Family name lives on through gift to school

First came Joseph Barritt, who for almost 23 years was headmaster at Bridgnorth Grammar School, as it was then. He left at Easter in 1953.

And for his son Bill Barritt, it was through the school that he met his bride - as he and sweetheart Pat Ealey were pupils there. They were to marry in August 1955.

Bill died in December 2016 and his children wanted to leave something to the school on behalf of both Bill and his father.

The result is a "considerable" bequest - the actual sum is undisclosed - which has paid for some much-needed work.

And in recognition of the gift, which was made in memory of Joseph and Bill, a building at the school which has benefited through refurbishment and redecoration has been named The Joseph Barritt Centre.

Bill, who attended the school in the 1940s, had a talent for mathematics and went on to become a chartered accountant and successful businessman.

“The family link with the school stayed with my dad throughout his life”, said his daughter, Kate Williams, who lives in Wales.

“He fondly remembered his school days and it was at Bridgnorth Endowed that he met his childhood sweetheart, and later wife, Patricia Ealey.”

The Barritt family’s gift paved the way for a much-needed renovation of the school’s Pastoral Centre, based in the Memorial Block.

The building, which originally opened in July 1930, was a war memorial library and dining hall, financed by a memorial fund dedicated to the 39 old boys, including three masters, who had lost their lives in the Great War.

A tiled memorial tablet bearing the names of the fallen still sits in the entrance with a stained-glass window above, depicting St. Michael, the protector of souls.

It has also paid for considerable improvements to the on-site leisure centre, ensuring the money will benefit both pupils and the wider community for years to come.

Headteacher Barry Worth said: "The generosity of the Barritt family is greatly appreciated by all of us at Bridgnorth Endowed. It has helped us to continue our work to provide first-rate facilities for our students, making life at the school an even better experience."

Joseph Barritt, affectionately known as "Joey" by his pupils, became head in 1930 and steered the school through changing and sometimes dramatic times.

Sporting and academic success were strong in the early years, with a high number of pupils winning places at Oxford and Cambridge.

Development of the school site was particularly significant as, for example, 1931 saw the move from gas light to electricity in the science laboratories, then later in the classrooms.

The Second World War represented a difficult period. Pupils and Masters had to play their parts in the war effort, and the post-war years also took their toll.

Head Mr Barritt left the school at Easter in 1953, being succeeded by John Cragg.

Son Bill wed Pat at St John's Catholic Church in Bridgnorth, in August 1955. He was living at that time at East Castle Street and she was living in Sydney Cottage Drive.

Vikki Dober, who gives the school marketing support, said: "The school’s history is very much part of the teaching at Bridgnorth Endowed. In fact, last month, during the annual English and History A-level trip to Belgium, pupils visiting the Menin Gate took time to seek out the graves of past ‘Endowdians’ to lay poppies and hold moments of remembrance.

"With this year marking the First World War centenary, the restoration of the Memorial Building serves as a fitting tribute, not only to commemorate the Barritts, but also to those that lost their lives in the Great War."

The old grammar school turned comprehensive in 1974, being renamed the Bridgnorth Endowed School.