Cwmbelan School 3
Fearful state of the weather
The following entries from the School Log Book date from 1874 and 1875 and record a problem common to all rural schools until motor transport became common. Children as young as four or five often had to walk miles to get to and from school in bad weather. In the winter months this could also be in darkness. It is hardly surprising that parents anxious for their children's health would keep them away from school.
Log Book
"The weather has been wet and cold during this week which affected the attendance of pupils living at a distance."
Powys
County Archives
M/E/PS/16/L1
The entry reads:-
No new pupils - the attendance has been very scanty as on
the previous week, which must be attributed I fancy to a great
extent to the fearful state of the weather, the cold elements
being in full operation.
Skipping school
The following entry dates from 1915 when the weather
is still causing problems, but some absences can clearly be put
down to more mischievous reasons.
"Only 31 children turned up this morning, which was
wet, although the children that live at the further distance
(Hafod draith) are present.
The attendance officer called today after an absence of three
weeks.
Found that the four children of Gellifawr Uchaf played about
in the fields instead of coming to school."
There are 9 pages on Cwmbelan School. Use the box links below to view the other pages.
