Beatings Book, a ‘chilling insight’ into past
The discovery of a grammar school’s
punishment book which recorded incidents of corporal punishment was described
as ‘a chilling insight into the past.’
It was from William Hulme’s Grammar School
in Manchester, England, and detailed canings between 1913-1927.
The Manchester
Evening News reported in 2012, the ‘beatings
book’ – listing the names of hundreds of youngsters thrashed for poor behaviour
– recorded canings dished out between
1913-1927 for rule-breaking – with reasons given including ‘catapults’, ‘smoking’,
and ‘trying to be funny’.
It was among hundreds of books, documents,
and photographs discovered on shelves and cupboards during a clear-out of the
Whalley Range site.
Matthew Hargreaves, from the Old Hulmeians
Association, said: ‘The beating book is an insight into a different time.
Looking at why people got the cane, there’s not a lot of things that I didn’t
do when I was at school. I think the pupils today can see how lucky they are.’
Picture credit: Unknown
Traditionalschooldiscipline@gmail.com
Such a shame there is no real detail.
ReplyDeleteBut even this much detail is relevant. And fascinating. Some kids caned for smoking. When the health dangers of smoking were not known at the time. Some kids caned for "catapults", when campaigners today just now started demanding catapults be banned for under 18s. Don't you remember a catapult being regular equipment in the Beano?
DeleteAnd some kids caned for "trying to be funny". Seems harsh!
More detail would be very interesting…
ReplyDelete