Some general historical notes and items in connection with the school.

In the 1890s, Twerton was still separate from Bath and decided on its own parish affairs within the County of Somerset. The original Parochial School in Twerton was on the Lower Bristol Road near Twerton Arch. The development of housing eastwards towards Bath had caused an additional church (St Peter's) and school (East Twerton - now Oldfield Park Infants) to be built. When the housing development went further south up the hill, the parish put in another church (this time a tin hut in what became Maybrick Road) and Twerton School Board decided that there was the need for a new school in what was then known as 'South Twerton' or 'Oldfield-park West'.

The Twerton School Board of the time was made up of the Vicar (Prebendary Stokes Shaw), Jonathan Carr (of Twerton's cloth mill-owning Carr family) and three other gentlemen (G. Luton, G. Hill and G. Coles)

A contemporary article - leaving the reader to read between the lines! - noted of that part of the parish:

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1892
South Twerton School built.

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1893
May
Appointment of head teachers for the three school departments:

• Miss Mary. Smith, head mistress of the Infants School, previously assistant-mistress at East Twerton Board School for Infants
• Miss Florence V. Jones, head mistress of the Girls' School, previously assistant-mistress at East Twerton Board School for Girls
• Mr G. E. A. Skinner, head master of Boys' department, former assistant at East Twerton Schools

June 5th: South Twerton Schools opened.

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1894
News items named two of the school masters as Mr J. Angell and Mr Arthur Smith

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1896
Two additional classrooms (one for boys and one for girls) were suggested for South Twerton School when the Board decided it did not have enough school places in the parish. The Board also revisited the boundaries within the parish that defined which child went to which school. But in the end it was decided that a new school was needed in the western part of the parish and the additional classrooms at South Twerton would not be required.

The School Board was increased to nine members. One of the new members was Mr Ernest Pitman of the renowned printing family.

Notes from various Board meetings give us the names of some more of the teaching staff of the school:

• Mr Collins and Miss Pritchard, who had just finished their terms as pupil teachers at South Twerton in November. 
• Assistant teachers Miss Hewitt and Miss Clark. 
• Miss Ella Thompson of Bath, newly appointed as mistress in September.
• Mr Frederick Morris, newly appointed in December with a salary of £50 per annum, to rise to £60 and a post as assistant master on passing the relevant exams. 
• Mr Pullin (assistant master) and stated to have been in the school's service for three years (i.e. since its inception).
• Mr Hyman, receiving £1 3s. 1d per week. Mr Hyman was a well-regarded footballer who represented Somerset in these early days of Association Football and also played for Bath City. He was also an accomplished pianist and came second in the Twerton Churchmen's Club billiard handicap in 1886! In the summer he would turn his hand to cricket and he was prolific with the bat, being called up to represent Somerset against Gloucestershire in 1900 and making 359 not out against Thornbury in 1903. We may assume that he was involved with sports and physical education at South Twerton School!

The school closed on 18th December for three weeks' Christmas holidays, on the understanding that this was not to be taken as a precedent!

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1897
June
Mr Morris resigned, having gained a post in Kilburn.

July
Boys scholarship to Junr. Co. [not sure where this is] won by C. Hodges.

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1898
By 1898 the school buildings were being used for evening classes for 'continuing' education.

Miss Florence Jones, headmistress of the Girls' School, resigned in October, as did her sister Alice (an assistant mistress). Both were shortly to be married (married women did not generally continue in employment at this time).

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1899
August
Mr Skinner, headmaster of the boys' school, offered to commence swimming lessons and the Board assented, even though it would mean the boys being taken out of regular lessons.

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1900
March
On the occasion of the retirement of Mr J Hippisley, clerk to the School Board, the heads of the South Twerton Schools are listed as G. E. A. Skinner, C. F. Bryant and Mary E. Smith. From this it is clear that C. F. Bryant succeeded Miss Florence Jones in 1898.

