| Gillian Ada was a graduate of Queen Mary College, London University - her subjects being English and Latin. She then obtained a teaching qualification at Cambridge. Her first teaching post was at a school in Sutton in Ashfield. Remarkably she has remained in touch with some of the girls she taught there. Just a very small part of the 275 persons to whom she would send Christmas cards, letters, presents. Gillian moved to Gainsborough in 1937. She took charge of English at the Girls' High School. She also had responsibility for the school library, which was her pride and joy, and for the school plays. One of her ex-pupils who joined the school in 1947 describes her as an inspirational teacher. Though small in stature, she never raised her voice and her criticisms were always helpful and meaningful. She had no place for superficiality or sloppiness but on a rigorous foundation of grammar she built an understanding of vocabulary and a love of literature, poetry and drama. Who else would have dared to abandon the A level syllabus for two terms in order to show her Lower Sixth the breadth and beauty of English Literature - yet still achieve excellect examination results? She organised theatre visits and produced memorable plays on the minute stage of the old gym. The way she handled books revealed her love of them She never lost interest in her ex-pupils sending them long and beautifully written letters. For all those lucky enough to be taught by her she truly opened charmed magic casements and enriched our lives immensely. Extractsed from the Service of Thanksgiving at the John Robinson Memorial Church Gainsborough, November 7, 2003. (TJR) | |
| Year of birth revised to 11/1909 as her mother died in 12/1909 (TJR) | |
| 01/01/1930 | Resident at 76 St Mary Street, Ely, Cambs (TJR) |
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