We are trying to keep our subscription to £4.00 a Year, which I am sure you will agree is very reasonable. The cost of producing the newsletter continually rises but we are managing. It is therefore sad to note the falling away of paid up members.

We have continued to send newsletters but will now have to discontinue this if people are two years in arrears. Paying is easily forgotten so Jean sends reminders. Past pupils frequently thank her for jogging their memories but at this time we have quite a large number who are no longer paid up members.

Perhaps the fault lies with us, are we not providing what you need? Please let us know. The subscriptions are due at any time during the year, the latest date being December 31st. Many who attend the reunions pay there, there is always someone designated to collect them. Others send in November or early December to include money for the Christmas hamper.

The back page of the newsletter always gives all the information required. A suggestion has been made that some members might like to receive the newsletters via the E-Mail. Please let us know what you think. Possibly not all computers would be compatible.

THE WEBSITE.
Thanks to Glenn Edgeley-Long, the Boscombe Convent section of the website www.rc-churches.net continues to grow in content and interest.

We have had very enthusiastic feed back from all parts of the world. People are overwhelmed to see pictures of the Convent and to read of the events which took place in their schooldays. They can find exam results, outings, dramatic productions and pictures dating back to 1937!

There is a wealth of Past Pupils news dating back through the years, from the old School Magazines which Glenn has painstakingly been through and reproduced. When I receive these E-mails I answer them and do my best to supply information or at least a link to the sender. Usually they are interested in the Association but rarely have we gained new members from these exchanges; I find this puzzling.

I have had E-Mails from a man in France, whose mother was at the Convent in the 1900s, his son had done a search on his grandmother's maiden name and a mention was found in the Past Pupil's news saying that she and her young son had been in touch with the nuns after they had escaped from France in the early 1940s.

Another person from America had done the same when searching for information about Mother Soehle, who was an unknown relation. Sister Ruth Brown was able to supply information there. We gave Glenn a gift at Christmas to express our gratitude and want him to know that we are very appreciative of all his hard work and interest.


Glenn discovered that MARJORIE LEWIS-MANNING (LLOYD) was a past pupil. He has become interested in the Lewis Manning Hospice and wrote to the Chief Executive. I reproduce most of the reply here.

"... Marjorie Lloyd married Robert Lewis-Manning at the Chapel of The Convent of The Cross in Boscombe on April l6th 1953. She died in November 1987 and is buried in Parkstone cemetery. Mrs Lewis-Manning achieved so much in her life, a successful local businesswoman, owning property including the County Hotel and the small newsagent below - Westover News.

On the death of her husband she decided to raise money for a scanner for Poole Hospital. With her indomitable spirit, energy and enthusiasm she managed to raise over £3 million pounds and was able to purchase not one but two body scanners for Poole Hospital. Mrs Lewis-Manning wanted a hospice to be set up in her home and went about putting plans in place.

Unfortunately she became unwell before she saw her vision become a reality. She died in 1987 and left her home at 1 Crichel Mount Road to 3 trustees of what was to become The Lewis-Manning Cancer Trust. Some 4 years later in 1992 the House was opened for the first local people who were living with cancer and who needed specialist palliative care provided.

Last year our 10th anniversary was marked in many special ways,amongst other things a visit from HRH The Duchess of Gloucester, and a service of thanksgiving for the ten years o f Lewis-Manning House and for its benefactor, Mrs Lewis-Manning.

This specialist palliative care centre offers: day care for people living with cancer and other life threatening illnessesespecially motor neurone disease; including: advice and specialist support for patients and their carers: pain and symptom control management; physiotherapy and rehabilitation; creative arts therapy: aromatherapy: a lymphoedema clinic... a breathlessness clinic ...- an education service for health care professionals.

Over 600 local people a year are supported by Lewis-Manning House and we are helped by over 240 local people who act as volunteers in all different aspects o f the House and its work. All services are free.

We receive approximately 30% of our funding from the health authority, via the local primary care trust, but the rest - over (30,000 per month - has to be found from other sources, fundraising, our 4 charity shops, our own hospice lottery and above all legacies. For further information please telephone 01202 708470.

Elizabeth Purcell. Chief Executive."