37 Chatham Avenue,
Hayes,
Nr. Bromley,
Kent.
June 9th 1964
Dear Mr. Muller,
I am writing on behalf of my father in reply to your letter for which he
thanks you very much. He has reminisced over his childhood, and given me
the following facts to pass on to you – Quote:- "My father was born
in1851 and later attended the boy’s school at Berry’s Maple, the
master at that time being a Mr. Field, of the Haven. "The girls
attended the present school at Ash which, at that time was a lower
building than it is now, and had a thatched roof. (It can still be seen
where the roof was extended -see fig. No.8). Later he attended private
school which was in the building that is now the Post Office (see fig.
No.3), and was for boys only. It was |
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under the jurisdiction of a certain Mr. Elcombe, who
was clerk to the Church. "Incidentally, his grave can be found just
inside the church gates, on the left marked by a round iron gravestone.
(This has now disappeared. NJM). "The first schoolmaster’s name I
can remember was a Mr. Tomlinson. He was the master at Ash before I was
born, which was in 1886. "He was followed by Mr. Meyers, who became
my own headmaster when I started school in 1891. It had been the custom to
pay 3d. a week for school, and it was abolished only a week after I
started school. "There were at that time about 80 – 100 mixed
pupils and they came from Stansted, Idley, Ridley, Fawkham Green and
Hodsoll Street as well as Ash, of course. "Many had to walk quite a
few miles to school each day as you will appreciate." Unquote.
I do hope this letter will be of some assistance to you.
Yours Sincerely J.A.Trend (signed) For J. Rogers. |