A big leap from Dame Schools to Hallcroft Schools !!
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In May 1925 the very first edition of Hallcroft Boys’ School magazine, called The Crofter, was published, a ‘slim volume’ of 12 sides (about A5 size) between a very simple cover (all typed up by the school secretary on carbon paper and run off on the school’s gestetner ?) A copy was recently very kindly passed to me by the members of Blidworth & District Historical and Heritage Society, to whom I extend my thanks.
It opens with an unsigned address from the Headmaster (then Arthur Beacroft), followed by an editorial, diary items, short poems, some longer articles dominated by birds, a few schoolboy jokes, and some school ‘news’.
All of these items are signed with initials only … in fact, only the names of three masters appear; Mr Beacroft, Mr (Charlie) Richards, and Mr Edwards. However, on the inside front cover is written a name and address which I presume is the person who owned this copy. As it is almost 100 years old, the modest booklet is in a fragile condition (especially the cover).
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Designed by Ilkeston architect Harry Tatham Sudbury, both Hallcroft Elementary Schools (Girls’ and Boys’) opened in November 1910. The first headmaster of the Boys’ section was John Hunt (1910-1919); Arthur Beacroct (1919-1936) was therefore its second Head. The corresponding Girls’ headmistress was Gertrude Bamber (1910-1919) followed by Ada Lilian Chadwick (1919-1948). The schools catered for pupils aged 7 to 13 (the school leaving age) but by 1924 the oldest pupils were 14 or 15.
You will see mention of school prefects on side 3 — they were introduced in 1920.
The two schools were amalgamated in January 1960.
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And now we are ready to walk on, to the Market Place
