Norah Hughes' Scholars' Note Book for Domestic Work"

Saint Matthew's School, Church Road, Buckley

1912

COVER TEXT

[Domestic Work]

No.2

The H.M. Scholars' Note Book

Name: Norah Hughes

Thomas Hope, Educational Publisher, Manchester, S.E.

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See 139.1 for Jean Wynne's family notes from which the following account of Norah Hughes' life is copied.

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Norah was registered as Nora but always insisted on spelling her name with an h. She was born at Drury Lane on 28th of September 1902; she died aged 99 in 2001. She looked after the family when her mother went to work at the munitions factory. She was aged sixteen when my mother was born in1918. Norah brought her up. Ironically she had no children of her own. Norah went into service at a large house on the Wirral where she learned to cook. She kept her school notes on cooking and cleaning, written at St. Matthew's school, Church Rd. She married William Ithell Roberts at St. Matthew's Church on Thursday August 17th 1933.

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The note book starts well. The first page is immaculately written and dated 5.9.12, when she was ten. The heading is "The Body." It soon degenerates, however, into into several page of doodles which are far from educational!

Soon we come to a page describing "Baby's Cot." To accompany it is a drawing of a banana crate.

"A baby ought not to sleep in the same bed as its parents. A cheap cot can be made out of a bannana (sic) crate. It should be lined with calico. The outside can be painted or covered with muslin. The bed can be stuffed with dry chaff. The pillow should be small. It may be filled with feathers. Flannel fents make good cheap blankets. An old sheet will make several cot-sheets. The quilt can be made from patch-work. Total cost need only be about 2/6. (12 1/2p.)

Baby's Cofs (?), Complaints

Bronchitis is often brought on by chills or dampness. Rub chest and back with camphoratated oil. Call in a Dr.

Teething often causes constipation or diarrhoea. Milk for the latter, fruit for the former. In acute cases send for Dr.

Convulsions are often caused by constipation. Put the baby into a hot bath and sponge the head with cold water.

Croup is must (sic) dangerous. The child must be made sick. Ipecuanha wine is v. good for this.

Marmalade

Fruit 1lb. Water 3 pts. Sugar 2lbs.

Process Cut the fruit in half. Squeeze the pulp and juice out. Keep the pips in soak for they make a good jelly. Remove any remaining pips and tough skin from the fruit. The rind has now to be shredded finely either by machine or by grater or by cutting it with a sharp knife. If the latter way is adopted first boil the rind from 10 mins to expand or soften it and cut it downwards - outer peel upwards. The water is now added to the whole & allow it to soak for 24 hours or more. (The pip jelly is added next day.)

Boiling To further soften the rind boil it for 1 1/2 hours without the sugar & let it stand another day. This is not necessary. Add the sugar & boil from 1 to 2 hours. When it sets on a saucer it is done.

The fruit may be oranges or lemons alone or mixed. The sugar should be cane sugar.

The School Marmalade

1 Jaffa orange 1d.

Bitter orange 1/2d.

1 Lemon 3/4d.

2 lbs sugar 3 1/2d. = 5 3/4d. = 3 1/4 lbs marmalade = 1 8/13 d. per lb

ie. less then 2d per lb

A heading General House Cleaning is followed by more doodles and then...

Food builds up the body, repairs waste tissue and supplies us with heat and energy.

Fat sugar and starch are heat-giving

Prodtieds (sic) gluten lean meat albumen supply tissue

Minerals help to form bone (out of water & vegetables)

Porridge and Gruel

To make porridge in a double cooker, pour 2 1/2 times quantity of water on crushed oats or oatmeal. Add a pinch of salt. Bring to the boil & leave near fire over night. Next morning place porridge pan on fire 5 mins. Serve with syrup or milk & sugar.

If made in ordinary saucepan the porridge must be stirred...page torn off

Stock & Soup

2 bones or bones from roasted meat. Place in pan with little salt & 2 qrts water. Bring to boil & simmer for 3 to 4 hours. The liquid ought to set in jelly. From the stock good soups are made.

Pearl barley, lentils, sage, rice, potatoes, celery, sprouts, tomatoes, carrot;- are some of the additions. Season to taste, and serve in tureen.

General House Cleaning

Scullery Some women only think of cleaning the fire-side and washing the floor. The shelves and sink-stone are much more important. Pour boiling water and soda down the drain every week.

Pantry - where food is kept. Let in light and keep perfectly clean.

Living room Avoid to (sic) many ornaments and curtains

Sitting room Do not turn it into a museum.

Bedroom Do not overcrowd the room with boxes pictures hangings &c. Keep the bed clear that the can can (sic) get underneath it. Clean the wash-hand stand and utensils very clean and sweet.

Inspired and Expired Air

Ordinary air is composed of

4 parts nitrogen

1 part oxygen

& traces of water vapour, carbon dioxide & dust.

Expired air is composed of nitrogen, less oxygen much more CO2 and water vapour. It also contains traces of organic impurities.

By this time it must have been approaching Christmas as the rest of the book has more doodles and a fair drawing of a plum pudding, a turkey on a plate and holly leaves!

Author: H. M. Scholars’ Note Book

Norah Hughes' Scholars' Note Book for Domestic Work"

Saint Matthew's School, Church Road, Buckley

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