Mexborough and Swinton Times
Mrs Kaye
Twenty- Five Years as Headmistress
Sketch of a Useful Career
There are probably few persons who have such a record of old village school life as Mrs Kaye of old Denaby, who recently resigned a position as head mistress of the church school at old Denaby, after having held it for nearly 25 years.
Mrs Kaye’s career is unique in many respects, and she has rendered valuable public service. As a pupil teacher in the Sheffield parish church girl school, she commenced her school career, and after completing her apprenticeship entered the training college at Lincoln, afterwards been placed in charge of important schools in Sheffield and Birmingham.
25 years ago Mrs Kaye’s health broke down, and on her recovery she was sent to take over the headship of the old Denaby School. She commenced their duties there on July 1, 1888 is beside been school Mrs, Mrs Kaye has, since the passing of the parish councils act in 1894, also acted as Clerk to the Denaby parish council, and was, at one time, the only lady parish Clerk in the country.
Mr W.H.Chambers, manager of the Denaby and Cadeby collieries, has been chairman during the all of the time. The Mexborough branch of the lady Mary habitation of the Primrose league has had Mrs Kaye a wholehearted supporter from a number of years, she has acted as secretary.
She has an interesting and affable personality. In an interview with a “Times” representative, Mrs Kaye said she liked large schools because there is more people, but she must admit that a great kindness had been shown towards her while she had been at old Denaby.
Mrs Kaye is now enjoying a well earned retirement, within a stone’s throw of the scene of her 25 years activities, and the West Riding county council and granted her a well deserved pension.
Appreciation of Mrs Kaye´s valuable services to the village was forthcoming on Tuesday evening, when, in the old Denaby School, she was the recipient of a purse of gold and an illuminated address, subscribed for by parishioners and her personal acquaintances.
The address was as follows:
To Mrs Annie Elizabeth Kaye,
Dear Madam,
We, the clergy, school managers, churchwardens and parishioners of the village of Old Denaby, ask your acceptance of this address and the accompanying purse of gold as a token of our esteem and respect, and of our appreciation of the zeal, faithfulness and capability with which you have served us as head mistress for nearly 25 years. We shall greatly miss you, but are very glad to know that you will still live amongst us. We pray that you may have many years of health and strength in which to enjoy a well earned rest.
W H Bateman, Canon of York, Rural Dean; Sydney H Spooner, Harry Lee, assistant clergy, W.H.Chambers, H Sykes Witty, school managers; Henry Bennett, churchwarden.
Mr W.H. Chambers in presenting the gifts to Mrs Kaye paid a high tribute to her worth, and said he was glad to know that she was not leaving the old village.
Mrs Kaye in acknowledging the gifts spoke of the many happy hours she had spent at Old Denaby
My late father attended Old Denaby school for approximately seven years in the 1920s. He always referred to the headmistress as Mrs Bayes and not Mrs Kaye. He spoke a great deal about his teacher with absolute admiration. Who is making the mistake here in terms of the headmistress’ name?
Hi Derek
I have checked the original and it is Mrs Kaye.
Mrs Kaye retired in 1913 so it is probably not the same teacher.
regards
Jim
Your father. Annie Kaye is one of my ancestors, and that was a family name.
I think it is Mrs Bayes they have the wrong person my great Grandmother was Mrs Annie Elizabeth Kaye and she was a councillor and nurse not a headmistress and she lived in Denaby I believe this article is very inaccurate.
Hi Jayne
I thought I had confirmed that this article was correct when you first raised it !
Please also see the following articles, which cover her resignation at the school board, the presentation by W.H.Chambers, her mention in Marconigrams and the letter sent to her by the Archbishop of York !!!
Resignation of Mrs. Kaye of Old Denaby – Conisborough School Board
https://conisbroughanddenabyhistory.org.uk/article/resignation-of-mrs-kaye-of-old-denaby/
February 1913
Mrs Kaye – Twenty- Five Years as Headmistress – Sketch of a Useful Career
https://conisbroughanddenabyhistory.org.uk/article/mrs-kaye-old-denaby-school-headmistress/
A Veteran Teacher – Dr. Lang’s Tribute to Mrs. Kaye, Denaby.
https://conisbroughanddenabyhistory.org.uk/article/a-veteran-teacher-dr-langs-tribute-to-mrs-kaye-denaby/
Marconigrams – February 15th, 1913
https://conisbroughanddenabyhistory.org.uk/article/marconigrams-february-15th-1913/
March 1913
A Great Leader
https://conisbroughanddenabyhistory.org.uk/article/a-great-leader/
Annie Elizabeth Kaye was never a headmistress, nor is that photo actually her!
She was my great grandmother (nee Mcguire) , born in County Fermanagh, a councillor and politically active.
Hi Steve
Your great grandmother must have been a different lady.
This Annie Elizabeth Kaye was aged 63 in the Census of 1911.
She lived in the Parsonage at Old Denaby and was listed as an Elementary Head Teacher.
She was born in Sheffield.
There was an Annie Kaye, aged 58, born in Fermanagh, Ireland
She was widowed, living at 60 Tickhill Street, Denaby Main with 7 grown up children – was this your great grandmother and do you have a photo ?
6 of the children were boys and worked at the pit
regards
Jim
James, you’re right. I’m also related to the Irish Annie Kaye, who was a councillor and a magistrate (I think!). Steve, we must be related too!
Adam, Steve is your nanas cousin same as me he is uncle Mark’s son uncle Mark was named after Our great grandfather Annie’s husband. Definitely a different women than in this picture but isn’t it ironic there was 2 with the exact same name
It’s Annie from Fermanagh she’s my Great Grandmother too she was beautiful and that pic is definitely not her I can’t load one on here unfortunately
Hi Steve
Your great grandmother must have been a different lady.
This Annie Elizabeth Kaye was aged 63 in the Census of 1911.
She lived in the Parsonage at Old Denaby and was listed as an Elementary Head Teacher.
She was born in Sheffield.
There was an Annie Kaye, aged 58, born in Fermanagh, Ireland
She was widowed, living at 60 Tickhill Street, Denaby Main with 7 grown up children – was this your great grandmother and do you have a photo ?
If so please send me a copy and I will publish
6 of the children were boys and worked at the pit
regards
Jim
Hi
I am also a great, great grandchild of Annie Elizabeth Kaye. Also aunt and if A Lowe and Steven above. I do have a picture with her 8 sons and daughter.
She was a politician, as was her son Harry. Would love to send you the photo as there’s a mention of her children on your site. It was taken in 1913, how do I get it to you.
Hi Jane, Apologies for the delay in replying.
If you email a copy to jamesbeachill@hotmail,.co.uk
or send a copy to:
James Beachill
24 March Vale Rise
Conisbrough
DN12 2EW
That would be great !
kind regards
Jim
Jane hello I’m Kayes cousin from Doncaster I would love the photo I have none I’ve never seen a picture of my grandfather Samuel. Pls send to looby67@msn.com or find me in Facebook I’m Jayne Danby a friend on FB of Kaye and Adam. X