Bolton School OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER Issue Number 27 Spring 2017
Shared memories and continued support
Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2017
CONTENTS STAY IN TOUCH
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BOLTON SCHOOL MERCHANDISE
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WELCOME FROM THE HEADMISTRESS
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WELCOME FROM THE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION
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CONTINUING SUPPORT
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ALUMNI EVENTS CALENDAR
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SCHOOL NEWS Remembrance Assembly Ceremony of Carols Girls Go Gold Chess Grandmaster Nigel Short visits School Pupils meet athlete Eilish McColgan Farewell to Julia Bates Visit from the High Sheriff of Manchester Lessons in Leadership from The Tudors Charity Support
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EVENTS Alumni Regional Dinners Forthcoming Events Bolton School Wine Collection
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OLD GIRLS’ FEATURES The Bolton Alumni Network Old Girls Go Global Inspiring Minds Story of a Gown Staff in the Spotlight It was the Best of Times
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NEWS OF OLD GIRLS Old Girls’ News New Arrivals Charlotte’s Big Day Mini Reunions Seventy Years of Togetherness
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FROM THE ARCHIVES Ask the Archivist Memories of School Looking Back
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DESTINATIONS OF LEAVERS – 2016
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LIVES REMEMBERED
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IN MEMORIAM
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STAY IN TOUCH ‘Like’ our Facebook page for event invites, School news and memories: search Bolton School – Old Boys and Old Girls (Official) Connect with fellow Old Girls on LinkedIn: connect with Bolton School Alumni and join the Bolton School Group Follow Alumni and School news via Twitter: @BoltonSchAlumni/@BoltonSchool Watch short films posted on our You Tube site: www.youtube.com/user/boltonschoolmedia Read regular blogs from pupils and staff from across the campus: http://boltonschool.me/ Follow bolton_school_foundation and use #BSAlumni to share your memories and photos View photos of Alumni events at https://www.flickr.com/photos/bsalumni/albums Visit the Old Girls and Old Boys section of the School website at www.boltonschool.org for event photos, Alumni career profiles, news of Old Girls, an up-to-date events calendar and more. Update your contact details at www.boltonschool.org/alumni-register CONTACT US Development Office Bolton School Chorley New Road Bolton BL1 4PA T: 01204 434718 E: development@boltonschool.org THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM Laura Firth Head of Development Carol Haslam Old Girls’ Liaison Officer Frances Johnson Development Assistant Kathryn O’Brien Alumni and Development Assistant Archana Patel Alumni Officer Jenny Salerno Development Officer
Bolton School Merchandise
Bolton School photo frame
School has an Online Merchandise Store, selling all of the items previously sold through the Development Office, and many more. A variety of items are available for purchase, from Old Girl pin badges to Bolton School pens, iPad cases and photo frames.
Bolton School bag Bolton School Snugg iPad case
All profits made from the sale of merchandise go directly to the School Bursary Fund, which helps make a Bolton School education open to all academically gifted pupils, irrespective of their family’s financial situation.
Bolton School pens
Orders are usually delivered within five working days, and overseas delivery is available. To order your items, please visit www.boltonschoolmerchandise.org or call 08450 504015 Front cover: The magnolia tree in the Riley Quad, donated by Gill Richards, Headmistress 2005-2011
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WELCOME FROM THE HEADMISTRESS We end the Spring term on a high note. Last week, the Headmaster and I attended a party at 10 Downing Street at which the Prime Minister paid tribute to schools like ours which contribute so much to the good of society. After all the recent independent school-bashing in the newspapers, this was much appreciated by the fourteen of us from the independent sector who had been invited. The end of the week saw a fabulous production of Miss Saigon with outstanding musical and dramatic performances by the girls and boys. This will live in the memory of all who saw and heard it as one of the best School productions ever. We are now looking forward to the Easter Extravaganza, which more recent Old Girls will remember with affection. I wonder what the Sixth Form are planning for us? I have enjoyed catching up on the Old Girls’ news in this edition of the Newsletter. Sally Tankard sums up the delightful camaraderie which exists between Old Girls
of all generations in her article on page 23 about the 1984 Leavers’ Reunion in London in January. The fellowship which exists between us all means that the Lives Remembered section always means a lot to me and I wish the families and friends of the recently departed Old Girls comfort in their time of sadness. The rich lives of service described in these pages should serve as an example to us all. We have had another bumper year of recruitment at Year 7, with 132 able girls currently down to join us in September 2017. This will be the biggest year group ever and I am so pleased that the Middle School will now be at full capacity. Thank you for all you do to spread the good word about Bolton School and please do continue to send your daughters and granddaughters here so that we remain a family school. Have a wonderful Easter!
Sue Hincks Headmistress
WELCOME FROM THE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION Spring is in the air again; the days are longer and despite the recent storms and winds the trees are coming into leaf and blossoms are peeking through, bringing hope and cheer for the future months. Looking back, however, to our activities over the past few months, as ever we’ve been very busy. In November, members of the OGA were invited to take part in the Girls’ Division Armistice Service which was very thought-provoking as is fitting for the occasion; however, it was followed by the Old Girls’ Lunch where spirits were lifted by a musical interlude from the Middle School girls who then also gave us a good rendition of the School Song. As usual, the Ceremony of Carols was well attended by many Old Girls of all ages: our meeting room was busy and we enjoyed seasonal cakes and drinks whilst we chatted and shared happy memories. Did many of you see and use the template to make your own Christmas Angels? Perhaps you could send us a photo if you did! We decided to support The Alzheimer’s Society by collecting any old unwanted jewellery. We made our donation to them earlier this year and the pieces were gratefully received – you can read about this and other charitable fundraising by the Girls’ Division on page 8. The School continues in its usual exciting pattern and
the recent joint production of Miss Saigon was excellent. The collaboration between the two Divisions in staging such a fantastic show is yet another example of how Bolton School really does provide the ‘best of both worlds’. Many Old Girls have been most generous with their time coming into School to help with Careers, giving professional advice and offering work experience opportunities. We are always most appreciative of any time that you can give to School in whatever manner you are able to do so – please contact the Development Office if you would like to become involved. Our next OGA lunch will also be the AGM of the Association: please do attend if you can – further details are on page 10 of this newsletter. This year sees the ‘7’ Class reunions, details of which are also on page 10. It’s forty years since I left School – where has that time gone to? Many of you will already have made arrangements with friendship groups to join us for the day, but if you are still wondering whether to make the commitment I would encourage you to do so now – we would be delighted to see you!
Laura Henthorn (née Carless, 1970-1977) Chairman – Bolton School Old Girls’ Association
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Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2017
CONTINUING SUPPORT As the Bolton School Foundation embarks upon its second century, it is thriving. Both Divisions are full, and the talent within them is exceptional, as evidenced in the glowing inspection reports achieved recently by both Divisions. Lord Leverhulme’s founding principle for the School – that it should offer bright children an outstanding education, whatever their background – remains at the heart of our ethos today. Our Bursary Fund was set up over 20 years ago by the School’s Governing Body, to ensure that the open access experienced during the Direct Grant and Assisted Places eras was able to be enjoyed by future generations of Boltonians. This forward thinking has enabled us to build a Bursary Fund of £25 million, making our bursary scheme one of the most generous in the country. In the past academic year, £1.2 million was raised for the Bursary Fund, including almost £650,000 donated by Old Girls and Old Boys, and £35,000 through gifts from Alumni and friends who remembered the School in their wills. This extraordinary generosity has enabled the Fund to support a record number of pupils with financial assistance: during the past academic year, 359 bright girls and boys were given the chance to capitalise upon all of the opportunities a Bolton School education provides. Yet despite this success, our Bursary Fund remains unable to meet demand, and for almost every
bursary place awarded, another equally-deserving child must be turned away. The 100 Campaign for Bolton School Bursaries was launched in 2015, during the School’s centenary celebrations, to try to bridge this gap. Its ambitious, long-term aim is to grow the Bursary Fund to a level which will enable us to provide genuine open access here at Chorley New Road, of the type last enjoyed during the Direct Grant and Assisted Places eras. If you share with us the belief that our wonderful School should continue to remain accessible to all, then please consider supporting the 100 Campaign for Bursaries, however you can. If you would like to pledge your support, whether by making a regular donation, or by remembering the School in your will, the Development Office would be delighted to assist you. For more information, please contact the Development Office on 01204 434718, or by emailing development@boltonschool.org. The School’s outstanding record of bursarial support has only been made possible by the generosity of our Old Girls and Old Boys. Thank You, sincerely, for your sustained support for the School: your gifts will ensure that Lord Leverhulme’s founding ethos will continue to underpin all that we do.
ALUMNI EVENTS CALENDAR 2017
Tuesday 2nd May Friday 5th May Saturday 13th May Wednesday 7th June Friday 16th June Monday 26th June Friday 30th June Thursday 14th September Friday 29th September
May Serenade Scottish Dinner ‘7’ Class Reunion Old Girls’ Lunch and AGM Cumbria Dinner Recent Leavers Event Friends of Bolton School Dinner Bursary Golf Day Bristol Dinner
Bolton School, 7.30pm University of Edinburgh, 7pm Bolton School, 11.30am - 4.30pm Bolton School - Leverhulme Suite, 12 noon Lindeth Howe Hotel, 7pm Bolton School, 3 - 5pm Bolton School - Arts Centre, 7pm Bolton Golf Club, 12 noon The Grand Hotel, 7pm
To reserve your ticket for any of our Alumni events, please call the Development Office on 01204 434718, email development@boltonschool.org or visit the ‘Old Boys and Old Girls’ section of the School website (www.boltonschool.org), where you can book online. If you wish to attend the May Serenade, which is a School event, please contact the Girls’ Division directly on 01204 840201.
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SCHOOL NEWS Poetic tributes at Remembrance Assembly of 100 years ago, representatives from the Girls’ Division read a number of poignant poems, then the congregation sang the hymn I Vow to Thee my Country. Just before 11 o’clock, Miss Hincks read the Ode to Remembrance, which was followed by a two-minute silence. The Last Post and Reveille was played in superb fashion by Ellen Bate in Year 11.
On 11th November Old Girls joined current pupils and staff for the annual Remembrance Assembly. After a welcome and introduction from the Headmistress, who recalled some of the key events
There were further readings, musical interludes and prayers remembering the fallen, active servicemen and women, and all those affected by conflict around the world, before the assembly closed with the hymn Jerusalem.
Enchanting music at the Ceremony of Carols
School Choir and the Chamber Choir, with a number of girls offering enchanting solos. These musical performances were interspersed with festive readings and prayers. Afterwards guests enjoyed mince pies and Christmas cake to the accompaniment of the Senior Flute Quartet and the Intermediate Flute Choir.
Ellen performing The Last Post and Reveille
The Ceremony of Carols was once again a moving occasion as pupils, parents, staff, former staff and Old Girls came together to celebrate the spirit of Christmas with music, words and song. A programme of traditional and contemporary pieces – including, of course, Three Kings from Persian Lands Afar – showcased the range and skill of various musical ensembles, including the Choir, the Middle
Senior Girls Go Gold Outstanding athletes from the Girls’ Division have been inspired to aim for the very top after attending the GSA’s annual Girls Go Gold conference held at Newcastle High School for Girls. This event, which attracts elite female athletes from independent schools across the country, gave a number of Bolton School’s rising sports stars an opportunity to attend practical sessions and workshops focusing on performance analysis, talent transfer and nutrition for health and performance, as well as a session with the Rio Olympics Team GB doctor.
