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Princess Mary at Thorne.
GRAMMAR SCHOOL OPENING.
Welcomed By Huge Crowd in Torrential Rain.
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS’S “EXAMPLE TO YOUTH.”
THORNE made history on Friday [26 September 1930], when Princess Mary Countess of Harewood visited the town, and formally opened the new Grammar School in the presence of a large company. The ceremony took place in the oak panelled assembly hall. Despite the rain the streets were lined by cheering crowds. People came from all parts of the district, and Hatfield, through which Her Royal Highness passed, displayed flags, which were visible during practically the whole of the three miles’ journey to Thorne. Coming into Hatfield Road, the Royal party were greeted by a dense crowd. A yacht on the canal was gaily decorated, and could be seen for a considerable distance.
Accompanied by her lady-in-waiting, (Miss Sybil Kenyon-Slaney), Princess Mary entered Thorne, which made an exceptionally brave show, by way of Hatfield Road, over the new Toll Bar bridge, and passed through a triumphal arch, to the school via South Parade, Silver Street, King Street, Field Road and St Nicholas Road, where a huge crowd stood for over an hour in a torrential downpour. All along the route she was given a real Yorkshire welcome, which she acknowledged with a smile, a bow, or a wave.
As soon as she entered the town rain began to fall heavily and increased in intensity as the time came for her departure. When she left the main gates amid deafening cheers it rained with almost tropical intensity, but the crowds remained to give a last cheer to the Princess, who did not appear to have a single thought for the weather conditions.
In the circular tour of old Thorne, still looking a sleepy old market town, with the grey tower of the Parish Church rising nobly above ageing red tiled roofs of houses, with Thorne Hall peeping through the stately trees in the Memorial Park, Princess Mary was able to see Thorne Colliery in the distance. The Church bells rang out in a merry peal as she arrived at the school.
On reaching the main entrance to the school grounds Her Royal Highness was received by the chairman of the West Riding Education Committee (Sir Percy Jackson), and Mr J. H. Hallam M.A., M.Sc. (Chief Education Officer). The pathway from the main gates to the main entrance of the school was lined by local detachments of the British Legion (in command of Sergt. Major Rowley), British Legion Women’s Section (under Mrs Basom), St John Ambulance Brigade (under Mr W. Brown, Superintendent), St John Ambulance Brigade Nursing Section (under Mrs Cunningham), Boy Scouts (under Major Clarke and Scout master G. Radford), and Girl Guides (under Mrs Pickering, County Commissioner).
ROUND THE SCHOOL
Her Royal Highness, who was conducted round the school by the headmaster (Mr. J. E. Shipley Turner), was delighted with the building. She was shown the changing room and hot spray baths, and was particularly interested in the domestic science rooms, and wanted to know the methods employed in coal, gas and electric cooking. When she arrived at the woodwork room, she asked what were the various pieces of wood lying on the bench. The County Architect had to be summoned to provide the information.
Her Royal Highness was then taken upstairs and shown the various laboratories, and was keenly interested in the electric kitchen and the dining hall. She desired to know if there were any boarders, and the headmaster briefly detailed the school’s history from 1705. She entered the library and took special notice of the various cups and shields. She wished to know who had won them, and the information was provided.
As she left the school Princess Mary wished the school luck, and said that it was customary on such occasions to make a request for a whole day’s holiday for the school. The headmaster said he was quite willing to grant the request if the education authority concurred. Princess Mary asked when the holiday would be given, and she was told there would be an extra day granted at the half-term holiday.
PRESENTATIONS.