August
Mr G. E. A. Skinner received the Diploma of Association of the College of Preceptors and was at that time president of the Bath and District Teachers Association for the year.

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1902
Attendance at South Twerton School stated as: Boys 164; Girls 154; Infants 218. 

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1903
Miss Edwards and Miss Allport named as teachers at the girls' school attending a meeting of the Bath Teachers Association.

July
Girls scholarship to Bath High School won by A. England.

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1904
Plans drawn up for the extension of the school.

Mr G.W. Strong of the Boys' School, an Article 50 teacher, now getting £50, who recently took a First Class in his King's College examination, was recommended for an increase of £10 as from April 1st and annual increments.

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1905
The Chairman of the Board had interviewed Miss Alport with regard to the question of destitution through parents being out of employment, and he was informed that no cases had occurred at the school so far as was known.

April
County Education Committee approved the school extension plans.

August
Mr George Strong, assistant master, tendered his resignation.

Lady Tweedmouth donated an annual scripture prize to the Council Schools, but died just two years later.

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1906
School extension completed.

July
First school swimming competition. Mr Skinner's Tuesday afternoon classes, agreed in 1899, had lapsed for a time, but begun again when Mr A. T. Taylor - one of Mr Skinner's original swimming pupils - became an assistant master at the school and took the swimming class. They swam at Brock Street Bath (the site of Brock St Chapel) and in the Cross Bath. Coming second in the '2 lengths' race was G. Naish and the winners of 'two lengths (any style) and 'race for learners' were won by L. Hayes and C. Swain (younger brother of Harold Swain) respectively. E. Membery (brother of William Membery) came second in the 'consolation race'.

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1908
Claude Avenue bridge over the Somerset & Dorset Railway widened specifically as school children were in danger from sharing a 9' 6" wide roadway with vehicular traffic. [The effect of the widening work is clearly evident from beneath the bridge today].

July
Boys scholarship to Junr. Co. [not sure where this is] won by E. J. C. Griffin and to the Technical School by Charles Whereat.

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1909
Scarlet fever adversely affected attendances in the early part of the year. Average attendances overall were: Boys 239; Girls 236; Infants 219.

Mr G. E. A. Skinner (head master) became President of the County Association of the National Union of Teachers.

July
Mr L. A. Sheppard resigned as assistant master to go to Cambridge for further training.

December
The report of the school prize-giving names Miss Pritchard as the head mistress of the girls' school. Cookery had been introduced to the curriculum during the year. 11 more boys were taught to swim in 1909, bringing the total to 98. The School Championship (Swimming) Cup was won by Charles Swain (brother of Harold). Fourteen boys completed the Gardening course and Charles Swain again won first prize for best plot. 320 children were medically examined during the year; 27 pairs of spectacles were supplied and 'several latent weaknesses discovered'.

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1910
February
Miss Hill (from West Twerton School) appointed in place of Miss Scott with a salary of £65 per annum.

May
Completion and dedication of the Church of the Ascension next door to the school.

July
Girls scholarship to P.T. Junr. Co. [not sure where this is!] won by A. Davis & A. Dunham.

August
A pupil called Ernest Hendon painted a protrait of King Edward which was shown by the head master to the Government Inspector and it was later sent to the Queen Mother, who sent Hendon a letter of thanks.

September
Miss M. E. Smith (head mistress of the infants school since its inception) leaves the school in order to be married. She was presented with a silver tea service, kettle and lamp. her successor was Miss Millie Ryall.

November
Miss Pritchard took a group of twenty teachers to a demonstration of Plasticine modelling with its inventor, Mr Harbutt of Bathampton.

December
School closed on 12th December until after the Christmas holidays on the order of the Medical Officer of Health, on account of an outbreak of measles.

At the school prize-giving it was related that 59 pupils had been in receipt of spectacles and 200 toothbrushes had been supplied at cost price, together with a card relating to the instructions for use.

The school football team won the League Cup.

