School Log Books

School log books can prove interesting sources of local information. I have included only a selection of entries from some of the Wensleydale ones. They can provide details of students including age, d.o.b., guardianship, attainment; movements of families; details of local events, school incidents (often amusing), epidemics etc and of local customs. Redmire log book for instance, notes examples of students exempted from schoolwork in order to work for local employers, and notes of former students killed during WWI. Carperby log shows how parents illustrated their disapproval of a teacher. West Witton log reveals that some of the school students came from the villages of Redmire and Preston on the opposite side of the valley (in spite of the existence of closer schools at Redmire & Wensley). I assume they must have walked via the 'Monkey Bridge' across the river below Redmire and then up via Wanlass to West Witton ................... and the teacher was only prepared to tolerate late arrivals in winter so long as this was not after 9.15am !

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Hawes school 1880. Ident welcome.

Ad for a school at Hawes in 1791.

6th Feb 1874 (letter to Lord Wharncliffe)
My Lord
As secretary of the committee of Hawes National School which you have now so many years supported with a liberal subscription, I beg to enquire whether you will kindly instruct you new agent Mr Broderick to purform the part which Mr Allen has previously taken by your direction in this matter. By the new arrangement of course, our expences are considerably increased and there is a prospect when all that government requires is carried out, that they will be increased still further though we can hardly doubt that this increase of expense will be attended with an increase of school efficiency and a corresponing benefit to the poor for whom the school is designed.

31 Oct 1879 Northern Echo
Yesterday Mr GOOD one of Her Majesty’s inspectors for the Charity Commissioners, held an inquiry in the Grammar School Hawes. There was a large attendance – The Inspector stated that the object of the present inquiry was to ascertain what endowments existed and what improvements might be made in the management of the same. He only had been able  to find other two charities to inquire into, namely, Hawes Grammar School and Poor’s Close at High Abbotside. The parish of Aysgarth was of great extent being over twenty miles in length. The Hawes Grammar School was endowed, by deed dated November 27th 1764, by a sum of money subscribed by the inhabitants of Hawes. That sum was originally invested in the tolls of the Sedbusk turnpike roads. The whole income came to £10 per annum and was given to the master of the school to instruct five poor boys free. Mr LODGE of Askrigg, about thirty years ago, made a free gift to the school of 5s per year, as a fee farm rent, which sum had regularly been paid. The whole of the income at the present date was, from all sources, £18 A YEAR. The Inspector recommend that the real estate and the fund invested in stocks should be placed in the hands of the official trustees. He suggested that the trustees should sell the present Grammar School and buy land and erect a large school, with proper outbuildings. It was suggested that the present National School should be bought for this purpose, and after a long discussion about the appointment of the trustees to manage the Grammar School if it should obtain the premises of the National School it was finally settled that there should be the nine trustees of the Grammar School and the four trustees of the National to be ex officio trustees of the Grammar School.

(letter to Lord Wharncliffe)

Sedbusk May 14th 1875.
My Lord,
                We are going to build a place of worship and school, at Sedbusk, nr Hawes, Wensleydale, in which to preach the word of life to the people, and teach on the Lords day the rising youth the way to heaven.
                It is to cost nearly £200, towards which we have raised by trustees and a few other friends £60.
                The majority of the people in this place are poor and knowing that you ‘my Lord’ are a Land Proprietor to some considerable extent in this Dale, we are induced to make the apeal to you for help.
                I am also requested to ask your Lordship, to grant us permission to hold a tea festival ‘on the occation of the foundation stone laying’ in Hardraw Scarr. The very name of this far famed place will secure as a large gathering, and we trust a financial succes.
                I am my Lord your obedient servant, and in behalf of the trustees, and inhabitants of Sedbusk.

Thornton Rust once had a school to instruct as free scholars, all the children of Thornton Rust whose parents were not worth £500, and also 20 poor children of Aysgarth and Worton, founded by Mr. John Tomlinson. (Leeds Mercury. Sep 20 1878)

The population of Hurst according to the last Census taken March 30, 1851, is 339.
This has nothing to do with Marrick.
It only extends south to the Road which leads from Marrick Mill to Reeth and North to Mooredale-gill.
Children who ought to come or go to School, above four years of age and under 12, which is about the time they are taken from School to the Mines, in the said neighbourhood, are 68, but out of this number only 35 are at school upon an average.
There being no School-room in the neighbourhood; it is therefore taught in the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel which is kindly lent by that body of people for that purpose.
The teacher is R Blenkiron from Reeth.

