6 days ago
Name blame game leaves old school in doghouse
I f something is failing — whether a car company or a political party — the first instinct of its new leader is 'Let's rebrand'. So I understand why the incoming head of my children's old state primary has changed its name, but I'm still inexplicably sad.
Dog Kennel Hill School is not just a memorable name, it anchored generations of children to the neighbourhood's history, when southeast London was all fields and orchards stretching down to Kent. The kennels at the foot of the hill were for hunting hounds owned by the husband of Queen Anne, Prince George of Denmark, and were only demolished in 1908. Besides, as you can imagine, kids loved the quirky name and the cute doggy logo on their book bags.
