Identity area
Reference code
AR133
Title
Date(s)
- 1916 - 1982 (Creation)
Level of description
Collection
Extent and medium
1 box
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Although born in Essex, Eleanor Macdonald (1910 - 2004) lived in Croydon for most of her life and attended Woodford School. With her brother Ian, An accomplished fencer, she founded the Croydon School of Fencing on Wellesley Road in 1928 with her brother Ian and which took her to Paris where they worked on routines for stage and screen. The School of Fencing continued until 1939 when she volunteered for war duty. Her work in intelligence resulted in her being awarded an MBE. After the war she gained qualifications in business and rose to become the director of a number of Unilever group companies.
In 1969 she founded her own consultancy business, Women in Management, which encouraged women at all levels to learn techniques of effective management and self development. Her work earned her the OBE. Her autobiography, Nothing by Chance, was published in 1987. She lived at Mapledale Avenue and attended St Andrews parish church. Among her interests was the history of the theatre in Croydon. She never married.
Woodford School was a private day-school for girls. A few boarders were also taken. Boys were taught in the preparatory classes. The school originated in 1867, established by Miss Annie Waters, who was joined shortly afterwards by her sister, Jennie Waters. It was originally located in the family home at 9 George Street, Croydon; but in 1878 the family and school moved into a new house at 8 Dingwall Road. This was named Woodford House after the village of Woodford, Wilts, where the family originated. The school subsequently expanded into the two neighbouring houses, 7 and 9 Dingwall Road. The Misses Waters retired in 1900, and Miss AHB Walford became headmistress; she was succeeded in 1927 by Miss Mary Horsley, an old girl of the school, who had taught there since 1919. The name changed in 1916 from Woodford House School to Woodford School. The school went into decline during World War 2. The Senior School closed in 1942; and, after Mary Horsley died in 1945, the surviving Junior School also closed.
The Old Girls Association (WOGA) was established in March 1902. It went into abeyance during World War 2; and was wound up after the death of Miss Horsley, and the closure of the school, in 1945. It was revived in 1951 by Phyllis Fretwell (nee Densham) and Valerie Williams, who became joint secretaries. It established strong links with Mary Horsleys sisters, Misses Margaret and Gwendolen (Dee) Horsley: Margaret, who had been Secretary of the school, was elected President of WOGA. The Association was finally wound up in 1984.
Eleanor Macdonald founded the Croydon School of Fencing to ease her family financial situation. It was based at Wellesley House on Wellesley Road from 1928 until it was closed due to the Macdonalds war service in 1939. Eleanor and Ian Macdonald built up a national and international reputation in tournaments, exhibitions, consultants (including for motion pictures) and publications on fencing.
Repository
Archival history
Donor is the execurtor of Eleanor Macdonalds will..
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Accession Number: A778
Records of Eleanor Macdonald OBE
1) Report books of Eleanor MacDonald, Woodford School, 1916 - 1921; 1922.
2) Photographs of final luncheon of the Woodford Old Girls Association, 1984 and EMs report of the event.
3) Woodford School Old Girls Association, Members lists 1964, 1975, 1982 and newsletter Spring 1960, 1961 and 1963.
4) Scapbooks of Croydon School of Fencing, 1929 - 1933, 1933- 1938. Includes loose photographs.
The following material will be retained by the Local Studies Library (LSL):
1) The Woodfordian (magazine of Woodford School) nos. 19 - 44 (1920 - 1945). No 26 (1927) missing.
2) Rolled photograph of Woodford School, June 1925.
3) Printed ephemera (posters etc) relating to Croydon School of Fencing.
4) Theatre programmes:
1st production at Ashcroft Theatre with ticket (5 Nov 1962).
C.O.D.A 1960 - 1964
Croydon Rep. 1933 - 1938
Grand Theatre, 1929, 1936
Empire Palace, 1927- 1930
Davis Theatre, 1951, 1958
Fairfield Hall 1963 (Joan Sutherland), 1970 (Joyce Greenfall).
Addiscombe Dramatic Soc 1933
Croydon School of Acting 1936
Theatrical newspaper cuttings 1936
5) Typed notes of talks reflecting EMs interest in Croydons theatrical history
6) Obituary from The Times 01 March 2004 and Order of Service for EMs Memorial Service 29 April 2004.
Item date: 1916 - 1982
Administrative history: Although born in Essex, Eleanor Macdonald (1910 - 2004) lived in Croydon for most of her life and attended Woodford School. With her brother Ian, An accomplished fencer, she founded the Croydon School of Fencing in 1928 with her brother Ian and which continued until 1939 when she volunteered for war duty. She was awarded an MBE for her wartime intelligence work. After the war she gained qualifications in business and rose to become the director of a number of Unilever group companies.
In 1969 she founded her own consultancy business, Women in Management, which encouraged women at all levels to learn techniques of effective management and self development. Her work earned her the OBE. Her autobiography, Nothing by Chance, was published in 1987. She lived at Mapledale Avenue and attended St Andrews parish church. Among her interests was the history of the theatre in Croydon. She never married.
Custodial history: Donor is executor of Eleanor Macdonald.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
1) Report books of Eleanor MacDonald, Woodford School, 1916 - 1921; 1922.
2) Photographs of final luncheon of the Woodford Old Girls Association, 1984 and EMs report of the event.
3) Woodford School Old Girls Association, Members lists 1964, 1975, 1982 and newsletter Spring 1960, 1961 and 1963.
4) Scapbooks of Croydon School of Fencing, 1929 - 1933, 1933- 1938. Includes loose photographs.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Some of the records in our collections contain sensitive and personal data that we have a legal responsibility to control access to. In these circumstances, staff may search the collection on your behalf, having received consent or proof of death of the individual concerned.
Please contact us at archives@croydon.gov.uk for further information regarding the particular collection you wish to access.
You can make a request for information which may be in a closed record under the Freedom of Information Act, 2000 or the Environmental Information Regulations, 2004. For more information about making a request, see the Croydon Council website (www.croydon.gov.uk). Making a request does not guarantee access to the information you ask for, as there may be a valid exemption from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
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Description control area
Description identifier
GB-352-ar133
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
24/06/2015