Memories of Miss Alice Elizabeth Weedon (née Weeden)
Interviewed: 1 October 1984
Born: 27 June 1905, Finsbury Park, London
Father: Frederick Weeden (died 1916)
Mother: Elizabeth Weeden (née unknown)
Address: 24 Holwell Road, Pirton
Early Life
Alice Elizabeth Weeden was born on 27 June 1905 in Finsbury Park, London. During the First World War, when Zeppelin raids began, she was sent to stay with her grandmother, Ann Weeden, in Royal Oak Lane, Pirton, to escape the dangers of bombing. Her father, Frederick Weeden, died in London in 1916, and the family moved permanently to Pirton in 1917–18 when a cottage became available.
School Days During the First World War
During the war years, Alice remembered how children were encouraged to help the soldiers. They took eggs to school for the troops, writing their names and addresses on the shells in the hope of receiving letters back—some did. Food was scarce, and children were released from lessons to pick fruit such as strawberries and blackberries for jam-making. Soldiers were billeted in the village, sometimes even in the school itself. One famous story told how the headmaster’s cane was found hidden in the belfry b…
When manpower was short, boys could take a labourers’ examination at the age of twelve; if they passed, they were permitted to leave school and work on the farms.
Becoming a Teacher
At fourteen, in 1921, Alice began her teaching career as a pupil teacher. She taught two days each week at Pirton School and spent three days at the Pupil Teachers’ Centre in Hitchin. The training lasted four years and included examinations every term, with final assessments held at St Albans. After qualifying, she worked as a supply teacher before taking a permanent post at Pirton, in charge of the infants.
Under Mr. Housden’s Leadership
On 1 April 1924, a new headmaster, Mr. Housden, arrived. Young and energetic, he transformed the school. Alice remembered that Mr. and Mrs. Donson, the previous heads, had been kind but rather tired after many years of service. Mr. Housden brought fresh ideas and enthusiasm. Around this time, a poem titled “To the Unknown Teacher” appeared in the magazine Child Education. Alice adopted it as her personal inspiration, reflecting the idealism she felt at the start of her career.
Mr. Housden introduced football and organised matches that became the pride of the school. When the team won two shields, the second being the County Shield, the news was shown on the cinema screen in Hitchin—a great event for the village. Alice and other staff helped with Saturday teas of strawberry jam buns and cups of tea for the players.
Later Years and Reflections
Alice taught for thirty years in total—sixteen years at Pirton and thirteen at Holwell. She retired early to care for her mother, who lived to the age of ninety.
She fondly remembered small incidents that brought character to school life. During Mr. Bryant’s headship, there was a tame jackdaw with one claw that belonged to Mr. Thrussell at the Post Office. It would often fly through the classroom window, to the delight of the children.
Alice respected all her colleagues but held special admiration for Mr. Housden, whose fairness, dedication, and enthusiasm left a lasting impression on her. “He was a good teacher and a good example,” she said.
Interviewed 1/10/84 by Joan Wayne her notes below
Alice Elizabeth Weeden b. 27.6.05 24 Holwell Road
Born in London. In lst World War when zeppelin raids started, stayed with Grandma (Ann Weeden) in Royal.O. Lane
Father Fredk Weeden died in London in 1916
Mother Elizabeth Weeden nee
Came to live in Pirton around 1917/18 when cottage became available in R.O.Lane
In lst World War children took eggs to school for the soldiers. Used to write their names and addresses on the eggs in the hope of getting letters from soldiers – some children did. (Certs given to those who took eggs). Food was very short. Harleys had a farm at Holwellbury. Children were given time off to go and pick the fruit (strawberries) for jam making. Also used to collect blackberries. There were soldiers billeted in the village, sometimes in the school. The Head’s cane was found in the belfry where soldiers had hidden it.
During the war, when men were short, boys could go in for a labourers’ exam when they were 12. If they passed they could leave school and go to work.
When 14, (1921) AEW became a pupil teacher. Taught 2 days per week at school and went to Hitchin to Pupil Teachers’ Centre for 3 days. Training lasted 4 years. The H.C. did not last more than a few years. Exams at end of every term. Took final exam at St Albans. Then an asst. teacher worked as supply teacher for 1 year, then came to Pirton (had been promised this when a vacancy available) in charge of infants.
Second cousin Kate Dawson – PT under old system
1924 1st April. Mr Housden – young, energetic, changes. (Mr & Mrs D were alright but had a lot to contend with and they were getting old).
In 1924, the Unknown Soldier – Poem to “Unknown Teacher” in Child Edn. She took this (you know how idealistic you are when you start) as her example.
After 9 years HMI report (copy) whole groups had passed through her hands.
Mr H started football (he was a single man) provided refreshments – bun, strawberry jam and tea. Staff went Saturday p.m. to help with tea. Won 2 shields – when they won the County one, it was flashed on screen at the cinema in Hitchin. Last year, remaining boys had a reunion.
In London, lived in Finsbury Park – went to Tollington Park School (bombed in 2nd WW). It was first higher elem school to be built in London.
Mother Elizabeth Weeden
Father Frederick Weeden died in London 1916
Taught 16 years at Pirton, then 13 years at Holwell. 30 years altogether. Retired early to look after mother who died aged 90.
In Mr Bryant’s time, there was a tame jackdaw which belonged to Mr Thrussell at Post Office. Had one claw, used to fly in through school window.
Mr B was O.K. but she preferred Mr Housden
