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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Gloucestershire => Topic started by: Daveys History on Wednesday 27 June 12 10:56 BST (UK)
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Does anyone know anything about (or can direct me to sources of information regarding)
Pengwern College, Cheltenham - Young Ladies Academy ?
Can't find any reference that it existed.
Circa 1925 - 1930 I am looking to browse lists of pupils (if they exist) particularly
for an Annie or Catherine Gill.
Thanks in anticipation.
David Roberts.
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Hi David,
Glos Archives have a record of Pengwern College & Sunnyside, Cheltenham: conversion into old peoples homes. Contract 8 September 1938 with A.C.Billings & Sons Ltd.
Cheltenham Local Studies Centre have a publication by Roger Beacham, "Cheltenham through time", published in 2011, which may hold some clues.
Victor
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Hi Victor, thanks for that, no wonder I had problems finding it !
My hope was that it (and any records) might have been more recently
"absorbed" by the present Cheltenham Girls Academy but I guess it was
a small and "exclusive" school, probably sold off due to lack of funds.
I'll get in touch with Glos archives though, at least I know where to
look !
Many thanks again.
Dave.
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Guess what?
The first page of 'Cheltenhan Through Time' relates to Pengwern College.
There is a photo of the college and one showing a more recent view.
The text states that the college was built for Mrs. Adelaide Pearson in 1901 in Pittville Circus Road. and was later expanded to incorporate the house next door - 'Sunnyside'. By WW2 it had become a maternity hospital and the actor Martin Jarvis was born there in 1941. After this it became a home for the elderley. Recently it was separated from Sunnyside and was used as a children's home.
From googling 'Pengwern' it still appears to be a children's home and there is a picture:
http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Car-crashes-inevitable-outside-new-nursery/story-15522743-detail/story.html
Hope this helps,
Tofgem
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It is listed on page 109 of Kelly's Directory for 1927 under Adelaide Pearson.
Tofgem
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You could always try posting a message:
http://www.cheltenham4u.co.uk/community/familyhistory_messages.asp#msg215
Tofgem
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Hi David,
I am also looking for a pupil list for Pengwern Ladies College, I think the only thing left to do is to phone Gloucester Council and enquire. If I have any luck I will let you know.
Edith May
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tofgem - Great !! Thank you very much for that.
I've ordered the book !!! and, found the college on the
1911 census (Pittville Circus Road - Reginald Pearson principal with a pupil
list for April 2nd).
Fired off an e mail to Glos Archives requesting whether they picked up
the "registers" on closure in 1938 - waiting for a reply.
Many thanks again for your time and assistance.
Edith May - Yes thanks, let me know if you get a positive response.
I am particularly looking for the pupil list for mid 1927, girls with
christian name of Catherine or Annie.
Regards Dave Roberts.
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Hi David,
Many thanks your contact, I am looking for names Annie Nestor, Amy Nestor, Norah Large. Early to late 1920's- I think.
I will also order the book mentioned by other contacts. There was a postcard of the school on the internet last year, it had the name Pengwern College, Cheltenham. but went very quickly, the building is the same(with additions) which is in use now.
Will advise if any more information comes to hand.
Regards,
Edith May
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Hi Edith May.
I've had a reply from Glos Archives but sadly not of much use.
They only seem to have records relating to the conversion of the buildings
(from 1938) ie. details of the building contract awarded - nothing on
the history of the premises as a college.
They say that in 1938 they as such didn't actually exist so, would not have been the
recipient of any donated documentation of the institution at that time.
I've tried looking "locally" at the Cheltenham Family History site but can't see any
evidence there either, of the type of paperwork we are looking for.
On the 1911 census, Mary Pearson aged 46 and husband Reginald aged 39
are shown as married 11 years with no children so, the absence of any family
of their own would explain why the business wasn't "handed down" - but
ceased (circa 1938). Consequently therefore, there may not have been anyone
to even "accidentally keep" the books, let alone appreciate them.
Sadly back then, there was little tendency to value this type of documention -
within my own family, similar records in respect of a closed business have not
survived - not thought of as worth keeping and most likely incinerated !!
Can't think of any other avenues to follow but, I'll keep this post open in
case anyone out there can enlarge further.
Regards
David
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Hi David.
Thanks very much for your information. I have phoned Gloucester Library and was referred to their archive department, which I in turn also phoned. They referred me to the web site, which I had already explored some months ago. However, the lady on the end of the phone suggested sending an e mail to their 'help' line. I have done this and requested if they have any suggestions of what to do next. Maybe they will advise something other than that which I have already tried.
I down loaded the full details of the 1911 census and found it quite interesting, even these details confirmed what I had been advised about the school. Have you sighted the videos of girls skipping and girls deportment lessons, both available on googling Pengwern College.
It is quite important to me to locate the pupil list so I will keep trying. Will contact you if I have any success.
Many thanks,
Edith May
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My great uncle, William Cordwell was a described as a gardener at the College in the 1921 census.