The Old School House 1833 to 1905
The engraving of the old school is the original
building erected in 1833. Unfortunately there are no plans or drawings
available showing the new wing added in 1873. But there is a written
description of the additions made in 1905 to accommodate the railway
children.
From a Newspaper cutting c 1933
(Thanks got to Mary Greenman for
providing all this materiel)
The keystone of the porch of Hullavington School
bears the date 1833 - the year in which the original two-roomed building was
opened. Provided largely through the effort and generosity of the late Mr.
Joseph Neeld, M.P., it stood in that original form for 40 years, and on 29
September, l873 it was re-opened with the addition of-a wing built at
right-angles to one end. It was further enlarged (1905) to accommodate the
children of men engaged in the construction of the railway through the village
toward the end of last century and to-day it bears very little resemblance to
the school of a century ago.
It started its life in the charge of a mistress, after which there were several
masters, but to-day it once again has a woman, "head". The mistress's house
originally adjoined the school, but years ago a new house was provided in the
village, and the school records disclose that a day's holiday was granted to the
children and staff "to allow the master to move into the new house."
The title deeds of the school provide that, should it ever cease to be a Church
of England foundation, the premises and the site become the property of the
Neeld family. This fact may have accounted for the disappearance of a School
Board which was at one tine established exclusively for the village. On another
occasion following a dispute between the then incumbent and local Methodists,
the Free Church authorities opened a school in Watts lane, but, so far as is
known, it existed for only a short time.
The enlargement to accommodate the children of the men engaged on the
construction of the railway is set out below and is said to be copied from the
original plan.
(Copied from the Original Plan sent from
Hullavington)
Hullavington Church School (shewing alterations 1905)
No. 1. New Room entirely, wood-blocked floor,
flat - ceiling, approved by Board of Education when
movable partition
was substituted for wall with window as shown.
No. 2 Floor levelled, new window (a), replastered, &c, 4 new inlet
ventilators, two outlets (Boyle's).
No. 3. .Old fireplace built up (a & b) doorway built (c) New Stove put in, floor
levelled, 4 ventilators.
No. 4 . . Small Outbuilding pulled down.
No. 5. New door at (a) used now as coal store.
No. 6. Urinal pulled down.
The above are the principal alterations carried
out by the Managers
(signed) G G Ray
Sketches of Hullavington School Costumes circa
1890
Mary's materiel also includes sketches of
Hullavington school costumes c 1890. I
don't know the origin of these but believe they may have been drawn up as
part of Hullavington Schools 150 years celebrations (1833 to
1983). If anyone can through any light on this please
let us know
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