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Dear Martin
Well you are probably wondering why I have emailed you from New Zealand.
First I was born in Keswick Road before the second world war and left with my family (Atkinson's) in 1946. I went to school where I was taught by a Mrs Shipley.
I was very interested in the Bookham Common article published by your Bulletin winter 08. Is this the common I would have been on when as a child a doodle bug nearly killed us?  I am alive to-day because God intervened and the doodle bug blew up above our heads with all the debris falling around us in a circle and my mother, sister, brother and myself completely unharmed in any way. As I remember it blew out all the windows in the village.
Is the Oasis Bookham  Baptist Church the Baptist Church we would have attended in the 30s?  
Look forward to hearing from you - kind regards
(Mrs) J Porteous (née Jeanette Atkinson)

Dear Jeanette
I was quietly reading my copy of the Bookhams Bulletin when I did a double take and returned to the editor's letter - yes I do remember you and Cynthia and Ian at Sunnyfields Prep and visits to the Common especially for nature studies and collecting acorns.  My goodness  how the memories came back including transferring to Rookery Close still with Mrs Shipley and her daughter Margaret.  That last day in the schoolroom when we all got or exam results which told us which school we were going to.  I learnt with surprise when we learnt you were all off to a new school in a new land for a new life.  I'd love to hear how it went.
Jennifer Hiley (nèe Byrne)

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Date: 07/06/2010 From: Edward Sandars

I was a pupil at Southey Hall from 1951 to 1954, and read the article by Ali Kelman with interest.  I see that the photos were provided by two old boys.  I have no previous photos of the school - could Ali Kelman possibly ask Mr Suffield Jones and Mr Butt if they have any other pictures of Southey Hall they could share with or copy for readers or old boys like myself?  Another old contemporary who was at Southey Hall who now lives in Canada is coming here next week, and will be very interested.

Date: 09/06/2010 From Ali Kelman Email: alikelman@hotmail.com

I'm glad that you found my article on Southey Hall interesting and if you would like to read more and see some more pictures then please visit the website of Eastwick Junior School which stands in what you would have known as the walled garden (parts of the wall are still standing) and look at the 'History' section. (http://www.eastwick-jun.surrey.sch.uk/history/hispage1.htm)

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Date: 04/06/2010 From: Beth Townend Email: bethanie1975@hotmail.com

Further to the article about Mary Chrystie I would be interested to know where the Merrylands Hotel was. We live down Merrylands Road in a house which we assume was built by Mrs Chrystie as we have a condition in the deeds that prevents us from selling alcohol. As far as we know the house dates back to late 1890 ish. I would love to know more about the Merrylands Hotel though!

Editor's note : Merrylands Hotel was right opposite Bookham Station - for a descripton etc see Peter Tarplee's new book 'Past Industries of Ashtead, Leatherhead and Bookham' p68/69
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