A video showing the famous Christmas Angels being put up in the Great Hall proved to be a great hit on social media – with over 17,000 views on Facebook, it clearly brought back some great memories! The girls were also lucky enough to hear from keynote speakers Alex Danson, a member of the gold medal winning Great Britain Ladies’ Bolton School girls with Dame Sarah Storey and Hockey Team, and Dame Sarah Alex Danson and their clutch of gold medals Storey, Team GB track cyclist and former multiple Gold medal winner at swimming, before the day ended with a question and answer session compèred by former British number one tennis player Annabel Croft.
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Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2017
Pupils face Grandmaster in simultaneous chess match Old Boy and Chess Grandmaster Nigel Short returned to School to meet the new crop of chess enthusiasts and to inspire the next generation of players. Nigel left Bolton School in 1981 Sharon ponders her next move as Nigel makes his way around the players and at that time was already a chess prodigy, having tied for Ultimately the Grandmaster’s wealth of experience first place at the British Championship in 1979 and proved too much for the next generation, and after become the youngest International Master at the time two and a half hours of chess, the last Bolton School in 1979/80. He was awarded the title of Grandmaster player, Year 10 pupil Sharon Daniel, was defeated. at the age of 19, becoming the youngest in the world at the time. He remains one of the most successful Sharon, who is Captain of the School chess team and players Britain has ever produced. a member of the National Junior Chess Squad, and has previously been crowned the British under-11s and His visit culminated in a simultaneous chess match under-13s girls’ champion, said “I was honoured to be against 23 Junior and Senior School pupils, ranging playing a Grandmaster because it’s not every day that in age from 8 to 18. As the match got underway, the you get to play one of the best players in the world, Arts Centre fell silent and there was an atmosphere and to be the last player standing showed that I am of intense concentration. At the hour mark, all pupils able to compete with players at a higher level. were still playing. However, the first few began to fall shortly after, and by the time an hour and a half had “Every chess player hopes to play a Grandmaster at passed Nigel had halved his pool of opponents. As least once in their lifetime, but this is the second time two hours went by, eleven boards remained active, I’ve had the opportunity to play with Nigel Short. This including representatives from all four parts of the is a wonderful experience that I will never forget.” School.
Pupils meet Olympic runner Gifted and talented athletes and pupils in the Junior Schools were excited to meet Olympic runner Eilish McColgan when she visited School. Eilish is a double Olympian, having competed at London 2012 and Rio 2016. She is also a Scottish record holder and three-time British Champion. Just a few days before her visit, she was selected for Team GB for the following week’s European Indoor Championships, competing in the 1500m and 3000m. She told pupils that although her interest in athletics initially included high jump, javelin and cross country, she quickly realised that running was the sport for her. However, she also stressed that it has taken her many years of dedication and training to compete at Olympic level. Eilish described the ups and downs of her life as an athlete, from the amazing feeling of
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stepping out onto the track during the London 2012 Olympic Games to career-threatening injuries. She also talked about a typical year of training, from high-altitude camps in Kenya and the US and the benefits of these, through racing and into winter training. She explained that sport has given her the opportunity to travel the world and make friends, not just with fellow elite athletes but with those runners from her first club. Finally, she gave some great tips for all those interested in pursuing sport to a high level: enjoy it and be dedicated, eat healthily, and build in recovery time and sleep. Eilish with Hesketh House athletes
Afterwards there was a lively question and answer session, with all of the pupils keen to quiz such an inspiring Olympic athlete.
Farewell to Julia Bates In January 2017 Bolton School bade farewell to its Head of Development, Julia Bates, who left to take up the post of Director of Development at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral, after almost ten years at Chorley New Road. Julia joined the School in December 2007 as Development Manager, after previously working at HM Treasury as a Policy
Old Girl Returns as the High Sheriff of Manchester Lady Joy Smith of Leigh (née Booth, 19531961), the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, returned to School to The High Sheriff of Greater Manchester with deliver an the Deputy Head Girls, L-R: Vasudha Marthi, engaging Victoria Jolley, Alisha Maini, Rebecca Dixon, address to Sreya Coomer the girls during morning assembly. After recalling how she had sat in the very same hall as a pupil, she spoke about the history and duties of the High Sheriff’s office. She explained that the term ‘Sheriff’ was first coined in Saxon times and is the oldest continuous secular office under The Crown. There are several references
Adviser. She was subsequently appointed as Head of Development in December 2008, since which she has led on the fundraising for the Riley Sixth Form Centre, completed in September 2013, and, more recently, on the 100 Campaign for Bolton School Bursaries, which seeks to establish genuine open-access at the School. During Julia’s tenure, almost £10.5 million has been raised for capital projects and for the Bursary Fund, a remarkable sum which reflects her outstanding commitment to the School and to its pupils. The School’s Clerk and Treasurer, Cathy Fox, writes: “Julia has made an extraordinary impact on the School’s fundraising activities, the benefits of which will be felt for many years to come. She will be greatly missed.”
in the Magna Carta about measures designed to cut the power of the High Sheriffs – Lady Smith said if she had been in office during Lady Smith and the victorious Junior Girls’ King John’s time Chess Team she would have had tax collecting duties and would have been very powerful! However, the role is now largely ceremonial and symbolic as a keeper of the Queen’s peace. One of her jobs is to entertain high court judges and she also has the pleasure of meeting royalty when they visit the area. Her role also involves supporting the emergency services, the police and the armed forces, and she particularly enjoys visiting people working in the voluntary sector. Lady Smith also visited Hesketh House where she talked to pupils about what her role as High Sheriff involves and recounted some fascinating anecdotes about her time as a Bolton School pupil. She then presented the Junior Girls’ chess team with certificates and a trophy that they had won the previous evening at a Bolton League match.
Lessons in leadership from The Tudors Historian, author and broadcaster Dr Suzannah Lipscomb (née Booth, 1953-1961), Senior Lecturer in Early Modern History at the New College of the Humanities, London, entertained a large audience in the Girls’ Division Great Hall with her evaluation of how Tudor monarchs provided modern society with a long list of leadership lessons.
Dr Lipscomb (centre) with pupils ahead of her inspiring talk on the Tudors
Her talk was warmly received by the audience, which included History pupils and teachers from Bolton School and other local schools as well as members of the local community, and was followed by a lively question and answer session.
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Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2017
£1,200 donation to Save the Children Pupils in the Girls’ Division raised £1,200 in the Autumn Term to support Save the Children. The charity was nominated as the charity of the term by Sixth Form student Ayat Hussein who was inspired to do so by the current refugee crisis in Syria and Yemen. Money was raised through Christmas Jumper Day donations and a retiring collection following the Ceremony of Carols. L-R: Victoria Jolley (Deputy Head Girl and Charities Coordinator Prefect), Ms Alison Marrs (Girls’ Division Charities Coordinator) and Ayat Hussein
Christie boost from Girls’ Christmas fundraiser
Howard Newall, on behalf of Christie’s, was delighted to receive a cheque from the Year 10 girls
Bolton School Year 10 girls’ Christmas Post, which sees forms compete against one another to raise funds for charity, raised over £1,000 for the Christie Charitable Fund. A delighted Howard Newall, Community Fundraising Officer for Christie’s, collected a cheque for £1,354.83 during morning assembly. The fun of the Christmas Post experience was recalled, then the girls spoke about why they had chosen to give money to what is one of the largest cancer treatment centres in Europe. Mr Newall thanked the whole of the Girls’ Division and talked about how the Withington-based NHS hospital treats people from right across the North West and from Yorkshire and Wales. He spoke about some of the things that donations were currently being used for at the world-renowned cancer treatment centre, including pioneering proton beam research, specialist cancer funds, Christie-centred patient research and interventional radiology. He also familiarised the girls with how funds had been used in the past to finance, amongst many other things, the teenage and young adult unit, the School of Oncology and the Christie Mobile Chemotherapy Unit.
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Sparkling charity collection Following a Sixth Form assembly which informed the girls about the impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia, pupils, staff and Old Girls contributed unwanted jewellery to help the Alzheimer’s Society. The redundant earrings, necklaces, bracelets, brooches and cufflinks donated to the Society’s Old Jewellery Appeal will be sold, raffled or recycled to raise funds to support projects to continue the fight against dementia. Steph Larkin visited School on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Society to collect the jewellery. She thanked everyone who had donated items in support of this worthy cause and estimated that £600 would be raised from the collection.
L-R: Sonali Daniel and Elza Saeed with Steph Larkin from the Alzheimer’s Society
EVENTS ALUMNI REGIONAL EVENTS Cambridge Dinner
‘It’s been a great evening – as always!’ Isabella Sabini (1999-2013)
Jesus College – Friday 3rd February 2017
Sarah Richards, Natasha Hall, Sohail Daniel and Than Dar (all Class of 2015)
food and company!’ ‘Absolutely wonderful 15) Than Dar (Class of 20
Holly Holt (2007-2014), Emily Bodger (2007-2014), Izzy Sabini (1999-2013) and Charlotte Wardle (Class of 2013)
Bristol Dinner
‘Such fun discussing old times.’ Maxine Robbins (1974-1985)
The Grand Hotel – Friday 30th September 2016
Pat Priestley (née Oxley, 1945-1953), Margaret Southgate (née Close, 1960-1967) and Christine Watson (née West, 1958-1965)
able get-together.’ we Yvonne and David Lo
‘As usual, a most enjoy
Oxford Dinner
Susan Gillard (née Brewis-Levie), Maxine Robbins (née Raffle), Sylvia Hutchinson and Jane Irving (all Class of 1985)
‘Very enjoyable. My first experience – but not my last!’ Audrey Hollingsworth (née Ashworth, 1947-1954)
Alan Hardy (1946-1954), Yvonne Lowe (née Conroy, 1947-1955), Audrey Hollingsworth (née Ashworth, 1947-1954) and David Lowe (1944-1954)
lton nity to catch up on Bo ‘A wonderful opportu te ga South School news.’ Margaret ‘A lovely pause in hecti
c Ox
Balliol College – Friday 18th November 2016 friendly faces.’ Alex Hopkinsford life to catch up with on (2002-2016)
Alex Hopkinson (2002-2016), Lucy Nolan (1996-2010) and Duncan Leary
to see and hear ‘Such a lovely evening and lovely an (1996-2010) Nol Lucy g.’ what everyone is doin
Vanessa Mitchell, Peter Reed, Jane Reed (née Hall, Class of 1971) and Andrew Mitchell (1962-1967)
y.’ such amazing compan ‘So lovely to be here in ) 00 -20 93 Heather Walker (19
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Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2017
’7’ Class Reunion Calling all 1947, 1957, 1967, 1977, 1987, 1997 and 2007 leavers! We look forward to welcoming these year groups and former staff back to School for their Class reunion on Saturday 13th May. Don’t miss this opportunity to catch up with old friends, enjoy a traditional school dinner and take a tour round School to see what has changed since you were a pupil here – and what hasn’t!
Tickets cost £15 for adults and £5 for children under 12 and will include welcome and farewell drinks, lunch in the Boys’ Dining Hall and a memento of the day. Please spread the word and persuade your classmates to come along to what promises to be a very enjoyable trip down memory lane!
Bursary Golf Day 2017 The annual Bursary Golf Day is being held on Thursday 14th September 2017 at Bolton Golf Club, and is open to all Old Girls who would like to enter a team of four. Last year, the event raised over £2,000 for the School Bursary Fund. It is hoped that the 2017 event will raise even more funds for this worthy cause – and that the
sunshine will once again return to join us! The Golf Day is always an enjoyable day out, with lunch beforehand and a carvery dinner served at the 19th Hole after the golf itself. If you would like to enter a team, please contact the Development Office.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS Don’t forget! The next Old Girls’ lunch, which will be preceded by the Association’s AGM, will take place on Wednesday 7th June at 12 noon in the Riley Centre.
