Molly Poulter (Bedford College, History 1952-1955), has had her first novel, 'A Tortuous Path' published recently. Molly participated in the Bedford Alumni Writer’s Evening. We caught up with her to find out more about her novel, and her time at Bedford College.
Molly Poulter at her book launch
Molly has had an incredibly varied career since leaving Bedford College. She undertook a Postgraduate Diploma in Archive Administration at University College, London (1956). Following this, she worked in the India Office Library as archivist in charge of the European Manuscript Collection relating to the British in India from 1603-1947.
‘I was the first archivist there, and a huge collection of manuscripts was waiting to be sorted and catalogued. Governors-Generals of India had been allowed to keep their private archives when they went back to England. In stately homes across England and Scotland were huge collections of semi-official archives. The then Librarian, Stanley Sutton, wrote to their descendants asking if they would consider depositing their archives on permanent loan in the Library. The response was amazing and I was faced with boxes and boxes of manuscripts to sort and list – papers of such people as Lord Elgin and Lord Curzon and a huge collection of the papers of Robert Lord Clive. It was a wonderful job, where I made many friends.’
Molly stayed in the role for seven years and left to have her first child.
She then started a pre-school playgroup, a baby-sitting club, ran a horse show for several years, and started a parish magazine. In 1968, Molly started running several courses at Gillingham Adult Education Centre, including an O Level course in English. Molly goes on to say, ‘then, because I needed a new carpet, I started teaching part time in a secondary modern school in Chatham. It soon became full time, and I stayed there for eleven years during which time I did an MA in Education. I left to become the Appeal Organiser for a hospice project in Maidstone, and in 1991 The Heart of Kent Hospice was opened.’ Molly has been writing since she was a child and was the local correspondent for the Kent Messenger and reported events in seven local villages for many years. However, it was her time working in the hospice that gave her the inspiration to write her novel.
Commenting on her time as the appeal organiser, Molly said ‘It took seven years to raise the £1.5 million needed to build it [the hospice]. I set up some twenty local fund raising groups and I wrote a little book, Building the Heart of Kent Hospice, to commemorate all those who had helped raise the money. I received the British Empire Medal in 2019, for services to the community in Maidstone, Kent….
…in about 2013 I started writing my novel – A Tortuous Path. The idea was triggered by an item in the news that reported that an ‘ordinary’ primary school teacher had been arrested and convicted of terrorism. None of his fellow teachers had the slightest suspicion that he was a terrorist.
This, plus my hospice experience and my life experiences, were the foundations of my novel.’
Of her time at Bedford, Molly says, ‘I have fond memories of my time there (1952- 1955). I was in residence for all three years at Linsdell Hall and formed friendships that last till this day. We dined formally and sat at tables of eight. The eight who found themselves together that first night stayed together throughout the three years we were at Bedford, and we still remain in touch.
It was a time not only of study but of wider education. We went to theatres, concerts, visited museums and indulged in sports. I rowed and captained the Bedford College boat team. Some highlights from our years there were the Annual Balls, the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth when a group of us stayed on the pavement on the Mall all night, and the visit of the Queen Mother to Bedford College.’
You can purchase a copy of ‘A Tortuous Path’ from all good bookshops.
