Time travelling to Victorian era

Life in Victorian times was explored by Huntingdonshire school pupils on a visit to St Ives Library. Year 6 students from Westfield Junior School, in St Ives, were invited to the library as part of the St Ives local and family history month. They studied

Life in Victorian times was explored by Huntingdonshire school pupils on a visit to St Ives Library.

Year 6 students from Westfield Junior School, in St Ives, were invited to the library as part of the St Ives local and family history month.

They studied old photographs, census returns, newspapers and trade directories to gain an insight into the life of St Ives residents during the Victorian era.

Geraldine Curry, a teacher at the school, said: "I think it is important that children have an understanding of where they live. The day enabled students to compare Victorian St Ives with the way it is today. They really enjoyed looking at the old photographs of Victorian St Ives, especially one showing people skating on the River Great Ouse when it froze over."

One of the original newspapers the children looked at was 141 years old and featured stories - including a cattle plague at the market and a drink-driver crashing his pony and cart into the Forty Foot Drain.

Throughout November, a series of talks, workshops and exhibition took place at St Ives Library to mark local and family history month.

* Westfield Junior School pupils Taylor, Molly, Stephen, Tim and Peter are pictured learning more about Victorian St Ives with the help of local studies librarian Caroline Clifford.

Picture: HELEN DRAKE 9510