Page 646 - Reading Mercury

Praise For Mr. H. F. Maidment’s Work
PRESENTATIONS FROM PAST AND PRESENT PUPILS
A former pupil at Palmer School, Wokingham, drove 200 miles through snow and
over frozen roads to attend a ceremony arranged at the school on Wednesday,
marking the retirement of Mr. H.F. Maidment, the head master.
Mr. Maidment had been head master for 29 years, and his devotion to his work,
unflagging interest in the welfare of the school and valuable encouragement given to
every boy and girl who came under his jurisdiction have made him one of
Wokingham’s most respected figures. There was a very large attendance to see
presentations made to him on behalf of managers, subscribers, staff, parents and
former pupils.
The Rev. Gordon Kenworthy, chairman of managers, presided at the ceremony, and
among those present were: Alderman F.J. Barrett, deputy-mayor—and a former
pupil,--Mr. W.F. Herbert, secretary to Berks Education Committee, Mr. F.E.
Chapman (correspondent), Alderman and Mrs. J.B. Eustace, Councillor D. Goddard—
a former pupil—Councillor Miss D. Wescott, Mr. C. Maisey, head master of
Bracknell School, the Rev. A.G.G. Thurlow, Comdr. B.L.H. Greenfield and Mr.
Ernest Ward.
Mr. Kenworthy said Mr. Maidment had maintained the great tradition of the school,
and, under his devoted and able care, the school had prospered and had established a
record of which they were all very proud. Mr. Maidment had completely won the
confidence, loyalty and affection of the staff and pupils, the managers and the parents.
Hid retirement was a sad occasion, but it would be no little comfort to Mr. Maidment
to be able to look back on a work so conscientiously and splendidly done.
Mr. Herbert said Mr. Maidment had had a career which had been self-sacrificing
and one which had meant a great deal to the children who had passed through the
school in the past 29 years. The records of the school and the reports which had been
issued from time to time By H.M. inspector would testify to the remarkably high
standard of the work that had been carried out. Nevertheless it was not merely the
standard of work which was so important a feature of Mr. Maidment’s control. It was
in the wider matters of character formation, development of background and
encouragement in the formation of independent judgment that Mr. Maidment had
been so successful. Mr. Herbert also referred to those who had been trained on the
staff under Mr. Maidment and of the progress they had subsequently made in their
calling.

The Presentations
Mr. Chapman said it was originally intended to buy Mr. Maidment a silver tea
service, but so many people had asked to be included in the subscription that there
was a great deal of money left over. With that surplus they had bought, in addition, a
silver tray and other articles, and there would be a framed list of all who had
contributed. The presentations from the managers and subscribers were made by Mr.
Kenworthy.
Handing to Mr. Maidment a wireless set on behalf of the members of the staff, Mr.
Jack Goddard said they had received from the head master all the assistance one could
possibly have obtained.
Mr. Hugh Allen, who had driven from Stockport to attend the ceremony, presented
Mr. Maidment with an armchair and cheque on behalf of past pupils of the school. He

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