Dorothy C. Maguire (nee Coles) of Arnside recalls her early days at Kendal High School.

In 1942 when I first started the High School, clothing was severely rationed and new clothes only purchased with a limited number of coupons.

The school still liked you to wear the Kendal "green". I was very proud of my new green tunic and white, square-necked blouses.

I had a new green gaberdine coat, but it had a six inch hem on the bottom and the sleeves were turned up so that it would last for years.

In cold weather we wore green, warm overcoats. As we had run out of clothing coupons, I was given my elder cousin, Margaret's fawn Oakfield School coat.

My mother dyed it green, but I was mortified because it wasn't the right shade of green, and I hardly ever wore it!

After attending the Arnside National School, Freda and I found the large number of pupils at Kendal High School rather daunting. We were put in the "A" form, as were all "scholarship girls". From being one of the top scholars at Arnside we were brought down to earth as an "also-ran!". Also at sport I had won Arnside's silver cup for the best girl athlete, but at Kendal High School I did well if I was allowed to compete on Sports Day. I was once third in the high jump!

But I did make the school's rounders and netball teams. I can still remember some of my fellow players; Delia, Celia, Jean and Molly.

The discipline was strict; no running in corridors or slamming doors, and absolute silence in class.

Freda and I, sitting next to each other in class, often got order marks for talking. Five order marks made a report and then you were sent to the Head Mistress!

But despite the austerity and discipline Kendal High School years were happy and fulfilling.