Scope and Content
Includes:
Memo from Director of Education; 'I have received the report of an accident to a boy at the school, in which he cut his head on the window frame of an open window whilst he was running in the playground close to the school building. The Head has stated that these windows have been the cause of accidents before and were adjusted about eighteen months ago'; Feb 1967
Letter from Headmaster; 'Some time ago I mentioned windows in the woodwork room which, when open, are potentially dangerous. I have now discussed the matter with Mr Collins of the Architect's Department and his solution to the problem is for part of the tarmacadam surface near the windows to be removed so that a flower bed can replace it'; Jun 1967
Memo from Director of Education to County Architect; 'I confirm that it would be appreciated if sufficient tarmac could be removed to prevent pupils colliding with the windows of the Woodwork Room which open over this area of tarmac. The school intends to provide a shrub border in place of the tarmac'; Oct 1967
Specification of Work for Alterations to Tarmacadam Area; 'The work involves removing the tarmacadam surface and hardcore outside of the windows to the Woodwork Room and replacing with a flowerbed ...3' wide by approximately 44' long'; May 1968
Tender accepted for £46 [from J W Smith & Sons (Asphalt Contractors) Ltd, Wymington]; Jul 1968
Letter from County Architect to the above; 'I shall appreciate it if you will inform me by return when you propose to carry out the alterations to the tarmacadam area. This order has been outstanding for some considerable time and I am anxious that this work be completed without further delay'; Dec 1968
Form BM2; 'School Canteen; please cover floor in larder and vegetable store with vinyl tiles'; Jul 1967
same request Feb and Apr 1968
Memo from Chief Fire Officer; 'On a routine inspection at the school recently, one of my Officers noted that in the 3-bay Lock-Up Garages in the playground, housing a tractor and mowers, 5 gallon cans of petrol and a 40 gallon drum of paraffin were also stored. It is recommended that a separate and properly constructed store should be provided for flammable liquids, and a 2 gallon foam type extinguisher provided and sited on a firmly fixed wall bracket in the garage'; May 1968
Memo from Chief Education Officer to County Architect; 'I anticipate Parkfields School will become a Middle School for 660 pupils. I shall be very glad if you will look at the site and playing fields to see whether the land we already own is sufficient for its future purposes, and if not, what extensions of the school boundaries you would recommend'; Nov 1968
Reply; 'The combined area of Parkfields Modern and the Primary School is, in total, about 13 1/4 acres, divided as 9 acres for the C.S.M. and 4 1/4 acres for the V.P.. If you could say what you intend for the V.P., i.e. if it is to become, say a 320 or 480 Lower School needing 3 to 3 1/2 acres, then Parkfields could have about 10 acres. From my working out, I make the area for a 660 Middle School about 12 5/8 acres (I would be grateful for your confirmation of this) so, if I am right, we ought to find 2 1/2 to 3 acres more land. There are bits and pieces of large back gardens surrounding the site which could make up this area, but I should expect one or two Compulsory Purchase Orders will be necessary'; Feb 1969
Reply; 'I see little purpose in attempting to acquire driblets of backgardens, but I will be interested to know if there is other land adjoining the site and playing field which may be available. My concern in November stemmed from a remark by a Governor of the School that housing development in the area might soon hem in the school on all sides. I shall be gald if you will explore this point and let me know whether there is any suitable land which may be available for an extension. The new Voluntary Primary School has been built as a 10 class school and is not likely in the long term to exceed 480 places as a Lower School';
Mar 1969
Memo from Chief Education Officer to County Architect; 'The Headmaster informs me that on the night of 18-19 Jan, the school was entered by the removal of some of the louvre windows in the kitchen and 15/- was stolen in coppers and threepenny bits'; Jan 1969
Specification of Work for Part Exterior and Part Interior Redecorations; Jun 1969
