I am interested in knowing more about the history & location on Roe Lane of the Row Lane Academy. There is a reference in F H Bailey‘s “A History of Southport”, page 117, attributed to T K Glazebrook indicating it was in existence in 1826.
“A History of Southport” also indicates that Mr. Walker was the head of the Academy in 1832 (page 118) and Mr. Richard Tyrer in 1848, page 117. The 1841 census shows Edward Walker at Row Lane Academy and the names of 39 pupils. The 1851 census does not indicate the Academy by name but shows Richard Tyrer as Schoolmaster & Farmer of 17 acres and goes on to list, in addition to the Tyrer family, 14 pupils.
It appears that the Academy was located close to the Rectory, later renamed The Rookery, as the entry in the 1841 census immediately follows that of Rev Charles Hesketh, and next but one in 1851. Bailey, page 142, again mentions Richard Tyrer as being master of the Row Lane Academy in 1857. This is the last date I have found in connection with the Academy. In 1861 Mr. Tyrer was a schoolmaster in Suffolk.
Obviously, being a boarding school, with up to 39 pupils, fairly large premises would be required. One possibility is The Grove shown on the 1911 Edition of the Old Ordnance Survey Map, which was a revision of an 1889/90 survey. The Grove is situated next to the Rookery and in 1891 was occupied by James C Thexton, Home Steward. In the 1881 census he was living at The Rookery as butler to Mrs. Hesketh & her son Edward. The telephone directories from 1905 to 1911 show the Hesketh Estate Office to be at The Grove. Clearly The Grove was part of the Hesketh property from at least 1891 onwards. When was it built and was it always a part of the estate and did it once house the Row Lane Academy?
An interesting coincidence is that in the 1871 census Mr. Richard Tyrer, then retired, is living in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, in The Grove House School, which was a boarding school with two of his sons as schoolmasters.
Jane
well Bob most of the sources I would have suggested you seem to have consulted - amazing what you can find out from the other side of the World.
Local street directories didn't start until during the 1850's and they are not of much use until the 1860's but really all they may list is the head of household and if you're lucky an advert for the school.
You could look at Roe Lane as it is today on Google earth - I know the Rookery still exists. It is the name of playing fields so maybe the actual building is no longer there.
I'm sure others will know more.
But if you want anything looking up in the library just let me know
Dotty
Sports club
Hi Jane
The Rookery is a sports club which has a cricket team, football team, darts team and a very nice club house. I met the children's father there but I bear no ill will towards the place!
Dotty
SeaCopRimmer
According to old-maps (1849) Row Lane Academy was on the opposite side of the road to The Rectory and much nearer to the corner of what is now Norwood Road - possibly opposite the current Rookery site?
Sandyken
I. have always understood the Academy to be the large house on the corner of Roe Lane and Wennington Road! On my old maps there is a farm shown opposite to the Rookery.
bobg
Thanks Jane & SeaCop.
I have seen pictures of the Grove & The Rectory/Rookery residence on southport.gb.com, which also gave a Google Earth picture of the Grove.
Now I know where the Academy was located, thanks you have answered my question, it was not the Grove
I attended Holy Trinity School during the war and occasionally we were marched to the Rookery for half a day to allow the school to be used as as a dispersal point for evacuees arriving from Liverpool.
Bob
bobg
Thanks Sandyken, your message came in when I was writing my previous reply. That gives me another possibility to explore. I think I have seen that map with the farm opposite the Rookery.
