1951 – History of the School

History of the School

As it appeared then. About 1912.

I may say that I commenced my teaching at the School when it was first opened in September, 1910. The aim of those who started the School was to give a sound education in the usual subjects strongly biased on the craft and technical side.

In fairness, I think that the credit of founding the School should be given to the late Mr. W. L. Randall, Headmaster of Brimscombe Polytechnic, whose idea it was. Prior to the building of the School at Downfield much of the experimental. work on running the School was carried out at the Polytechnic. The County Education Committee gave it their full approval and blessing, in fact Mr. W. H. Household, the Secretary, was always a friend of the School, which he encouraged as long as he remained.

The School actually gained a gold medal in 1908 at the Franco British Exhibition at the White City for general work, before its opening at Downfield. Its home was Brimscombe but it had already its own identity as the Stroud and District Craft School, There was a parallel section in Lansdown Hall, where Mr. Brierly and Mr, Roberts taught the academic subjects. Some boys travelled to Brimscombe on the railcar twice a week, but a great many walked ! Other woodwork centres were opened about the same time, but only ours taught the full range of subjects.

In September, 1910, then came the opening, when Mr. S. Brieriy was Head, with Mr. H. R. Roberts as his Assistant, the two sharing all academic work. On the craft side Mr. Messenger was in charge of Metalwork, I myself the Woodwork. Associated with these, lessons were given on Tools, Materials and Technical Drawing. I have given the name of the School already; our boys came from within a radius, roughly, of five miles of Stroud.

About 1912 when Mr. Brierily left for a new appointment in Huddersfield, Mr. Roberts succeeded him. About this time, the late Mr. Lorryman and Mr. Mossman were appointed as Assistants, the former teaching Art as his special subject*

In 1912-13, the School had a strong Rugger XVI which won the Cup given by Stroud R.F.C. in competition with other Schools of the District. Eight players were selected by the local committee to represent Stroud in matches with teams of Gloucester and Cheltenham. Here are a few names I can recall-J. Walker, J. Reynolds (London Road), J. Smith, L. and B. Duxberry, Swaine, Sid Brews, runner-up in the Open Golf Championship and many times Champion of S. Africa, J. Philpotts, Wheeler. A. Lampard and W. Lavis. The School has always shown a good Soccer team. In those early days, the District matches always produced the greatest interest. Rivalry was keen and no quarter was asked or given. I still read, with pleasure, the accounts of Stroud's current games. In 1913 Mr. R. H. Robinson began his long connection when Mr. Messenger left to teach in Poole. The numbers were about 100 when we opened ; if my memory serves, the following appeared then-P. Bishop, T. Austin, our present friend and milk contractor Ted Wheeler " The Mayor of Paganhill," K. and A. May, T. Wallace, L. Wiseman. W. R. Acklam. A. Scarlett and H. Ridler. One forgotten hero set a bench on fire with phosphorus; another, who was not completely at ease in School, went so far as to admit that School would have been all right if only " they'd had some 'osses." May I end by pointing out to the authorities that the criticism still holds good-forty years later. Not one horse has ever been provided.

Then in 1914-18 came a most trying period, with constant changes of Staff. Mr. Wilkinson was killed. Many Old Boys served, although the School was so young then. ft was very gratifying that so many, on their scanty spells of leave, found time to visit us. Good fellows-Alas, some never returned, but still we have happy memories of their School life.

At this time we used the main block of three class rooms and the Head's office with the old red brick workshop block, but no connecting passage or changing rooms. The present woodwork room on the first floor was a Science lab, and the other a weaving room, The old dining hall existed, but it was extended once to form our present kitchen. The hours were 9-1 and 2-4.

H. A. CLARKE.

1922.

The Stroud Boys' Central School opened on January 9th 1922 just one year old. Stanley White had now reached Form II; Jack Sollars, present News Editor of the Stroud Journal, was in Form I, but we had to wait until April to welcome Stanley Marchant and Christopher Stagg, father of our present Colin. Laurie Lee, the poet, was only a lad of seven years old so did not become a Central School Boy until three and a half years later ; little Harry Cooke was a toddler of three years old. He was prattling well even then.

