Village School
From the archives of the Ramsbottom Heritage Society. Author Barbara Park. First printed in the Society’s magazine in 1992
HOLCOMBE SCHOOL LOG BOOK
One of the many interesting items on view in the "Local Schools - Past History and Present Projects" exhibition at the
Heritage Centre is a Log Book from Holcombe School. Covering the period from 1865, when the school first opened, until
1905, it gives a fascinating insight into the day-to-day running of the school and the lives of the pupils and teachers.
The first entry dated January 9, 1865, reads simply "School opened, Present AM 26, PM 26", and is written in beautiful
copperplate by Henry Hunt, the first Master of the school.
Attendance figures seem to have been much affected by the weather and sickness. In the winter heavy snowfalls, frost and
fog resulted in very low attendances as many of the children were unable to make the journey from outlying farms, or up
the Rake, and often the children were sent home early so they might get home in the light.
Heavy rain and violent storms are also described, sometimes
resulting in the children being kept back until the weather
eased.
In 1891 the entry for November 24 records that "snow fell for
the first time this winter". On November 25: "Another heavy
fall of snow today. The gas has had to be lighted all day. On
account of the snow storm, the school closed at 3.35pm to
allow the long-distance children to reach home before dark".
December 7: "Very wet day", December 15: "Closed early
today on
account of the darkness and fog", whilst the December 17
was a "fine frosty morning”.
When the school re-opened after the Christmas holidays on
January 11, 1892 the entry reads: "Many scholars away thro
sickness. Heavy fall of snow". On February 2 there was
"another heavy fall of snow, preventing many from attending school".
March: "No school on account of the great fall of snow". April 12: "Very cold today, after a spell of fine weather" indicates
some relief from the adverse weather.
In the summer months the log describes "extra play" and "lessons outside in the playground" when the heat of the
classroom became unbearable. There are also reports of low attendances because the children and their families were
busy with hay making or the
harvest. School holidays began on June 23, with pupils returning on July11 with the report that "The school has been
thoroughly cleaned, whitewashed and painted and the closets repaired".
At times sickness had dramatic effects on attendance and the school was closed during outbreaks of illnesses such as
measles - surely a sensible precaution when the only preventative measure mentioned in the log was "sprinkling the floor
with disinfectant". Outbreaks of croup and colds are also recorded, as are diphtheria and mumps.
There is a sad description of the death of a five-year-old pupil from brain fever and in February 1883 a six-year-old girl is
recorded as having been "accidentally burned by fire during school play time". On March 6, 1892 "Scarlet fever made its
appearance among the scholars."
Details of teaching methods and subjects taught are also recorded. As befits a Church school, religious knowledge was an
important subject, frequently taught by the Rector. Examinations
in this subject were held regularly and details of the results were posted up both inside and outside the school. Arithmetic,
reading, writing and grammar, geography and history lessons are described. Slates were used by the pupils, although there
are also references to "work on paper".
There is much emphasis on learning by rote and pupils were frequently tested by the Master. Music was an important part
of the curriculum and an enormous number of songs were taught, all listed in the log. Special songs were learned for
occasions such as church bazaars and other social functions at which the children were expected to perform. Visitors to
the school were also entertained by songs from the children. On one occasion the school inspector described the singing as
“unusually harmonious and pleasing". One teacher even taught the children to sing times tables!
Inspectors visited the school twice yearly and summaries of their reports are recorded, together with any actions being
taken as a result.
These entries often began "Holiday given by Inspector" which the children probably thought to be only fair after all their
extra work
preparing for the visit! Typical of the favourable reports is the one for June 1868: “This school continues in a highly
satisfactory state and reflects great credit upon the Master who has worked in it alone. Discipline is excellent and the
behaviour of the
children is pleasing. Elementary knowledge is sound and good. The paper work is particulary neat and correct and a good
proportion presented above the third standard, The examination
in Religious Knowledge and Geography is creditable".
Almost the last entry in the book, dated 25 May 1905 reads "The Rector (the Rev Henry Dowsett) visited the school to bid
farewell to the teachers". On the next page is the final entry " May 31, 1905 This closes the present Log Book".