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1911
July
Girls scholarship to P.T. Junr. Co. [not sure where this is!] won by Maud Sheppard.

September
Opening of the Higher Elementary School in Lymore Avenue (later West Central School and Culverhay Lower School, now Culverhays Nursing Home) which took oler pupils from multiple local schools and thereby eased the pressure for space at South Twerton.

October
Twelve cases of scarlet fever in the Infants' department.

November
The school was broken into via a window in the teachers' room; the object of the unsuccessful burglary attempt was the 'handsome silver Challenge Cup which was offered by the Bath Elementary Schools League....valued at twenty guineas and regarded as one of the most valuable in the West of England'.

In 1911 Twerton Parish was subsumed into the City of Bath and administration of the schools therefore passed from Twerton and the County of Somerset to the Bath Corporation under the Council Schools Board.

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1912
May
The Infants School organised a May Festival at which Evelyn Coombs was crowned May Queen with Joyce Perry and Nellie Tucker named as Maids of Honour. The event was organised by the staff of the Infants' School, named as Miss Millie Ryall, Miss L. Pritchard, Miss Richardson, Miss E. Quarterman, Miss A. Keevil, Miss L. Emery and Miss F. Watkins.

July
Girls scholarship to Bath Secondary School won by M. Brodribb and Boys scholarship to the City Secondary School won by G. Price.

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1913
February
An outbreak of measles in the infants' department and numbers depleted (also in the Girls department, with girls staying home to tend sick infant siblings), but school closure not recommended.

June
Mr W. Hyman resigned as teacher at the Boys' school.

July
Pupils of the Infants' School participated in some fundraising:
 

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1915
April
The last meeting of the session in connection with the Men's Classes at South Twerton Council School was marked, on Tuesday evening, by a presentation to Mr. Skinner, by the members of the class, in token of their appreciation of all he had done for them during the session. The gift took the form of a handsome cigarette case, and was accompanied by hearty expressions of the goodwill of the class. Mr. Skinner suitably acknowledged the presentation.

May
At the monthly meeting of the Twerton School Managers, it was resolved to recommend the appointment of Miss Florence Parmee, of Port Isaac, as an uncertified assistant at the South Twerton Girls' School in the place of Miss England, a certified assistant, who has been transferred to the East Twerton Girls' School.

July
Entertainments at the Infants' School raised £6. 10s towards the equipment fund for the Bath War Hospital, this sum being presented to the Mayor.

From Bath Chronicle & Weekly Gazette, 24th July 1915:


July
A report from the school's annual swimming event lists Mr. Gill as the school master involved with swimming lessons. The report also states that, since swimming lessons began at the school (some years previously), 166 boys had been taught to swim. A pupil called Dallimore is mentioned as having come second in two races at the gala, despite only having learned to swim that year. He also gained a scholarship to the City Secondary School this year.

July
Boys scholarship to the City Secondary School won by F. Dallimore.

26th July 1915
Former pupil Ernest Mundy killed on the Western Front while serving with the Wessex Royal Engineers.

August
Bath  Education Authority's annual accounts published in the local newspaper make reference to the extension of South Twerton school (£864) and its playground (£141).

December
These excerpts from the report of the school's annual prizegiving allow some insights into school life:

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1916
January
Headmaster G. E. A. Skinner took up a position as Lay Reader in St James' parish (the southern end of the city centre), with a special responsibility for leading Sunday afternoon men's services. He had previously been a Lay Reader in St Mark's parish.

February
Headmaster G. E. A. Skinner received news that his son, Private Cyril Skinner (serving with the Royal Army Medical School), had been knocked down by a motor car while serving in France and was admitted to 24th General Hospital.

April
Miss Margaret Pritchard, headmistress of the Girls' School, was married at Hay Hill Baptist Church to Rev. W. Linton, minister of Oldfield Park Baptist Church.

