Mexborough and Swinton Times May 31, 1919
Veteran Teacher
Retirement of Mr. C. W. Fretwell
After half a century of teaching, and with a record of 40 years unbroken service at the Swinton Bridge School, Mr, Charles Wm. Fretwell will end his professional career to-day (Friday). Mr Fretwell will be 65 on Monday.
He commenced his career ad pupil teacher in the Street Wesleyan school, Hull, and shortly afterwards he was appointed to a vacancy in Sunderland, where he acted as assistant teacher. A year later he went to the Openshaw Wesleyan School, Manchester, where he entered Owens College, where he studied with great success, winning three exhibitions for Anglo-Saxon history, mechanics and for general work. He took his inter B.A. at the Loudon -University, and made a special study of science, for which subject he obtained thirteen South Kensington advanced, certificate.. These included Navigation, Nautical Astronomy, Sound, Light and heat, electricity and magnetism, steam, geology and physiography. In September 1898, he was appointed to the headmastership of the Swinton Bridge Boys School, since when 3,620 boys have passed through his hands.
The school has an excellent war record. About 430 of the old boys serving with the Forces, and 65 have made the great sacrifice. The school as has a V.C., a Distinguished Conduct Medal, 8 Military Medals, 2 Military petitions Crosses, 1 M.S.M. and a Croix de Guerre.
Mr Fretwell is exceedingly proud overspending Patrick Chisholm and gallantry displayed by his old boys, and many of whom he has carried on a correspondence throughout the war. At school has organised numerous collection for various charities and funds, including the Belgian Relief fund, Daily Mail Overseas Fund, West Yorkshire (Leeds rifles) Prisoners of War, and for the Mexborough Hospital, and during the last two years has made collections on behalf of Saint Dunstan’s Hostel for the Blind.
Mr. Fretwell has taken little part in public life, though he is a very public spirited man and interested himself keenly in the town’s affairs. For six years he was a member of the Library Committee, and for four years held the position of chairman, and in this capacity he accomplished a great deal of good work. The present high standard of literature which the Swinton Library boasts, reflects the taste of a keen literary student.
There is an excellent library at the Swinton Bridge Boys’ School, the initial cost and the maintenance of which is borne entirely by the headmaster.
For number of years he took charge of the evening schools, and held language and science classes.
In politics he is a Liberal and was at one time a hard worker in the Liberal cause and held the position of vice-president of the Rotherham Liberal Association. He was also a member of the long defunct Liberal Hundred Association.
He is closely connected with the Parish Church and has frequently addressed the Church of England’s Men’s Society.
Always a believer in sport and games a, part of school curriculum, he fostered the spirit of sportmanship and comradeship among his pupils, and himself took part in their activities on the football and cricket fields. Largely in consequence of that, the school has an excellent athletic record.
The retirement of Mr. Fretwell will be regretted by those who recognise his exceptional ability, and the departure of himself and his family from the neighbourhood will prove a distinct loss to the social side of the town.
Mr. and Mrs Fretwell intend shortly, to remove to the Harrogate district where their two sons hold appointments.