Letter from Alderman Denis W Hyde, Toddington [?to Director of Education], regarding Toddington Youth Club; 'You will of course know that improvements to the lighting of the old Secondary School building have been made and that the Youh Club has been functioning happily in the classroom areas agreed at the meeting with the County Architect and my Deputy last winter. It was understood at that time that the boiler for the classrooms in question would still function, although it might mean fairly continuous stoking to keep it working. The Architect tells me that on a closer examination it is clear that some new form of heating will have to be introduced and he is proposing to include this in the general work to be carried out on the old Secondary School premises. He expects to report details of this scheme to the next meeting of Sites and Buildings Sub-Committee on 21 Nov. With this kind of timing it is obvious that in the coming winter months Youth activities are going to be working under considerable difficulty, and I am therefore asking the Architect whether there might be any interim measures which we might take to help the Youth Club'; Oct 1969
Memo from Director of Education to County Architect; 'I would be very glad if you were able to make some arrangements for the heating of the space used by the Youth Club at Toddington. I know you have in mind to carry out the major improvement to the heating system a little later in the year to the whole of the school buildings. I would like to make part of the premises used by the Youth Club habitable during the next few months before you carry out the longer term improvements'; Oct 1969
Memo from Chief Education Officer to County Architect; 'I understand that at a recent meeting of the Governors there was some discussion regarding the facilities which will be required when the school becomes a Middle School. The Governors would be grateful if it could be borne in mind that improvements will need to be carried out to the driveway and coach parking facilities owing to the increased number of coaches which will be arriving at the school'; Jul 1971
Memo from Chief Education Officer to County Architect; 'I shall be obliged if you will look into the possibilities of providing the Cook Supervisor at Parkfields School Main Canteen with an office. The existing vegetable store and tin store could be converted to an office without structural alteration: remove racks; provide a sliding (windowed) door; provide a wall heater; transfer telephone from kitchen to new office; provide two vegetable racks in the doorway; provide one pan rack, normal size, which could stand in existing office area'; Dec 1971
Reply; 'I am enclosing a sketch plan (scale 1/8" to 1') showing my suggestion for the provision of a Cook Supervisor's Office. You will note that this means losing an existing storage cupboard in order that the new office shall be large enough to comply with the Shops and Offices Act. The estimated cost for this work is in the region of £180'; Mar 1972
Detailed Specification of Work for Part Interior Redecorations; Jul 1972
Detailed Specification of Work for Part Interior Redecorations; May 1973
Memo from County Surveyor to Chief Education Officer regarding recommendations arising from meeting with Governors;
1) Land acquisition and appropriate procedures should be put in hand to obtain the land necessary to enable the footpath on the south side of Park Road to be extended to the School entrance; 2) The provision of this footpath would involve the cutting back [of] the bank at the School entrance and give automatic improvement to visibility, but if the Highways Committee did not approve this, consideration should be given to providing this very necessary visibility improvement; 3) Urgent consideration should be given to providing coach parking and turning facilities within the School site. The single coach which stands in the entrance, when picking up particularly, is causing extreme danger to pedestrians and cyclists, and this will be aggravated when the number of coaches increases; Item No. 1 will be submitted to the Highways Committee in September, and you will be notified of the outcome. In the meantime I would like your comments on the removal of the bank along the edge of the playing field to a depth of approximately 15 ft to enable the footpath to be constructed'; Jul 1973
Reply from County Architect to Chief Education Officer; 'The County Surveyor's proposal to provide a footpath whilst effecting a desirable improvement to the roadway, would cut back into one of the main winter pitches to an extent that could not be taken up by adjustment, and would leave the pitch to a reduced size. This pitch at present extends to within inches of the front boundary of the site, and I understand the proposed improvement would cut back the boundary by something approaching 20 ft'; Nov 1973
Letter from Acting Headmaster to Chief Education Officer; 'I am writing to ask if it is possible to make an extension to the programme clock for the changing of classes. As you will be aware, our Junior block is set apart from the main building and there is no clock or bell in that building. Because of this, the teachers in the Junior block are not always able to synchronise with the bell in the main building, and this causes the change-over from one block to another to be rather dis-organised and time-wasting'; Dec 1973
