Issuu

ISSUE 5

THE

JOURNAL Th e Bedfo rd G irl s’ Sch ool Alum n a e Publi cati o n

ALUMNAE REFLECTIONS

EXPLORING THE WORLD

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Three alumnae look back on how BGS shaped who they are becoming

The World according to Herman Moll

News and updates from alumnae

ALUMNAE CONTACT DETAILS P L E A S E S TAY I N T O U C H , S I G N U P F O R T H E A L U M N A E M E M B E R S ’ O N L I N E P O R TA L O R F O L L OW U S O N S O C I A L M E D I A T O FIND OUT ABOUT UPCOMING E VENTS AND MEMBERS’ NE WS.

Emma MacKenzie, Marketing and Development Officer The Alumnae Office Bedford Girls’ School Cardington Road Bedford, MK42 0BX

Dates for your Diary Sadly many of our 2020 events have had to be cancelled or postponed due to the ongoing COVID -19 restrictions. We missed welcoming you into school, and hope to be able to rearrange many of the events within the coming months. We will be providing you with updates in line with government guidelines. In the meantime we have provisionally scheduled the following events for the Autumn and Spring Terms.

Email: alumnae@bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk Telephone: 01234 361900

Friday 11th December, 2020

Class of 2020 Leavers Drinks Bedford Girls’ School

Social Media

Saturday 12th December, 2020

Twitter/@BedfordGirlsSch

Facebook/BedfordGirlsSch Flickr/photos/bedfordgirlssch Instagram/bedfordgirlssch

Old Girls’ Lacrosse Match Cople Fields 24th February, 2020 Alumnae AGM Bedford Girls’ School

Pinterest/BedfordGirlsSch

Spring Term 2020, Date to be TBC

YouTube/BedfordGirlsSch

Inaugural Old Girls’ Hockey Match Bedford Girls’ School

LinkedIn/company/bedford-girls’-school

A W E LC OM E F R OM A LUM N A E P R E S I D E N T

Miss Jo MacKenzie, HE A DMIST R ESS B

I have been so impressed by how the community of past and present students demonstrated such compassion during lockdown; from fund raising and supporting key workers to raising awareness of mental health campaigns, delivering food to vulnerable families, and coming together to create uplifting music to raise our spirits. I am proud that many of our younger alumnae also used their voices to raise concerns regarding inclusivity and diversity in and outside of our curriculum, and have offered to be an active part of a focused framework for the future generations. As a community, we have collectively shown that we care deeply about the world around us; this is at the essence of my vision for BGS and makes me so very proud.

y the time you receive this, I too will have become part of The Alumnae as we welcome Mrs Gemma Gibson as the new Headmistress of Bedford Girls’ School in September. Mrs Gibson joins BGS from Harrow, Hong Kong where she was Assistant Head, prior to which she worked in senior positions at North London Collegiate School, Queen Elizabeth’s Girls’ School and St Ignatius College, London.

BGS is a community made up of strong-minded, inclusive, and encouraging individuals, and as our students leave and become alumnae I hope that they feel proud of BGS, but also importantly feel proud to be part of a long legacy of outstanding all-girls’ education in Bedford. I hope too that older alumnae feel proud of the success of the new school.

Being Founding Head of Bedford Girls’ School has been such a huge privilege, to be given the responsibility to bring the schools and their communities together, and create a new school, building, with much honour, upon the rich foundations of Bedford High School and Dame Alice Harpur School.

I know I have been shaped by BGS. Our school values set out in 2012 “Bold, Imaginative and Reflective” are the values that I now live by as I move on to my next chapter where I am stepping out of my comfort zone to focus on garden design. I could never be a Head of another school; nothing could live up to the experience of the last ten years.

As many of you know, my vision for BGS was to provide an education that was specifically suited to the needs of modern young women, that firmly looked to the future and focused on the skills they would need entering the workforce of tomorrow. I wanted BGS to be a school where our students were respected as forward thinking individuals who were comfortable in who they were and would go out and make a difference to the world around them. We wanted the school to be a community of innovators, an environment where we embraced technology and prepared our students for a VUCA world (a volatile, uncertain, complicated and ambiguous world). We needed our students to be adaptable and resilient, to be able to pick themselves up when things went wrong and seek out opportunities.

I will always be so very thankful for the role the alumnae have played in helping guide us along the way, and for the support which so many of you have shown me. I am very sad that I have not been able to say my goodbyes in person and that during my final few months the school was not full of the laughter you get when pupils come together. However, I share Mrs Gibson’s excitement for our future. BGS will continue to go from strength to strength and I know you will all play an important role in shaping future generations of alumnae. With my very best wishes

Nearly ten years later, I believe we have created such a school, and this year, like none other, has tested our principles to the core. It has been extraordinary; we went from celebrating our outstanding Independent Schools Inspectorate report in February to temporarily locking down the school less than six weeks later. However, we were prepared; we had the technology in place to switch to remote learning; the students had the self-motivation and skills to adapt to new ways of learning; and the resilience to deal with the uncertainty of the situations they were facing. Importantly, we also had many of our alumnae willing to help support and assist us during this time, providing mentorship and guidance to our Upper Sixth leavers who were so suddenly robbed of their last few months at school.

Jo MacKenzie, headmistress

Alumnae Reflections At the start of the Autumn Term we enjoyed welcoming a number of alumnae back to school to undertake work experience as we continue to support them as they move toward the working world. Whilst they were with us, we took the time to ask them, to reflect on their BGS education and returning to school.

