WHEN the Basingstoke Development Group announced in 1977 that their work in carrying out the massive Town Development Scheme of the past 16 years was complete, the local folk were pleased that certain parts of the town were left as an oasis where they could rest, not suffering the rush of traffic, and sit quietly for a while.

Unfortunately, during the past 26 years, even some of those peaceful places have been removed, and the prospective plans for Basingstoke’s future will see even more of these quiet spots disappear.

One such place is the area in Cross Street, where houses and commercial premises could be built.

This land, on the north side of Cross Street, where trees have grown and wildlife thrives, was once the site of the Blue Coat School, which dated back to the mid-17th century. A statue stands in the road showing a Blue Coat boy to indicate where the school use to be.

Endowed by Richard Aldworth with a bequest of £2,000 in 1646, he stipulated that the school should be used for the free education, clothing and maintenance of 10 boys from poor families, and for apprenticing one or more of them yearly.

Later the ruling on boys only was relaxed and girls were also admitted.

The boys wore long blue coats and leather waist belts, yellow waistcoats and yellow stockings, as their uniform.

The original Blue Coat School, on which the Basingstoke one was based, was at Christ’s Hospital in London, which was founded by King Edward VI in 1553.

After a sermon by Bishop Ridley, the king ordered him to feed, clothe, lodge and teach as many poor children without parents as possible, at Greyfriars House in London. Many of the boys taught at this school went on to become businessmen and to travel the world.

The Basingstoke Blue Coat School was enlarged in 1820 and again in 1863. Then, in 1888, it was closed down when the board schools were established in the country under new educational reform.

The children were sent to the Fairfields Schools, which had been built especially for the large amounts of pupils that arrived from other private institutions.

The old Blue Coat School, with its adjoining two houses, was leased to several people in the following years, then, in 1915, Albert Munday acquired part of the building as a printing works.

It was taken over by Kenneth Course in later years, where the lower floor was used for the heavy printing machines (using loose type), while the upper floor contained the compositing room (where the type was set).

In 1958 the business was acquired by Messrs Warren of Winchester, and the old Blue Coat School became partly empty. A cycle shop was opened at the Church Street end of the building, and the houses continued to be used.

Then, in 1969, the whole section of that side of Cross Street was closed and in July 1970, the buildings were demolished. This was to allow the construction of Timberlake Road, during the extensive building of the new town centre. Trees were planted on the land and, during the past 33 years, have grown to their present size allowing the wildlife to develop there.

In September 1995, the Blue Coat Boy statue was erected in memory of the old school, and memorial paving stones were laid in honour of other local subjects. The trees muffle the sounds of the traffic nearby and seats allow people to sit and rest.

It will be a shame if this quiet corner is erased – but then that’s modern progress for you!