THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

If women ran the world, we wouldn’t have wars, just intense negotiations every 28 days.

ROBIN WILLIAMS

I sometimes think the key to happiness is having a dodgy memory, so I apologise for asking readers to rake up tales from their school days. But this is like a giant therapy session, so thank you all for sharing with the group…

“I’ve been racking my brain but as we are talking about the 1950s, not much comes to mind!” writes Elizabeth Goose, in Norwich, Norfolk. “But I do remember queuing outside the dinner hall until we were all ushered in, complete with a ticket to prove we had paid. Or a white ticket for those on free school dinners. The meals were inedible – especially

the peas in tomato sauce, which seemed to get served every day.”

And after trial by food, school kids had to run the gauntlet of hideous gym knickers and communal showers.

Reader Elizabeth emails: “I remember vividly having to play netball and hockey in PE. Horrendous as I was a ‘big’ girl then, and a T-shirt tucked into navy blue knickers did nothing for me.

“And then the communal showers when the teacher would chivvy everyone up and remove the towel I was trying to hide behind – there was no

escape!” Talking of escape, Linda O’connor in Torquay, Devon, writes: “My school in Liverpool was more like a prison with all the rules and regulations, and you had to eat every morsel on your plate.

“Sago just reminded me of tadpoles, but one lunch time I was given a great lump of the stuff and I threw up in it.

“The monster of a teacher still made me eat it and I never stayed for school dinners again.”

What are your best – or worst – school day memories? Email me at siobhan.mcnally@mirror.co.uk

Planning a night away, check out the Clanree Hotel Conference and Leisure Centre in Letterkenny.

The Clanree Hotel offers the perfect base to explore Donegal. With 120 luxurious and spacious bedrooms to choose from which include double, twin and executive suites the Clanree Offers something for everyone. During your stay you can enjoy complimentary access to our Leisure Centre with a 20m swimming pool, sauna, steam room and fitness suite in addition to the added bonus of free parking. For larger groups please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will happily negotiate a great value package to accommodate your group.

Please note at present due to COVID 19 restrictions only the Pool and Gym are open all other facilities in the leisure

Centre remain closed until further notice. Please check with the Hotel team for further updates.