Lessons In History

Celebrations will be held this month for a Slaidburn school’s special anniversary.

- Paul Mackenzie

HISTORY is on the timetable for pupils at a school in the Ribble Valley this month and their own school will be the topic. Brennand’s Endowed School in Slaidburn is hosting a series of events to mark its 300th anniversary and everyone is invited to join in the celebrations.

The school was founded when local landowner John Brennand died in May 1717 and left £200 in his will for the building of a new schoolhouse in the village.

‘He stipulated that it had to be built within a year of his death and he also left a yearly allowance of £50 for the master and £30 for the under master,’ said Helen Wallbank of the Slaidburn Archive who is putting together an exhibition of the school’s history to mark the anniversary.

‘Not much is known of John Brennand’s life but it’s thought he was an only child who never married and had no family. He owned land around Slaidburn and he may have amassed his wealth by working as a customs and excise officer.’

Helen, whose husband, father-in-law and two sons all attended the school is now gathering photographs, press cuttings and other materials relating to the school and events that have taken place there over the years. They will be on display in the school at an afternoon tea on May 19 and that weekend when the building will be open to visitors.