Reminiscences of Rotherham
by G. Gummer, J.P.
« « prevThe number of children on the register was 4593, the average attendance 3081, and the accommodation 4282.
Two sites for new schools were purchased, which the Board said were most eligible and had received their serious consideration before coming to a decision. Upon these sites the Wellgate and Thornhill Schools were erected. One of the complaints the present Education Authority have against their predecessors is the lack of judgment shown in this and other selections such as the sites for the Blackburn and Alma Road Schools. The old Board seem to have had a craze for hillsides, instead of securing level sites which cost less to build upon, and providing suitable playgrounds for the children. The denominational differences of the Board soon made themselves manifest and it was thought necessary to pass the following resolution which, before being arrived at, produced several heated discussions:
- That the Bible be read and explained in all schools under the control of the Board and that all teachers be enjoined not only to adhere strictly to the terms of the 14th Section of the Education Act which provides that no religious catechism or religious formulary which is distinctive of any denomination shall be taught in the schools, but also to abstain from all denominational teaching.
At the conclusion of their term of three years the Board reported the total expenditure to have been £8150, which included:
Salaries of officers, £665; teachers, £1011; books, apparatus, etc., £134; rent, rates and taxes, £194; furnishing and cleaning, £200; purchase of land, £1987; and erection and alterations to school buildings. £3162. The overburdened ratepayer of to-day may compare these figures with those of 1925 and get what consolation he can out of them.
BOARD ELECTED IN 1878
Their term of office terminating in November, a triennial election took place, when the Rev. W. Blazeby, BA., was returned at the head of the poll. Eight members of the old Board were re-elected, the only alteration being the substitution of the Rev. R. Bryant for the Rev. W. Cutts who had left the neighbourhood. Evidently the work of the Board had met with the approval of the ratepayers. As evidence of the interest taken in the election, I am able to give a copy o a special leaflet issued by the Rotherham and Masbro’ Advertiser “ after the result of the poll:Tuesday, Nov. 19th, 1878.
1.30 am.
The election of members of the School Board for the United District of Rotherham and Brinsworth took place yesterday. There were thirteen names on the ballot paper. 0f these, two signified their intention to withdraw after the ballot paper had been issued, leaving eleven in the field. The election was conducted by the ex Mayor (Ald. J. C. Morgan) and by the Town Clerk (Mr Geo. W. Hodgkinson) The polling arrangements were perfect, and there was no hitch whatever in the recording of the votes at the eleven booths, in the various wards. At the close of the poll, the ballot boxes were conveyed to the Council Hall, where the votes were counted by the ex Mayor and the Town Clerk and by a large number of clerks. At 1.30 o’clock the result of the polling was declared as follows:
Blazeby 4928 Wigfield 2422
Chambers 4121 Kelsey 2420
Newton 3860 Wragg 2338
Bryant 3289 Wragg 2280
Eyre 2835 Pudsey 2137
Waterfall 1351 Barras (retire 11)
The Thornhill and Wellgate Schools were opened by Mrs. Geo. Wilton Chambers. the former having cost about £5000, and the latter a similar sum. The cost per head of children accommodated worked out at just over £7, whilst the average cost al building in England and Wales was over £12. next »
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