The 'South Twerton Magazine' of that month also carried news of (former) members of staff and pupils who were serving in the war: "A card has been received from Co-Quartermaster-Sergeant W. Hyman (France) who is quite well and promises a letter. Mr Gill has written from Chelsea, S.W., where he is in training. Percy Whiting wrote from the trenches and we have had a visit from Mr. E. Field, who is an engineer on board HMS Shannon with the Grand Fleet."

June
The following article appeared in the newspaper of June 3rd, detailing the first wounded soldier to make use of the Bath War Hospital bed sponsored by funds raised at South Twerton School (see July 1915):


On 7th June, the city motor ambulance was summoned by telephone to the school playground, where Ronald Carless (brother of Harold Carless) had sustained a fracture of the left thigh by falling while playing with a schoolfellow. The Headmaster had rendered first aid, and the boy was promptly conveyed to the Royal United Hospital (then in Beau Street).

The Bath City Tribunal was a body made up of civic leaders and the military Recruiting Officer (General Bradshaw) which met to hear cases of men who wanted to be exempted from the call-up to join the military. The tribunal met on 28th June to discuss, among others, the case of a student teacher at South Twerton School, a Mr. Harold E. G. Beer, aged 18 years & 2 months, who:


July
Former Mayor of Bath F. W. Spear came to the school to judge the annual Gardening prizes. The school is described as being one of only two in the city (along with Odd Down School) to include practical gardening in the curriculum. F. W. Spear had donated gardening prizes to the school and returned each year to present them. On this occasion he was accompanied in the judging by Mr C. F. Langdon (of Blackmore & Langdon), but was waylaid in his duties by Miss Ryall, head of the Infants' School, who asked him into her school under a pretext. There, Mr. Spear was able to witness the emotional farewell that the school was bidding to his daughter, Miss Spear, who had been a teacher in the Infants' School for two or three years. An excerpt from the school magazine:


August
 27th August 1916
Former pupil George Collins killed at Delville Wood in the Battle of the Somme while serving with the Somerset Light Infantry.

September
13th September 1916
Former pupil Stanley Welchman killed at Beaucourt-Hamel in the Battle of the Somme while serving with the Sussex Regiment.

17th September 1916
Former pupil Percy Whiting killed during the Battle of the Somme on the Western Front while serving with the King's Royal Rifle Corps.

 30th September 1916
Former pupil William Membery killed on the Western Front while serving with the Somerset Light Infantry.

October
 5th October 1916
Former pupil Ernest West killed in Greece while serving with the Wessex Royal Engineers.

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1917

January
 3rd January 1917
Former student teacher George Strong killed in Africa while serving with the Nigeria Regiment.

 11th January 1917
Former pupils Harold Carless and Percy Ware killed in the same action at Beaucourt Hamel on the Western Front while both serving with the Dorsetshire Regiment.

February
10th February 1917
Former pupil Horace Bradley killed on the Western Front while serving with the London Regiment.

March
1st March 1917: Former pupil Joseph Randall killed while serving on HMS Pheasant with the Royal Navy.

April
The boys of the school's Gardening Class reported being 'quite happy' in the pages of the school magazine, even though their gardens were not yet planted. They had instead been busy tending to - and digging - twenty or more gardens of households in the area whose menfolk were away serving in the war. While there was no charge for this service, some grateful households had paid and the pupils decided they would like to put this money towards a permanent memorial to South Twertonians killed in the war. 

 10th April 1917: Former pupil Reginald Smith killed on the Western Front while serving with the Somerset Light Infantry.

11th April 1917: Former pupil Harold Swain killed at the Battle of Arras on the Western Front while serving with the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.

23rd April 1917
Former pupil Albert Hole killed on the Western Front while serving with the Somerset Light Infantry.

27th April 1917
Former pupil Walter Gould killed on the Western Front while serving with the Somerset Light Infantry.

May
The Girls' School choir scooped second prize in the Midsomerset Festival in the section for choirs who had not won a prize in the previous two years. They were under the tutelage of Miss Jessie Phillips.

