10th July 1861

THE NATIONAL SCHOOL.- A national school-house and teacher's residence have long been desired by the inhabitants of Knighton, but for some reason or other a site suitable for their erection could not hitherto be obtained. Up to the present the schools have been conducted in rooms hired for the purpose, and although the best that could be had, were quite inadequate to the requirements of the parish. Mr. Green Price, Esq., having notified his intention of giving land sufficient for this greatly-needed and much-desired an object, a meeting, of the inhabitants took place on Friday last at the Vestry-room. The Rev. J. R. Brown presided, and the attendance comprised a large number of the leading tradesmen of the town. Mr. Green Price attended and stated to the meeting that after giving the subject much attention with a view of having in all respects the most eligible site for the erection of the schools, he was of opinion that an upper portion of the Crabtree Field would be the best, and this, to the extent required, he freely and heartily offered for their acceptance, observing at the same time that if the meeting thought any other site more suitable which he had in his power to give he would be happy to give it. The subject of the proposed site was then fully discussed, its suitable distance from the church, and its easy approach. It was resolved unanimously that the offer be accepted, and the thanks of the parish tendered to Mr. R. Green Price for his liberal and most valuable offer.

 

The foundation stone of the school was laid by Mrs Green Price, wife of Richard Green Price on Friday 17 April 1863 at 4 pm

 

Architect - Thomas Nicolson F.I.B.A. Diocesan Architect, Hereford

 

Contractor - Mr George Watkins, Bowling Green Cottage, Knighton

 

Cost - £1900

 

Official School Number - 5323

 

School Hours

 

Winter - 9.15 - 11.45 (dinner) 12.55 - 3.00

Summer - 9.00 - 12.00 (dinner) 1.30 - 3.30

 

1867

 

• William Adamthwaite, Headmaster

• Miss Catherine Thomas, Schoolmistress.  (her salary in 1871 was to be £45 pa)

 

William Adamthwaite died in the latter part of 1871, he was aged just 33. His death was registered in his home town of Knaresborough, Yorkshire.

 

1871

 

• Edward Thomas was appointed Headmaster on a salary of £60 pa

 

1874

• Edward Thomas Headmaster (retired later the same year)

 

The Green family were very generous during the 1870's, Miss Margaret Green paid for walls to be built around the School playgrounds in 1877. She also paid for chippings from the Nash Limeworks to be laid on the School yard In April 1878

 

1881

• Joseph Wheatstone, Headmaster, Boys Teacher

• Annie E David, Girls Teacher. Schoolmistress

• Helen B Carmichael, SchoolMistress

 

In 1889 the school was thoroughly cleaned and repainted. After inspection it was decided that a urinal was needed for the boys school.

 

3rd May 1889. Started teaching boys needlework.

 

On 20th May 1889 Mr William Massey (workhouse master) paid 8s 3d school fees for the workhouse children to attend the school.

 

1891

• Joseph Wheatstone, Headmaster, Boys Teacher

• Annie E David, Girls Teacher. Schoolmistress

 

Evening classes for men, lads, women and girls were started in 1896. The subjects taught were;

 

• Arithmetic,

• Composition and Spelling (including Letter Writing),

• Shorthand,

• Vocal Music,

• Mensuration, (the part of geometry concerned with ascertaining lengths, areas, and volumes)

• French,

• Tonic Solfa.

 

The singing teacher was Mr Pryce Price who held advanced Certificates in Tonic Solfa.

 

1895

• Earnest Reaves Cope, Headmaster

• Annie David, Mistress

• Emma L Shotton, Infants Schoolmistress

 

Joseph Wheatstone died 2nd March 1897 and was buried 6th March. Aged 72  years.

 

22nd December 1897 - A grant was received from the Education Department of £48 9s under the Voluntary Schools Act. This was to purchase much needed equipment and to take on temporary staff.

 

1901

• Mr John Smyth Headmaster, Boys Teacher

• Annie E David, Girls Schoolmistress.

• Clara M David, Assistant Girls Schoolmistress

• Emma L Shotton, Infanta Schoolmistress

• Horace W Stone, Monitor in National School

• Ernest A Horne, Monitor in National School

 

Annie Elizabeth David, Girls School Mistress died aged 60 in 1905.

 

Radnorshire Advertiser - 22nd September 1905

THE DEATH Or Miss David.—The evening service in Knighton Parish Church on Sunday last was marked as a special memorial to Miss Annie E. David, whose death we reported last week, and who for the last 34 year has been the be-loved and esteemed headmistress of the Knighton Girls' National School. The Vicar (Rev. M. Lutener) feelingly alluded to her death in his sermon at night, and paid a high tribute to ability, earnestness and faithful discharge of her duties towards the children of the parish. He also mentioned that after consultation with the churchwardens and officers, it had been decided to place a monument to her memory in the parish church which (it was afterwards understood) should take the form of a mosaic upon the walls of the nave. He had requested two of Miss David's oldest friends to solicit subscriptions with this object. The hymns sung at the service were " My God, my Father," "For all the Saints," and ." Peace, perfect peace." Miss Woodward, I.S.M., played, " I know that my Redeemer liveth." and "I rest in the Lord" as voluntaries. In our report last week we accidentally omitted the name of Miss Shotton (head-mistress of the infant school) as amongst the mourners. This lady had been, for many days and nights, unceasing in her care and attention to Miss David, and in conjunction with Mrs. Sibbald and Drs. Graves and Dallas did all in her power to soothe her last hours. The family mourners were met at Abergwili by the Rev. Thos. Thomas (Vicar) and Curate, and a number of relatives and friends from Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, and the service was most impressive, as the tired body was laid to rest in the pretty churchyard.

 

Radnorshire Advertiser - 11th May 1906

MEMORIAL TO THE LATE Miss DAVID.—At the afternoon service in the Parish Church on Sunday last, the memorial to the late Miss David (for many years head teacher at the Knighton girls' school) was unveiled and dedicated in the presence of a large congregation. The memorial is a beautiful example of mosaic work, and represents the Virgin Mary as a child receiving instruction from her mother. The Vicar in his subsequent address spoke feelingly of the good work performed in the schools for many years by the deceased lady.' The memorial panel has been much admired and it is understood that it is intended to add others from time to time as occasion may demand. The present one was subscribed for by past and present scholars and their parents, with the teachers and others who had learnt to appreciate the life and work of Miss David.

 

In St. Edwards church there is a Coloured marble chip tablet to St Anne & St. Edward that is dedicated to her.