Flora Charatan Flora Charatan (2015), gained a 1st Class Hons in Geography from the University of Cambridge and has recently completed her Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Geographical Research. “On my last day at BGS I didn’t feel particularly sad; I knew I’d keep in touch with most of my friends and teachers and I had a gap year to look forward to, not to mention the more pressing matters of leavers’ ball, Interrailing and girls holidays (and A Level results). BGS – rewarding and supportive though it was – seemed to have served its purpose and I can’t say I gave it much more thought than that. Four years later and with an undergraduate degree under my belt, it’s a lot easier to look back on the things that didn’t seem so significant at the time. “Perhaps the most important purpose BGS served was to kick-start my journey through life as a feminist. Being educated alongside so many funny, intelligent, musical, sporty, creative, assertive and kind girls for eight years left me unable to see women in any other way. By the time I got to university, the confidence I had in myself and other women couldn’t be challenged by anyone – not even by the fact my college had a gender balance of seven males for every three females and only started accepting women in 1978. That said, it’s also worth remembering that we are all fairly privileged feminists and I think BGS worked hard to make us aware of this fact. “And at the same time that I was encouraged to perform academically, BGS also taught me that academics aren’t everything. I met a few people at university who had clearly been valued for their scholarly achievements above all else – and it showed! I think BGS encouraged us, subtly, to think not just of other ways to impress but to redefine what ‘impressive’ means. In a world that is growing increasingly tired of elitist standards of success and competence, it’s important to remember that scoring highly is of equal value to being a thoughtful and fully-formed individual. “Finally, BGS taught me that there’s no shame in going back. I’ve returned to work at BGS for a month before starting my Masters and I’ve really enjoyed reconnecting with the place where it all started. Doing research for the Alumnae Department I read somewhere that networking is a skill that comes more naturally to men than women. Studies show that women require closer, more trusted networks to get ahead whilst men are happy to reach out to more tenuous contacts to get what they want. The BGS Alumnae community has the potential to be both tight-knit and broad-reaching. Given that we all have a brilliant education in common and ambitions to match, we would do well to look back and use it.”

Kesia Daley Kesia Daley (2015), gained a 1st Class Hons in Sociology from Manchester Metropolitan University and has recently completed a MSc in Applied Quantitative Methods. “Having returned to BGS to gain some experience in the Marketing and Admissions Department, I was surprised by how at ease I felt from the moment I stepped through the door. My time as marketing intern has been such a positive experience. I have learnt a considerable amount, developed my confidence in the workplace and hopefully, been of some use! “What could have been a lonely time finishing off my Master’s dissertation (with all my friends close by embarking on their travels or starting grad jobs) was made pleasurable by my internship. Working at BGS not only supported me my with career goals but gave me another an opportunity, away from long days in the library, to reflect on the skills I have developed and refined over the past four years. “Another surprise I had was the instant and overwhelming affiliation I felt to the school right from the beginning of my placement, which although I was not actively aware of, has clearly stayed with me since leaving four years ago. Seeing old teachers and the building (albeit quite upgraded with many new facilities) felt miraculously familiar and brought back so many heart-warming memories. “More than that, I was dazzled by how vibrant, intelligent and well-mannered all of the girls I communicated with during my time back at the school were. Now, leaving BGS for a second time, I realise that am truly grateful for my education and immensely proud be a member of the alumnae community.”

Katy Mansell Katy Mansell (2016), recently graduated with a 2:1 in Hospitality Management at Oxford Brookes University. “I am always proud to say I was a pupil at BGS. I was incredibly fortunate to have gained an education at such a school where I was truly able to thrive though discovering my passions and abilities, as well as being pushed to achieve my very best academically. What I appreciated most about my school were my teachers. Particularly when it came to Sixth Form and also playing in a sports team, every member of staff at BGS had my best interests at heart and would always go above and beyond to assist where needed. I have no regrets attending an all-girls school. I believe doing so has enabled me to achieve self-confidence as well as self-belief, which has benefitted me hugely since leaving school and moving on to the next chapter of my life. I don’t think I fully appreciated my school until returning and making use of the BGS alumnae. Upon returning found it particularly interesting how much work is involved with regards to Admissions and the BGS Alumnae Association itself. Reflecting on when I was a pupil, at the time I was very much unaware of how much work is put into this side of operations at the school and very much took it for granted. Through being put in contact with old girls of the school, I was able to widen my network and get in contact with women currently working in my desired industry. I consider this such as valuable aspect of attending a school like BGS. Knowing that even when I have left school after completing A Levels and moving on to university for example, my peers and I are still very much part of the community. As an alumna myself, I was able to give advice to a girl at BGS currently looking into undertaking my undergraduate course at university. As young women I believe it is essential not only that we remain in contact with our school but also with each other, in order to widen our professional networks and help one another with our futures.” 03

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Do send us your news: alumnae@bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk

BEDFORD HIGH SCHOOL Ros Ball (1996) Following school, Ros went to university in London before working at the BBC on current affairs and political programming, including BBC Parliament. She is now an author and policy maker at the Government Equalities Office. Ros is hoping the alumnae might be able to help with the new book she is writing, Women Who Won. The book is about extraordinary elected women from across the world that everyone should know. Ros works with the publisher, Unbound, who use a crowdfunding model and would be grateful for any support with the book either by individual or companies. For further information and to purchase the book:

a therapy business, thrived in national corporate sales and has also run a publishing company producing a popular, monthly magazine. She has been recognised for her innovation, as Bedfordshire Businesswoman of the Year.

Dawn Bullivant (BHS 1990) Writing under the name Dawn Terry, Dawn has released her latest romantic thriller, Deadly Escape, in October 2019.

https://unbound.com/books/ women-who-won/

Dawn started writing romance suspense novels about six years ago. She said: “It was something I’d always wanted to do, and I thought, if I don’t try, I’ll never know if I can write. I’ve always had a huge imagination and I’ve loved building my plots and my characters. The feeling of achievement when I completed my first book was wonderful.”

Fleur Bassett (née Marshall, BHS 1990)

Hannah Carvell (née Munns, 1999)

In February 2019, Fleur relocated to Lichfield Staffordshire to take up a new role at Defence Medical Services, Whittington Barracks. On promotion to Surgeon Commodore, Fleur is now the Head of Healthcare Plans and responsible for an ambitious transformation programme to modernise the delivery of primary care. Fleur reports that her younger sisters Laura Wilde (née Marshall, 1995) and Holly Doyle (née Marshall, 1998) are both really well and living overseas. Laura continues to work at Dubai Airport and Holly is enjoying life in Adelaide, South Australia with her family.

Teresa Brooks (née Milford, BHS 1990) Teresa is a certified professional coach with over 20 years in advertising, marketing and sales. As an extension of her work, she has recently launched a publication called Coach Magazine, with the mission to educate, empower and inspire the reader about the power of coaching with insights and articles from professional coaches. Teresa has worked in the newspaper world, built

Lucy Findlay (1988)

Hannah studied Fine Art Painting at Kingston University, London. A career in PR and Fashion followed. Hannah set up her own company in 2019 (www.hannahcarvell.com), creating beautiful, limited edition screen prints by hand in her Bedford studio. Specialising in both illustrative designs and typography, Hannah’s vibrant work often nods to some of her favourite things in life – Dachshund dogs and bright colours.