The steps leading to the entrance to the school were lined with red carpet and decorated with shrubs. Here Sir Percy Jackson presented to her Royal Highness the Bishop of Sheffield, the Rev. W. H. Evers (Thorne Weslyan Pastor). Sir James P. Hinchcliffe (Chairman of the County Council), The Rev. Canon J. J. Littlewood (Chairman of the Board of Governors). Mr. James Servant, J.P. (Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors), Mr J. H. Hallam (County Education Officer), Mr H. Wormald (County Education architect and designer of the shool), Mr E. L. Harrop (Clerk to the Governors), and Mr J. E. Shipley Turner, M.A., headmaster of the school. Her Royal Highness, who wore a beige caracal coat with fur collar and cuffs, and felt hat with diamond buckle, was escorted to the dais immediately in front of the platform by Sir James Hinchcliffe, who was accompanied by the Bishop of Sheffield, the Rev. W. H. Evers, the chairman and vice-chairman of the governors, county officials and the headmaster.
In the body of the Assembly Hall, headmasters and headmistresses of the schools in the Thorne Rural area, governors and their wives, and representatives of the churches throughout the area were present, together with representatives of the local authorities throughout the area the school will serve. Among the well-known people present were Mrs Hedley Burrows, wife of the Bishop of Sheffield, Lord Gainford (chairman of the Directors of Pease and Partners, Ltd., owners of Thorne Colliery) and Lady Gainford, and Mr. Tom Williams, M.P. for the Don Valley Division, and Mrs Williams.
BOUQUET FOR PRINCESS.
The National Anthem was sung, Madame Howson being the accompanist, and there was a pretty little ceremony when Miss Anne Patricia Dunston, daughter of Mr. R. Dunston, chairman of the Thorne Parish Council, presented a bouquet of lemon and white carnations and heather.
The following were then presented to Her Royal Highness, including governors of the School, members of the West Riding County Council and Education Committee, Thorne Parish Council, Thorne Education Committee, Thorne Rural District Council, Hatfield and Stainforth Parish Councils, and head teachers :-
Lord and Lady Gainford, Mrs Burrows, Mr T. Williams, M.P. and Mrs Williams, Mr R.M.Grylls, Mrs Grylls and Miss Grylls, Mrs Servant (wife of the Vice-Chairman of the Governos). Mr R Dunston and Mrs Dunston. Mr S.G.Bevan, C.C., Mr J.H.Townend, C.C., and Mrs Townend. Dr Walker and Mrs Walker, Mrs Winder, Mr J.Acaster, Miss Acaster, Mrs Whileblood, Mr and Mrs J.Pillsworth, Mr and Mrs H Davison, Mr. And Mrs T. S. Burkill, Dr and Mrs Rudmose Brown, Mr & Mrs G. W. Hodson, Mr and Mrs H. H. Brabbs, Mr and Mrs J. S. Porter, Mrs Wilson, Mr J.E.Lawson, Miss Lawson, Mr A.L.Thornton (Divisional Inspector, Board of Education) and Mrs Thornton, Mr and Mrs J. Brooke, the Rev. J. Haythornthwaite and Mrs Haythornthwaite, Mr and Mrs W. I. Knox, Mr H. W. Prior, Miss Prior, Mrs Turner (wife of the Headmaster of the School), Mrs Harrap (wife to the clerk to the Governors of the School), Mr P. Trimingham, Miss Trimingham, Mr and Mrs H. F. Hind, Mr C. W. Waller (Clerk to the Thorne Parish Council) and Mrs Waller, Mrs Fairbanks, Mr and Mrs J. Wain. Councillor R. M.Jackson (Chairman of the Doncaster Grammar School Governors) and Mrs Jackson, Mr G. R. H. Danby (Clerk to the Doncaster Grammar School Governors) and Mrs Danby, Mr E. V. Watkins (headmaster, Drax Grammar School) and Mrs Watkins, Mrs Hallam (wife of the Education Officer), Mr W. T. Silvester (Clerk to the Governors, Goole Secondary School) and Mrs Silvester, Mr and Mrs G.R.Westoby, Mrs E.L.Smith and Mrs L. Stephens (head teachers, Thorne Elementary School), Mr H. J. Smith (head teacher, Fishlake Elementary School), Miss E. J. Thompson (head teacher, Stainforth Elementary School), Miss M. Walker (head teacher, Hatfield Elementary School), Mrs England (wife of the Chairman of the Thorne Rural District Council).