Memo from County Architect to Chief Education Officer; 'Mr Hartley together with the Headmaster met the [Toddington] Amateur Dramatic Society's representatives to discuss the siting of a storage building for their use. It was learned that they wished this to be a size 40' x 20' x 8' high, brick built and with a flat roof. They accepted that there was no site available adjacent to the school hall, and will be content if provision could be made at the rear of the old school premises on Leighton Road. From the practical side, Mr Hartley could see no objections, but could not anticipate how policy in respect of the future of this old school might affect their proposal'; May 1974
Letter from County Architect to Mrs Deirdre A M Sachon, Toddington; 'I have heard from the Education Officer who informs me that he has no objections on educational grounds to the proposed [scenery] store being sited behind the old school toilet block as discussed when we met on site. For a store of 40' x 20' x 8' high as referred to at the meeting, the cost would be in the region of £6,000, but this could vary according to the detail of your proposal. I suggest you prepare your scheme so that you can make a formal application for the approval of the Education Committee. You will also have to obtain planning consent from your District Council'; Jul 1974
Reply; 'We were very pleased to hear that the Chief Education Officer has approved the siting of our proposed store. As soon as possible we will supply you with our scheme for the above building'; Aug 1974
Memo from County Architect to Chief Education Officer; 'I have examined the scheme submitted by the Toddington Amateur Dramatic Society ...I am in general agreement with the proposal, but require the drain under the proposed building to be encased in 6" concrete, and where the building abuts the Toilet Block there should be a vertical "Expandite" strip. I would like information on the proposed flashing between the old and new buildings. I note reference is made to "Joint Provision". I had previously understood ...that no grant would be made by this Authority. Should this have been changed, and the Authority will be financially involved, I would wish to be advised of the method of tendering and selection, and to be involved in any agreements in respect of payment - particularly if stage payments were to be made'; Feb 1975
Reply; 'Although reference is made to "joint provision", no grant is being made by the Authority to the Toddington Amateur Dramatic Society. In this particular instance, joint provision is inferred as the Society will be erecting this building on land belonging to the County Council'; Feb 1975
Letter from Mrs Deirdre A M Curtis (formerly Sachon), Secretary - Building Committee of TADS to County Architect; 'Thankyou for your letter ...enclosing plan of suggested right-of-way to the Scenery Store which might be incorporated into our Lease. We confirm that this arrangement will be satisfactory. With reference to the County Architect's queries ...we confirm that the drain under the proposed building will be cased in 6" of concrete and that there will be a vertical "Expandite" strip where the building abuts the Toilet Block. We enclose a sketch [scale 1 1/2" to 1'] showing the proposed flashing between the old and new buildings. ...Your confirmation regarding details of entry to the site during construction would be appreciated as soon as possible. Solicitors acting for us in respect of Lease negotiations are Messrs Machin & Co (Mr R K Jones), George Street West, Luton'; May 1975
Memo from Chief Education Officer to County Architect; 'The public footpath runs alongside the boundary of the school's playing field. In recent months people have been using the field to exercise their dogs. The School's Governors have requested that signs be erected to inform the public that the school playing fields are private and not for general use'; Feb 1975
Reply; 'It had been reported to my Area Building Surveyor that the public do exercise their dogs on the school playing field. As the public footpath runs across the school grounds we cannot stop them using it, but he agrees that a suitably worded notice board should be erected stating that the public and their animals are restricted to the path and that dogs must be on a lead'; Mar 1975
Letter from Toddington Pre-School Playgroup Association; 'At a recent committee meeting it was proposed that enquiries be made as to the viability of installing a sandpit in the grassed area immediately behind old Leighton Road School. It was agreed that before this could be carried out, the Bedfordshire County Council would be approached to make the area safe for the children by erecting fences at either end of the ground in question and that a key to the kitchen door be provided to allow the children access. The building of such fences would also provide a safe place for outside summer play'; Jan 1975
