Additional Appendix G

CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO THE 400^TH. ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF THOMAS RUSSELL

1. A letter from me informing the Parish Council of the forthcoming event.

10^th.February, 1992.

Dear Mrs.Ackroyd,

May I bring to the notice of the Parish Council the fact that next year, 1993, is the 400^th. anniversary of the death of Thomas Russell. He died on the 23^rd. July, 1593.

It was in his will, dated 7^th. July, 1593, that he made provision for the building of the first school in Barton. He left it to the Vicar ( Rector ) of Tatenhill to construct the building, completed in 1595, but the maintenance of the building and the appointment of the Master were the responsibility of the Drapers’ Company in London, which carried out the wishes expressed by Thomas Russell’s will until comparatively recently.

I was wondering whether the Parish Council would like to mark this event in some way, and I would like to suggest the possibility of a plaque placed somewhere near the Infant School.

Furthermore, if the idea of a plaque was thought worth pursuing, it might be a good thing to approach the Drapers’ Company, in view of their long association with the school, to see if they would provide one bearing the Drapers’ coat of arms. Apparently the original school had these arms carved in stone. There would certainly be no harm in asking. If the Parish Council wishes, I am quite prepared to draft a letter to the Drapers’ Company which could be sent on Parish Council notepaper.

Yours sincerely,

G.E.Carey.

2. A draft of a letter to the Drapers’ Company ( for parish council use ) written by me in response to a request from the Chairman of the Parish Council.

The Clerk,

The Drapers’ Company.

Drapers Hall,

London, EC2N 2DQ.

Dear Sir,

Thomas Russell, Draper and Barton under Needwood School

The village was very fortunate when, on the 7^th.July, 1593, Thomas Russell, Draper, made a will providing for the building, and maintenance, of a school in Barton under Needwood “ sufficient for teaching three score and tenne scholars “. When he died on the 23^rd.July, 1593, his wishes were carried out and the school was completed in 1595. The Drapers’ Company were responsible for the administration of the school and the Company’s coat of arms was carved, initially in alabaster, and later in more durable stone. Unfortunately, the original school building was replaced by the present building, now the Thomas Russell Infant School, in 1885.

To remember the 400^th. anniversary of Thomas Russell’s death in July, 1993, and to mark the long connection between his school and the Draper’s Company, the Parish Council wondered whether the Drapers’ Company would be kind enough to consider giving a commemorative plaque to the village, suitably inscribed, and bearing the Drapers’ Coat of Arms. In that event we would consider it a great honour if a representative of the Drapers’ Company could be present to unveil the plaque. We feel that it is very important for the village to remember its long association with the Drapers’ Company and the City of London, as well as our benefactor, Thomas Russell.

SUGGESTION FOR THE WORDING OF THE PLAQUE

THIS PLAQUE WAS PRESENTED BY THE DRAPERS’ COMPANY
OF THE CITY OF LONDON TO THE VILLAGE OF BARTON UNDER
NEEDWOOD TO COMMEMORATE THE 400^TH. ANNIVERSARY OF
THE DEATH OF THOMAS RUSSELL, DRAPER, AND FOUNDER OF
BARTON FREE SCHOOL.

23^rd. July, 1993.

3. The following letter was actually sent to the Drapers’ Company by the Parish Council on council notepaper.

The Master and Wardens of the Worshipful

Company of Drapers,

Drapers’ Hall,

Throgmorton Street,

London,

EC2N 2DQ.

24^th.March, 1992.

Dear Sirs,

THOMAS RUSSELL, DRAPER AND BARTON UNDER NEEDWOOD SCHOOL

The village was very fortunate when Thomas Russell, Draper, made a will on the 7^th.July, 1593. His will provided for the building, and maintenance, of a school in Barton under Needwood “ sufficient for teaching three score and tenne scholars “. After his death on the 23^rd.July, 1593, his wishes were carried out by the Vicar ( Rector ) of Tatenhill and the school was completed in 1595. The Drapers’ Company were responsible for the administration of the school. The building was adorned with the Company’s coat of arms, carved initially in alabaster and later in more durable stone. The original school was, unfortunately, replaced in 1885 by the present building, now the Thomas Russell Infant School.

We feel that it is very important for the village to remember its long association with the Drapers’ Company and the City of London, as well as our benefactor, Thomas Russell.

The Parish Council and School wish to mark the 400^th. anniversary of Thomas Russell’s death in July 1993, and to acknowledge the long connection between his school and the Drapers’ Company. We wondered whether the Drapers’ Company would be kind enough to consider bestowing a commemorative plaque to the village, suitably inscribed, and bearing the Drapers’ coat of arms. In that event, we would consider it a great honour if a representative of the Drapers’ Company could be present to unveil the plaque.

If we may be so bold, we would suggest that the plaque be worded as follows :-

( COAT )

( OF )

( ARMS )

THIS PLAQUE WAS PRESENTED BY

THE DRAPERS’ COMPANY OF THE CITY OF LONDON

TO THE VILLAGE OF BARTON UNDER NEEDWOOD

TO COMMEMORATE THE 400^TH. ANNIVERSARY

OF THE DEATH OF THOMAS RUSSELL, DRAPER,

AND FOUNDER OF BARTON FREE SCHOOL

23^RD. JULY, 1993

Yours faithfully,

S.M.Ackroyd