His stipend is only small: £5 per annum is given to him by F Morley, Esqr., and other £5 by T Hutton, Esqr, but a certain number of Children is allowed to be taught free, the rest pay so much per quarter.

West Burton

This Indenture made the tenth day in the twenty second year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second by the Grace of God over Great Britain, France and Ireland King defender of the faith and so forth and in the year of oue Lord 1749 between Joseph Clarkson of Satronand Ann his wife and James Calrkson of Satron son heir of ann the wife of the sd Joseph Clarkson on the one part, and Robert Handley of Burton in the parish of Aysgarth of the other part, witnesseth that whereas John Sadler late of Burton  deceased by his will & testament bearing date 13th Dec 1742 amongst other things did give and bequeath unto certain trustees the sum of £80, and also the yearly sum of £16 .. [to the use of the trust] being the owners and occupiers of the Messuages alnds & tenements then in the tenure & occupation of the sd Joseph Clarkson situate and being near the Bridge at the low end of the sd town of Burton, and being also the owner and occupiers of the messuages lands etc commonly called Howrain…….. the sum of £8 for building or purchasing a House for a school within the township of Burton and also the sd yearly sum of £16  for ever to be payable out of certain Ms & Lands etc situate within West Witton called Chantry to paid twice yearly (£8) for a master of the school.
John Sadler also bequeath to Ann the sd wife of Joseph Calrkson ….. the lands etc at Chantry ……… formerly purchased of John Bywell of Swinethwaite .. subject to the sd payment of £16 yearly……………

Some Extracts from Aysgarth National School Log Book

1886
Jan 8.  Ordinary progress made, attendance fair considering the storms then prevailing.
14. Had the school attendance officer, remarked on the numbers present considering the weather – took the names of several who were attending irregularly.
15. Average for the week 15 -5
22. Attendance on the Monday so poor that they were not counted..
school room required the whole week for preparations for and Christmas party.
28. Only two in attendance. Better towards the end of week.  This bad attendance is owning to the extremely bad weather.
29. No infants present at all.

Feb 3. School visited by the Rev. & Mrs. Stow.
Had a visit from the school attendance officer, took the names of Hannah & John Baynes who had not been at school for nearly three weeks.
24. Had the school attendance officer in school. Asked if John Naylor was attending to which I truthfully replied in the negative.
24. Reeived notice in the evening to have a good fire the following Monday Mar 1 at 6pm as a managers’ meeting was to be held & I was to be present.

Mar1. This day I give in my three months resignation terminating May 31st 1886.
2&3. School closed these two days in consequence of the heavy fall of snow which made the roads impassable. Poor attendance the remainder of the week, several not paying their school fee though the school was open Thursday & Friday.
8. Meeting of Managers & myself & receiving unfair treatment, when I had orders, I left the room. Their business with me was to see the Day School Registers, but I got too much abuse from one of the members newly appointed whose wish is to replace me.

Apr 2. Have immense difficulty in obtaining the school fees. Some parents intending to take their children away. Mr. Heseltine, with 4 children, one of them.
5. Only 7 children present, many kept at home on account of a sale in the village. Better in afternoon. School visited by the vicar & spoke with regard to the payment of some of the children’s pence. Amongst these was Alfred Swales & other difficiencies. The new rules are to be at the same rate for Standard 1 as the Infants viz 2/6 per quarter.
9. The Heseltines, a family of 4 children, in regular attendance, I find have left the school & are in attendance at Cross Lanes School, Thoralby.
12. Heseltines not returned, hence they miss examinations this year unless they return as early as possible.
14. Had the attendance officer in school this morning. Spoke with respect to the Heseltines & he said so long as they were in attendance at Cross Lanes School he could not do anything in the matter, but suggested the parents should be shown & convinced of their grave mistake they were labouring under & see to their coming back.
19. Admitted 2 children from Carperby School, one coming under examination at the school named to which I give him permission to attend.
30. End of School Year.