Stella Fife (1891) In October 2020, Women’s Pioneer Housing (WPH) will celebrate one hundred years of providing homes for women in London. To mark this milestone, WPH has set up a project exploring the links between housing, feminism and the efforts for women to gain independence after winning the vote. The project’s first major achievement has been the film Pioneering Courage: The Women’s Pioneer Housing Story. Stella Beatrice Fife (1874-1947), was one of the first WPH tenants and appears in the film. She was a talented cellist and worked as a music teacher, which enabled her to purchase a share in the housing scheme.

Many congratulations to Lucy who received an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours 2019 for services to Social Enterprise.

Honor Lewington (née Whiting, 1962) Honor raised her family as well as teaching young children. Having really enjoyed Miss Hasler’s History lessons at school, Honor now keeps herself busy with history and archives and as the most recent editor of Buckinghamshire Record Society Volume 38: Stoke Mandeville, Wills and Inventories 1552-1853.

Margaret Partridge (1911) Engineering pioneer, Margaret Partridge features in a new book, Ladies Can’t Climb Ladders: The Pioneering Adventures of the First Professional Women by Jane Robinson. The premise of Robinson’s book is about pioneering women and begins with the 1919 Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act, which was intended to enable women to become professionals in the workplace without hindrance. Whilst this was an Act to be celebrated, the reality was not so plain sailing: the title of the book was one of the arguments that architects used to discourage women from their profession. In 1917, Margaret joined thousands of women during World War I taking on traditional male roles in the workplace. Margaret secured a job in an engineering firm, progressing quickly through the ranks.

After the war, Margaret returned to her native Devon and set up her electric power supply company, M Partridge & Co Domestic Engineers. Margaret and her workers changed the lives of rural Devonians by bringing electricity to their homes.

have lived in Margaret’s imagination for a long time. Margaret is now busy writing two more follow up stories.

Margaret didn’t believe her gender should hold her back and advised other women looking to break into traditional male roles, they would need the following: ‘The impudence of a small monkey, the epidermis of a hippopotamus, the patience of a small elephant, the energy of an ant, a modicum of knowledge of the job — and as much capital as possible.’

Elizabeth Albone (née Wilkinson, 1945)

Margaret was born in 1891 and died in 1967. In March 2019, a blue plaque commemorating Margaret’s life was unveiled in her home village of Willand, Devon.

Nicola Reddy (née Oakley, BHS 1999) Congratulations to Nicola and her husband Bruno (OB 1998) of Maths Circle Ltd, who are one of 220 organisations nationally to be recognised with a prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise, for its excellence in innovation. The company’s innovative mathematical products, Timestables Rockstars and NumBots, have encouraged children to become more confident with Maths and been a vital tool for many during lockdown. Millions of children around the world use Times Tables Rock Stars in over 100 countries. Maths Circle’s first employee was alumna, Sarah Parrish (BGS 2014) who is still working for the company.

Sandra Willans (nee Wane, 1982) Sandra volunteers at Singing for the Brain (SftB) sessions for the Alzheimer’s Society in South London and Surrey. She recently composed The Forget Me Not Song, a charity single to raise awareness of the power of music for people living with dementia. The single is available to buy from the Alzheimer’s Society online shop. The Alzheimer’s Society celebrated its 40th birthday this year, and the song will be performed by Sandra and her SftB singers at the Guildhall in London in front of HRH Princess Alexandra (Royal Patron) and other distinguished guests.

Margaret Woods (1981) Margaret studied Classics at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge. She followed a career as a teacher before publishing her first book in 2020, The Curious Cake. This is the first time that characters Francine, Mackintosh and Victor have appeared in print, but they

DAME ALICE HARPUR Congratulations to Elizabeth and her husband Laurence who celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on 16 July 2019.

Lindsey Ambrose (1987) For much of her time as a student Lindsey was a young carer, and one summer she and her family survived being caught up in the upheavals of the Civil War in Sri Lanka. Those early experiences informed a lifelong passion for helping people and over the years her work has received numerous accolades and recognition. Her role at the Alzheimer’s Society, includes supporting a national team of Ambassadors all living with dementia to influencing senior NHS leaders, government ministers and industry leaders. She is responsible for introducing a new App to teams across the Alzheimer’s Society in England, Wales and Northern Ireland enabling the involvement of thousands of people affected by dementia with communities and organisations locally, regionally and nationally.

Karen Caunce-Partridge (née Whiting, 1976) Karen attended Business College before going to work as a PA at Deloitte, London. A complete career change followed with Karen becoming a dog beautician and running her own business, and lecturing on the subject. Karen has shown her dogs, many of which she has bred, all over the country for more than 30 years. She is a Kennel Club Championship Dog Show Judge.

Clare Chapman (1979) Following a Fine Art degree, Clare worked in community arts and arts journalism, and then enjoyed a vibrant teaching career in Stroud and at Badminton School, teaching History of Art and Photography. Latterly she taught in school part time as her interest in therapeutic yoga and bodywork grew. She has now been teaching yoga for over twenty years. A decade ago, Clare trained in California with the world-renowned posture guru Esther Gokhale, Clare now gives talks, offers courses and writes for the Gokhale Method, teaching people with back and other musculoskeletal problems how to sit, stand, walk and bend to help restore healthy posture and function. https://gokhalemethod.com/

In 2018-19, Lindsey led co-production of the Dementia Experience Toolkit. Commissioned by the Dept of Health and Social Care, the freeto-use online resource shares great practice. The toolkit, which has influenced academics, researchers and practitioners internationally, was a finalist in two categories at the National Dementia Care Awards 2019, and features in the Dementia Guide to the NHS Long Term Plan.

Rhiana Duckett (2010)

Pat Boston (1981)

Earlier this year Anne was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List for Services to local charity, Carers in Bedfordshire. Anne said: “During the 13 years I was on the board and the seven as Chair, I saw Carers in Bedfordshire’s amazing growth into a professionally run organisation which still retains the family feel for staff and carers alike. I am hugely privileged to have been associated with such a vibrant and much needed organisation alongside caring for my husband.”

Pat studied BSc Home Economics Education, followed by a PGCE at Manchester Metropolitan University. She spent two years teaching in the north of England, followed by two years near London, before moving to New Zealand in 1989. Based in Auckland, she is Head of the Food and Textiles Department at a secondary school, a role which she relishes. Having not been back to Dame Alice since the day she left, Pat enjoyed a tour of the school whilst visiting the UK in January.

