| Administrative History | The Chester Infant School Society was founded in 1825 under the patronage of Charles J. Blomfield, Bishop of Chester, 1824-1828. The society was formed at a meeting held in the Exchange 22 November 1825. The money to build the first infant school was raised by public subscription and it opened in 1826 in the Kale Yards, with Mrs Swindells as mistress. The second school opened in Boughton in October 1827, and a third in Handbridge in August 1828. For a fuller account of the early years of the Chester Infant School Society see J. Hemingway, History of the City of Chester, Vol. II, pp. 221-222.Because of low attendance and lack of funds, the infant school opened in Russell Street was closed in 1890, and the infant school at the Kale Yards in 1891. The Chester Infant Society ceased to meet after this date.
The Chester Musical Society was formed in 1883, with Dr. Joseph C. Bridge (1853-1929), organist of Chester Cathedral, 1877-1925, as conductor. |