Maureen Lipman films TV doc at her old Hull school
SHE grew up in Hull, spending her schooldays studying at Newland School for Girls.
And now Maureen Lipman has returned to the school for a reunion as part of a documentary about memory.
Mrs Lipman met up with 20 of her former classmates at the Cottingham Road school, for a four-hour reunion.
They spent time looking over old class photographs and reminiscing about their time at Newland High School, as it was known back then.
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She said: "I asked the girls if I was as obnoxious as I remember being.
"They have reassured me I was funny and got away with murder."
Mrs Lipman was in the class of 1957 at the school and remembers rules the girls had to abide by and the strict dress code.
BBC cameramen filmed the former pupils as they recalled their time at school.
Mrs Lipman said: "I wanted to make it because my memory is slightly rocky and my father lost his, so I'm very interested in it.
"The idea is, do we all have the same memory? Or does time distort your memory."
Mrs Lipman was greeted by current girls from the school, who filled her in on how it has changed.
The school is undergoing refurbishment under Building Schools for the Future (BSF) scheme and pupils are at Sir Henry Cooper for a year while work is carried out.
Mrs Lipman said: "When we all meet up, which we did last for the 45th anniversary in 1997, it's as if not a day has passed.
"We pick up where we left off and we remember all the same things and talk about the same things."
After leaving Hull, Mrs Lipman went on to a hugely successful career in theatre, television and radio.
She was awarded the Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Comedy Performance in 1985 for See How They Run, given an honorary doctorate from the University of Hull in 1994 and made a CBE in 1999.
Angela Martinson, head teacher at Newland School for Girls, said: "She is wonderful. She is and has been such a great ambassador for the school and for Hull.
"They decided they wanted Maureen for the programme in order to evoke memories.
"So they brought her back to the school.
"They have had a whale of a time.
"It is really exciting. The disappointing thing for us is the school is in a state of refurbishment but Sewell's have been fantastic in making sure we could access it.
"It has been wonderful. All the old girls talk about the green tiles and are surprised they are still here.
"Not only are they still here, but they are being refurbished and are staying."
The reunion was started by the Newland choir singing the school's song, City Of Light.
Mrs Martinson said: "The ladies all joined in and Maureen seemed quite tearful."
Comments
by doingmybest
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 7:09PM
“I went there many moons ago, couldn't wait to leave, horrible place! I hope it's changed now.”
by Telkom
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 2:16AM
“Yet another has been C grade actress strutting her stuff for one last TV payday. Pathetic. Let's have some proper news HDM !”
by AnitaD
Monday, October 15 2012, 10:44PM
“I went to Newland High in the last year before it became comprehensive and I loved it, I really hope the old building retains original features and character.....and yet the green tiles are part of its tradition.”
by steveodore
Monday, October 15 2012, 7:12PM
“I've always quite fancied Maureen. She's well old enough to be my mother but there's something about her.”
by meldrewvic
Monday, October 15 2012, 3:23PM
“She is not MRS Lipman. That is her single name - ie she was Maureen Lipman when she attended Newland High School (as it was in those days). She subsequently married Jack Rosenthal becoming MRS Rosenthal. Otherwise if HDM chooses to use Lipman it should be Miss Lipman.”
by jonmf1
Monday, October 15 2012, 9:54AM
“Would she have returned to the school for the reunion if there were no cameras present?”
by Just1bloke
Monday, October 15 2012, 8:53AM
“Why is the camera guy in the second photo wearing a stab vest..... its not that rough....”