May 3. Heseltines returned today.
6. Many absent owing to a fair at West Burton.
21. Children examined in morning, had half day holiday in afternoon.
25. Admitted 2 girls who had just been examined at Carperby School
28. Today I resign Mistressship of this school

Jun 2. Began school this morning as master. I find the reading in infants & sts 1 & 11 very bad indeed & the Arith. In all classes very moderate, the order also is very indifferent.
14. Admitted Jno. W. Simpson & Eliz. Grace Heseltine to the inf class.
15. Mrs. Rand commenced the sewing class for girls.
Practicced Jane Rand, Willie Rand, Eliz Heseltine & Eliz Holmes with the “Alto” to “Hush thee my baby”.   St. 111 have firmly grasped Long Division with the exception of John Baynes & Jno Cockburn, 2 backward boys.
21. Admitted Maria Rand to Inft. Class.

Jul 1. Taught St 111 Reduction of Avoir – ascending. During this lesson on the B.B. the master found out that one of the girls (Jane Cockburn age 11 yrs) could not actually work a simple division sum.

Aug 9. As several of the elder scholars are still absent I resolved to send their parents a note earnestly requesting them to secure the regular & punctual attendance of their children.
10. The words sent to the parents yesterday seems to have had effect as the Thompson, Baynes, Lambert & Cockburns have returned to school  Received a word that Eliz Holmes has gone from home & that the master need not expect her for some time.
23 Began school this am. No present 41 including seven new ones. Those admitted were Christ. Thompson St. 2, Geo Thompson & John Richardson St IV, Thos Smithson St. 111, Thos & John Thompson St. 11 also John Naylor to St. 11.
24 Admitted James Hllerby & Fred Hillerby the former to St VI the latter to ST II.
27. Average for week 44.3.  J.W. Rand.

Oct 18. Admitted Susan Hillerby from Palmer Flatt & Thompson Holmes from Carperby.

Nov 1. The master left the school for 2m this morning to attend to the infs in the classroom on returning found two boys, Geo Thompson & Horner Lambert, the girls Phyllis Sarginson & Mgt Heseltine making unnecessary disturbance. The master found no other course than to enforce Corporal punishment. This is the 2nd offence for the boy Geo Thompson.
25. Mr. Dale – master of Cross Lanes School visited the school this morning & heard the children sing. He also heard the Reading of IV  VI & expressed his pleasure in both the singing & ready explaining of the Reading.
26. Some of the scholars brought word this afternoon that Annie Brown, Aysgarth – had orders given her to attend school but instead she went… a ‘sticking’ contrary to the wishes of her mother. Resolved to visit the father about such irregularities.

Dec 1. A mild case of measles having broken out in Yore Mills yard – Brown children from Aysgarth have been withdrawn in consequence.
7. Holiday, the master being poorly & confined to bed.
8. Still very cold. Scholars scarcely able to write or work.

1887
Feb 21. Annie Bell has returned to school after a long absence. Geo. Wm Thompson, a St. 111 boy broke a piece of glass with his ball during the morning recess. Ordered to pay.

Mar. 7. Admitted Fredk. , Annie & Bessie Kilburn from Carperby, also Hannah Rachel Ewbank from the same place.
9. Admitted George Dougill to inft class.
29. Cicely Brown re-admitted to inft class after a long absence.

Apr 26. Admitted Henry & Chas, Waite from Aysgarth.

