May Day - outside Grafton Regis Manor

1917 May 1st. Whole holiday given for "garlanding".
Grafton Regis School Log Book (1916-1919)
1916
Jan. 10th. School has re-opened with 29 Scholars George Webb aged 12 has obtained a "Permit" John Hinds aged 13 has applied for an Education Certificate & A. Sturdy has left.
Jan 17th. F. Brown again absent - She has made 64 attendances out of 128 (possible).
Jan. 27th. Elizabeth Hinds absent through illness.
Feb.14th. Note received from Mrs. F. Webb that Florence cannot attend school till her boots are mended.
Feb. 24th. A deep snow - Only 12 scholars arrived & most of these were wet footed. Mistress received instruction from Managers to send scholars home.
Feb. 25th. Teacher went to school, but only 7 scholars arrived who were sent home.
Feb. 28th. Resumed school 25 children present. Mrs. Lombe came in during last lesson. She noticed the work of each class, & having heard recitation of Upper Div. Mrs. Lombe recited two pieces to the class.
March 6th. Alfred Henson has met with an accident while working on a farm last Saturday & has the end of two fingers amputated.
March 8th. In spite of the snow most of the Alderton children arrived, & the boys with a broom & shovels made a path up street for teachers to walk on.
March 15th. Four children absent from illness.
March 20th. Three sick children still absent.
March 24th. School closed to April 21st. with chicken-pox.
May 2nd. Celebrated Shakespeare's Tercentenary, according to Programme in, "Teacher Aid", adapting to the age of scholars & concluding with special prayers & National Anthem.
May 11th. Turner called bringing "Permit" forms for Alfred Henson & Gerald Hall.
May 16th. The children have collected 418 cigarettes for the soldiers (our own boys on the school Roll of Honour) & have sent packets to various addresses.
May 22nd. School commenced according to the new Daylight Savings Bill. All scholars punctual.
May 24th. Empire Day was kept as usual- Ladies & gentlemen present- The Rector & and his little son, Col. & Mrs. Lombe, Mrs. Bosworth, Miss Brafield, parents & friends of the school.

The following programme was carried out.
1. Assembly of the School.
2. Rule Brittania
3. Short Address on the Empire, by The Rector who questioned 1st. Class.
4. Address by Col. Lombe on Rally of Empire.
5. Hoisting of the Union Jack, by Mrs. Lombe.
6. Presentation of eggs & Flowers for the wounded soldiers in Northampton hospital (155 eggs from 27 scholars).
7. Saluting the Flag. National Anthem.
May 29th. Kate Morton gone to London on a visit bringing our numbers down to 26.
June 21st. Kate Morton has gone - out patients to the Infirmary.
June 26th. Admitted a visitor Frederick Nobles aged 3.
July 10th. Fred Nobles returned home to Northampton.
July 31st. Mr. Annand called & spoke to the children about their Annual treat, & it was decided to devote the prize money to the cigarettes (for soldiers) fund.
Aug. 9th. K. Rogers left.
Aug. 10th. Mrs. Annand came in bring Khaki hats & knitting (for soldiers) which girls undertook to do in needlework lessons & in their spare time at home.
Sept. 18th. Re-commenced school. Two girls absent William Bosworth left and gone to Northampton. Miss Watson absent this morning- Train late on one line caused her to miss her connection on L.&N.W.R.
Sept. 26th. The Rector visited & told children they could fetch pears & apples from the Rectory for which scholars thanked him.
Sept. 29th. The Rector came in to measure windows for dark blinds.
Oct. 20th. Kate Morton sent home with symptoms of scarlet fever, -headache, sore throat, Her sister has come home from service recently, having recovered from the disease.
Oct. 23rd. Mrs. Lombe (in absence of Col.Lombe) called about Trafalgar Day & asked us to postpone Celebration of it till next Wednesday, as being most convenient. Miss Allen from the Rectory, called bringing new song for children to learn entitled "Our Motherland".
Oct. 24th. Received from Matron of General Hospital acknowledgement "with many thanks the kind gift of sacks vegetables & 6doz. eggs for wounded soldiers." from Grafton Regis & Alderton school children.
Oct. 25th. "Trafalgar Day" celebration today Col. Lombe & The Rector being away. Mrs. Lombe came to speak to the children.
Programme.
Hymams A.M. "Eternal Father" & "God of love & King of Peace".
Address by Mrs. Lombe on Lord Nelson & his motto. The work of our Navy & Lieut. Commander Alexander's ship in particular.
