Page 21 - Jigsaw April 2021

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Mercury reported that Denford school was temporarily closed for the duration of the war with pupils attending Thrapston or Ringstead schools, thirty-six infants being on the roll.
In 1923 the school remained closed, the Board of Education refusing permission
to re-open on the grounds of economy. Children continued to attend Thrapston school. Also, during the 1920’s the head teacher at Thrapston Top School bemoaned in the school diary that “Scholars attending this school from Denford still stay away if it rain ever so little. The older scholars should be compelled to come.”
In May 1939 polling for the Council election was held at the school. Later in the year, the Northampton Mercury reported that a pupil from Denford, Margaret Manning, had won one of the “best effort” prizes in a national handwriting competition.
As in many villages post World War 2, pupil numbers fell and the school closed its doors in the early 1950’s, children being taught in either Thrapston or Ringstead.
The building was sold and is now a private residence. If anyone has a picture of the school whilst open, I would be pleased to receive a copy.
During the latter part of the 1800’s many churches started Sunday Schools, Denford Wesleyan Church, pictured on a postcard dated 1915, being one. In 1877 they held their annual treat with tea in the chapel followed by games in a nearby field. The Denford Wesleyan Adult School held an entertainment and concert in January 1925 raising money for Dr Barnardo’s Homes whilst three years later in 1928 they gave
a concert to the inmates of Thrapston Workhouse. The church is now a private residence, closing its doors, I believe, during the 1960’s.
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