On this stage and in the body of this hall, there will, be for many years - fetes, functions, prize-givings and theatrical performances, which will unite the school in a way in which it could not otherwise be united."

Rev. Father N. Dennis, S. J., voiced the thanks of the Catholics of Bournemouth to the Religious of the Cross for the work of education they have done. "The presence of so many past pupils today is a remarkable crown to their achievement. I think we all owe the sisters a very great debt of gratitude, not only for the quantity of their work but also for the standard."

On behalf of Reverend Mother, Father Dennis thanked Mr. G. Sutcliffe, of Stewart & Sutcliffe, the architect, and Mr. H. J. Hillman, the builder, for their co-operation in the building of the hall. The official opening was indeed impressive, but the ceremony would have meant far less to everyone connected with the Convent, had not Mr. S, Childs, former Education Officer of Bournemouth, introduced a more intimate note by his references to Reverend Mother Kelly, R. I. P.

Mr. Childs reminded us, "This is a memorial hall to the late Reverend Mother Kelly. It is a lovely hall, beautiful and dignified in appearance and will add enormously to the amenities of the school.

I can see in the future, the school constantly making increased use of the facilities which it offers - facilities which I think have been missed greatly in years past. It will give a great deal of pleasure to all members of the community.

It is a memorial, and a worthy memorial, to the late Reverend Mother, but it seems in a way an anomaly, because it is a material memorial to someone who to most of us needs no material memorial at all.

The late Reverend Mother lives, and will continue to live, in the minds and hearts of most of us in this hall, and to hundreds of people outside, not merely on account of what she did but of what she was. She was a great and very gracious personality and she seemed to me to carry about with her wherever she went a touch of that `peace which passeth understanding.'

I knew her only officially, but I knew her to my great comfort, because she was a constant reminder that the things of this world are not the most valuable in life.

As I speak to you, I wonder if Reverend Mother can see and hear what we are doing this afternoon. If she can, she will be very greatly surprised - she may even be shocked because chief among her characteristics was her ignorance of her own worth, which is a mark of true greatness and she had true greatness to a very high degree.

She was the ruler and the servant of the Community, and what has been lost by her death is known by none more than the members of the Community.

This is a worthy memorial to a most worthy lady, but her real memorial, as I have said before, is in our minds and hearts and, certainly, as far as I am concerned, the memorial to her will always remain there."

Councillor McInnes thanked Mr. Nicolson for finding time to come and open the hall. It is interesting to record that on his return to London, Mr. Nicolson wrote to Reverend Mother Howe, " . . . I so much enjoyed myself on Saturday afternoon and must congratulate you upon the new Assembly Hall, which is a magnificent building."

The opening ceremony was followed by a Passion Play entitled "The Lord, of Death," by Margaret Alette de la Fuye. The lay was produced by Mother Potter and the costumes which were so tastefully chosen were made at the Convent under the direction of Mother Welstead, assisted by other members of the Community and by Mrs. R. Walsh, a past pupil.

Lighting effects and the extensive stage enhanced the general representation. The grouping was excellent and the acting sympathetic and convincing. As the Centurion and central figure, Claire Anderson held the audience by her complete identification of self with the part she played.

Equally impressive in a completely different role was Ines Lucantoni, as the sensitive Claudia Proculla. Benita Kent as Veronica and Monica Ennis as Gallus, were pleasing in their simplicity. The scenes in the home featuring Brennis (Cecilia Elgar) and her children were delightfully rendered, while mention must be made of the Jewish merchants (Diana Brownrigg and Anne Spicer), who brought humour into an essentially tense drama. The closing scene, in which Veronica unfolds the veil on which the countenance of Christ is imprinted, seemed a fitting climax for the first production in the Hall of a Convent of the Crops.

Invited guests, including the Chief Education Officer, Mr. W. R. Smedley and Mrs. Smedley, Mr. and Mrs. B. Rochford (London), Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Manning, and many others, were afterwards entertained to tea.

After the excitement of March, April was a comparatively quiet time, and at the end of Passion week, the last week-end of term, Father Paul Brassell, S.J., came to give a retreat to the senior pupils. When the instructions were completed all felt renewed in spirit and invigorated. The conclusion had its lighter side, for when the Retreat ended, Father Brassell became entertainer in the Assembly Hall, playing pieces at request on the grand-piano which now finds its place in the Hall.

MAY

This year, happily, the Feast of the Cross came during term time. In order that the whole Convent School might be present, Reverend Mother obtained permission from the Archbishop to have Mass in the Assembly Hall. An altar was placed on the stage and this enabled us to follow the actions of the priest more closely. Statues of the Sacred Heart and of the Immaculate Heart of Mary filled the niches on either side of the stage and an atmosphere of reverence prevailed.

Convent pupils and the Community filled the Hall proper and we were pleased that most of the pupils of Holy Cross School were also able to he present, as the balcony was reserved for them. Juniors and Seniors alike had learnt the Mass, and the Proper was sung by the Senior Choir. Father J. Baron, S. J., Parish Priest of Corpus Christi, sang the Mass. He also gave a most interesting instruction, explaining that it was appropriate that the first Mass in the Hall should be on the Feast of the Cross.

This Feast teaches us the meaning of life - Christ died that we might be saved; but He rose again and we shall rise also to a new life with the Risen Christ. Father Baron reminded us that at the Consecration of the Mass, Our Lord would really come among us. He asked us to pray especially for Reverend Mother Kelly, to whom the hall was a memorial, and for all the Nuns, last and present.

His concluding words were ones we shall not easily forget: "Remember, Christ has been in this hall as truly as He ,was in the stable or at the Last Supper. Whenever you come here, try to remember this and associate Him with all your activities."

Benediction was also given in the hall by our Chaplain, Father Weaver. The "Magnificat" was sung in thanksgiving for the Golden Jubilee of Religious Profession of Mother Welstead, the Mother Assistant, which was celebrated that day. Veneration of the relic of the true Cross and the singing of the Vexilla Regis were an impressive ending to a truly memorable Feast of the Cross.

On, May 19th, Ascension Day, many were delighted to see Reverend Mother Butler-Bowdon in Boscombe again. She came to be present at the First Holy Communion of Esme Popplewell, who had been a pupil with Reverend Mother during the war at Wottan-under-Edge and afterwards at Horndeen and Stakes. Esme was received into the Church by Father Weaver on May 18th. There was certainly no lack of Choral activities this term. Miss Gobell was asked to take a group of senior girls to form the choir at the Nuptial Mass at the wedding of Ann Wyatt, in the Sacred Heart Church, Fareham. They sang the "Gloria" as a motet, "Ave Maria" and "Panis Angelicus" and English hymns. After the! wedding, Miss Gebell and the singers were invited to join the guests at the Reception.