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Education & Schools (3)

B.R.  Dolaidh a' Ghiomanaich, Calum Aonghais Fhionnlaigh, Drummond, Joe na Sparaig, Bibidh, Uilleam Iain Mhurdo, Iain Bàn Sheonaidh Bhig, Calum a' Phadaidh, Miss MacKenzie.
M.R.  Dolaidh Crayon, Fearghas, Magaidh Mary Dh. Duibh, Màiri Aonghais Dh. Taillear, Marietta na Geinn, Agnes Coull, Millie Mhurchaidh Iain Oig, Seonag Nàbha, Tormod na Diùc, Twin Shàm.
F.R.   Anna Young, Màiri Sheonaidh Ailein, Seonag Dhudaidh, Anna Mhurchaidh ‘An Mhaoil, Mairead a' Chadaidh, Màiri Ann a' Bhlastair.  (c. 1936).

Reminiscences of Lionel School 
by Calum Thomson, 14 Barony Square, Stornoway

"There was a great sense of excitement and expectancy in the air in the classrooms at Lionel old school as the day of transfer to the new school drew near. Everyone realised that, in going to the new school, a great change would take place.

"The old classrooms had open fires and were often cold; the new school had central heating with radiators in all the rooms, which made them very comfortable. Where the old had poor lighting and no running water, the new had been designed and built with south facing windows, allowing the sun into the classrooms all day long. Also, there were very up-to-date cloakrooms with water on tap at all wash-hand basins. There was also a big gymnasium, a large football field, large playgrounds and a domestic science room for the girls. Beside the gymnasium there was a general science room and adjacent to it was the boiler house which was attended to by the very popular janitor, Roderick Smith from Eoropie.

"On the day of the transfer each class walked single file along with their teacher. We all carried our slates, or books in the case of the senior classes. My teacher was Miss Cumming (Mrs Smith) who lives in Kirkcare Matheson Road. Her late husband, Mr Kenneth Smith, also taught in the school. Mr Roderick Morrison also taught in the senior classes and he married one of the teachers (Miss Maciver).

Mr Donald Mackay was the headmaster but he left, and after a few years his place was taken by Mr John Smith. The other teachers whose names I can remember in the early years were Mr William Maclean, later the Free Presbyterian minister in Ness, Miss Maciver from Uig, Miss Annie Mackenzie from Tolsta, Miss Peggy Murray (Mrs Gillies) from Lionel, Miss Mackenzie from Habost, Miss Johanna Morrison from Cross Skigersta Road, Miss Bella Morrison (Mrs Finlayson) from Cross and Miss Mary MacLeod from Brue.

"The headmaster, Mr Mackay, left after a few years, as I have already stated, but some of us met him again in 1944 when a group of about 12 boys from the Ness flight of the ATC were travelling from Lewis to Dalcross near Inverness for a summer camp. Mr Mackay met the train at Dingwall Station where he warmly shook hands with everyone of the Ness contingent. We were accompanied by Mr Smith, the headmaster, who was in charge of the ATC flight in Ness. He was also a good headmaster and it was through his efforts that I became interested in navigation.

"To return to Mr Mackay's time, I remember one day just before they left Ness, I was on my way to school on the bike when, as I approached the schoolhouse, I realised that I was going too fast and out of control. Mrs Mackay was leaning out of an upstairs window and saw my plight. She immediately shouted "Left hand break". I did as she had instructed and I was saved from a serious accident.

"When the Lionel School was opened in 1937 it was way ahead of its time as it was well equipped and provided all the facilities available and required in that day. A school can be as good as the finished product and it was to be severely tested before many years had passed. By 1937 the black clouds of war were already looming over Europe. At that time the boys and girls who were in class 6 and 7 would have been aged 14 or 15 years. In a short time of about three years, many of them would have been called up for active service to defend their country. This they bravely did and some suffered hardship throughout. During the six years of hostilities they were tested and proved in warfare; which clearly showed their gallantry in the face of the enemy and also the diligence and mettle of those who worked in the supporting services. This revealed the influence of their upbringing in their total contribution throughout.

"It was providential that the school was built when it was, for two years later war was declared and building materials became very scarce. The building programme would have been delayed until at least 1946. At that time building materials were of poor quality and very costly. The end result would have been an inferior building today which would cost vast sums of money for repairs as has been the situation with many post-war schools. Instead, there is an excellent school in Lionel today with a solid main building which has withstood the test of time and the severest of northerly gales during the sixty years of its existence."

EXTRACTS FROM LIONEL SCHOOL LOG BOOKS

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