Wateringbury Boys School Quarterly magazine (1906/7)

Post date: Mar 06, 2014 7:29:36 PM

Wateringbury Boys School Quarterly Magazine

(Kent Archives P385/25/14)

In this file at Kent archives are copies of the printed Wateringbury Boys School Magazines for April 1906, July 1906, October 1906 and January 1907. Each is 8 pages including adverts on the back (the adverts shown are taken from the July 1906 magazine although all are similar. The subscription was 1/6 per ann. post free . “Single copies at 3d. each to boys of the School, and at 4d. each to other persons.” The April edition notes that a magazine was previously published monthly but was not a financial success.

April 1906 starts with an open letter from Geo. Newman, “one of the few remaining boys who were in attendance on the first day of the opening of the School,” mainly about his boyhood days in early 1840s and his recollections of Church beadle, Isaac Newman, choirmaster, Wyman, and old fashioned barrel organ played by Cripps, replaced about 1849; also about pews and cane in church. It gives an account of 7^th Choir concert given in Church Rooms on February 13^th under choirmaster Edgar Smith. 3^rd Annual Meeting of Old Boys Society was held February 16^th at schools; society flourishing with a membership last year of 50 and £1 19s. and 0d. in hand. 3^rd Annual Dinner of W.O.B.S. held at King’s Head on 27^th February with Mayor of Chatham (Councillor H.F. Whyman, Esq., J.P. ) presiding; speeches from Augustus Leney, Amos Baker, Whyman (who gave school a photo of himself in mayoral robes), Edgar Smith. Many toasts and much singing. “A branch of the National Guild of Courtesy has lately been formed in connection with the Schools) (including the Girls’ department) , and some 60 boys and girls have become members.” “The R.E.D. continues to flourish. There are 50 members in the School Chapter, and we are pleased to be able to say that very few of our boys break their promises. It is certainly a very good thing that boys should keep from smoking.” Ernest Spice has 6 years’ perfect attendance and when he leaves we hope K.E.C. will give him a special prize. Results of school football team’s 6 matches. Boys and Old Boys Clubs (24 present) gave excellent gymnastics display on 20^th March at Parish Church Rooms. Drum and Fife Band would welcome subscribers as in deficit (managed during winter without an instructor from Maidstone).

July 1906. Continuation of Geo. Newman’s open letter about dumb borsholder and sundial, followed by lighting before gas arrived in village. Results of Tonbridge Musical festival on 24^th April in which Wateringbury Church Choir participated with some success. Village Choral Society and Church Choir provided concert on 1^st May at Parish Church Rooms. Description of Empire Day (May 24^th ) celebrations and prize giving, followed by school sports in Wateringbury Park. Mayor of Chatham has offered a silver watch as a prize at school. Swimming has just commenced for the season. Cricket season in full swing, but school team slow in starting work; first match of season at Barnjet won against West Farleigh School. Proposal to start a Rowing Club for Old Boys if sufficient members join. Proposal for first W.O.B.S. excursion – to Southend.

October 1906 includes a sketch of The Church, Wateringbury; an account of the Choir excursion to Brighton on July 16^th,; an account of visit of Mayor of Chatham, H.F. Whyman, an old boy to the school on Aug 13^th, presenting a silver watch as a prize to Lewin Palmer, whose winning essay on Wateringbury reproduced.

January 1907 with regret the last number. More on Dumb Borsholder. Entertainment in aid of school Magazine Fund given on 27^th and 28^th Nov. Prize giving on December 20^th. Reproduction of original 1843 rules of the school. W.O.B. S. smoking concert held at King’s Head on Nov 7^th. Another silver watch given by Mayor of Chatham awarded to George Fisher. Membership of W.O.B.S. up to 60.