Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    SDLutonDRB1/1
  • Title
    Log book of Denbigh Road Boys' Department (later Denbigh Road Senior Boys' School/Department). Index pages used to record teaching staff details.
  • Date free text
    28 February 1921-June 1949
  • Production date
    From: 1921 To: 1949
  • Scope and Content
    In general the log book records information about the organisation and events of the school. Teachers are mentioned throughout regarding their illnesses, absences, appointments and resignations. Pupils are not mentioned except in four instances, two who excelled at sport and two evacuees who tried to walk home to London and had to be brought back from St Albans police station. During Mr Barnell's headship music seems to have been important. Under Mr Tripp sporting events are given prominence. The school began on the 28 February 1921 in a temporary wooden building with Herbert Joseph Barnell as Headmaster. 28 May 1923 Empire Day celebrated. The Head Master spoke to the Senior boys on the meaning of Empire Day, their responsibilities, citizenship and the League of Nations. By means of a gramophone record the boys were able to listen to inspiring addresses by their majesties the King and Queen and the proceedings concluded with the singing of O God, our Help in Ages Past and the National Anthem.' 13 March 1926 'Harry Towle, the captain of the school football team, has today been selected for international honours. He has been chosen to play right-half back for the England Team. Towle entered the school team before he was eleven years of age and was appointed captain this season. He was also captain of the Luton school-boys' team (England 3 Scotland 0). I believe this is the first occasion of such an honour coming to Luton or to the County of Bedfordshire.' 16 April 1926 Headmaster leaving earlier today in order to take charge of Harry Towle on his visit to Aberdare where he is playing in the international match England v Wales tomorrow.' 30 June 1926 'School closed today for Luton's Incorporation Jubilee.' page 53 Report of HMI 19 Feb 1930. 'This large school of over 800 children in three departments has been housed in temporary premises - old army huts - for the last nine years. It has outgrown these and it is hoped to provide new permanent and larger buildings within the next eighteen months...' 18 Sept 1930 'The new school site has been taken over today and a start has been made on the new buildings.' 12 Jan 1932 'The whole building now completed and took possession of my room today; having used the NE classroom until this morning.' 4 April 1932 'School reassembled this morning after the Easter vacation as a Senior School. 29 Nov 1932 'owing to the trade depression many of the boys for the first time were not fixed up in situations immediately upon leaving school.' 5 Dec 1932 'Have installed a cinema projector in the school hall for the teaching of geography, history, science etc.' 30 Nov 1933 'Great day in the history of the school. A visit by His worship the Mayor, the Corporation and other distinguished visitors' programme attached. 18 July 1935 'We all received a sudden shock this morning after hearing of the death of our respected & beloved Headmaster and friend Mr Her't J Barnell - who passed away in the Bute Nursing home after 3 weeks' illness.' [the new headmaster G E Tripp took over on 1st November 1935]. 28 Oct 1936 'School closed today as the New Town Hall was opened at 12 noon by HRH Duke of Kent. The boys assembled in school marched to positions in Leagrave Rd. As the Duke passed, the boys cheered heartily.' page 128-145 long HMI report on school. May 1937 'In connection with the Coronation Holiday tomorrow a tea will be given to the boys.' Sept 1939 staff helping in the billeting of evacuees from the Haverstoke Central School and 400+ mothers and children from the Highgate district. Hugh Myddleton Senior, Junior and Infants schools moved to school from other side of Luton. Details of some of the teaching arrangements. G E Tripp was called up and Mr Neal acted as head during the war, Mr Tripp returned as headmaster on the 3 Sept 1945.
  • Closed under Data Protection Act. Access at the discretion of the duty archivist.
  • Level of description
    item
  • Closed until
    2024
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