From the Esthameian November 1933
The Official Opening of the War Memorial Club House
The Official Opening of the War Memorial Club House on Saturday, September 30th 1933, was attended by the Mayor and Mayoress (Alderman G.H. Manser, J.P., and Mrs. Manser), Councillor E.H. Thompson (Chairman of the Education Committee) and Mrs. Thompson, Councillor E.B. Hall, J.P., and Mrs, Hall, and many other members of the Borough Council and Education Authority.
The company assembled before the pavilion in the Rectory Field on a fine autumn day. The proceedings were opened by Mr W.H. Barker, B.Sc., who presided. In his introductory remarks, he referred to the formation of the original committee under the chairmanship of Alderman Edwards and the unveiling of a mural tablet erected in the School in remembrance of the sacrifice made by former pupils of the School in the Great War. The committee had also wished to erect a Memorial Club House but great difficulty had been encountered in obtaining a suitable site. Ultimately, through the generosity of the Education Committee and Borough Council, they had been able to build on the ground adjoining the Rectory Field. The Club House had now been erected and contained a replica of the mural Memorial Tablet.
The Mayor remarked that some eighteen years had passed since the brave lads, whose memory they were honouring, had made their great sacrifice. Their glorious deeds were still fresh in the mind and everyone hoped and trusted that never again would such circumstances arise. The Memorial Club House was the result o many years’ effort. The old pupils had done well and could be relied on to maintain their interest and help. It was up to the present pupils, who would be future members, to work or its support. The Mayor expressed appreciation of the great amount of work done by Mr. Andrews, Mr. Weir and their colleagues.
Mr. Andrews spoke of the great appreciation of the Schools and all concerned with them for the great help accorded by the Council in the matter of the site, and moved a vote of thanks to the Mayor. Miss Cross seconded the motion and urged the girls to reap the great social benefit accruing from use of the Club House. The motion was carried with acclamation.
Mr. Weir, seconded by Miss Westlake, moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Barker for presiding.
A procession, headed by the Mayor, wearing his robes and chain of office, was then formed to the main door of the Memorial Club House. The Rev. H.B. Curtis offered a Dedicatory Prayer and at the conclusion, the Mayor opened the door and formally declared the Club House open.
The company then entered the Club House, where Captain R.H. Gillender, M.C., M.Sc., was called upon to unveil the mural tablet in the entrance hall. In a moving speech, he expressed the feeling of thankfulness to those who had offered their lives. They had done this in the belief that they were contributing to the welfare of their country and the happiness of their fellows. He hoped that the Memorial Club House, wisely used, would be a source of happiness to many and the memory of those who had made the supreme sacrifice would, thereby, long be remembered.
Mr. Tom Bishop placed a wreath near the tablet.
The Memorial Club House was then thrown open to general inspection, while a diversion was offered by ladies’ hockey and football matches on the Rectory Field.
Plan of the Club House
An advertisement for the Club House in the same edition
Source: Robin Sharpe
EHGS 1965-72
Added 12 November 2008