Bideford Gazette

1856 – 24-Jun

Bideford Weekly Gazette No 26, column 1, page 1.
1856, 24 June. Summary:
Annual meeting of Bideford Grammar School with as usual the recitations delivered at the Town Hall, which was exceedingly well filled. It was remarked by nearly everyone that the recitations were in every case deserving of high approbation and far better than on every preceding occasion.
The report of the school examiners from the preceding four days was highly satisfactory There are now in this school three university men of high honour instead of the one heretofore, besides other Masters and it is set fair to become one of the best schools in north Devon. The boys are soundly and not flashily taught and we honour those Masters who are willing to wait for the future rather than the present approbation of the public. No meeting has ever gone off more satisfactorily or pleasantly than this.
Midsummer prizes were awarded. The Headmaster from 1854 to 1868 was Rev. Dr Abraham Kerr Thompson. The subjects included were conduct, classics, mathematics, elocution, divinity, & general work.

1858 – 29-Jun

Summer pupils

1860 – 3-Jan

Term marks

1860 – 19-Jun

Public exam dates

1860 – 26-Jun

Exams report

1860 – 31-Jul

Exam results

1860 – 21-Aug

Trustees

1860 – 4-Sep

Head’s birthday

1861 – 22-Jan

List of teachers

1861 – 11-Jun

Half year marks

1861 – 25-Jun

Games & Head’s report

1861 – 9-Jul

Exam resuts

1861 – 30-Jul

Opening date

1861 – 17-Dec

Half year exams

1862 – 1-Jul

Exam results

1863 – 20-Jan

Opening date

1863 – 24-Mar

Dinner with Kerr Thompson

1864 – 5-Apr

Pupils meeting with Head

1864 – 21-Jun

Shakespeare recitations

1868 – 7-Jan

Resignation of Thompson

1868 – 18-Feb

Inspectors

1868 – 7-Apr

Trustees

1868 – 21-May

Trustees

1870 – 27-Dec

Endowment – Mr Heard called attention to the fact that considerable dissatisfaction was being expressed by the inhabitants of the Borough in consequence of their being no free boys in the Grammar School, and desired an explanation as to how the present endowment of £60 p.a. was appropriated by the Trustees. It had been explained, he said, that some time ago an objection was raised to the presence of free boys in the school, as the more ‘respectable’ pupils, as they were called, refused to associate with them, and they were considered a drawback to the Headmaster’s success in the reception of boarders. Whether this were so, or not, he requested that, in the interest of the inhabitants of the town, the matter ought to be investigated, especially as it was the expressed wish of the founders that the endowment should be appropriated to the benefit of the sons of those who were not in a position to pay for a classical education. Several other members were also anxious for an explanation, but as this meeting was not regarded as the proper place for it, it was decided that the whole matter should be investigated elsewhere.

1871 – 7-Feb

Bideford Town Council meeting – “It having been again reported that there has been no free boys on the foundation of the BGS for some time past, the Clerk was requested to communicate with Mr George Brayley, Secretary to the Trustees, asking for an explanation.”

1871 – 7-Mar

Subcommittee – report on Endowed Schools Act incl. information relating to BGS

1871 – 5-Sep

Town Council discussed application to be made to the Charity Commissioners for permission to take proceedings against Trustees of BGS. “The Clerk having reported that the Council could not institute proceedings against the Trustees of the BGS without first obtaining the sanction of the Charity Commissioners, it was unanimously resolved that he make application to them for permission to take proceedings in Chancery, the Trustees having appropriated the Endowment to purposes other than those intended by the donors, in consequence of which there are now no free boys in the school.”

1871 – 31-Oct

Misappropriation by Trustees – “… but for several years no foundation scholars have been admitted to the school, the fund having been appropriated to the education of gentlemens’ sons at a cheaper rate than that for which they could otherwise be received. It is said that as this reduced tariff of charges for education and the conversion of the school into a College is likely to induce the parents of pupils to become residents in the neighbourhood, the tradesmen of the town, for whose benefit the school was founded, ought to be satisfied, seeing that they have a compensating advantage in the impetus which an influx of visitors must necessarily give to trade.”

1871 – 7-Nov

Endowment fund – “The Rev. J.L. Kitchin, M.A., Headmaster of this school, requests us to state that “the Endowment Fund has not been used under his Head-Mastership for the purpose of making education cheaper for the rich than it could otherwise be made.”

