AU34/21/1/6(i)

Short Biography

1991

From: 1991 To: 1991

Short typed biography written by Andrew Underwood upon the death of his aunt Honora Patricia Annie Grimmer in 1991: "GRIMMER Miss Honora born 17th March 1900 at Ivy Cottages, Dunstable Street, Ampthill. The eldest daughter of Albert Grimmer, pioneer motor engineer and aviator and his wife Annie, formerly Swaffield. Attended school (1) Mrs Wildman's 'Albion School', Dunstable Street (2) St Peter's Moravian School, Bedford (3) Bedford High School Began teaching at the National School, Bedford Street in 1919 (at the interview, Lady Ampthill said "You don't look very robust, do you think you will be able to stand the strain of teaching?") She stood it until 1965, moving to what later became known as Russell School when the National School closed in 1954. For much of the time she taught in the 'temporary' building adjoining the Cedars, moving to the new Russell School building until retirement in 1965. For many years she was Deputy Head there. A founder member of the Ampthill Brownies which she led as Brown Owl for almost 50 years. A founder member of the Ampthill Branch of the St John Ambulance Brigade which she served in one capacity or another, at local and county level, for at least 40 years, earning their high award of Serving Sister. Deeply involved in the life of the Parish Church, serving on the Parochial Church Council longer than anybody on record. Teaching in Sunday School for half a century, much of that time as Superintendent. Many newcomers to the town had their first contact with the community through Miss Grimmer in her capacity of organiser of the District Visitors - responsible for delivering the parish magazine. She was all her life deeply involved in a wide number of town societies - from the Girls Friendly Society in the 1920s, to the Ampthill Old Scholars Association which she served as president through the 1980s, following the death of her former headmaster, Arthur Davies." [Typed on the reverse of headed paper from H King & Son, plumbers, painters and decorators of 6 Woburn Street, Ampthill.]

item

Grimmer, Honora,
Underwood, Andrew,
Grimmer, Albert Edward,
Grimmer, Annie,
Wildman,
Russell, Margaret [Baroness Ampthill],
Davies, Arthur,
H King & Son,
St John's Ambulance,
Girls Friendly Society

biography, schools, Russell School, teaching, teacher, Girl Guides, Girls Friendly Societies, Moravian Girls School, Bedford High School for Girls, Brownies, St. John's Ambulance, churches, parish council, Sunday Schools, parish magazines, Ampthill Old Scholars Association, plumber, painter, decorator, AMPTHILL, Ampthill Dunstable Street, Ampthill Woburn Street, Ampthill Bedford Street, BEDFORD