User:Johnbibby/Sandbox/Elmfield Themes/2008May6 Ashville 2008 Reunion

2008May6 Ashville 2008 Reunion
Published Date: 06 May 2008 By Brian Dooks SEVENTY years after a /Harrogate independent school took in the boarders from a York school which was forced to close, its former pupils are being invited back to celebrate the anniversary. Elmfield House at Ashville College was opened on July 9, 1938 to commemorate its association with Elmfield College, Malton Road, York.

The college in York was opened in 1864 as a /Primitive Methodist boarding school with James Kyle as its first head. The school had 92 boarders and eight day pupils, with a staff of six. An average fee for a boarder was £25 a year, reduced to £15 for sons of Methodist ministers.

Elmfield was a successful school both academically and in the sporting field, but it was dogged by financial problems. The school struggled and in July 1932 governors decided that it must close.

Former pupils tried to save it but to no avail. As Ashville had strong ties with Elmfield, the Ashville governors offered to merge the schools, with the pupils and staff being transferred to Harrogate. This offer was gratefully accepted and the schools were merged in September 1932.

To commemorate the merger, Elmfield House was built at Ashville. The house is no longer a boarding house but is an important teaching block on Ashville's Green Lane campus and this year marks its 70th anniversary.

Archivist and reunion organiser Mike Burke said: "We are aiming to track down as many former pupils of Elmfield House as possible for the reunion, which we hope will be a great success.

"Ideally, we would like former pupils from as early as 1938, when Elmfield merged with Ashville College, to attend. Not only will it be a brilliant opportunity to catch up with old class mates, but also a great chance to see what has been going on at the school since they left." A lunch is being held at Ashville College on Saturday, November 8 from noon until 2pm. Mr Burke is putting together a display of Elmfield memorabilia for the former pupils to view, including photographs from the building's opening. Further information is available by contacting Mr Burke on 01423 569563 or by visiting the Ashvillian Society at www.ashvillian-society.co.uk