1871 – 14-Nov

Letter from a tradesman on BGS and Mr Kitchin “Sir, – In last Tuesday’s Gazette you have this announcement ” … ” . Allow me, as one of the tradesmen of Bideford, for whose benefit the endowment of the school was originally intended, to say that Mr Kitchin’s request is a very unsatisfactory one. I protest most emphatically against such a quibble. To what purpose has the Endowement Fund been appropriated since the Rev. Mr. Kitchin obtained the appointment of Head Master of the school on its removal to the eligible and commodious premises, now occupied in North Down-lane? And why has he not received into the school since his appointment the sons of tradesmen as free scholars on the foundation in accordance with the express wishes of those who gave the school its endowment? These are questions which will have to be answered sooner or later, and no subterfuge will be received or even listened to by. Yours very obediently A Victimised Tradesman”

1871 – 21-Nov

Town council discussed BGS Endowment Fund “…. Documents having been produced, as ordered at the previous meeting, with reference to the Grammar School endowment an animated discussion ensued, and its misappropriation was denounced in unmistakeable terms. The matter was ultimately referred to a committee ,as was that of an alleged encroachment by the railway contractor in the construction of the railway bridge across the Torridge.”

1884 – 22-Jan

School opening Jan 28 1884

1884 – 9-Sep

School opening Sep 15 1884

1885 – 6-Jan

School opening Jan 19 1885

1885 – 23-Jun

New Head elected – Isaac Brooks (1886-1894)

1885 – 18-Aug

New term Sep 8 1885

1885 – 29-Dec

New term Jan 19 1886

1885 – 29-Dec

Prize List

1886 – 5-Jan

BGS Highly qualified resident and visiting teachers

1887 – 18-Jan

New term Jan 20 1887

1887 – 25-Jan

BGS pupils passed exams successfully

1887 – 12-Apr

New term April 19 1887

1887 – 2-Aug

New term Sep 8 1887

1887 – 28-Dec

Prize Giving

1888 – 13-Mar

Former master, Rev. Richard F. Heath died. Also football match

1888 – 24-Apr

New term April 24 1888

1888 – 18-Dec

Statement of accounts

1889 – 15-Jan

New term – I Brooks Headmaster

1889 – 29-Jan

Exams passsed successfully

1889 – 30-Apr

New term April 30 1889

1889 – 3-Dec

Statement of accounts

1889 – 21-Dec

Notice of Prize Day delay

1889 – 31-Dec

Prize day list

1890 – 7-Jan

New term Jan 16 1890

1890 – 9-Sep

New term Sep 16 1890

1890 – 16-Sep

6 scholarship places available at BGS

1890 – 2-Dec

Statement of Expenses

1890 – 23-Dec

“Breaking up” entertainment and prize giving

1891 – 24-Nov

Statement of income and expenditure

1891 – 29-Dec

Prize distribution and entertainment at Grammar School and Parish Hall

1892 – 19-Jan

Grammar and Commercial School term begins Jan 19 1892, vacancies for boarders

1892 – 22-Mar

Annual School inspection to be made by an inspector from the College of Preceptors

1892 – 30-Aug

Term begins Sep 8 1892

1892 – 1-Nov

Headmaster’s birthday – Isaac Brooks, presentation from pupils

1893 – 24-Jan

Abstract of accounts 1892 for BGS

1893 – 7-Mar

Advert for Bideford Grammar & Commercial School

1894 – 23-Jan

Statement of accounts for year to Christmas 1893

1894 – 11-Dec

Mr Faulkner of Nottingham has been appointed new Head of Grammar School out of 40 applicants. He is an M.A. of London University

1895 – 15-Jan

BGS new term – new Head John Faulkner, M.A. (1894-1904)

1895 – 9-Apr

BGS this foundation and application of the Bridge Trust is the authorised provision of secondary education for the district by order of the Lords of HM Council. Healthy site. Good accommodation. Headmaster Mr J. Faulkner, M.A. competent masters for art, music drill etc. Modern side: preparation for examinations, commercial life, or professions. Technical instruction in the Municipal Institute. Tuition: 6 guineas p.a. Boys of 7 admitted. Reduction under 10, if two from same family. Terms for boarders and prospectus from Headmaster or the Clerk, Chas. Wm. Hole Esq., Solicitor, Bideford

1895 – 16-Apr

5 new boys elected by the Governors as Exhibitioners

1895 – 18-Jun

Statement of monies received and expended of and due to the Grammar School Trust. Exhibited by Charles William Hole (Clerk of Trust)

1895 – 3-Sep

Headmaster J. Faulkner, M.A. – same advert as appeared in Bideford Weekly Gazette 09.04.1895. Tuition fees 6 guineas p.a.