Her Royal Highness was then escorted to the platform, where the Bishop of Sheffield offered a prayer of dedication, and the Rev. W. H. Evers read a passage from the Scriptures.
“STRIVING TO SERVE THE PUBLIC WEAL”
Sir James Hinchcliffe said that on behalf of the West Riding County Council and its Education Committee, and the Governors of the School, he gave Princess Mary a very hearty welcome.
He need hardly say how delighted they all were that she had so graciously consented to come amongst them for the main ceremony. It was one of the main evidences of the great interest she took in the welfare of the town, and he was sure he was expressing the sentiments of everyone when he said her interest in the great cause of education would not only bring distinction to Thorne school, but would provide another example to the youth of Yorkshire of the diligent striving to serve the public weal which had grown to be inseparably associated with her name.
Sir Percy Jackson gave an account of the events leading up to the erection of the new building, and said that the new Grammar School would serve the following townships in the rapidly developing area between Doncaster and Goole: Armthorpe, Fishlake, Hatfield, Kirk Bramwith, Kirk Sandall–w–Barnby Dun, Stainforth Sykehouse and Thorne. The School would take the name of Thorne Grammar School and would replace the endowed school of that name which had been carried on by the trustees of William Brooke’s Charity. This Foundation dated from 1705, when William Brooke, of Thorne, tanner at the Manor Court of Hatfield, surrendered certain property, the income from which was eventually to be employed in maintaining “one able, sober, learned and sufficient School Master” to teach such children as should come to the school at Thorne, ten of the poorest boys in Thorne to be admitted without fees.
The premises of the present Brooke’s Grammar School were erected in 1863, and included some provision for boarders. The reception of boarders was, however, discontinued in 1925. The numbers in attendance when the school was closed in the present year were 74.
As early as 1909 the West Riding Education Committee surveyed needs of the area for Secondary Education, and decided that further provision was desirable at Thorne. Local feeling was, however, at that time far from unanimous in support of the proposal, which was eventually postponed.
TOWN’S LOYAL SUPPORT
Since that time the governors of the Brooke's Grammar School had had more than one period of financial difficulty, but with the loyal support of the inhabitants of the town had succeeded in keeping their school in being. The admitted inadequacy of the school buildings however, prevented the recognition of the school by the Board of Education or the West Riding Education authority and the foundation did not make any provision for the higher education of girls.
Thus, while with difficulty some provision for the higher education of boys had been maintained, it recently became clear that the growth of Thorne and the neighbouring townships necessitated extended facilities which should include provision for girls also. As a result of a further conference held in 1924 the wholehearted co-operation of all concerned in the locality was secured, and in 1925 the governing body of Brooke's Grammar School purchased and offered to the Education Committee a site of 10 acres for the erection of new premises.
After careful consideration of all the circumstances and consultation with the local bodies concerned, the West Riding Education authority finally approved the acceptance of the site and decided upon the erection of the new school at Thorne. The project received approval of the Board of Education in 1927, and the tenders for the erection of the school were accepted in March 1928.
Sir Percy gave a description of the building, and said it was designed on modern lines and provided accommodation for 300 pupils in nine classrooms, one lecture room and the following special rooms:- library, physics, chemistry and biology laboratories, art room, domestic subjects room, woodwork and metalwork rooms, needlework room, gymnasium and changing room, assembly hall, dining room and kitchen. Taking into account the special rooms, the total effective accommodation might be regarded as 430. The school playing fields would provide facilities for tennis, cricket, hockey and football. The approximate cost of the new school was: buildings £30,000, furniture and equipment £5,000.
CONFIDENT EXPECTATION.
The school, said Sir Percy in conclusion, opened under the happiest auspices. The boys of the old school would form a nucleus of the new pupils and the headmaster, Mr. J. E. Shipley Turner, M.A., who had been in charge of that school for the last few years, had been appointed headmaster of the new school. The governing body contained representatives of Brooke's Trustees, and there was every ground for confident expectation that the new school would not only carry forward worthily the traditions of the old foundation, but would offer to the younger generation of Thorne and neighbouring townships those facilities for higher education so necessary to a part of the West Riding administration area rapidly growing in importance.
