In 1670 Bridlington there was poverty among the working classes. The poor were a burden on parish funds. Bro John Walker, our current Prior, gave details of a knitting school set up to alleviate poverty funded by William Bower, a rich local merchant. The school was to survive for 200 years.

Bro John showed sketches and photographs of the school which was located next to the Bayle on the north side.  You could make out the school room and master’s house.

Twelve children aged 6 to 12, whose parents were “on the parish”, were given basic education and taught to make woollen hose from raw wool to the finished garment. The garments were sold and the children received a small wage.

The school was funded by the income from Mount Farrant farm at Birdsall.  Bro John’s inspection of the account book for the school revealed many details including the effects of enclosure, farm improvements to increase income, school repairs, and school master and wage issues.

After the Education Act of 1870, a local primary school was set up.  The knitting school trust was wound up and Bro John said the resulting funds provided about half the cost of the new Grammar School.