The Windsor Parish Magazine 1881

February

ENTERTAINMENT AND CHRISTMAS TREE AT THE INFANT SCHOOL

On Saturday, February 5th, a, number of friends of the children assembled to hear a programme of songs gone through, and to see the Christmas tree stripped of the dolls and toys which were fastened to its branches. At eleven o’clock all the children were arranged on the large gallery, and this in itself was a pleasing sight – so many bright and happy faces gathered there. After singing their songs with which all present seemed much pleased, the little ones were allowed to come down, a few at a time and receive a present from the tree. The girls had a doll each; the boys were presented with toys of various kinds, The Vicar said a few words, and then the children were dismissed, each taking away with them a bun and an orange. We must not forget to congratulate Miss Wood, Miss Illsley, and the other teachers on the successful way in which the treat went off; nor to thank those friends who so kindly contributed towards the expenses of it. Some very useful things in the way of children’s clothing were hung round the room. These were distributed a day or two later to the infants who were most in need of what, in that cold weather, must have been regarded as a welcome present.

 March

THE SCHOOLS

The annual distribution of Champagne Bibles took place on Tuesday evening, the 30th, in the Girls’ Schoolroom. It will be remembered that these Bibles are provided out of a fund left by the late Canon Champagne, sometime Canon of St. George’s. They are generally given away by the Canon of Windsor in residence, which this year happened to be Lord Wriothesley Russell. After asking a few questions and giving a short address to the children and their parents who were present he handed the Bibles to the following successful pupils :

Boys: Charles Phillips, Robert Lovell, Thomas Chalk, Robert Crocker, Henry Andrews, Edward Doe and James Cox.

Girls: Lilian Clarke, Alice Goodridge, Ellen Ada Howick, Sarah Taylor, Ada Jeffries, Kate Jeffries and Louisa Bowley

Mr. Thornton also gave four Bibles, which were awarded, after written examination, to Henry Ogilwy, William Fry, Ada Ledgeley, and Emily Jeffery.

The Mayor also presented six Bibles, which were awarded to Robert West, Charles Doe, James Gardner, Agnes Rose, Maria Stagg, and Grace Gray. About twenty other children competed for these prizes and acquitted themselves creditably, it being voluntary work done at home Mr. Thornton was good enough to give to each one an illuminated text as a mark of approbation. In addition to these, prizes were given by Mr. Griffin for regular attendance and by Miss Gibbons to those children who passed at a recent examination according to Government requirements. We were glad to notice that some eight children had never been absent from school during the year, about the same number had only been absent once and altogether more than fifty were considered worthy of a prize for regular attendance.

Miss Gibbons gave prizes to William Whittington and William Philippo for obtaining First-class Certificates at the examination of the Oxford Diocesan Association.

The following special prizes were given:

By Mr. Griffin, for Needlework, to Alice Garraway, Florence Garraway, and Agnes Rose.

By Rev. R. A. England for knowledge of the Prayer Book to Annie Fletcher.

By Rev. W. R. T. Atkinson for Geography and Map Drawing to Robert Crocker and one by the Master to William Field.

For general good conduct Miss Lloyd gave prizes to the following girls: 1st Class, Emily Ogilwy and Louisa Bowley; 2ud Class, Annie May; 3rd Class, Annie Stokes; 4th Class, Harriet Franklin, Ada West, and Gertrude Roberts; 5th Class, Emily Short. A prize was also awarded Robert Crocker for good conduct. It may be well to mention that Miss Gibbons makes attendance at Scripture instruction a condition in awarding her prizes. No less than 14 girls lost prizes because they habitually do not exert themselves to come in time for Scripture Lessons.

June

PROPOSED SALE OF WORK

Il is proposed (D. V.) in the month of October, to hold a Sale of Work, with a view to liquidate the Debt still remaining on the Infants’ School. The following is a list of the Ladies who have consented to act as a committee:

Mrs. Gee. Mrs. Denham. Miss Tuck. Mrs Ellison. Mrs. Holderness. Mrs. Grugeon. Mrs. Phillips. Mrs. Bird. Mrs. Perry. Mrs. Thornton. Miss Gibbons. Mrs. Pearl. Mrs. Holland. Mrs. Shipley. Mrs. Peters. Mrs. Dobson. Mrs. England.

The Ladies of the Committee will thankfully receive Donations, any Saleable Goods,’ and plain or fancy Needlework.

