The gift was left in the will of an Old Grammarian, Pamela Dickens (nee Joynes), who was at the school from 1952 to 1959.  Pamela’s husband and a lifelong school friend, Susan Tyrell (nee Aldridge), visited the school to present the cheque. 

In a letter to the Head Teacher, written before she died in October last year, Pamela expressed gratitude for the opportunities she had been given and said that she wanted to help others to enjoy a similar experience.   During her time at Watford Girls, the school celebrated its 250th anniversary and Pamela particularly enjoyed swimming lessons with Mr Juba and playing netball for the school.  One of her classmates was Julie Hoyle, who went on to compete in the Commonwealth games in Australia.  On leaving school Pamela went to University College Hospital to train as a State Registered Nurse and was married to Neil in 1963.  She said: “I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of school life, including serving as a prefect in my last year.  Lots of things I learned through those happy years served me in good stead throughout my life.” 

During their visit, Pamela’s husband, Neil, and school friend, Susan, were delighted to see lots of smiling faces, familiar gold blouses and the swimming pool in Lady’s Close, funds for which had been raised in the late 1950s.  

We are most grateful to supporters like Pamela who help to ensure that Watford Girls will continue to thrive through donations to The Women of Vision Trust. 

After considering family and friends first, have you considered leaving a gift to WGGS in your will? Legacy gifts are simple and a tax effective way of giving to the school. They are also free of Capital Gains Tax, Income Tax and reduce the overall Inheritance Tax on your estate.  

Leaving a gift in your will would ensure that Watford Grammar School for Girls can continue to provide the young women of tomorrow with resources, equal opportunities to learn and the ability to fulfil their potential in the world. Click here to find out more.