SIBFORD BY GAS AND CANDLE LIGHT — MEMORIES OF 1922
Nowadays it is difficult to imagine what lighting was like in 1922. We now take modern lighting for granted.
When I first went to Sibford in 1922, the main school buildings were lit by gas; the school had its own gas plant. The lighting was probably very poor, but we managed as long as the two boys whose duty it was to maintain the gas supply did their work properly. Maintaining the gas supply was very important and therefore only entrusted to reliable senior boys.
The gas plant was powered by heavy weights, which had to be wound up above the building housing the plant every day without fail. Sometimes the boys forgot, causing pandemonium, usually during evening prep. The lights would begin to flicker and then go out completely. The great concern was that every gas jet which had been alight must be turned off before the plant could be started up again — only then was it safe for the weights to be wound up. As far as I know the boys were never punished for their lapse!
Until the new buildings were erected on the Hill, some 22 boys slept in 'Paradise', a thatched house opposite the blacksmiths, which had previously been used in part as a butcher's shop. There were no toilet facilities other than chamber pots, and water in enamel basins in the stone-floored wash-room; the water was drawn from a well by the back door. Paradise was lit by candles. Each evening we would assemble at the foot of the boys' stairs and be escorted up the road by a senior boy carrying a candle-lit lantern.
Twenty-two boys sleeping in a thatched house lit by candles was sufficient of a fire hazard, but it was compounded by the fact that the attic had no ceiling other than the bare thatch — sitting up in bed one could touch the straw. I do not expect parents were ever shown where their offspring spent their nights.
The night sounds were magical. An owl would hoot, another would screech. Then the faint sound of a motorbike would start up in the village, increasing as it came up the hill and disappearing into the valleys beyond. Soon the clip clop of a horse and the rumble of cart wheels would announce the carrier from Banbury approaching, his flickering candle-lit lamps lighting up the ceiling of our room as he stopped to unload packages for the blacksmith and the village shop.
Bedtimes in 'Paradise' will never be forgotten.
"Some of my happiest memories remain at Sibford. I believe anyone who has been fortunate enough to pass through the corridors of Sibford will agree that it gave us all a good,wholesome preparation for life ahead. I was in Nansen Girls and names that I fondly remember are Gay Watts (have never forgotten the half term I spent at her farm in South Wales),Imogen Margrie, Sally Warwick, Elizabeth Bains, Cherry Pedlar, Helen Painter - and the list goes on. These were the girls that I lived night and day with; we shared our secrets, complaints, and many a joke, apart from our numerous midnight feasts. Would love to hear from any of them. I was the 'goalie' for the Sibford hockey team, unfortunately the kneepads were taller than me and I became adept at letting the goals in. It didn't matter though, just a day out with the team was worthwhile! !! However, I will boast better success in the music arena. As far as I know, I was the first female trumpeter to hit Sibford. And I wasn't bad at it either. If my memory serves me correctly I was the Music Captain in my final term and Nansen won the music 'eisteddfod'. Mr Greaves always gave me so much praise and encouragement in this area. I shall cherish my fond memories of him. Also have great memories taking part in musicals such as 'Oklahoma'and 'Zigger Zagger'. Well, a lot of water has passed under the bridge for all of us. My husband (who is Greek) and I met while he was studying in London; we married in January of'85, we then settled in Athens. We now have two children, a boy and a girl aged 17 and 13 years old. I teach English as a foreign language,and I still believe Geoff Higgins was a very big factor in my career. He was a wonderful teacher!!!! So, any of you Old Scholars who may be visiting Athens. It would be a delight to see any of you!!"