SAVE THE DATE Our next Scottish Dinner will be held at the University of Edinburgh on Friday 5th May and the next Cumbria Dinner will be held at the Lindeth Howe Hotel on Friday 16th June. Do come and join us! Old Girls are also welcome at the Friends of Bolton School Dinner to be held in the Arts Centre at School on Friday 30th June. To book your place at any of our Alumni events, please contact the Development Office, or book online on the ‘Forthcoming Events’ page of the ‘Old Boys and Old Girls’ section of the School website
The Bolton School Wine Collection The Girls’ Division Parents’ Association launched the Bolton School Wine Collection to mark the 100/500 anniversaries; this is an exclusive wine selection carefully selected in partnership with T Wright Wine of Horwich. There are six wines in the collection, all priced at £9.95 per bottle: a Pinot Grigio, a Sauvignon Blanc, a Chardonnay, a Shiraz, a Merlot and a White Zinfandel. Wines are available by the case (6 bottles) at a discounted price of £56.75 in any bottle combination you would like. Delivery is free (minimum order one case) throughout the Bolton area, and all profits will be donated to the 100 Campaign for Bursaries. For more information please e-mail bsfwines2015@gmail.com or to place your order, please visit www. twrightwine.co.uk/13030
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OLD GIRLS’ FEATURES Our Old Girl and Old Boy network has a huge reach, with over 10,000 members spanning the globe. School is looking to allow you to make the most of those contacts, by launching, in May 2017, the Bolton Alumni Network, exclusively for Old Girls and Old Boys of Bolton School to use. This exciting venture will transform the way in which former pupils can stay in touch with each other, as well as with School. You will be able to log in to the platform using your LinkedIn or Facebook profile, so the process should only take a couple of minutes and is completely free of charge. This free service for all Old Girls and Old Boys will mean you can: • connect directly online with your old School friends and share memories; • have exclusive access to an online directory of fellow Old Girl and Old Boltonian contacts complete with their current professional information; • seek out and contact directly those Alumni who work in your industry, for advice or mentoring assistance;
• use the Network as an employers’ recruitment tool, advertising job vacancies to a pool of talented, well-educated professionals (who all come with an inbuilt Chorley New Road reference!); • get the inside lowdown on the latest job opportunities for which Alumni are recruiting; • receive the latest news about upcoming Alumni events and School news.
• offer advice and help to younger Alumni in your field, who are trying to establish their own careers;
The Bolton Alumni Network will launch in May: register your email address with the Development Office now, to ensure you can join with other Old Girls and Old Boys and get connected straight away!
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Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2017
Old Girls Go Global Julie Taylor (1969-1976) I have been living in San Francisco since moving out for a two-year post-doctoral research placement in 1987! I had just completed my PhD in Biochemistry and had been lucky enough to find a position at the University of California in San Francisco. At the end of the two years I realised that I could not imagine living anywhere else. I stayed because it is a fabulous city; very easy to live in and with gorgeous scenery all around, and because of the job opportunities in the biotechnology industry. A few years later I got married and we now have two almost grown up children. I moved into a biotech company after my post-doc finished, and have worked in a number of companies and roles since. I am currently working at a small company focused on rare diseases. The San Francisco Bay Area is a great place for hiking, skiing and excellent restaurants. And the weather is great; the winters are mild and the summers reliably sunny and warm, except for that pesky San Francisco fog, but I love that too. I still miss friends and family, and really good Indian food, but I am lucky to be able to visit the UK quite often and make up for lost time.
The Old Girls’ Association has over 4,500 members living and working not just in the UK, but across the globe. Here we catch up with four of them who have moved to the other side of the world to find out what motivated them to move abroad, what they enjoy about their lives there … and what they still miss about the UK!
Andrea Cooley (1982-1987) I’ve been living in Paris since 1999, arriving on the Eurostar with my then boyfriend, now husband, and two bags each. The idea was just to give it a try. We said at least two years to immerse ourselves in the experience of living in a different country. Eighteen years later we have accumulated a few more possessions, an apartment, an architectural practice and three children together. I work part-time at the practice, whilst splitting the rest of my time between family and creating textile artworks for the occasional exhibition. It’s strange at times to think that I live in France. I was no great linguist at School and had no over-riding passion for the French language or culture. Most of my French lessons were spent trying to avoid speaking and embarrassing myself. However, I now feel very lucky to call this city my home and often have to pinch myself when walking around its well-trodden streets where revolutions have been fought, artists have been inspired and philosophers have changed our way of thinking. It has not all been plain sailing. The language was tough to crack and integrating fully into French life has been challenging. However, the little victories generally outweigh the defeats and we keep on going through the laughter and the tears! Of course, I miss my family, friends and the unsurpassed British sense of humour, but in recent years with improved technology, keeping in touch is easier than ever. Access to English-speaking radio, TV programmes and films is so much better too.
Anna Hobbiss (1995-2005)
Carla El Gawly (2000-2008) Having graduated with a Law degree from Nottingham in 2012 and with the hunger to see more of the world before getting into the real working world, I decided to take some time out and visit Australia. This intention to travel for one year then turned into a three-and-a-halfyear stint in (in my opinion) one of the most beautiful cities in the world: Sydney. Whilst Australia is arguably close to the UK in terms of culture, the fresh food, weather and relaxed Aussie attitude contribute to a high standard of living. There are not many cities that are surrounded by beautiful beaches. Whilst there, I entered a career in digital brand management, marketing and advertising, working at both agencies and technology start-ups. These opportunities allowed me to learn a whole new field, keep me challenged and work with fantastic global brands, lead a team and expand my network. I also spent some time travelling the East Coast of Australia as a ‘backpacker’, parts of south east Asia, Fiji and Hawaii, and spent three months living with an Australian family in the outback; there I saw snakes, emus, kangaroos and various other creepy crawlies. I was lucky to have visitors (many of whom are Bolton girls) and family – whilst I didn’t miss much about England, I certainly did miss having close family and friends around. I am now living in London working as a Client Success Director working with enterprise brands for a leading digital marketing technology company with a HQ in Austin, Texas. I can’t recommend enough challenging yourself to work and live abroad – it opens doors for great career opportunities, you will make new life-long friends and do a lot of self-learning!
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In September 2009, I arrived in Lisbon to embark on a potentially foolhardy endeavour – starting a PhD in Neuroscience, a subject I knew next to nothing about, in a city I’d never been to, which Emma Gardiner (née Longworth), spoke a language I didn’t know. Anna, Louise Hitchen, Elizabeth I’d moved there for one serious Sinclair and Sophie Walwyn-James reason (a new state-of-the-art (née Kay) (all Class of 2005) neuroscience research centre with the exciting name ‘Centre for the Unknown’) and various more frivolous ones (sunshine, good wine, new adventures). Fortuitously, Lisbon turned out to be a great place to live – a compactly beautiful city which mixes a cheerful, relaxed pace of life with a melancholy charm. Seven years after that first nervous arrival, I’m still here. After some years researching cellular mechanisms of how brain activity alters connections between neurons, I completed my PhD and am currently organising events for scientific outreach. For anyone interested in science (especially neuroscience), our platform Ar (www.ar.fchampalimaud.org) has an online magazine with articles about science, and events which are live streamed globally. (It’s in English so you won’t have to grapple with the fiendish complexities of Portuguese grammar, one of the more frustrating aspects of my life here!). Happily, Lisbon also proved beguiling to the friends and family who frequently visit, including many Bolton School friends, to whom I’ve loved showing off the city in the multiple times they’ve been out over the years. I don’t know if I’ll stay for good in Lisbon - the rest of the world is always beckoning - but I’ll always hold the city and the people (and the vinho verde) very dearly, and urge everyone to visit to see for themselves what a lovely place it is.
If you would like to contribute to a future ‘Old Girls Go Global’ feature, please email: development@boltonschool.org
100 Inspiring Minds During the past year, as part of its Centenary celebrations, School has been profiling some of the most inspiring and influential people from Bolton School’s history, some of whom have made an impact on society, shaping our businesses and communities, and some of whom have devoted their lifelong careers to the School and its pupils. The aim is to compile a list of 100 of these remarkable individuals – Bolton School’s 100 Inspiring Minds. Profiles have been published weekly at www.boltonschool100500.org in recognition of the subjects’ contributions to society and to the Bolton School Foundation. Below, you can read one such profile – former teacher Rita Garthwaite (née Shipperbottom), who was a pupil at Bolton School from 1957 to 1964 and taught French in the Girls’ Division from 1976 to 2006.
Rita Joyce Garthwaite I attended my local Primary School – Turton Methodist School in Harwood - when Harwood was just a small village. If you passed the 11+ you went to Darwen Grammar and if not you went to Turton School. However, at that time Bolton had four Direct Grant Schools that you could apply to, and on the advice of my Primary School Headmaster, Mr Alston, I applied to Bolton School as my first choice. I was awarded a free place. No other member of my family had attended Bolton School, but in later years my daughter went right the way through from Beech House to the Upper Sixth. So in 1957 I went to Bolton School Girls’ Division, and on leaving in 1964 I did a degree in French at Hull University, followed by a PGCE at Nottingham. My first teaching post was in Durham and then I moved on to Dalston near Carlisle. I was appointed to the staff at Bolton School to teach French in 1976 and retired in 2006. Did any member of teaching staff particularly inspire you while you were at School? As a pupil in the Girls’ Division, my greatest inspiration was Barbara Morley, my French teacher. I found French the easiest of all the subjects I did, and it was only when I got to university that I really appreciated how well we had been taught! We had always spoken the language in lessons, which was quite rare in those days: of course, there were no tapes or film strips - these only ‘appeared’ when I first started teaching. We had always studied real works of literature for A Level for which I have always been grateful. What are your fondest Bolton School memories? Miss Higginson was Headmistress when I first came to the School as a pupil, and she taught our form English when we were in the Upper IV (Year 9). She was appalled to discover that most of us had never climbed Winter Hill – so she arranged a trip! There was neither Health nor Safety in those days of course. I think that she chose a Saturday in February, so I got the number 7 bus into Bolton and then another bus to Doffcocker (we didn’t have a car). I actually cannot remember much about this outing other than it was raining and very foggy and we got lost in the fog and extremely wet! We never found the Scotsman’s stump, which was our aim; I do not think that I have ever seen it! My parents were always pleased that Miss Higginson treated them well at Parents’ Evenings. Later when I came to teach
here Miss Higginson invited them to stay at her cottage in Muker on a couple of occasions. I think that my parents, like me, were much in awe of their surroundings in School. Many of the other parents were well known local vicars and doctors etc, whose names often appeared in the Bolton Evening News – the height of fame in our house! Miss Higginson was shocked that this was our only source of news. I remember introducing my Mum to Mrs Spurr some years later. My Mum said of me ‘She’s never been a minute’s trouble’! – which Mrs Spurr found hilarious and she would often refer to it! I have many other memories, especially of the Moulins Exchange, and Cautley in the Lake District – no Health and Safety again, not to mention having to buy all the food at Tesco before we went to Cautley, and trying to keep the Rayburn alight. Staff in the Boys’ Division were given extra main courses and puddings made in School for their trips to Cautley, but we were women, and therefore this facility was not on offer to us – we could do all the cooking ourselves! In 1993, Princess Diana came to open the Arts Centre and, needless to say, her visit took a lot of organising. Half the School stood in the Centre Quad, and the other half looked down from the Great Hall. Diana was late and it was drizzling and so we ended up sending those who were outside in and those who were inside out! I don’t think that Princess Diana would have noticed the chaos. The little girl with a posy was also bewildered as she presented the Princess’s flowers to Mrs Spurr! It has been a pleasure to meet up again recently with girls from my own year group. I thank the Old Girls and the Development Team for organising the Reunions that have made this possible. It may also be of interest that my friend and colleague from our exchange school in Moulins, having seen the activities and events that are organised for our Old Girls and Old Boys, is encouraging their former pupils to keep in touch and support their school. I have kept in touch with many good colleagues (and pupils!) at Bolton School Girls’ Division. What is the best career advice you can give to Bolton School pupils today? The best careers advice I feel that I can give, is to be flexible and open-minded and to remember that a good worklife balance is essential. Miss Higginson was always very concerned that we should give back what we had been given in our ‘goodly heritage’, which probably explains why I agreed to be a Governor at a local state Primary School in Bolton. What do you think about Bolton School’s 100 Campaign aim to re-establish genuine open access through its bursary fund? Bolton School has given me a tremendous amount, and as someone who benefitted from a Direct Grant, I support any campaign that aims to broaden access to Bolton School.