The School consisted of the two main red brick buildings, with no connecting corridor, but near the railway was a small corrugated iron shed which is now only a small part of the present Kitchen.

Our morning service was held in Rooms 2 and 3, with the screen folded back to make our only School Hall. The Prefects had the job of opening the screen for assembly and closing it after, for school lessons to begin. It was curious how often the screen stuck halfway across on those mornings when the top Form had Maths, as first lesson.

The piano, to flatter it by that name, remained just inside the door of Room 2 ready for the opening hymn. All singing lessons were therefore given in Room 2, much to the annoyance of Room 3, and to a lesser extent of Room I.

To those musically inclined, it is interesting to recall that the pianist who started at top C, to play down the scale, would omit bottom C and play the next note below (B) in its place. to give even an approximate octave.

Later in the year, I started a scheme to sell mugs of lemonade in Summer and of cocoa, in Winter at 1/2d. per mug, this being the backbone of a Piano Fund which eventually bought our present piano. Our only field was the patch between the workshop and the orchard, spoiled by a great hollow in the middle.

The space between the Staff Room and the Railway, now occupied by the Canteen and Rooms 4 and 5, was then used as House gardens- The rectangle was divided by paths into four approximately equal parts where a few stalwarts from each House produced the kindly fruits of the earth each in due season. The sundial completed in 1921 by boys in the School, held pride of place in the garden.

In April, 1922, there were 178 boys on the register but by December only 133 remained. Mr. G. F. Hall, the Head-master had five men teachers and one lady. Miss French. The Staff and Mr. Hartley, the Caretaker, were greatly assisted by the five Prefects, who represented each House under the Senior Prefect. It was the finest Prefects' system which I have ever seen ill a. School, whatever its size or type. This is the start of a typical day in 1922. Boys were playing in the playground, the Headmaster and the Staff were respectively in the same rooms as now. The Prefects are busy pushing the screen back in Room 2. At time correct time-the clock behaved better then-the Prefect on duty blows the whistle;

all noise and bustle in the playground ceases as if by magic ! On the second whistle, all boys quickly and silently fall in by Houses, outside the Metalwork shop. Each House Prefect inspects his House for general neatness and notes the names of delinquents. After his quick inspection he gives the command " Stand at Ease " before he reports to the Head Prefect who has been standing aloof meanwhile. When the last House Prefect has reported, the Head Prefect orders the School to attention and then by Houses they enter School quietly. The view of this ceremony from tlie Staff R.oom window gave us a memorable example of true discipline. In the " Hall " of Rooms 2 and 3, the School is assembled in perfect silence, before the Staff appear for the first time. Finally the Head walks in and the service opens. Visitors to the School were always impressed by the Prefects' running of the School. In fact special mention was made of this system by H.M. Inspectors in the report made after a general inspection two years later.

The main holidays then were shorter than now, but there were frequent " occasional holidays." For example, term began on the 9th January. 1922 but the School was closed from the 27th January to 13th February for an influenza epidemic.

On February 28th the School was closed for the wedding of H.R.H. Princess Mary. 2nd March was a half-day holiday for the annual Scripture examination, and at Whitsun we always had a week's break. Another closure was in July when Princess Alice came to Stroud to open officially the Stroud Hospital Memorial Wing. 1922 saw the first Annual Sports Day-a tremendous experiment. As our own field was unsuitable in size and surface, we were kindly lent Messrs. Holloway's Sports Field. This was most convenient as it was opposite our gate, so we continued to use it for Annual Sports until the Girls' Central School was built there. The first meeting attracted about 300-400 parents and friends. The prizes were useful articles, to purchase which from the tradesmen of Stroud fell to me, Watches, cameras, fishing rods. workshop tools and pen-knives are some of the articles that come to mind. With the original programme before me I note that there were 21 events and an Interval. Drake House won the Junior Relay, or Flag Race as it was then called, but the Senior Relay went to Arnold. C. Stagg was second in the Junior High Jump whilst the Minchinhampton boy Douglas Brews, the youngest of the great golfing family of whom Sid was most successful when he was runner up to Henry Cotton in the Open, won tile Senior Obstacle Race being second in the Senior Potato Race and 440 Handicap.