Saluting the flag (when rain had eased) & cheers for "King ","Navy", "Army", "Our Allies", "Our Boys", "Officers at the Manor"!
Nov. 10th. S. Henson absent with "bad cold". Teacher went across the road to inquire for him, when he promptly came to school.
Nov. 14th. Three children absent with colds & influenza.
Nov. 16th. Several other scholars absent with influenza.
Nov. 20th. At 9 o'clock. 11 children had arrived in the snow several of whom were too unwell to remain. School for this reason closed for the day.
Nov. 27th. Admitted one Alderton infant Frank Webb aged 5.
Dec. 18th. Schoolroom bitterly cold. Temp. 34°
Dec. 19th. Ground covered with snow - Only 16 scholars present.
1917
Jan. 8th. All scholars present this morning.
Jan. 15th. A snowy morning, but attendance good.
Jan. 18th. R. Webb absent - said to have a rash.
Feb. 2nd. Miss Whitehouse, Health Visitor called
Feb. 6th. Attendance from Alderton bad owing to the snow.
Feb. 8th Ink in the school ink-wells has been frozen for 3 days, & has to be thawed before children can use it.
Feb. 12th. All present except Ruth Webb whose mother is ill.
March 5th. Ruth Webb has obtained a Permit.
March 14th. A parent asked for occasional leave for her boy to assist her in allotment. The mother referred to Mr. Turner.
March 19th. W. Allen again absent to help in the allotment.
March 21st. G. Atkins kept at home to work.
April 2nd. Attendance poor. Snowy morning.
April 18th. Mrs. Annand came in to speak about a case of measles in the village.
April 23rd. K. Morton absent because her sister has measles.
May 1st. Whole holiday given for "garlanding".
May 8th. John Bosworth absent - His brother has scarlet fever.
May 16th. Major Lombe called at play-time to show Mistress circular about destroying sparrows, & asked if any school-boy could assist.
May 18th. The Rector called & presented Medal for two years perfect attendance to O. Henson.
May 21st. Admitted three girls, Violet, Irene & Beatrice Boreham.
May 24th. Empire Day celebrated as usual.
June 4th. Admitted two Alderton infants - Francis & Elsie Hall.
June 14th. Mrs. Annand visited during nature study lesson.
June 18th. Gladys Atkins aged 13 left.
July 2nd. Mrs. D.Annand called to examine padlock with view to getting a new one.
July 20th. Admitted a Grafton infant. Gwendoline Mary Boreham.
Aug. 7th. Violet Boreham arrived at 2-35 this afternoon after repeatedly cautioned against coming late.
Aug. 9th. F. Webb absent through old boots.
Sept. 24th. Admitted one infant John French Allen aged 3. The Rector visited. Children went blackberrying in the afternoon.
Sept. 25th. Blackberrying in afternoon.
Sept. 26th. Carrier called for blackberries 82 ½ lbs.
Oct. 1st. Children go blackberrying this afternoon.
Oct. 2nd. Blackberrying this afternoon.
Oct. 9th. Blackberrying
Oct. 16th. Blackberrying
Oct. 17th. Blackberrying
Oct. 22nd. Blackberrying this afternoon.
Nov. 12th. The Boreham family left the village.
Dec. 3rd. Miss. Gardener sent from Paulerspury to take charge during Mistress' absence owing to measles.
1918
Jan. 7th. Four new members added to the War Savings Association today.
Jan. 14th. The G.F.S. candidates are to bring their needlework to school.
Jan. 16th. Deep snow attendance very bad.
Jan. 17th. Deep snow attendance very bad.
Jan. 18th. Only 4 scholars attended.
Jan. 23rd. Mr. Turner A.O. came in and spoke to Alderton boys for their bad attendance last week, & said they might have been here on Friday.
Feb. 18th. Webb aged 13 left. With Lab. Cert.
Feb. 20th. K. Morton left with Labour Cert.
Feb. 26th. Mistress had permission to go to Northampton to buy W.S. Cert. at the Bank for Grafton Regis & Alderton W.S.A..
March 11th. W. Allen absent. Has met with an accident.
April 16th. Attendance very bad, owing to a pouring wet day. Mrs. Annand called bring wool for ch. to knit into comforts for soldiers.
April 22nd. Mrs. Annand visited bringing specimen sock.
April 30th. Mrs. Annand visited to read ch. Letter re their doll's bed for hospital children. Two of the ch. being highly commended for their work.
