Alfred Street School

Presentation to the Dunkley Brothers

An Interesting Presentation was made at the Alfred-street schools on Tuesday to signalize the record attendance of two scholars—William Thomas Dunkley and Henry Arthur Dunkley (brothers) of Victoria-road. During the last eight years these boys have made an absolutely perfect attendance, a record which is probably unique in Rushden, if not in the whole country. The managers of the Council Schools at Rushden, who were not unmindful of this magnificent record, resolved that they would reward the two scholars, apart from what the County Committee might do, and they generously subscribed among themselves and purchased two standard works on horticulture, the books being selected by the boys themselves. It was to present these books that the school was assembled, and that the Managers attended to make the ceremony complete. Mr. J. T. Colson presided, supported by Mr. John Claridge, Mr. E. Freeman, Mr. B. Vorley, and Mr. W. Chettle. The assembled scholars rendered a sequence of song, after which Mr. Colson explained the circumstances under which they were met together. He spoke of the great effort which must have been made, not only by the boys themselves, but also by their parents, in order to ensure this excellent result, and he complimented the boys on the choice of books they had made. Mr. Claridge also spoke, and then presented a book to each of the two lads, heartily congratulating them on their achievement. Mr. Vorley, Mr. Freeman, and Mr. Chettle also spoke, urging the whole of the children to further efforts in the cause of education. The singing of the national anthems of the Allies completed a very enjoyable function.