 July

THE SCHOOL TREAT

 In recording our School Treat of 1881, the sad event at the outset the fatal accident to one of the Spital Infant School children must be uppermost in our thoughts. This disaster, of course, cast a gloom over what was in other respects a most successful day. The weather was all that could be desired, dry and cool; the provisions and tea were especially commended by the recipients; and we are glad to think that the pleasure of a large number of the children was not marred, as they were ignorant of the sad accident that had happened. There reckoned to have been about 1,100 children present.

 September

SCHOOLS

The attendance in the Boys’ and Girls’ School since the holidays has been above the, average; the numbers in the Infant School have been affected by the measles which are very prevalent just now.— Average attendance last week—Boys, 301; Girls, 1 97 ; Infants, 194.

GOVERNMENT REPORT, AUGUST 1881.

Boys: The Master’s health has been far from satisfactory. This considered, the general success must certainly be called good. But there is lax work in the large First Standard Class, and there is dullness about the Reading of the 4th Standard. William Hamlett, P. T., has passed well.

Girls: The general results here are certainly good, the needlework being excellent. There is weakness about the sums of the 6th Standard. Infants The Reading is but fair; the work done in all other subjects, and the order and general management, are excellent.

 November

SALE OF WORK

All arrangements have now been made for a Sale of Work, which is to take place at the Albert Institute, on Thursday and Friday, the

17th and 18th of this month. It is hoped that the proceeds may cancel the debt of £300 now due on the Infants’ School, and enable us to feel that we have all our Educational Buildings free of encumbrances. The general kindness of the Parishioners makes us very hopeful of a satisfactory result.

Her Royal Higness Princess Christian has graciously promised to open the Sale on Thursday, the 17th, at twelve o’clock; and on the Wednesday evening in the week following, the musical friends of the undertaking have promised to give a Concert in aid of the funds.

Any Articles kindly intended for sale may still be sent to the Vicarage or to the residence of any Member of the Committee.

SCHOOLS

The Examination in Religious Knowledge by the Diocesan Inspector was held in the Girls’ School on the 20th; in the Boys’ on the

25th inst. We have not yet seen the Report.

SPITAL. – The Report of this School by the Government Inspector was inadvertently omitted last month. It is now given. The order

and general working of this School are quite satisfactory.’ ‘Average attendance this month, 48.

We may mention also that there is a Sunday-School held in the School-room at Spital. Miss Last and Miss Munns take charge of it.

Mrs. Denham also frequently assists them.

December

THE SALE OF WORK

We can scarcely hope to tell our readers any news in a Monthly publication. There are, however, some Events which are of sufficient importance parochially to be told again in our Parish Magazine. Our readers would be surprised if no reference were made to these transactions. Just such an event is our “SALE OF WORK,” to which we have been looking forward all the summer, and for which kind friends have been working even before the summer began. This SALE took place at the Albert Institute on the 17th and 18th of the past month, and has been, we gratefully record, a perfect success!

It, is generally known that our Infants’ School had but one drawback. It unavoidably cost more than was intended. After an outlay of £2,200, towards which many had contributed more than once, there still remained a debt of nearly £3OO. What, was to be done? Nothing, seemingly, but to work out the debt by the sale of various fancy goods which might tempt purchasers to come to our rescue. Well, it is not necessary to repeat the list of the Committee; nor to tell how often they met, and what steps they took. By the 17th all was ready; and Her Royal Highness Princess Christian most graciously opened the Sale, and made some purchases at every one of the Tables.

The whole proceeds of the two days were £341 8s. Id. This sum was earned as under:

Entrance money £3.

Mrs. Gee’s receipts include some £2 7s. 3d. obtained by Mrs Atkinson by tbe sale of buttons, tapes &c

Mrs. Holderness realized her amount chiefly by the success of her Wedding-cake.

Mrs. Selby presided over a Refreshment table that was always crowded.

The success obtained was most gratifying, for not only was the necessary turn served, but a most kindly social feeling was drawn out by the common interest taken in the same parochial work. The Vicar, Treasurer, and Committee hardly knew how to express warmly enough their sense of obligation to all that took part.

But this is not all that has been done. As a Sale of Work itself involves some expense, it was determined to have an AMATEUR CONCERT to defray these charges. Accordingly on Wednesday, 23rd, our friends and neighbours, assisted by some at a distance, as Miss Burnett and Miss Johnson, sang and played with such effect that the sum of £27 net was added to the Sale receipts, and placed us in the undisturbed enjoyment of all that the Sale had brought us.

We have not been slow to pay our debt. This was paid off on the afternoon of the Concert, and the Vicar had the great pleasure to announce in the evening that there remained some £50 applicable to the completion of the few matters which were left imperfect when the Building Committee closed their accounts.

