| Description | Letters to Trustees and Headmaster. These letters were found in bundles numbered 1-62 (not all are present) and they have been kept in this order as they are accompanied by a detailed calendar (LBWd 4849/12)
Many of the bundles relate to specific subjects or periods of time. Others, however, appear to include a random selection of letters. Access to these letters can be gained by reference to the detailed calendar. This calendars each bundle in numerical order and bundles should be ordered by number (eg. LBWd 4849/11. Bundle 12). The symbol "+" appears in the calendar to denote where a letter exists in the collection.
Several of the bundles listed in the catalogue did not consist solely of letters and items have been removed. These have been incorporated where appropriate in the main list.
The majority of the letters are addressed to Major Lewis, the Honorary Secretary of the Trustees/Governors and Charles Richard Lewis, headmaster (1901-1906) and they fall into three broad categories:
From parents
These include letters relating to inability to pay fees; withdrawals of boys and letters relating to absence; complaints about bullying; comments regarding the curriculum, scholarships; requests for references
Bundles nos: 3, 19, 20-23, 38, 42, 53, 56, 58
From headmasters
These include repeated requests for payment of salary; comments relating to the dilapidated condition of school buildings; attendance, fees and funds
Bundle nos: 4, 6, 7-9, 18, 24, 33, 34, 36, 39, 40, 43-55, 58, 61
These also include letters from James Raven regarding his opposition to the "New Scheme" and long running dispute with the trustees over the purchase of his buildings for the new Farnworth School
Bundle nos: 7-9, 24, 26, 30, 40, 54
Letters of application and testimonials
Bundle nos: 3, 5, 13, 26, 59, 61
The covering dates for these letters are 1804-1908, but the majority fall in the period 1880-1905. |