Wednesday 26th May Remove went to Beningbrough Hall for the day. All children and adults, dressed up as Victorian servants. We took part in Beningbrough Halls ‘Below Stairs Experience’ based on the work of servants in the Hall in 1898 for the arrival of the Duke of Cambridge at Beningbrough Hall. We were divided into three groups and learnt how to do the laundry, (without the aid of a washing machine or dryer!)..we all took a handkerchief so we could experience washing the cloth using a dolly peg and a dolly tub, scrubbing the cloth using soap and a washboard and pegging it on a washing line to dry. The second group went into the Butlers room where we were taught how to polish the items and the third group accompanied the housekeeper where we learned how to make polish using salt, flour and vinegar! Children really enjoyed all activities as they were hands on, which gave the children a real taster of life as a servant.

After lunch we were shown around, ‘above stairs’ to see how grand everything was. We saw the huge sweeping staircase for the family and the tiny steep staircase for the servants, the children's quarters and how the servants had to stand behind screens in the large rooms, so that they couldn't be seen.

Froebelian School, Clarence Road, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 4LB: E mail: office@froebelian.co.uk Tel:0113 258 3047 Fax:0113 2580173           Headmaster Mr J. Tranmer MA PGCE