Story - Twin Trouble at School and Home pt 1
La Retraite School for Girls was situated in the centre of Bristol and was a Roman Catholic establishment run by the local authority. By the end of the 1970s, it was still run along strict lines, but not as much as when twins Mary and Philippa Ferris had joined in September 1971. Whilst corporal punishment was still in use, it was less frequent than in their early days. Neither twin was a stranger to a trip across a teachers desk, usually for a couple of whacks with the plimsoll, or as it was known in Bristol “the dap”.
One of the strictest teachers at the school was their needlework teacher, Mrs Ferris, who of course was also their mother. They could expect none, and got no special treatment or leniency from her just because she was their mother. In fact, the opposite was the case. Where some may have escaped with a detention or lines, Mary or Philippa would have been across the desk, skirts up and having “the dap” firmly applied to their green school knickers by their mother.
As a senior teacher, who had taught at La Retraite since before the girls were born, she was also permitted to use a cane, although this was reserved for serious matters and only occurred once or twice a term. In addition, she was known to take a heavy wooden ruler to girls palms if she felt the need. Despite her strict nature and tendency to punish hard, she was well liked and respected by most girls in school.
At home, things were similar. The girls were subject to frequent punishments albeit with less rules in place. No maximum of six smacks. No rules about not lifting girls skirts. No rules about punishing in private. Mums rules dictated that if a daughter needed punishing it would be done however she saw fit.
Dad was far more relaxed with his daughters and often played “good cop” to mums “bad cop” when things went wrong at home. He never involved himself in punishments and would usually find an excuse to nip to his garage or the shed, when his wife had decided one or both girls were to be punished. In later years, he would confide that he regretted not standing up for them occasionally, particularly when he felt punishment was unjust.
Although they had always been what could be described as pretty girls when they joined the school, they certainly blossomed into very beautiful young ladies in their teens. Both had long blonde hair with perfect complexions. They had very good figures helped by their love of all sports and a healthy diet. Mary was taller than her sister by an inch at five foot six inches. Of course with their looks came attention. There were one or two teachers who felt that the twins spent too much time concentrating on appearance to the detriment of studies.
The uniform at school was very traditional, and almost the same as that of the other one local private schools. Maroon blazers were worn with skirts, cream blouses, and in the summer straw boaters. Most girls wore white knee socks, although it was fashionable for older girls to fold them down to make them into ankle socks. Some dared to wear tights, and although this was frowned upon, it didn’t constitute a serious matter requiring corporal punishment, unless it was continually repeated. Of course, there was no room for deviation from uniform standards for the Ferris twins, as everyday, they were subject to an inspection before they left the house.
Like many teenage girls of the time their main interests were pop music, boys and fashion. Mary and Philippa were no exception and in 1974 they were both in love with Les McKeown, lead singer of the Bay City Rollers. After many hits this Scottish pop band were about to go out on the road, and the Ferris girls had just heard on Radio 1 that they were to be playing at Colston Hall in the centre of Bristol. Tickets were going on sale at 12pm on the following Wednesday. It was obvious that the tickets would sell out quickly so the girls had to be in the queue for theirs. The problem was that Wednesday was PE day with Mrs Robbins and Miss Atherton and there was no way they’d be allowed out of school for something so ridiculous as a bunch of tartan clad pop singers. So they’d have to be devious if they would get to see their heroes. Luckily devious was their middle name.
For several days they met together secretively and plotted and schemed. Ideas came and were dismissed. More ideas followed. Eventually and in desperation they decided on what would happen. It might just work they thought, and if so it would be worth it.
Wednesday came and both girls left for school dressed as immaculately as usual in their uniforms. Both took their PE kits in order not to arouse suspicion, but one of them would not be there.
After mid morning break they headed for the changing rooms and both changed into their kit, of maroon gym skirts, white aertex tops, maroon gym knickers, white knee socks and white plimsolls. Today was to be outdoor Games on the field, most likely athletics. The school playing field was less than a mile away from the Colston Hall ticket office, and the plan was that Mary would sneak away and run down, buy the tickets and come back before anyone would notice. Anyone seeing her out in her PE kit would think she was on a cross country run.
Sure enough five minutes into the lesson, she sneaked out through a gap in the hedge with her money stuffed inside her knickers and off she went. A steady jog at first but as the excitement ran through her body, she sprinted down the hill to Colston Hall. The plan was that she’d be in and out in a flash and back in school with two lovely tickets. As she turned the corner towards the ticket office she was stopped in her tracks. The queue was stretching right back along Colston Avenue with hundreds of girls having the same idea, most probably truanting from school to do so. This was not going to be a quick job, and Mary was not sure what to do. Should she return ticketless or should she take a chance and join the queue. In the end she decided to queue. After all, they may never visit Bristol on a tour again.