Memo from Chief Education Officer to County Architect; 'I attach a copy of a letter ...received from Toddington Pre-School Playgroup Association, which meet at the Youth Centre (formerly known as the Leighton Road School). The Association wish to redecorate the room used by the playgroup, but before I reply I would like to have your observations'; May 1975
Reply; 'The only observation I have ...is that I would like to be advised on the proposed colour scheme before the work is carried out'; May 1975
Letter from Mr A Jarvis, 19 St George's Close; 'We understand that the boundary fence of our property with Parkfield School, is the responsibility of the County Council insofar as maintenance and other considerations apply. The fence had fallen into disrepair prior to our new occupancy and is a considerable expense as a result. We should be pleased for your attention to this matter in the expectation that improvement can be made in the short term after your inspection'; Jul 1975
Further letter; 'Comments regarding the unsatisfactory state of the fence were referred to your office several months ago. Having been informed that the matterwas receiving attention as a result, no further advice has been received'; Dec 1975
Memo from Chief Education Officer to County Architect; 'The Headmaster wishes to develop, over a period of time, natural gardens on one area of the School site'; Headmaster's proposal - Aim: using existing mature trees design a natural garden with various habitats different to other school areas, easy to maintain and as far as possible vandal-proof; Design considerations: 1) Stone path to allow use during adverse ground conditions - stones to be level with turf to allow gang-mower to mow the path circuit when the playing fields are mown - this to be the only regular maintenance; 2) Low post and rail fence to direct children on to path and to protect hedge during initial growth; 3) Vandal protection; a) Natural situation not supplying obviously destroyable material; b) Position overlooked by neighbouring houses; c) Work to be undertaken by children and if necessary P.T.A.; Design details; 1) Path - broken flagstones from the local council; 2) Pond - butyl sheet or plastic sheet plus concrete edging; 3) Wet area - plastic sheet filled with peat - stepping stones to ease access; 4) Hedge - from cuttings of hawthorn, dog-rose, blackthorn, wayfaring tree, hazel; 5) Rockery and wall - composed of a variety of local stones e.g. chalk, carstone, flint, limestone; 6) Trees to be planted - beech, birch and horse chestnut; 7) Bramble and nettle suggested and dominant plants attracting a variety of insects and birds; 8) Freely seeding weeds to be avoided to reduce nuisance to neighbouring houses';
Jul 1975
Reply from County Architect; 'The proposal as described is quite satisfactory but care must be taken in the siting of the horse chestnut and beech trees as they create heavy shade when mature thereby radically altering any planting scheme or lawn below. Accordingly I would recommend that these two species should be located at least 10 metres away from the tennis court boundary and consideration given to the adaptation of the scheme when the trees mature. Alternatively a fastigiate beech and a bush horse chestnut may be planted affording contrasting forms in the layout. Suitable species would be: fagus sylvatica "Dawyck" and aesculus parviflora'; Aug 1975
Memo from Chief Education Officer to County Architect; 'Can you please say if the elm trees in the school grounds which have been affected by dutch elm disease have been dealt with. I understand that the dead trees which were considered to be dangerous are: a) small tree 30 ft near car park by main entrance to school; b) large tree 50 ft back of the school between science room and footpath to Cheyney Close; c) large tree 50 ft outside boundary fence at the back of the tennis courts (grass), side of Parkhill Road; The trees showing signs of disease are: a) small tree outside boundary fence at the end of the new block; b) very large tree overlooking playground, corner of Parkhill Gardens; c) very large tree 90/100 ft far side of the grass tennis courts; d) several signs of disease in trees along Parkhill Road adjacent to grass courts'; Aug 1975
Further Memo; 'The Head Teacher has again asked what action is being taken to deal with the trees which were the subject of my Memo. They are now very dangerous, in the Head's opinion, and another tree outside the school grounds recently caused £16,000 of damage to a house'; Oct 1975
