MEMORABLE SUNDAY SERVICE -

Mr. Chamberlain was the first teacher at the new Rockingham school (1871) and is remembered as a colourful character.

He apparently spent some time in India and would often speak of the 'Black Hole of Calcutta'. As a form of discipline for his students he had a 'black hole' in the classroom. A cupboard that naughty pupils found themselves in when they misbehaved.

Mr. Chamberlain used to help Tom Smirk with Sunday services in church and on one occasion he was reading the lesson of Moses and the burning bush. When he reached that part where God says to Moses. 'Take off thy shoes, for this is holy ground.' he began taking off his shoes much to the discomfort of the parishioners in church who promptly bolted out of the door.

(From Rockingham Looks Back by Nora Taggart.)

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