Section three

Christmas celebrations

Before the arrival of the National Curriculum, with its well-defined aims and objectives, Christmastime provided a focus for a whole range of creative and practical activities at primary school level. It is not surprising therefore, that the first recorded celebration at Dolphin Lane School was a Christmas party.

The determination to make the school’s first party a success was certainly achieved.

‘As this was the first Xmas in the history of the School, special efforts had been made by the staff to make the function as successful and magnanimous as possible from all "Xmassy" points of view. Upwards of £20 had been raised and there were gifts of various kinds e.g. The children had brought ingredients for the Xmas puddings which were made in each class, and the joy of contributing, not to mention the magic of stirring, had created an eager anticipation for the day of the Party. A huge Xmas tree was fixed in the central Hall, stacked at the foot with apples, oranges and sweets. Paper caps, novelties etc. were already and at 2.30 pm. the feast was spread. After Grace and Good King Wenceslas the Xmas fare provided – cakes and tarts, mince pies and "churns" of tea – was speedily devoured (I think that is the word!) After the repast, the time was given over to games and singing, dancing and the gramophone. A merry and memorable time was spent.

Although the children did not receive their share of the class Christmas puddings or their gifts at the party they were not deprived of the treats altogether. On the last day of the term -

‘A very happy morning was spent and, during the last hour, the class Puddings were done full justice to and the gifts of fruit and sweets were given from the Xmas tree. The children and the teachers had a good time chiefly because of the enthusiasm of the Staff to whom my personal thanks are due.’

Details of third annual Christmas party gave an insight into how the festivities were organised.

The Nature of the Party:

Games

Singing

Tea, Cakes, Fruit, Presents

General Amusements

A visit to the Xmas Tree

Dismissal

Our thanks are due to:

1.

1. The Parks dept. for provision of the Xmas Tree.

2. The Teachers and Friends for their voluntary help.

3. The cost of approx. £20 has been raised by the staff.’

There was no indication how the £20 for the first Christmas party was raised but subsequent parties were partly funded by money raised at ‘Rummage Sales’. The amount raised from the ‘Sale’ advertised in 1930 was £10.6s.0d (£10.30), while in the following year £12. 17s.8d. (£12.88) was raised.

The first party after the outbreak of war was very simply recorded -

‘School Party: Much hard work has prepared the way for the Annual Entertainment and Social Activity.’

There was no mention of a party in 1940 and although children were practicing plays for the festivities the following year, no party was planned.

‘There will be no party so far as food is concerned but what we lack in food for the body we hope the children will receive in food for the mind, the chief ingredients being good fun even in these drab and sad days for young children.’

Birmingham had experienced another difficult war-torn year but Christmas is a special time for children whatever the circumstances and the parents were determined they should not be deprived of their customary party.

‘Parents have sent voluntarily tins of milk, tea, confectionery and other food things.

There was, after-all, a full party day. A Carol Service, followed by class plays, took up the morning and the afternoon was given over to the unexpected tea party.

‘ A proper tea party – one of the best, thanks to willing parents who each gave what they had to spare. In many ways there was a variety and a quantity which days of peace never provided. Of course it is customary to provide all fare but this Xmas has opened an avenue, which is perhaps better than preparation by Jumble Sale etc. We had a really happy time and how good it is for children to live a little of their birthright.’

From those comments it appeared future parties would rely on contributions of food from parents rather than trying to raise the necessary costs through Jumble Sales etc.

Certainly in 1942 the children were asked to ‘ bring food, tea, sugar’. That year the format of the party also changed. Lantern slides of suitable stories – Cinderella, Dick Whittington, Aladdin etc. – were borrowed from Birmingham Libraries and shown to the children.

The revised arrangements were a success –

‘All slides in colour and much enjoyed. … Much food. Much fun – Wars forgotten for fleeting hours. Much hard work for the teachers.’

Another moving comment was logged after the Christmas activities in 1943 -

‘ " A little laughter now and then is relished by the wisest men" even in a World War. Great happiness comes of any little happiness given to the children whose childhood can only be spent once and that in these days of War – no toys, no ice cream, no spangled shop windows, no childhood!!

Anyway our party provided good innocent laughter and our thanks are due to teachers and parents.

Outside the school we have found new friends:

£10 from Lord Mayor’s Fund

40 bars of chocolate from Canada per favour of the Optimists Club, Toronto.’

The next year there was yet another different approach to the Christmas activities. In addition to the usual class plays and eats there was a visit to the Warwick Picture House to see "Lassie Comes Home – the Story of a Faithful Dog" and the following day ‘Lez the Clown’ visited and entertained the children.