Reply; 'The trees have been inspected by my Area Building Surveyor with the Tree Doctor, and they will be felled in the Autumn or Winter'; Oct 1975
Letter to Weyman and Uttley Landscapes Ltd, Lower Stondon, from County Architect; 'I wish to confirm my Area Building Surveyor Mr Potts' conversation with you that no work is to be carried out at the school with regards to tree felling'; Nov 1975
Form BM2; 'Fallen tree - damage caused to main boundary fence and also to secondary chain link fence'; Jan 1976
Memo from County Planner, Forestry, to County Architect; 'Mrs Hewitt, 14 Park Hill, contacted the Forestry Section regarding a dead elm at the rear of her property. This tree is dead and potentially dangerous. Mrs Hewitt says that the tree belongs to the school, although the boundary fence puts the tree in her garden. Would you kindly check on this and inform Mrs Hewitt as to whether it is her responsibility or that of the County Council?'; Sep 1975; [Also dangerous poplar with cracked limbs in garden of 45 Poynters Road, Dunstable, overhanging playground at Highfields School]
Form BM2; 'Boundary fence adjoining 21 St George's Close - urgent repair, please see letter (attached) from Mr Weller[?Webber]
Apr 1976
Tenders invited from T P Roche, Hemel Hempstead; Dunstable Fencing Co Ltd; Halsey Saw Mills, London Colney; for chain link fencing; May 1976
Report on Fire Extinguishers from Chief Fire Officer; '1) At some time an extinguisher has been moved to the ground floor. The extinguisher has now been replaced on wall brackets between rooms 7 and 8 and provides sufficient protection; 2) A hosereel is provided adjacent to the door of the woodwork room. I understand that a kiln is to be provided in the woodwork room and as there are already several electrical driven items in the room I recommend that a 1kg CO2 extinguisher is provided; 3) The small kitchen (a room with a sink and small 2 ring heater) is used only on occasions for making a pot of tea. As there is other extinguishing media in the vicinity of this room I consider the provision of a blanket and CO2 extinguisher is not necessary';
Apr 1976
Memo from Chief Education Officer to County Architect; 'I appreciate that no central heating installations will be carried out this year but Mr Warner, the Caretaker, undoubtedly has a problem with his present Parkray Fire. He gets very little warmth from it and the house is apparently very damp. I should be grateful if an alternative type of fire could be installed possibly as [a] first step towards central heating'; Apr 1976
Specification for Central Heating System (undated; probably Apr 1976)
Quotation for central heating from Marsh & Wooller Ltd, Toddington and Luton, for £648.20 plus optional extras (not specified) for £9; Apr 1976
Letter from ?Caretaker; 'I would like to draw your attention to the inadequate heating in the School bungalow. The living room has a small Parkray heater which sends out fumes. Several attempts have been made to put it right without success. The bungalow is extremely cold and the bedrooms are damp. In 1964 I had Nightstorage heaters installed, at my own expense, to make the place possible to live in. A few weeks ago I had to have them removed as they became unsafe. If it is possible to have Gas central heating installed, I would be willing to pay part of the cost, or pay the full amount if it could be repaid to me when you are free to go ahead with central heating for Caretaker's accommodation'; May 1976
Memo from County Architect to County Valuer and Estates Officer; 'Recently, the Playing Fields Maintenance Supervisor reported to my Area Building Supervisor that the occupants of 16 and 18 Park Hill were depositing rubbish on a small area of land at the rear of their properties ...There is timber fencing to their gardens and the adjoining gardens, but there are also some concrete posts some distance away from their boundary. Would you please indicate who owns this land, if not the County Council, please request the owners to clear and maintain the land'; Jul 1977
Form BM2; '1) Odd flagstones need attention as they are dangerous - 6 replacements and 3 new required near front entrance by cleaning brushes; 2) Large tree stump on premises over 12 months is hazardous - should be removed; 3) Tennis fencing has been blown down - requires re-installing; and old iron supports on tennis courts (dangerous) need removing'; Sep 1977
Letter from T P Roche & Co Ltd, Hemel Hempstead, to Mr N Billington, Building Maintenance Officer, Dunstable; 'I visited the site ...and met the caretaker and we had a look at the tennis courts. I feel your personal visit to site would be of value so that you can direct us exactly as to your requirements. We noted, and will carry out without further instructions, the dividing fence to the two courts which needs new posts but the existing chain link will be re-usable, but regret the outside three fences are in very bad shape and would prefer to have some direction before touching these'; Nov 1977; with pen note; 'No action to fence at this point in time'
