3rd December, 2006
Trials and Tribulations
Life for most people in Victorian Lamberhead Green was tough. There were frequent outbreaks of killer diseases such as scarlet fever. The following school log book entry was typical of many:
"I find that many children are ill. One at school last Thursday now dead,"
Mining accidents resulting in death appear to have been common place. There can be few more poignant statements than the following:
"16 February 1870: The father of one of our little boys - Daniel Houghton - was killed today. He is now in the class and knows nothing of it."
These events, together with the crushing poverty suffered by the families around him, must have affected William a great deal as he seems to have identified strongly with the local people.
Life as a teacher was full of problems. The number of pupils rose to almost 200. It was a huge task for one teacher to cope with so many children. He did have a sewing mistress in the afternoons but she attended infrequently. He had difficulty recruiting pupil teachers and when eventually he was successful, the appointees were disappointing both in ability and attitude. In the early days he relied on "monitors", one of whom he paid.
Pupils often missed school for a variety of reasons. Here are some given in the log book: Newton races, Wigan fair, pit accidents, miners' strikes, scarlet fever, "Mr. Gladstone in town", a circus, pay Mondays.
William was successful in recruiting pupils, so gaining more "school pence" - when the parents were prepared to pay it. Higher educational standards resulted in larger funding after the frequent inspections. But still William was reliant on the treasurer and church committee for the release of funds into his hands. He complains bitterly about the lack of heating in winter and blames a school committee member for this:
"28th January 1870
Extremely cold today in school, that is considering we have a warming apparatus and coal given, but an old man up here who has too much power in his hands is, and has been for many years, a great obstacle to the school."
He also accuses the treasurer of stealing a book shelf from the school house:
"October 3rd 1868
A book shelf was removed today from the school house, by the treasurer. I found it fixed in the wall when I came, it has been there for 3 teachers and is now removed. I suspect foul play. It is now fixed in a cottage of the treasurer's."
The rivalry between the Methodist school and the neighbouring "National" (Church of England) school was intense. Each tried to recruit the other's pupils. There are many log book entries like the following:
"August 24th 1867
Today I have discovered that the church minister has been trying to get three of our scholars to their school. A boy that I sent to see about them came back saying that the curate had been three times for them. They have been to the other school this morning, but we have them again this afternoon."
Children from the two schools fought and threw snowballs at each other. But the incident which seems to have annoyed William most was the following:
"Warned J. Moss (pupil teacher) about the female teacher at the Church School. I am informed she is always waiting for him."
Whatever next!!