Memories of Mrs. Mary Rose Gurney (née Handscombe)
Interviewed: 1 October 1984
Born: 1898
Father: John Handscombe
Attended Pirton School: 1901 – 1912
Mary Rose Handscombe, later Mrs. Rose Gurney, was born in 1898 in Holly Cottage opposite Elm Tree Farm, Pirton. When she was twelve months old, her family moved to Woodbine Cottage, just across the road from the village school. She was one of a large family, with four or five older brothers and one older sister, Mrs. Pearce.
Rose began school at the age of three, in 1901. The babies were taught in a small classroom adjoining the large infant room, where there was a raised gallery for the youngest pupils. Their teacher was believed to be Miss Anne Throssell, who lived near the Old Vicarage in Priors Hill. Lessons for the youngest children were simple and engaging: learning the alphabet, counting with bead frames, and reciting rhymes and stories. Colours were taught with the help of a brown paper envelope filled with short lengths of coloured wool—its musty smell was something Rose remembered vividly all her life. There was also a large wooden see-saw in the playground, so tall that “you could see Docklands” from the top. The babies even had their own “elevenses.”
Around the age of four or five, Rose moved into Mrs. Donson’s room, which had three classes taught within it. The first class sat up in the gallery, while Mrs. Donson taught the middle one. Later, the older children moved into the Mixed Department, taught by Ethel Throssell in the small room next to Mr. Donson’s. Rose found Mrs. Donson “cantankerous” and much preferred Mr. Donson. She remembered her contemporary, Dorothy Donson, being “clouted in front of everyone,” and never forgot the rods with bells that Mrs. Donson used for drill lessons — “she liked those,” Rose said with amusement.
Art lessons involved bringing flowers from home for painting exercises. The school day was strict but lively, and Rose took pride in never missing a single day’s attendance throughout her eleven years there — a remarkable record. Even when she had measles, it fell conveniently during the holidays. For her perfect attendance, she received several book prizes, two medals, and a silver watch that, she said proudly, “still goes.”
Rose recalled the excitement when the school photographer came. Children were sent home to wash and change into their best clothes before having family group portraits taken in the playground.
Discipline at the school was firm. Mr. Donson was known for keeping an eye on the church clock from his classroom window to make sure lessons did not end early. There was sometimes friction between the Church of England and Methodist influences in the school: a teacher named Miss Leighton, who lodged with Mrs. Handscombe, was Anglican, while the Donsons were Methodist. Rose’s sister Ruth served as a pupil teacher during this period.
Children from Wellbury Cottages brought their dinners to school. Rose fondly remembered her friend Kate Walker (later Mrs. Kate Francis) often bringing a currant pasty—“nine times out of ten”—and Rose was usually offered a piece.
Mr. Bob Davies, a local farmer and school governor, would visit regularly to check the registers. His formal manner amused the children, especially when he addressed one boy, Cecil Day of the Royal Oak, as “Seesil,” to their great delight. He also knew Cecil Stapleton, another local pupil.
Rose remembered her school days with real affection. After leaving school in 1912, she trained as a dressmaker in Hitchin. She later married John Gurney of Elm Tree Farm, and in 1946 they moved to 21 Royal Oak Lane, where she continued to live at the time of her interview. Her memories capture both the strictness and the warmth of early village schooling — a world of galleries, bead frames, and bells on drill rods — recalled with humour and fondness after more than seventy years.
Joan’s notes Interviewed 1/10/84
Mary Rose Handscombe (now Gurney) b. 1898
Father – John Handscombe
Started at 3 in 1901, left 1912
The babies were in small classroom at side of big infant room. Babies in the gallery (NB. sm – room also had a gallery). Teacher was ? Anne Throssell lived near the Old Vicarage in Priors Hill.
Born in Holly Cottage opp. Elm Tree Farm, moved at 12 months to Woodbine Cottage (opp. School) Had 4/5 older brothers and 1 older sister (Mrs Pearce).
In Babies Room learned ABC, counting (bead frames) had stories and rhymes and there was a brown paper envelope (musty smell) with short lengths of coloured wool with which colours were learned. Also a very big see-saw from which you could see Docklands. Babies had ‘elevenses’.
Into Mrs Donson’s room at 4 or 5. The first class was up in the gallery – there were 3 classes in that room. (Mrs D had the middle one). Then they went into Mixed Dept. into small room next to Mr Donson’s room, where taught by Ethel Throssell. Mrs D. was cantankerous, she preferred Mr. D. Dorothy Donson (same age as Rose) got clouted in front of everyone.
Drill in Mrs D’s room they had rods with bells on which she liked.
Painting – brought flowers
Rose never missed a single attendance. She had measles when school was closed for holidays (11 years).
She had book prizes for attendance and a silver watch which still goes (5 years) and 2 medals.
The photographer came – took groups of children – families together. Children sent home to get dressed and tidied up.
Mr D used to watch church clock to see if it was knocking off time.
There was a teacher called Miss Leighton (see record book p. ) who lodged with Mrs H. She was C of E. Donsons were Methodists – friction!
Rose’s sister Ruth was a pupil teacher.
Wellbury Cottages children brought their dinners. Kate Walker (now Kate Francis) nine times out of 10 brought currant pasty. Rose often had a bit!
Mr & Mrs H knew the Crowthers – Mr C was very strict – one Handscombe boy would not go to Pirton School went to Holwell.
Mr Davies used to come in to check registers. He always called Cecil Day Old Royal Oak – pub) SEESIL to the children’s amusement. Also Cecil Stapleton
Rose enjoyed her school days. Went to do dressmaking in Hitchin. Married John Gurney of Elm Tree Farm. Moved to present house 21 Royal Oak Lane in 1946.
