The OldWinburnians

Events

New school building completed. It was built partly using materials recovered from the earlier one. The style was reminiscent of Etonian brickwork, with a churchlike entrance and double turrets. It incorporated a “big school” as the main hall was called, an organ loft with organ, which had to be pumped, and a dias for the headmaster. To the north were the Headmaster's flat, the accomodation for boarders, a kitchen and various rooms. On the south side, the Head's study and accomodation for the under-Master.
The Illustrated London News gave a full page illustration of the imposing new block..

Rev'd William Fletcher, has 15 boarders in his wing of the house, the second master Rev'd Charles Scott lives in the other wing having 6 boarders. Cornelius O'Callaghan taught Greek, Latin, French and German, Edward Lamport was also on the staff.

The Minster re-opened after restoration, financed by the same funds, i.e arrears of tithes, which were used to new build the school.

We have a picture of a plaque listing the Governors in the year 1864. The list is led by Lt. Gen. Sir E H Greathed, KGB. This gentleman was the hero of the relief of Cawnpore during the Indian Mutiny in 1857, and lived at Uddens. Could he have been an old boy? Other Governors are: Lord Alington, Mr Bankes, Mr Webb, William Druitt, Rev. Carr Glyn, Mr Hatchard, Mr R P Hopkins, Mr Monro, Rev. T M Patey, Mr Rowe, Mr T W Skettle, Rev. E F Trotman

The accounts of Mr Fitch.
At this time a plan was afoot to separate the Governors into two teams, one for the Minster Church, the other for the Grammar School. Since the Charter of Queen Elizabeth, the Governors of the Free School had constituted the Corporation of Wimborne Minster, and they ran both institutions. In fact, they were the chief authority in Wimborne Minster the town, since there was no council and no Mayor, which made Wimborne rather special. Fitch was given the task of calculating the total costs of the two and separating them out.
The figures for the school:
Year_____Costs_____________Fees
1867____£1177. 1. 6d______£540.15.00d
1868____£1192.10. 5d_____£459. 7. 6d
1869____£1069. 4. 1d______£355.11. 9d

This was carried out under the provisions of the Endowed Schools Commission Act 1869.

Rev. Henry Pix M.A. St John's College, Cambs nd He was admitted at Emmanuel 1840, was 32 wrangler. Subsequently wrote a maths textbook “ Arithmetic and Algebra” which was widely used. Had become Usher at Wimborne in 1856.

W Chambers Harris, matric Exeter 1860, then Brasenose MA 1867. was in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1882, and at Christ's College, Canterbury, New Zealand 1865-74.
“Rusty” starts school. He left a small memoir in the 1929 edition of “the Winburnian”. It seems that Chambers Harris had a beard of monumental proportions. At the time, Pix was the under-Master and had the quarters on the right-hand side of Big School, where he lodged boarders. Until Pix left, there were no other rooms available as classrooms and all classes were taught in Big School. At the time, French was taught by a M. Henri Dabner, known as “Dabby”, whose lessons were particularly riotous. Rusty was present also during the masterships of Dr Pentreath and Mr Clinton. He is uncertain exactly when the school colours of cerise and chocolate were chosen, but it was during his time. There was no school uniform as such, but they all had to wear caps in these colours. He states that pupils stayed on until the age of 18 and it was not unusual to see senior boys wearing moustaches. Cricket was played on a very poor pitch on the Leaze, next to the River Stour. Rugby was played, but not soccer. He recalled the arrival of Charles Fowler at the school, who went on to become one of the great characters in the school's history. (there seem to be clashes of sequence here, but no-one has total recall)

Frederick R Pentreath D.D . Matric. Exeter College Oxford 1853, then Worcester College 1854-59. This year the Governors were separated into two committees, one for the Church, and one for the school. The Headmaster salary is £200, the under-Master received £120

Eustace Fynes-Clinton headmaster. Admitted St. John's College Cambridge 1864. nd M.A. 1872, taught at Cheam School, then 2 Master at Grantham before arrival at WGS

Date on which Charles Robert Fowler joined the school. Brother of Henry Fowler of Modern English Usage fame, he was admitted to Christ's College, Oxford May 1878. Remained at the school until 1923, undoubtedly the greatest character to have taught there

Construction of the Gym. Here began the long association of Sgt-Maj. C T Stride, who taught swimming, drill, gymnastics. His kindness and readiness to help made him popular and respected. Sons of his prominent in school sports and activities. d. 1914.

Picture of Big School.

Foundation of Old Winburnians association.