Again that year there was no mention of fund raising for the party but a brief statement of accounts, recorded for the first time, showed that the earlier appeals to the parents to provide food seemed to have been dropped, the costs instead being met by donations from outside ‘agencies’.

Expenditure	£26	10s	1d	Income	£20	10s	0d

	£	s	d		£	s	d
Tasters– sugar,tea etc		17	7	"Mail"	17	10	0
Cakes	4	7	6	Milk	3	0	0
Mince Pies	2	18	4
Pictures	14	6	8	Dr, to School Fund	5	10	1
Incidentals		10	0			10	0
Clown Lez	3	10	0

By the time Christmas came around again the war in Europe, and the conflict with Japan, had ended, so 1945 was a year for a very special celebration. A week of entertainments included lantern slide shows, a Punch and Judy Show, class plays, a Carol Service and the ever-popular party tea.

‘These were our festivities and thanks to the help of teachers and parents the children really had an enjoyable Peace Time Xmas Party week.’

The following year the party was again –

‘a roaring, raging success – thanks to donors and teachers.’

and for that occasion an even fuller financial record for the occasion was detailed.

Fund Income:				£	s	d
Balance from School fund				3	18	10
Share of milk from Birmingham Dairy				2	10	0

"Mail" Fund	12	18	0
Less (Infants)	5	4	0
	£ 7	14s	0d	7	14	0
				£14	2s	10d


Expenditure:				£	s	d
Entertainer				3	15	0
Cake etc.				4	0	0
Tea					13	6
Sugar					7	0
Margarine					7	1
Bread					7	6
Milk					10	0

Xmas Presents £ s d
Cooks	1	0	0
Caretaker	1	10	0
Van Driver		5	0
Postman			=	£1	11s	0d
Milkman		5	0
To Mr Latham		7	6
	3	7	6
Less Teachers’ Subs	1	16	6
	£1	11	0
H.J. Xps.					5	3
				£11	16	5

The week of Christmas festivities, introduced in 1945, became the norm for the remaining years that Mr Sutton was the Head Teacher.

Under the new Head Teacher, Miss French, class plays continued to be performed and separate parties were held for the Infant and Junior children. How the parties were financed, or how the food was provided, was not recorded.

Linda Harrison, a pupil at the school during the 1950’s, remembers –

‘sitting on the forms

at the long tables.’

She also has vivid memories of jelly and blancmange, open rolls smothered with jam and the games – Farmers In His Den, A’ Hunting We Will Go, Blind Man’s Buff, Spin the Plate, Musical Chairs – they played. At the end of the party she recalls all the children were given an orange to take home.

In 1950 a visit by Father Christmas was noted for the first time since 1934. It is uncertain whether earlier visits had been overlooked or he had been on an extended holiday!!! Certainly he made annual visits from that year onward but the preferred day, to distribute ‘presents from the tree’, was the last day of the term rather than at the parties.

In addition to the usual Christmas activities, a Nativity Play was performed 1952 and a performance of ‘Dick Whittington and His Cat’ in 1955. These evening presentations ‘were enjoyed by everybody including the performers.’

December 1958 was Miss French’s last Christmas at the school -

‘A Carol Service was held in the Hall at 7pm.for children and parents. A large number of parents attended. A choir of 40 children, plus 30 children Choral Speaking, gave a singing and speaking Carol Service with descant recorders and a guitar. Mr Best conducted and gave a solo on the clarinet. Mrs Chapman played the piano and the parents joined in the singing of well-known carols. It was a very successful first venture. H.M.I. Mr Robinson attended the service. A collection was taken in aid of Dr. Barnardo’s Homes.’

Royal Occasions: Visits and Celebration Holidays

Today there are varying shades of opinion relating to the importance of both royal events and the role of members of the royal family. For some people they have little or no significance to life in the 21^st century, while for others they are just as important now as it was in the past. Certainly the royal family, and events involving, them had an impact on the life of the school and the children attending it.

The first noteworthy royal occasion after the school opened was the 29^th November 1934, when the children were given a day’s holiday in celebration of H.R.H. The Duke of Kent’s wedding.

In May the following year there was yet another holiday for the children; this time to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of H.R.H King George V and Queen Mary. This milestone in the reign of the King and Queen was considered worthy of greater recognition than just having a day’s holiday, so as well as presenting Silver Jubilee ‘medals’ to the children the teachers agreed to hold ‘a party and Pageant of Empire’.

This special event, held on the afternoon of 15^th May 1935, was briefly summed up by Mr Sutton as,

‘Beautiful display. Tea and presentation of boxes of chocolate. A special note is necessary re. the Pageant in the school playground witnessed by many parents. The work of the teachers and the enthusiasm of the children was most marked in the costumes, singing and dancing.’

while Miss Hood simply recorded

"The children are being entertained to tea today in celebration of the Jubilee."

