The school Log Books or diaries kept by Victorian schools often mention events that affect the whole community, not just the school. Sometimes the news is bad, such as serious epidemics or the closing of local factories and mines.
This example includes better news, when large numbers of jobs became available in the Elan Valley near Rhayader. This was due to the building of a series of large dams and lakes to provide a supply of clean water to be carried over 70 miles to Birmingham. The huge project began in 1893 and was opened in 1904.

Because of the large numbers of workers needed to build the dams, many towns took in extra families and their children went to the local schools. This was written in the school Log Book of Llanidloes National School Infants Department in April, 1894 :
13th April - "Attendance very good during the last fortnight. Owing to the influx of people into the town, on account of the Rhayader Water-works, several children have been admitted, the average attained last week being the highest weekly average for the last few years".
There is more about the Elan Valley dams on the Rhayader section of this website. See the link at the top right of this page.

Back to Llanidloes schools menu