Circa 1937

Just taking a coffee break and thought this might make a very suitable blip. Ploughing on with the school history - the school has been in three different buildings and this is the one built in 1937. It's now in a very sad and pitiful state, smashed and boarded up windows, rising damp, bottles and rude graffiti and I was unhappy with using any photos as it looks so wretched. So, himself thought he would draw it!! Last week he was to be seen perched inside the boot of his car (it was drizzling) sketching away, to the vast interest of the children - what was that man doing? What you have a husband? Anyway , as you can see he is a man of many and extraordinary talents and he has done a magnificent job.
This is what was said about it on its opening:
The children and their teachers have taken possession of their new school; the first of its kind built in the new Free State from a new improved plan. The building serves its purpose admirably. It has modern lighting, sanitation and an abundant supply of water. Two play sheds have been erected for the convenience of the children. Total cost £1600.

When I arrived there in 2003 it was pretty primitive - a limited supply of cold, undrinkable water, a teeny kitchen crammed in next to the children's loos which also served as a special needs teaching space, a minute office in a little space next to the teacher's loo and black mould steadily rising up all the walls. It was impossible to display anything on the walls as nothing would stick due to the damp and condensation. In the mornings the carpets would be criss crossed with millions of slug and snail tracks. The building was officially condemned in 1996 but we carried on for another 10 years until our new, bright and beautiful warm school was built.
The text may be a bit dodgy in the history but the illustrations will be fantastic.
Oh, and Happy St George's Day!