Michele & Lesley & we all met up in London two or three years ago.

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Margaret Boulton
November 8, 2020

I am Margaret Boulton and was a pupil at St. Clotilde from 1957 to1965. My sister Ruth was also there but 6 years younger than me. It was an extraordinary place to be and has has left a lasting impression on me. Sadly I am not in touch with anyone from school days and would gladly hear from anyone who remembers me.

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- Zimmermann
  November 8, 2020
  
  I still hope to hear of a sign of anyone who stayed at St. Clotilde Lechlade 1968 -1969. My name: Elfried Zimmermann-Scheuermann Freddy was my nickname.
  
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- Maria Gonzalez Cort
  November 8, 2020
  
  Dear Margaret! How nice to hear from you after such a long time! I left Lechlade in 1965 and I was in your sister Ruth’s class. I was a border there for five years and I remember going to Oxleaze farm some weekends where I enjoyed the company of all your family: your adorable mother, your brothers and your hardworking father. I’ll never forget. I imagine you have guessed who I am by now… do you remember Ruth paid us a visit in Spain 🇪🇸 one summer? Do tell her I would love to hear news from her. Yes, you are right! I’m Maria Gonzalez! All the best and keep in touch!
  
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- Rebecca Sarjent
  November 9, 2020
  
  Hi Margaret I am Rebecca Sarjent and have a sister Rosemary 10 years older than me. We used to live in the Manor Farm House Blunsdon and picked you up on the school rota. Rosemary left in the summer of 1963 in the Blues but I stayed until 1973. I boarded from about 1965 whenI was in the Browns. How are you?? I think you may have been on Rosie’s class or maybe one year below.?
  
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Margaret Boulton
November 8, 2020

Dear Maria, how lovely to have your reply so quickly. I emailed Ruth to ask whether or not she had replied to you. She was so pleased to hear that you had contacted and will be in touch with you. I remember you so well and how special your friendship with Ruth was. How lovely to have your memories of Oxleaze. Thank you for reminding me that Ruth visited you in Spain. I thought how adventurous she was. I will let Ruth update you about everything. All best wishes, Margaret

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Margaret Boulton
November 11, 2020

Hello Rebecca, yes of course I remember you and Rosemary as we were in the same class. I stayed on in the whites for a couple of years to do A levels. I remember going for tea at the Manor Farm House. Your mother asked me how I would like my boiled egg cooked which I had never been asked before and was uncertain what to say. I remember your parents being very sociable and kind. I live in Sheffield, married with two sons and three grandsons. How are you and Rosemary? Margaret

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Gabrielle (Ledger) Bousquet
December 3, 2020

I remember sewing lessons with Mrs. Pinchoff. They were pure torture – I detested sewing. When I was there, my lay teachers were Mrs. Ward (English), Mrs. Fisher (gym, etc.), Mrs. Vine (geography and biology, I think), Miss or Mrs. McDonald (or McDonnell) (Maths), Miss Mahoney, who was petrified of thunder, and Miss Veal, who married and went off to live in what was then Rhodesia. Such memories. And yes, I remember being measured for those awful, knee-length mauve knickers, which nobody wore.

Does anyone remember the annual day playing Cache Poulet?

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Andrzej Suchcitz
April 2, 2021

My mother, Teresa Skinder as she then was attended the school as a boarder between 1946 and 1951. She had been at their school in nice France 1945-1946.
She had spent the war as a refugee in France with her mother. Her father a colonel in the Polish Army served in the Near East and UK.
My mother remembers Mother Mary St.Hilde (headmistress), Mother Mary St.Augustine who taught French, Mother Mary St.Paul her house/class mistress , Mother Mary St.Edmund the history teacher who was very pleasant, sister Josephine. In early years Fr.Henry Bilsbarrow was school chaplain.
From fellow pupils remember three sisters Bearne Margaret, Bernadette and ? oldest sister. In one of the younger classes was Teresa Kopeć and in 1948 several other Polish children came from the Polish refugee settlements in East Africa.

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- Richard Barton
  April 2, 2021
  
  Thanks for this Andrzej.
  
  Reply