Meanwhile back at school Philippa was worried that it was taking so long.
“Where’s Mary Ferris gone, girls?” Asked Miss Atherton.
“Erm, she went to change her daps Miss.” replied her sister with a hurried excuse.
“Change them for what, Philippa?”
“I think she’s got some new ones with more grip Miss.” struggled her sister to think of good reasons.
“Hmmm, seems strange, but I hope she’s back soon.”
Philippa was nervous, and hoped their plan didn’t unravel, or they’d both end up in serious trouble.
Time ticked away and still no sign of her, and eventually PE ended. Neither PE teacher mentioned Mary’s absence but it was certainly noticed and would be addressed by the relevant authorities in the school.
Meanwhile back at the queue, things were moving quite quickly now and Mary was nearing the front. She hoped she’d not been missed and her sister had covered for her. With no watch on, she had no idea how long she’d been, but she knew she’d missed most of PE. As she stepped up to the counter, the excitement made her forget all such worries.
“Two for the stalls please.” As she handed over two pound notes.
“There you go love” said the lady behind the counter.
“Hope school don’t know you’re missing!” She said with a wink
“Thanks, it’s worth it whatever.” And Mary was off hot footing it back to school.
The journey back was uphill all the way and despite her athletic prowess she was struggling. As she huffed and puffed, she didn’t notice the car behind her, and the driver. It was Mrs Anderson from school, who taught Home Economics. She slowed down alongside Mary and wound down her window.
“Mary, what are you doing out of school?” She asked
“Oh Miss, hello, erm well I’ve got a 1500m race coming up so I wanted to get some extra practice after PE and I got a bit lost Miss.”
“Oh really, and pigs might fly. Get in the car.”
Mary walked round to the other side and got in. She knew she’d been rumbled.
“Did you get them?” Asked the teacher
“Get what Miss?”
“The tickets for Bay City Rollers? We knew they were on sale, so I was sent down to look for girls skipping school to get them. I almost missed you, but three others are waiting outside the headmistresses office right now.”
“Please don’t tell my mum Miss, she’ll go mad with me.”
“There’s no way she won’t find out Mary.”
The car pulled up in the car park and both of them went straight to the office.
“Another one for the headmistress, Janice.” Said Mrs Anderson to the school Secretary.
“Mary Ferris, I’m shocked, and your mother will be too. Go and join the others waiting outside the office.” Said Janice to the girl.
One of the strictest teachers at the school was their needlework teacher, Mrs Ferris, who of course was also their mother. They could expect none, and got no special treatment or leniency from her just because she was their mother. In fact, the opposite was the case. Where some may have escaped with a detention or lines, Mary or Philippa would have been across the desk, skirts up and having “the dap” firmly applied to their green school knickers by their mother.
As a senior teacher, who had taught at La Retraite since before the girls were born, she was also permitted to use a cane, although this was reserved for serious matters and only occurred once or twice a term. In addition, she was known to take a heavy wooden ruler to girls palms if she felt the need. Despite her strict nature and tendency to punish hard, she was well liked and respected by most girls in school.
At home, things were similar. The girls were subject to frequent punishments albeit with less rules in place. No maximum of six smacks. No rules about not lifting girls skirts. No rules about punishing in private. Mums rules dictated that if a daughter needed punishing it would be done however she saw fit.
Dad was far more relaxed with his daughters and often played “good cop” to mums “bad cop” when things went wrong at home. He never involved himself in punishments and would usually find an excuse to nip to his garage or the shed, when his wife had decided one or both girls were to be punished. In later years, he would confide that he regretted not standing up for them occasionally, particularly when he felt punishment was unjust.
Although they had always been what could be described as pretty girls when they joined the school, they certainly blossomed into very beautiful young ladies in their teens. Both had long blonde hair with perfect complexions. They had very good figures helped by their love of all sports and a healthy diet. Mary was taller than her sister by an inch at five foot six inches. Of course with their looks came attention. There were one or two teachers who felt that the twins spent too much time concentrating on appearance to the detriment of studies.
The uniform at school was very traditional, and almost the same as that of the other one local private schools. Maroon blazers were worn with skirts, cream blouses, and in the summer straw boaters. Most girls wore white knee socks, although it was fashionable for older girls to fold them down to make them into ankle socks. Some dared to wear tights, and although this was frowned upon, it didn’t constitute a serious matter requiring corporal punishment, unless it was continually repeated. Of course, there was no room for deviation from uniform standards for the Ferris twins, as everyday, they were subject to an inspection before they left the house.