County Valuer & Estates Officer's Report on Terms of Compensation Provisionally Agreed; 'Sale of land "encroached" by adjoining landowners; Two metre strip of land to the rear of the properties known as Nos 12 & 14 Park Hill, forming part of the grounds to Parkfields Middle School'; 2 plots approximately 33 sq yards each; compensation claimed £33 for each plot; 'County Council to continue to maintain the existing 6 ft close boarded fence'; Nov 1977
Similar Report for 16 & 18 Park Hill; one plot 33 sq yards, the other 12 sq yards; compensation claimed £33 and £12; 'Purchaser to re-position fence to the satisfaction of the County Architect'; with extract from OS map showing area affected
Memo from County Valuer and Estates Officer; 'The land adjacent to Nos. 12 and 14 has been incorporated into the rear gardens of the properties, and the land to the rear of Nos. 16 and 18 is used by the owners for tipping purposes; The total area of 111 sq yards has been declared surplus to Education requirements'
Memo from Chief Education Officer to County Architect; 'At the last Governors meeting a resolution was passed regarding the possibility of widening the school drive way to accommodate school coaches transporting pupils to and from school'; Apr 1978
Memo from County Planner, Forestry, to County Architect; 'I have inspected the ash tree and would recommend removal in the near future. The tree is in very poor condition with a large cavity in the base and cavities in the branches. The tree appears to "straddle" the boundary and may be jointly owned. If the tree is not wholly owned by the County Council the adjoining landowner may be willing to share the cost of removal'; Sep 1978
Reply; 'The occupier of the adjoining property has agreed to share the cost of felling the tree'; Oct 1978
Letter from B R Champion, [School] Safety Representative, to Headmaster; 'I am writing to you informally regarding the low temperatures experienced in classrooms 4 and 8 and in Laboratory 2 during winter, and attach temperature records collected over the week ending 2 Feb 1979 from the first two. The temperature in Laboratory 2 has been listed and reported on a previous occasion, but it is possible to take unorthodox but effective steps to raise this rooms temperature to an acceptable standard on a short term basis; in the long run this Laboratory will have to have increased or supplementary heating as well. You will see that neither classroom commences the day at anything near an acceptable standard, normally taken at 61 F. At the beginning of the week, after a cold weekend, both rooms are 13 F below this figure, and neither reached the required standard until the end of the day, at the end of a week when the weather had turned warmer. I am of the opinion that the basic heating system is not man enough for its task and that extensive modification will eventually prove necessary. In the meantime, I request that consideration be given to providing back-up heating during cold weather in these two rooms'; Feb 1979
Memo from Chief Education Officer to County Architect; 'At a recent meeting of the Governors of the school, the following Resolution was passed: That the Education Committee be urged to give serious consideration to the possibility of converting the present system of heating by oil to gas'; Apr 1979
Letter from Mr T G Clark, "St James House", Park Road; 'Several years ago the highway authority widened the section of road on Park Road outside the school, to allow for coach parking etc., which included the removal of a section of hedgerow. This was replaced by a scruffy embankment topped by a wire fence. Living opposite this we have particularly noticed the exposure to cross winds and wind-blown rubbish, the hedgerow acted as a wind break in these respects. Within the last two years some trees have been planted on the playing fields but half of these have been destroyed, and the Park Road side of the site has only appeared to benefit from one sycamore. I would appreciate it if you could tell me whether there are any plans for planting a new hedge behind the fence, which would not only benefit us but would undoubtedly improve the physical appearance of this area on the edge of the Toddington Conservation Area'; Mar 1979
Memo from Chief Education Officer to County Architect; 'At the last meeting of the Governors of the school, extreme concern was expressed regarding the lack of sufficient hard play area. I should be grateful if you would kindly let me know the overall amount of hard play area at this school and whether it meets the basic Department of Education & Science requirements for 600 pupils'; Apr 1979
