School Email Login
)
)
)
)
Back to News List >>
A Brace of Chairs
A couple of chairs, used for many years in the school Tuck Shop, have recently been recognised as the last two chairs remaining from chairs bought by parents, pupils and friends for use in the Memorial Hall (school gym) after it was opened in 1954. The names on the back indicate that they belonged to F R Bracegirdle 1956-6(4) and Mrs C M Beckett. Happily, it was not too difficult to trace Russell Bracegirdle, brother of Martyn (1956-1965) and Mike (1962-1973), and his comments are given below. However. the mystery of who Mrs Beckett was still remains as Peter Beckett, at school around this time, was contacted and could think of no connection with his family. Can anybody else shed any light on the identity of Mrs Beckett? If so, please email website@oswestryschool.org.uk.
"Regarding the above and . . . the pedigree of the famous chairs, looking at the picture it seems time has been no less favourable on the chairs as the OOs!
"We arrived at Oswestry September 1956, our dormitory was in the attic above what was the Headmaster’s drawing room, later to become the library, one shudders to think what the room has now become.
"I feel the chair scenario was an early Franklin era arrangement to raise funds circa 1959, I would presume for the classrooms on the bottom paddock, as the “Memorial Hall” had already been completed before we arrived (although such information rarely filtered down to the lowest of the low in the “Green Hut” with the Walton & Watkin duo) They were used in the Hall for all school gatherings including the Saturday night film, I would imagine the constant stacking up after each gathering in order for the Hall to be used as a gymnasium took its toll on the wear and tear, but I do remember how important it was regarding the chair design that they could be stacked on dragged to the rear of the Hall quickly.
"I very surprised that mine is one of the only two left, I can only imagine, long after I had departed, Jones minor asking John Tilley if it would be appropriate to sit on my chair, “Certainly not boy, we do not want any more turning out like him”, hence my chair outlasted all others!!"
Both chairs will be kept in the Archive Room in School House if any OO wishes to revisit memories of Saturday film night in the Memorial Hall!