Old Girls' Association Newsletter - Spring 2021

Bolton School OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER Issue Number 34 Spring 2021

Shared memories and continued support

Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2021

CONTENTS STAY IN TOUCHÐ 2 2 STAY CONNECTEDÐ BOLTON SCHOOL MERCHANDISEÐ 2 WELCOME MESSAGESÐ Sue Hincks, HeadmistressÐ3 Laura Henthorn, President of the Old Girls’ AssociationÐ3 CONTINUING SUPPORTÐ 4 SCHOOL NEWSÐ Back to School!Ð 5 School’s Unsung HeroesÐ 5 5 Theme of Hope at Remembrance AssemblyÐ Boltonians Ladies’ FCÐ 5 Angels Bring Christmas GreetingsÐ 6 6 Drive-In Carol ServiceÐ Radio Play Documents Rise of Women’s FootballÐ 7 Girls Go On GivingÐ 7 Prefects’ Gowning CeremonyÐ 7 EVENTSÐ8 8 ‘Virtual’ Happy HoursÐ Alumni Writing RetreatÐ 8 8 Patterdale Hall Anniversary Open DayÐ OLD GIRLS’ FEATURESÐ Inspiring the Next GenerationÐ 9 Dr Becky Inspires on International Women’s DayÐ 9 ‘Perspectives’ Lecture SeriesÐ 10 Alumni Mentor Entrepreneurship SchemeÐ 11 11 Vocational VideosÐ Modern Languages Talk with Sarah Mercer Ð 11 11 Apprenticeships with Emily RajbhandariÐ World of WorkÐ 12 13 Covid ChampionsÐ Emily Beats World Record for Indoor TriathlonÐ 14 Novelist Judges World Book Day CompetitionÐ 14 14 Alumni AuthorsÐ Story of a GownÐ 15 Old Girls Go GlobalÐ 16 OLD GIRLS’ NEWSÐ News of Old Girls and Former StaffÐ 17 Matches and HatchesÐ 19 Destinations of 2020 LeaversÐ 20 Mini ReunionsÐ 22 FROM THE ARCHIVESÐ Ask the Archivist: Coping with AdversityÐ 23 24 Looking BackÐ Memories of School: Denise Robinson and Christine CottamÐ 25 LIVES REMEMBEREDÐ 26 IN MEMORIAMÐ 31

Stay Connected We hope you enjoy being kept up-to-date with what is happening at School and within the Old Girl community as much as we value the opportunity to stay connected with you.

If your contact details have changed, or if you have not yet let us know your communication preferences and wish to continue hearing from School, then please contact the Development Office as soon as possible, or complete the Former Pupil Registration form found in the ‘Former Pupils’ section of the School website, www.boltonschool.org.

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STAY IN TOUCH Connect with Old Girls and Old Boys on the Bolton Alumni Network: www.boltonalumninetwork.com.

‘Like’ our Facebook page for event invitations, 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: @BoltonSchool/@BoltonSchAlumni New! Follow our brand-new Alumni Instagram account boltonschoolalumni to keep up with news, events and memories. You can also follow bolton_school_foundation for the latest news and photographs from School and use #BSAlumni to share your own memories and photos.

Watch short films posted on the School’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/ boltonschoolmedia Read regular blogs from pupils and staff from across the campus: boltonschool.me/ View photos of Alumni events on Flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/bsalumni/albums Visit the ‘Former Pupils’ section of the School website at www.boltonschool.org to see event photos, read Alumni career profiles, find news of Old Girls and Old Boys, view an up-to-date events calendar, update your contact details and more.

CONTACT US Development Office, Bolton School Chorley New Road, Bolton BL1 4PA T: 01204 434718 E: development@boltonschool.org THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM Head of Development Laura FirthÐ Development Assistant Hannah FoxÐ Frances JohnsonÐ Development Assistant Kathryn O’BrienÐ Alumni and Development Assistant Laura RooneyÐ Development Manager

Bolton School Merchandise A variety of merchandise, including badges, photo frames, pens and umbrellas, is available from the store on the School’s website – please visit www.boltonschool.org/schoolservices/bolton-school-merchandise to see the full range and details of how to order.

All profits made from the sale of merchandise go directly to the School’s Bursary Fund which helps to make a Bolton School education open to all academically gifted pupils, irrespective of their families’ financial situations.

WELCOME FROM THE HEADMISTRESS Monday 8th March was highly memorable. The first day back on site this calendar year for the majority of Bolton School pupils, it was also International Women's Day, which we marked by a fantastic lecture from Astrophysicist, Dr Becky Smethurst. Not only were Becky's words fascinating; her exceptional modesty shone out, too. In particular, she played tribute to her time at Bolton School and said that her achievements were due to the fact that she was standing on the shoulders of others, namely her teachers.

I was reminded of these thoughts when I read the 'Lives Remembered' section of this edition of the Newsletter. This year has seen the passing of some legendary figures in the School's history. I know some of the teachers commemorated here only by reputation; but, already, that reputation is very powerful indeed.

