A.O.S.A. 2003 ANNUAL REPORT

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Not actually an Old Scholar, but a former member of staff, as well as a headmaster's wife, Mary Hodge came to Ayton first in 1941, after studying at Homerton College, Cambridge. She came to teach art, and also junior subjects in the pre-secondary groups which had grown in numbers as a result of the war; Ayton being considered a safe area and the school therefore much in demand for younger brothers and sisters of children already there. It was some two years later that I joined the staff and first met Mary, but I must confess that my recollections of her at that time are not very clear. Possibly this was because she was by then somewhat preoccupied, as I rather think that it was soon after my arrival that her engagement to John Reader was announced! I do, however, remember the interesting work she was doing in the Art Room, and her lively and witty illustrations seen regularly in the Roseberry Review, the famous wall newspaper of those days. *

Much to the delight of the whole school, Mary and John were married in August 1945, and lived for the first year of their marriage in the flat in Rawdon House. On leaving Ayton they spent five years at Hove County Grammar School and a short period at Dudley Training College for Teachers before coming back to Ayton in December 1952, with the family, now including Jonathan, Nigel, and Hilary, on John's appointment as headmaster. At first, with three very young children to care for, Mary was not able to take a very active part in school life, but from the beginning she took on the responsibility of visiting the San and of keeping anxious parents fully informed of their children's progress when they were ill. Her regular letters and telephone calls must have been a great comfort and reassurance, especially to those parents who lived far from the school. There must be many Old Scholars who remember with gratitude her visits to them when they were ill.

As her family became more independent, Mary was able to join in more activities in school, taking part in music and drama, or acting as support party in John's mountaineering excursions, when her endless cups of tea, hot soup, and delicious home made cakes and biscuits were so much appreciated. Her beautiful flower arrangements too, appearing in the Meeting House and elsewhere, week after week, gave joy to us all, and her influence was seen in the pleasing colour schemes about the school during the many years when she served on the decor committee.

Mary's greatest contribution to Ayton was in the warmth of her friendship. Old Scholars who visited her and John in their first home in Ayton, later in Millfield House, and, more recently, since their retirement, in their new home at Alne, found again that sympathy and understanding which they appreciated so much at school.

Mary Reader was a very special person, she will long be remembered and will be very much missed. Our sincere condolences to John, Jonathan, Nigel, and Hilary who, we hope, will take comfort from knowing that they are very much in our thoughts.

A Meeting of Remembrance for Mary’s life was held in Ayton Meeting House on 1st November, 2002. It was an emotional and most moving occasion.

* All the Roseberry Reviews are preserved with our memorabilia in the Meeting House.

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