A.O.S.A. 2009 ANNUAL REPORT

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by her daughter Louise Seniscal (Fox) 1991-1995

Sue Fox (Turner) 1964-71
President Elect 2009-10

Sue became a day scholar at The Friends’ School in the summer of 1964, as her father had been moved to Billingham ICI from the Huddersfield Works. The family rented a house on Newton Road in Ayton for a couple of years before moving to Cambridge Road in Middlesbrough. Since going to Ayton Sue has been involved as a pupil, an old scholar and as a parent.

We as a family have always had strong links with Ayton School. It was the place where Mum and Dad (Sue and Neil -1964-70) met each other and where some of our Aunts and Uncles were pupils - Jane Fox (Atkinson), Gary Fox, and Stephen Atkinson (Jane’s husband). Also many of our family’s closest friends originate from Ayton days, Sue Cooper (Horne - daughter of Douglas), Liz Bownes (Banks), Nigel Carr, David and Patricia French, and Hussein Badr.

Sue was a day scholar until her last year in 6th form; this was the year that Leven Hall opened. She was one of the first pupils to enjoy the luxuries that Leven Hall offered - duvets, and wash basins in each room! Sue was one of those day scholars who only went home to sleep! She caught the 7.45 am bus from Marton, arriving at Ayton at 8.15 am and left after prep at 8.15pm.

Sport was one of Sue’s strengths at school, as well as being one of her main interests. She left Ayton to train as a secondary school teacher at Didsbury College in Manchester, her main subjects being PE and Geography. After leaving college, she returned to Cleveland and married Neil Fox who by then was a police officer in the Durham Force.

Sue was asked to organise an OS Hockey Team the year that she left school; she continued to do this and to organise the Percy Green Tennis Tournament for many years. Later she joined the AOSA Committee, becoming the Membership Secretary, which involved then, as it still does today, keeping a record of all members’ addresses and dates at Ayton. This was pre computers, and records were kept on index cards in a metal box file! Another job was to hand-write all addresses on the envelopes for the Handbook and the Reunion Notices and to pack the contents! Our front room was stacked high with magazines and envelopes. Mary Banks, Cliff and Barbara Weschenfelder often came round to help. My sisters and I quickly learnt to count in twenties (this was a post office requirement when posting in bulk). We were experts at securing the bundles with elastic bands, but the best job was always stamping each envelope with the Return to Sue Fox @……...... rubber stamp! During this time the AOSA moved into the age of technology, Cliff Wesch., brought round an early Acorn computer which made the job slightly easier - it printed out sticky address labels!

Sue moved to the role of Reunion Secretary and along with Mary Banks and Roy George was heavily involved in the organisation of the School’s 150th celebrations. During this time Mary, Roy and Caroline became good friends with Sue and Neil, a close friendship that still exists today.

The 1990s saw another link with the school. Sue and Neil decided that Ayton was the place to send me. Sue made sure that I was in Firbank, of course! She was involved with parents’ committees during this time while Neil served a couple of terms on the School Committee.

In 1998, a year after the closure of the school, Sue was asked to take over the role of Chairman of the AOSA Executive Committee from Wendy Smith. It was a difficult and sad time for Ayton and its supporters. In October 1997 Sue had taken three days leave from her teaching post to help at the Auction Sale of the School‘s Chattels. She was interviewed by the local television network and it took three or four ‘takes’ to get any footage as Sue kept bursting into tears when asked, “What did this school mean to you…..!”

Sue often reflects on the fantastic education for life that she had at Ayton, a place where children were valued and encouraged to discover their loves and strengths. She is full of praise for so many of her teachers who gave so readily of their time. Sue has great affection for Ayton School and has always been a great supporter of the AOSA. I wish her well as President.

Louise Seniscal (Fox 1991-1995)

Three members of the Fox family - Neil, Louise, and Sue

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