Priory Lodge (Nainital)

India / Uttaranchal / Naini Tal / Nainital
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These are the burnt remains of a beautiful house (Priory Lodge) in which I spent my early years, the best of my life. My father Shukdeo Pant, mother Gaura Pant Shivani and three sisters - Veena Joshi, Mrinal Pande and Ira Pande (maiden name Pant for all) lived here from 1958-1964 and 1966-1968. It was a beautiful house, dating back to British times. Our neighbours were the Sah family in Durga Nivas. Muktesh Pant (Micky) now living in Dallas, TX
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shivani
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Coordinates:   29°23'21"N   79°26'55"E

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  • Frederick John Lay; born Oxford, England 1868, traveled to Nainital to take up a position as assistant schoolmaster. A press cutting in his diary reads: MR ELLIOT'S SCHOOL FOR BOYS, Re-opened at "The Priory," Naini Tal on 2nd Feb 1891 Pupils prepared for the Entrance Examination of the Calcutta University and the High Standard under the Code. Terms Rs 25 per mensem, a reduction is made for brothers. For prospectus apply to the PRINCIPAL "The Priory," Naini Tal (01258---t-t). F. J. Lay (who would have been my great uncle) arrived at The Priory Wednesday April 8th 1891 having departed from Liverpool on SS Branksome Hall Tuesday March 10th same year. He died of cholera at The Priory May 18th 1892 aged 24 having been in India just over a year. Andrew OakLay.
  • Wow! Just saw this. 'The Priory' was next to 'Priory Lodge' and was owned by Mr Madan Lal Sah, a banker in Nainital. I used to play there as a kid in the 60s. The house is still intact though a bit dilapidated, in the old days there were remains of two swimming pools, we used to walk around in the dry trenches. The school would explain why there were pools, we used to wonder. The Priory has a nice view of Nainital Lake. Its a beautiful part of the Hills.
  • My dad Bhagwant Rai Bhaskar who had served as the director of European (English Schools) in Nainital post independence was instrumental in shifting the education office to Priory Lodge. My fondest childhood memories from mid fiftees include of yachts sailing in shimmering lake waters as observed from the upper floor of Priory Lodge. Priory Lodge had a large inverted heart-shaped front lawn.
  • I remember the name Bhaskar as being our predecessor in Priory Lodge! What a small world.
  • Do you have a photo of the Priory or more information abouit i, please. I'm interested in the period around 1923 when a Mr M Warwick lived there.
This article was last modified 18 years ago