Topics about organisations and activities in Warminster.
December 1993
Danny Howell writes:
The Warminster History Society’s programme secretary Kim Phelps has tendered her resignation from the Committee owing to personal commitments.
The Society hopes to elect a new programme secretary at the AGM on 7 March 1994.
Rest assured though, Kim has arranged an interesting and varied programme for the year ending February 1995.
We offer our thanks to Kim and wish her well with her future plans.
Autumn 1993
Danny Howell writes:
The Museum’s role in handling local history enquiries continues unabated. Here are just a few of the topics we’ve had to deal with since September (you will see that we not only answer enquiries from Warminster residents but also from far and wide):
The Willis family of Warminster in the 17th century (for a descendant of the family who now lives in California).
The role of the military in Warminster and its effect on the population during the last 50 years (for a student at St. Augustine’s R.C. School, Trowbridge).
The Colderick family, gentlemen’s outfitters, of Warminster (for a gentleman in Yelverton, Devon).
Photographs of Boyton Farm in the Wylye Valley (for a gentleman in Southampton).
Henry Thomas Garner who died in Warminster in 1951 (for a descendant now living at Victoria, Australia).
The history of Warminster Gardening Club (for the Chairman of the Gardening Club).
The Brodribb family of Warminster during the 1820s and 1830s (for a researcher based at Sunbury On Thames, Middlesex).
Weights and measures in the Dewey Museum collection (for an historical study being made by the Trading Standards Officer).
Harry Slater who lived at Codford and Chitterne, 1922 – 1954 (for his grandson now living at Wilmorton, Derby).
Autumn 1993
Danny Howell writes –
A list of items recently donated to Warminster Dewey Museum include:
P.D. Crawford: Two agricultural chains with hooks.
M.J. Ednay: Cutting shears for opening tins, 1921.
C.G.R. Gibson: Electricity fuse box from 8 High Street, Warminster.
Ted Gillingham: Piece of Goss china with a Warminster crest.
Terry Hibbs: Brass pole head of West Country Friendly Society.
G.A. Jones: Nameplate featuring John Wallis Titt & Co., Warminster.
Sian Jones: Two pencils advertising John Hall & Co., Warminster.
Colin Markes: Shield advertising the agency of the General Accident Fire and Life Assurance Corporation for the Warminster Motor Company.
Lorna Marvell: One pair of cotton clothes made by Dents of Warminster.
Robert Millett-Dew: Four old photographs by Warminster photographers.
F. Moody: Christmas and New Year cards with photographs of Scouts Tattoo, 1933.
L.W. Moody: Gift tin of the Colonies to His Majesty’s Forces, World War One.
Mary Rogers: Reproduction of 1787 Wiltshire map.
Mrs. J. Rothe: Two irons.
Mary Ryall: Paisley shawl, c.1900; a smock, c.1850; and a bedspread, c.1830.
Mrs. L.P. Samson: Five photographs of the Avenue School and King George V Silver Jubilee.
Sam Smart: Two photographs and three newspaper cuttings.
Graham Zebedee: Catalogue of sale of goods of R. Butcher & Son, Warminster.
Tuesday 30th November 1993
Following the departure of Kathy Laws from the Conservation Centre at Salisbury for pastures new at Bournemouth University, responsibility for overseeing conservation at Warminster Dewey Museum has passed to Anne Wright.
Anne made her first visit to the Dewey Museum on Tuesday 30 November 1993 and began her programme of conservation for the period 1994 – 1995. The volunteers at the Dewey Museum welcome Anne and look forward to a good working relationship with her.
Danny Howell writes:
In November 1993, Warminster Dewey Museum received notification from Nancy Lunden (who grew up in Warminster in the 1930s, her father being W.R. Marshall of the firm of solicitors Ponting & Marshall) of Sweden that she was to dispose of her book collection by auction at Sotheby’s in December 1993.
Of particular interest was a commonplace book kept by Edmund Halliday of East Street, Warminster. Halliday, a member of one of Warminster’s oldest families, was sent to Spain as a young man to learn the wine trade. In the book, handwritten in small but clear writing, were accounts of local items including the finding of a live newt in a fossil at Warminster, the corn and flour trade at Bishopstrow Mill, and the falling in of his mother’s grave at the Minster Churchyard.
The Museum passed details of the book and the auction to Steve Hobbs, County Archivist at the Wilshire Record Office, Trowbridge, who was successful in purchasing the book for £200. It is to be added to many other items regarding the Halliday family which are already deposited at the Record Office. Steve says the book is in excellent condition and a typical example of Halliday’s avid quest for facts and information. Steve is happy for Warminster History Society members and other interested persons to call at the Record Office if they wish to see the book.
Monday 22nd November 1993
Danny Howell writes –
Decision made at Warminster History Society Executive Committee Meeting.
