Pat Smith worked at Vinehall for over 20 years in the pantry and dining room. She was cheerful and a country girl at heart. She lived near to the school but in her later years moved to a flat in Battle. Pat died on Monday 26th October 2009

Sally Chaplin has fond memories of Pat:

"Pat was Elsie's predecessor as Queen of the pantry / dining room and she was at Vinehal lfor as long as I can remember....even when I was very small... so she went way back! Geoffrey, Ruth, Lorna and Judith will all remember her too. She used to walk to work from Whatlington every day... I dont think that she ever missed a day's work and I remember her very well doing all the washing up by hand, laying the tables and serving the food in the dining room.

If ever you wanted to know what was going on at VH she could be relied on for 'wise advice'. A pall of blue smoke used to hang in the pantry at break time as they all used to roll their own ciggies in those days."

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