Reference
AU10/85/1
Title
Questionnaire by Andrew Underwood on Ampthill National School with answers by Ida Redman:
- Q. Can you remember any of the Headmasters BEFORE Mr.Searle? If so, who? What do you remember about them?
- A. No
- Q. What do you remember about Mr.Searle?
- A. Mr.Searle was a very tall, well built man. In fact he was the largest man I ever knew. I think most of his pupils loved him, as I did. he was very artistic, his paintings had to be seen to be believed & his garden was a thing of joy & beauty to the whole neighbourhood. Mr.Searle was unusual in his method of dress. He generally wore loose fitting flannel suits, of green, grey or mauve, with either a small black bow, or a spotted silk handkerchief tied in a large bow at the neck. He wore large wide brimmed hats of felt or straw & he walked with a light springing tread. He had thick hair, inclined to curl, & he had a habit of pushing his fingers through it, which made it stand upright. He enjoyed young company & we had many evening parties. Breaking up parties and concerts given on the Lawn. he was very patriotic & we always gave a show on Empire Day.
- Q. In what year approximately, do you first remember him?
- A. 1900
- Q. Were you in any of his operas and concerts?
- A. Yes
- Q. Can you name them, and give the name of the part you played?
- A. As a schoolgirl I took part in all the concerts. which were usually given at Christmas & again at Easter. These were not allowed to interfere with our lessons, all of which would compare very favourably with present day standards
- Q. Can you remember who else was in them, and what parts they took?
- A. I usually danced, or acted some part with a boy named Cyril Mills. There were four Mills brothers, all of whom sang beautifully
- Q. Do you recall any anecdotes or amusing incidents attached to these operas?
- A. Not really. We took these concerts very seriously. Miss Eva Swaffield & Mr.Newby Stanbridge always undertook the musical items (in my day anyway) & the late Mrs.J.Seabrook helped us to make our dresses. We made all our own decorations & Mrs.Searle painted all the scenery
- Q.Can you remember any of the teachers at any of the schools in the town before the 1st World War? What can you remember about the schools?
- A. Yes. Misses Effie, Elsie & Bessie Stanbridge, Miss Edith Ashman, Miss Roach, Miss Rainbow, Mr.Robert Young, Mr.Stanley Northwood. There were others and I cannot remember their names. During my early school days were were drilled twice a week by Sgt Dell an ex-army Sgt. In the playground was a large Maypole swing, other swings & Horizontal Bar.
Q. have I missed anything?
A. A large sliding partition divided the two schoolrooms & every Friday it was pushed back & on Monday morning it was closed again. Several of us gleefully helped with this operation, & it squeaked terribly. We had a corner cupboard with glass doors which we called the Museum, but I do not remember that it contained anything of interest.
Date free text
1956
Production date
From: 1900 To: 1956
Level of description
item