Rhiana studied Management with Marketing at university, before going on to complete an MSc in International Management with Marketing. Rhiana works for TwentyCi, a customer intelligence agency specialising in consumer behaviours, in a varied role that encompasses both Marketing and Client Relationship Management.

Anne Grant (Former Teacher)

An inspirational role model Anne has been a carer for her husband, Forbes, for 28 years since he suffered a stroke, leaving him tetraplegic without speech. Around teaching and bringing up their children, Anne and Forbes have tried to lead the life they always intended; they have even managed to travel extensively in a specially adapted camper van. Anne taught sciences at Dame Alice Harpur School between 1989 and 2004.

Sally Haworth (née Ogborne, 1992) Sally studied Biochemistry at the University of Bristol. She has worked for several pharmaceutical companies in a variety of roles, most recently at pregnancy and fertility product company, Clearblue. A mother of four, Sally has been part of the Clearblue campaign, #Conceivinghood, a drive to empower women to talk more openly and de-stigmatize the pre-pregnancy phase. Conceivinghood, which is a time that can hold a lot of tension for women and their partners. Thank you to the large number of alumnae that shared their stories with Sally following her appeal.

Rosemary Joyeux (née Gough, 1951) The life of Rosemary is being celebrated in the Great Bedfordians gallery in The Higgins museum. Rosemary, who sadly passed away in 2011, was the Head Teacher of the Portway School (1970-1983), a pioneering multi-language school in Bedford, helping newly arrived foreign students to learn English before transferring to mainstream education.

Paulette Lamb (née Kemp was Lodge, 1975) Paulette lost touch with her friends Susan Meek and Julia Miller from her school days. All left school in 1975, Paulette went on to study Education and English, Susan, Law and Languages and Julia, Science. If anyone can please help reconnect Paulette with her old friends please get in touch: alumnae@bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk

Sara McMurry (née Barrett, 1961) Graduated with a BSc from Bedford College, London in 1964, Sara went on to study for a DPhil in Elementary Particle Physics at the University of Oxford. After a year at Durham University she moved to Ireland, lecturing at Trinity College Dublin, until retirement in 2007. Sara

volunteered on several occasions in India, teaching in village schools, and working with street children in Kolkata. Sara’s book entitled, Re-Tyred: Discovering India, is based on her volunteering experiences.

Jenni Penrose (née Akers, 2008) Jenni gained a Masters in Meteorology at the University of Reading and the University of Oklahoma (USA) before moving to work as a marine meteorologist in Singapore. She is now a Civil Servant in London for the Government Office for Science. At the time of writing, Jenni was due to embark on a trip to Antarctica in November 2020 with 80 other women from across the globe, as part of a global leadership programme for women working in STEMM (Science Technology Engineering Maths Medicine) fields.

for Sir Robert McAlpine, where she was part of the team that constructed the retractable roof on No.1 Court at Wimbledon which opened last year.

Lois Twigden (2010) Lois gained a 1st in Business Studies at Oxford Brookes University. She went on the Radisson Hotels graduate scheme before deciding on a career in finance. Lois is a Certified Financial Advisor with her Bedford based family firm, Twigden Asset Management ( www.twigdenasset.co.uk ). Lois is working towards becoming a Chartered Financial Advisor.

Suzy Wimbourne (2008)

Hannah Pool (2005) Hannah is working as a paediatric registrar in the children’s emergency department in Brighton and is District Clinical Lead for St John Ambulance. She has also been event clinical lead for a number of high-profile events including New Year’s Eve in London, Brighton Pride and Brighton Marathon. Hannah will be moving to the emergency department at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool later this year. A keen musician, Hannah has kept up her music by playing for an amateur musical theatre several times a year. Hannah would love to reconnect with any old school friends.

Lesley Scott (née Munkman, 1959) Carol Perla (née Munkman, 1961) Two cousins, Lesley and Carol had a rewarding visit to their old school. At the time they followed in the footsteps of two other family members – Lesley’s sister Ann Barker (née Munkman, 1953) and their aunt Olive Gravestock (née Munkman). On leaving school, Lesley attended Camberwell School of Art and went on to become a successful sculptor. For Carol it was one of her many school visits; she was Chair of DAHSA in 2006/7. Since retiring from teaching she lives locally. They were amazed at how the school had changed since their day.

Lucy Scott (2011) Lucy was Head Girl from 2010-2011. Lucy graduated from the University of Nottingham with a Masters degree in Civil Engineering. She is now working

Suzy studied Art at the University of Lancaster and now runs a successful wedding photography business. In addition, Suzy and her partner Alex Carrington are also musicians. They have spent the winter months of the past five years working for Disney, employed as an acoustic duo for their Cruise Line division. This has since directly led to their most exciting challenge yet of establishing a Specialty Coffee Roasters business, Carringtons Coffee Co, which they launched in Summer 2019 after nearly two years of planning. www.suzywimbournephotography.com https://carringtonscoffee.co/

BEDFORD GIRLS’ SCHOOL Katy Ball (2014) Katy studied Adult Nursing at the University of Hertfordshire. After graduating she worked as a community nurse for two years and has just begun a palliative care nursing role at the Garden House Hospice in Letchworth.

Tor (Victoria) Caldwell (2015) Tor read English Language at King’s College London and is now working for a specialist sports, ski and educational

travel agency, where she is mainly managing sports tours. We welcomed Tor back into school in December, where she talked to Sixth Formers about the versatility of studying English Language. Accompanying PE Teacher, Miss Higginson, Tor also lent a hand in a Year 8 hockey lesson. A talented sportswoman herself she demonstrated some of her own skills in this particular sport.

Maddie Coomber and Charlie Anderson (2018) Maddie and Charlie returned to school in the Autumn for a catch up. Maddie is currently studying Primary Education at the University of Reading, Charlie has just embarked on a degree in Computer Science at the University of East Anglia.

Megan Crossland (2018)

to Bim Afolami, MP for Hitchin and Harpenden, an interesting role which she is enjoying very much.

Krupa Katechia (2015) Krupa read Civil Engineering at Coventry University. She joined consulting engineering company, Pell Frischmann, as a summer placement student three years ago. Krupa continued to work for them during the remaining holidays and was offered a job on their graduate scheme as a graduate engineer. The firm supported her whilst she undertook her Masters in Civil Engineering.

