YTS In Rochford 1980s

By Karen Johnson

In May 1984 I left school and I saw advertised in the job centre in Rayleigh a YTS secretarial course at Rocheway Centre at Rocheway, which course lasted a year.

I still remember my first day getting off the bus from Rayleigh and meeting so many young people like myself who were doing the same course. There were also courses in catering, horticulture, etc. I know there has been negative press about the YTS but I made some great friends and gained qualifications and when the course ended in 1985 I was so sad to leave. I remember the tutors Angela Gamble, Val Ansell, Mrs Chittock. Elaine Pavelin was the centre manager at Rocheway at the time.

During the summer of 1984 Val Ansell took myself and my friends in our group to Margate for the day and at the end of the day before coming home we had fish and chips. Happy days!

We also had a camping trip to Mersea with the students in the other courses and a good time was had by all.

If anyone was at Rocheway from May 1984 to May/June 1985 it would be lovely to hear from you. I can honestly say that that year was one of the best years of my life and since then and thanks to the qualifications I achieved I have been a secretary. My sincere thanks goes to all the tutors at Rocheway. I was sad to see recently that Rocheway had been knocked down for housing.

This page was added by Karen Johnson on 27/05/2022.

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