1895 – 23-Dec

Account of Prize Distribution

1896 – 14-Jan

Headmaster J. Faulkner, M.A. – same advert as appeared in Bideford Weekly Gazette 09.04.1895 and 03.09.1895. Tuition fees 6 guineas p.a.

1902 – 4-Feb

Annual distribution of prizes and certificates given by Mayor E.J. Tattersill

1902 – 29-Apr

Governors of BGS decide that fees for boys under 10 shall be £4 – £105

1902 – 6-May

Editorial ref. alteration of scale of fees at BGS

1902 – 3-Jun

Celebration of end of Boer War held at BGS

1902 – 15-Jul

Rev. J. Faulkner, Headmaster of BGS, received presentation from pupils

1903 – 9-Jun

Report of distribution of prizes at the Grammar School

1904 – 8-Mar

3 year scholarship won by Frederick A. Pearson, son of Mr Pearson of Buttgarden Streeet, to Grammar School

1904 – 12-Apr

Inspector’s Report 1902, Examiner’s Report 1903

1904 – 28-Jun

Appointment of Mr Cecil J. Smith takes over as Acting Head from mid-summer from Rev. J. Faulkner who is resigning. Also Assistant Master appointed.

1904 – 5-Jul

Arthur Wrigglesworth, teacher of Pitman’s Shorthand appointed to BGS as teacher of shorthand

1904 – 6-Sep

Advert for Boarders and Day pupils – Apply Head Mr Cecil J. Smith

1908 – 17-Mar

Editorial coment on the Grammar School’s application for recognition as a Secondary School of Education and the effect this would have on the Municipal Science and Art Schools

1908 – 21-Apr

Advertisement quoting fees of BGS

1908 – 23-Jun

Bideford Town Council Report re. BGS extensions

1908 – 7-Jul

Notice of two Foundation Scholarships and two Entrance Scholarships open by examination

1908 – 11-Aug

Governors to BGS appointed by Bideford Magistrates – Mr W.D. Joce, J.P. and Mr A.G. Duncan, J.P. and by Bideford Town Council – Ald. T. Goaman and Ald. R. Dymond

1908 – 29-Sep

A full account of the prize distribution and recipients. The Headmaster’s report (Mr Jas. Stuart Fergusson) told of the increase in number of pupils and examination (Cambridge) results.

1908 – 29-Sep

Sir Thomas Acland visits to open new classrooms in the capacity of Chairman of Devon Education Committee. The school was started in 1689 by Susannah Stucley who left £200. A full account of attending dignataries.

1909 – 4-May

Re-union of past and present scholars took place at the school to mark the recognition of the Institution as a Secondary School

1909 – 11-May

Meeting of Old Boys – list of names given

1909 – 6-Jul

Vacancies for scholarships advertised

1909 – 3-Aug

Prize Day – highly satisfactory reports

1909 – 7-Sep

Additional Master needed at school

1910 – 11-Jan

BGS Spring term started Monday Jan 17 1910. Headmaster J. Stuart Fergusson, B.A. Cantab. Available previous Tues & Wed to see parents and enter new boys.

1910 – 31-May

BGS Old Boys’ Reunion

1910 – 21-Jun

BGS Appointment of Governors

1919 – 9-Dec

Arrangements for inspection of Grammar School Memorial

1923 – 18-Dec

Annual prize-giving and report of BGS at Town Hall, Prize List

1925 – 20-Jun

Notice on examiner’s report

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1957 – July

Swimming gala

1962

Wisit to Westward TV studios

1962

Visit to Fremington DUKWs

1965 – May

Sports Day

1965 – Sep

O level results

1966 – Jan

Additional O levels

1966 – Feb

BGS v Okehampton rugby

1966 – Feb

BGS v Ilfracombe rugby

1966 – Mar

Bideford Third XV

1966 – Nov

BGS v Ilfracombe rugby

1966 – Oct

BGS v Bideford Third XV

1966 – Nov

Rugby caps

1967 – Feb

OBA

1967 – Feb

BGS v OBA floodlit rugby

1967 – May

Sports Day

1967 – Aug

A level results

1970 – Jul

Headmaster Stephenson retires

1970 – Sep

A level results

1970 – Oct

BGS v OBA rugby

1970 – Nov

Threat to BGS identity

1970 – Dec

BGS captain goes to Oxford

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2009 – May

OBA visits school before it is demolished