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We were delighted a while ago to receive a letter from a lady called Betty Towse (nee Kent). She wrote to us describing her memories of being at Cross-in-Hand School in the 1930's. She recalls, amongst other things, her old teachers, what the classrooms were like and school during the war. If you have any further memories or comments, please contact us on 01435862941 or on our school email address found in the "Contact Us" part of the website. We would love to hear from you. "I started my schooling at Cross-in-Hand wearing a red tammy with a yellow embroidered school badge on the front. We had a lobby, on the wall were hooks where we could hang up our clothes. Along one side was a shelf with three enamel washbasins and a jug of water for hand washing. The infant's classroom was an airy space with large windows running down one side. We had a fireplace on one side and a coke burning stove on the other. During the winter days this allowed us to stay very warm. Just inside the door was a large Abacus frame for counting. On the other side was an elderly harmonium. The main classroom was similar in its airiness and also had a fire. On the wall was a huge map of the world; large red areas would indicate our "Empire over which the sun never sets." Mrs Huckvale was our teacher. She was a gentle lady who had a lovely way with us small children. As we got older we were moved from one side of the class to the other. No longer did we sit at the small chairs with rounded arms. Now we were promoted to higher seats with straight backs!! Miss Perry, my next teacher, was very different to Mrs Huckvale. I used to dread writing on a slate frame. The noise went straight to my head. Miss Perry would certainly make us mind. As I look back now I realise she was probably just only out of school herself. I loved the playground games. I remember one winter the Headmaster throwing a bucket of water onto the playground so that it would freeze and make a slide for the next day. The canteen at school provided hot food every day, despite Mrs Godfrey only having a small paraffin stove. The boys would help bring the heavy pans of food into the big room. It was often soup followed by jam roly-poly. If we were thirsty in the day, we would be able to go to the Headmater's house for a drink of water by filling a cup from a bucket of water. At Christmas time the big hall would be decorated with crepe paper chains made by the children. A Christmas tree reached to the ceiling covered with sparkling tinsel. Three beautiful red ruby lamps hung from the ceiling at this time and the smell was so cosy and special. It was only this time of year when there were lamps lit. During the darkest of winter days we would be sent home early so that we could be indoors before dark. During the winter the girls played netball in the playground. I think the boys played football. They also worked on the school's vegetable garden. In summer the girls played stoolball and the boys played cricket on the Recreation Ground, which is now a housing estate. It was impossible playing against other schools because of transport issues. One day, I was surprised to find a new girl sitting next to me. Her hair was plaited into a lovely golden rope, she wore thick bevelled glasses and a red dress covered in black embroidery. I smiled at her, she smiled at me and we giggled. Her name was Gisela and she was German. She went as quickly as she arrived. She was a refugee escaping to America. I wonder if she ever saw her parents again. Cookery classes should have started but the military had commanded the hall where the classes were held. It was time for the Christmas Party but we hadn't any blackout curtains or window screens. No party - don't you know there is a war on. One or two people got together and said there was going to be a party, not in the school but at the Legion hut where electricity, running water and mod cons were available. We had instructions to bring a large white handkerchief to tie round our arm as we walked home in the blackout. The school bell was heard no more. It was to be rung as a warning sign only. When the evacuees arrived our school was full to bursting point. Later on, the local hall was taken over by the London teachers and they had their own special arrangements. We had so little equipment in those days. A temporary teacher brought in a gramophone so that we could have country dancing outside. She also arranged for some bright pictures of flowers to decorate the walls. The classrooms were full of desks and apart from a table and a cupboard there was no space for any activities. Betty Towse |
School History
23 Oct 1876 - 1898
15 Feb 1899 - 1984
22 Oct 1969 - current
