Jim Davenport, 1 June 2006
Hi Jane,
I have just looked through your website for the first time and I am really impressed. My father was born in Cottingham in 1911 but the family moved away in 1925 after the death of my grandmother, Harriett Davenport. She died of TB, a letter from her has survived, it makes quite painful reading.
I was pleased to see the picture of the High Street featured as the the little dark person in the picture is my aunt Florence Davenport. If you are interested I have a number of old school class photographs taken around 1916-1924 which I could copy. Headmaster of the school at that time was Thomas Beecroft. His nickname was ‘Tubby’ Beecroft according to my father. I would be happy to e-mail them to you if you are interested.
My father was awarded the Canon Yates Memorial Prize 1922 signed by T Beecroft and later the Progress Prize Dec 22nd 1924 signed by Henry Belshaw. Belshaw was only Headmaster between 1924 – 1926 and gave my father a testimony of good character on leaving the school and of course Cottingham for ever.
I would also like to visit St Mary’s church and locate my grandmother’s grave but on the odd occasion that I have visited the village the church has been closed, can you help?
I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely
Jim Davenport
Essex
1 June, 2006
Hello Jim,
Lovely to hear from you. Do you have any more information about your aunt that’s on the High Street picture (eg. how old she was when it was taken, where she lived) as it would be nice to include this information on the site. I’d love to include your school pics too.
With regard to the Church, it is usually locked, but if you call one of the people listed as contacts here when you’re planning to visit, they’ll open up the Church for you.
Can I ask where you are living now?
Regards,
Jane
cottinghamhistory.co.uk
Hi Jane,
Thanks for your reply and the helpful contact numbers.
Regarding the picture of Cottingham High Street. I would estimate that it was taken between 1911 & 1915. My aunt was born in Stoke -on-Trent in 1909. This particular postcard has survived the years and was sent by my aunt Elsie (b.1899) to her friend Miss P Wilson in August 1920. It has two postmarks (1) Cottingham 21 Aug 1920 & (2) Middlesbrough 31 August 1920. On the card my aunt says “the little girl in the dark clothes is my sister”.
My wife and I live in Essex and my cousins are in Yorkshire and Dorset, we Davenports travelled a lot.
Best wishes, Jim Davenport
Hi Jane
Here are some of my family photographs I hope you receive them alright. I will send two other school photographs separately. I hope some of your contacts can recognise some of the children in the pictures.
(1) Cottingham School photo 1919/20. Holding the chalk board is Harry, behind him is Florence (little dark girl) & behind her is Elsie. Second from the right middle row William Walter Davenport jnr, behind him and slightly to his left is Thomas Beecroft, Head Master. Unfortunately the photo is slightly damaged.
(2) A School/Church outing to Skegness 1920. Far right Florence second right George (my father) & sitting with arms crossed William Walter Davenport.
(3) Harriet Davenport shortly before she died in 1925. Maybe the wall of their house.
Best wishes, Jim Davenport
I have recently discovered that my Great Grandmother Eliza Ann Taylor is buried in the church Yard of the village church. She died whilst on a visit to her daughter Harriet Davenport in September 1919. Is it possible for you or someone to take a photo of the whole page showing the burial entry of my Great Grandmother Eliza Ann Taylor who died on the 16th September 1919? Failing that when would it be possible for me to come to Cottingham?
My Grandfather William Walter Davenport was a Boer War veteran and too old for the 1914-18 conflict, although he did work at the steel works in Corby during that time.
Best wishes, Jim Davenport