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The History of Education in the Village of Ash next Ridley, Kent. (1735-1950) by N. J. Muller
                           Letter from J.A. Trend to N.J. Muller page 72       

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 

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.

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