Former Portsmouth High School pupils gathered at Hinton Ampner on Wednesday 7 November for a reunion recital. The old girls, many now well into their 70s, were evacuated to the house during the war, where they continued their schooling.

Hinton Ampner, now a National Trust property, became their home from September 1939 to Easter 1945.  They slept on camp beds to begin with - as many as ten pupils to a bedroom, with the smallest ones in the attic which was also their classroom.

The Reunion Recital was an opportunity for the former pupils to not only reminisce and catch up with old school friends but also to be entertained by current pupils. The Recital was one of the last events of the year to mark the school’s 125th Birthday, which included a number of solo and ensemble pieces including Year 7 pupils performing items from their Year 6 production of the musical play Evacuees.

Former and current pupils will join together to sing the old school song – many of the old girls recall singing the school song and carols at Christmas, standing up the staircase overlooking the entrance hall. Year 6 pupils also interviewed the ladies about their time at Hinton Ampner and what it was like to be evacuated as part of their school project about evacuation and the Home Front.

Angela Blackwell, Director of Music at the school, said; “We wanted to think of a special way of marking the school’s 125th Birthday. Over the course of the year we have had many events at our Southsea site, but it is important to remember that the school has not always been here. There were about 100 pupils at Hinton Ampner during the war, aged between 7 and 13 (older girls were evacuated to Adhurst St Mary, near Petersfield). Our younger pupils study evacuation and the Home Front, so it is a perfect opportunity for them to speak with people first hand about their experiences. It seems particularly appropriate time of year as in a few days’ time we will be observing Remembrance Sunday.”

Hinton Ampner is now closed to the public but will be open during the first three weekends of December where there will be a special opportunity to enjoy the gardens in winter and the elegant house decorated for Christmas.