Now we have a thousand school places by Government measurement of 8 square feet or 80 cubic feet toa child. This may fairly be declared to be the contribution of the Church of England to the Education of the Town, and may reasonably be considered as sufficient provision of School accommodation on our part forsome years to come.

We have the satisfaction to know that the poorest and lowest of the town population entrust their children to us. We charge

a school fee lower than in many places, yet last year our school pence in all 4 schools came to £250.

We venture to pledge ourselves to renewed and increased labour as regards superintendence and kindly care. What else can we do but ” thank God and take courage”? We take this opportunity to entreat all parents to send their children, not irregularly and fitfully, but with unfailing punctuality, and we respectfully request the School Attendance Committee, which now is charged with bringing the children to our school-door, not to relax in their efforts, but to keep up that steady pressure which is wanted where education is not valued and the children’s true interest not considered.

If we are favoured with this general cooperation we shall be bold to ‘apply to our Schools the words of S. Paul, The whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body in the edifying of itself in love.”

ROYAL FREE SCHOOLS, WINDSOR

Report of an Examination in Religious Knowledge held October 20th and 25th, 1881.

GIRLS’ SCH00L: Of the Lower Division of this School, the Girls in the 1st and 2nd Standards are, I am sure, carefully instructed in Religious subjects; they answered well. Those in the 3rd Standard answering fairly well, both in Holy Scripture and Catechism.

Of the Upper Division, the Girls in the 4th Standard were not up to the mark in their Catechism or in the Book of Common Prayer. The Girls in the 5th and 6th Standards showed a fair knowledge of Holy Scripture, Catechism, and Prayer-book, while the Old Testament papers of the 6th Standard Girls were decidedly good

The following Girls answered best in the several Standards:

Standards I.& II. IL – Annie Short, Eliza Silver, Florence Poulter, Alice Colsell, Edith Joel, Georgina Bowers, Elizabeth Wilkinson.

Standard Ill. – C. Lovegrove, Elizabeth Reavell.

Standard IV.—Mary Jane Godliman, Marion Reeves, Emily Hopkins.

Standard V. & VI—Edith Taylor, Emily Jefferys, Alice Short, Ada Ledgley, Jane Arthurs, Marian Bailey (viva voce very good,)

Boys’ School. – The Boys on the whole passed a very fair Examination in Holy Scripture, and the 5th, 6th, and 7th Standards a good one in the Book of Common Prayer; but the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th only did indifferently well in the Catechism, and the 4th Standard Boys also indifferently in the Book of Common Prayer.

My opinion is, that the Teachers of the 1st and 2nd Standards have taken considerable pains with the Religious instruction of the boys under their charge.

Prize—Edward Doe.

The following Boys answered best :—

Standard I. WiIIiam Skinner, Alfred King.

Standard II. Ernest Coleman, Alfred Arthurs, George Roach, John Wm. Jones, Alfred Smith.

Standard III. John Whittington, William Arthurs, William Muzzall, George Bailey, Edw. Woodlock.

Standard IV. —Arthur Norcott, William Coleman.

Standard V.—Arthur Whittington, Fred. Mundy, E. Gray.

Standard VI.—George Cox.

Standard Vll.—Edward Doe, William Fry.

T. E. HARWOOD, Local Dioc. Inspector.

Nov. 24th, 1881.

CHURCH SCHOOLMASTERS’ ASSOCIATION – FOR DEANERIES OF’ BURNHAM AND MAIDENHEAD

The customary Autumnal Meeting of Clergy, Sunday School Teachers, Day School Teachers and others interested in the work of the Church in her Sunday Schools, will be held (D.v.) in the ROYAL FREE SCHOOLS, WINDSOR, (by kind permission of the

Vicar) on Saturday, December 1881, when The Rev. W. CORBETT, M.A., Organizing Secretary of the Church of England Sunday School Institute, will give a MODEL LESSON TO A CLASS OF CHILDREN, and subsequently address the audience.

General discussion will follow ; when any matters of interest in relation to the work of the Sunday School may be brought forward for consideration; and it is hoped that those present will avail themselves of the opportunity either to impart or to acquire

information on points connected with their work.

The Chair will be taken by the Rev. CANON GEE, D.D. at 2.30 precisely.

S. POYNTER, Hon. sec.

Clewer N. School, Eve of S. Andrew, 1881.

N.B.—The Meeting will be followed by Tea, kindly provided for all present by Mrs. Gee.

