Holditch Manor School was built by Jane Evans of Forde Abbey Estate for children
of the estate workers in 1874 (see photo of plaque below). Before it was a school
it is shown on maps as 'Milking Barton'. It was converted from school to private
house in 1947 because pupil numbers were falling. Most of the pupils moved to Thorncombe
School. The first homeowner ran it as a smallholding.
Some years ago, the present owners of the former school in Holditch, put together
a fascinating exhibition in the one-time schoolroom and cloakroom of the school.
Among the many artefacts and exhibits were these photographs, kindly shared with
the TVT, and a letter from a former pupil, Donald Hutchings, (now in Stoke-on-Trent),
which recalls vividly his early days at the school during the war.
You can read it here
Audio memories of former pupils Click on the radio to download
these audio memories:
Holditch School 1928
From left to right:
Back row
Walter Denning, Samuel Bartlett, Ted Strudwick, Jack Hardy, John Welch
Middle row
Cecelia Hardy, Peggy Carslake, Muriel Bartlett, Jessie Hoskins, Nellie Cox, Nellie
Loud, Stella Hoskins.
Front row
Fred Giles, Bill Carslake, Barbara Forsey, Mary Forsey, Evelyn Phippen, Norman Strudwick
Above left: : Boys’ cloakroom and teacher’s cottage
Above: Girls’ cloakroom and entrance
Left:: School as converted in 1947