Princess Mary, performing the opening ceremony, said, “I have much pleasure in declaring Thorne Grammar School open.”
There was a pleasing departure from convention when Canon J. J. Littlewood, on behalf of the governing body, asked Her Royal Highness to accept a souvenir album of photographs entitled “The County of the White Rose”.
Canon Littlewood said he hoped Her Royal Highness would accept the book as a token of loyal gratitude and esteem. Her presence there that day had given great delight to all the people in that neighbourhood. Her good husband, Lord Harewood, visited Thorne two years ago to open the Masonic Hall, and it was only fitting that her Royal Highness should be present on this occasion. He hoped the book would give her great pleasure, and the Governors thought it much better than presenting her with a key of the door. “We wish your Royal Highness and husband every blessing, and may you continue in your good work and benefactions,” he concluded.
The vice-chairman of the Governors, Mr James Servant, thanked Her Royal Highness for opening the building, and said her presence had caused considerable satisfaction and pleasure throughout the town and district. Her Royal Highness would recognise that every comfort and provision had been made to teach a variety of subjects in the building. Ultimately the school would accommodate a good many people. When this school was mooted years ago, he was a strong opponent. Circumstances, however, had changed, and the whole idea of finance had altered. The County Council provided the cost, and the district which the school served had to pay its share of the County rates.
“Some people may say that I was inconsistent,” he said. “Consistency only comes when circumstances are alike.” He most gratefully welcomed her Royal Highness, and hoped that the fates would guide and protect her from evil.
TREE PLANTING UNDER THE UMBRELLA
Following the opening ceremony Princess Mary had tea, the following having the honour of taking it with her: Sir James and Miss Hinchcliffe, Sir Percy and Lady Jackson, The Bishop of Sheffield and Mrs Burrows, Miss Kenyon-Slaney, lady-in- waiting, Mr and Mrs J. H. Hallam, Canon Littlewood, Mr and Mrs J. Servant, Mesdames Walker, Wilson, Whileblood and Winder (members of the Board of Governors), Mr Tom Williams, M.P. and Mrs Williams, and the Rev. W. H. Evers and Mrs Evers. The tea room and retiring room were creations of sheer delight. The floral decorations were provided by Mrs Darley.
After tea, Her Royal Highness planted an oak in a torrential downpour of rain, being sheltered under an umbrella provided by Sir Percy Jackson. The tree is immediately to the right of the entrance gates.
Her Royal Highness then entered her car and proceeded on her return journey amid tumultuous cheering to Goldsborough. An interested spectator of the final proceedings was “Jack”, a goose owned by Mr. Harold Sprakes. The route was lined by the police who were in charge of Superintendent Minty. There was not a single hitch in the proceedings.
PRINCESS MARY’S THANKS.
GRACEFUL COMPLIMENT TO VICAR’S INVALID SISTER
The following letter has been received by Canon Littlewood, Vicar of Thorne:
“Dear Canon Littlewood. Princess Mary wishes me to thank you and the Governors of Thorne Grammar School for all the care you have given to the arrangements for her visit, and to congratulate you on your new buildings which the Princess thinks you have every reason to be proud of, and she sends her best wishes for the welfare and progress of the school, its staff and pupils. Her Royal Highness much appreciated also the thoughtfulness which prompted your delightful gift of the book of photographs of Yorkshire.
“The Princess hopes that your sister saw her wave as she passed the Vicarage. Will you tell her that Her Royal Highness is going to send her some flowers, and she was sorry that she was not well enough to be at the school. Believe me, Yours truly, Sybil Kenyon-Slaney, Lady-in-Waiting.”
Miss Littlewood, who had had another seizure during her convalescence after a serious illness, was unable to be present at the opening ceremony of the Grammar School, and her nurse was able to take her to the bedroom window in order to catch a glimpse of the Princess. The Princess, learning of this, put her head out of the carriage window and waved to the invalid as she passed the Vicarage.
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