The May Fair was held indoors owing to awful weather. The report tells us that there were 180 infants enrolled at the school and that the May Queen, 6-year-old Winnie James, was elected by her peers as the most popular pupil. She was attended by eight maids of honour and a page. Other performances included 24 little 'Jack Tars', maypole dancing, country dancers, a sailors' hornpipe, and shield dances. A collection was taken to continue the school's contribution to the school's bed at the War Hospital.


July
21st July 1917
Former pupil George Ruddick killed on the Western Front while serving with the Canadian Infantry.

Entrance exams to the Higher Elementary School were passed by G. Allen, E. Gregory, L. Haines, M. Hallett, G. Hoare, D. Jewell, M. Mills, M. New, B. Ponter, P. Rawlings, D. Reed, E. Saywood (girls) and D. C. S. Wiltshire, L. Parsons, R. Augustin, V. A. May, E. R. Perry, E. L. England, G. J. Sainsbury, W. H. Sprewels, O. C. Davies, L. B. Carless, L. C. May, G. Clarke, D. G. Lumber, A. H. Gradwell & C. Burge (boys).
 
Boys' Scholarships to the Bath City Secondary School were gained by Gilbert J. Sainsbury & Edward R. Perry 

August
 7th August 1917
Former pupil Harry Holley killed on the Western Front while serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps.

22nd August 1917
Former pupil Clifford Daymond killed on the Western Front while serving with the Somerset Light Infantry.

September
26th September 1917
Former pupil Charlie Edwards killed on the Western Front while serving with the Royal Welch Fusiliers.

October
A "Children in Fiction" Pageant at the Theatre Royal featured a tableau by children from South Twerton Girls' School under Miss Phillips. Part of the three-hour extravaganza of child performances, the school's contribution evoked the old English pastoral setting with the crowning of a May Queen and the song "Come Lasses and Lads". The May Queen was played by Mabel Knight, and other characters by Dorothy Harrison, Winnie Cross, Marjorie Kitley, Gladys Binet, Lily Hockey & Winnie Burge.


November
6th November 1917
Former pupil Reginald Brock killed at Passchendaele while serving with the Devonshire Regiment.

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1918

March

The Bath newspaper carried a photograph of South Twerton pupils with relatives serving in the War:

April

 11th April 1918
Former pupil Albert Rickards killed in action while serving with the Royal Fusiliers.

 16th April 1918
Former pupil Stanley Gunning killed in action while serving with the Northumberland Fusiliers near Armentieres.

 19th April 1918
Former pupil Reginald Giddings killed in action while serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps near Ypres. 

29th April 1918
Former pupil Leonard Hayes killed in action while serving with the South Staffordshire Regiment near Lens.

29th April 1918
Former pupil Reginald Maggs killed while serving with the Lancashire Fusiliers near Gonnehem.

June

An item in the Bath Chronicle reported that there were now 22 names on Roll of Honour, with five casualties having been named in the last week (probably relates to those who died in April). In fact, by this time, 27 former South Twertonians had died. 

 19th June 1918
Former pupil Arthur Naish killed in action while serving with the Inniskilling Dagoons.

July

Bath Chronicle carried an article marking Headmaster George Skinner's 25 years of service at South Twerton School, noting that this was also the school's 25th anniversary:

From Bath Chronicle & Weekly Gazette, 27^th July 1918

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS HEADMASTER.

PRESENTATION MR. G. E. A. SKINNER.

The 25th anniversary of the establishment of the South Twerton Boys' School was suitably commemorated on Wednesday afternoon, when a presentation was made to the headmaster (Mr. G. E. A. Skinner). The ceremony, which took place in the playground, really marked a double anniversary, since Mr. Skinner has been head-master at this school since it was opened. The idea of the presentation was first suggested by Mrs. Button, the mother of one the scholars. Mrs. Button mentioned the idea to the school staff, and the project was taken up enthusiastically by parents, teachers, and scholars alike. The gift selected was mahogany Sheraton bureau, and the presentation was made by Mr. G. T. Kingston, who is the father of an old scholar.

