IT is with great sadness I learn that Tauntons College in Hill Lane is to be demolished and replaced with a new hitech complex to house more students and all their commodities in the modern age.

This elegant building was originally the Southampton Grammar School for Girls, built in the 1930s and orchestrated by Miss A M Platt, the headmistress to be the perfect school for girls.

I passed the 11+ examination in 1947 and spent many happy years there. What I learned there moulded my life and I have always felt very proud of the school and the education I received.

I belong to the Old Grammarians and we meet yearly at the school.

We all have good memories of our time there and last year we all contributed to a plaque stating that the building was originally the Girls Grammar School and was promised to be installed in the entrance hall on our behalf in 2008.

Of course this will never happen now that plans are in place for demolition.

Miss Platt will probably turn in her grave when this happens and so very many of us old girls will shed a tear.

MRS P HUMPHREY, Millbrook, Southampton.