cj wrote:My mum insisted that my brother and I always had our 'own' shoes - she had (still does) a thing about used shoes. Having said that, did all the girls have wardrobe shoes at Hertford? Did Horsham do 'wardrobe' shoes for the girls? We had yucky brown things with Hertford uniform so they couldn't be re-used after the merger.
Hi cj
I really really thought that your lovely avatar was you holding your little girl. Many times I have been tempted to ask you the secrets of your youthfulness!
Now! At Hertford in my day (in my croaky ancient voice) we had own house shoes - brown slip on efforts, although there was a craze at one point for Dr Scholl sandals, own slippers, own games shoes, own hockey boots. Outdoor shoes were school brown lace-ups, solid clomphy things. They were obtained from a "little man" in the basement of the Science Block. I think it was here, but only made a couple of visits. Those shoes lasted for a long time!
The trick was - when the little man gave anyone a pair of well worn shoes, one would moan in pain, stand wincing, make a grimace of agony and tear the shoes from one's feet. This performance had to be repeated until the little man produced a new pair. Then one would reward him with radiant expressions of grateful enthusiasm.
At the beginning of the 70's lightweight Clarks Sandals were issued for summer. Very much cooler and more flexible than the lace-ups!
There was also a slip-on black broguey Sunday shoe. Not very attractive.
Enough to make us all love beautiful shoes once we'd left!
Munch