Extracts from the Heddon Church of England School Log Book
CES 148/2/1 p.422-463 (Northumberland Archives, Woodhorn).
Kindly provided by Revs. Pat & Robin Brooks
Newspaper cuttings by Andy Curtis
Closed this afternoon owing to a concert and theatrical performance taking place tonight in aid of the War Fund. The workmen are coming in to make all the arrangements.
3 February 1915
The Vicar and two officers visited the School premises this afternoon to see about amount of accommodation for the troops if required.
12 February 1915
The work of the School is being carried on under very great difficulties as I have only one assistant.
Poor attendance owing to the potato picking not being finished.
8 November 1915
20 children absent today: potato picking at East Heddon.
25 February 1916
The children gave a grand Patriotic Concert in School tonight, in aid of the Soldiers' Comforts Fund. It was a great success. The School was crammed and many were turned away owing to want of room. The schoolroom was most beautifully decorated. The general verdict was that the children did splendidly throughout. There were 29 items on the programme and no one took part in it but the school children.
20 children absent for potato picking.
14 February 1917
I was absent this afternoon attending a conference on War School gardens.
2 March 1917
The elder boys have been mostly employed during the last three days in digging over a patch of land about 14 yds by 10 yds, at the bottom of the playground for the planting of potatoes.
School garden planted with potatoes. Children bought seed from home and manure given by Miss Freeman of Bay's Leap Farm. All the tools were lent so no expense incurred. 424 sets of potatoes have been planted and 16 sets of artichokes.
6 July 1917
Haymaking affected the attendance.
13 July 1917
Haymaking affected the attendance.
Closed for week for potato picking.
24 May 1918
Empire Day School Holiday in the county in honour of the children having reached the sum of £50,000 in the War Savings.
27 September 1918
Closed this afternoon for children to go blackberrying.
Potato picking commenced.
25 October 1918
[Closed] for potato picking week.
4 November 1918
All children over 12 years of age have permission from LEA to work on Mr Shield's Farm potato picking for the week.
1st class of children still absent potato picking.
12 November 1918
Closed this afternoon for rest of week in honour of signing of Armistice and the end of the long and cruel war.
Heddon on the Wall Parish Fund for sending comforts to local soldiers.
Established 3 May 1915.
Q/C/W/1 War Charities (Northumberland Archives, Woodhorn)
Secretary: George M Hunter (assistant overseer, Houghton Hill Head, Wylam); William Edwin Anderson (Head Gardener, The Gardens, Close House); Chair: Robert Walter Shield (farmer, Heddon Banks Farm); William Musgrave (Heddon Colliery Manager) and Thomas Henry Jackson (miner, Mushroom Row).