High Days and Holidays - excerpts from Marsh Baldon School Log

19 June 1924

School closed. Scholars and parents (71) pay a visit to the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley. Journey by road – two charabancs. A splendid trip enjoyed by all. The road journey & natural observation of great value geographically to the children. Children struck by the vast resources of British empire – panoramic views much admired by all, giving reality to whole visit.

24 June 1925

The school children were today taken to Nuneham to see His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen pass through on their way to Oxford. The children obtained an excellent view of their Majesties.

21 May 1926

The School assembled in the front garden for Empire Day Celebration, in the presence of the Correspondent, the Rev J R Brunskill, who distributed a medal to each child.

28 November 1927

Cl 1 were taken on a School Journey to Morris’s Motor works, Cowley, leaving school by lorry at 10.15 and returning at 12 noon.

11 November 1930

Armistice Day. The two minutes silence was observed, and an address on ‘The Evil of War’ was given by the Head Teacher. The children sang ‘Oh God, our help in ages past’.

1 May 1931

The School children had a May Day Procession with May Queen and King and Garlands. They sang appropriate songs and collected £1-10/- for the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond St.

6 May 1935

School closed in honour of Their Majesties Silver Jubilee. Tea for all was provided in the hall and a programme of Sports on the green was followed by a dance in the evening in the hall. Mr Priestley of Baldon House gave each child a Jubilee gift.

12 May 1937

Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. The school children attended divine service at 9.15am. In the afternoon they had tea and sports and each child had a coronation mug, the gift of Mr Priestley. School was closed by royal request for three days.