Special Collections & Archives

"Fresh things are there for us to see": Life at Froebel 100 years ago, by Stevie Russell

Foyle Special Collections and Archives 

As you may be aware, the Library holds some very special historical collections (of books, documents, objects, ephemera, etc) relating to Dance, Children’s Literature, Education and Theology subjects, as well as the archives of Froebel College. But did you know that these collections (plus the locally held archives of Southlands and Whitelands colleges) also contain a wealth of material with potential relevance for any of the subjects taught at the university?   In this post, for example, we explore century-old nature records of the Froebel College grounds. 

One of my favourite things about working at Roehampton is the beauty of the campus in spring and summer, walking across the grounds and hearing the birds singing in the woods and observing the many species of wildfowl, newts and giant fish that inhabit the lake. Nature has been observed and enjoyed in this way by our staff and students for over 100 years. The Froebel Archive holds some stunning examples of work by former students, including this nature diary made by Hilda Millar in 1922 (ref: FACS/9/5/56). In it she records seasonal observations of the trees, plants, fungi, birds and wildlife on campus, beautifully illustrated with watercolour paintings, sketches and photographs – some of which depict scenes that are still recognisable today. 

Other sightings, sadly, are not so likely to be experienced these days, as so many species have been driven away from the area (and some to near extinction) by human activity over the last century. Hilda captures her delight at seeing dormice, cuckoos, and skylarks, but laments the intrusion of the “Carolina Grey” squirrels who are just beginning to drive out the native red:  

“Our Grove House grey squirrel which is also so common in many of the parks and woodlands of the south of England is not really a British subject – his real home is in north America …  

There is a great difference in the character of the two little creatures; our visitor is bold and soon loses his fear of man, his little red British brother is very timid and not nearly so hardy - he very seldom breeds in captivity.  

 Altogether the grey squirrel seems better equipped for the struggle of existence than his brother whom he seems to be doing his best to drive out of existence altogether.  

 A few facts about his arrival and stay in this country will show how much this little person has made himself felt in his adopted home.  

 About 30 years ago a few Carolina squirrels were set free by an American in Bushey Park – but these are believed to have lived only a short time. Others were sent to Woburn Park and became so numerous that many were caught and sent to the zoo in 1907. Here they were exceedingly wild at first, one leapt from a branch in his enclosure, landed in a duckpond 24 feet below and made off – many followed. Most of them however were less venturesome and when the gates of their pen were opened they refused to be driven out!  

 Eventually they were driven out and the gate shut to keep them from returning and then they took to the trees again, gradually grew tame and soon one thought they were very nice polite friendly little people.  

 They spread to other parks in London and then to Kent, Surrey, Devon and even up to part of Scotland – multiplying very quickly indeed.  

 But now comes the other side of the story. It is now found that these squirrels are beginning to do damage to trees and fruits, birds and their eggs – and even to the little wild red brothers, driving them away from their native woods.  

In some parts they have become so numerous and harmful that serious steps are now being taken to reduce their numbers. Their attacks on the British red squirrel are not only very unwarranted, but are serious from a zoological point of view, for the latter is a species only found in this country and once exterminated he could never be re-introduced, and everyone agrees that our own squirrel is more beautiful and attractive in his ways than the grey visitor from Carolina.  

Therefore though we welcome ‘Sciurus Carolinus’ to our grounds, we mean to keep an eye on him to see that he does not go beyond what is seemly in the behaviour of a visitor to this country. If he threatens the life and happiness of our own Red Squirrels we shall bundle him back to his own country [if we can!]”  

The origin story of Britain’s grey squirrels is interesting to note; similar stories have arisen in recent years regarding the green ring-necked parakeets that have colonised much of southern England over the last fifty years. However, the exhortation to send him “back to his own country” is hardly the way we wish to treat our migrant friends!

Hilda Millar's paintings of Froebel's newts, blue tits, and a barn owl (which she wrongly describes as a tawny)

"Week by week, term by term, year by year fresh things are there for us to see - it is our fault if we do not become naturalists!"

To explore the collections further, and discover the treasures waiting to be revealed for your research or student assignments, search the Archives catalogue. Access is by appointment: contact archives@roehampton.ac.uk.