The Knightwick & Doddenham, C.E. School, 1888, Black Box. [Many thanks to Adrian and Karin Dunn]

This box is kept safe for posperity, by the owners of Knightwick School, Adrian and Karin Dunn, who kindly invited me to look through the records and to take photos, 27-09-2022.

When I visited I was in the company of a long time friend Geraldine [Chaplain] Cooper, and also Jane Nugent, the niece of Miss Heath. They both went to school at Knightwick, and also knew my sister Josephine Holland, and brother Graham Holland, who were there at the same time.

Jane started school at Knightwick, 7th October 1946, and left to go to St. Mary's Convent, Worcester, 13th April, 1949.
Geraldine started school at Knightwick, 25th June, 1945, and left to go to Chritopher Whitehead Secondary Modern, Worcester, 24th July, 1952.

Jane had given Geraldine the Bible that had been given to her aunty Miss Heath [Mabel Frances Heath was born on the 22nd September, 1889 in Kempsey, Worcestershire to Thomas and Mary Heath] to take to Knightwick School.

Jane now lives in Australia, but was now visiting, and it was a good time to also be at Knightwick, and to see where her aunty's Bible would now be kept, and looked after.

Mabel Heath and her sister Alice Heath were both teachers, and both of them were living at the the school house in the 1939 Register. Miss Heath was Headmistress at Knightwick School from 1923 until 1950, 27 years.

1901 Mabel F. Heath
1911 Mabel F. Heath

Doddenham Polling 1925
Registration 1939

On the 12th May 1937, Miss Heath was presented with a Bible, by Etta Cuming, the inside cover says:

"Miss Heath, with love, & gratitude for much, from Etta Cuming. Psalm 119 v. v. 18 105-106"

From Psalm 119
18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.

On the 27th September, 2022, Jane and Geraldine handed the Bible to Adrian and Karin Dunn, for safe keeping in the Knightwick & Doddenham, C.E. School, 1888, Black Box.

Etta Cuming's full name was Henrietta Florence Cuming, and she was married to Admiral Robert Stevenson Dalton Cuming, C.B.E, D.S.O.; and they both lived at the Turnpike House, Knightwick. The admiral changed his name from Cumming with two m's to Cuming by deed poll, in 1913.

Jane Mary Nugent and Mollie Perkins. Mollie was the infant teacher at Knightwick School, when Jane's aunty Miss Heath was Headmistress.

 ©peh