Whilst answering an enquiry email about Stourfield School, Bournemouth, a few weeks ago, we came across a fascinating booklet about a school trip to Holland in June 1938 (S-226/14/4). One was given to each of the girls who went on the trip, providing them with an itinerary, maps, useful information about Holland and reminders about behaviour. History Centre Assistant Kate picks up the story…
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I was so surprised when I realised the trip took place in June 1938, only just over a year before the outbreak of the Second World War. This was likely the last European trip the school took part in before the war prevented travel. I couldn’t help wondering what happened to the children and teachers mentioned in the booklet during the war. Perhaps that can be my next blog!
The kit list in the booklet was one of my favourite parts. The girls were instructed to bring a ‘partyish’ frock, two pairs of shoes (NOT new!), a tin of health salts and a complete change of underclothes. There has been some debate amongst the staff here about whether this meant enough changes of underwear for the whole trip (which was one week long) or just one complete set. I hope it was the former, but I think it sounds more like the latter!
Personally, I would have brought more underwear and fewer shoes. I particularly enjoyed reading the last two items on the kit list:
‘A LITTLE pocket money
AND
A LARGE AMOUNT OF COMMON SENSE’
There is a lovely letter at the start of the booklet from the Director of Education, which provides another useful gem of advice, ‘whilst in Holland, always remember that YOU ARE THE FOREIGNERS’. It also reminds the girls that ‘the reputation of Stourfield School (and of England)’ is in their hands. I’m glad the reputation of the entire country never rested on one of my school trips! The booklet finishes with notes and reminders, my favourite being ‘happy memories are man’s richest possessions’. We could all do with remembering that!
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Amongst the other records of Stourfield School are a photograph album and scrapbook, covering 1935 to 1942 (S-226/11/7). In here are lots of photographs showing everything from the opening of the school to classrooms and sports days, as well as lots of newspaper cuttings.
Whilst looking through it, I came across another booklet for a school trip, this time to Windsor and Hampton Court in 1936. On this trip, children were instructed not to eat between meals (what, no snacks?!) and to bring limes or acid drops instead of a bottled drink. Advisable sandwich fillings included egg and tomato (fine), or Bovril (not so fine!)
The list of things to note at the end of the booklet is written in the form of an acrostic poem, using the words ‘Stourfield Council Senior School’ to provide the first letters of each line. Clearly someone had a lot of time on their hands when putting this booklet together! Some more gems of advice can be found here. Remember, ‘careless people cause the withdrawal of favours’ and ‘order is Heaven’s first law’!
