Pentre Boys' School, Broughton - question answered
Last updated: 17 October 2008
Q: David Taylor: "My grandfather, David Rees, was headmaster of Pentre Boys School in Broughton - I don't know for how long, but he retired in 1938, I think. While going through family photographs I came across one of a goat 'Sybil' being presented to the school. The photo shows the goat, my grandfather and two pupils. The goat was a gift from Lord Rhondda. We also have the brass plaque (stating it was presented by Lord R.) from round the goat's neck.
Does anyone of the older generation have any recollections of this event? (No date, but it has to be in or before 1938). Also is there still a school who might like these items for their archive or a local museum that would take them?
If anyone remembers the family - especially my late mother Myfanwy Rees (born 1919 in Broughton School House) I would be interested to hear anything of the family."
Alun Ogwen, Cardiff, offers an answer: "David Alfred Thomas (1856-1918) was created a peer and took the title of Lord Rhondda of Llanwern after his return from America on the ill-fated Lusitania in 1915. He took his seat in the House of Lords on 24 February 1916, was president of the Local Government Board from December 1916, then became controller of food production in June 1917. He is credited with devising a fair system of food rationing introduced on 25 January 1918. He left that post early in 1918, and was promoted to a viscountcy. He died on 3 July 1918 and, by special remainder, his daughter who died in 1958 succeeded to the title. The London Illustrated News carries photographs of Viscount Rhondda's funeral at Llanwern on July 13th and, coincidentally in that same year carried an article by SL Bensusan on goats as a food source. The date of your photograph is thus between 1916 and early 1918. There was land a-plenty on the school site to keep a goat; Although I have not been able to find information, I should think that other schools must have been recipients, rather like African schools today. The school leaving age was raised to 14 in 1918.
"The school at Pentre Broughton is remarkable in that for the best part of 100 years there were only three headteachers: Edwin Astley (see comment by Peter Scott, Crewe), David Rees, your grandfather and Ogwen Jones (1902-1986), my father, who did indeed take up the post in 1938 and retired in 1964. I too was born in Ty'r Ysgol (School House) in 1939 as was my sister some two years later though my elder brother was not. I believe that your grandfather was there longer than my father's 26 years. Incidentally during the period about 1944 to 1948 father was seconded to the headship of Brynteg Secondary Modern School (see Brynteg site). No subsequent headteachers have resided in the house or indeed in the village, I think; the house is now a private residence.
"I did not know of your mother before I read your remarks and what I know of your grandfather is by hearsay of course. I believe that he retired to Bangor, Gwynedd and lived well into old age and, if I recall correctly, he was a Baptist and therefore worshipped in Brymbo. Unless I am confusing him with Mr Astley, someone once told us that in the mornings he used to stand at the corner of the School House garden, which overlooked the High Street, either admonishing or encouraging laggardly pupils.
"About 1964, I saw the school's log-book but did not have the opportunity to study it in detail and do not recall anything about the presentation of the goat, but it should be there. Much of the early entries reflected concern regarding irregular attendance of pupils. These log-books are now deposited in the County Archive at Ruthin according to their website. Ifor Edwards was my father's (immediate(?)) successor. Local history was a speciality of his; books on the wrought iron gates made by the Davies Brothers of Croes-y -Foel, Bersham, are amongst his published works. I know that he wrote articles containing extracts of the log-books and that these were published in the transactions of Cymdeithas Hanes Sir Ddinbych (Denbighshire Historical Society) sometime about 1965-8."
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David Barnett from Toronto Canada
Hello George Eric Davies, I also attended Black Lane School some seven years later than you, and like yourself later moving on to Brynteg School. Ogwen Jones was indeed the head master at that time, a real task master he was too. I played football for the school team that won the championship in 1953 I think it was. God it seems like a lifetime ago. I was born just down the road from the school at No 4 Black Lane Road. Visited the school a few years ago, and was surprised to find it had not changed at all. If anyone out there remembers me at Black Lane or Brynteg schools, I would be most interested to hear from you.
Tue Sep 9 10:38:04 2008
Gary Symes, Woking
My great grandmother is listed as a scholar at the Berse Drelincourt Orphan School in the 1891 census, although both parents were clearly alive at the time. Her brother was on the T.S. Clio (Industrial training ship) in the Menai Straits at the same time. I suspect they had been sent to these establishments by the 'authorities', possibly because of family poverty or delinquency. Can anyone shed any further light on this, please?
Mon Oct 22 08:33:44 2007
Elizabeth Inmon, Maryland, USA
Two of my aunts were students at Berse Drelincourt during the 1930s and early 1940s. I would love to have more information and/or photos of the school. If Leslie White still monitors this site, I would love to hear from you.
Wed Oct 10 15:31:36 2007
Peter Scott, Crewe
David, my great great grandfather - Edwin Astley - was also headmaster of the school and lived in the school house. Your grandfather may have taken over from him. Like your mother, my grandfather was born in the school house in 1906. I would like some more information regarding Edwin Astley if anyone has it.
Fri Sep 7 10:32:14 2007
Samantha Lawson, County Armagh
I have been asked to research the Drelincourt Primary school which was funded by Lady Mary Drelincourt who also founded Birse-Drelincourt in Wales. Lady Mary started a charity known as the Drelincourt charity. She had a daughter called Anne who married LColonel Hugh in 1739 last Viscount Primrose who died two years later, Anne died in London in 1775 the charity was then put in control of Reverend Henry Jenny they were given a piece of lan 'eight acres, one rood, and eight perches' known as 'Irish street commons' the school existed from 1732 and is still ongoing is there any chance that there would be any photographs, pictures of the school? We have the entire history of the school we are just missing photographic history could we maybe help each other?
Mon Jul 2 08:08:20 2007
George Eric Davies
Hi David. I attended what was known as Black Lane school when your grandfather was headmaster there he was known as Dai Ress and was a very fair and good teacher. When he retired a Mr Ogwen Jones took over the school, then in 1941 I left to go to Brynteg School on Quarry Road and never saw your grandfather after that.
Mon Jan 29 09:39:19 2007
Gavin Howard from Westbury
My grandfather was the Vicar at Berse when he returned from India where he was a Chaplain in the Indian Army (he served in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in Palestine in World War 1) and lived in the Rectory at Berse Drelincourt.
Wed Jun 7 13:31:20 2006
Leslie White
We used to own The Vicarage at Berse Drelincourt and have quite a lot of photographs and details on the orphanage and school,plus the history of the Drelincourt family. If you have any information about it we would like to add to our own knowledge. Web Team replies: Leslie, perhaps you'd be able to write a short article for this website's Wrexham history section. Please contact the Web Team via email: wales.northeast@bbc.co.uk
Sun Jan 22 21:01:58 2006
Vic Wilde, Southport
If anyone has information about Berse Cottage in 1870 to 1890 and a school attached to Drelincourt. My Grandmother was a pupil/teacher around that time, before moving to Liverpool.
Fri Aug 26 18:57:45 2005
