Avril Bevins (nee Sidney), 1931-2025

Avril was born in 1931 in Cheam, South London, and started at The Lady Eleanor Holles School in the Autumn term 1946 through to the Summer term 1950. Although she was a little shy at first, she gained confidence throughout that time. 

Avril clearly enjoyed her time at LEH and kept all her school reports. She joined the Holly Club after leaving LEH. This photo of Avril attending the Reunion Luncheon at the Waldorf Hotel in 1953 was featured on the front cover of the Alumnae News magazine in 2011. Avril kept the magazine carefully in her meticulous collection of papers and mementos, along with the broach she is pictured wearing.

After 1950, Avril went to Bath Domestic Science College and achieved the qualification of the Institutional Management Association, as well as being in the 1st VII at Netball.  

She joined BOAC, British Overseas Airways Corporation, the state owned airline which was the forerunner of British Airways, where she met her beloved husband Alan in the early 1960s. The couple were married in 1962, celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary a couple of years ago. Avril leaves two children and two grandchildren.

Later in life Avril demonstrated her kindness and willingness to help others by volunteering to work with youth organisations and sporting groups, including a lifelong dedication to Girl Guides, graduating from being a young member, through to Guide leader and then helping out as an adult volunteer, participating in Formation Ballroom Dancing. 

Avril also put her organisational skills to great use, playing an active role in the Committee of the British Gymnastics Southern Region when her daughter Karen was a member of the local Club.

Avril and Alan emigrated to New Zealand in 1997, where she took up lawn bowling, graduated to umpire and was a long-time committee member and president of the local Bowls Club, as well as a working as a volunteer for the St John Ambulance Pet Therapy Service, visiting hospitals and rest homes with the family dogs to bring comfort to the residents.

Avril died on 12 January 2025 after a short period of treatment for an aggressive form of cancer. She will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew her. Our thoughts are with her family.