In another Heritage Society article, John Simson writes:
The Rev Dowsett, who was Rector of Holcombe from 1875 to 1905, is chiefly remembered for his two books, Notes on
Holcombe and Holcombe Long Ago published at the turn of the century. These collections of short historical articles are
liberally laced with poetic quotations and flights of fancy and perhaps tell us as much about the author’s character as they
do about the history of Holcombe.
A few years before his books were published, Dowsett was involved in an amusing incident which throws even more light on
the character of this Victorian clergyman.
In the 1890s, there was a hut on Holcombe Hill known as Uncle Tom’s Cabin , which, in the words of the Ramsbottom
Observer was principally used by lovers of the terpsichorean art.
On Whit Friday 1892, a dancing class was being taught there, while at the same time the field day following Holcombe
Church Sunday School’s Whitsuntide procession took place in an
adjoining field. Refreshments were provided and games were played, but dancing was strictly forbidden, this form of
recreation by no means finding favour in the eyes of the vicar.
Many of the older scholars felt that this was unfair and when evening came they made their way to Uncle Tom’s Cabin. All
thoughts of the Sunday School and Dowsett’s declarations
against the evils of dancing were forgotten and the truants were just beginning to enjoy themselves when Dowsett burst
into the cabin. He told the musician to stop, denounced the dancers
for their sinful folly and ordered his scholars to leave immediately, all the time wildly flourishing his umbrella.
Some of the scholars prepared to leave, but others stood their ground and even had the temerity to ask whether the vicar
had paid to enter the hut. Naturally, Dowsett hadn’t and
was asked by Mr Booth, the proprietor, either to leave or to pay up. Mr Dowsett refused on both accounts, so Mr Booth
threatened to carry him out.
The Observer reported that “The parson dared him to lay hands on him, but Mr Booth apparently does not stand in awe of
the Church, as finding persuasion was useless, he caught hold of the intruder and bodily carried him outside.
Threats of a summons for assault were made, but Dowsett apears to have taken no action, perhaps realising that he was as
much in the wrong as those who had enjoyed themselves to the giddy strains of a concertina.
Click here for alternative school song.
Heritage Centre is a Log Book from Holcombe School. Covering the period from 1865, when the school first opened, until
1905, it gives a fascinating insight into the day-to-day running of the school and the lives of the pupils and teachers.
The first entry dated January 9, 1865, reads simply "School opened, Present AM 26, PM 26", and is written in beautiful
copperplate by Henry Hunt, the first Master of the school.
Attendance figures seem to have been much affected by the weather and sickness. In the winter heavy snowfalls, frost and
fog resulted in very low attendances as many of the children were unable to make the journey from outlying farms, or up
the Rake, and often the children were sent home early so they might get home in the light.
Heavy rain and violent storms are also described, sometimes
resulting in the children being kept back until the weather
eased.
In 1891 the entry for November 24 records that "snow fell for
the first time this winter". On November 25: "Another heavy
fall of snow today. The gas has had to be lighted all day. On
account of the snow storm, the school closed at 3.35pm to
allow the long-distance children to reach home before dark".
December 7: "Very wet day", December 15: "Closed early
today on
account of the darkness and fog", whilst the December 17
was a "fine frosty morning”.
When the school re-opened after the Christmas holidays on
January 11, 1892 the entry reads: "Many scholars away thro
sickness. Heavy fall of snow". On February 2 there was
"another heavy fall of snow, preventing many from attending school".
March: "No school on account of the great fall of snow". April 12: "Very cold today, after a spell of fine weather" indicates
some relief from the adverse weather.
In the summer months the log describes "extra play" and "lessons outside in the playground" when the heat of the
classroom became unbearable. There are also reports of low attendances because the children and their families were
busy with hay making or the
harvest. School holidays began on June 23, with pupils returning on July11 with the report that "The school has been
thoroughly cleaned, whitewashed and painted and the closets repaired".
