This article was published in the 1872-1972 booklet published by the school. In 1954 when I came to Hambleton the school was small in numbers with 30 children divided into 2 classes. The boys and girls were shy at first but gradually a more relaxed atmosphere developed and we became a friendly family school – with room to spread for activities and space for wet wellingtons, indoor shoes and individual towels. The building inside was dull – all green and brown paint and the lighting was inadequate – but extra lights and light-coloured paint soon made it a pleasanter place. The cloakrooms had old fashioned Wash basins which must have been there since 1872. There was no hot water on tap, indeed the only source of hot water was an antiquated boiler in the kitchen. The toilet situation was grim but gradually the pressure exerted on the powers-that-be by the School Managers bore fruit and the day came when we saw flush sanitation installed – progress indeed!! There is still a horrid old movable partition dividing the hall into 2 parts. One day one of the sections of this groaning creaking object jumped the track and went over sideways, fortunately few children were around so no-one was hurt but even now I shudder to think what might have happened. Another day we discovered the floor-boards in one corner were sinking. Workmen arrived and discovered dry-rot, wet-rot and woodworm – a new section of floor was laid. Lessons went on but not until every child had peered down the smelly hole. Sometimes one of the stoves gave off awful fumes – throats tickled and eyes cried and we would go outside or crowd into the Infant room while the caretaker and workmen dealt with the recalcitrant object. One lunch-time was terribly exciting – the school was enveloped in smoke. The warehouse behind the school was on fire – several fire engines arrived and the Fire Chief asked if the men could have a meal, imagine a village school suddenly having to find food for all those hungry men, but we coped!! For days there were firemen’s hoses across the school yard. They proved a valuable adjunct to play time activities – almost as good as running up the pile of coke which always seemed to decorate the school yard. All this time the school was growing and we had another full-time teacher, and one part-time, and a clerical assistant who coped ably with all the routine correspondence. The Chapel Schoolroom had been acquired for drama and music – the children enjoyed the walk up Chapel Street if the staff did not. Soon we had to stop making and tossing pancakes on Pancake Day because of the crowded conditions but we continued to make Bonfire Toffee on Guy Fawkes Day and we had a firework display. Sports days in fields lent by friendly farmers, Harvest Festival and Ascension Day Services conducted by the children themselves, Christmas Concerts in a school gay with decorations and glittering Christmas Tree always given by a parent, Christmas parties arranged by the kindly dinner ladies, Queen Day when the school was packed to capacity by parents, friends and old boys and girls are all days that have nostalgic memories for me. I often wish I had kept a book of children’s sayings – such as the five-year-old who solemnly said to one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors who had suggested he would have lots of creamy milk from his father’s cows “Oh no, you see all our cows are bullocks”. Another child who had difficulty with the letter ‘h’ on being asked what a steeple was replied “It’s where you change gear”. New puppies, new kittens, pet lambs and newly acquired ponies were always brought for inspection and admiration – and a slide of one child leading his father’s prize bull, to be shown on the school projector. A village school is a truly happy place. I enjoyed my years there - the friendship and enthusiasm of the children, the joy of running the school, the kindness and co-operation of the parents and the pleasure of taking part in village life. I sincerely hope your new school with all its amenities will be as happy as this old one has been. E. Hall.