May 6. Received 5 school desks from Mr. Hales. The Master has all along experienced the greatest difficulty in keeping order owing to the scarcity of desk room. On several occasions upwards of 60 scholars have been present – desks only being provided for 24
13. Today being Leyburn May Fair several of the older scholars were absent.
31. Admitteed John Wm Mawer to St IV & Jane Ellen Thompson to inft class

Jun 6. Admitted Emily Hammond & Robt Pickering, the former to St. IV the latter a big boy aged 16 yrs from Thornton who actually does not know his tables.
20. Admitted Mark Hammond to St. VII. He previousy having attended a school in Swaledale.
23. Received from Squire Tomlinson the Govt Report the foll being an exact copy.
Aysgarth National School, Yorkshire.
The Master has evidently worked hard. The spelling & written ARith are very good & the handwriting is satisfactory. The Reading however is poor, being inaccurate without sufficient attention to expression or even to the stops. Mental Arith also & Needlework require more attention. The Managers will do well to take a more active part in the government of this school. The Registers must be kept strictly in accordance with the official instructions. Sufficient Reading Books should be provided for each child. The school walls in many places are covered with damp & the floor needs repair, hats & bonnets are thrown on the porch floor for the want of a few more pegs. The Portfolio also does not conatin all the Official Correspondence. The offices must be kept in proper condition & a drain should be made for the urinal. They were in a deplorable state when seen my me at a visit in Jany last.
A deduction of one tenth has been made from the Grant in Consequence of H.M. Inspector’s Report on the Offices after his visit of surprise on 18th Jan. Ave 46.1
The defects in the premises specified by H.M.I should be remedied.
30. Today I resign mastership of this School. John W. Rand 2nd Class.

Aug 8. Began school this morning as Master. Rev. Stow visited this afternoon.
Arthur George Dale Certif. Teacher (2nd class)
20. This morning I punished John H. Dougill for truancy yesterday afternoon.
24. This mrning I have sent – on receiving the permission of Mr. Stow – some boys to pull ‘ling’ on the moor to light the fires with in winter.

Sep 10-14. On Monday afternoon I had occasion to punish John Richardson rather severely (six stripes) for slighting my command when I spoke to him. On the Tuesday morning following for talking, after warning, during the Reading lesson (I was engaged for the time being at the other end of the room) – I told him three times to go to my desk before he would go. For this refusal to obey so reasonable an order promptly I gave him four stripes. When going to his place I told him that he would be told to come out aain – to test his willingness to obey. After a while the order was repeated - & the boy again refused & muttered threats of what he would do. The master keenly felt the effect this might have on the discipline. I therefore took him by the jacket collar & forced him out – at this the lad seized my stick & broke it. I obtained a thicker one which I used as a pointer & forced him to submit to three more stripes on the hand. By this time he saw that he must give up all resistance, After a while I gave once only my original command – which was promptly obeyed.

1888
Jan 9. Re-opened today. Mrs Dale entered upon duties as Sewing Mistress. This afternoon I sent 7 first class boys to obtain material for fire lighting.
12 This afternoon Elizabeth A. Dinsdale brought me a message to the effect that she was leaving home for a month (or more) – I therefore withdrew her name from the Register.

Mar. 26. Twenty seven children being absent from Mumps & some of …….. I thought it necessary that the school shall be closed for a week. The medical officer of Health certifying to that effect.
14-18 Some scholars away on Monday & Tuesday owing to West Burton Feast & Fair.

Jun 25-29. Serious complaint is made respecting the attendance of Jane Cockburn who has been very irregular of late without good reason.

Sep 18. This morning Jno Cockburn, Thos Thompson & Chas Brown were caned for smoking on the premises previous to the opening of school.
2224. This morning I noticed that Edward Bolland had symptoms of some disease upon his arm so that I sent both him & his sister home for a few days as I was afraid it was infectious.

1889
Jan 7. Re-opened this morning. During the holidays the school has been made more comfortable. The stove has been removed from the end of the room to the middle. The school has been well cleaned & several new appliance have been provided – tending towards the better warming of the school.

Aug. 28. When Leonard Heseltine (a big boy in St. I) was going home at night he fell in front of the cart from the Mill. The wheel passed over him – he is now seriously ill. I have given special warning to the children against the common habit amongst them of running after or near vehicles as they pass.

Sep 9-13. I hear with regret that the whooping cough is prevalent among some of the young children in the village.

Dec 20. Closed for Christmas Hol. Today I resign Mastership of this school, Arthur George Dale.

1890
Jan 6. Entered on duties as master this morning. George Stephenson, Cert. Teacher (second class). I arrived at the school in good time & found the schoolroom unfit for commencing work in. With a little hurry managed to get it into a decent condition & started work at 9.15am.

