R3/4847/1

Letter Reads- Encloses notices about trespassing for the Duke's signature. Cites instances of shooting at night, egg stealing etc. The offenders are well known to the keepers but they cannot catch them. He thinks however it may be possible to catch the gang and he proposes to serve notices. Mr Puckle "begs to acknowledge the Duke's attention in granting him a park key at his request". Mr Dexter thanks the Duke for his donation for the accident. Mr May wishes the Duke to be informed that the Ampthill dissenters have got a master from the Borough Board School and opened school in a room they have hired temporarily. 80 boys attend. Poor people pay 2 pence per week per child - merchants and small tradesmen pay 6 pence per week. In the evenings 90 girls attend to receive instructions in reading and writing. (They are employed during the day in lace making and straw plaiting at home. The cost of the proposed school room is 225-250, of which sum Mr May thinks he can raise 100 in Ampthill by subscription. Several people who previously subscribed to the British School may subscribe to the national school in preference. They wont subscribe to both. As the present room is not "sufficiently commodious" they are anxious to know what help they may expect from the Duke. There is some rivalry over charges for attending the two schools.

7 May 1844

From: 1844 To: 1844

English

item

Haedy, C,
Puckle,
Dexter,
May

schools, lace making, straw plaiting, gamekeepers, letters, WOBURN, Woburn Abbey, AMPTHILL