Minard CROMMELIN MBE (1903)

‘Chatsworth’ had been very much over-decorated. The woodwork was cedar and beautiful when untouched by paint.  The ballroom floor was parquet of native woods, and with great mirrors on both sides of the long rooms – with candelabra lighting the curved tops – a lovely effect of long vistas was obtained.  When filled with numbers of happy young people-the girls all in white evening frocks – it was beautiful – even if the red plush upholstery of the musicians’ gallery was a little tawdry and the worse for wear, and the mythological figures of gods and goddesses upon the painted ceiling seemed in danger of coming to earth. Our eyes would turn from these jarring decorations to watch the floor and the vistas with the great bowls of flowers at the sides of the mirrors reflecting the merry faces of the young people.  It was like an endless garden….

The School motto ‘Luceat Lux Vestra’ was not a mere phrase – but something essential – the light of her knowledge shone in her own life and gave an example for her pupils to follow. She scorned anything mean, selfish, or unkind. She detested shams. Simple living and high thinking ruled her actions. However small and pale our light happened to be it was our duty to keep it shining.