Ffion Lucas (2017) Ffion is currently undertaking a sandwich year placement at Volkswagen (VW) and recently returned to school to give students a greater insight in the automotive industry. She talked about the different areas of the business. Ffion was also keen to share her less than straightforward journey. She explained that she missed her predicted A Level grades and was not accepted on her chosen university course. Ffion reapplied to Nottingham Trent University to study Business, which included a year industry and her role at VW. She was keen to emphasise to the girls that you should never discount an opportunity.

Abigail Mountford (2012) Megan spent the summer at university in Korea, she said: “I spent the Summer of 2019 studying at Korea University; a school nestled in the lofty hills of Anam-dong in Seoul, South Korea. I now recognise that I went into this experience absolutely in over my head; I spoke no Korean, I’d never flown on my own before and I was completely and utterly on my own. These worries, however, soon faded to nothing as soon as I arrived. I made a group of friends from all over the world and we spent the summer working, exploring, partying and eating Korean food. At the university, I took a World History and Korean class, and spent many sleepless nights trying to remember the difference between ‘delicious’ and ‘handsome’ (which by the way, is only one letter!) for my Korean midterms and finals. My time in Seoul was undoubtedly one of the most memorable experiences of my life.”

Tara Joe (2015) Tara read BA Politics and International Relations at the University of York and is now working in Politics as a Senior Parliamentary Researcher

Abigail has completed her PhD in Chemistry at the University of Bristol. She has been offered a post-doctoral researcher position at the University of Cambridge.

Imogen Parry, Simran Deol and Shanika Mahendran (2015)

Following a degree in Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Nottingham, Imogen has joined the Civil Service Fast Stream programme, undertaking a role at the Ministry of Justice. Simran has just completed her fifth year of Medicine at the University of Birmingham and Shanika has started her final year at the University of Buckingham, where she is studying Art History. Alongside her studies, Shanika is working for the Milton Keynes branch of the Labour party as their Communications and Social Media Officer.

Emily Carter (2017) Congratulations to Emily whose play, Bedlam (the story of a young woman and uprising in a Victorian asylum) was performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to rave reviews in August 2019. Emily is currently studying Philosophy at Durham University.

Harry Lusty (2015) Harry has just graduated from the University of Edinburgh, where she studied Sculpture and will be taking up a job shortly as an Art Technician with Sotheby’s. Throughout her time at university, she became interested in the manipulation of space and light and this has become a trait of her work. Harry was one of 60 graduates who were asked to exhibit at the New Contemporaries Exhibition 2020 at the Royal Academy of Art & Architecture in Edinburgh in February. In the lead up to the exhibition we were delighted to welcome Harry back into school as our Artist in Residence whilst she prepared her piece for the show, it was a wonderful insight for current BGS students to observe.

Hockey Stars qualify for Super Sixes

Imogen, Simran and Shanika, returned to school. All had studied the IB and expressed how the programme effectively prepared them for university and additional work demands; helping them embrace change rather than fear it.

Many congratulations to the Bedford Ladies 1st hockey stars, Sarah-Jane McDonald (née Darrington, BHS 2003), Emily Allen (BGS 2019), Alice Baker (BGS 2020), Miss Higginson (BGS PE teacher) and Kate Costin (BHS 2003) who were part of the team that placed 3rd in the Jaffa Super Sixes Division 2 North. The Jaffa Super 6s - the premier Indoor Hockey Championship in England. We are always super proud to see the BGS community representing club and county level in a wide range of sports at all levels.

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO HERMAN MOLL Mrs Sara McPhail, Geography teacher, reflected: “In the A Level Geography course the students study historic maps and think about them in relation to how places change. The Human paper includes a section on Changing Places, which stresses the importance of casting a critical eye on maps when thinking of the perception of place. The Herman Moll maps brought it home to the girls that it’s important to appreciate how these early maps were made and how reliable or accurate they were in their time.

On Wednesday 5th February 2020, staff, students and alumnae from BGS and the heritage schools were invited to a special viewing at W&H Peacock Auctioneers of an 18th century atlas by renowned cartographer Herman Moll. This rare book was found, somewhat by chance, in our library last year.

and depictions of life in different countries. The artwork around the sides is also truly fascinating and includes information about regions and historic sites contained in the map such as a plan of Madras, India, now known as Chennai; Edinburgh Castle, Scotland; Mount Etna, Italy and Table Mountain, South Africa to name a few.

The book was given as a gift to Dame Alice Harpur School in the late 1960s in remembrance of a former member of the Geography department, Mrs Norma Wilkinson. Mrs Wilkinson taught Geography at the school from 1966 to 1968. Her time at the school was sadly short: she passed away in August 1968 and is remembered as an inspiring teacher and popular colleague. Mrs Wilkinson was an avid map collector and this book was in her collection.

During the morning viewing, our Sixth Form students studying geography and staff had the opportunity to visit the auction house, getting up close to the beautiful leather bound folio, which contains 32 maps dating from 1706 – 1730.

The maps within the book would have been published separately, with many including beautiful hand paintings

After consulting with antique book and map experts and after very careful consideration, it was concluded that the best option was to sell the book to a collector or a museum. The maps are extremely fragile and the school did not have the facilities to do the book justice.

Sophie Parry, Upper Sixth, said: “The handmade maps were beautifully drawn with colour to mark the borders of countries and regions. To see how the world had changed and evolved since the eighteenth century was fascinating and a clear insight into the constant development of our planet.” 08

“Early cartographers gained their knowledge from all sorts of people and promoted all sorts of causes. In the time before Google, these maps were a precious insight into our amazing world. It was a real privilege to see Herman Moll’s maps and the girls appreciated the opportunity.” The evening’s proceedings provided a lovely opportunity for alumnae and geography teachers past and present to come together, to learn more about the history of the maps, and to celebrate Mrs Wilkinson’s life. Guests enjoyed a drinks reception and a tour of the auction house. W&H Peacock Auctioneer, Matthew Baker spoke about their excitement of having such a unique item for sale. He gave an insightful background history of Herman Moll in the early 1700s and the development of the book. There was much anticipation for the auction sale on Friday 7th February 2020, with interested parties across the country; the final hammer price was £15,000. We want to ensure that Mrs Wilkinson’s legacy and passion for geography is passed down to future generations. Therefore, the proceeds from the sale will create a more permanent memorial in the shape of a state of the art weather station, ensuring that there is a permanent memory of Mrs Wilkinson. We will also be reproducing some of the maps, creating large photographic panels to be hung and displayed around the school for all to admire.

