Old Pennar School - Demolition of the Shell is Underway.

Today will probably be your last chance to see Old Pennar School against the skyline.

The contractors for the development of the Old Pennar School site - WB Griffiths - told me that they would let me know when demolition of the school was about to begin.

I was kindly contacted by the site manager yesterday who, true to their word, said that the roof would be holed first (today?) to allow any bats still in residence to find alternative accommodation overnight, and then the demolition of the walls would take place on Friday.

I have tried to contact the demolition sub-contractors to glean some information about their plans for the stonework but, as of 1130 am today, I have had no reply.

The date stone from the north gable of the newer part of the school is to be preserved, and apparently arrangements have been made for this to be installed across the road at Pennar Hall. It would be good if some of the other building stone could be re-used within the community   ......I could make use of some at a restoration project in Bufferland if things go according to plan! I need to rebuild a privy at the bottom of a garden! Some of the larger limestone blocks would make good, vandal proof seating, for example, or could reinstate local garden walls in PD.

If anyone is able to take photographs or video of the demolition that would be good and would supplement any that I take.

Equally any "on the spot" live updates would be well received too!

Some photographs of the gutted interior are below:

I was taught, in the far end of this partitioned space, by Miss Lewis. This is the eastern extension to the original school.

This is the rear of what I remember as Mr Martin's classroom. The removal of the wainscot from the walls reveals the rendering on what was the original eastern gable of c1870s school.

The suspended floor, with sleeper walls in the room next to Mr Martin's classroom. This is the older part of the school and you had to step down into Mr Martin's room. Signs of rot in the floorboards.

The Older part of the school where there was one(?) classroom and the head's office (Mr Harries). I was taught for a short while in the middle room by a Mrs Harris(???). I was traumatised by not being able to read the word "Canary" - kept saying "cannery". Also watched the launch of the QE2 on a black and white TV here.

Again, a view along the Old part of the school. What a fabulous space. To build this now would be massively expensive! Notice the folding partitions ready for "disposal" against the north wall of the building. A light and airy space. Sad!

The western, original part of the building. I was taught in one of the rooms at this end by Mr Price, for a very short while, , who had been a Spitfire pilot - or so it was said. The stove in front of the original fireplace kept the place warm. Latterly, this end of the building was used by a boxing club and as a council store-cum-garage

One of the original, but blocked, fireplaces.

Rubble wall revealed behind the wainscot in Mr Martin's room.

Mr Martin's room again. A limestone corbel supporting one of the roof trusses. Below this an enigmatic "device" - gas light fitting????

A close up of the sleeper walls and timbers for the floor in the old part of the school.  Also, in the past, a place to lose some junk!

Many thanks to WB Griffiths for kindly arranging for the opportunity for me to take these photographs.

The contractors for the demolition are:

http://www.jbandsoncivilengineering.com/