Feb 13. Have complaints from Mr. Tomlinson about boys going into his grounds for their ‘Hockey Ball’, from Bollands about the ill-treatment of their children on the way home from school. Gave general warning about the ill-treatment & limited space for playing hockey.

Mar 22-28. Gave attendance officer names of Thomas Dougill, Thomas Smithson & Charles E. Waite who are ‘away’ for no good reason.

May 25. I hear that Mr. Brown’s three children are going to leave the district. The removal of Mr. Hale’ School to Newton will also take away five boys & one girl – all very bright children.

1891
Apr. 17. Attendance is still bad & progress is not good. May childrenare off through colds. I have had to send Simon Dougill home until his ringworm is better.

Jun 26. Holidays, Midsummer commence today

Aug 10. School re-opened today. Only 18 present. Hay harvest is not finished that accounting for many absentees.
31. The Managers have decided to accept the 10/- Fee Grant so we do not charge usual fee today.

Sep 1. Admitted Edward Raw this morning.

1892

.Jan 13. Afternoon holiday for Sunday School Tea.

Feb 11. Rev. D. Whincup visited & gave Lower Div Scripture lessons.

Mar 18. There has been some unpleasantness with parents through the children being required to sweep school. A person has been appointed to do that work. Holiday this afternoon through a Confirmation held at Aysgarth.
25. Five children are about to leave the school. Four of the number are excellent in all their work.

Apr 1. Three of the Bollands ch. Leave the district on Apr 6 so have left school today.
11. Received from Cross Lanes Sch. Today notice of the Drawing Exam which is to be held Apr 27.

Aug 29. Only about half the chrn here this am. Wesleyans have their School trip to Redcar today. Hol. Pm.

Nov 18. There is again a falling off in attendance. Ave 25.6. James & Margaret Sarginson are absent through Typhoid Fever.

1893.
Jun 26. Copy of HMI Report – 30.4.1893
The order is good & decidedly good work has been done in the school during the past year. The Arithmetic especially deserves praise & singing by note was creditable. The building does not conform to modern standards. The west wall is damp. There is no cloakroom for the girls & there is no playground.

Jul 6. Holiday today in honour of the Royal Wedding.

Sep 15. The children of Thomas Cockburn do not attend as well as is desirable.

Dec 20. Closed today for Xmas hols – 2 weeks.
I resign the Mastership of this school today.

1894.
Jan 8. Commenced as master of Aysgarth School. H.S. Sebborn (2nd class)

Mar 12. Attendance officer visited & took the names of the following children who have been irregular & were absent; John Naylor, Eliz & Robert Wilson, Lily Wray, Cicely Brown & the children of Thomas Cockburn.
16. Jane Thompson very troublesome & talkative. She has been repeatedly warned & unless her conduct improves she will have to be severely punished.
21. The General Knowledge paper revealed some curious notions. “The Queen has reigned 220 years” “Stanley discovered America”, “The Prince of Wales is the Queen’s cousin”, “Julius Caesar was King of Scotland.”

Apr 16. Admitted Alice Richardson from Thornton Rust.

May 10. S. Thompson came to say that she was not coming to school again as her mother could not spare her owing to another sister leaving home.

Jun 4. Admitted Henry Seborn age 3yrs & Francis Johnson age 5 yrs.

Jly 16. John Mason & Wm Dougill were punished for thieving. On Friday during the dinner hour they opened the cupboard with a knife & took two compasses.
20. School closed today for summer holidays. Today I resign my mastership of the school. Henry S. Sebborn.

Sep 11. I Ebenezer Brown (2nd class) entered upon my duties as Master (temporary) of Aysgarth National School.
13. Received packet of dry ink powder from Mr. Sebborn. Shall now be able to have work on paper.
24. Admitted Phyllis Hugill aged 11 yrs. She came from Nelson, Lancs & is attending this school while on a month’s visit to Aysgarth.

Oct 15. Commenced school this am in what was formerly a tailor’s shop in the village. Work will be carried on here until the alterations at the Nat. school are sufficiently advance to allow the work to be carried on there. The present building is not a very comfortable or suitable one but is the best that can be obtained here.

