Memories of Tickhill Schools in 1920s & 30s

Hazel M. Fullwood

I was born, in Tickhill, on the 18th June 1920 as Hazel Margaret Hoyle. My father Harry, his father and great grandfather also were born in Tickhill.

My father, for many years, was the village coal merchant.

I attended the Infant school in Tithes Lane at 5 years old. Miss Emma was the Infant teacher. She came from an old Tickhill family. Miss Anderson was the teacher of Class 3. I think I must have been 8 or 9 before moving to Junior School.

Mr. Ben Shaw had just joined St. Mary’s School; he was Head Teacher quite young. My two elder sisters had Mr. Dixon as Head Teacher. For many years he was Head Teacher.

I remember all the children were given a third of a pint of milk and 2 biscuits each day. Some children were given boots (girls and boys) and a dose of cod liver oil. Thank goodness not me! School nurse came quite often, to examine heads for lice. Quite a few had to take letters home.

Mr. Booty was the Vicar. He came to school each morning for prayers. Archdeacon Sandford came to give lessons on the Bible.

A lot of wealthy people lived in Tickhill in those days. Mr Robinson from Weardale was known as the Banana King. He owned a banana plantation in the West Indies. I think it was at Easter time and we were all given a banana.

Mrs Harrison Smith, another gentry resident, came on Shrove Tuesday, and we were all given an orange.

It was lovely to see the Hunt and all the hounds meet at the Cross. Mrs Harrison Smith rode side saddle. There was not the traffic in those days. Another gentry family, the Brooksbanks, lived at Sandrock.

The Castle was beautiful in those days. The Atkinson Clarkes employed a large staff. I often saw Miss Ruby out riding with her groom.

In 1934 I was chosen as May Queen. Geoff York was the Captain. The procession walked from the school to the Buttercross. The Misses Nellie and Grace Goodwin had a private school in Tickhill and it was Miss Nellie Goodwin who crowned me.

In the summer holidays we congregated down Water Lane or at the Mill Dam. Paddle and fish was the item. The boys used to put up the boards up at the sheep wash and swim.

My husband once told me the population of Tickhill was just under 2,000 in those days. We had 19 farms. I have listed as many as I can remember. Limestone Hill Farm, Shipley’s Farm, Bagley Farm, Todd’s Mill Farm, Stud Farm, Brookfield’s Farm, Northgate Farm, Count’s Farm, Galley hill Farm, Eastfield Farm, Ludlum’s Farm, Rawson’s Farm, Clarks Farm, Cutler’s Farm, Castle Farm (Smith), Lindrick Farm, Dadsley Farm, Moorhouse Farm, South Wongs Farm and Dook’s Farm.

The work in those days was farming and work at Maltby, Rossington and later, Harworth Pits. I can remember the threshing machine going to the farms. It was pulled by 2 horses.

Mr. Saxton used to go to Doncaster by horse and large cart, twice a week. He took goods that way. I don’t remember buses then.

Tickhill station was working and I remember walking to the station to get a train to visit Grandma at Kiveton Park.

They were still better days than today.