Final Annual Demonstration

Alice is massively involved with sewing costumes for the Annual Demonstration that will take place on Saturday 28^th June 1958.  The Annual Demonstration took place at the end of each academic year and showcased gymnastics, dance and drama from all year groups but with particular focus on the 3^rd-year students.  Alice therefore has much to do, so much so that she has asked her mother to help with the making of costumes and is sending home: 2 long white tunics, 1 turquoise tunic and two other garments for her to sew. The letter she has written home has a pin and a piece of thread in it.  (See below)

Alice is very appreciative of her mother’s help with this and is finding time to write home during a dance drama rehearsal.  Family members attended the Annual Demonstration and Alice is arranging to meet up with her parents and organise food for a post-Demonstration tea, she is supplying the second course of bread and butter. 

Alice has to break off midway through her letter as she has to make her entrance for her part in the dance drama rehearsals but has time to mention the letter from her Grannie.  Resuming her letter later she asks if she can have the Nesquick if it isn’t being used at home and if the family can bring the XRay Box with them so she can take her records home as this is her last few weeks at Bedford College of Physical Education.

Alice's last letter home

On 6^th August 1958 Alice writes her last letter home.  She is now an old student of the Bedford College of Physical Training having received her badges, carnation and goodbyes on the previous Saturday.  She was also able to meet up with around 200 other students in the London region who would have graduated that year.

Alice has decided that it is important that she goes to her new school, Heriot Wood, where she will start her teaching career as she needs to be there for a parents ‘do’.  She is also involved in visiting London schools where she is helping a lecturer with some research for her Diploma of Education in Movement Education.

Alice is preparing a final skit for the staff party which will be called ‘ A Tree in Spring ‘or ’ A Day in College’ and is on a Judo course run by Central Council of Physical Recreation which she is looking forward to.  She also asks her Mother if her colleague can have a bed on Tuesday night as she is needing to catch an early train from Waterloo.  Alice’s trunk is leaving on Monday and she will be home for the final time later that same week.