Alumnae News

Marion Nocchi (née Hands) (1950)

I'm 89 and still going strong. My husband is disabled so I have to take care of him. Fortunately I can still drive. I am so grateful to live in a wood in the country during this pandemic. The Red Cross did my shopping for me when we were on lock down. Now that we have had our jabs we are more or less free again. I have my green pass so I can go where I like. It is lovely to be able to go out to dinner again. My best wishes to anyone who might remember me.

Hilary Joyce (née McKenzie) (1965)

Alongside various agerelated complaints I continue to run a small organic farm in Dorset including a flock of 30 sheep, a few hens and a holiday accommodation cottage. Our family farm has been organic since 1973 and there is a wealth of wildlife, flowers and insects. I also chair the Char Valley Parish Council which is active in lobbying for climate change and environmental improvements. In spare moments, I very much enjoy botanical painting and making occasional ceramics.

Vickie Ward (née Hudspith) (1965)

Three friends, Sue Race, Janet Scott nee Bright, and Carol Taylor nee Buttifant, and her husband, travelled from Hampshire, Kent and Dorset respectively, so that we could meet here in West Sussex for a get-together with myself and my husband. We left NHEHS in 1965 and have been meeting up latterly, initially every 3 years, but now that we are all in our 70’s, we decided in 2019 that we should try and meet every year! However, as we know Covid intervened last year, so thought that we must meet this year. A lovely day was spent reminiscing about school and generally catching up with each others news.

Maggie Turner (née Vaughan) (1965)

I set up a coronavirus help group in my locality of Amersham in March 2020 and was finally able to close the project in September 2021 after a full 18 months in operation. The scheme attracted over 100 volunteers who fetched and carried for those unable to get out and about because of the pandemic. The generosity of spirit shown was heartwarming and resulted in an award from Buckinghamshire County Council. In my second career as an actor, I was able to work from home during the various lockdowns, recording audio dramas. Now that things are returning to something close to normal, the freedom to make family visits is a joy. I am still very active at The Questors Theatre (having joined in 1964) and would urge any with fond memories and a little spare cash to consider buying tickets or making a donation as unavoidable roof repairs need to be undertaken at an estimated cost of £500,000.

Julie Stafford (1985)

I’m still enjoying my life living in Sydney, Australia. Working as Participation Manager for Cricket NSW, developing opportunities for more people to play cricket. Always torn

about who to support when it comes to The Ashes. Love catching up with long time friends via Facebook and when I’m in London. Love to chat to anyone planning a trip Down Under!

Susan Coleman (née Page) (1993)

Having worked in social care for the past 17 years, most recently within the field of Chaplaincy I have recently finished this work and begun training for ordination with the Church of England. I am studying with Trinity College Bristol whilst also on placement in my church in Bournemouth.

Fran Hathaway (née Hammond) (1994)

I've had an interesting year - bought a house (finally!), moved jobs in August, thought better of it in September and moved back to Singleton Hospital in October! My eldest has started A levels and the twins have begun their final year of primary school - time flies! And excitingly, at the weekend I sang my first live concert in 21 months, amazing to be back! Sending love to all of Class of '94 - according to our leavers' top, "probably the finest women in the world'!

Helena Pearce (2009)

I have spent the last 10 years managing content for Amazon, Samsung and now PlayStation and I have recently created an online course to share my content marketing skills. I am very much enjoying passing the torch and would be delighted if any NHEHS alumnae would like to get in touch.

Rachael Biggart (2009)

On 14 September 2021 I married my husband Alexander Ridgway at St Catherine's in Hoarwithy, Herefordshire. Whilst we were signing the register, we had an acapella choir made up of family and friends- carrying the choir were 7 old members of our NHEHS madrigal choir! Sopranos: Juliette Ivie, Farnaz Motamedi, Catherine O’ Riordan and Altos: Ailis Duff, Rachel Haynes, Katherine Hooley, Alice Hudson. They sang 'I would Be True' by Howard A Walter, an old favourite from our school assemblies at NHEHS! I feel very blessed that NHEHS gave me such a fantastic and firm set of very talented friends to call upon at times like this. I'm also very grateful for the good start that NHEHS gave me in life. I'm now working as a Haematology registrar, whilst Alex my husband is completing his urology registrar training, both in Bristol. I would have enjoyed sharing our wedding choir video with Mr Bushby, and was so saddened to hear about his death. He was a wonderful teacher and a great loss so young.