Ilkeston School’s most notable student: D H Lawrence O ver a period of 100 years Ilkeston School has had thousands of boys and girls pass through its doors. No story can really do justice to the lives and achievements of these students. It is though interesting to look back on a few of those who have excelled in a variety of fields. Probably the most distinguished old student was D H Lawrence.
The school magazine of June 1930 or ‘Ilkestonian’ as it was known, included an article on D H Lawrence. He had died in Vence in France on March 3.In the early years the school was a Pupil Teacher Centre and Lawrence was a student on the Wilmot Street site. In 1914 it transferred from the Ilkeston Public Library to its new location on King George Avenue. The article is brave in many ways since Lawrence’s reputation at this time outside Academia was suspect. In the Ilkeston Advertiser of March 14 1930 ‘Tilkestune’ described Lawrence’s works as being the unhealthy fruit of the seeds of Tuberculosis. The ignorance of this statement is further underlined by the comment that there is nothing of the ordinary person’s love of scenery in his writings. Clearly the journalist had not been exposed to much of his literature. At that time the library in Ilkeston did not have one copy of Lawrence’s work on its shelves, despite the fact that some of his greatest friends and family including Jessie Chambers had studied in the building. Today any connection with Lawrence is justifiably marketed and the links with the School and Ilkeston are substantial. As a child he and his friends would speak the Erewash Valley dialect and would view the hilltop site of Ilkeston in the distance. This was later to be described in the novel ‘The Rainbow’. His uncle Walter who lived on Belvoir St. in the town was to embarrass Lawrence when he was arrested in 1900 for the manslaughter of his son. He had thrown a steel at him over an argument at the Sunday afternoon meal table. It penetrated his ear and brain from which injuries he died a few days later. It is no coincidence that Lawrence’s work at Nottingham High School deteriorated at this time. The Pupil Teacher System, which Lawrence was to be a part of, began in 1846 and was not centralised until 1902. George Henry Neville, a friend of Lawrence said that it was always his ambition to be a teacher. In terms of pay and status this would have been a major step into the world of the middle classes. In October 1902, Lawrence began as a pupil teacher in the Boys Section of the Albert Street School in Eastwood under George Holderness. He was only seventeen but it was a time when the family was under some financial pressure including paying for the funeral of his brother Ernest. He made good progress here and was highly regarded. As early as 1870 it had been thought that dedicated facilities
22 Ilkeston Life, April 2017
ulation work. He smiled across at me, and I saw again his uniqueness, how totally different he was from any of the other youths” Louisa Burrows who had been born in Ilkeston also attended the Centre: “A glorious girl, swarthy and ruddy as a pomegranate”. It seems that Lawrence initially met her on the train and she was later to be his fiancée from December 1910 until January 1912. Both she and Jessie, like Lawrence, were to achieve Class1 in their King’s Scholarship examination. This group of fellow students were described by George Henry Neville as the Pagans. Those from Eastwood and Underwood would someD H Lawrence—novelist, poet, times walk back along the canal to playwright, essayist, literary critic save the cost of the tram or train from Ilkeston Station. Clearly there and painter, derided by some, was much study but also the fun were needed to improve the instruc- and laughter when groups of young tion of the students. In March 1904 people socialise and share the same Lawrence was given permission to ambition. Lawrence is quoted as saying that he enjoyed these times attend the Ilkeston Pupil Teacher and wished those days could be Centre set up in January 1899. repeated. Thomas Alfred Beacroft was appointed Headmaster and remained Beacroft identified that Lawrence so until 31st July 1913 when Ilkes- was an exceptional student and perton County Secondary School received his talent particularly as a placed it. Beacroft was only twenty mathematician. During November eight on his appointment and in his 1904, Lawrence was granted three early 30’s when mentoring Lawweeks absence from Albert Street rence. The Headmaster in The so that he could receive tuition and Rainbow is possibly based on his study for his King’s College examicharacter. He was described as a nation. Beacroft on the 25th Februbrusque and dapper little gentleman and strict in manner. Beacroft was greatly admired by his students and Letters overflow achieved great success despite major inadequacies in the condition and facilities of the buildings in which he worked. I can shed some light on the At first Lawrence attended on Tues- “mystery picture” on last month’s day, Thursday and Saturday mornback page. I also have a copy of this ings and Wednesday and Friday photograph, kindly provided by Anafternoons. Holderness was relucdrew Knighton. He believes that the tant to release him from Eastwood event was the 1910 Ilkeston Hospital as it obviously meant greater presSports held at the Manor Ground. The Pioneer reported a crowd of sure at his school. “quite 6,000”. The houses at top The Centre from March 1904 was right are still there on Manners based at Gladstone Street School but after July 1904 it had moved to Road, opposite the Manor Sports and Racquets Club. The billboard the Wilmot Street Schoolroom of behind the spectators reads “Libby’s the Primitive Methodist Church. Starbright” (thanks to John Hall for This delay in attending University deciphering this). As far as I can tell allowed Lawrence to mature and this was a brand of tinned fruit salad. widen his circle of friends. He was The caption to the photo is not quite to take his University Examination right about the Manor Ground. It did much later than the boys of his for- not start life as a cycle track but was mer Nottingham High School who built in 1893 for football and cricket; sat it at the age of sixteen or seven- it was thought too small to include a teen. track. The first football match was The list of friends attending the played on September 9th (Ilkeston Centre albeit at different times, Town beat Matlock 9-0). The cycle includes family, lovers and charactrack was added in 1894 and the ters used in many of his novels and opening event was the Ilkeston Bicycle Club Two Mile Handicap on short stories: Ada Lettice LawWednesday, 9th May, won by S. rence, his sister and Jessie ChamFretwell. bers the Miriam of ‘Sons and Lovers’ for example. I am researching the history of cycling and cycle manufacture in IlJessie wrote: “The two years of my attendance at keston and am always on the lookout for pictures and information. the Pupil Teacher Centre - I was seventeen when I started – stand out Courtesy of Andrew Knighton, I have some other photos of cycle for me as the two most completely events at the Manor Ground in the happy years of my life. Lawrence’s early twentieth century, and I ensister A. and I were in the same close one taken at the 1905 Hospital class. We used to travel together Sports, again showing the start of a and climb the long hill of Bath race. I’d love to talk to anyone who Street side by side. Occasionally can put names to faces on either of Lawrence attended the Centre at the the photos or who has any further same time. I remember seeing him pictures or information about this sitting apart at a table doing matric- largely forgotten chapter in Ilkeston’s sporting history.