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Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2017
Story of a Gown The Prefects’ Gowns are one of the enduring symbols of the Girls’ Division, whilst the Gowning of the Prefects, held in the Great Hall each May, is one of its most special traditions. Throughout its history, Bolton School has always enjoyed links with multiple generations of local families whose children have attended both Divisions: here, we meet two sisters, who share their Prefects’ Gown, and much more besides, in common. Emma Brownlow (2001-2008)
Emma enjoys working in higher education
After leaving School, I went to Warwick University to study History, but I soon realised it was neither the course nor the place for me and took the decision to leave Warwick and reapply. I finally received an offer to study Theology at Collingwood College, Durham University, which is where I had always wanted to be. I spent a couple of months working as a barista in a coffee shop before going to Durham to do Freshers’ Week for a second round! Since graduating in 2012 I have been working in Higher Education, firstly in alumni relations and fundraising for Collingwood College, Durham, then at the University of Manchester where I worked in both development and Emma in the Sixth alumni relations and in halls of Form residence, providing student support to over 1,000 freshers! In 2015, I moved to Singapore with my partner, where I worked for a startup company, Cialfo, which helps students apply to UK and US universities as international students. I’ve recently been appointed as the next Vice Principal of Collingwood College, Durham University – so I’ll be moving back to the North East and to Durham. My favourite moment whilst wearing my Prefect’s Gown has to be the Ceremony of Carols – it was
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always a really memorable experience, but especially so as a Prefect. I found passing my gown on emotional, as it meant School life was coming to an end, although I was looking forward to university; I was also hoping that the new ‘Noticeboards and Corridors’ Prefect would continue to keep the plants watered and the noticeboards free from clutter! I’m still in touch with several friends from School – Charlotte Peace (2001-2008), with whom I walked home from School every day throughout my seven years at School, now lives in Newcastle too, so I’m hoping I will see her more now I’m heading back to the North East. It’s amazing how many Bolton School Old Girls you bump into around the world – I regularly meet fellow Alumni both at university, and beyond. If I could give this year’s Year 13 pupils one piece of advice, it would be not to worry if things don’t pan out exactly as they envisage – there are many paths to the same goal and nothing is set in stone. I left School thinking that there would be a very straight path, but it turned out that I had to make a big decision to switch university. I had no idea what I wanted to do, even when I graduated, but exploring all of my options helped me to work it out in the end. Mollie Brownlow (2006-2013)
Mollie, pictured in her final year in the Girls’ Division
Like Emma, I, too, ended up at Collingwood College, Durham University, also studying Theology! But after
my first year, I decided I would be better suited to a Philosophy and Politics degree, so I switched my course accordingly. I’m now in my final year at Durham, but have been involved in lots of activities outside of my degree. I recently travelled to Miami to campaign for Hillary Clinton, as part of a project I’m involved with to widen youth engagement with politics. Over my time at Durham I’ve been heavily involved in the Junior Common Room, holding positions of Vice President and Services Manager respectively over the past two years. As Vice President, I organised lots of our formals and events, and I’m currently planning to move back to the North West to get a job in event management following graduation.
it. I’m still in touch with lots of my friends from School, and there were actually four Old Girls (me, Alice MacLennan, Tessa Pendlebury and Annie Simon, all Class of 2013) in my year at Collingwood: I’ll graduate alongside with Tessa this summer.
In terms of my favourite memories of my last year at School, I’ve got to agree with Emma – there was nothing that could ever beat Christmas in the Girls’ Division! It felt even better to attend both the end of term Christmas assemblies and the Ceremony of Carols as a Prefect! Passing on my gown and leaving School was an emotional time: I was hoping that the lessons I had learnt, and the opportunities School had provided me with, would carry me into the future. I was also hoping that the person I handed the gown to, and all those who followed, would have as many amazing experiences as I did while I was lucky enough to wear
Mollie on the campaign trail for Hillary Clinton in Miami
If I could give this year’s Year 13 pupils any advice, it would be to make the most of everything, both your time left at School and the opportunities that follow it! Do what feels right for you, and say ‘yes’ to any opportunity you come across on the way.
Staff in the Spotlight Our latest staff members to come under the spotlight are Miss Fazackerley, Art Teacher, and Mrs Warburton, who taught German until very recently. Alumni Prefect Emma Duper caught up with them to ask them about why they entered the teaching profession and their time at Bolton School.
Miss Fazackerley Did you always want to become an Art teacher? Probably not specifically an Art teacher at first, but I certainly wanted to teach. It soon became apparent that I was most talented at Art and Sport, but I also enjoyed Biology, Geography and English which I did really well in, too. I also loved Needlework (like Textiles today) and always made my own school dresses. I progressed straight to art college at 16, by-passing A Levels, and was accepted on to a Fine Art degree at 18 (a year earlier than most): it was there that teaching Art became a focused ambition. Meanwhile, I was also heavily involved at dance classes in Manchester, and ended up informally teaching fitness classes before I qualified as a school teacher. I think this reinforced
my teaching skills and I became confident very quickly on teaching practice. I went on to build a small fitness business using these practical skills, picking up several qualifications along the way! Was there a particular artist who made you want to pursue Art? No, not really. I think I was exposed to lots of good art experiences by my wonderful mum, who always had, and still has, an interest in art. She encouraged my interest, especially when I decided to leave school and gain art qualifications. I think it takes a long time for your interest in the arts to mature, and just like in every other aspect of life, your tastes change over the years. What I enjoy and admire nowadays, I may not have appreciated back then. I am fortunate enough to enjoy my long summer holidays in the south of France, where Matisse, Picasso and Leger all spent significant parts of their careers. Inevitably I have been very influenced by their work.
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Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2017 What made you want to teach at Bolton School? Being an Old Girl did have something to do with it! However, I spent the first 18 years of my teaching career working in Wigan, Widnes and Warrington before I applied for the Head of Art post at Bolton School Girls’ Division. I had been looking at other head of department jobs in the lead up to the BSGD job being advertised, and a colleague and good friend saw the advert before I did, and put it on my desk at work with a post-it note on it saying ‘This job has got your name on it!’ She had seen the job description and believed that I fitted the bill perfectly, not knowing I had been a pupil at the School. I applied, interviewed, and was offered the job within a couple of weeks, and the journey back to Bolton School began after a 25-year gap! What is the best thing about working at Bolton School? School lunches and great colleagues who all support each other. The facilities are second to none, and I still have to pinch myself sometimes when I walk through the grounds of the school as it is a wonderful environment in which to work and study. What is your favourite Bolton School tradition? It has to be the Angels doesn’t it?! Each year we rebuild the Angels in the art department from ‘flat pack’. There are 16, each one slightly different, and Mrs Rushton, our
Mrs Warburton How many years have you taught at Bolton School?
wonderful art technician, is expert in ensuring they are always as they should be. There are other traditions which I remember from my School days which have now gone which were lovely too – like ‘deportment girdles’ and ‘Peggy purses’ (some of the older Old Girls will remember those too!) and having your School skirt measured with a ruler, along with the heels on your ‘outdoor shoes’. What would you be doing now if you were not a teacher? It would be something to do with sport. I have been lucky enough to pursue both of my passions of art and sport to some extent. I Miss Fazackerley and Emma still enjoy teaching fitness classes, road cycling, swimming and running. It’s these which keep me on my toes for teaching. When I retire I have ambitions to teach ‘silver sneakers’ classes for ‘seniors’ to keep everyone fit and healthy into their latter years.
How has School changed over the time you have been here?
I officially started part-time in 2008, but I had previously done my teacher training at Bolton School in the 1990s. In the years after my training, whilst working part-time at Canon Slade, Mrs Shafiq would ring me if the department needed me to fill in, meaning I unofficially started in 1997.
When my daughter Ellen was doing a project on this years ago, she asked her Grandmother, who had previously gone to Bolton School, along with her husband. She remembered how all the girls used to wear long, white gloves and hats. I would say that during my time here the biggest change has been the digital revolution. Before all of the technology we have now, there were blackboards in the classrooms and only a single row of computers in the Staff Room. However one thing that hasn’t changed is how lovely all the pupils are.
Why did you want to become a teacher?
What is your best memory of Bolton School?
There were two reasons I wanted to become a teacher. The first is my love for languages as passing this knowledge on is the best fun. The second is a more practical reason: after having my first child in 1993 and second in 1995 I wanted a job that fitted with having a family.
I think my best memories are the trips: the German exchange, German Patterdale trip, Sixth Form Paris trip and Rhineland with Mrs Sheaff, as I always got to know the girls really well. One of the best things is seeing Old Girls who remember you from years ago. Another thing I will remember will of course be the Hall at Christmas.
What would you be doing now if you were not a teacher?
What is your favourite Bolton School tradition?
When I was a child I wanted to be a ski instructor and I plan to ski more when I leave. I would probably say that I would be a translator or interpreter, but I would find it less exciting to just be working with words and not people.
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The Prefects’ Panto because it is so funny, the girls are hilarious. I also appreciate the strong tradition of charity and fundraising. Huge amounts are raised for charity here which is not common in every school you go to and it is so nice to see people giving back.
It was the Best of Times Suzanne Senior’s (1972-1975) love of drama began at Bolton School. Alongside her day job teaching music in Edinburgh, she still finds time to tread the boards. Here she reflects on appearing in School plays and how her passion has led to a recent opportunity to perform in a professional touring production of A Tale of Two Cities.
Taking a bow: Suzanne is third from right
In November 2016 I was given the opportunity to perform in a professional touring production of A Tale of Two Cities by the Touring Consortium Theatre Company at the King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, as part of their Two Cities Twelve ensemble - twelve different amateur actors picked to perform alongside the professionals in each venue. Although I was only at Bolton School until the middle of the Upper Fourth, I was always a very enthusiastic member of the Junior and Middle School drama clubs. In the Third Form I was the ‘Witch’ in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and played ‘Jo’ in Little Women when I was in the Lower Fourth. This was my dream part, aged 12, and I put my heart Suzanne in character and soul into it. I was also in The Importance of Being Earnest as ‘Jack’ (well, it was a girls’ school!) in the Upper Fourth, but left before it was performed. All very happy memories. As acting has always been a passion, I was very excited by the prospect of taking part in this production. I have been involved in many amateur shows, but this was completely different, giving me a chance to see how the professionals worked. I loved the rehearsals, and although they were intense and focused as we had a lot of scenes to learn in a short space of time, the excellent director made them fun as well. We started off with a talk and some theatre games, and were then swiftly launched into our first scene. The director talked about using objectives and obstacles in each scene, before firing us up into expressing a variety of emotions as he acted out parts of the play himself. We were to hate some characters but admire others. We were to be a horrified, vengeful, angry and upset mob, at different junctures. It was all fascinating, exciting and totally absorbing.