Achieving Excellence in All Areas

It was an exciting start to 2020 for Bedford Girls’ School. During the second week of the Spring Term, the school underwent an Independent School Inspectorate (ISI) Inspection and shortly before half term in February, we were thrilled to release the report and to announce that we achieved the highest rating possible, with Excellence in all areas. A team of six Inspectors focused on two key areas of outcomes and concluded that both the Academic and other Achievements, and Personal

Development of the students were excellent. Under the ISI framework this is the highest outcome that a school can achieve. Miss MacKenzie, Headmistress, said: “We are thrilled with the ISI findings. Our excellence stems from delivering a clear educational vision through our partnership with staff, students, parents and the wider community, as we all work together to ensure that we are providing an exceptional forward thinking education for our students. I am extremely proud of our staff and students and this report provides a great platform from which the school will continue to grow.” The stand out headlines are that “Pupils develop excellent skills for learning from an early age” and that they make “rapid progress in developing knowledge, skills and understanding as a result of the high expectations and effectively prepared teaching.”

Looking beyond just academic achievements it highlights that the “Pupils excel in a wider variety of sporting, creative and academic extra-curricular activities.” Whilst also commenting that “the pupils’ excellent moral and social development is reflected in a community which is built on kindness and mutual respect.” The report also highlighted that “pupils develop excellent life skills throughout every stage of the school.” In line with the school’s focus on integrating technology into education the report noted that “Pupils competence in using ICT to support their learning is outstanding.” The inspection also included the compulsory compliancy inspection, where a school can only be awarded met or not met. Bedford Girls’ School achieved met for this element of the Inspection.

Learning and Achievements “Pupils take a high level of responsibility for their studies, demonstrating an intrinsic motivation and determination to do well.”

“The pupils’ ability to listen, reflect, debate with authority and communicate in writing, is excellent.”

“Pupils were firm in their acknowledgement of their teachers’ roles in raising self-belief, recognising that individual feedback and support is at the heart of their success as learners.”

“Pupils demonstrate an excellent level of self-understanding and willingness to embrace new challenges with confidence.”

“Pupils display an excellent understanding of how to research effectively using a wide range of academic sources.”

“..outstanding artistic achievement is evident in the quality of the artwork on display throughout the school.”

Personal Development “Pupils show an excellent understanding of how to stay safe and are aware of the need to establish a balance in all they do to stay physically and mentally healthy.”

“Pupils demonstrate an excellent level of self-understanding and willingness to embrace new challenges with confidence.”

ALUMNAE EVENTS Dame Alice 1973 Reunion, May 2019 Following a re-union at school in 1992, the leavers of 1973 have met every year since then. In May 2019, the group met at the home of Glenys Bowyer (née Albone) in Thame, Oxfordshire.

Seated on the bench are Margaret Johnson (née Butler), Carolyn Manning (née Digby) and Pauline Jordan (née Clark). Left to right standing are Paula Hoffman (née Drown), Linda Hubbard, Jackie Wright (née Webber) Rowan Watts (née Ayres), Ruth Riisnaes (who is still a keen netball player), Glenys Bowyer (née Albone), Gail Birch (née Cranko), Stephanie King (née Strong), Lindsey Knibbs (née Harvey), Susanne McCafferty (née Thorn) and Lindsey Holme (née Gibson).

155th Bedford Regatta, May 2019

This is an ever-popular occasion and we always enjoy alumnae dropping by for a scone and glass of Pimms and cheering on the BGS crews.

With many events for 2020 unfortunately cancelled it is lovely to look back at happy times earlier in 2019.

Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards, May 2019

Congratulations to the following alumnae who visited Buckingham Palace to receive their Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Gold Award from the Earl and Countess of Wessex and Duke of Gloucester. Photo (L-R): Elana Sweatman (2016), Ellen Lovell (2016), Eleanor Lawton (2018), Emma Brown (2018), Elise Ferretti (2018), Emily Moule (2014), Judith Tarrant (2019), Victoria Sadler (2019) and Katie Parrish (2017). Victoria Sadler (2019) said of her experience: “It was definitely a memorable day, celebrating all the hard work that had been put in over the past years and visiting the beautiful gardens within the grounds of Buckingham Palace.”

We were delighted to welcome Katie Parrish (2017) as the guest speaker for our annual awards ceremony in February 2020. Katie is currently studying a Masters in Sports Management, Politics and International Development.

Annual London Networking Drinks, May 2019

It was great to welcome lots of alumnae, as well as a large group of recent graduates who are embarking on their careers in London, to the German Gymnasium for drinks. 10

Dame Alice Harpur School 1985, June 2019

In June we welcomed groups of DAHS 1985 and 1999 leavers back into school, the first time many of them had returned. Our 1985 leavers were keen to recreate a favourite VI 2 group photo from their school days. The first picture was taken in 1985 when they were in the Upper Sixth (VI 2 as it was called). Julia Vella (now Baldock) at the top, Michelle Russell (now Taylor) top left, Janet Coleman (now Dodds) - Deputy Head Girl, Kate Hirst (now Hudson) Sheena Richardson (now Kingham) Jo Hall is bottom left, Kim Elliot and Jane Hawkins (now Trevorrow) bottom right. In the 2019 picture - Michelle Taylor (née Russell), Kate Hudson (née Hirst) Sheena Kingham (née Richardson), Jo Hall and Jane Trevorrow (née Hawkins).

BHS 80th Birthday Celebration, July 2019

A group of great friends enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea at The Swan Hotel to celebrate their 80th years, to remember their school days at BHS and to toast absent friends. Left to right top row. Jennifer Codrington (née Laborde), Anne Merry (née Ainscough), Wendy Rogerson (née Prentice), Gill Murray (née Pratt), Sheila Mousley (née Porter), Janet Must (née Bates0 and Valerie Brace (née Palmer). Bottom row Janet Vyne (née Brookes), Vicky Frossell (née Boutwood), Sandy Hebblethwaite (née White) and Elizabeth Crofts (née Findlay).

Alumnae Rowing, July 2019

As part of this year’s BGS House Regatta we held our first Alumnae Rowing event and two eights of alumnae racing against each other, showing that rowing really is a life-long skill and passion for many and bonds the girls together long after they leave school. Winning crew: Mia Armstrong (2018), Amy Elliott (2007), Emily Greene (2018), Charlotte Gumbley (née Titterington 2007,), Hannah Leggott (1998), Courtnay Osborne-Walker (2015), Bryonny Samasuwu (2018), Sarah Russell (née Harris, 1986). Cox: Bella Trobe (BGS 2020). Boat 2: Jordan Bruce (2012), Louise Gale (2009), Jessica Hopewell (2018), Lily Hudson (2018), Katie McDonagh (2018), Emily Millar (née Frossell, 1995), Sophie Stock (2006), Lexie Titterington (2009), Cox: Imogen Fereday (2018).