Reply; 'The Standard for School Premises Regulations ...states that the hard play area requirement for 421-600 pupils is 3180 m2. The approximate hard play area at Parkfields Middle School is 1908 m2, and is, therefore, only about 60% of the requirement in accordance with the regulations; Aug 1979
Letter from County Architect to Rainham Timber Engineering Co Ltd, Rainham, Essex, regarding fungus attack to roof beam
16 1/2" x 3 1/8" x 29' 8 1/2 " long; 'I confirm that I would like you to give two prices, one for supply and delivery of a replacement external quality laminated beam, and the other for supply, delivery and fix of the beam. Would you also quote for treating the replacement beam and surrounding timber from further fungus attack'; Aug 1979
Letter from J S C Coleman (13 Park Hill), B S Nau (15 Park Hill) and D D McAngus (17 Park Hill) to Chief Education Officer; 'We should like to draw your attention to the bad state of repair of the perimeter fence between the school and the above addresses. The wire netting has been tied up by ourselves but this is obviously a temporary measure as both the wire netting and the fence posts need replacing at the earliest opportunity'; Apr 1980
Memo from Area Building Surveyor regarding information required for the Governors meeting; 'The fascia was damaged by vandalism, and there was also some poor workmanship. Both items have now been rectified. Orders have been placed for the faulty overflow to be attended to and for the rotted joinery to be repaired. However, I would point out that I have, for some time, been aware of the deteriorating state of the joinery at this school. It is, and has been, my intention to place monies in the revenue estimates 1981/82 for joinery repairs and replacements'; Jun 1980
Letter from Miss Anna Rattee, 10 Park Hill; 'The 4th stanchion to the fence running along my property has given way and the wooden palings sway menacingly. I would be grateful if you would have it repaired before the whole fence gives way. Secondly could you encourage the children to pick up their potato crisp bags etc., as they blow over into my garden. If the school does not teach them about litter, they will never learn'; Jun 1980
Memo from County Valuer & Estates Officer to County Architect; 'The owner of 18 Park Hill which backs onto the school tennis courts has asked if the chain link fence can be repaired or replaced. The fence is the County Council's liability and is in a very poor state'; Jul 1980
Memo from Chief Education Officer to County Architect regarding the school swimming pool being out of use for some considerable time and that despite repeated requests to the County Architect the matter had not been resolved; 'It was therefore resolved: That the Governors bring to the attention of the Local Education Authority their concern that the swimming pool had been out of action for some considerable time and ask that immediate action be taken to remedy the situation'; 'I shall be grateful if you will arrange for this matter to be investigated and let me have your comments so that I can report on the resolution to the next meeting of the Schools and Special Services Sub-Committee and to the Governors at their next meeting'; Jul 1980
Reply; 'It is admitted that at the start of the swimming season there was a delay in commissioning the swimming pool plants, this was due to a delay in settling the contract for swimming pools for the next two years. However, I am informed by the Contractor that after an initial fault in the electrical wiring of the pool pump was rectified, the plant is working normally. The pool operator was instructed (NOT by this Office) to empty the pool and refill. This she endeavoured to do and when the water dropped she found that the pump would not prime and so was not able to pump out the remaining water. Due to the large number of repairs required for other plants it was not possible to send the Contractor in to pump out. However, he did visit the site and checked the plant and found it functional. The pool operator was not present and he asked the Caretaker to inform the operator to fill the pool (this message was apparently not passed on), when there was sufficient water available to operate normally and vacuum out any remaining dirt. When the pool was eventually filled the operator did not prime the plant and get it started, the Contractor was let in to restart the system and as far as we are aware, it is working normally. The fact that the pool was out of operation for a long period was, I feel, due to the message given to the Caretaker not being passed on'; Jul 1980
