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On her tenth birthday, Margaret (Peggy) Nichols (nee White) listened as Winston Churchill announced the end of the Second World War in Europe. What followed was a day of celebration she would never forget, and one she still describes as “the best birthday I could have wished for.”

Just over a decade later, in 1956, Peggy began classes at the Edinburgh College of Domestic Science (now ����ӰԺ) at Atholl Crescent, which was a decision that would quietly shape the course of her life.

Nearly seven decades on, and as the University celebrates its 150th anniversary, her story offers a glimpse into the rich history and student experience that continue to shape ����ӰԺ today.

A journey to Edinburgh

Peggy arrived in Edinburgh in 1956, encouraged by a friend who had studied at ECDS before her. Until then, her life had been rooted in her family’s farm, where it was practical, industrious, and grounded in tradition.

Peggy, who was almost 21 at the time, was keen to build on her existing skills and knowledge. Her course was focused on housekeeping, covering needlework, cookery, household management, and cleaning, with a strong emphasis on culinary skills. Though Peggy had already developed many of these abilities growing up, her time at ECDS refined them.

When asked about her fondest memories, Peggy’s answer was immediate - the people. Part of a small class, Peggy made lifelong friendships during her time at ECDS. Many of Peggy’s peers shared similar rural upbringings, particularly as daughters of farmers. Their practical knowledge often came in handy, for example, Peggy recalls one student from the Shetland Isles being sent to demonstrate how to wash wool to classmates on a different course.

Beyond the classroom, Edinburgh opened up new experiences for Peggy. She attended performances by the Vienna Boys Choir, enjoyed Saturday morning coffees, and explored the city with distant relatives who introduced her to its cultural life. To support herself, she worked in the laundry room at The Waverley Hotel. With her savings, she hired a car with friends and travelled along Scotland’s north coast, all the way to John O’Groats.

After leaving Edinburgh, Peggy took on roles as a housekeeper and matron’s assistant in specialist schools, first in Scarborough and later in Rugby, using the skills she honed during her time at ECDS. It was during this chapter that she met her husband, Ray, who she married in 1960.

A life framed by history

Peggy’s life story is intertwined with some of the defining moments of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Born in 1935, Peggy’s early childhood was shaped by the realities of the Second World War. Growing up on her family’s farm in Thurlaston, Warwickshire, she remembers nights filled with fear as German bombers thundered overhead en route to nearby Coventry. For safety, Peggy and her older brother were instructed to sleep downstairs under the dining room table, in case their home was struck. Peggy said that the bombing “seemed endless”. The door was always left open for a quick exit.

Then came a moment of extraordinary joy. Peggy turned ten years old on VE Day (8 May 1945), remembering vividly how her family gathered around the radio at 3pm at her Grandad’s house to listen to the Prime Minister announce the end of the war in Europe. What followed was a day of celebration across her village, filled with laughter, singing and so much happiness.

Peggy said: “The village erupted. I can still see the joy on everyone’s faces. It was the best birthday I could have wished for.”

That powerful contrast from fear to celebration remains one of Peggy’s most vivid memories, and one that would come full circle many decades later.

Memories in the spotlight

Eighty years on, in 2025, coinciding with ����ӰԺ’s 150th anniversary, Peggy found herself at the heart of national commemorations once again, sharing her story with a new generation.

After reading about a commemorative event in the Daily Mail, Peggy told her daughters she would love to attend the VE Day 80^th anniversary celebrations at the Royal Albert Hall, the same day she would be turning 90 years old.

Her daughter Janet shared Peggy’s childhood memories with event organisers, who were so moved that they invited her to tell her story on stage. A journalist later featured Peggy in the national press, and her role in the event elevated her to a central figure in the evening’s celebrations.

Although initially apprehensive, those nerves quickly went away as soon as Peggy stood up to tell her story. After her address, the audience, led by presenters Dan Walker, Mylene Klass and Katherine Jenkins, sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to mark her 90th year, creating what she describes as “a truly memorable evening.”

Earlier that same day, Peggy had also attended a commemorative service at Westminster Abbey, seated just nineteen rows behind the Royal Family, a remarkable full-circle moment for someone whose childhood had been shaped by wartime Britain.

A lasting connection

Peggy still holds onto tangible reminders of her time at Atholl Crescent. She treasures her cookbooks and still wears her college scarf. Her white smocks and mop caps were passed on to another aspiring ECDS student, continuing a quiet tradition of learning and legacy.

Peggy is also a member of the St Margaret’s Chapel Guild in Edinburgh. Her fascinating 90^th birthday celebrations were featured in the July 2025 edition of the St Margaret’s Chapel Guild Newsletter, where they praised Peggy’s address at the Royal Albert Hall.

Though she didn’t attend her graduation, having moved away from Edinburgh, her connection to the University has clearly endured. From the classrooms of Atholl Crescent to the stage of the Royal Albert Hall, Peggy’s journey reflects the spirit of ����ӰԺ across 150 years - practical, people-focused, and profoundly impactful.

Peggy loves hearing about the achievements of students from her alma mater, both past and present, and hopes to make a visit to Edinburgh soon to visit ����ӰԺ at its Musselburgh campus.