Mr. Kingston said that Wednesday was the 25th anniversary of the opening of that school. On behalf of the parents and scholars past and present, he heartily congratulated Mr. Skinner on the great success which had attended his work for so many years in educating the boys who had passed through that school. Having read a letter from Lady Stothert, which expressed regret at her absence,  Mr. Kingston addressed some suitable remarks to the boys.

Accompanying the presentation was a framed address, written by a friend of the school. The text of the address, which was read by Mr. Kingston, was—"To Mr. George E. A. Skinner, F.E.L.S., A.C.P., headmaster of South Twerton School. We, the parents, teachers, and scholars, desire to express to you on this 25th anniversary of the South Twerton Boys' School our admiration for the good work you have done, the faithful and skilled service you have rendered, and the interest you have taken in the spiritual and moral welfare of the boys under your care. We, the parents, also desire to express our thanks for the courtesy and kindness you have shown us, and ask your acceptance of this address." The address bears the autographs of Miss Millie M. Ryall (headmistress of the Infants' Department), Miss Jessie Phillips (headmistress of the Girls' Department), Mr. Arthur J. Benson, Mrs. Button and Mr. Kingston. The balance of the fund was devoted to the purchase of a purse, in which a sovereign was placed. This was handed to Mr. Skinner by Arthur Button.

Mr. P. Woodward, until recently the lay reader in charge of St. Barnabas' Church, Twerton Hill, endorsed Mr. Kingston's remarks, and paid a special tribute to the value of spiritual and moral training in an elementary school. The opportunity which was afforded for such instruction in the week was really greater than that available in the Sunday School, and for that reason the co-operation of the teachers in the day schools was greatly valued. He hoped Mr. Skinner would be spared for many years to continue his good work.

Mr. Skinner, who was heartily cheered, assured the company that the secret of the presentation had been very well kept, because at the earlier celebrations of the 25^th anniversary he did not know that any gift to him was intended. He thanked all the subscribers for that beautiful present. He referred to the great development in the surrounding district since that school was built, and recalled the fact that was appointed to the headmastership by the Chairman of the old School Board, Mr. Jonathan Carr. Since the school was opened its enlargement had been found necessary, and over 18.000 boys had passed through his hands. He had endeavoured to make the ideal of service for others a guiding principle in the conduct of that school, and he cited many instances of the assistance which the scholars had given to war funds and charities as a proof of the extent to which this ideal had been adopted. The children had purchased War Savings Certificates, and the penny bank had some £200 to its credit. He thanked Mrs. Button, Mr. Kingston, Mr. Woodward, and all who had organised that presentation.

The ceremony was attended by many of the scholars' parents, and the presentation was preceded by an entertainment. Winnie Cross sang the Shakespearean song. "When Daisies Pied”, and Gladys Binet recited John Oxenham's poem "Blinded." Unison songs and part-songs were sung by the boys' and girls' choirs, conducted by Miss Jessie Phillips. There were dances by the infants, under the direction of Miss Ryall.

Mr. Skinner intends to use the balance of the presentation fund as a nucleus for the erection a memorial in the school to the South Twerton Old Boys who have perished in the war.

The Sheraton bureau was supplied Mr. F. R. Clark, Stall Street.

Also in the same issue:

The commemoration of Mr. G. E. A. Skinner’s 25 years’ headmastership of the South Twerton Schools, which took place on Wednesday during the observance of "Parents' Afternoon," was an honour to a member of the teaching profession who is also a Bathonian; for Mr. Skinner is a native of this city. He commenced his career as a teacher at St. Saviour's Schools, under Mr. Clark. When that gentleman was transferred to East Twerton, Mr, Skinner went to St. Mark's School to complete his apprenticeship. He afterwards became an assistant at East Twerton. His first headmastership was at Hullavington and he subsequently returned to this district to become the headmaster of the Bathford Mixed School, when the late Canon Harford was Vicar of that parish. He afterwards returned to Twerton as the first headmaster of South Twerton School on the invitation of the Chairman of the old School Board, Mr. Jonathan Carr.