Memo from Chief Education Officer to Chief Building Surveyor, County Architects Department; 'I have been receiving recently a number of complaints from the public, including a petition and a letter from the local M.P., over the disturbance caused by youths congregating in the playground areas associated with the old school buildings on the Parkfields Middle and St George Of England Lower Schools site, currently used by the youth club and playgroup. I have taken steps now to arrange for the gates from the road to these buildings to be locked at all times other than those when they are required for specific youth or playgroup purposes. A public footpath runs alongside the edge of these buildings and for part of the distance it is flanked by a brick wall, the coping stones of which are missing in part. The section of the public path nearest to the point where it connects into the playing fields should be bounded by chain link fencing: there are 6 upright concrete posts still in position, but the chain link which should be connected is missing. I should be grateful, therefore, if you could arrange from within your normal maintenance expenditure to provide this minimal amount of chain link fencing as quickly as possible so as to secure the most exposed part of the site and act as a positive deterrent to those youths who bring motorcycles on to the hard play area and cause the most annoyance to nearby residents. As I have noted, only a very small section of fencing would be required to achieve this, and I would hope you would be able to find funds for this work. Failing this, I do know that there is likely to be a very small amount of fencing left over at John Howard Upper School, currently being used to fence the hard play area, which might be suitable'; Aug 1980
Memo from Chief Education Officer to County Architect; 'At a recent meeting of the School Governors, members discussed, in the light of the latest reductions in expenditure, the possible replacement of the tennis court and perimeter fence. They were of the opinion that the lack of adequate fencing could well lead to damage to private property adjoining the site and that claims for reinstatement might well prove more costly than the replacement of the existing fence. They resolved: "That the Local Education Authority be informed of the Governors views in this matter and be requested to ensure that the replacement of the perimeter fence is not deleted from the programme of works". I shall need to report this resolution to the Schools and Special Services Sub-Committee at their meeting 1 Dec 1980 and I shall be grateful if you will investigate the need and let me know if any remedial work is likely to be carried out during the current financial year. I understand that Mr N Billington is aware of the fencing that needs to be repaired'; Nov 1980
Reply from Chief Education Officer to Mr J S C Coleman etc., [see Apr 1980]; With reference to your letters ...which were referred to the County Architect for attention to the perimeter fence of the school, I am now able to inform you that the matter has been receiving attention and it is expected that a contract will be issued shortly. As you are probably aware, the County Council has several hundred sites to maintain and in the present state of the economy, it is necessary to give priority to residential Homes and Special Schools where safety is a major factor but it is also important to the Council that residents with property adjoining the school premises should be given urgent consideration. Your action in attempting emergency repairs is very much appreciated and I hope that the fencing Contractors will soon attend to the matter to your satisfaction and that of your co-signatories, Messrs Nau and McAngus'; Nov 1980
Fire Safety Survey by Station Officer Pickin; Apr 1981; generally favourable
Property Damage Report; Dust Cart from South Bedfordshire District Council was emptying school dustbins and reversed into the garage [?of the School bungalow] dislodging main pillar and damaging wall; Mar 1981
Tenders invited from 5 Contractors for Adaptations to Playground; tender for £12,509 was successful [no indication of work required or which Contractor supplied the successful tender; either Wills Dawson Ltd, Leighton Buzzard, or Boyle Brothers, Luton]; Oct/Nov 1981
Memo from County Architect to Chief Education Officer; 'I refer to your memo ...regarding additional switching to the outside lighting. To provide an additional switch in the cycle sheds would cost approximately £75. However, the Caretaker does have trouble with youths roaming around the site and it is suggested that the lights could be controlled by a time switch and perhaps alleviate this problem, at an additional cost of £75, total £150'; Nov 1981
Stapled inside front cover - Block plan of school site showing perimeter fencing; scale 1:500; Oct 1980