Higdon Timeline
1864
Anne Catherine Schollick born
Anne Catherine Schollick born, in Poulton-cum-Seacombe, Chesire
1869
Thomas Higdon born
Thomas A1:D70 Higdon born, in the parish of East Pennard, Somerset
1896
Tom and Annie are married
Tom and Annie are married in the Holy Trinity Church, Clifton, Gloucester
1901
Tom highly praised
Tom is highly praised in a testimonial written by the the Rector of St James’s Piccadilly on behalf of the school managers
1902
Wood Dalling County School
Commencement of teaching positions at Wood Dalling County School, Norfolk
Inadequate staffing levels at Wood Dalling
The school inspector report refers to inadequate staffing levels at Wood Dalling, just as Annie had already raised.
Tom ends up assaulting local farmer
Tom ends up assaulting local farmer, Mr Gamble for repeating taking children out of school to do farm work
Reports of Tom’s assault
The Norwich Mercury reports of Tom’s assault case.
1904
Higdons and managers are barely on speaking terms
The Clerk of Wood Dalling School Managers writes to the Norfolk Education Committee (E.C) to inform them that the Higdons and managers are barely on speaking terms, and that in both cases a change would be desireable
Tom Higdon had sent in his resignation
The school manager minutes record that Tom Higdon had sent in his resignation to the Education Committee (Tom had wanted to become the Attendance Officer of the Flegg District
Mr Gamble & Mr A. Williams
Mr Gamble & Mr A. Williams (another farmer) become managers of Wood Dalling school.
Tom had withdrawn his resignation
The next meeting of the managers notes that Tom had withdrawn his resignation as second teacher
1907
Mr JJ Bussens is elected as Chairman
Mr JJ Bussens is elected as Chairman of the School Managers
1908
First enquiry
First enquiry at Wood Dalling examining the tensions between the Higdons and the school managers
1909
Wood Dalling school reopens
Wood Dalling school reopens after closure due to a Diphtheria outbreak
1910
Tom & Annie’s election at the Wood Dalling Parish Elections
The Norwich Mercury records the Tom & Annie’s election at the Wood Dalling Parish Elections. Annie immediately retires her place for Mr W.Pulfer, and Tom replaces Mr JJ Bussens (local farmer/butcher/publican) as chairman of the Parish Council
Second enquiry
Second enquiry, after further friction between the school managers and Annie Higdon
Annie Higdon is asked to send in her resignation
Annie Higdon is asked to send in her resignation ‘…as the most prejudical form of removal.’
Tom Higdon receives a months notice
Tom Higdon receives a months notice to terminate his employment
Annie expresses her ‘sincere regret..
Under pressure to do so, Annie expresses her ‘sincere regret for my lack of discretion in addressing some of the managers of Wood Dalling school
The Clerk was directed to write to the E.C
At the managers meeting applications were several teachers were presented. The Clerk was directed to write to the E.C asking that all male team be appointed
Transfer the Higdons to Burston
In light of Annie’s apology, the committee endeavour to transfer the Higdons to Burston
1911
Discuss the appointment of a new head teacher
The managers’ of Burston Council School meet to discuss the appointment of a new head teacher
The Higdon’s arrive in Burston
The Higdon’s arrive in Burston during the evening, on foot after walking from Diss railway station.
Commencement of teaching position
Commencement of teaching position at Burston council school, Norfolk
1912
Glowing testimonial of the Higdon’s
Frederick Starr, Clerk to the school managers writes a glowing testimonial of the Higdon’s
Charles Fisher, writes a glowing testimonial of Tom Higdon
Charles Fisher, local Burston farmer & school manager writes a glowing testimonial of Tom Higdon
Good & improving report
The government inspector of schools gives a good & improving report only after one year with the Higdon’s in charge
Annie receives a letter from the Norfolk Education Committee
Annie receives a letter from the Norfolk Education Committee refering to a letter from the 13th Nov from the school managers asking if ‘…will kindly remove Mrs Higdon to a sphere more genial.’
1913
Rector again writes to the Norfolk Ed
Rector again writes to the Norfolk Ed. Com stating that the managers had ‘willingly acquiesced’ in certain alternations & improvements. Plus false allegations against A. Higdon’s treatment of the Barnardos children.
Elections, Tom Higdon tops the poll
Burston and Shimpling parish elections. Tom Higdon tops the poll. Rev. Charles Tucker Eland comes bottom
1914
First allegations being made against Annie.
First (afternoon of) of the Norfolk Education Committee enquiries into the allegations being made against Annie.
Second allegations being made against Annie
Second (afternoon of) the Norfolk Education Committee enquiries into the allegations being made against Annie
Conference held in London between
Conference held in London between Annie, her brother and Mr Guy a representative of the NUT Tenure Committee
Norfolk Education Authority gives notice
Norfolk Education Authority gives Annie 3 month salary in lieu of notice & Tom one months in lieu of notice, with their employment to terminate on 31st March 1914
The Higdon’s dismissal takes affect
The Higdon’s dismissal takes affect. Later in the day 66 out of 72 children go out ‘on strike’
The Higdons case is debated.