The Windsor Parish Magazine January 1882

WINTER CHARITIES

The Soup Kitchen will be opened with the New Year. The distribution will be as last Winter. It will be on Tuesdays and Fridays to families (once each in the week) ; and on Wednesdays to school children, at twelve o’clock each day, in the School kitchen. Coals are given out by the Clergy every week to pressing cases. District Visitors are invited to recommend any need Of any kind that they consider urgent. They have also the power of ordering 1 cwt. of coal where they see immediate necessity.

March

A RAGGED CLASS

I should like to make known to our neighbours an interesting but somewhat embarrassing result of the pressure put upon all children to attend School. This has forced into attendance the children of the lowest and poorest—poorest, perhaps, be- These children cause the least provident, sober, and industrious come to us in State of untidiness and raggedness which pains us to see as existing in our parish town. Their wretched clothes are cobbled together, and their feet are in some old pair of women’s boots or slippers. A large number of these would make a (very) ” Ragged School.”

It occurs to me that some of our kind friends may have children’s garments to give away, or would occupy their leisure in making up some cheap clothing for these ill-clad children. I fear that pinafores, blouses, &c., are things of the past ; but I should be happy to consult with any who would help these children who come near to give us the opportunity of earning the blessing of “clothing the naked.” I would gladly receive at the Vicarage any articles intended for the children.

One good result of such aid would be that some grace and kindliness were thrown over the bringing to school of these children. At present it is all driving; a policeman’s work; and obeyed through fear of the consequences, and not from appreciation of the education or wish to please and satisfy their District Visitors and best friends.

ROYAL FREE & INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS, WINDSOR

The Annual Examination in Scripture, and Distribution of the Bibles left by bequest of the late Canon Champagné, took place in the Girls’ School Room, Bachelors’ Acre, on Friday Evening, March 24th, at 6.45. The Rev, Canon Pearson presided.

The Prizes for proficiency and good attendance during the past year—left by bequest of the late J. Griffn, Esq., also others given by Miss Gibbons and other friends of the Schools—were awarded at the same time.

We are unable to give a complete list, but the following are the names of the principal prize-takers:

“CHAMPAGNE’S PRIZES”: George Hamblett, Charles Doe, William Fry, George Cox, Emily Jeffrey, Lily Dugan, William Groves, Roland Gray, Albert Ledgley, Eliza Howick, Emily Smith, William Field, Ada Ledgley, Jane Arthurs, Alice Short, James Gardner, William Lutwyche, Grace Gray, Annie May

THE ” GRIFFIN ” PRIZES: Frederick Glaister, William Muzzal, Henry -Cripps, Eleanor Osborne, Henry Hamblett, Charles Patch, Marion Bailey, Annie Banham, Jane Saunders.

For GENERAL GOOD CONDUCT: (Given by the Vicar.) Henry Cross, Annie Patch,

For GEOGRAPHY: (Given by the Vicar.) William Fry, William Field

For SCRIPTURE: (Given by the Rev. W. R. T, Atkinson.) William Fry, Annie Patch, Frederick Glaister, Ada Jeffries

For CATECHISM: (Given by the Rev. H. P. Prosser.) Alice Goodridge.

For REGULAR ATTENDANCE GIRLS: (Given by Miss Gibbons.) Jane Arthurs, Ellen Field, Annie May, Sarah Short, Ada Clark, Ellen Gray, Edith Butler, Annie Baldwin, Lucy Mayne, Elizabeth Silver, Annetta Morris, Alice Colsell, Annie Short, Charlotte Field, Clara Somner, Mary Wren, Annie Hamblett, Kate White, Elizabeth Bennett.

For REGULAR ATTENDANCE BOY’S: (Given by Miss Gibbons.)Frank Drewett, William Dugan, Henry Ledgley, John Earley, Arthur Taylor, Charles Bailey, William Baker, Wm. Hetherington, William Arthurs, John Slack, Frank Peat, John Wayman, John Whittington, George Jordan, Henry Grubb, Arthur Bunham, Alfred Smith, Alfred Arthurs, William Baldwih, Henry Cox, George Roach.

Miss Gibbons also gave a number of Prizes for Proficiency at a recent Examination in Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic.

NEEDLEWORK:

Emily Stevens, 1st Prize, given by Mrs Gee.

Marion Bailey, 2nd Prize, given by Miss Lloyd.

Emily Smith, Ada Jeffries, Edith Sleigh and Rose Taylor A silver thimble, given by Mrs. Holland.

