My Portsmouth school was built on land where we tethered our horse

Today’s come from Ann Richardson (née Hogg) who lived opposite this site with her parents Harold and Gwen in the greengrocer’s shop on the corner of Olinda Street.

Ann says: ‘Dad also used to have a delivery round in Stamshaw and Tipner which was done by horse and cart and he used to tether the horse quite a bit on this land – land that we called a bomb site.

‘In 1956 they started to build what was called Kingston Secondary Modern School for Girls and, as I was 10 at the time, I was very excited because I would be attending this school in 1957.’

Ann continues: ‘Dad and I watched with interest and the builders brought a good trade into the shop.

‘Sadly, dad died of a angina attack in July 1957 so never saw me in my uniform. He was 56.’

She rememers that in the winter of 1957/58 there was an epidemic of Asian ’flu which killed many people.

‘I did get it,’ she adds, ‘and after a few weeks,when I went back to school, I was not allowed to go out to play.

‘Instead we were allowed into the lovely apartment that was used for domestic science lessons and given a hot drink. Such a treat!

‘So this photo, I think, must have been taken in the early 1950s.’