On Saturday January 10th, we were pleased that so many joined us in our New Years get together and Coffee Morning in Pembroke Town Hall. Reminiscing about schooldays past over coffee certainly proved popular and it was an opportunity too to attract photographs and artefacts to add to a new display in Pembroke Museum which we support. An exhibition of school photographs had been assembled in the Hall plus artefacts from the Museum, including the old school bell from East End School which had been rescued long ago by George Lewis and which he has now donated to the Museum.
A short talk was given about the development of elementary education in Pembroke and the building of first the National School in 1861, and then Monkton School (originally called Pembroke British School) in 1886. Following the Education Act of 1870, which made the State responsible for education and established the School Boards, East End Board School was opened in 1873 and Monkton Infants in 1899. School was not compulsory however until 1880 and this was for 5 to 10 year olds, raised to 12 in 1891. In 1902 the School Boards were abolished, responsibility falling on the County Councils to become Education Authorities. The Borough of Pembroke became an Education Authority in its own right. The fight for a free elementary education for all was a long struggle throughout the 19th Century,
Those present contributed their memories and it was certainly an enjoyable morning. Many photographs were added to the archive and it is hoped that more will be forthcoming now that we have started the ball rolling.
The exhibition of photographs will remain on show in Pembroke Town Hall throughout January but the Museum will be closed whilst we reorganise the exhibits, opening again next month.
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