Nainital’s Sherwood before Independence

Read in Hindi

Need for a good school was felt after the European settlement in Nainital. This requirement was first met by The Nainital Diocision School in July 1867. This project was the brain-child of a Dr. Condon, Mr. H.S. Reid and others and under the patronage of the Robert Milman. The school was later called Sherwood college.

As was to be expected, there were financial problems, but the response to public appeals for fundraising was overwhelming. E. Baston (1869-1880) was the first principal of the school. Under the wisdom and guidance of Baston, who gave to the school its identity, the school rose to new heights. The success of this early beginning was reflected in the large-scale rejection of applications for admission. Due to the large number of children, the school was divided into different schools for girls and boys.

Atkinson wrote in his book ‘The Himalayan Gazetteer’ – “In 1872 the number of students increased to 100, but still many applications were refused in consequence of the want of accommodation.” The Committee then appealed to the general public for aid in erecting proper school buildings and met with generous response.

In ‘The Himalayan Gazetteer’, Atkinson mentions the school as a center of learning, that perfectly meets the original aspirations of its founders.

In 1873 the school acquired the luxurious surroundings of ‘Sherwood’ Estate, the property of General Huthwaithe. In its history, Sherwood was the first school that enjoyed so magnificent an estate with its wide-open spaces, rolling lawns, huge orchards and a shooting-range (now the Golf Links) offering a range of over 600 yards.

1880 was the year of the great landslide. Sherwood Estate, situated in the South of Nainital was unaffected. But the following year (1881) a violent cyclone tore off the roofs of the buildings and for some weeks some of the boys were farmed out at the Military camp while the others lived in tents on the school grounds.

After the second principal Elliot, Hancock was the third principal of the school and then Munro become the next principal of the school in 1893. The period from 1895 to 1898 was the worst time in the history of Sherwood School. The Sherwood School had to suffer because the school was situated at the world’s most beautiful place. The school was given notice to vacate the place. The efforts were made to build there a government building.

For in the early hours of Easter morning in 1896, the boys were rudely awakened and asked to evacuate the building that was on fire. There was no loss of life though.

After that it was decided to move the school to the ‘health resort’ of Khurpatal. Here cholera and enteric swept through the school, claiming among their victims the then Principal Munro who died of enteric in Ramsay Hospital.

The school had now hit an all-time low. From over 100 boys at the beginning of the year, only 35 had survived the ordeal. By 1898 numbers had dwindled to 32.

Eventually some land on a spur of Ayarpatta was acquired in 1897. The foundation-stone laid by Bishop of Lucknow, on 5th June. After Munro’s death, Rosalet remained Principal of the school for three years who strengthened the school once again. It was he who chose the school motto, ‘Mereat Quisque Palmam’ i.e. ‘Let each one merit his prize’.

Sherwood 11 with Indian caption (1937)

By the turn of the century, the school was making itself felt in the field of sports. The Sherwood Eleven was considered the best team in cricket. Pemberton served as Principal for a short term (1903-1906), but his successor Mr. C.H. Dixon was to become one of the best-remembered Heads of the school. When he retired in 1932, the fortunes of the school had scaled unprecedented heights.

The school was blessed at this time with an exceptionally gifted staff. Among them was Tom Taylor, Mr. Roberts (started the school magazine in 1908), ‘Dingo’ Dawson (composed the school song which was sung to the tune of ‘Way Down in Dixie’), Mr. Norman Smith. The originator of the division of the School into 4 houses in 1918 was Mr. Lilley.

Robin House 1946

1932 marked the end of an era with the departure of the great Mr. Dixon. His devotion to the school was so intense that the rumours were afloat that the school would have to close down with his departure but Allwyn Binns proved a worthy successor. Under his youthful and dynamic leadership, the reputation of the school was maintained.

Allwyn Binns introduced the Cock-House system and the Marathon run. In 1937, the name of the school was changed from the Diocesan Boys’ School to Sherwood College. Alvin Bins was the Principal of Sherwood at the time of India’s independence.

Old Photos from old Sherwoodians

काफल ट्री वाट्सएप ग्रुप से जुड़ने के लिये यहाँ क्लिक करें: वाट्सएप काफल ट्री

काफल ट्री की आर्थिक सहायता के लिये यहाँ क्लिक करें