Slate Pencil Sharpening Stone

The slate pencil sharpening stone is a historical playground feature originally from the Boys National School on Lovett Street, dating back to 1896. It has been relocated to the William Barcroft Junior School on Barnett Lane in Cleethorpes, where it stands on a secondary brick plinth.

This circular slate stone block measures approximately 0.9 meters in diameter and 0.15 meters deep, with rubbed edges. The stone is positioned upside down, so what was once the base is now the top, while the original upper surface, which is heavily worn and uneven, serves as the base. This uneven surface overhangs and is mostly hidden by a secondary circular red brick plinth that is four brick courses high. Surrounding the plinth is a circular segment of Yorkstone paving.

It is noted that the circular brick plinth and the segmental paving around the slate pencil sharpening stone are modern additions and are not considered to have special architectural or historic interest.