My costume was a challenge, to say the least, consisting of various layers of difficult, voluminous garments with which I fought valiantly before finally managing to secure them in the right places. They were also too tight, especially the cream-boned waistcoat, which required a lot of patient tugging and lacing on the part of the costume lady. There was even a “bum roll”, which could have been every schoolgirl’s best aid to good deportment, in the days when the competition for deportment girdles was de rigueur at Bolton School. Indeed, if I had been clad with such a garment, I would have been a clear winner. The performances themselves were a wonderful and moving experience and it was a great privilege to be on stage with such a great cast. The music, by film composer, Rachel Portman, was also a real highlight, as it tugged at the heartstrings. “Not so glorious” moments included waving my revolutionary flag too assiduously on one occasion and flinging it in the face of ‘Sidney Third Form, 1973 - Suzanne is second from right Carton’! On on the second row another, I narrowly missed tripping up the partially-sighted actor playing the Marquis, in my haste to reach the front of the stage with said flag. One night I also trailed my bodice sleeves in the remnants of fish sauce as I cleared the plate of the murdered Marquis! I learned a lot too, both from watching the actors at work, and from tips they gave me during the show.
Suzanne (second from the right) at Cartmel Priory during a visit to Cautley in the Lower Fourth
The experience was over far too fast, but I was very pleased to be asked back to be part of their next production, in March. I am now tempted to give up the day job! Watch this space!
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Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2017
NEWS OF OLD GIRLS If you would like to get in touch with any of the Old Girls featured – or any other Alumni – please contact the Development Office.
Class of 1960-1969 Margaret Rushton (née Jenkins, 1966-1968) After leaving Bolton School, Margaret became a teacher, retiring ten years ago. Currently, she is one of 35 Athletics Track Officials on the 2017 International Meeting Officials Panel for UK Athletics. She has been involved as a Track and Photo-finish Official at Club, County, National and International level for over 29 years. She has also been Competition Director for the Indoor and Outdoor British Universities and Colleges Sport Athletics Championships for the last nine years. In 2012, UK Athletics selected Margaret to be one of the National Technical Officials for Track events for both the London Olympic Games and Paralympics Games. She was officiating for most sessions as a Track Umpire in the Olympic Stadium. Every day was different with the most memorable at the Olympics being ‘Golden Saturday’, when the noise level was unimaginable – more than 110 decibels! She was even on a BBC News loop that evening! Margaret was one of the Chief Umpires at the Paralympic Games, staying in the Olympic Village and eating with the athletes every day. Moments she will not forget include the silence achieved for the Visually Impaired Long Jumpers and the acrobatics of the Short Stature Athletes, not to mention the achievement of David Weir and others. In 2014, Margaret was selected for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as Post Event Control Manager, where all the athletes have to report after their events. She had a great experience looking after all the athletes after their competition. This year, 2017, she has been selected for the IAAF World Championships and the IPC Athletics World Championships as a Track Umpire, which will surely be just as rewarding.
Class of 1980-1989 Rachael Williams (née Kelly, 1976-1982) Rachael lives near Chelmsford in Essex with her lawyer husband, Gareth, and their three teenage children. She has recently been appointed an Ombudsman at the Financial Ombudsman Service. She is often invited to speak at Law Society events about returning to work after a career break and to encourage others to do so. Rachael is on LinkedIn and would be delighted to hear from those who recognise her. Rachael was one of a number of Old Girls from the Class of 1984 who met up in London recently – you can read about their get-together on page 23. Virginia Simpson (née Johnston, 1978-1983) Virginia has just completed her third project for Welwyn
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Garden City Heritage Trust, looking at founder Ebenezer Howard’s three concepts of a place to live, a place to work and a place to play. This project has involved co-ordinating over 100 interviews, collecting oral histories and amassing information on over 400 clubs and societies that were begun in the town between 1920 and 1980, and culminated in nearly 1,000 visitors to a local exhibition in February. She is now returning to work as Schools’ Workshop Leader at Chiltern Open Air Museum where she is involved in dressing up in period costume to bring (among other periods) the Stone Age and Iron Age to life. Virginia is married to John, a pharmaceutical consultant, and they have a daughter, Sarah, who is nearly nine. Helen Shilladay (née Buck, 1984-1987) Helen emigrated to British Columbia, Canada, just over five years ago and now lives with her husband and cats in the beautiful Chilliwack River Valley, where she is a teacher. This year, on a trip back to the UK, she was thrilled to be able to meet up with her old School friend Viki Edmondson (née Anderson, 1980-1987) at Heathrow just before her flight back to Canada – three hours of catchup chat just flew by! There was quite a bit of reminiscing about indoor shoes, Carol Concerts and regulation length skirts and the thirty years that have passed since they last met seemed not to have mattered at all! The pair are keeping in touch and hope to meet up again whether it be in England or Canada; Helen hopes that current Bolton School girls are lucky enough to make such enduring friendships. Annette Walker (née Clowes, 1983-1988) Annette has won the prestigious Healthcare Financial Management Association award for the NHS Director of Finance of the Year in 2016. Annette started her NHS career as a finance trainee in 1993 after graduating from Liverpool University with a degree Award-winning Annette in Economics. After qualifying as an accountant she has held a number of senior NHS finance roles, working in Cumbria, Lancashire and Greater Manchester. Annette is currently Director of Finance and Deputy Chief Officer of Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group, having worked in Bolton for the past eight years. Annette lives in Cheshire with her husband, two children and Cockerpoo, Alfie.
Julie Warburton (1982-1989) After leaving School in 1989, Julie went to King’s College in London to study law, before completing the Bar Finals Course at the Inns of Court School of Law. She was called to the Bar in 1993, and has practised in crime, mainly on the Midland Circuit, since then. She is now in chambers in London. She was recently made a Crown Court Recorder, ie she now sits as a Crown Court Judge in addition to her general role as a criminal barrister. Julie notes her gratitude to Bolton School which, she says, really changed her life by providing her with an Assisted Place, giving her an opportunity which would not otherwise have been available. Unfortunately she was unable to attend the centenary celebrations in 2015, although she would have liked to see and thank personally Mrs Spurr, who showed her immense kindness while she was a pupil, and whom she hopes would be delighted to hear her news, as she always took great pleasure in hearing of all the achievements of current and former Bolton School pupils.
Class of 1990-1999 Michelle Lake (née Pritchard, 1980-1990) Michelle has been running her own nutritional therapy practice in St Albans since 2007. She has recently coauthored a book, Packed, full of nutritious ideas for grown-up packed lunches which was published on 16th February. Further details about Michelle’s work can be found on her website: www.mission-nutrition.co.uk Gabi Waite (1984-1991) Gabi lives in Stockport with her partner, Mark, and two cats. Although currently medically retired due to Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, she is getting stronger every day and working towards her wedding later in the year. Her longterm goal is to be back at work and to complete a walk of Hadrian’s Wall to raise awareness of EDS. Gabi would love to hear from anyone who remembers her – please contact the Development Office if you would like to get in touch with her. Ruth Howard (née Tonge, 1987-1994) After 15 years as a teacher of Modern Foreign Languages, Ruth has shelved her sombrero to pursue her own business ventures after looking for more flexibility and creativity in her work. Despite the fear of leaving a safe, salaried career, she has taken a leap of faith – inspired by her parents and friends who have been successful in business themselves – and has invested in a local CCTV firm (www.boltoncctv.co.uk) and set up her own property business (www.dh-properties.co.uk) for maintenance, development, lettings and management. It’s never too late for a career change!
Nina and family enjoying Summer in the mountains
Nina McArthur (née Harvey, 1993-1995) After achieving A Levels in French, Biology and Geography, Nina attained a BEng (Hons) in Environmental Energy Engineering from Leeds University. Whilst studying in Leeds she met James and, after dating and travelling together for
a number of years, the couple were married in 2005, moved to West Yorkshire, built their own house and had two children. However, last February the family decided to sell up and move to France to live in a ski resort in the mountains – something Nina and James had talked about doing since meeting almost 20 years ago! Their kids are now settled into the local (French) school and are skiing and snowboarding on a regular basis, with mountain biking in the summer. Read about the McArthur family’s adventure on their blog www.up-stix.com. Susan Reed (née Berry, 1989-1996) After four years in Paris, the Reed family is moving to Warsaw, Poland, in August 2017 for a year. If there are any Bolton School friends living there, please do get in touch via the Development Office – Susan would love to know of any good tips for life and adventures in the Polish capital!
Class of 2000-2009 Helen Thaventhiran (née Crawforth, 1994-2001) Helen is now a university lecturer in Literature from 1830 to the Present and is a fellow of Robinson College, Cambridge. She lives in Cambridge with her husband, James – an immunologist – and their two children: John, who is four years old and Francis, who is 18 months old. Alice Gregson (1992-2006) Having hated cross country at School and being more of a swimmer than a runner, Alice is sure Mrs McCulloch and Miss Donaghy would be shocked to hear that she is going to be running the London Marathon on 23rd April for Children With Cancer UK, a charity which does amazing work funding research into childhood cancer, as well as supporting children with cancer and their families through welfare programmes and awareness schemes. Anyone wishing to sponsor Alice in this worthy cause can visit her link: https://goo.gl/ESTCgi Laura Grace (2002-2007) Congratulations to Laura who has recently graduated from Lancaster University with a PhD in Medicine.
Rachel Thomas (Class of 2007) Rachel recently got engaged to James Clarke (Boys’ Division, Class of 2005), the pair having first met whilst at School. Although being good friends whilst at School, they did not get together until five years ago when they found themselves both living in the Bolton area after completing university. Rachel and James are now in the midst of wedding planning – with Bolton School a possible venue for the big event! Holly Morton (2004-2009) After completing a BA in English Literature at the University of Chester with a 2:1, Holly worked for a brief spell at Graduate Prospects, and is now studying for a Masters in Creative Writing at the University of Salford. She hopes afterwards to study for a PGCE.
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Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2017 Class of 2010 onwards Rosie Brown (2000-2010) Rosie graduated from Cambridge in 2013, and chose to dedicate her degree to the late Dr Brown of Bolton School’s RS Department. Having caught the musical theatre bug whilst playing Fantine in Bolton School’s production of Les Misérables in 2010, Rosie went on to study for a Masters at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. However, after that she decided that she hadn’t quite finished with Theology, and so returned to Cambridge for an MPhil which she will be completing this year, and graduating with the further Cambridge MA. Rosie is moving to China to work for Disney Education Worldwide, before applying for a PhD in Religious Studies in the USA. Tia Louden (2002-2011) After graduating from the University of Reading with a degree in Politics and International Relations, Tia went on to do a Masters in HR at the Henley Business School. She is now working as an incident coordinator for Microsoft. Elizabeth Garretty (2006-2012) Lizzy studied at West Thames College, London (20142016) and achieved her qualification in Specialist Makeup (Theatre, TV, Film and Fashion). She graduated in June 2016 and is currently employed as a Wig and Makeup artist for The Lion King, Wicked and Matilda in London’s West End. Isobel Cotogni (2007-2014) Isobel is in her final year at Durham University studying Classics and hopes to pursue a career in the media after graduation. During her first year at Durham, she joined The Tab, the largest student news provider in the UK, and began to write articles for their Durham website. She worked closely with the editors to develop her
news reporting and became Deputy Editor at the start of her second year. Several of the articles which Isobel has written for The Tab have been picked up by national newspapers such as The Sunday Times, The Daily Mail, The Sun and the Independent. With this invaluable experience down on her CV, she gained a placement at BBC Breakfast last summer and shadowing at ITV Tyne Tees. Isobel began her final year in October as Editor of The Tab and returned to ITV as a weekly intern. Her advice is that industry experience is vital for those wishing to enter a career in the media and joining a student news network at university is the most important first step in gaining further experience. Corin Greaves (2007-2014) Corin is studying History at Bath Spa University where she has recently been awarded the Bill Martin History scholarship in support of her dissertation research on radical Civil War pamphlets. She will be going on to study for an MA in Medieval and Renaissance Studies at the John Rylands’ Institute at the University of Manchester in September.