At times sickness had dramatic effects on attendance and the school was closed during outbreaks of illnesses such as
measles - surely a sensible precaution when the only preventative measure mentioned in the log was "sprinkling the floor
with disinfectant". Outbreaks of croup and colds are also recorded, as are diphtheria and mumps.
There is a sad description of the death of a five-year-old pupil from brain fever and in February 1883 a six-year-old girl is
recorded as having been "accidentally burned by fire during school play time". On March 6, 1892 "Scarlet fever made its
appearance among the scholars."
Details of teaching methods and subjects taught are also recorded. As befits a Church school, religious knowledge was an
important subject, frequently taught by the Rector. Examinations
in this subject were held regularly and details of the results were posted up both inside and outside the school. Arithmetic,
reading, writing and grammar, geography and history lessons are described. Slates were used by the pupils, although there
are also references to "work on paper".
There is much emphasis on learning by rote and pupils were frequently tested by the Master. Music was an important part
of the curriculum and an enormous number of songs were taught, all listed in the log. Special songs were learned for
occasions such as church bazaars and other social functions at which the children were expected to perform. Visitors to
the school were also entertained by songs from the children. On one occasion the school inspector described the singing as
“unusually harmonious and pleasing". One teacher even taught the children to sing times tables!
Inspectors visited the school twice yearly and summaries of their reports are recorded, together with any actions being
taken as a result.
These entries often began "Holiday given by Inspector" which the children probably thought to be only fair after all their
extra work
preparing for the visit! Typical of the favourable reports is the one for June 1868: “This school continues in a highly
satisfactory state and reflects great credit upon the Master who has worked in it alone. Discipline is excellent and the
behaviour of the
children is pleasing. Elementary knowledge is sound and good. The paper work is particulary neat and correct and a good
proportion presented above the third standard, The examination
in Religious Knowledge and Geography is creditable".
Almost the last entry in the book, dated 25 May 1905 reads "The Rector (the Rev Henry Dowsett) visited the school to bid
farewell to the teachers". On the next page is the final entry " May 31, 1905 This closes the present Log Book".
In another Heritage Society article, John Simson writes:
The Rev Dowsett, who was Rector of Holcombe from 1875 to 1905, is chiefly remembered for his two books, Notes on
Holcombe and Holcombe Long Ago published at the turn of the century. These collections of short historical articles are
liberally laced with poetic quotations and flights of fancy and perhaps tell us as much about the author’s character as they
do about the history of Holcombe.
A few years before his books were published, Dowsett was involved in an amusing incident which throws even more light on
the character of this Victorian clergyman.
In the 1890s, there was a hut on Holcombe Hill known as Uncle Tom’s Cabin , which, in the words of the Ramsbottom
Observer was principally used by lovers of the terpsichorean art.
On Whit Friday 1892, a dancing class was being taught there, while at the same time the field day following Holcombe
Church Sunday School’s Whitsuntide procession took place in an
adjoining field. Refreshments were provided and games were played, but dancing was strictly forbidden, this form of
recreation by no means finding favour in the eyes of the vicar.
Many of the older scholars felt that this was unfair and when evening came they made their way to Uncle Tom’s Cabin. All
thoughts of the Sunday School and Dowsett’s declarations
against the evils of dancing were forgotten and the truants were just beginning to enjoy themselves when Dowsett burst
into the cabin. He told the musician to stop, denounced the dancers
for their sinful folly and ordered his scholars to leave immediately, all the time wildly flourishing his umbrella.
Some of the scholars prepared to leave, but others stood their ground and even had the temerity to ask whether the vicar
had paid to enter the hut. Naturally, Dowsett hadn’t and
was asked by Mr Booth, the proprietor, either to leave or to pay up. Mr Dowsett refused on both accounts, so Mr Booth
threatened to carry him out.
The Observer reported that “The parson dared him to lay hands on him, but Mr Booth apparently does not stand in awe of
the Church, as finding persuasion was useless, he caught hold of the intruder and bodily carried him outside.
Threats of a summons for assault were made, but Dowsett apears to have taken no action, perhaps realising that he was as
much in the wrong as those who had enjoyed themselves to the giddy strains of a concertina.
Click here for alternative school song.
