Memories of Chater School, published in recent editions of Nostalgia, prompted an email from Doreen Povey.

Mrs Povey, née Dow, said: “In 1934 I started at Chater School as a five-year-old.

“The class teacher was Miss Hutchinson whose grey hair was in a bun. She wore a long black dress, a bit scary for me.

“In winter the classroom was heated with a solid fuel stove which had a big fire guard round it.

"The milkman delivered a crate of small bottles (a third of a pint) and placed it near the fire to warm before we drank it at playtime. There was a cardboard lid which had a small impressed circle in the centre which was pressed to open to put in a straw.

Needless to say, the milk often squirted everywhere.

“We sat two to a desk and were given a slate board and pencil to write with.

My teeth still go on edge when I remember the awful squeaking noise they made. We had to clean the board with a rag.

“Later we graduated to paper and pencil followed by pens with a nib that was dipped in china inkwells set into the desks. Ink blots everywhere were dried up with pink blotting paper.

“The three friends I remember were Betty Barton, Rita Hempsall and Georgina Howard. No school meals were available so we all went home and had to return for the afternoon session.

“The toilet block was across the playground, very cold and smelly and with nowhere to wash our hands.

“Hygiene had not been thought of in those days. A nurse visited each class to examine the children to see if they had lice.

“I was mortified when I was sent home but the reason was I had scarlatina, a mild form of scarlet fever. The other kids thought otherwise.

“On Empire day in May, the whole school lined up in the playground and sang patriotic songs in front of the local dignitaries and waved Union Jacks. The best bit was we were given a half-day holiday.

“I have just turned 80 and remember this so clearly, what did I do yesterday? Things have certainly changed in so many ways, from slate pencils to trying to use a computer, where next?”

Do you have memories of Chater School? Send your memories to Michael Pickard: mpickard@london.newsquest.co.uk