The Village Hall

Benjamin Challis

Baptised in 1808, Benjamin was the son of Benjamin and Mary Challis. The 1851 census show Benjamin Challis, residing at Ten Mile Bank, aged 43 with the occupation of Schoolmaster. His wife Eleanor was schoolmistress. There is no evidence that this was St Marks school or exactly where the school was located. By 1861 Benjamin has moved to Bridge Street Downham Market, still a schoolmaster but now aged 53 he is listed as widowed.

1876 Purchased and enlarged by the Feoffee Charity

It appears that the premises were purchased by the Feoffee Charity under the authority of an order of the Charity Commissioners dated 3rd December 1875. The building was purchased and enlarged in 1876.

1881

A sale of work consiting of useful and fancy articles was held in the National School-room on Friday and Saturday last. Peoples Weekly Journal, November 5, 1881

1883

Kelly's directory states John Paterson Armfield is master with Mrs. Jane Pryor as mistress. White's directory of the same year indicates there were 150 children in attendance.

1891 Census

The 1891 census shows John P. Armfield (Schoolmaster) residing on Station road with his wife Lucy (Schoolmistress) and their two children Nelly and Allethea. Unfortunately John appears to have died later in the year on 19th October. His burial memorial states he was the faithful and efficient master of St Marks for 16 years.

Jane Pryer (National Schoolmistress) aged 43 is living on Ten Mile Bank as a widow. She is living with Jane Smith, aged 84, also a widow, who is most likely her mother. They appear to live close to the Engine house. This is quite possibly Hawthorn house, because that is where William & Jane Smith lived, but William died in 1872.

1896

Kelly's directory of 1896 sates the school was further enlarged in 1895 for 180 children, with average attendance of 113. Henry Edward Elderkin is master, Mrs Ada Elderkin, mistress and Mrs Jane Pryor infants' mistress.

1906

On Wednesday 10th October 1906, a largely attended meeting was held at the Town Hall in Downham Market to protest the education bill. The audience numbered over 500 mostly churchmen. Mr H. E. Elderkin of Ten Mile Bank spoke against the bill from a Teachers' standpoint.

1908

Kelly's directory of 1908 states an average attendance of 123. Henry Edward Elderkin is still master.

1911 Tenancy terminated

The building was leased to the then Rector of Hilgay on an annual tenancy for the purpose of an elementary school. A letter from the Rev J. H. Maude indicates this tenancy at the time being £22-10-0 / annum terminated in 1911.

Gertrude Fearn is listed in the 1911 census as a school teacher. She appears to be residing in a boarding house, kept by Mrs Susannah Porter, close to Stevens shop.

1912 Local Education Authority takes over

In 1912 the Local Education Authority took over the school. They rented the premises from the Hilgay Feoffees on a temporary measure until the completion of the current premises in 1914, which were freehold property of the Authority.