History of Whitcliffe Mount
AS WHITCLIFFE Mount School celebrates its centenary year we've carried several stories about its past in these columns – most featuring pupils from bygone years.
However this week we have two photographs showing the headteacher with the kitchen and caretaking staff – all of whom provided a vital role in helping the smooth running of the school, not to mention satisfying the pupils' hunger pangs come lunchtime.
The pictures have been kindly loaned to us by Margaret Drake (nee Blackburn).
Her mother Elizabeth – known as Cissie – was a member of the kitchen staff and is third on the left of the back row in the earliest picture, and on the far right of the back row on the later picture.
Cissie worked at the school for more than 40 years, having gone there when Margaret started Heaton Avenue School in 1944.
"She worked 'til she was 68, past retirement age," said Margaret.
"She loved her work. In those days it was the traditional meat and two vegetables meals. Originally the kitchen was at the side of the school, later moving into the main building.
"She was well known for throwing dishcloths at the pupils if they were misbehaving – she'd wipe their faces with a wet cloth – but she compensated for it by buying them dishcloths when they got married later.
"My mother was a really good cook and she'd cook every day for us at home as well.
"My dad, Sam Blackburn, was a chauffeur for Mr and
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Weather for Cleckheaton
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -6 C to 2 C
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