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Church was opened in August 1845

A new school for boys was opened in Alston Road, the old school being left for girls and infants.

The school was enlarged to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the church.

 

The sale took place to the Red Cross

Sufficient funds raised to renovate and open building

   1844                         1853                   1855                       1886                      1896                1958                            2012                            2017    

​Capt John Trotter acquired land. Built school and parsonage

Room added to the school for girls and boys to have a room each

​First Barnet Conferences precursor of Keswick Convention

The school was closed, upon the opening of the new school in Byng Road

 

Building ‘bought back’ by John Trotter Trust 

Where we came from

An account from a past Pupil at the school  - Pat Barnham nee Mancenei -

 “My teacher was Mrs Gill and one of the first things I remember learning was the catechism, Christian teaching being high on the agenda. Mrs Gill's classroom was the small room at the rear of the building. The front, larger room was divided into two by a sliding partition, with Miss Pike in one half taking the next year up and Miss Paul, the headmistress, taking the senior girls in the other half. Miss Paul eventually left to become a missionary in Canada but kept in touch with several of us, exchanging letters.

Most of the pupils came from the local streets around the church, with a small group coming from Guys Cliffe, a children's home on Barnet Hill almost opposite the current police station. In the mornings we always had a bottle of milk to drink before going out to playtime which took place in front of the building on what is now the car park. There were two large sycamore trees at the road end of the playground which were lovely to sit under and talk or play "five- stones". We also played numerous skipping and ball games many accompanied by verses sung with great gusto, allowing us to let off steam before going back into class.

 

At Christmas we used to decorate the school with home-made paper chains and we would put on little plays, sing and recite poems for each other with as many children taking part as possible. This culminated in sharing a feast of goodies provided by teachers and parents; these were very simple by today's standards as there was rationing after the war, but needless to say we thought it was wonderful!"

 

Where we are now

After years of neglect ‘The Open Door Centre’, now has a bright future. We have completed the first stage in this project and we are delighted that this building which is such an important part of the history of our community is now open and available to all who live in the area.

Where we hope to be

When sufficient funds are available the first floor will be built!

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