In 1922 also the Margetson Cup was presented for the first time, to Scott House under Miss V. French. Then there was-" What's that Mr. Editor? " No room for more. I've only just started.

But how fresh it seems although nearly thirty years have passed ! Let us express the wish that 1952 will be another epoch making year in the life of our School.

T.V.P.

1932.

And what of 1932 ? First the day began earlier. Those boys who lived in the Chalford Valley arrived at 8.15 by rail-car having left their homes at Oakridge about 7.30, France Lynch 7,45 and Minchinhampton 7.40. I often used to heal-the latter running through Burleigh before daylight on dull December mornings The day began with a short P.T. period in the yard with Mr. Perry who posted himself on the flat roof of the Caretaker's stokehole. After assembly in what is now the kitchen the forms separated ; Mr, Pratt and myself occupy the same rooms still. But English then followed the P.N.E.U. system by which everything which the classes read was narrated in writing or orally. If the latter the room was inevitably noisy because about ten boys spoke at once continuously. One book had to serve four boys who sat facing in to form a square. The leader gave directions as to who should read and who narrate. Odd as it now seems the system at least produced fluency. But most boys could narrate accurately what had been read without in the least grasping the main points or even the general gist.

There was no milk at break nor Canteen lunch. Sand-wiches were the order of the day. The lunch period was then devoted to games if the weather allowed and sixty boys usually played football.

The afternoon began with a spelling test-ten words were set to be learned each day and tested on the following. Organised games were Rugger; each House had one side only as the total was less than forty. I recall that the first game I saw Scott play was a heavy defeat. John Hammond 6ft. 2ins. and soon to join the Grenadiers just trampled over Scott whose plucky little full back A. Curtis simply could not catch him or stop him. Since then Curtis has given his proofs at Fromehall Park but on that day he had no chance. So I think our House Matches are better. Even Sawyer never dominated a game as a few big boys did in 1932. Many House Matches in fact were a farce for that reason.

School ended at four o'clock but the Chalford Valley boys stayed on the field playing football again until they had to run for the railcar about 4.40. Those from Oakridge Frampton, Mansell and Minchinhampton arrived home about 5.30. Except that is Charlie Godwin who lived at Hampton Fields; he, lucky man, went home in majestic solitude by bus under a special dispensation. The Frampton boys all had to cycle which they did most gallantly. Their attendance was good, in fact Alec Franklin (1936-1940) was not absent once. 'Even during the severe frost of January to March, 1940 He cycled about sixteen thousand miles in that period. School matches were not however Rugger but Soccer. They were very rare perhaps two each term. Teams were picked at four o'clock on the day before the game. I have never seen so much pushing as in the lirst I saw which was played on the small field since there were only Rugger posts beside the Canal.

Swimming continued until mid-October in the indoor bath in Bath Street. The standard of Mr. Perry's teams was ex-cellent, a tribute to his keenness and the advantages of at-tending a small bath of really warm water. The season 1932 was marred by the death of Hutton from a septic infection due to bathing in foul water in Wallbridge Lock. The cross country runs of that period were heartily hated but produced some good performances. The last winner was I believe Clifford Smith, a good swimmer too, with Jackie Harmer the last but one. The latter won well over long distances in the Army and can skip about Oldcnds Lane ground at a fail pace still. As a boy he was very small and only player! for the School oc-casionally.

Now may I come to the Staff? Mr. Riley, Mr. Perry, Mr. Pratt, Mr. Gething, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Clarke and myself. Mr. Robinson drove the famous Jowctt but it will surprise readers to know that Mr, Pratt had not yet bought the Hillman which is wrongly supposed to be as old as he is. He lived in Stratford Road and drove a blue Austin, Mr. Robinson carried the respect of the rest of the Staff at every Stall meet-ing. At five he used to stand, collect his hat and say " Sorry I have to go. Goodnight gentlemen." This with a bright smile! How we all wished we were brave too. Mr, Barrett also hated Staff Meetings and used to break in as if by accident to sweep the Staff room.

