Christ's Hospital School, Hertford
Me with the Duke of Gloucester
Veronica Humphrey
School uniforms throughout the ages
Veronica Humphrey
Replicas of 15th and 16th century costumes
Veronica Humphrey
Aerial photograph of Christ's Hospital School
Veronica Humphrey
Memories of the Wardrobe Mistress
By Veronica Humphrey
I was the Wardrobe Mistress of Christ's Hospital School from 1969 to 1978. In May 1976 the Duke of Gloucester, who was the president of the school, came and spent the whole day with us, which was very unusual for royalty. These three photographs were taken on the day.
School uniforms throughout the years
The first photo is of me with the Duke explaining the replica costumes the girls were wearing. In the 17th century the school children had to make the clothes themsleves.
original hand-made dress
The second photo shows girls in school uniforms throughout the years: the one in the centre is late 17th centrury then it jumps to the 18th and 19th centuries. Third from the right is a girl wearing a 1930s gym slip and the third from the left is the Sunday uniform with black and gold trimmings. The one on the far left is an original hand-made dress from the late 1800s.
15th and 16th century costumes
The next photo shows two girls standing in front of the cottages, which are still there, wearing replicas of 15th and 16th century costumes.
On Founders Day they used to dress up in these costumes too. The school provided all the uniforms.
Aerial photo
The fourth photo was taken from a hot air balloon of the whole school, which has now been converted to flats. The eight houses where the girls all lived are still there, although some of the other buildings have been demolished.
Back to school
In 1979 we moved away to Norfolk and had 27 wonderful retired years, travelling around a lot. I came back in 2006 after my husband died and now live in Chauncy Court which is part of the old Christ's Hospital buildings!