Our suggested idea for phase three was to acquire two fossil cabinets and video equipment for visual displays. At an executive committee meeting of the Warminster History Society (the governing body of the Dewey Museum), held on 22 November 1993, it was agreed that we divide these acquisitions over two years, not one, from the cost point of view. We have therefore decided to purchase the fossil cabinets in 1994 and the video equipment in 1995.
On the recommendation of Danny Howell, Jack Field went to the Red House Museum at Christchurch to see their fossil cabinets which are of a special design – they feature spring loaded draws to take the weight of the contents, security proof covers, and binders for holding laminated pages of information.
Warminster History Society member Roger Hammond has offered to make the cabinets for us, based on the Red House design but amended for our own purposes, using elm as recommended by the Conservation Laboratory.
The cost of these cabinets has been estimated at about £3,000, and grant aid of 45% from the Area Museum Council has been applied for.
The cabinets will be situated in the display area of the museum, allowing the public free access to the Victor Manley collection of Warminster fossils – something the History Society has been hoping to do for some time.
Friday 12 November 1993
Glenn Head and Danny Howell attended the autumn meeting of the Wiltshire Museums’ Association, which was held at Sheldon Manor, near Chippenham, on 12 November 1993.
There was no formal business but a guided tour of the Manor by the owners Major and Mrs. Gibbs.
During the autumn of 1993, some of the pupils of the Minster Primary School at Vicarage Street, Warminster, were involved in a project concerning schools past and present in Warminster. Among the various activities was a walk in the town, courtesy of the Dewey Museum, looking at some of the buildings which had been used for educational purposes. Danny Howell wrote this report:
EMWELL CROSS HOUSE – First port of call was Emwell Cross House which was a boarding school in the late 1800s. It was run by the De Gruchy family who came to Warminster from Jersey in the Channel Islands. Professor John De Gruchy taught French and maths.
Mrs. Jane De Gruchy was in charge of the young ladies who boarded in. John De Gruchy died in September 1875 and is buried at Christ Church. His obituary said he had few equals as a teacher, that he was punctual, unassuming and kind. Mrs. De Gruchy continued to run the school until the 1880s and then resided there in retirement until her death on 14 November 1899.
EMWELL HOUSE – Emwell House, near the Obelisk, was a private school for both day and boading pupils. It was established in 1872 and the principal was John Wesley Still. His wife ran the girls’ and kindergarten departments.
The school curriculum included English, maths, French, German, science, carpentry, drawing, book-keeping, music, shorthand, scripture, history, physical drill and gymnastics. There were 10 acres of cricket and football fields, asphalt and covered playgrounds and a separate playground for little boys.
The school closed just before 1920 and was later a hotel run by M. Wright until the Conservative Club took over the premises in 1930.
MISSIONARY COLLEGE – The Missionary College of St. Boniface (originally known as the Mission House), at Church Street, was founded by the Vicar of Warminster, the Rev. Sir James Erasmus Philipps, and was formally opened on 5 October 1860. The name changed from the Mission House to St. Boniface College in 1871. The aim of the college was to train young men of little previous education but who were capable of becoming good workers in the missionary field.
The number of students in the early days was small and fluctuated. With ten or twelve students the college was self-supporting and there were places for 20. In 1866 there were just three students, a year later the average was seven, and in 1868 it was 13. Fees were £30 per year to approved students and the curriculum included Latin, Greek, maths, English literature and grammar. There was also practical instruction in carpentry, gardening, printing and bookbinding.
St. Boniface College is now part of Warminster School.
THE NATIONAL SCHOOL – The National School, at Church Street, opened in 1815 and was one of the first National Schools in this country, coming soon after the foundation of the Society for National Schools in 1811. It continued in this building until 1845 when it transferred to Sambourne (now Sambourne Church of England Primary School). James Joseph Shears and Ann Shears were the master and mistress at the National School in Church Street in 1830. William B. Francis and Edward Godfrey were the masters here in 1844.
LORD WEYMOUTH’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL – Lord Weymouth’s Grammar School was founded in 1707 as a Free School by Thomas Thynne, the first Viscount Weymouth, of Longleat. The central arched doorway, although slightly altered, was originally at Longleat House and was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Thomas Arnold, who became an educational pioneer and the headmaster of Rugby School, was a pupil here. He died in June 1842. He was the author of numerous books. It is said he long cherished a happy fondness of the books in the school library at Warminster during his early schooldays.
The Fives Court at Warminster School is proclaimed to be “the oldest in existence in England that is still in regular use” and is thought to have been modelled on one that was at Winchester School. The Warminster Fives Court was certainly in existence in 1806 when it was mentioned in a letter by Dr. Arnold. The names of the fives players at Warminster were Squie, Skunk and Centre. The fives court required attention in June 1862 when it was said to be falling down owing to damage by heavy wire netting on top.