HOME LESSONS: (Given by Miss Lloyd.) Gertrude Roberts

August

SCHOOL INSPECTION

Only those who have to do with Schools know the engrossing interest which attaches to the visit of Her Majesty’s Inspector. He gauges in a few hours the work of the whole year. He endorses the Teachers’ Certificates with entries which either make or mar their professional prospects. He allots an amount of public money, which is a large item in the school finances, or he may withhold a grant altogether. How much depends upon the Teachers’ and Managers’ tact and brightness on the occasion of this momentous visit; and (wo may fairly add) how much also is affected by the Inspector’s own good humour and good digestion! There is much to be said in extenuation of defeat or in excuse of failure, but it is very satisfactory when you have no occasion at all to say it. As Talleyrand once quietly remarked, “There is nothing succeeds like a success.” And we may, with much thankfulness, score a success this year. We submitted four schools to Her Majesty’s Inspector, and presented to him 900 Scholars, and we have no failure to record! We are told that, had he been required (as he will be next year) to assign to each School a certain character, he would have assigned to our largest School the highest – that of “Excellence.” We calculate that we shall receive of public grant just £600, and the children’s pence throughout the year have been £257 IOS. There can be no real need in this condition of our Schools to resort to a School Board for the education of the town.

While we are discussing School matters, a word may be said as to the case of the ragged children ” of the town. This word will be said quite disinterestedly, for our National Schools would be well rid of their disorder; but the experience of the past year during which this class has been carefully watched and washed, cleaned and clothed, has impressed some of the Managers and Teachers, as well as the School Officer, with the belief that in their own interest these children are gainers by being incorporated into our Schools, and associated with other children, instead of being kept a “Pariah Class ” of gutter children entirely by themselves.

SCHOOL TREAT” or “FEAST.”

This is second in anxiety to the year’s Inspection and has a disadvantage of its own in being entirely at the mercy of the weather. Again, we have to record success, or a happiness. On Thursday, July 27th, more than a thousand children assembled in the meadow so kindly lent by Her Majesty, and the thousand would tell you that they spent five very happy hours. The disaster of last year made all, not only doubly careful but unavoidably nervous as to the safety of the children, and a nervous observer could not but think that every single amusement of the children, whether in swings or carts, or on pony or donkey-back, was attended with some risk. However, they were happily returned in perfect safety by 8 o’clock in the evening, pleasingly deluding themselves by singing  “We won’t go home till morning.” Special thanks are due to those who collect the funds for this great gratification of the children. They will not be discouraged, it is hoped, by the trouble and fret of having to get up the amount. It certainly seems sometimes as that last straw which in a proverb breaks the camel’s back! When we have given in Church and at home to our Schools for their work, then they come round again and beg some £40 for their play! This seems a large sum, but it is not sixpence a-head for the children entertained, and it includes the excursion grants for two large adult classes. It must be remembered that we are not allowed to charge one penny for these treats in the accounts we submit to Government. And now let us all wish the Teachers and Managers a happy holiday.

 October

NIGHT SCHOOL

It is proposed this winter as usual to have a Night School, in fact to have two such schools, perfectly distinct. One will be under Mr. Plumridge and will be intended for all of any age who have unfortunately lost earlier opportunities. If only willing to learn at last, on the old principle of “better late than never,” they will taught even their letters if necessary; while opportunity will be taken to read to them and with them, and show them how to spend happily and innocently a winter evening. There will be no payment expected from these. The other School will be for advanced youths, who desire to keep up their learning and to improve themselves. They will be taught the higher Arithmetic and Elementary science if they so desire. There will also be a Drawing class, as Mr. Ford, the teacher, is fully qualified to teach drawing. The charge in his Upper school will be 4d. a week.

Neither School will be kept open unless a sufficient, number continue to attend,

The times at present proposed are from 7.30 to 9, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday nights.

 November

THE PARISH MAGAZINE

It is intended at the beginning of the New Year to change the Magazine which forms the staple of our monthly number. We propose to make Home Words the substance of the Magazine for the next twelvemonth; and confidently believe that all will approve the measure.

It seems almost necessary for a well-appointed Parish to have some Paper or Magazine by which information on parish matters may be continually and sociably imparted. It would be with the greatest unwillingness that our publication was discontinued, but some further support must be asked. At present some 20 or 30 numbers are not really subscribed for but are taken at the Vicarage to assist the sale. Cannot the reader find a neighbour or two who would begin to take in the new publication with the New Year ?

 December

THE GRIFFIN WINDOW

There is only room to mention that the Chancel Light to the memory of our late excellent, friend is being placed in the Church as we go to press.