This event, especially the chocolate, was recalled by Syd Parsons, while among their ‘treasured possessions’ Dorreen Hodges (nee Pendle) and Hilda Penson still have the Silver Jubilee ‘medals’ they were given to mark the occasion. They also remember ‘we had a maypole dance in the playground as part of the children’s contribution.’

In November of the same year there was another day’s holiday, this time in celebration of H.R.H. The Duke of Gloucester’s marriage, while just two months later the school was closed again. On this occasion, however, it was not one of celebration but to mark the funeral of King George Vth.

Due to well-documented circumstances surrounding the royal family it was fifteen months before the Coronation of H.R.H. King George VIth was held. As Coronation Day, the 7^th May 1937, fell within the school’s Whitsun holiday its celebrations were held over until it reopened on the 20^th May. The children were given their customary day’s holiday but this time they had to wait until late August, when it was added onto their annual summer holiday.

The actual Coronation celebrations were held over two days. On the first day an ‘Empire Programme’ was held in the Hall, with each class presenting ‘items’, while on the following day parents were invited to join the children in the playground to listen to songs performed in costume and watch a ‘Pageant of Empire’. This very special event was also marked with a party for which

‘5d per head was spent on celebrations’.

In addition to the party tea, the children of both schools received …… ‘a Coronation Mug, tin of Chocolate and entertainment.’

A visit, to inspect the new Hospital Centre at Edgbaston and to tour Birmingham’s Great Centenary Pageant was arranged for the King and Queen in July 1938. As usual, this royal event was also marked with a day’s holiday for the children. At short notice, however, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester had to deputise for the King, who was unwell and advised by his doctors not to travel.

By 1939 there were serious concerns about the possibility of a conflict in Europe but the Royal family continued its agenda of engagements and the Birmingham visit, cancelled because of the King’s ill-health, was re-scheduled for March 1^st 1939. For the children this meant yet another day’s holiday!!!

On that occasion the King and Queen toured the Austin Aero Works at Cofton Hackett, and the Hospital Centre and Medical School at Edgbaston before going on to tour the Cadbury Factory at Bournville. In the afternoon, the King spent some time at the British Industries Fair, Castle Bromwich, while the Queen toured the Lucas Factory in Hockley and opened a new block of municipal flats. The surprise of the day came when the Queen accepted an invitation, previously known only by a few dignitaries, to name the Edgbaston Hospital after herself. This was the very first Queen Elizabeth Hospital in the country.

During the war years there were no recorded royal visits to Birmingham warranting a holiday for the children. However, when all hostilities had ceased, the King and Queen returned to the city to thank the people of Birmingham for their contribution toward ‘the victory’ and to visit The Accident Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre and The Municipal Hospital at Dudley Road, both of which were treating people with wartime injuries.

On Monday 17^th June 1946, more than a year after the conflict in Europe had ended, a message of thanks was circulated to schools from His Majesty King George VI

Celebration of Victory.

Today we celebrate Victory. I send this personal message to you and all other boys and girls at school. For you have shared in the hardships and dangers of a total war and you have shared no less in the triumph of the Allied Nations.

I know you will always feel proud to belong to a country which was capable of such supreme effort; proud, too, of parents and elder brothers and sisters who by their courage, endurance and enterprise, brought victory. May these qualities be yours as you grow up and join in the common effort to establish among the nations of the world unity and Peace.

George R.

Yet more holidays were to follow. On the 20^th November 1947 the school was closed for the wedding of Princess Elizabeth to the Duke of Edinburgh and in April 1948 –

‘The King has expressed his desire that the occasion of their Majesties Silver Wedding on 26^th April be

marked a half day holiday for all school children on that day.’

Just two weeks later, on the 11^th May, the school was closed for another ‘ Royal Visit to Birmingham’. On that occasion the King and Queen toured the streets of the city centre before receiving silverware, made by Birmingham craftsmen, as a special Silver Wedding gift. The main item on their agenda, however, was to return to the British Industries Fair site at Castle Bromwich, a visit they had so much enjoyed nearly ten years earlier.

Almost a year later to the day, the school closed for a half-day holiday while Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh made their first official visit to the city. Like the Princess’s parents, their itinerary included a visit to the British Industries Fair. Selly Oak Hospital was also visited.

The next noteworthy royal event to affect the school was on the 6^th February 1952 - ‘the death of His Majesty King George VIth of blessed memory.’

Nine days later a ‘Funeral Service, after the two minutes silence, was held in the hall for the Junior children’. There was no record if there was a holiday to mark this sad occasion.

