St Luke's Church Eccleshill - Articles from "The Link"

Education in Eccleshill

Part 1 appeared in March 2007 and Part 2, below the * * *, in May.

I hold fond memories of the Sunday School in Fagley lane behind St Luke's Church. I never attended the Church of England Schools, because for reasons not known to me, I went instead to Wellington Road School along Pottery Lane.

I did though attend the Church School for religious education each Sunday afternoon and remember quite easily the ambience of the ancient classrooms and the musty atmosphere. Particularly I recall the glass-dome-covered stuffed birds and animals that were everywhere about the classroom and how sorry I felt for the weasels, hares and pheasants that crouched the on artificial foliage, trapped forever in dusty glass prisons!

Only recently did I learn that Eccleshill Church Schools were actually built before the Church - about five years earlier in fact. The original Trust Deeds of the school are dated 4th November 1843, and this document gave appointment to the Bishop of Ripon and the Vicar of Bradford as Trustees fo the land on which the schools were to be erected.

The land was described as a "Close" adjoining the Turnpike Road leading from Bradford to Apperley Bridge and known as "Shoulder Broad". This land was in the occupation of one Nancy Thornton - though in what capacity is not outlined - and the owners were shown as a Mr George Baron of South Cave near Hull and Miss Jowett of The Clock House near to Manningham. A building of sorts already existed here and this was used as a school for poor persons and also as a place of worship. It is interesting to reflect on the fact that Religious Instruction was available on the site long before St Luke's Chuch was built in 1848.

The building is described as a single large room with a stone floor and a gallery at one end. This classroom was heated by means of a stove that "filled the area with choking fumes". A kitchen was added in 1860 and some time later more classrooms were built.

Prime mover in the progression of education in the village of Eccleshill was Dr William Scoresby, the Vicar of Bradford from 1839 to 1847. He was also deeply involved in the project of building St Luke' s Church - raising funds by reason of his many scientific lecture tours throughout the UK. Dr Scoresby is also remembered as an explorer. Scoresby Street in Little Germany is named after him.

* * *

An early attempt at local schooling for the children of Eccleshill was made by an eccentric called John Blaemires - eccentric but worthy - according to William Cudworth the famous local historian. The location for this tiny school was near to "The White Hart" along the Monkey Bridge and a dozen or so youngsters attending each day took advantage of this commendable effort at education. Later a man called Joshua Thornton was involved. The date of this enterprise is debatable but it is thought that the early part of the 19th century would be the most likely period.

Later - again at a location on The Monkey bridge - a Mr Thomas Waterhouse opened up a "place of learning" above the stables attached to "The White Hart". It would be hoped that school and hostelry opening times did not clash!

Somewhere there exists a deed, dated in the early 15th century, that clearly indicates the existence of a school in Eccleshill at that time. Again, a location is difficult to determine. A place-name "Radfield" is mentioned and the only Radfield I have knowledge of is an area of land along Fagley Lane, the name of which is derived from "Redfield". A house of that name still stands along Fagley lane. Redfield is possibly a speech corruption of "Reed Field", a field of red grasses. "Brume" or "Broome" is the same area is mentioned as being a pedestrian way into Lower Lane where "a Skoole abroads".

These place-names or field-names can of course be interpreted in other ways and conjecture must always be considered. Much is lost though as times progresses and names of places and houses mentioned in early documents often cannot be discovered today. "Lower Lane" must be accepted as a lost location in Eccleshill.

Allied to the growth of education in Eccleshill is the generous and intensive input by members of the clergy of various denominations. Early religious teachings were held at Gate House Farm on the Eccleshill side of Bolton Junction and in the occupation of Mr William Woodhead. These lessons were conducted by local ministers and curates from Bradford Parish Church. Ordinary education of the "three R's" went along hand in hand with the religious learning offered at Gate House - a building that still exists as a dwelling house hidden among the urban sprawl opposite the new library.

That such methods still prevail is obvious when one considers the progress of the successful and well established "Church School". The one we know on Fagley lane brings us back full circle!

