Imagine having to go to school, maybe after walking several miles in rain or snow, and then sit through lessons in wet clothes in a classroom with no heating at all !
This was the way things were in many schools in Victorian times, as shown in this entry from the Ynscedwyn school diary for 1885.

This was written in January 1885, and it reads:
"The ground is covered with snow, and we have no fire in School. The old stove has been out of repair for a long time and I have made several applications to the Board for a new one".

The records of many country schools in Victorian times tell a similar story of cold and leaking classrooms, and sometimes they have stoves which work but don't have any coal or wood for fuel !
No central heating in those days !

Back to Ystradgynlais schools menu