the Blitz. Linton House school continued until the death of Miss Kidwell.

WESTFIELD HOUSE - this was a pre-prep school for boys and girls at what is now 9 North Park, run by a Miss Overton. She was already in business by around 1930. Mick Crowther can dimly remember her "'alling at our house when he could only have been 3 or 4, to suggest that his mother might appreciate being free from him for part of the day'. Hardly the argument used now in favour of infant schooling! She did not gain another pupil.

Of all the schools, Miss Overton's Westfield House survived the longest. She retained ownership of the building long after her retirement. Following this, it is not known who ran the school for the next few years. This period was followed by a 12 year tenure by Miss Molly Knight. She saw the school into the 1960s. Her successors were in charge for another 10 or so years until closure

sometime around 1973. The building was then purchased by Mr and Mrs Miles and converted back into a private house. At some time during the post WWII period, the school became known as PARK CLOSE. It had become the pre-prep for Long Close School in Slough.

Percy Lodge School

Long Close still thrives but economics dictated the closure of Park Close. The pre-prep facility was lost until Long Close re-established its own pre-prep around 1974. Miss Overton's school had in total enjoyed a career of some 45 years - a fine achievement in changing times and changing social circumstances.

RICHINGS PARK SCHOOL FOR BOYS - Preparatory. This, along with the Limes, was set up at the beginning, being advertised in the original Frank, Knight and Rutley brochure for the estate as Abingdon School, principle Mr O.G. Furnivall, formerly Senior Assistant Master of Lewes Grammar School . By 1928 it had become Richings Park School and was located in Percy Lodge (39 Old Slade Lane - next to the farm) which has had various names since then. Mr Donald King, former Richings Park Estate Agent among others began his education there. Initially, some boys remained at the school until the age of 15 when they left to take up apprenticeships or other training.

This school was run by Captain Humphrey Fenn who was succeeded by Mr Kenneth B. Bachelor, with Mr William O. Betts (known as Wob) as an assistant and Mrs Boswell as a helper whose two daughters Rosemary and Margaret attended the school. They were the only girls among some 30 boys!