The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was arranged for the 2^nd June 1953 and the three days holiday granted to all school children for this very special occasion were added on to the Whitsun holiday. The school’s decided to hold its own celebrations on 21^st May, the day before it closed for the holiday-

‘A Pageant of History was performed by the whole school to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Every child ... received a Coronation mug and a gramophone, a Wendy House, a bookcase and a swing were bought to commemorate the occasion.

The Pageant took place in warm sunshine in the yard. The parents were invited and the performance lasted from 10am, with a break for lunch, until 3.30pm. It was a very memorable occasion ending with the Infants dancing round the maypole.’

No further records of royal occasions or visits to the city that might warrant a day away from the classroom were recorded.

Today royal visits to the city are much more commonplace and are rarely drawn to the attention of schools as in earlier years. In the same way only those royal events of the very highest profile are recognised as worthy of a day away from the classroom.

Physical Activities: Athletics, P.T. and Team Games

Physical exercise and involving children in team games and other activities have long been an integral part of the curriculum in the Primary school.

In July 1930 an afternoon of sporting activities, combined with an end of term concert was organised for the children. Although initially ‘lukewarm’ about the arrangements the teachers were extremely pleased with the success of the event. Certainly the parents were keen to see their children perform … ‘the school was packed with parents, probably three hundred attending.’

The first formal Annual School Sports were held at the Shirley Road Playing Fields on … ‘a fine warm evening’ … in June 1934. So many children wanted to take part in the sports elimination races had to be organised prior to the event to reduce the number entrants for each race. It was certainly a successful evening –

‘The gathering was well attended by parents and friends and the children in full force.’

Success breeds confidence and the following year the sports were repeated at the same venue. On that occasion a display of Country Dancing, by the older girls, was added to the programme and was –

‘much admired by the parents.’

Although there was no record of what the successful competitors received for winning their races, before the school closed for its annual summer holiday that year an entertainer visited the school and the proceeds were used for ‘Sports Fund prizes’.

The sports quickly became a popular occasion in the school’s calendar and the 1936 event was another resounding success –

‘Many parents present and the teachers, by their endless labours and enthusiasm, made the sports a function for untold good. The events were run off to time and with ‘play the game’ spirit. The Country Dancing display by the girls was again a much-appreciated feature. Their pretty dresses and graceful dancing said much for the spirit of all concerned.’

This annual event, organised by placing children in colour teams included a variety of races for all the age groups in the Junior Department.

There was then, no further mention of sports gatherings until 1952, when the infants held their activities … ‘in the park’ … and the older children participated in the School Sports and the District Sports, both of which were again held at Shirley Road Playing Fields. From that year onwards the sports were held annually each summer.

Athletic activities that culminated as the School Sports tended to be focussed in a few weeks during the summer months, while Physical Education (P.T.) was a lesson held regularly throughout the year for all children, regardless of their ability.

During the 1950’s, Mr Best, a talented young teacher, greatly improved and developed physical education at the school. With his leadership, and with the encouragement of the Head Teacher, the children were regularly invited to show their skills to groups of teachers on P.E.

Courses at various venues including the Martineau Teachers’ Centre. Displays were also given at the Central Hall. One of the most prestigious occasions was an invitation to perform as part of the Lord Mayor’s Education Week.

The success, or otherwise, of the school’s football team school was not noted until 1955 when it won the South Birmingham Football Cup. To celebrate the achievement the team and their parents were invited to tea in the school Hall. That accomplishment was undoubtedly due to coaching abilities and support of Mr Palser and Mr Best. Their work with the footballers paid dividends again three years later when the team claimed a double success, winning both the Challenge Trophy Cup and The South Birmingham League Shield. That outstanding achievement was also rewarded with a tea party for the boys and their parents.

Mike Tindall (ex-pupil and England Youth Team player) presenting the League Shield

Cricket was first noted in 1933 when … ‘For the first time in the history of the school competitive cricket matches with other schools in Division II of the South Birmingham Schools Cricket League have been arranged.’

The results for the season were mixed –

Dolphin Lane 21 Acocks Green 25

Dolphin Lane 39 Pitmaston 20

Dolphin Lane 19 Yarnfield 33

Dolphin Lane 20 Hartfield Crescent 15

Dolphin Lane 38 Pitmaston 12

Dolphin Lane 28 Yarnfield 31

Although cricket continued to be played, there was no further mention of a cricket team until 1958 when the team of that year matched the successes of the footballers by winning the ‘Cricket Shield’. The boys and their parents, were also treated to … ‘lemonade and cakes’ … at a gathering held to congratulate them on their achievement.

Regardless of any successes they may have had, the team games played by the girls – Netball, Rounders and Skittle-ball – were never recorded.