South Twerton Council Schools are the only institutions their kind in the city which have had bound assigned to them in order to limit the number of scholars. Among the teachers trained there were the late Lieut. G. H. Strong, Headmaster of St. Saviour's School, and Mr. L. A. Hill, Headmaster of Walcot Central School. Mr. Skinner's regime has been noted for the inauguration of two innovations in local school curricula, swimming and gardening. The former department was developed by Mr. T. H. Gill, one the school staff who is now serving in the Army abroad.

SCHOOL CHILDREN HELP BLIND SOLDIERS.

The pupils of the South Twerton Council Schools this week obtained £2 10s. in aid of St. Dunstan’s Hostel for Blinded Soldiers by collections and the sale of flags and postcards among their friends. This was supplemented by a collection among the parents and friends at Wednesday's anniversary celebration, which realised another £2.

 

In other news, Sidney Hatherill and Ernest Poole gained free exhibitions to the City Secondary School and the school magazine congratulated them and their master, Mr. Pullen.

September 

29th September 1918
Former pupil Sidney Crew died as a prisoner of war in Poland.

29th September 1918
Former pupil Claude Warren killed in action while serving with the Dorsetshire Regiment. 

October

8th October 1918
Former pupil Reginald Crocker killed in action while serving with the Army Service Corps attached to the Welsh Regiment.

23rd October 1918
Former pupil Arthur Jewell killed in action while serving with the Somerset Light Infantry.

31st October 1918
Former pupil Stanley Burch died while serving with the Royal Field Artillery.

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1919

January

The re-opening after the War of ‘Evening Continuation Classes’ at sites across the city, including South Twerton School.

April

From Bath Chronicle & Weekly Gazette of 11th April 1919: 

SOUTH TWERTON SCHOOL RE-UNION.

The members of the staff South Twerton School held a re-union at the Red House Restaurant, New Bond Street, on Friday evening, in honour of the return to civilian life of three soldier colleagues —Messrs. T. H. Gill, A. H. Sparey and L. R. George. A whist drive and musical evening were arranged. The toast of “Our Guests” was proposed by Mr. G. E. A. Skinner, and seconded by Miss M. Ryall, and acknowledged by the three recipients. The prizes at the whist drive were the gifts of Mr. Pullen, and were won by Miss Gill and Mr. Pope. Pianoforte solos were played by Miss Ada E. Keevil, Miss Blandford and Mr. Brown, and a violin solo by Miss Amy Gill. There were songs by Miss J. Phillips, Miss Ryall, Mr. Benson and Mr. Gill, and humorous song by Mr. Skinner.

May

The Bath Chronicle carried a photograph of the South Twerton choir competing in Mid-Somerset Festival:

July

Revival of the annual school swimming gala (following the end of the War and the return of swimming master T. H. Gill) and held at the Cross Bath.

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1920

January

Dedication of the school's War Memorial.  See main memorial page.

May

South Twerton Boys won the schools’ Cup competition in football:

BATH ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS LEAGUE.

SOUTH TWERTON WIN MR. TANNERS CUP

After Thursday evening's display at the City's Lambridge enclosure, it would be idle to deny that "Soccer" is booming among the younger element of Bath. The game, fought out between the South and West Twerton Schools for Mr. Harry Tanner's magnificent cup, produced scenes of enthusiasm rarely equalled at Bath City's most important fixtures. The demand for' tickets during the past week had ensured a good gate, although an hour or two of sunshine would have made a vast difference to the numbers present. As it was, the thousand odd spectators fairly made “the welkin ring” with their partisan cries.