1895.
Jan 8. Opened school at 9am this Tuesday morning in the proper school. Could not start yesterday as the desks etc had not been removed. Only 11 children put in an appearance this morning.
9. Bitterly cold this am. Instead of scripture took Military Drill & Physical Exercises until 9.50 as the children were almost frozen.

1896.
Apr 24. This afternoon at playtime, Mr. Emsley of West Burton took the photographs of all the school children present.

Jun 18 – part of inspection report
‘The stove was taken away last March for an entertainment & has not since been replaced. The stove pipe serving at present as a conduit for rain & snow on to the school floor. The small fire at one end of the room gives very inadequate warmth. Three of the walls & the ceiling are in a very dirty condition & the ceiling is cracked with dampness. The floors, windows & window sills should also be more frequently washed & cleaned. Rain & snow come through openings in the walls devoid of window panes onto the seats in one of the desks.

1896.
Aug 1 Emily Moore, certificated mistress of the First Class was appointed to the school.

Dec 29. The boys have gone after the hounds to West Burton & did not get back in time for school.

1897.
Jane 29. Children kept in half an hour for being noisy.

May 7. Jane E Thompson was sent home today at 11.50am . Since her return to school she has been continuously disobedient taking no notice of the rules of the school & talking whenever she thought proper in spite of all the mistress could do or say.
21. Cockburn children are all seriously ill
24. Maggie Cockburn has returned to school.

Aug 20. Leonard Heseltine & James Shannon have left the school. James has begun to work  & Leonard is going to Mr. Baldersons at Askrigg to be schooled for a time.
27. Madge, Phyllis & Jessie Blades are kept away from school because they are suffering from whooping cough.

James Shannon c. 1896

1898
Jan 10. Mary, Ethel & Francis Johnson have returned to this school after attending Carperby school for sixteen months. Dora Mason absent suffering from an attack of the mumps.

Mar 17. Gave an object lesson to lower div on a potato.

Apr 4. Phillis Blades laid up with a bad attack of Brain Fever. Jessie Blades suffering from cold on chest.
13. School re-opened this morning but closed in the afternoon as all the children attended the funeral of Phyllis Blades.

Jun 28. Two children, Thomas & William Lambert have left the village. Lesson on an elephant.
29. At three o’clock I took the children for a walk to Heaning Gill

Nov 21. Five boys, William Dougill, Harry…. & William Cockburn have been away from school this afternoon to attend a fox hunt. Mr. Tomlinson, a manager of the school, actually encouraged them to do so, I heard.

1899
Mar. 10. Jessie Blades has been kept at home the last two weeks. Jane Wilson is most irregular in her attendance.
17. Simon Dougill has left school.

Apr 28. E. Moore resigned her post as mistress today.

Dec 21. The Rev. F.W.S showed the ch. Magic lantern views illustrating his holiday in Switzerland.

Bolton Cum Redmire School

1763 Nomination of Thomas Heslop as master at Redmire by Rector of Wensley.
1797 Nomination of Matthew Tunstall as master at Redmire.
1798 Letter from Matthew Tunstall to Bishop asking for licence to teach.

1803 - some notes.
Reverend Thomas Baynes who died in 1725 left an estate at Low Bentham to pay for a school master at Redmire but this was exchanged (time unknown, no deeds) for a farm at Crackpot. The farm consisted of a farm house, 11 acres of land, an old inclosure, 30 acres of common pasture now (1803) inclosed, which were given on  the inclosure thereof in lieu of 11 cattle gates let at a yearly rent of £19.
The land is ill situated and very bad quality and being in a mining district is subject to a heavy poor rate.
No house for a school master and school room belongs to Lord Bolton, being held under an acknowledgement of one shilling a year. It is repaired at the expense of the township but sometimes by the master himself.
There used to be 11 boys educated free viz 5 from Bolton 6 from Redmire, but master states on average for last 10 year there have been 14 or 15 free scholars. There are not many children of persons receiving Parish Relief, for whose admission into the school application is made, the poorer class being accustomed to send their children at an early age to work in or about the neighbouring mines.

