Post-war school canteen demolished at Overchurch infants school

Sep 26 2012 by Staff Reporter, Heswall News

WIRRAL’S last post-war HORSA school kitchen was demolished this week.

The hut, at Overchurch infants school, in Upton, has been replaced by a brand new kitchen and refurbished dining room in the main school building.

HORSA huts were built after World War Two to cope with buildings being destroyed in the war and the baby boom.

Headteacher Miriam Chambers said: “The children are thrilled with their new dining facilities and excited to see the old canteen go.

“It is lovely not to trail across the car park for lunch and the winter weather will not worry us. We were delighted to bid it farewell on Monday.”

Cllr Tony Smith, cabinet member for children’s services at Wirral Council, said: “There were originally a number of such canteens in Wirral. Overchurch is the last one remaining and though it has given sterling service in its time, it had really outstayed its welcome.”

HORSA huts had concrete floors and walls, metal windows and a corrugated roof.

The Government called the programme the “Hutting Operation for the Raising of the School-leaving Age”, shortened to HORSA.