Park Villa School, Condover, Shropshire (Salop), England c.1881

[macw]

Does anyone know anything about Park Villa School in Condover. My Great Grandfather went here with his brother in the 1881 census. I cannot find any reference to it on the Internet or in the Shropshire Archives. I don't even know if the building still exists. Any help would be much appreciated. If your ancestor went there we might be able to gather some information together, an ancestors reunion??

[s.g.d.]

hello

I think that Park Villa was a boarding school at Wheat Hall near Condover.

In 1895 Mr and Mrs Geoffrey Dixon were in charge.

s.g.d.

[macw]

S.G.D.
Thank you for the information. It looks quite likely this is the same place as in 1881 the master was Thomas Dixon aged 41 and he had a son Geoffrey Dixon aged 13. He still might be a little young in 1895 to be a Master at 27? It could be a brother to Thomas, or Geoffrey may have moved to another local school? Do you have any references I could refer to or is it from memory?
I also note from the 1881 census that Park Villa School is between Park Green and Park Villa (a place of 6 residences) and after this there is a place called a School House that may be linked? followed by Pie Pit Cottages. Does this make sense to those with local geographical knowledge?
MACW 

[s.g.d.]

Thomas Dixon was also there in 1871 which would have made him master at 31.

By 1922 there is no mention of a school.

s.g.d.

[macw]

SGD,
Thank you again for this information and the point about Thomas's age. I understand there were many small schools set up in this period and the fact that it may have lasted from before 1871 to possibly 1922 indicates the Dixons knew how to run a school.
If I am passing Condover way this Wheat Hall you refer to is a small village do you think the property in question is the place named Park House about 500m up the road to Radnore Farm from the centre of Wheathall?
MACW

[s.g.d.]

Yes it probably is Park house as that is listed as a private residence in 1922.

Wheat Hall or Wheathall as it is called nowadays is about a mile from Condover.

I live in Shrewsbury so let me know if I can be of any help,

s.g.d.

[PiersW]

I have just stumbled across this post.  My great-grandfather and his brother were also at the school at the time of the 1891 census and I would be interested to know if any further information has been uncovered.

[hanes teulu]

Just to confirm the above post that Villa Park became Park House

Click on map, zoom and check bottom left hand corner -

http://maps.nls.uk/view/101594410   1881/82 map shows Villa park
http://maps.nls.uk/view/101594407     1901 map shows Park House

[PiersW]

Many thanks for the prompt reply.  Unfortunately, the second link wouldn't display for some reason - the first one worked fine.

Thanks again

PiersW