Old Girls’ Lacrosse, September 2019

The first day of term started with the usual tradition of the First Lacrosse Team v the Old Girls’ at Cople Fields. As usual the competitive levels were high and it was a closely fought match, with the final score 10-7 to the First Team. The rules of the game have recently changed and a side is now reduced to ten players. OG Team – Emily Allen (2019), Cecilia Castell (2019), Isabella Devile (2019), Ellie Hind (2019), Mel Houghton (2019), Ellie Lawton (2018), Fleur Leech (2019), Annie Marks (2018), Kirstie Moffat (2016), Katie Parrish (2017), Alex Sadler (2016), Annabel Sadler (2014) and Judith Tarrant (2019).

Visitors in A huge thank you to all of our alumnae who have taken part in the BGS Mentoring Programme 2019/2020, offered work experience; helped with interview practice; supported our Summer 2020 Upper Sixth Programme; or have come into school for work experience. We could not grow our community of network and support without your wonderful involvement. We thank inspiring alumnae who have come back to BGS to share their experiences at lunchbox lectures this year: Jasmine Banghard (BHS 2006) Philosophy and Theology

Dame Alice Reunion,

Jane Cooper (DAHS 1996) Religious Studies and Ethics

This year the reunion also incorporated two mini reunions, the Class of 1994 (who had enjoyed a lunch at The Embankment beforehand) and the Classes of 1972-1974. In addition to lots of new faces, there were some former teachers, as well as quite a few representing Classes of 1969, 2000 and 2009.

Tor Caldwell (BGS 2015) Studying English Language at university and hockey skills.

September 2019

Campaign Challenge, January 2020

Emily Duchenne (BGS 2017) Geography at university / Oxford entry Kate Gibbons (DAHS 1977) Law and Female Leadership Ffion Lucas (BGS 2017) Careers in the automotive industry / university placement year

As part of the launch of the Lower Sixth charity project, the Campaign Challenge, we welcomed Simi (Sumudu) Godagama (DAHS 1997) to speak to the year group about her career and her experiences in setting up her own charitable foundation the RuRi Foundation, who work in the awareness, education and prevention of child sexual abuse in Sri Lanka.

Harriet Lusty (BGS 2015) Sculpture at university and BGS artist in residence

An Evening of Calligraphy with Ellie Pryer: A Beginner’s Guide to Calligraphy,

Nicola Reddy (BHS 1999) The Pros and Cons of running your own business

February 2020

Ellie Pryer (2011) hosted a special beginner’s modern calligraphy masterclass. A wonderful skill to master using a calligraphy pen confidently. During lockdown Ellie has developed a remote study at home calligraphy course.

Jenni Penrose (née Akers,2008) Meteorology to the Civil Service Liv Pryer (BGS 2015) Guest speaker at the FBGSRC Rowing Ball

Bex Swaney (2015) Oxbridge Q & A session Frances Wilkinson (BGS 2016) The Shuttleworth Trust and volunteering opportunities available. Suzy Wimbourne (DAHS 2008) Photography: A Creative Career

BIRTHS, DEATHS & MARRIAGES For full obituaries, please visit the members’ bulletin section on the Alumnae website. For inclusion in further editions, please contact Emma MacKenzie:

alumnae@bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk

Births & Marriages

Ruby Carter (née Baker, 1941)

Congratulations to Kirstie who gave birth to Sebastian Arthur-Leslie Radwell on 19th February 2020.

Ruby died in her 95th year, in summer 2019. She was the much loved mother of Mike, Sue (BHS 1975) and Gill (BHS 1976). Ruby was an active member of the Guild and was involved in the Bedford community all her life, as a long standing volunteer at Bedford Guild House in Harper Street.

Hannah Edwards (2011)

Maureen Meadows (née Wooler, 1959)

Bedford High School Kirstie Stewart (2012)

Congratulations to Hannah who married Iain Harvey on 15th June 2019 in Ampthill.

Dr Charlotte McClean (2009) Congratulations to Charlotte who married Capt. Matt Tovey on 10th August 2019.

Deaths

Bedford High School Elisabeth Constance Benson Hall (née Bellwood, 1942) Elisabeth passed away in December 2019, aged 95. Elisabeth was a pupil from 1933 - 1942. On leaving school she served for three years in the WRNS. She was a plotter at Portland Bill on D-Day in June 1944. Between 1946 - 1958, Elisabeth lived in Argentina and Kenya, where her husband was employed as a farm manager and Veterinary Officer.

Maureen passed away in March 2019. Maureen’s days at Bedford High School were very influential; she was a Girl Guide, enjoyed camping and found success on the netball team. Maureen trained as an orthoptist at Moorfields Eye Hospital. A vocation enabling her desire to care for others and she worked at Northampton General Hospital and later at Worthing Hospital. Maureen married in 1969. Their daughter Sally was born in 1973, they lived on a boat in the Mediterranean before travelling back to England via the Canal du Midi. Maureen will be remembered for her humour, her love of travel, as a wonderful Nanna, and of her and her husband’s keen support for RAFA. Please refer to The Alumnae Portal to see the full obituary by daughter, Sally Johnson.

Margaret Montague (née Pilgrim, 1956)

Elisabeth’s daughter’s Katherine Butland (1967) and Sarah Forner (1973) both attended BHS.

Margaret sadly passed away in June 2019 in Redcliffe, Queensland, Australia. She entered Bedford High School in 1949 and proceeded to Homerton College, Cambridge in 1956. She taught briefly at the Abbey School, Elstow before marrying Barry Montague (B.M.S. and Emmanuel) and emigrating to Australia. She was a passionate teacher of science particularly to girls and many of her pupils pursued careers in those areas. She leaves her husband, three children and three grandchildren.

Gillian Brooke (née Rose, 1951)

Sue Mount (Lyon, Quantocks 1953)

The family home remained in Bedford, where Elisabeth ran a playgroup before moving to Cambridge, where she worked as an ECG assistant at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge and as a library assistant at Robinson College, Cambridge, a job she continued into her mid-seventies.

Gillian passed away in January 2019 aged 86.

