Bleasdale C. of E. School, near Garstang, in the early 20th century
Courtesy of Bleasdale Archive Collection, Bleasdale Parish Hall, Bleasdale PR3 1UY
Educational Inspectors had continuously commented in their reports in the School Logbook since 1872 on the isolated nature of Bleasdale School in the fells of the Forest of Bowland and the resulting shyness of the farmers’ children there. (1) During the early years of the 20th the children at Bleasdale were taught geography and history, subjects in which they could become aware of the wider world. The few references on subject matter in the Logbook, in 1918, included ‘our Empire’ and, in 1920, the French Revolution.
A landmark in children’s education came in 1924 with the introduction of the BBC School Radio. (2) On 25 September 1929 the Bleasdale pupils listened to the wireless in school for the first time. Among the first subjects heard were ‘Peoples of the World.’ In some years in the early 1930s they listened to the Memorial Service at the Cenotaph, as well as an occasional nationally significant broadcast. While there was no record of teaching on international peace efforts, the opportunity was there for both teachers and pupils to broaden their minds. The wireless was also provided for the Rural Adult Education group at Bleasdale.
References/Further Reading:
(1) Bleasdale C. of E. School Logbook. Bleasdale Archive Collection.
(2) Wikipedia. BBC School Radio .