The Mayor (Alderman Percy Jackman) was present, in spite of the inclement weather, and after the "Chronicle" photographer had concluded his operations, his Worship opened the game by kicking off.

 

The South Twerton team: Weeks; Clarke and Lintern (capt.); Smith, Cavill and Miles; Walters. Stafford, Stacey, Collins and Oatley.

 South Twerton, who head the League table with twelve points to their credit, were quite a hefty side, while the West, who have obtained the position of runners-up with two points less than their opponents, were small but nippy. Curiously enough, two of the three goals scored came in the first quarter hour, West Twerton, after ten minutes' play, notching their solitary point through Cook. This reverse had its effect on the South, for five minutes afterwards Collins obtained the equaliser. With the score level once again, both teams warmed to their work, but half-time arrived before either regained the lead. Shortly before the end a miskick by Jones let in the South’s forwards, and Stafford securing, smartly converted his advantage into the winning goal. Final :

South Twerton … 2

West Twerton … 1

Amid much excitement, the Mayor presented the Cup to Lintern, South Twerton's captain, and personally pinned the medals on the breasts both winners and runners-up. He congratulated the boys on their skill and sportsmanlike qualities, emphasising the necessity of learning to play the game in the true British spirit. Votes of thanks, and loud cheers for the Mayor and Mr. Harry Tanner, concluded the proceedings.

Back in school, there were prizes for Franklyn Taylor, Joseph Dury, Winnie Cross and Gwennie Cooper, plus certificates for Percival Cavill, Stanley Lintern, Gladys Berrett and Marjorie Roberts. 

July

Girls’ Sports Day held on Somerset Boys’ Home (now Hayesfield Lower School) field and also competitions in singing, elocution and nature studies.

The girls' choir sang at Weston Flower Show:

December

The Bath Chronicle carried a story of a merry ‘breaking-up party’ at the Infant school, with a tree (provided by Mr J. G. Young of the Somerset Boys’ Home) which was laden with gifts, all funded by an earlier sale of work. About 200 children received gifts and Father Christmas was played by Mr Saunders. The event was organised by Miss Millie Ryall (headmistress), who subsequently provided tea for staff and guests.

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1921

March

Changes in the school staff were recorded in the Bath Chronicle of Saturday 26th March:

Presentations at South Twerton School.

Many changes are taking place in the staffs of the Boys’ School, and on Friday afternoon presentations were made to those teachers who are leaving

Mr. A. J. Benson, who is transferring to West Twerton Boys' School, received a tobacco pouch from the lads in his class, the present being handed to him by A. Bishop, who, in a neat little speech, expressed the feelings and wishes of his class-mates. Mr. Benson made a suitable reply.

Mr. C. H. George, who has accepted a post at Portishead, also received a tobacco pouch presented on behalf of his class-mates by Daniel, the top boy. ln acknowledging the gift, Mr. George said it would be a real wrench  to leave South Twerton after twelve years’ service.

Mr H. Gill, who was recently transferred to Oldfield Council School, at very short notice, was not forgotten by his class. A pipe was sent to him by Sainsbury, and a letter from Mr. Gill was read.

Miss Mabel Edwards, who is going to Newnham-on-Severn, where Mr. King, formerly of Weymouth House School, is Headmaster, was the recipient of a scent spray. This was handed to her by Wanson.

Miss Edwards, in reply, said she had been very happy indeed in South Twerton.

The  Headmaster referred to the great change taking place in the grading of the schools, and said the boys had shown their appreciation of their teachers. He would like to add his personal tribute to the worth of those who had for so long a period been his colleagues., to thank them for their valuable help and to wish them every success in their future spheres of work.

July

South Twerton School football team again won the League, but were defeated in the cup final by West Twerton.

A group of schoolchildren presented The Masque of the Shoe as part of the Red Cross Fete in Sydney Gardens.

  

 

 

More to follow...