Like many teenage girls of the time their main interests were pop music, boys and fashion. Mary and Philippa were no exception and in 1974 they were both in love with Les McKeown, lead singer of the Bay City Rollers. After many hits this Scottish pop band were about to go out on the road, and the Ferris girls had just heard on Radio 1 that they were to be playing at Colston Hall in the centre of Bristol. Tickets were going on sale at 12pm on the following Wednesday. It was obvious that the tickets would sell out quickly so the girls had to be in the queue for theirs. The problem was that Wednesday was PE day with Mrs Robbins and Miss Atherton and there was no way they’d be allowed out of school for something so ridiculous as a bunch of tartan clad pop singers. So they’d have to be devious if they would get to see their heroes. Luckily devious was their middle name.
For several days they met together secretively and plotted and schemed. Ideas came and were dismissed. More ideas followed. Eventually and in desperation they decided on what would happen. It might just work they thought, and if so it would be worth it.
Wednesday came and both girls left for school dressed as immaculately as usual in their uniforms. Both took their PE kits in order not to arouse suspicion, but one of them would not be there.
After mid morning break they headed for the changing rooms and both changed into their kit, of maroon gym skirts, white aertex tops, maroon gym knickers, white knee socks and white plimsolls. Today was to be outdoor Games on the field, most likely athletics. The school playing field was less than a mile away from the Colston Hall ticket office, and the plan was that Mary would sneak away and run down, buy the tickets and come back before anyone would notice. Anyone seeing her out in her PE kit would think she was on a cross country run.
Sure enough five minutes into the lesson, she sneaked out through a gap in the hedge with her money stuffed inside her knickers and off she went. A steady jog at first but as the excitement ran through her body, she sprinted down the hill to Colston Hall. The plan was that she’d be in and out in a flash and back in school with two lovely tickets. As she turned the corner towards the ticket office she was stopped in her tracks. The queue was stretching right back along Colston Avenue with hundreds of girls having the same idea, most probably truanting from school to do so. This was not going to be a quick job, and Mary was not sure what to do. Should she return ticketless or should she take a chance and join the queue. In the end she decided to queue. After all, they may never visit Bristol on a tour again.
Meanwhile back at school Philippa was worried that it was taking so long.
“Where’s Mary Ferris gone, girls?” Asked Miss Atherton.
“Erm, she went to change her daps Miss.” replied her sister with a hurried excuse.
“Change them for what, Philippa?”
“I think she’s got some new ones with more grip Miss.” struggled her sister to think of good reasons.
“Hmmm, seems strange, but I hope she’s back soon.”
Philippa was nervous, and hoped their plan didn’t unravel, or they’d both end up in serious trouble.
Time ticked away and still no sign of her, and eventually PE ended. Neither PE teacher mentioned Mary’s absence but it was certainly noticed and would be addressed by the relevant authorities in the school.
Meanwhile back at the queue, things were moving quite quickly now and Mary was nearing the front. She hoped she’d not been missed and her sister had covered for her. With no watch on, she had no idea how long she’d been, but she knew she’d missed most of PE. As she stepped up to the counter, the excitement made her forget all such worries.
“Two for the stalls please.” As she handed over two pound notes.
“There you go love” said the lady behind the counter.
“Hope school don’t know you’re missing!” She said with a wink
“Thanks, it’s worth it whatever.” And Mary was off hot footing it back to school.
The journey back was uphill all the way and despite her athletic prowess she was struggling. As she huffed and puffed, she didn’t notice the car behind her, and the driver. It was Mrs Anderson from school, who taught Home Economics. She slowed down alongside Mary and wound down her window.
“Mary, what are you doing out of school?” She asked
“Oh Miss, hello, erm well I’ve got a 1500m race coming up so I wanted to get some extra practice after PE and I got a bit lost Miss.”
“Oh really, and pigs might fly. Get in the car.”
Mary walked round to the other side and got in. She knew she’d been rumbled.
“Did you get them?” Asked the teacher
“Get what Miss?”
“The tickets for Bay City Rollers? We knew they were on sale, so I was sent down to look for girls skipping school to get them. I almost missed you, but three others are waiting outside the headmistresses office right now.”
“Please don’t tell my mum Miss, she’ll go mad with me.”
“There’s no way she won’t find out Mary.”
The car pulled up in the car park and both of them went straight to the office.
“Another one for the headmistress, Janice.” Said Mrs Anderson to the school Secretary.
“Mary Ferris, I’m shocked, and your mother will be too. Go and join the others waiting outside the office.” Said Janice to the girl.