1868. Report of Mr J.G. Fitch

This little school is altogether of a humble kind, and is in no sense a grammar school. It is held in premises which are not the property of the trustees, but are lent to them by Lord Bolton, the owner of the village. The schoolroom is miserably inadequate; nearly 100 children are in attendance, yet there is not comfortable room for 30, and the desks and fittings are of the clumsiest and most inconvenient kind. There were 73 children on the day of my visit, 41 boys and 32 girls. The master (William Pratt) at my request dismissed the lowest class; and the remainder attempted, though with little success, to pass a humble examination in reading, writing and arithmetic, and in scriptural knowledge. There is no provision for teaching sewing to the girls. The master receives the little endowment, and the children's pence. He seems diligent and hopeful, and is doing his best under great disadvantages, and without assistance. He does not hold a certificate. The school possesses no suitable books for teaching, and is disgracefully destitute of the necessary outbuildings.

In so far as the existence of this little endowment furnishes an excuse to the owners of property here for not supplying the village with a decent parochial school, it is a serious hindrance to the improvement of the people. Nothing is more likely to lower the tone of the entire village than the habits acquired by the children in the present crowded and unsuitable schoolroom.

Redmire School c.1912. mouse-over to enlarge (photo courtesy of Clive Torrens)

A few extracts from Redmire School Log Book.

1894
7 Sept - James Moore is absent today being illegally employed by Sir Wm Chaytor.
Roger Horner illegally employed some day by Sir Wm Chaytor.

1896
6 Jan - Reopened school - 64 present
30 Mar - Admitted Mary Renton Smithson

1897
25 Jun - George Horn admitted
Holiday on Tuesday & Wednesday for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

1900
16 Nov - John, James & Annie Dinsdale withdrawn - leaving the district. Thos Fawcett also left the district.

1902
10 Jan - Edward Mattison (infant) died somewhat suddenly during the holidays.
29 Aug - JW Ruecroft, James Lambert & Thomas Pedrick have been absent during the greater part of the week grouse driving for Lord Bolton.

1905
30 Aug - The children observed the eclipse of the sun & had a lesson on the same.

1906
23 Apr - Admitted Daisy A Robinson (12) who has been attending the Council School, Bingley.

1907
11 Oct - James & Alfred Miller withdrawn, their parents going to reside at Nelson in Lancashire.

1908
12 Oct - Daisy Robinson an old scholar, began duties as Probationer.

1911
9 Jan - reopened with 55 children present.

1912
16 Feb - Edna, Edward Hunter, Castle Bolton have left the district. Parents have taken a farm at Keighley. Both scholars have been careful workers & are promising students.
6 Jun - Mr. J. Stringer-Calvert, one of the school managers, died yesterday afternoon.
6 Dec - Eleanor Hunter left district to live at Blackburn. Four families left during the year to obtain employment in towns, this drawing eleven children from the school.

1913
25 Feb - It would be a great improvement if part of the playground could be asphalted or in some other way put into better condition for the children's physical exercises.
3 Mar - Very stormy morning. 14 children absent, all Castle Bolton children.
16 Apr - George Storey has won the 1st prize for solo singing in the Wensleydale Tournament of Song.
11 Aug - Lady Bolton has invited children & teachers to visit Bolton Hall on Sept 4th.
20 Oct - Took children to the head of Apedale, home by Gyyll Beck for geography & nature study.
17 Dec - Dr. Pickles called & advised that Albert & Christopher Spensley should be sent home as he had discovered measles in the house. The first case Doris McGregor was brought from Middleham.

1914
1 May - Frank Dinsdale aged 10 fell from a haystack Dec 21st & broke the right thigh bone.
28 Aug - Emily Robson's sight has been weakened by an attack of measles.
7 Sep - Admitted Hannah Hunter & Thomas Charles Grocock
30 Oct - The children are bringing 1d per week for the Belgian relief fund.
11 Dec - School closed by Dr Cockcroft's order whooping cough is spreading.

1915
18 Jan - Admitted Nellie Spensley & two Belgian children - Catherine & Edward Schaepherders who have come from Malines.

