Wimpole (C.E.) School c1900 Boy Pupils with School Master Samuel Horsfield
A local history and genealogy page for the Parish of Wimpole.
Boy Pupils c1900, Wimpole (C of E) School.
[See also the equivalentGirl Pupils c1900photograph with School Mistress Emily Horsfield]
A group of 23 schoolboys photographed at Wimpole School sometime around the turn of the century. I estimate 1900 or perhaps even a little earlier. It appears the boys have been told to come to school wearing their best clothes for the photographer. Standing on the right is Mr Samuel Horsfield, who was School Master at Wimpole School for 44 years, until his retirement in September 1905.
The photograph was taken in 'The Chestnuts', the outdoor playing area of Wimpole School. Behind the boys - to the left - is a glimpse of the old 'Wooden School', in educational use until 1876. On the right is the corner of 'School House' [now 22 Cambridge Road], built in 1853. Mr Horsfield finally retired in September 1905.
None of the boys in the image have been positively identified, but it is possible that at least some of the boys listed as 'scholar' in the 1901 Census (between the age of 4 and 14) might be included in this photograph. If I am right about the approximate image date then the following 'village' boys are possible candidates:
Walter John Matthews 9
David Matthews 9
Walter Chas Matthews 7
George Titchmarsh 10
Thomas H Goats 8
Walter Vine 13
Henry John Reed 6
William John Whetstone 13
Andrew Whitby 11
Sidney Whitby 6
James Pratt 9
Walter Bullen 9
Richard Bullen 7
Edward Skinner 9
Frank Skinner 6
Horace Hopkins 7
Sidney Hopkins 4
Albert Joseph Robins 7
William Pearce 11
Alfred Pearce 9
Albert Pearce 7
Henry Wilkins 9
Percy Wilkins 6
William Wilkins 12
Sidney Wilkins 9
Edward Wilkins 7
Arthur Wilkins 5
There may also be pupils in the picture from othe parishes and/or the Wimpole Estate.
Please let me know if you can put a name to any of the boys.
A single confirmed identification could help fix the date of this photograph to within a year or two.
Retirement of Mr S Horsfield
On the retirement of Mr S Horsfield, who has been Master of Wimpole School for the past 44 years, an address, together with a cheque for £78 [1], and a list of subscribers, was presented to him privately (at his express wish) last Friday, September 22nd [1905], by Mr J Hagger.
The Collection was made by the Misses Hagger and Newell, and the following is a copy of the address:-
"The inhabitants of Wimpole, Arrington and Orwell, with friends, and the past and present pupils of Mr S Horsfield, beg to express to him their sincere regret that he is obliged after the long period of 44 years to retire from his work as School Master in the Wimpole School. They also beg to offer him their sincere sympathy in the long illness which has tried his daughter, Miss Horsfield. Their efforts have been fruitful of good with all those with whom they have been brought in contact. They respect him for his sturdy independence and rectitude, and devoted care and labour in behalf of all whom he has dealt with as neighbours or taught as pupils. They trust that with God's blessing he may be spared to enjoy many years of quiet restfulness. He will carry with him the affectionate respect of all who know him, and they beg him to accept the accompanying cheque as a small token of their regard and esteem."
We have been asked to insert the following letter from Mr S Horsfield:-
To the Editor of the Herts. and Cambs. Enquirer.
Sir, - Will you kindly allow me to express though your medium my heartfelt thanks to the inhabitants of Wimpole, Arrington and Orwell, and to all those who so kindly contributed to the testimonial which I received on Friday last in the form of a cheque. It is impossible to put into words all that I feel when I look back upon the numberless acts of kindness and sympathy I have received on all hands during my 44 years residence in Wimpole. I can only say that I have felt most keenly the parting from so many old friends, and that I reciprocate to the full the affectionate good wishes which have been expressed towards me on my leaving Wimpole.
I remain, dear sir, yours faithfully,
SAMUEL HORSFIELD
[1] £78.00 in 1905 would be worth in excess of £9500 today, so not a bad retirement gift.
1903 (2nd Edition) Ordnance Survey Map, showing the location of the School at Wimpole
Wimpole Village School c1905 Wimpole's Church of England School was completed in 1876, then
closed suddenly in 1946
(the brick structure being declared "absolutely unsafe for the children")
