1971 Lacey Green School New Hall Dedication

click Lacey Green School for the history of this school

click Lacey Green School Reunion 2000 for pupils' questionnaire reports

The Church of England has been actively engaged in assisting in the education of children since 1871, and on Wednesday, 100 years later, the Church, represented by the Bishop of Buckingham, the Rt. Rev. Christopher Pepys, took part in the dedication of a new school hall and classroom.

The extension built by Wright's Ltd of Great Missenden, at a cost in the region of £32,000, has an area of 16,000 square feet, including a magnificent kitchen unit containing the most modern cooking facilities, where up to 160 meals a day are prepared.

The extension s are part of the school's conversion from Lacey Green Church of England Primary School to a combined school., taking pupils from five to 12 years.

The Bishop referred to this after dedicating the new building. He said: "Every time I come here you always seem to be having fun. It seems to be a happy school and I think this is due in part to having a happy staff".

"In the very near future this school is going to grow and some of you will be able to stay on until you are 12. We are going to be a junior and middle-school. This lovely hall and extra classroom will help to make a wonderful junior and middle-school. So go on being happy and please ask me to come again and join in your happiness"

Church active since 1871

The man guests and parents were welcomed by the headmaster, Mr. D. Anthony. He said the church had been active since 1871 in the education of children in Lacey Green. "We have a long tradition of the church here in education, but we must never fall into the error of making the school bigger just for tradition."

"We know that the Diocese of Oxford, and especially in Bucks, we people with church schools have something to offer. It is for this reason and not just for tradition that we look to the future." he said.

Maxine Luxford, aged 11, then presented, on behalf of the pupils, a book to Mrs Margaret Bateman, a former school manager, who has helped the school considerably in the past. Mrs. Bateman now lives in Sussex.

This was followed by some exceptionally good singing by pupils and a well applauded rendition of Ronald Binge's "Elizabethan Serenade" by five young ladies on their recorders.

Delightful Singing

The school choir, under Mr. Anthony's guidance delighted the large audience with two more songs. The Lesson was read by Clare Parkes, another 11 year old, followed by a prayer and hymns.

After the proceedings, guests were entertained to tea and parents were able to take a conducted tour of the new building.

Before the dedication visitors and the children were addressed by the Rev. B. F. Houghton, Vicar of Lacey Green, who read a telegram from Mr. John Hall, M. P. for Wycombe Division, regretting his absence and wishing the school every success.

Among the many guests were Councillor Miss E H C Couper, chairman of Wycombe Rural District Council, and Councillor Harry Church, the immediate past chairman.

The Wycombe Divisional Education executive was represented by its vice-chairman, Councillor Mrs. Billie Holliday. There were heads from several schools and other local clergy, including the Rev. W. Hugh Jones, Rector of Princes Risborough, and the Rev. L. Swingler, diocesan secretary for education. Among other members of Wycombe Rural Council was Councillor Mrs. Doris Richardson, representing Bucks County Council.