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Wartime Barwick
Extracts from the School Log Book


The Barwicker No.7
September 1987


1940

November 18th.
The School has 17 evacuees, 11 from Leeds, 4 from London, 1 from Coventry and 1 from Bridlington. School started at 9.30am because of the blackout.
December 4th.
Air raid drill carried out this afternoon. School was visited to enquire whether blast-proof netting had been delivered.

1941
January 9th.
A stirrup pump was delivered to-day.
February 21st.
The gas masks of all the children in school were checked and tested.
March 6th.
The blast-proof netting for the windows arrived to-day.
May 15th.
Air raid practice; 18 children were without respirators.
May 16th.
Air raid practice. Everyone was in the shelter in 3½ mins. All have respirators.
June 9th.
Permanent head now appointed, Mr R.A.Gray.
August 21st.
I received from County Hall, Wakefield, intimation of a proposal to use this School as a "Rest and Feeding Centre" if required during a heavy air-raid. Mr Gray to be the supervisor of the scheme. Miss Grimshaw, one of the teachers, volunteered her services.
October 15th.
The blacking-out of the Infants' Room was completed. It is the purpose of the school managers to let this room for village functions.
November 11th.
A brief service of remembrance was held in the School and two minutes silence was observed at the village war memorial, in company with members of the R.A.F. billeted at the Rectory, who laid a wreath.

1942
March 6th.
Miss Hatfield, W.R.C.C. supervisor of feeding, called to enquire what additions or alterations would be necessary to facilitate the feeding of children under the proposed wartime meals in school scheme.
March 7th.
Warships Week begins to-day in the village. The Warships Week committee have allocated £25 from their funds, for competitions for the benefit of schoolchildren in the village. Essay, poster and recitation competitions have taken place in all classes above Standard 1. The infants and Standard 1 had clay modelling competitions. School, by their own efforts, have raised to date £13-18s-0d. to swell the village total.
August 17th.
At assembly I announced the government's new regulation with regard to the carrying of gas masks.
November 9th.
I received a circular from the Divisional Officer for Education to say that children of 12 years of age and more are to be allowed to work in agriculture on schooldays, subject to the conditions laid down by the Government. 10 senior children took advantage of this ruling this afternoon and were absent from school to pick potatoes.

1943 October 29th.
The attendance has been good throughout the school except in the case of children over 12 years of age who have permission under the Defence Regulations 1939 to help farmers with potato harvest.

1944 August 25th. The West Riding Police gas van came and all children, whose parents had signified their willingness to allow their children to go through the gas van, had their gas masks correctly adjusted or fitted with new parts or exchanged before testing them in the gas van.

1945 May 4th. I received instructions from the Divisional Officer with regard to school holidays to be taken when the end of the war is announced.
May 8th. and 9th. School was closed on two days in view of the announcement broadcast last night, that the war in Europe is over and that Tuesday and Wednesday were to be regarded as public holidays.

Compiled by Margaret Berry and Janet Creak.


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