News of Former Staff Theresa Sowerby Theresa Sowerby, former Head of English and Drama in the Girls’ Division, has won the Huddersfield Literature Festival’s poetry competition with her poem, Migration. The poem will feature on posters in numerous venues around Huddersfield and can be read on the Literature Festival site at http://www.litfest.org. uk/?q=competitions. Theresa also runs a Poetry Society Stanza group in central Manchester and will be speaking at the Literature Festival of the North on poetry of the First World War at Padiham Unitarian Church on Saturday 3rd June at 7pm.
New Arrivals Suzie Smith (née Shaw, 1991-2001)
Jill Mellor (née Marshall, 1986-1994) 22 years after leaving Bolton School Jill gave birth to triplets! Charlotte, Brodie and Harper were born on 16th December 2016.
Emma McGregor (1988-1995)
Emma with baby daughter Grace Suzie and baby Yvie
Suzie’s daughter Yvie Clare Smith was born on 22nd June 2016 in Umhlanga, South Africa.
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Jill with her three bundles of fun, L-R: Charlotte, Brodie and Harper
Emma’s first daughter, Grace, arrived as an early Christmas present on 18th December 2016. She was born in Emma’s home town of Basel, Switzerland and her arrival has brought Emma and her partner, Gianluca, lots of joy and happiness.
Charlotte’s Big Day Charlotte (née Taylor, 2005-2007) married Liam Stowell on 19th November 2016 – here she describes how coming back to School for her wedding day was the perfect way to celebrate her marriage. Our special day was made even more special by having two Old Girls, my sister and maid of honour, Abbey Taylor (2006-2008), and my best friend, Sarah Garnett (2000-2007), as a bridesmaid alongside my now sister-in-law Cait Stowell. On the day, everything was set out to perfection and everyone was in awe of the Great Hall. At that moment we knew we had made the right choice and the ceremony was everything we imagined it to be. Despite it being a cold November day, we were lucky with the weather and were able to have all the photographs taken in the locations we had planned. It was nostalgic walking around the School and the grounds with our friends and family, reminiscing about old times and creating new memories for us all that would forever be associated with Bolton School.
The happy couple
We never imagined getting married at Bolton School – not because it wasn’t the perfect venue for a wedding, but because we didn’t know it was possible until it was time to find a wedding venue. Having attended Bolton School for the Sixth Form from 20052007, when my then-to-be husband suggested it as a possible location for our wedding ceremony I couldn’t imagine getting married anywhere else. The next thing we knew, we were pulling up in front of School to meet the special event coordinators, Adele and Alex. As we entered the Riley Centre, I started to turn right to head towards the Girls’ Hall; however, everyone else went left. ‘It’s this way’, I said – but this was not to be the case. It was at this moment that I was informed that wedding ceremonies usually take place in the Great Hall in the Boys’ Division. This came as a bit of a shock and felt somewhat sacrilegious! However, once I was shown the Boys’ Hall, set up as it would be for our wedding day, we both knew that this would be the place where we would exchange our vows.
L-R: Abbey Taylor, Charlotte Stowell (Taylor), Cait Stowell and Sarah Garnett
Bolton School Weddings and Events are part of Bolton School Services Limited: they have delivered hundreds of weddings over the years and pride themselves on delivering a service built on quality, reliability and tradition. For all enquiries, please contact the Events Team by emailing enquiries@bssevents.com, or by phone on 01204 434795.
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Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2017
MINI REUNIONS 1959 Leavers dine out November 2016 marked the third annual lunch, this time at Fanny’s, Markland Hill, Bolton. A great chinwag, some delectable food and a drop or two or more of wine were consumed in most convivial company. Our next venture will be a midweek lunch in London in the Spring. Please contact Fiona by e-mail, fms.woodbine@googlemail.com.
L-R: Fiona Stevens, Margaret Simpson (née Rawlinson), Susan Briggs(née Bellis), Eileen Nelson (née Adshead), Rose Hargreaves (née Glover), Carol Tomlinson (née Hargreaves), Pauline Ogden (née Jackson)
After-coffee chat, L-R: Margaret Buckley, Judy Brass, Sue Seely, Rita Garthwaite, Sue Kaberry, Anita Hughes, Frances Astle and Gillian Driver
1971 Leavers meet up in Sheffield On the afternoon of 7th May 2016, eight members of the Class of 1971 met up at Stitched Up and Fleeced, the Sheffield studio of fabric artist Sue Lancaster, for a reunion which lasted well into the evening. As well as catching up with the last four decades of news, we reminisced over School photos and other memorabilia. We travelled from far and wide – including Gillian Hool Ellis over from Canada – and continue to keep in touch with each other and with classmates who could not make the reunion. In 1967, several of us went youth hostelling in Northumberland – perhaps a fortieth anniversary trip to Hadrian’s Wall is called for? Liz O’Donnell (née Spencer, 1964-1971) L-R: Ruth Fox (née Ingham), Liz O’Donnell (née Spencer), Gillian Hool Ellis (née Hool), Susan Dearden, Heather Worthington (née Roscoe), Sue Lancaster (née Ramsdale), Daphne Ingham and Barbara Hulse (née Wolstenholme)
1964 Leavers gather in Manchester Our now annual pre-Christmas Manchester lunch was held on 23rd November 2016 at Croma, just off Albert Square. For the first time we were able to sample the wares at the Christmas market without getting soaking wet. Present were Judy Brass (née Allonby), Frances Blundell (née Astle), Margaret Buckley (née Satterthwaite), Gillian Driver, Rita Garthwaite (née Shipperbottam), Moira Greenhalgh (née Stevens), Anita Hughes (née Percival), Sue Kaberry (née Cox), Pauline Rose and Sue Seely (née Band) – it was lovely to have Judy, Sue K and Sue S joining us for the first time. Our email contact list now has 32 members, which is one whole class. If you left School in 1964, or after the Lower Sixth in 1963, or after O Levels in 1962 and would like to join us, then please contact Moira by email on moira@m-greenhalgh.co.uk. Margaret Buckley and Anita Hughes enjoying a pre-lunch Baileys and hot chocolate at the Christmas market
Setting off on our youth hosteling trip to Northumberland, Easter 1967
1973 Leavers get together over lunch Several of us from the Class of 1973 have been getting together for a lunch in Manchester every November for the past couple of years. We picked Manchester as it’s fairly convenient for us all to get to, but this time Anne Ivison came for the first time, getting the train up north specially to meet up, although sadly Jean Shaw and Carole Atkinson were unable to make it. Here’s a photo from our latest catch-up:
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L-R: Angela Carmichael (neé Pye), Angela Smith (neé Jackson), Christine Bradbrook (neé Oldfield), Jill France and Anne Ivison (neé Lambert)
Angela Smith (née Jackson, 1966-1973) 60th Birthdays celebrated in style After much discussion, five of my School friends and I decided to celebrate our 60th birthdays with a weekend in York last June. It was a super sunny weekend and we travelled in style by train using our new Senior Railcards! Our first stop was a delicious afternoon tea, with champagne of course, at the famous Betty’s Tea Rooms in York. We were serenaded by a pianist who was delighted to play Happy Birthday to us and to which everyone in the room joined in! In true Cautley-style we all shared a large bedroom. However, I cannot remember anyone snoring when we shared back in the 1970s. Next time, it’s a twin room with a non-snorer for me! As befitting our ages, we saw a show depicting music from the 1960s which was great fun and gave us opportunity for some handbag dancing in the aisles. We also took in some sightseeing and had a walk along the river. It was a wonderful weekend with very dear friends. In fact, we’ve decided not to wait for our next decade celebration and have our next one already planned for April this year in Manchester. We meet up regularly for afternoon teas, meals and shows and still reminisce about the good old days at Bolton School. Happy memories! Val Marshall (née Oddie, 1967-1974)
natter and get-together. I haven’t used the word reunion, as most of the girls meet up regularly in Fanny’s. However, a plan was hatched some time ago to have the January meet in London, much to the delight of me and Sarah Hulme as we are London residents. So the group consisted of Sarah Hulme, Sarah Shaw, Cath Booth, Catherine Mason, Kathryn Marsden, Alison Broad, Gill Rigby, Christine Owen, Alison Jones, Sally Tankard, Rachel Kelly, Sarah Worth, Ingrid Murray, Fiona Ashworth and Clare Arkwright. There is something so lovely and heartwarming about meeting up with old School friends who all want to make the effort to see each other. You are that 16 year-old girl again, with the laughter and camaraderie that goes with that age. It doesn’t matter what your adult life has held, or what paths you have taken, or what possessions you have managed to accumulate. It’s about friendship, support, female solidarity, chatting and listening, empathy and understanding. It’s about a recognition of the Bolton School determination which links us all. Oh, and it’s a lot about eating and drinking! Sally Tankard (1975-1984) Old Girls’ Shopping Spree We meet up every year for a shopping weekend and we all value our friendship. We often reminisce about our Bolton School days – old friends really are the best! We wish all our peers a Special 50th Birthday this year! Lisa Perkins (née Cadman, 1972-1985)
Living it up at Betty’s! L-R: Val Marshall, Tricia Tickle (neé Callaghan), Liz Beamish (neé Livesey), Sue Brooks (neé Earnshaw), Sue Kelcey (neé Howarth) and Sue Taylor (neé Ashworth) (all 1967-1974)
1984 Leavers London-bound The last weekend in January saw fifteen girls from the Class of 1984 meet up in London for a good old
L-R: Sarah Hussey (née Kirby), Lisa Perkins (née Cadman), Sarah Cowley (née Kernohan), Jayne Murray (née Coleman) and Jane Pattisson (née Evans) (all Class of 1985)
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Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2017
Seventy Years of Togetherness Old Girl Marjorie Rothera (née Clegg, 1941-1948) and her husband Harold (Boys’ Division, 1939-1947) bridged the Divisions when they got together in 1946. Seventy years later, they remain indebted to Bolton School. Marjorie writes: became secretary and fundraiser for Swansea Harriers Supporters Club and a member of the Harriers’ management committee. Travelling at the weekends with women’s teams to various venues in England became a regular commitment. Everyone would agree that parenthood brings its changes and surprises. In our case, the commitment of our children and grandchildren to a variety of sports, athletics being but one, has added a totally unexpected dimension to our lives. Such aptitude had passed us by!
Still dancing after 70 years!
