Education has been at the heart of this valley for over 150 years. The story begins around 1855, when the Rev. Charles Henry Foster-Barham, an Anglican minister and landowner of the Trecwn estate and his wife Elizabeth Maria Barham began supporting early education for local children. Their commitment to learning laid the foundations for what would become a lasting legacy in the community.

In 1868, the first school, known simply as Barham School, was formally established. It was built by Henry Alexander Ince, Elizabeth Maria’s brother, as a tribute to her dedication to the education of local children.

Between 1875 and 1877, the present Grade II listed school building was constructed. Designed by Ernest C. Lee of London, it was built from rock-faced Preseli stone with grey-brown sandstone ashlar dressings from Bath, England. The building’s style, described as ‘Free Gothic’ blends elegant Gothic influences with unique architectural details, featuring a striking two-storey, three-bay façade and a rectangular bellcote above the entrance.

Built to welcome around 100 pupils, the school quickly became a proud landmark of education, craftsmanship, and community spirit; values that still inspire its restoration today.

For over a century, the school stood as a cornerstone of education in the surrounding rural valley. Yet its deep connection to the Barham estate often placed it at the crossroads of local tension and change.

In its early years, the school stood close to Barham Mansion, and the estate owner, Francis William Robins Barham, saw it as an extension of his own property. This sense of ownership sometimes clashed with the independence of the school and its staff. Records from the early 1900s describe disputes with the local schoolmaster, David Bonvonni, over control and authority, including an incident where estate workers tried to cut the chain to the school bell, and ongoing disagreements about rights-of-way that provided the only access for local children.

A defining moment in the school’s history came in 1938 with the construction of the Royal Navy Armaments Depot Trecwn. This enormous military base reshaped the secluded valley, bringing new roads, housing estates, and a growing population. The school quickly adapted, becoming the primary school for the children of depot workers and a symbol of community life during a time of rapid change.

Like most primary schools of its era, lessons focused on the essentials: reading, writing, and arithmetic, alongside subjects such as geography, history, and needlework for girls.

Following the Education Act of 1902, the school became what was known as a ‘non-provided school’. The Pembrokeshire Education Authority began overseeing funding and curriculum, but ownership of the building (and ultimate control over staffing) remained with the Barham estate managers. This dual structure reflected the delicate balance between local governance, estate influence, and public education that defined much of the school’s early life.

When the RNAD Trecwn depot was decommissioned in 1992 and fully closed by 1995, the community around it changed overnight. The loss of nearly 500 jobs led to a sharp decline in the local population and with fewer families in the valley, Barham Memorial School could no longer sustain its numbers. After more than a century of service, the school closed its doors in 2001.

In the years that followed, the building passed through several hands, its once-busy classrooms falling silent.

Now, the story comes full circle. We’re bringing this forgotten school back to life - restoring the past, and planting the future.

Follow our journey as we breathe new purpose into its walls and create a home that celebrates its past while embracing the future.