ary 1905 sent him to Shire Hall to hear his result. His Headmaster who had tutored him so well was no doubt delighted.. 1905 – David H Lawrence (a Notts boy) – Div.1 of the First Class bracketed top boy of the country. Interestingly below his entry is one for Gilbert Noon who is bracketed as being the top boy of Derbyshire. Lawrence was later to draft a new novel in 1912 – 1913 entitled Mr Noon which follows the life of a young schoolmaster of the same name. The second part of the novel was not discovered until 1972 in the University of Texas Archives. Beacroft wanted Lawrence at the Centre so he could coach him for his London Matriculation which he passed in the summer of 1905. This enabled him to enter day training at Nottingham University College, founded in 1881 and one of only six outside Oxbridge. It seems there was great pressure from Holderness for Lawrence to return to Albert Street and on 1st August he again became a full-time teacher for a year before starting at the University. This was the end of his time in Ilkeston but it had certainly widened his horizons both socially and intellectually.
Roger Mitchell
Nutbrook Petanque Ice Breaker Unfortunately, we did not find that window in the weather this year for a much hoped for dry sunny day. We had no cancellations, which surprised us, as people were travelling from Mansfield, Loughborough, Lincoln, Boston and we also detected an Australian accent! Luckily all the teams arrived togged up ready for the day ahead. We decided to have timed games this year lasting 45 minutes each. This enabled everyone to finish at the same time, to have a break for lunch, and enjoy the lovely welcoming homemade soup and, in some cases, have a change of clothing. All games were played in good spirits, Roger our chair was the umpire for the day. The wooden spooners on the day (last place) were a team from Red Lion at Kegworth and the overall winners a team from Nottingham Petanque. Thanks to all who attended and kept in good spirits throughout the day. Although we play all year round, we are looking forward to the start of the league competitions which, this year, are starting in April running through to September. Along with our annual in house competitions we are hoping for some good friendly but competitive games this year. If you would like to see what we are about, you are welcome to come along and have a go. Our piste (playing ground) is at the side of Nutbrook Cricket Club House, High Lane East. We play every Tuesday and Sunday afternoon 12 – 3 (weather permitting). We can provide boules to play with, and coaching to help you understand the rules of the game. If you would like more information you can contact me on 01159303770. Jenny Thacker
Cycle race picture
Jeff Wynch, West Hallam
Do you have a story for this new book? I am very taken with your new newspaper. My copy came out of the Red Bin at Halfords. The Ilkeston Life heading is very eyecatching and I particularly like the five column format. Following a talk given by Brian Fretwell and myself at Kimberley Library on 18th February 2017 entitled ‘Communities of the Erewash Valley’ we have decided this is to become the title of our 3rd volume of books. The other two books are about different areas. Vol. 3 is already registered, although so far we have only the cover made up. We will include stories from Long Eaton, Ilkeston, Kimberley, Eastwood, Langley Mill, Heanor and the many villages of the Valley. We have some very interesting tales already, but we need a lot more and family pics, though not postcards, as we have to be careful not to break copyright. If anyone—community group / church or youth leader, school teacher/ sportsperson/ business, civic
leader or entertainer would like to put pen to paper and send us 350+ words of a story to inspire our readers we would be delighted to include the item in vol.3. We are not looking for learned dissertations but the more down to earth stories that interest, help and intrigue us all. This is not a money-making exercise, but a labour of love. Brian and I are both pensioners. Brian is a volunteer driver for Age Concern and Volunteer Bureau and a friendvisitor at local care homes. I am a volunteer presenter with Kingsmill Hospital’s Millside Radio. We cannot complete vol. 3 without your help. Please contact Brian Fretwell Tel. 01773 762900, email: bfretwell@eastmidlandsonline .co.uk Or Harry Riley; Tel. 01773 770169 email: harry@harryspen.co.uk Regards
David Page /aka Harry Riley, Eastwood