A dear friend to many, Sue lived in Tasmania and New Zealand. She died in July 2019 leaving her husband Tony, three sons and their families. 12

Lady Linda Denise Vane Percy (née Grosvenor, 1963) Passed away peacefully in April 2019 aged 70.

Angela Potter (née Holmes, BHS 1948) Angela died in October 2019. She trained as a nurse at the Wingfield Hospital, Oxford and at King’s College Hospital, London. She married Bill Potter in 1956 and began a long association with Abingdon School where Bill was teaching, becoming a housemaster’s wife and fulfilling the role of school nurse. She had two adopted children, Jane and Giles and a grandson, Leo.

Pamela Mary Raven (née Soper, 1946) Pamela passed away in March 2018, aged 89.

Sarah Raven (née Fisher, 2004) Sarah Raven lost her long fight with cancer in November 2019, aged just 33. Sarah was lots of things: a fellow student, a talented sports woman, a well-respected colleague, a loving daughter, good friend and a hugely popular teacher spanning Bedford High School, Dame Alice Harpur School and Bedford Girls’ School. An inaugural alumnae hockey match will be hosted in her memory at BGS in the Spring Term of 2021.

Margaret Staddon (former Head of German) Margaret Staddon passed away in May 2019 following a short illness, aged 91 years. Margaret was a much loved wife to Nigel, Mother and Grandmother. Margaret was a long-standing member of staff at Bedford High School from 1970 - 1987, she was also Head of Lower Sixth and provide pastoral support for boarders during the school holidays. Margaret’s funeral was led by Guild Chaplain, Paul Fricker.

Vida Walker (née Abbiss, 1942) Vida died at home in Ampthill in December 2019 aged 94.

Vida was mother of Ruth Jones (DAHS 1971), Chloe Watts (DAHS 1976), Lydia Evans (BHS 1977), Hannah Greaves (BHS 1979), Elisabeth Warren (BHS 1984) and Claudia Tyson (BHS 1986). All née Walker. Vida’s husband John (died August 2013) was also involved in BHS as the Chairman of the Parent Teacher Association in the mid 1970’s.

Births & Marriages

Dame Alice Harpur School Lucy Clements (2009) Congratulations to Lucy who married Akshay Gulati on 10th August 2019.

Rachel Jones (2011) Congratulations to Rachel who married Andy Wilkinson on 17th August 2019.

Deaths

Dame Alice Harpur School Evelyn (Lyn) Abraham (née Hibberd, 1951) Lyn sadly died in hospital in Leicester in April 2020, aged 86. Lyn was married to Brian (former Head Boy at BMS) and was a much-loved mother and grandmother. Lyn’s two daughters attended BHS, Alison Wright (née Abraham, 1974) and Hilary Abraham (1976).

Wendy Cooper (1961) Wendy passed away in January 2019 following a short illness. Wendy trained at the Bedford College of Physical Education and was appointed Head of Girls’ PE at Goldington Secondary School. In 1979, she joined the new John Howard Upper School (now Biddenham International School and Sports College) as Head of Girls’ PE, before teaching other subjects as well as becoming an Examinations Officer until her retirement in October 2018. Wendy will continue to be remembered at Biddenham; the school’s sports complex was named the Wendy Cooper Sports Complex in July 2019.

Carolyn Crowe (née Powell, 1987) Carolyn passed away in October 2019 aged 50, from ill health.

Rose Halton (née McAlpine, 1956) Rose sadly passed away in April 2020 following a short battle with cancer. She will be much missed by her children Alison MacDougall (née Halton, BHS 1983) Angus (Bedford School), sister Alex (DAHS 1958) and her five grandchildren. On leaving school, Rose’s potential was recognised, she was articled to E K Martell Solicitors to begin her legal training. Rose became the first female solicitor in Bedfordshire, her specialism was Probate and Conveyance.

Janet Lawley (Former Governor) It is with great sadness we have learnt of Janet’s death, aged 81. A GSA Fellow and Headmistress of Bury Grammar School Girls from 1987 – 1988, Janet was the Chair of the Education Committee at DAHS for years, she was a great advocate of girls’ education, a supporter of the work of GSA, as a consummate educator, she was described as ‘truly inspirational’. A book of condolences, and memories is being compiled and any contributions can be shared by initially e-mailing condolences@burygrammar. com or calling 0161 764 1733.

NOTE ON LEGACIES AND DONATIONS We have received a number of enquiries from Alumnae members requiring clarification concerning legacy donations or bequests. As neither of the heritage schools exist as schools it is no longer possible to leave funds to these organisations. Please be advised that if it were your intention to leave any bequests to either Dame Alice Harpur School or Bedford High School, they would not automatically be transferred to Bedford Girls’ School. We would therefore suggest that if any alumnae had intended to leave a bequest to Dame Alice Harpur School or Bedford High School and now wished it to come to Bedford Girls’ School, you need to specifically amend your Will to stipulate that change in beneficiary. We would also suggest that you take legal advice before making any amendments to your Will to ensure that your wishes are stated. For more details on how to leave a legacy or become a regular donor to the school, please contact Emma MacKenzie in The Alumnae Office, 01234 361918. alumnae@bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk

Janet Minns (1960)

DATA PROTECTION

Janet sadly passed away in April 2020. Following school Janet trained as a nurse at Hammersmith Hospital.

With the changes in data protection laws we would like to remind you to let us know if you would no longer like to receive our news. We send you news as we have your data on our database, this will either have been passed to us from BHS or DAHS alumnae databases, or you have signed up to the new BGS Alumnae database. If you would rather not receive news from us, we will remove your details from the database. If you would any like further information please speak to Emma MacKenzie alumnae@bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk

Mary Rider (née Harris, Former French teacher) Mary Rider sadly passed away in July 2019 following a short illness. Mary joined Dame Alice Harpur School as Miss Harris in 1971, (becoming Mrs Rider in 1979) and taught French through to the 1990’s. She was a well loved and respected teacher, especially with her Sixth Form students.

Lesley Ruscoe (née Tebbutt, 1965) Lesley died in April 2019, after a fight with colon cancer. Lesley attended DAHS from 1958, marrying George Ruscoe in June 1969. Their daughter Hazel Johnson (née Ruscoe, 1992) also attended DAHS. Hazel spoke at the service in celebration of her mother’s life held at St Andrew’s church, Bedford and was supported by her close friends from school including Carolyn Sampson who sang at the service.

CARDINGTON ROAD, BEDFORD, MK42 0BX Email alumnae@bedfordgirlssc hool.co.uk

Telephone 01234 361900