Whilst clearing the loft space of a house we used to live in at Camerton, my wife Sally and I discovered some old books – three of these are of particular interest, because we cannot identify a connection to either of our families or as far as we know, the property.

The first book is Happy Little Children - Their Sayings and Doings. This book was presented to Emma Weeks by the Radstock School Board – Girls Department for Good Conduct, and Regular Attendance during the year ending September 1897. Also written inside the front cover is the times the school was opened as 434 and recorded Emma’s attendances as 425. It is signed by

C. Pickles – Head Teacher. Clearly, Emma was a diligent, enthusiastic scholar.

The second book, Two to One – A Tale of a Holiday, by Florence Coombe, was presented by the Radstock Council Schools – Boys Department to Reece Weeks (perhaps a brother or cousin to Emma) for good conduct, progress and regular attendance at the Council Schools during the year ending March 1913. The number of times the school was opened is 399 and Reece’s attendance is recorded as 399, a perfect attendance record! It is signed Hugh C. Edgell – Head Teacher.

The Travels of Fuzz and Buzz by Geraldine Mockler is the third book of interest and this was presented to Reece Weeks by Radstock Council Schools – Boys Department. Unfortunately, the year date has not been fully completed, only 191? so it has to be between 1910 and 1919. The number of times the school was open was 413 and Reece Weeks attended on 409 occasions – again, an excellent attendance record. H.C. Edgell - Head Teacher is the signature.

A New Year challenge for readers of the Journal perhaps, because we would love to know if there are any descendants of Emma and Reece Weeks in our area and the possible connection to Camerton and our house.

We are aware that a Mr Cecil Weeks was at one time a Manager or the Manager at Camerton Colliery and although the house where the books were found was originally a miner’s cottage, built around 1830 and extended about 1900, we cannot find any reference to it being occupied by anyone of the name Weeks.

Although not in the best of condition after so many years in a draughty, unheated loft space, we would be very pleased to pass the books to the descendants of Emma and Reece.

Cyril James