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During the evening a presentation was made to him in recognition of his work for the teaching profession. Mr. B. A. Lawrence of Gretton and formerly of Irthlingborough, president of the County Association of the National Union of Teachers presided and after submitting the Loyal Toast proposed “The National Union of Teachers.”
“We are gathered to honour Mr. Rial for his work for the County Association” he said “and also to honour Mrs. Rial whose recent illness caused the postponement of the dinner.”
“Mrs. Rial”, declared the chairman, “had acted as a sort of godmother to the County Association and they were pleased to see her on the way to health again.”
Mr. Lawrence coupled with the toast the name of Mr. H. N. Pennington M.A. ex-president of the N.U.T.
Mr. Pennington replied in serious vein and touched on the subject of the “cuts “ in teachers’ salaries which had been restored by 50%.
“We were disappointed when the Chancellor of the Exchequer revealed the secrets of the Budget. But I believe that in the future we shall feel thankful for the restraint which has characterised the speeches of our leaders and feel we have nothing to regret. Although we are disappointed, we realise the difficulties of the Chancellor. We look to the Government to implement later the promised implied in the Budget Speech.”
Miss Marjorie H. Neville, president of the Wellingborough and District N.U.T. Association proposing “The Head Teachers’ Association” pointed out that Mr. Rial was the first secretary of the Local Association, whose inception was largely due to his efforts.
Before calling upon Mr. J. J. Biggs president of the National Head Teachers’ Association, the chairman referred to the honour which had fallen to Mr. J. Allen, secretary of the Rushden Association of the N.U.T., who was recently elected chairman of Rushden Urban District council.
“I am delighted to know that the local branches of the Head Teachers’ Association and the National Union of Teachers have co-operated to make this function such a success” was the opening remark by Mr. Biggs. Such a co-operation was something he would always press for, as best for the members of both organisations.
He then expressed the best wishes of his association to Mr. and Mrs. Rial in their retirement. The Head Teachers’ Association prided itself on its work on behalf of education, which was never so important as it was now.
It was the real antidote to the “machine-age” “We want to maintain a state of democracy – going neither to the right nor the left “ he declared.
“We press “ he said “ for a real national system of education so that all the children of this country can secure the best of which they are capable.”
Mr. Mander’s Speech
The toast of the evening that of “Our Guest” was then proposed by Mr. P. Mander , general secretary of the N.U.T.
“Northampton teachers can be grateful that in Mr. Rial’s makeup is always something of the rebel which makes him work for his fellows” was one of his observations and he added “He has a great belief in the powers and possibilities of the organisations in which he interests himself and on all occasions he harnesses those powers for the benefit of any individual member of the profession who needs help”.
The speaker did not forget Mrs. Rial whom he remembered as a charming hostess and one who was an ideal helpmeet for him who was being honoured that evening.
Among the guests to whom Mr. Mander made brief tributes was Mr. F. C. Lay M.A., headmaster of Wellingborough Grammar School, who has interested himself in the work of the N.U.T.
The toast was then formally proposed and was accorded musical honours.
Gramophone and Records
At this juncture the presentation of a portable gramophone and a case of records to Mr. and Mrs. Rial was made by Miss E.J.H. Hemsley, vice-president of the Wellingborough, Rushden and District Head Teachers’ Association.
Mr. Rial in reply, said the occasion was to him the most important in his life. Of his work he said it was a joy and a service which he treasured more than any material gain.
He had that evening been called a militant character. Time had made him more circumspect; but he had never trimmed his sails to any wind of circumstance.
Quoting Charles Lamb, it had been is desire “to do good by stealth and have it found out by accident.”
“I do not know how to express the gratitude that my wife and I feel tonight towards you all but I will express it in a short prayer” which Mr. Rial then feelingly repeated.
Mrs. Rial then replied briefly, beginning with the words “One crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a name” a quotation in which was implied all the joy of the past years of hard work.
Organisers thanked
Votes of thanks of Mr. W. Morris and Mr. W. E. Newman (headmasters representatively of the Wellingborough All Saints’ and Park Street Schools) and other members of the committee responsible for arranging the function were then proposed and seconded by Mr. O. Papineau (London) and Mr. A.F. Austin C.C.
A tribute to the chairman was paid by Mr. W. J. Rodds , the county secretary of the N.U.T. in which he was supported by Mr. J. Willis (Ramsey). Both are members of the executive of the Union.
Between the speeches, songs were contributed by Miss E. MacLeod while Mr. Penlington sang “On Ilkley Moor” to the great pleasure of the company.
The dinner was held under the auspices of the Northants County Association of the N.U.T, the Wellingborough, Rushden and the Wellingborough and District Association of the N.U.T.
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