NUT conference held in Lowestoft. The Higdons case is debated.
30 parents are fined
30 parents are fined at the Diss Petty Sessions for not sending their children to school. The fines were covered by donations.
Union formed after a meeting in the Crown Inn
The Burston branch of National Agricultural Labourers’ Union formed after a meeting in the Crown Inn
A large demonstration of some 500 is held
A large demonstration of some 500 is held. Speakers include representatives from Norwich and Ipswich Trades Councils
A school committee being elected from the parents
A crowded meeting was held in the newly aquired ‘carpenters shop’ Strike School. A school committee being elected from the parents
Eviction notice expires.
The Higdons leave the school house after the eviction notice expires.
Childrens day
Childrens day’ held in connection to the open air services being conducted by supporter, John Sutton lay peacher.
Eighteen trade union banners aranged around the Green.
A big meeting takes place with no less than eighteen trade union banners aranged around the Green.
Rev. Eland writes to the Education Committee
Rev. Eland writes to the Education Committee, stating that the school managers find it impossible to work with her (Anni
1915
First anniversary celebrations
First anniversary celebrations, where the children marched around the village, with tea in the afternoon. At night the parents had a “social” and the Higdons were presented with gifts
Demonstration held with George Langsbury, R.B. Walker
Norwich Labour Party announced demonstration held with George Langsbury, R.B. Walker of the Agricultural Labourers Union among the speakers
Conference held between County teachers & deputation from the NUT
Conference held between County teachers & deputation from the NUT executive to consult on Arthur Henderson, M.P offer to act as an arbitrator in the case.
Large joint National Union of Railwaymen & Agricultural Labourers Union demonstration.
Large joint National Union of Railwaymen & Agricultural Labourers Union demonstration. Nine London branches of the N.U.R were represented with their banners
Repeated large demo
Repeated large demo by the N.U.R, A.L.U and the Vehicular Workers Union
1916
First of a series of London public meetings
First of a series of London public meetings organised by the N.U.R held at Kentish Town Public Baths. The Higdons and some 20 striking children present
Second of the N.U.R public meetings
Second of the N.U.R public meetings, held in Paddington
Third of the N.U.R public meetings
Third of the N.U.R public meetings, held in Bermondsey
Final N.U.R organised public meetings
Final N.U.R organised public meetings, held in Stratford
Two years after the start of the strike
Two years after the start of the strike, the Burston School Strike and Evicted Glebe Tenants National Committee is formed.
Special NUT conference at Buxton
Special NUT conference at Buxton, considered a motion (which fell) against the unions Tenure Committee in its inadequate handling of the Higdon case.
1917
Special meeting of Norfolk County Council
Special meeting of Norfolk County Council is held to discuss George Edwards motion calling on the council to appoint a deputation to hold a public inquiry into the Burston School Strike
Set the date for the grand opening demonstration as 13 May 1917
The National Committee of the Burston School Strike & Evicted Glebe Tenants meet in the Burston Crown and set the date for the grand opening demonstration as 13 May 1917
New inquiry against the allegations made against Annie
Both the vice president and president of the N.U.T visit Burston to hear evidence in the new inquiry against the allegations made against Annie
A special NUT meeting takes place in London
A special NUT meeting takes place in London. During which a motion calling on ‘…the full resources of the union to be used to secure the Higdons reinstatement.’ is debated but fails to pass
The new ‘Strike School’ was declared open
The new ‘Strike School’ was declared open by Violet Potter. George Langsbury, MP lays the foundation stone
Disagreement between Higdon supporter Mr Garnham
After a disagreement between Higdon supporter Mr Garnham over a memorial tablet placed in the Church to his son, Tom (with others) is summoned for having ‘…used abusive and insulting language to the Rev. Eland and his wife’ .
1919
Tom was defeated in the Parish Elections
Tom was defeated in the Parish Elections, which was mainly spilt down party lines. Tom’s labour group lost out as England was engulfed by post war conservatism
1920
George Durbridge shot dead by his son after returning home in a drunken rage
George Durbridge; conservative, fish seller but Higdon supporter who chaired the first (and other) meetings on the Green, shot dead by his son after returning home in a drunken rage
1923
At the ninth anniversary meeting
At the ninth anniversary meeting, Tom speaks at length on the ongoing farm workers strike.
1937
Depwade Rural District Council meeting
At a Depwade Rural District Council meeting, Tom (who was a councillor) is recorded as championing the family evicted from a farm cottage in Burston
1938
Depwade Council meeting vigoursly opposing grants
Recorded, again at a Depwade Council meeting vigoursly opposing grants to farmers for the building of tied accommodation.
1939
Tom Higdon died
1946
Annie Catherine Higdon died
