‘Once you have worked hard you will never have to again’

Mrs. T makes her mark on new school's wall

As most people were winding down for the weekend Finchley's MP Margaret Thatcher was busy with a long list of local public engagements.

Over 200 people, some from as far away as New Zealand, were dressed to the nines to welcome Mrs Thatcher to the annual Finchley and Friern Barnet Conservative Women's Committee Lunch at The Firs in Winchmore Hill.

One diner told Mrs Thatcher she had come from Richmond, choosing lunch with the PM to seeing the Queen open Richmond's new water-front complex.

After a three-course meal, The group's chairman Sue Thurlow proposed a toast to the Conservative Party.

She congratulated Mrs Thatcher on a “truly magnificient conference speech” and praised Mrs Thatcher's courage as a “shining example” to everyone.

Mrs Thatcher highlighted the need to return Conservative representatives to the European Parliament and stressed the importance of the nuclear deterrent.

“Hope is not a good defence for freedom and justice. One mistake now could put our freedom in jeopardy,” she said.

A standing ovation marked the end of the speech and Mrs Thatcher left by Daimler to attend a Church End, Finchley engagement.

She was greeted by over 30 primary school children and the Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Don Goodman.

Everyone was warned to bring wellies to the stone-laying ceremony in the Dollis Park site for the new St. Mary's School. Luckily it hadn't rained but sensibly, Mrs Thatcher put on her “reserve” shoes to tackle the job.

Chairman of the school's governors Dr John Harvey thanked Mrs Thatcher for her support in helping fund the new school.

Mrs Thatcher said: “I remember my first school and the things I learnt. I remember the names of every teacher in my primary school.”

All the children gathered before Mrs. Thatcher were told “to work hard because once you have done that you will never have to do it again.

“We were taught at my school to do all the good we could to as many people as we could in as many places as we could and always to do our best.”

Tony Henry, site manager for the builders, directed Mrs Thatcher to the commemorative stone which was lowered into place on a partly-built wall with the Prime Minister's help.

The wall will eventually form part of the main entrance to the new hightech primary school, designed as a mainly single-storey building to accommodate 420 children.

The stone firmly in place, eight-year-old pupil Tagbo Ilozue presented a bouquet to Mrs Thatcher.

All of the children were excited at the prospect of moving from Hendon Lane into the new school premises in 1990 for the beginning of the summer term.

After a chat to parents and pupils, Mrs Thatcher popped on her patent shoes, signalling the move to her next visit.

This time she was the guest of honour at a one-day exhibition staged by Lee Valley Water Company in Friern Barnet County School in Hemington Avenue, Friern Barnet.

Mrs Thatcher showed interest in advanced equipment used by the company to streamline its supply of water to North Finchley, Arkley and Barnet.