The Governors used to visit us every month to check the registers so we got to know Lady Marling, Mr. Orlando Pearce and Mr. G. Waller as well as Mr. W. Thompson and Mr. F. E. Wake. It was apparently an order of the Ministry that on Friday afternoon the register should not be closed and the weeklv Figures calculated until a certain moment. Mr. Perry was almost certain to be caught by his Headmaster for having closed his too soon, as he had a free period then. No error had been made, but it was felt that if a boy died before the critical moment a very awkward situation would develop. Fortunately for Mr. Perry no fatalities occurred.

Finally I must retell an anecdote which always makes me smile. Master H. Davies of Stonehouse escaped from School, after a P.T. period in which he had justifiably received a detention, via Cainscross Road to the Halt. I however went to the Halt via the field and met the fugitive whom I brought back to School. In his haste in the changing room, or perhaps as a disguise to baffle me, he was wearing his boots on the wrong feet. Thank you. Master Davies.

THE SCHOOL IN 1941

It has been suggested that undoubtedly the keynote of life in School during the War years was improvisation. Rack my brains as I will. however, I cannot find that the numerous devices to which we were obliged to resort loomed large enough to make anyone complain that work could not be done or games could not be played in the conditions which prevailed.

Yet improvisations there were. It will, perhaps, come as something of a shock to the boys of the present School to read that in 1941 the click of knitting needles could have been heard during the lunch hour in the Staff Room. Allay your fears, however ! This pastime was the mode of relaxation adopted by certain lady members of Staff who had to be imported to fill the gaps left by the men. How gallantly Staff and boys put up with us! It must have been disappointing to the boys to find academic subjects taken, in some cases, by women but when eventually it became necessary for a woman to take P.T.. as it was known then, that surely, one would have thought, would be the last straw. But, no, the boys of 1941 put up with it as one of the inevitable consequences of War and took it in their stride as casually as they had taken all the other inconveniences such as carrying gas masks daily, digging shelters-and diving into them as merrily as the Troglodytes on the banks of the Nile.

What amusement that word " Troglodyte " caused. It was Mr. Elliott's favourite epithet for my buy behaving in what the* Head considered an uncivilised manner and the boys considered it very apt. Like all intelligent buys they had a keen sense of humour and took a great delight in fun of the right sort. Their nicknames for one another-and us-caused many a merry moment. It would perhaps be unwise to remind readers of their pseudonyms but I can still picture Tarzan when he was given his name-a smaller, quieter boy never entered the School, Fire drill and taking refuge in Air Raid Shelters became a matter of routine and great was our sense of achievement when we could clear the school entirely in two minutes. Fire watching on the part of the Staff is something I long to forget, No-one could have been more alert than I during those hours of vigilance for mice kept roc in a state of panic. All the bombers and Messcrsclhmidts in the German Luftwaffe held less terror for me than those mice. This is my only complaint against the male Staff of the School at that time. They failed completely to understand my fears!

But to return to those improvisations. Black-out brought an end to School Clubs except for the Model Aircraft group who produced some .excellent work in their leisure moments and a small drama group who delighted the School in very make-shift conditions with such plays as "Thread O'Scarlet " and " Robin Hood " by Alfred Noyes. The scenery produced by Timpson and others for the latter was a work of art and most effective. Inter-School matches were impossible as no transport was available, but inter-House activities went on as keenly as ever and one House Mistress who felt that she could not coach her teams to Cock House standards decided to use feminine wiles and resorted to bribery, namely an ice-cream wafer, from the vendor who appeared at the School gate in Beards Lane each day during the Summer, lor each member of the team after every successful cricket fixture. Arnold House did very well that season !

But one could fill the pages or this magazine with School memories of the mingling of Cockney and Gloucestershire accents, the result of a small influx of evacuees-of the frequent visits to the School of Old Boys in Service uniform-of the excitement when an Old Boy escaped from a German prison camp and after numerous adventures arrived at School to stir the boys with the story of his adventures and Anally-I hope he will forgive me-of Mr. H. Clarke whose fatherly kindness and wise counsel seemed to pervade the School and to whom we all looked for advice.

In all sincerity I can say that to have taught in the Boys' Central School, as it was known then, is an experience for which I am more than grateful and to which I look back with the happiest memories.

I. CLARKE.