Fillongley Girl's School Samplers.
By the 1880s most girls went to school and were taught reading, writing, simple maths and how to knit and sew. The sampler (above) made by Clara Emily Taylor was discovered in an antique shop in North Carolina, US, and purchased by Chuck Blankeship. He kindly contacted me and sent a copy of it to share with readers of this website.
Fillongley School has a long and fascinating history and is included in the Village Schools Book with photographs, illustrations and memories of past teachers and pupils.
'I REMEMBER BARE BOTTOMS & STINGING NETTLES'
The book is still available to order: £11. + £2.50 towards p&p.
Email order: fillongleypub @ btinternet.com or phone: 07745 144 922
A fascinating history of Fillongley School and life growing up in a village. It is part of an amazing collection of eleven village schools within a four mile radius of Fillongley. Each school was totally different. Intertwined with the history are memories of past pupils and teachers.They illustrate, using their own words, what life was actually like. There are many happy and amusing stories, combined with childhood tragedies and poignant recollections.
Most village schools were not idyllic and this book also includes some graphic and moving accounts of pupils who attended two 'experimental' schools 'hidden' in the countryside at Corley and Shawbury.
Schools included:
Arley: C of E School, Herbert Fowler, Gun Hill School. Astley School. Corley Open Air School. Corley National School. Maxstoke School. Little Packington School. Meriden School. Shustoke - Shawbury Industrial School.
Fillongley was fortunate to have a very early charity school. Ayliffe Green of Gloucester, in 1690 bequeathed land in Fillongley to pay towards the cost of a schoolmaster. Ten poor boys aged seven to fourteen were taught reading, writing and accounts, given a green suit, cap, two shirts and two pairs of shoes. Early school classrooms would be a room in a house where the master or mistress lived.
Memories of Fillongley School include:
Rev. David W. Barr born 1831. Helena Briggs (nee Nellie Sewell) born 1900. Beatrice Harris born 1906. Bob Scattergood born 1908. Pat Ibbotson born 1910. Dewis (Spuggy) Parkes born 1918. Connie Allinson (nee Northall) born 1917. David Ives born 1920. Vera Robinson (nee Steeley) born c1923. Joan Watts (nee Morris). Esna Balder (nee Cooke) born 1923. Francis Gordon Nightingale born 1925. Robert Seale born 1934. Graham Spencer born 1933. Teacher: Mrs Spencer nee Parker - Assistant Teacher from 1911.
Memories of Arley School's include:
Herbert Wright, Edna Lucas (nee Parker). Reg Rowley. Walter Osborne. Vera Osborne (nee Bachus). Sheila Tozer.
Memories of Astley School include:
Lila Emily Roberts (nee Sayers). Rene Parkes (nee Marshall). Kenneth Marshall. Ernie Marshall. Mollie Knight (nee Towers). Anthony Proctor.
Memories of Corley School.
Annie Rose (nee Gibson). Frances James Gibson. Joyce Buck (nee Hancox). Bill Betteridge. Dill Blount (nee Court). Archie Knowles. Doug Haywood. Barbara Haywood (nee Marlow). Mary Brown (nee Gavan). Clive Evrall. Carol Hawley (nee Jarvis). Head Teacher: Sue Bullen. Author: Susan Moore
Memories of Corley Open Air School.
Maurice Barratt. Margaret Lucas. Denis Johnson. Dean College. Judith Raven (nee Yaxley). Connie Allinson (nee Northall) Assistant Cook. Sophie Edwards - Head Mistress. Joyce Buck - School Cleaner. Sheila Barley - staff.
Memories of Little Packington School
The story of the Castle Family - teachers 1905 - 1915. Kate Cooke (nee Horsely). Joyce Benson (nee Dutton). John Wall. Trixie (Beatrice) Postings (nee Dolphin.
Memories of Maxstoke School
Francis Woodfield (nee Hollyoak) - teacher. Albert Sidney Dolphin. Steve Hartop. Sylvia Hartop (nee Waldram). Charles Woodfield. Rosemarie Wall (nee Beresford).
Memories of Meriden School
Basil Warmington. Percy Leonard Tuckey. Trixie (Beatrice) Postings (nee Dolphin. John Wall. Maureen Baxter.
The story of John Penrice - Headmaster.
Memories of Shustoke - Shawbury Industrial School.
Charles Morgan. Walter Jennings. Adrian Fraser. Robert Scattergood. Teachers: Roy Barrett. Ray Letts. Also a fascinating history researched by Ian Glen, former teacher at the school.
(above) Fillongley School and headmasters house was built next to the church in the 1870s (more information in the book 'I Remember Bare Bottoms and Stinging Nettles).
(above) c1900 photo by Sidwell showing the edge of the Reading Room, Fillongley School and headmasters house.
(above) c1930s Fillongley School. NAMES: If you recognise any of the children, please let us know. Email fillongleypub @ btinternet.com or phone 07745 144 922
c1910 Fillongley Girl's School. Left: Miss Bell. Right: Headmaster Mr Kay.
NAMES: if you recognise any of the children, please let us know. Email: fillongleypub @ btinternet.com or phone 07745 144 922
(above) c1910. Fillongley Girl's School. Teacher, probably Miss Bell. NAMES: If you recognise any of the children, please let us know. Email fillongleypub @ btinternet.com Tel. 07745 144 922
(above) c1921.Fillongley Girl's School. Centre 3rd right: Alice West. Alice Lincoln (nee West) was born in 1913 and her story is in the book: 'I Remember Strawberries & Sewage'.
(Photo above) NOTE: Edie Stone (nee Anderton) was born in Mill Lane (now Oustern Lane), Fillongely. Alice Lincoln (nee West) born 1913. Both their stories are in the book: I Remember Strawberries & Sewage.
(Photo above) NOTE: J. Goolding (Janet Ryder nee Goolding). Janet's story is in the book: I Remember Strawberries & Sewage.
1923, Fillongley Schoolgirls dancing at Fillongley Vicarage.
Photo by E.A. Hicks, Nuneaton
c1910 Fillongley Girls School - Teacher Miss Bell
c1920s FILONGLEY GIRL'S SCHOOL. Back Row - far right: Florrie Peake
Fillongley School Maypole. 1948. Girl on left: Skip (Peacock). Note: Children siting round base of pole to weight it down.
FILLONGLEY BROWNIE PACK c1955. (Names of chidlren in book 'I Remember Bare Bottoms & Stinging Nettles'.