Page 22 - Luce 2020

A l umni News

Recollections of Janet Clarke Hall

in the 1940s

As I look back on my three years in readings which were held in Miss Joske’s
residence at JCH at the end of the 1940s, sitting room on some Sunday evenings
I acknowledge that they were among the and Trinity men attended those.
happiest years of my life.
There were also the common room
Shortly before I entered College, I had dances. These catered well for those
met a former JCH student, who advised new to the College, because they were
me to get there early to ‘bag’ my bed! ‘program dances’. Each of us had a
In those days, first year students slept program attached to our wrist by a
on one of two balconies – the ‘big ribbon and young men approached to
balcony’ on the top floor and the ‘little write their name against a dance on
balcony’ on the second floor. These bare the program. It was thought very old-
dormitories had no glass in the windows, fashioned and amusing, but it was a JCH
just large window openings covered with tradition that we all enjoyed.
flywire. This was obviously considered
extremely healthy at that time and a Among the highlights for me were the
number of boarding schools had the Trinity College plays. Each year I was
same arrangement. The advice to ‘bag thrilled to have a part. In 1947 the play
a bed’ quickly was due to the fact that was Sheppey by Somerset Maugham.
students who had beds on the window Then in 1948 the very talented Joy
side of the balcony, often had to get up Youlden directed Congreve’s Love for
in the night if it rained and move their Love and the following year she was
beds into the middle of the floor so that again our director in the wonderful The
they did not get wet! Time of Your Life by William Saroyan.
Even Farrago was astonished at the high
Nobody seemed to think this standard of the production. It was a joy
arrangement strange. From to be part of it.
second year on, students had
bedroom /studies of their Miss Enid Joske was Principal throughout
own, but the freshers who my time in College. She cared very much
slept on balconies shared for her students and we recognised what
quite spacious bedroom/ a great responsibility it was. We were
studies with another fresher. allowed out until 10 pm as long as we
This was a great way to signed the book by the front door. To be
make new friends and many out later than 10 pm, we had to obtain
of those friendships lasted permission. This involved seeing Miss
for life. Joske in her study early in the morning
and that could be a daunting experience!

The rituals of College life appealed Miss Joske used to walk around the
A smiling young Judy is pictured left to me very much – the fact that we passages quite late at night to see that
in the shoe-shining group. We are wore academic gowns and trenchers all was well. She always had a bag of
reminded that students have always to Chapel and gowns and frocks to bananas so that she could give one to a
sought innovative ways to raise funds! dinner; that there was a procession of student who seemed troubled or unable
the Principal and tutors into the Dining to sleep.
Hall each evening; that grace was said in
Latin and that the academic procession Janet Clarke Hall had a very happy
out of the Dining Hall was brought up atmosphere. I was very grateful for my
by Florence, holding high the Principal’s years there and very proud to be Senior
tray of coffee. Student in 1949. It was a wonderful
haven from which to launch ourselves
As we were still an integral part of into the world.
Trinity College in those days, there were
frequent activities with Trinity College Judith Gregory,
students – we attended Chapel three formerly Reyne (1947 Leask)
times during the week and once on
Sundays and I sang in the Chapel choir. For the full text of Judy’s recollections,
The JCH Drama Club organised play go to this link. Click here.

22 LUCE Number 18 2019