THE COUNTY SECONDARY SCHOOL – The building now used as the Youth Club, in the Close, was built in 1901 to house the Warminster County Secondary School (also known as the Technical School). It opened on 23 October 1901 with 5 pupils (four boys and one girl). Eustace Dent was appointed the headmaster on 5 February 1902. The school closed on 29 July 1931. During its last year there were 96 pupils (39 boys and 57 girls). Up until 1958 this building was used as the town library which moved to Portway House and then in 1981 the new library opened at Three Horseshoes Mall.
THE AVENUE SCHOOL – The Avenue School was built in 1931 and was the first new school to be built in Warminster for over a century. Harold Nelson Dewey, who had previously been the headmaster of the Close School became the headmaster of the Avenue School from the time it opened until his retirement from teaching in 1953.
When Kingdown Secondary Modern School (now Kingdown Comprehensive School) opened in June 1960 it had already become outgrown by the increase in population of Warminster, so the Avenue School was used as an annexe for Kingdown until Kingdown was enlarged in 1968. The Avenue School then became a primary school for younger pupils.
DEWEY HOUSE – The Town Council Offices at North Row were for many years used as a school. The main part of this building was constructed in 1704 as a Presbyterian Church for a congregation which previously used to meet in Beastleaze Meadow and later at another building in North Row.
A British School for Nonconformist children was established in 1827 at Ash Walk and nine years later it moved to North Row, into the schoolroom attached to a chapel built by the Congregationalists who separated from the Presbyterians in 1719. In 1868 the Presbyterian Church closed and the building changed hands, re-opening as the British School in 1870.
It remained a school until 1923 when its pupils were transferred to the Close School. Already in County Council hands by that time it (the Dewey House building) was later used as an annexe by the Avenue School and as a base for further education classes. In 1981, using money from the will of the late Harold Dewey (who died in 1971), the Town Council bought the property for use as offices. It is now named Dewey House after Harold Dewey.
The Minster pupils saw the measuring marks painted on one of the upright pillars. These were originally used by the much-feared Mr. Chappell who held woodwork lessons here. They were re-painted recently by local artist and signwriter Chico Holton. On the outside of the building is one of Warminster’s two Domesday plaques.
At the end of the trail, Town Clerk Joan Withey and her assistant Ann Andrews served the Minster school-children with orange squash and biscuits. A vote of thanks for an informative walk was given by teacher Chris Bell.
During the autumn of 1993, some of the pupils of the Minster Primary School at Vicarage Street, Warminster, were involved in a project concerning schools past and present in Warminster. Among the various activities was a walk in the town, courtesy of the Dewey Museum, looking at some of the buildings which had been used for educational purposes. Danny Howell wrote this report:
EMWELL CROSS HOUSE – First port of call was Emwell Cross House which was a boarding school in the late 1800s. It was run by the De Gruchy family who came to Warminster from Jersey in the Channel Islands. Professor John De Gruchy taught French and maths.
Mrs. Jane De Gruchy was in charge of the young ladies who boarded in. John De Gruchy died in September 1875 and is buried at Christ Church. His obituary said he had few equals as a teacher, that he was punctual, unassuming and kind. Mrs. De Gruchy continued to run the school until the 1880s and then resided there in retirement until her death on 14 November 1899.
EMWELL HOUSE – Emwell House, near the Obelisk, was a private school for both day and boading pupils. It was established in 1872 and the principal was John Wesley Still. His wife ran the girls’ and kindergarten departments.
The school curriculum included English, maths, French, German, science, carpentry, drawing, book-keeping, music, shorthand, scripture, history, physical drill and gymnastics. There were 10 acres of cricket and football fields, asphalt and covered playgrounds and a separate playground for little boys.
The school closed just before 1920 and was later a hotel run by M. Wright until the Conservative Club took over the premises in 1930.
MISSIONARY COLLEGE – The Missionary College of St. Boniface (originally known as the Mission House), at Church Street, was founded by the Vicar of Warminster, the Rev. Sir James Erasmus Philipps, and was formally opened on 5 October 1860. The name changed from the Mission House to St. Boniface College in 1871. The aim of the college was to train young men of little previous education but who were capable of becoming good workers in the missionary field.
The number of students in the early days was small and fluctuated. With ten or twelve students the college was self-supporting and there were places for 20. In 1866 there were just three students, a year later the average was seven, and in 1868 it was 13. Fees were £30 per year to approved students and the curriculum included Latin, Greek, maths, English literature and grammar. There was also practical instruction in carpentry, gardening, printing and bookbinding.
St. Boniface College is now part of Warminster School.
