A very faded postcard of a school room, much enhanced.
Pond Lane (Council) School
Baldock
A very faded postcard of a school room, much
enhanced.
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This must be the school listed in the 1912 Kelly's Hertfordshire directory as : "Pond School (Council), for 98 mixed and 41 infants; average attendance, 130; George N Bennett, master." There is a similar entry in 1922. By 1926 Frank Hancock was master. |
The school had clearly been in existence for many years before the photograph was taken.
The 1839 Pigot's Directory only refers to one school. and this must be the National School which is described as being founded in 1834 in later directories.
The 1851 Post Office Directory records: Here are likewise a school, on the National, and one on the British system.
The 1866 Post Office Directory lists two schools at Hitchin:-
National, Park Street, Edward Hankin, master; Mrs Sarah Barnard, mistress.
British, Charles Wilson, master, Pond Lane.The 1881 census shows George N Bennnett (23, certified teacher, born Hull, Yorkshire) boarding at "The College School", Hitchin Street, Baldock. while the 1882 Kelly's Directory records:-
British, Pond Lane (mixed), for 150 children; average attendance 120; George N Bennett, master.
It would seem that George N Bennett taught at the school for over 40 years.
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The back of the postcard suggests a date after 1905 - and it almost certainly no later than the 1920s. If you can identify any of the pupils this would add to the interest of the picture and help to date it more precisely. |
There is a web page for Baldock
If you can add to the information given above tell me.
Spring Clean August 2007