Last year, we celebrated with a modest family lunch our 70 years of ‘togetherness‘, which began with the first meeting of the School Dance Club in the Autumn Term of 1946. That joint enterprise of the two Divisions came as a surprise to both sets of Sixth Formers, since at that time School seemed more concerned daily with keeping us apart! All praise therefore to our instructors, Mrs Netté, a teacher in the Boys’ Division, and her husband, who had succeeded in persuading Miss Varley and Mr Poskitt of the social value of ballroom dancing skills. They surely merit a toast at our 65th wedding anniversary celebration this year! Following our marriage in 1952, during Harold’s national service as an RAF Education Officer, I continued to teach domestic science at Gateway Girls’ Grammar/Technical School in Leicester. Subsequently, Harold’s first post as a teacher of French, at King James’ Grammar School Knaresborough, found us living in Harrogate. For a period, I taught part-time at Bradford Girls’ Grammar School, whose head teacher was seeking to emulate what her friend, Miss Varley, had created in the Girls’ Division at Bolton School! After that, a Head of Department post for Harold, at Sir Hugh Owen Grammar School, took us to Caernarfon, where our first child, Stephen, was born. We had become accustomed to moving around the country when an attractive university post for Harold brought us to Swansea, a city whose appeal grew ever greater to our growing family, with the birth of our two daughters. Unfortunately, once the children had become established in schools, a convenient teaching post for me never became available. However, the local athletics club availed itself of much of my time – I
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Foreign travel, other than for academic purposes, was something of a luxury for us until Harold’s retirement. Subsequently, one highpoint was an extended holiday in Canada, including time spent in Edmonton, Alberta, where I was born. A trawl of local records provided a fascinating insight into my father’s teaching career there in the 1920s and early 1930s. In Europe, annual visits to Crete and to the second home of our elder daughter and son-in-law in France became part of the pattern of our lives. Harold retired from his post as Head of the Department of Education at the University College of Swansea (University of Wales) in 1988. Now, however, the recent retirement of our son Stephen at sixty (with that of his sisters, Vivienne and Alison, not all that far away) serves to remind us of all the other milestones that we have been fortunate enough to see in our seventy years together. Having frequently enjoyed School Alumni events in London and in Bolton, we regret very much that illhealth will prevent our attending this year the London Dinner and, most unfortunately, the 70-year Reunion.”
The happy couple on their wedding day
FROM THE ARCHIVES Ask the Archivist Girls’ Division Uniform
There have been a number of changes to the Girls’ uniform since the new Foundation was established in 1915, but not all have been recorded. References to uniform, whether in the School Magazine, the Girls’ Committee Minutes or indeed Governors’ Minutes, have in fact been few in number and generally have provided little detail.
Meet the Archivist Eric Fairweather If you have a question about the School’s history or would like to donate to the Archive any photographs or artefacts from your time at School, Eric would love to hear from you. E: development@boltonschool.org. beret as an alternative to the black velour hat. In addition, navy blue cardigans and pullovers with narrow bands of red at the cuff and neck were introduced.
Miss Dymond with Sixth Form Girls, 1915
The Girls’ Magazines actually date back to April 1893 when it was still the Bolton High School for Girls and the first reference to a uniform appears in 1910 when, under Miss Dymond’s Headship, it became compulsory for the girls to wear a sailor hat with a crimson band and the School crest, together with a gym frock and white blouse. There is no suggestion that the uniform changed when the High School for Girls amalgamated with Bolton Grammar School in 1915, but after Miss Meade’s appointment as Headmistress in 1919, she introduced a lighter style in dress and a red and black blazer. By the 1920s the uniform consisted of black tights, a classic navy blue gymslip, blouse and a blue velour hat or beret. In the Summer everyone wore the red and white gingham dresses which later became the sole preserve of the Junior girls. The distinctive Prefects’ gowns are perhaps not strictly uniform but are worthy of mention as they remain such a key feature of Girls’ Division to the present day. They were introduced in 1928. There is no record of uniform changes during the 1930s, other than a change to Summer uniform in 1933 whereby the girls began to wear light stockings with cotton frocks during the Summer term. The next recorded changes came in 1947 when, again through the medium of the School Council, the girls were given a wider choice of uniform. They could now wear a red
Writing in the 2002 Magazine Miss Middleton wrote that “the Sixth Form had already swapped the compulsory gymslip for a skirt and blouse (with tie) by the early 1950s, but it was not until 1970, after a brief and unsuccessful trial of short grey skirts and blue jumpers, that they were finally allowed to wear their ‘weekend clothes’. Not all succumbed to the temptation at first but peer pressure rapidly took hold.”
Miss Meade and prefects, 1929-1930
By the 1960s the Sixth Formers were allowed to wear skirts and blouses and in 1962 this privilege was extended to the Fifth Form. In 1969 a separate uniform for the Sixth Form was introduced, but was met with mixed feelings, as many felt that it had the effect of cutting the Sixth Form off from the rest of the School. In 1969 also, the Upper Fourth were delighted to hear that they could henceforth wear skirts rather than tunics and, furthermore, the red berets were ‘abandoned for the Summer term.’ Rules were further relaxed the following year when compulsory uniform for the Sixth Form was abolished.
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Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2017 implemented the proposal that, to save unnecessary expense, girls should be allowed to continue wearing winter uniform throughout the school year if they so wished.
Extracts from the 1959 ‘List of School Uniform’
The Magazine reported that “the immediate reaction was one of excitement, but after considering the cost and trouble of wearing weekend clothes all week, we began to doubt the advantages”! It was about this time too that a Sixth Form tie was introduced and ankle socks ceased to be worn by senior girls. The red beret was discontinued altogether in 1973. Janet Hathaway (Head Girl 1965-1966) wrote: “References to the School Beret bring mixed feelings. It seems strange that so small an article could have so much power. Only those who have lived through high, lacquered hairstyles know the discomfort of a flat circle of woolly maroon fabric anchored to the head by several hair grips. The pain occasioned to the head by the point of a badly angled School badge was second only to the heavy weight of a Prefect’s badge.” Miss Middleton also recalled how the ‘infamous Clark’s Playdecks, that last incarnation of the regulation flat indoor shoe, was finally abandoned in the 1980s.’ Uniform continued to be a topic for discussion at the School Council and in 1980 Mrs Spurr, Headmistress,
Memories of School Wendy Hall (née Smith, 1952-1959), who was in IIIA in 1952-53, writes: “A couple of editions ago you ran a piece about the meaning of the Girls’ badge and it brought back a memory of my Form Mistress in IIIA ( an English teacher called Miss Makin), who told us that the two diagonals represented the easy and the thorny paths to take in life. The thorny path led to the book of knowledge and the easy path fell off the badge. We were all exhorted to take the thorny path of hard work! I wonder if anyone else remembers that? I think it was in form meeting time.”
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Extract from the 1995 Girls’ Division magazine showing Vicky Aspbury and Catherine Ayling (both 1991-1998) modelling some elements of the uniform past and present
Mrs Richards became Headmistress in 2005. At this time the senior girls wore a black skirt, a plain white shirt and a maroon jumper. Yet again, consultations took place with the School Council and these resulted in the introduction of the maroon blazer and a new white shirt, embroidered with the ribbons motif from the top of the School crest and available with short, long or elbow length sleeves. The skirt was redesigned although it remained black in colour. No changes were, however, made to Sixth Form dress.
As mentioned at the outset, not all changes in uniform have been recorded, so if any Old Girls are able to enhance our knowledge, their contributions would be greatly appreciated.
Extract from the 1944 Girls’ Division magazine
LOOKING BACK
ners: Emily mpionship win ha C d ry nt ou i Brownlow an 2001 Cross-C abbin, Naom Br e e tt th rlo g ha in C ld Rashleigh, y Hobbiss ho dson with Jenn Olivia Edmon verhulme Park Le Cup won at ip sh on pi m Cha
1987 Lacrosse celebriti es: Pam Johnson, Emma Foxall and Pat Bellis
1988 Cautley trip
Mendip House 1945-19
1972 trip to London
1997 Lower VI English trip to Stratford: Holly Craggs, Sarah Warden, Kate Sawbridge, and Amy Liptrott
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1996: Helena Lyon, Re becca Murray and Miche lle Naqvi in the twelve-m inute version of Twelfth Night
etition
1946 House Toy Comp
27
Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2017
DESTINATIONS OF LEAVERS – 2016 PUPIL NAME
UNIVERSITY
COURSE
MAHA ABBASI
University of Salford
Law
SENNIA AHMED
University of Liverpool
Medicine
SADAF ALIKHASI
University of Hertfordshire
Pharmacy
ZAYNAB BADAT
Apprenticeship with PWC
Accountancy
KATE BALL
Apprenticeship with Siemens
Accountancy
EMILY BARNES
Regent’s University London
Fashion Design with Marketing
HANNAH BARNES (2015 Leaver)
University of Liverpool
Criminology
NATASHA BECKETT
Nottingham Trent University
Spanish and European Studies
SOPHIE BENNETT
University of York
Linguistics with Spanish
FAZILA BHUTA
Gap Year
CHARLIE BIDDULPH
De Montfort University
Accounting and Finance
PHOEBE BIRCHALL
Manchester Metropolitan University
Philosophy
CHARLOTTE BODGER
University of Leeds
Economics
LUCIE BURLEY
Lancaster University
Law
REBECCA BUTCHART
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Batchelor of Music and Performance
SAAMIN CHEEMA
University College London (2017)
Biochemistry
ESTHER COMPSTY (2015 Leaver)
Instituto Marangoni, Italy
Fashion Business
FIONA COOPER
Newcastle University
Medicine
CHARLOTTE CROWE
University of Sheffield
Dentistry
OLIVIA DALY (2015 Leaver)
University of Central Lancashire
Asia Pacific Studies – Korean
AMY DYKINS
York St John University
Psychology
CONNIE EYLES
St Edmunds Hall, University of Oxford
German and Beginners’ Russian
CHARLOTTE FIELDING
Newcastle University
Modern Languages, Translation and Interpreting
CHLOE FISHER
Southampton Solent University
Yacht Design and Production
SALLY FLETCHER
Lancaster University
Business Studies
NUALA FOWLER
Manchester Metropolitan University
Foundation Diploma in Art and Design
ALYS GARTH
University of Warwick
Law
EILIDH GIBSON
Loughborough University
Drama
NICKY GILLIBRAND
Lancaster University
Law and Politics
ISABELLA GREGORI (2015 Leaver) London Metropolitan University
Quantity Surveying
ANCHAL GUPTA (2015 Leaver)
Sofia Medical School, Bulgaria
Medicine
AMY HADJINICOLAOU
Durham University
Economics
EMMA HAILWOOD
Gap Year
LAURA HAINEY
University of Nottingham
ELEANOR HARDING
St Catharine’s College, University of Cambridge (2017) Medicine
ABIGAIL HARRISON
University of Leeds
Management with Marketing
NATALIE HENDERSON
University of Nottingham
English
MOLLY HERON
University of the Arts London
Fashion Marketing
STEPHANIE HIGGINS
Gap Year
CHARLOTTE HOPKINS
University of Leeds
Criminal Justice and Criminology
ALEXANDRA HOPKINSON
St Anne’s College, University of Oxford
Classics
AMELIA HOWE
University of Chester
Physical Education
JODIE HUGHES
University of Liverpool
Politics
ABBIE HUMPHREYS
University of Nottingham
English
JESSICA HUNT
Liverpool John Moores University
Marketing
EMMA HUSSAIN
University of Exeter
International Relations and Modern Languages
SARAH IBBERSON
Durham University
History
AMINA JAMEEL
University of Manchester
