A Retrospect

1896

February 12 The Ledbury School Board decided to increase the teaching staff in the Boys’ School.

1897

January 28 The Masters, Mistresses, and Teachers of the Board Schools held another successful soiree in the Boys’ School.

May 31 Ledbury underwent the turmoil and excitement of the triennial School Board Election. There were nine candidates for seven seats, the following being elected: - J. BANNER (691), C. W. STEPHENS. (632), W. A. C. GABB (596), S. H. BICKHAM (508), C. E. M. GREEN, Rector (450), C. Y. POTTS, Congregational Minister (404), T. HODGES (237). The defeated candidates were Mr. J. PREECE (221), and Mr. M. A. WOOD (148), both of whom were old and tried members. June 2 The last Meeting of the Old School Board was held.

June 9 The first Meeting of the newly elected School Board was held. The Rev. C. E. M. GREEN was re-elected Chairman, and the Rev. C. Y POTTS was elected to the Vice-Chair. At the same meeting it was decided by a majority of one, that the Apostles’ Creed should no longer be taught in the Schools.

July 7 The School Board held their annual meeting, the examination reports being read. The Boys’ school was reported satisfactory; in the Girls’ school several of the standards required pulling up; the Infants’ school was fair.

1898

January 25 The Church Sunday School children had their Christmas Treat in the Boys‘ School.

January 26 The teachers of the Board Schools held their fifth Soirée the same evening at the Boys’ School.

March 2 At the School Board Meeting a long discussion took place on the Drummond Hay Endowment question, and it was resolved to ask the Charity Commissioners if the Board were competent to administer the Charity, seeing that the words “Church of England” were mentioned in the Charity.

August 22 The DAWES’ Testimonial prizes were distributed in the Boys‘ School.

1900

May 19 Six Candidates nominated for seven seats on the Ledbury School Board—Rev. Preb. MADDISON GREEN (Rector), Rev. C. Y. POTTS, Messrs. S. H. BICKHAM, C. W. STEPHENS, H. BRAY, and J. BOYD. Mr. G. BEST was subsequently elected by the Board, the Rector was re-elected Chairman, and Rev. C. Y. POTTS Vice-chairman.

June 15 Distribution of “Duckworth” prizes at Boys’ School.

In 1900, for the first time within the Chair's memory, 'the highest grant was received for every subject. A total payment of 22/3d per head was made which included 1/6d for drawing, singing by rote 1/-, elementary science and English 2s, geography 2s'.

A Retrospect

1901

February 4 The Ledbury Board Schools closed for three weeks in consequence of the epidemic of whooping cough and mumps.

June 5 The School Board decided to purchase dummy rifles for physical training in the Boys’ School.

August 21 Ledbury Board Schools “broke up” for five weeks holidays: extended to six weeks on account of the prolongation of hop-picking.

September 4 At the School Board Meeting Mr. STEPHENS reported on the great increase in the grant earned by the schools. At the same meeting Mr W DINGLEY resigned the post of School Attendance Officer which he had held since 1870, on account of his leaving Ledbury.

November 29 Presentation of “Duckworth” Prizes for regular attendance at the Boys’ School.

1902

March 5 Mr STEPHENS at the School Board Meeting reported on the increased grants earned by the schools.
September 19 Another Meeting at the Town Hall to Protest against the Education Bill.

November 19 The School Board resolved to close the schools for a fortnight on account of the outbreak of measles.

It is very pleasing to be able to record that the new venture proved an overwhelming success. 104 copies of No 4 were printed, and on the third day after publication 90 had been sold.

Six days later the Mag. was out of print. I advise you to give the School Captain an order for the Mag. to be saved for you every term, while you remain at School. You will be sure of getting it then.

Appreciation of ' the ledbury' has reached me from a very large number of parents and grown up friends, in addition to old boys, and I trust that every scholar will make it his aim to keep the Mag up to its present standard. This can only be done by careful thought and hard work, but I know that you are not afraid of hard work.

You will find the present issue full of interest. Miss UNDERWOOD gives you three pages of ' Echoes ' which are most amusing and show that the juniors can do towards making the Magazine a success. The Second Form also shows up well. Every boy in the School should attempt something and send it in to me. Last term I had the greatest difficulty in selecting entries and stories, there were so many good ones. That is just what I want.

May I ask my grown up readers if they will kindly send me a list of the six books for boys they consider to be ' Books for all time '