May 6th. Admitted a new scholar Mary Turner a visitor from London aged 7.
May 13th. Mary Turner returned to London.
May 16th. Children made their "Empire Day" collection of eggs to the number of 100, which was sent to the wounded at the N.G. H.
May 24th. School closed for a fortnight, whooping cough having broken out.
June 7th. School closed for another week, nearly all children being ill.
June 17th. Re-opened school. Only 6 children well enough to attend. Sent boy with note to Managers for their instruction. School closed for another fortnight by Dr. Powell Med. Off. of Health.
July 1st. School re-opened 17 scholars present. Miss. Watson Supply Teacher absent with neurasthemia & whooping cough.
Sept. 19th. Mr. Baldock Blackberry organizer called re- Blackberry Scheme.
Sept. 16-17th The children had two afternoons for Blackberrying
Sept.24th. Blackberrying this afternoon.
Sept. 26th. Blackberrying afternoon.
Oct. 1st. Blackberry picking this afternoon.
Oct. 2nd. Blackberry picking this afternoon.
Oct. 8th. Admitted an Alderton infant aged five.
Oct. 9th. Blackberry picking this afternoon.
Oct. 15th. Blackberrying afternoon. 80¼lbs.
Oct. 17th. Blackberry afternoon.
Oct. 22nd. Blackberrying this afternoon.
Oct. 24th. Mrs. Annand called bringing children knitting materials for children. All the Alderton children went blackberrying. Leaving 7 Grafton at school.
Oct. 28th. Blackberrying afternoon.
Oct. 29th. Blackberrying afternoon.
Oct. 31st. Blackberry picking for the last time this afternoon.
Nov. 18th. Several children absent with influenza.
Nov. 19th. Only 13 scholars present.
Nov. 20th. 9 children present.
Nov. 21st. As only 6 children came to school closed by M.O.H. (Dr. Powell) for 14 days.
Dec. 5th. School re-opened with only Grafton children. None came from Alderton. Sent word to Rector who advised that a messenger be sent to Alderton inquiring for the children, who arrived at 2 o'clock except Ruth Webb. She has been absent since Nov. 5th. Inquiring note sent to parents.
1919
Jan. 20th. Ivy Eales absent through illness. Wet day but all other Alderton scholars present.
Jan 27th. Mistress has been absent with bad throat, which has been epidemic among children.
Jan 31st. Mr. Brafield came in to look at broken grate.
Feb. 3rd. F. Hall absent with bad cough. Most of the children coughing - an interruption of lessons.
Feb. 6th. Deep snow; five absent from Alderton.
Feb. 10th. Very fair attendance considering the severe weather. Only 3 absent from Alderton.
Feb. 18th. More snow; very bad attendance from Alderton.
Mar. 3rd. Better attendance; only one absent.
Mar. 31st. Col. Lombe called to look at coal.
April 10th. School closed for want of fuel (We have managed to keep on for last fortnight with wood collected by the boys).
April 28th. Re-opened school after Easter holidays. Ground covered with snow. Weather very cold. No coal has arrived, but Mr. Fountain Alderton Manager has given us a load of wood, with which and some coal dust we manage to keep up a fire. Three infants absent.
May 6th. Coal has arrived!
May 19th. The Rector visited and gave periodicals to children to encourage them in home reading.
June 6th. Weekly average 18. School closed Whitsuntide holidays a week.
June 17th. Mr. Brafield visited during Rectors absence from home.
June 19th. John Allen absent.
June 23rd. Cyril Hall absent having met with an accident.
June 24th. Mrs. Henson asked leave of absence for Sidney Henson to go with her to Daventry. Mistress explained that she could grant no leave.
July 7th. Rector brought notice of harvest holiday to commence on Aug. 1st.
July 21st. K. Allen sent for arrived late.
Aug. 1st. Weekly average 15.8. School closed for usual harvest holiday - five weeks.
Oct. 1st. Re-admitted May Turner from London.
Oct. 10th. School closed for a week for "Peace"
Oct. 20th. May Turner left.
Nov. 3rd. Admitted one Grafton infant John Green aged 5.
Nov. 11th. Children came in from play a few minutes earlier than usual for the " Great Silence" which began when the Church bell gave the signal. Children were asked to offer a prayer for all those who had suffered in the Great War.
Nov. 17th. Snow & roads bad, but all scholars present.
Nov. 24th. Two absent boys sent for: one came.