Dentistry
NEHA JEYAM
University of Leeds
International Business and Spanish
TARA JEYAM
University of Liverpool
Medicine
ALLIYA JIVA
University of Manchester
Aerospace Engineering with Management
OLYVIA JONES
University of Nottingham
Aerospace Engineering
AMY KADODWALA
University of Warwick
Physics
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History
RIYA KALHAN
Gap Year
AMBA KARSONDAS
University of Leeds
French and Russian
EMILY KAY
University of Liverpool
Law with Business Studies
NICHOLE KAY (2015 Leaver)
Newcastle University
Chemical Engineering
TAYYIBAH KHALID
London School of Economics and Political Science
Mathematics and Economics
(University of London) RABIA KHALIQ
University of Liverpool
Medicine
FARHANA KOLI (2015 Leaver)
University of Leeds
Dental Surgery
ALICIA LANGLEY (2015 Leaver)
University of Manchester
Law
NATALIE LAWLER
Birmingham City University
Interior Design
ANNA MARIE LINFITT
University of Edinburgh
Performance Costume
ROBYN LOMAS (2015 Leaver)
Employment
OLIVIA LOWE
Lancaster University
Law
AMY LYONS
Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford
Medicine
AYESHA MAHMOOD-QURESHI
Brunel University London
Mathematics
MARIAM MAJID
Buckinghamshire New University
Stadium and Events Management
GABRIELLA MARAGAKIS
University of Leeds
Psychology
HANNAH MERCER
University of Hertfordshire
Marketing
KHAMILLAH MOHAMMED (2015)
Lancaster University
Natural Sciences
SERENA MOHTASHAM
Birmingham City University
Legal Studies
CHARLOTTE MORLEY
Gap Year
RAEESA MULLA (2015 Leaver)
University of Manchester
Biochemistry
AMY MUNSLOW
University of Liverpool
International Politics and Policy and History
KHADIJA MUSA
University of Manchester
History
MAUREEN NDAHIRO
Queen Mary University of London
English
AAMINA NOORGAT
University of Manchester
Healthcare Science (Audiology)
BETHANY O’DONNELL
University of Liverpool
Engineering Foundation
RUTH OGDEN
University of Birmingham
Philosophy
IMAN ORTHS
King’s College London (University of London)
Mathematics
EMMA PARKES
University of Leeds
Management with Marketing
JAIMEE PATEL
City University London
Actuarial Science
ISABELLE PEARCE
University of Bristol
Veterinary Science
LISA QUINN (2015 Leaver)
University of Liverpool
Accounting & Finance
AISHA QURESHI (2015 Leaver)
University of Manchester
Accounting and Finance
ALICE-KATE RAMSBOTTOM (2015 Leaver) Durham University
Geophysics with Geology
OLIVIA RAMSDALE
Keele University
Politics
EMMA RAYNER
University of Bath
Mathematics
CHLOE ROBERTS
Apprenticeship
AMY RUDDLE
University of Liverpool
Psychology
OLIVIA RUSSELL (2015 Leaver)
University of Leeds
Medicine
RAHEEMA SATTAR
Gap Year
SOPHIA SECRETARY
Gap Year
MARIYAH SEEDAT
Gap Year
PARISA SHAH
University of Liverpool
Philosophy
ELISE SKEELS-CALDWELL
Bangor University
Psychology
ISABELLA SMITH
Durham University (2017)
Politics
ANIKA SWAMY
Keele University
Biochemistry
AMBER TOBIN (2015 Leaver)
Newcastle University
Politics and Economics
BRIANNA TRUE
Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts
Theatre and Performance Design
ELLIE TYSON
University of Nottingham
Psychology
FAY WAN
University College London
Medicine
HANNAH WATERS
Lancaster University
Politics and International Relations
JO WATERWORTH
Sheffield Hallam University
Food and Nutrition
GEORGIA WHITE
Newcastle University
Combined Honours
VICTORIA WHITEHEAD (2015 Leaver)
Durham University
Geography
GINNY WHITESIDE
Bangor University
Psychology
JESSICA WILLCOCK
Keele University
Music
ALEX WOODHEAD
University of Lincoln
Criminology
MAGGIE ZHOU
University College London
Economics
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Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2017
LIVES REMEMBERED Joyce Crowther (née Rothwell, 1935-1939) Born at Lostock Hall in 1922, the only child of keen golfing parents, Joyce was encouraged to take up the sport at the early age of ten. She took to the game like a duck to water and was allowed to become a junior member at Bolton Golf Club when she was 13, and a full member at the age of 17 in the year when her father, Carlton Rothwell, was Captain. In 1965 she was Lady Captain and carried on playing until she was nearly 90, when her life continued to revolve around the golf club, playing bridge and meeting friends. A fascinating fact is that she moved house six times in her life, but never lived more than one and a half miles from Bolton Golf Club! She very much enjoyed her time at School and shared happy memories of being a goal keeper in the lacrosse team and an enthusiastic tennis player. After leaving the Girls’ Division she went to work with her father at the Provincial Insurance Company in the centre of Bolton. When World War Two broke out she joined the ATS based in Radcliffe where she was promoted to Sergeant. She felt very honoured to attend the special Uniformed Services Dinner in March 2015 at School to commemorate the service given by Alumni, proudly displaying her medals. In 1947 she married John Crowther, a former Boys’ Division pupil, who had been a fighter/bomber pilot during the war and then had joined his family business, Wood & Co Tea and Coffee Merchants in Fold Street. They had two children Valerie and Douglas, both attending Beech House and then the Girls’ and Boys’ Divisions respectively.
Despite now all living in the South of England, her grandsons are avid Bolton Wanderers supporters, and Joyce was always delighted to discuss the team’s ups and downs with them! Joyce will always be remembered as a great supporter of Bolton School where she served on the Old Girls’ Committee for many years. Despite being widowed for 20 years she was always on the go, enjoying lots of travel, and a very hectic social life in Bolton which included Bolton Golf Cub, Christ Church and Bolton School. She made many happy trips to visit her family in Suffolk and Buckinghamshire, and really enjoyed her time staying with Valerie and Peter at their holiday home in Cornwall where sadly she died on 17th August 2016 from heart failure. Val Allred (née Crowther, 1956-1965) Rosemary Marshall (née Hunt, 1957-1964) Rosemary, who died suddenly in March 2016, graduated from Bolton School with the Class of 1964. During the next two years, living in London, she completed shorthand/typing studies at St Godric’s College, Hampstead. Shortly after, she saw a newspaper advertisement looking for a Germanspeaking secretary to work for a ship-broking company in Hamburg. As she had done German to A Level, as well as spending two summer holidays in Hamburg with a German family under an exchange arrangement between Bolton and Hamburg, she applied for the job and got it.
Valerie married another Old Boltonian, Peter Allred, in 1976 which provided Joyce with three grandsons and two great-grandchildren who were a great joy to her.
There followed four years in Hamburg, after two years of which she met her husband, William Marshall, who had come from London to work for Royal Dutch-Shell’s German subsidiary. William and Rosemary married in February 1969, and later that year he was posted to Shell’s Singapore office. In those days Shell wives in Singapore were not permitted to have full-time jobs, much to Rosemary’s annoyance! However, she got involved in voluntary work (that being permitted!) with a local hospital which she much enjoyed. In March 1971 their daughter Chloe was born in Singapore and just eight months later they returned to England.
Doug married Kate, a doctor, to whom he had been introduced by Peter’s sister, Jane Allred (now Rowland, Class of 1972) – yet another Old Boltonian. Doug and Kate also produced three boys. Sadly, Doug died of cancer in 2014 before his grandson and Joyce’s third great-grandchild was born.
With William again working in London and commuting, they bought their first house in Crawley, living there for five years. Then from August 1977 the job took them abroad again, firstly to Bermuda for two years, followed by three in Paris. Back in England again in late 1982, some thirty years were then spent in Redhill, where home
Family holidays were spent in Cornwall, Wales and the Lake District where John and Joyce bought a cottage in Staveley. As a result Joyce frequently attended the annual Bolton School Alumni Cumbria Dinner.
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was a lovely cottage dating from the early 15th century, originally purchased in 1976.
natural curiosity and a desire to learn – later borne out in her vocation for teaching.
Soon after returning to England, Rosemary began work with a private company, the Theatregoers’ Club of Great Britain. Initially this involved escorting people by bus from the Redhill area for evening theatre performances in the west end of London. Later it expanded into an international business, taking groups on holiday abroad, to attend theatre and music performances in the places visited. Destinations included Europe, Australasia and South Africa. Later she worked in a similar organisation called Specialised Travel. This involved accompanying and managing groups from the United States visiting European countries, again featuring concerts and opera performances.
Mrs Page taught mainly at St Helen’s School in Northwood, London, Bolton School Girls’ Division and Ilford County High School. She was a characteristically conscientious, thorough correspondent, maintaining contact with many former colleagues and pupils.
In addition, Rosemary served as a Justice of the Peace on the Reigate (later East Surrey) Bench for 27 years, finally retiring from the Magistracy in 2011 when she and William moved to live in Kent. She got particular satisfaction working in the family court, where magistrates had greater discretion than in the criminal court.
“Margaret was a much-respected colleague and friend to many of us on the staff. She was always available to give sound, practical advice on matters of ethics and spiritual discipline – not that she would inflict her views on anyone unsolicited, but there was a constant rock of support when her opinions and help were sought.
Rosemary enjoyed a full life, her particular pleasures including music, travel, gardening, cooking and shopping for clothes!
“She had a distinctly no-nonsense approach to questions of conscience and was able to apply her faith to problems of the day and of the work in a completely balanced and grounded way. She lived out her faith in all aspects of her professional life.
William S K Marshall Margaret Page (Girls’ Division Staff, 1960-1968) We have been saddened to hear of the death, at the age of 95, of Mrs Margaret Page, a former member of the History and Religious Education Departments in the Girls’ Division. Mrs Page died peacefully at home, her nieces and nephew with her, as she had wished. She was born in Kettering, Northamptonshire, a loving, caring daughter who, from her early years, showed a
After 57 years of marriage, Mrs Page’s husband, Edwin, passed away; she missed him greatly, but continued to enjoy her family and her garden in Leicestershire where they had lived in retirement. Elsie Peel (née Addison, 1949-1956, also former Girls’ Division Staff) writes:
“Those of us who were privileged to have been taught by her remember Mrs Page as a highly competent academic member of staff who, nevertheless, was hugely supportive of those who were not always academic highflyers. She was unfailingly ready to go against popular opinion when a girl was in need of support, whatever the circumstances. She was an ideal, versatile teacher, described by one former student as ‘one of the best role models I have ever had’. “We remember Mrs Page with gratitude and with a great deal of affection. Her good humour, sound common sense and practical wisdom have made their mark on so many of us – staff and students alike.” Members of UVIG (1965-1966) and other contemporaries
IN MEMORIAM Rosanel Barben (née Rowley, 1947-1957) Died 30th January 2017 Rita Fray (née Stones, 1959-1973) Died 22nd February 2017 Doreen Jeffs (former Beech House staff) Died 15th January 2017 Christine Kohorn (née Lowe, 1946-1956) Died 27th January 2017 Mary Slater (former GD and BD Staff, 1954-1987) Died 5th November 2016 Lillian Tinsley (née Boardman, 1948-1955) Died 1st February 2017 Trista Vickery (née Bennetts, 1971-1978) Died 25th September 2014 Eileen Woodhouse (1953-1958) Died 19th November 2016
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Georgina Carter (2002-2008) and Viv Carter (Girls’ Division Staff, 2002-2014) at the Alumni London Dinner, 11th March 2016 Designed and printed by Haslam Printers Limited, Wingates Ind. Park, Westhoughton, Lancashire BL5 3XH