Frank Dickinson
(Eccleshill Local History Group)

	*St Luke's Church, Eccleshill - The Link* magazine** The Link is published monthly at 40p (Senior Citizens 35p), and we deliver free within the parish and post copies (at the reader's expense) to those who request it. Please contact us if you would like a free copy for a trial period. May 2007, Page 9.
Home Page. Index of articles: by subject, by date. In this issue: (May 2007) Hope not hate, Dark Moon, From Egypt, Finances, Hymn, History. Other articles on our locality.	Education in Eccleshill Part 1 appeared in March 2007 and Part 2, below the * , in May. I hold fond memories of the Sunday School in Fagley lane behind St Luke's Church. I never attended the Church of England Schools, because for reasons not known to me, I went instead to Wellington Road School along Pottery Lane. I did though attend the Church School for religious education each Sunday afternoon and remember quite easily the ambience of the ancient classrooms and the musty atmosphere. Particularly I recall the glass-dome-covered stuffed birds and animals that were everywhere about the classroom and how sorry I felt for the weasels, hares and pheasants that crouched the on artificial foliage, trapped forever in dusty glass prisons! Only recently did I learn that Eccleshill Church Schools were actually built before the Church - about five years earlier in fact. The original Trust Deeds of the school are dated 4th November 1843, and this document gave appointment to the Bishop of Ripon and the Vicar of Bradford as Trustees fo the land on which the schools were to be erected. The land was described as a "Close" adjoining the Turnpike Road leading from Bradford to Apperley Bridge and known as "Shoulder Broad". This land was in the occupation of one Nancy Thornton - though in what capacity is not outlined - and the owners were shown as a Mr George Baron of South Cave near Hull and Miss Jowett of The Clock House near to Manningham. A building of sorts already existed here and this was used as a school for poor persons and also as a place of worship. It is interesting to reflect on the fact that Religious Instruction was available on the site long before St Luke's Chuch was built in 1848. The building is described as a single large room with a stone floor and a gallery at one end. This classroom was heated by means of a stove that "filled the area with choking fumes". A kitchen was added in 1860 and some time later more classrooms were built. Prime mover in the progression of education in the village of Eccleshill was Dr William Scoresby, the Vicar of Bradford from 1839 to 1847. He was also deeply involved in the project of building St Luke' s Church - raising funds by reason of his many scientific lecture tours throughout the UK. Dr Scoresby is also remembered as an explorer. Scoresby Street in Little Germany is named after him. * * * An early attempt at local schooling for the children of Eccleshill was made by an eccentric called John Blaemires - eccentric but worthy - according to William Cudworth the famous local historian. The location for this tiny school was near to "The White Hart" along the Monkey Bridge and a dozen or so youngsters attending each day took advantage of this commendable effort at education. Later a man called Joshua Thornton was involved. The date of this enterprise is debatable but it is thought that the early part of the 19th century would be the most likely period. Later - again at a location on The Monkey bridge - a Mr Thomas Waterhouse opened up a "place of learning" above the stables attached to "The White Hart". It would be hoped that school and hostelry opening times did not clash! Somewhere there exists a deed, dated in the early 15th century, that clearly indicates the existence of a school in Eccleshill at that time. Again, a location is difficult to determine. A place-name "Radfield" is mentioned and the only Radfield I have knowledge of is an area of land along Fagley Lane, the name of which is derived from "Redfield". A house of that name still stands along Fagley lane. Redfield is possibly a speech corruption of "Reed Field", a field of red grasses. "Brume" or "Broome" is the same area is mentioned as being a pedestrian way into Lower Lane where "a Skoole abroads". These place-names or field-names can of course be interpreted in other ways and conjecture must always be considered. Much is lost though as times progresses and names of places and houses mentioned in early documents often cannot be discovered today. "Lower Lane" must be accepted as a lost location in Eccleshill. Allied to the growth of education in Eccleshill is the generous and intensive input by members of the clergy of various denominations. Early religious teachings were held at Gate House Farm on the Eccleshill side of Bolton Junction and in the occupation of Mr William Woodhead. These lessons were conducted by local ministers and curates from Bradford Parish Church. Ordinary education of the "three R's" went along hand in hand with the religious learning offered at Gate House - a building that still exists as a dwelling house hidden among the urban sprawl opposite the new library. That such methods still prevail is obvious when one considers the progress of the successful and well established "Church School". The one we know on Fagley lane brings us back full circle! Frank Dickinson (Eccleshill Local History Group)
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