1916
1 Mar - Thomas Hunter has been exempted for agricultural work.
6 May - John Earnshaw Rider an old scholar of this school has been killed in France.
16 Jun - Thomas Storey, an old scholar has been wounded in France & is now in a London hospital.
26 Sep - Robert Lambert an old scholar, has been wounded in France.

1917
15 Jan - Heavy snowfall, only 10 children present.
2 Feb - Explained Germany's submarine policy & new blockade to senior scholars who recognized own need of maximum food production.
2 May - Received labour certificates for James Percival & Albert Spensley.
3 Oct - Senior children had a days outing to Semer Water.
12 Oct - Leyburn Fair - school closed.
17 Oct - Mr. J. Storey has been officially informed that his son Fred - one of our old scholars, has been killed in France.

1918
1 Jun - I commenced duties here today as head teacher. D. Middleton. Only 27 children present. Several local farmers here have commenced hay.
2 Aug - Mr Foster who is employing Fred Peacock on his farm has applied for his exemption.
23 Nov - 24 children present this morning. The Medical Officer has ordered that the school close until the epidemic dies down (influenza)
24 Dec - As the last train I can travel by today is 2pm, registers closed at 12 so that the school might be dismissed by Miss Robinson at 2pm.

This is the original school (now converted into a house).

Some Extracts from Wensley School Log Book

March 5th.
The Scarlet Fever was proved to be in the Village, which caused the attendance to be thin.

October 18. A Private adventure school having been opened at Preston a many of the younger children have left for the winter.

1877
March 5-9 . Wednesday being a very snowy morning No children from Preston were present.

12 -16 A case of scarletina having broken out in Wensley prevented some of the Wensley children from being present.

April 12. The school closed by order of the managers & Dr. John Cockroft on account of scarlet fever being in our house.

May 14. Commenced school again after being closed a month and two days.

April 20. The measles being very bad there was a small attendance this week.

1878
The School in spite of difficulties has maintained a very satisfactory standard of efficiency in its general work. The children passed creditably in elementary subjects and in Grammar and the other standards and answered very well in History & Geography. The Discipline is very good.
Thomas Orde Powlett

List of Songs for 1878
My Bonny Cuckoo
The Fairy Ring
Cheer Boys Cheer
Sow not in Sorrow
The Old Folk at Home
Infants
Hickory Dickory Dock
The Month of May
Three Blind Mice

1885
February 27.
After being 20 years master of this school received notice to leave having been out of health for sometime but only had the school entirely closed for a few days during the time.

March 9. Report
The master's failing health explains & excuses the comlete breakdown in the work. But nothing can excuse the negligence which has allowed the Boys Offices and other parts to be covered with the most unseemly scribblings imaginable.

1886
May 3. Admitted William Stanger, Spence Horn & Sarah Elizabeth Cradock.
May 5. Attendances 510. Av.51

September 27. Admitted John M. Spensley. Very wet day. Bad attendance.

1887
April 1. One of the windows broken during dinner hour by J.G. Pearson & Harry Gains.

August 1. Admitted John, Jane Annie, Ruth Eleaner & Thomas Jones, George Cantril & John Humble.

1889
July 19. Next week being Preston village feast a week holiday has been given.

1890
January 22. Miss M. Scott commenced duties as assistant Mistress at a salary of £30 per year.

October 28. Several of the Preston boys absent being on the moor at the sheep-shearing.

September 7. Scarletina having broken out at Preston Mill, one family at home.

1893
July 6. Being the Royal Wedding a half day holiday was given.

September 1. Had to punish 6 boys, (A. Bushby, A. Robinson, J. Cradock, H. Kilding, J. Walker & W. Willis) for stealing plums out of an orchard on their way home yesterday night.

1895
August 30. Enquired after the absence of Cecilia Lewis and Annie Spensley and find they have left the neighbourhood.

1897
I complained to my master Mr. Myse that on account of my daughter objecting to clean the school the master threatened to expose her behind to the boys and afterwards smach it also that on a former occasion after being chastised by the master she was much upset for the next three days and unable to sleep.
J. Peacock May 7 1897