THE NATIONAL SCHOOL – The National School, at Church Street, opened in 1815 and was one of the first National Schools in this country, coming soon after the foundation of the Society for National Schools in 1811. It continued in this building until 1845 when it transferred to Sambourne (now Sambourne Church of England Primary School). James Joseph Shears and Ann Shears were the master and mistress at the National School in Church Street in 1830. William B. Francis and Edward Godfrey were the masters here in 1844.
LORD WEYMOUTH’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL – Lord Weymouth’s Grammar School was founded in 1707 as a Free School by Thomas Thynne, the first Viscount Weymouth, of Longleat. The central arched doorway, although slightly altered, was originally at Longleat House and was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Thomas Arnold, who became an educational pioneer and the headmaster of Rugby School, was a pupil here. He died in June 1842. He was the author of numerous books. It is said he long cherished a happy fondness of the books in the school library at Warminster during his early schooldays.
The Fives Court at Warminster School is proclaimed to be “the oldest in existence in England that is still in regular use” and is thought to have been modelled on one that was at Winchester School. The Warminster Fives Court was certainly in existence in 1806 when it was mentioned in a letter by Dr. Arnold. The names of the fives players at Warminster were Squie, Skunk and Centre. The fives court required attention in June 1862 when it was said to be falling down owing to damage by heavy wire netting on top.
THE COUNTY SECONDARY SCHOOL – The building now used as the Youth Club, in the Close, was built in 1901 to house the Warminster County Secondary School (also known as the Technical School). It opened on 23 October 1901 with 5 pupils (four boys and one girl). Eustace Dent was appointed the headmaster on 5 February 1902. The school closed on 29 July 1931. During its last year there were 96 pupils (39 boys and 57 girls). Up until 1958 this building was used as the town library which moved to Portway House and then in 1981 the new library opened at Three Horseshoes Mall.
THE AVENUE SCHOOL – The Avenue School was built in 1931 and was the first new school to be built in Warminster for over a century. Harold Nelson Dewey, who had previously been the headmaster of the Close School became the headmaster of the Avenue School from the time it opened until his retirement from teaching in 1953.
When Kingdown Secondary Modern School (now Kingdown Comprehensive School) opened in June 1960 it had already become outgrown by the increase in population of Warminster, so the Avenue School was used as an annexe for Kingdown until Kingdown was enlarged in 1968. The Avenue School then became a primary school for younger pupils.
DEWEY HOUSE – The Town Council Offices at North Row were for many years used as a school. The main part of this building was constructed in 1704 as a Presbyterian Church for a congregation which previously used to meet in Beastleaze Meadow and later at another building in North Row.
A British School for Nonconformist children was established in 1827 at Ash Walk and nine years later it moved to North Row, into the schoolroom attached to a chapel built by the Congregationalists who separated from the Presbyterians in 1719. In 1868 the Presbyterian Church closed and the building changed hands, re-opening as the British School in 1870.
It remained a school until 1923 when its pupils were transferred to the Close School. Already in County Council hands by that time it (the Dewey House building) was later used as an annexe by the Avenue School and as a base for further education classes. In 1981, using money from the will of the late Harold Dewey (who died in 1971), the Town Council bought the property for use as offices. It is now named Dewey House after Harold Dewey.
The Minster pupils saw the measuring marks painted on one of the upright pillars. These were originally used by the much-feared Mr. Chappell who held woodwork lessons here. They were re-painted recently by local artist and signwriter Chico Holton. On the outside of the building is one of Warminster’s two Domesday plaques.
At the end of the trail, Town Clerk Joan Withey and her assistant Ann Andrews served the Minster school-children with orange squash and biscuits. A vote of thanks for an informative walk was given by teacher Chris Bell.
Danny Howell writes:
Dewey House, North Row, Warminster
The Town Council Offices at North Row were for many years used as a school. The main part of this building was constructed in 1704 as a Presbyterian Church for a congregation which previously used to meet in Beastleaze Meadow and later at another building in North Row.
A British School for Nonconformist children was established in 1827 at Ash Walk and nine years later it moved to North Row, into the schoolroom attached to a chapel built by the Congregationalists who separated from the Presbyterians in 1719. In 1868 the Presbyterian Church closed and the building changed hands, re-opening as the British School in 1870.
It remained a school until 1923 when its pupils were transferred to the Close School. Already in County Council hands by that time it (the Dewey House building) was later used as an annexe by the Avenue School and as a base for further education classes. In 1981, using money from the will of the late Harold Dewey (who died in 1971), the Town Council bought the property for use as offices. It is now named Dewey House after Harold Dewey.
Measuring marks are painted on one of the interior upright pillars. These were originally used by the much-feared Mr. Chappell who held woodwork lessons here. They were re-painted recently by local artist and signwriter Chico Holton.
On the outside of the building is one of Warminster’s two Domesday plaques.