I was blessed to have met three in person Miss Dickinson, Mrs Greenhalgh and Miss Moon - and, in each case, their decency, kindness, and commitment to their vocation blazed through, although (like Becky) all three were exceptionally modest about their achievements. A community like Bolton School owes everything to the service of such exemplary colleagues and we cannot thank them enough for all they have done over the years. If Covid has caused you to re-evaluate what you are doing, please do consider teaching as a pathway to a rewarding and inspirational career. (And please don't forget that you can train at Bolton School to teach Physics or Maths through

our SCITT (School-centred initial teacher training) programme.) We need exceptional, intelligent women from diverse backgrounds in the teaching profession to shape future generations.

Meanwhile, the words of Old Girls such as Becky have been life-enhancing during this pandemic. You can read in these pages about the immense contribution which Alumnae have made to the girls' understanding of the world about them. The new 'Perspectives' lecture series allows us to reach a wider audience than just the pupil body and, if you haven't yet had a chance to watch the first two talks, I heartily recommend them to you.

If you are able to share your experiences with the pupils, please do get in touch. One common theme is the unpredictability of life's journey and this is something which girls at School need to hear again and again including the importance of picking yourself up after a failure, 're-setting' the route, and soldiering on. We need to ensure that girls hear from Alumnae from a wealth of backgrounds and with a wide range of experiences - including those who feel that they only blossomed after School - so please do put modesty aside and get in touch if you have words of advice and wisdom to impart.

I wish you safe and well in the months ahead.

Sue Hincks Headmistress

WELCOME FROM THE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION When I welcomed you all to the Autumn 2020 edition of this Newsletter, lamenting that so many of the School and Alumni events were unable to happen, little did I think that so many restrictions would still be in place in the Spring!

However, despite the fact that pupils had to spend the Autumn Term in ‘bubbles’ and have barely set foot in their classrooms this term, Bolton School continues to thrive. I have heard excellent reports of the remote learning, with the teachers providing a full timetable of lessons via Zoom and the girls immersing themselves in their studies via their iPads. Meanwhile, thanks to the determination and creativity which typifies the Girls’ Division, traditions such as the Ceremony of Carols were able to go ahead, albeit with a lockdown twist (see page 6).

It is also fantastic to see that the School’s spirit of giving has continued – perhaps even risen – during

the pandemic. Conscious that life during lockdown has been even more of a struggle for many already vulnerable people, pupils across the Bolton School Foundation have raised funds for local and national charities and collected food and Christmas presents for needy families in the region (see page 7), while Old Girls have been contributing in myriad ways to managing the effects of Covid-19 (see page 13).

With the lighter evenings, the blooming of the daffodils and the recent sunny weather bringing an optimistic feel to the world, I hope that the gradual easing of restrictions will slowly bring life back to normal – and I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible once we are able to do so.

Laura Henthorn (née Carless, 1970-1977) Chairman – Bolton School Old Girls’ Association

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Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2021

CONTINUING SUPPORT During the 2019-20 academic year, the School community made pledges and gifts totalling £672,000 to the Bolton School Bursary Fund.

As a result of this outstanding generosity, during that same period the School was able to spend £2.89 million on meanstested bursary assistance, supporting 350 - one in every five - pupils across the two Senior Schools, with 32% of bursary recipients – 6% of the whole pupil body – receiving a fullyfunded bursary.

It is our firm conviction that a Bolton School education is a key driver of social mobility, which has enabled successive generations of Boltonians to leverage the opportunities their time at the School presents to the benefit of their local communities.

A Lasting Legacy We are honoured to receive legacy gifts from Alumni and Former Staff, and value the opportunity to be able to thank those who intend to do so for their generosity.

By leaving a bequest to the Bursary Fund, you can continue to support the School’s ambition of offering true equal access beyond your lifetime. One such donor is Old Girl Sarah Mercer, who attended the Girls’ Division between 1985 and 1992, and is Professor of Foreign Language Teaching at the University of Graz, Austria.

Of her decision to remember the School in her will, Sarah writes: “I recently had the opportunity to speak to current pupils about what it means to study foreign languages and the possibilities that a degree in languages opens up, and it was great to interact with them and to see, first-hand, their enthusiasm and curiosity.

“I cherish my years at School - memories of Cautley, playing lacrosse, the Christmas Post, eating tarmac and fairy liquid, and singing the School Song will stay with me forever – and I still enjoy many friendships from that time. My time at School gave me an enormous amount:

Alumni Business Directory During this time of uncertainty, we would like to support our self-employed Alumni by helping them to promote their businesses and services to other Old Girls, Old Boys and Former Staff of Bolton School.

To this end, we recently launched our online Alumni Business Directory on the Bolton Alumni Network, giving Alumni exclusive space without our engaged network to showcase their business or services, completely free of charge.

The Alumni Business Directory allows members to: •Ð Post their business using an easy, prompted form •Ð Offer special benefits to other platform members Ð if they choose to •Ð Search by free text, category or location for other Ð businesses and services that they may be able to Ðsupport

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A Bolton School bursary can be truly life-changing, as this Girls’ Division bursary recipient, and 2020 leaver, attests: “I have made memories here that I will cherish for life. I would like to thank the School’s donors for giving me the opportunity to be able to say I am a student at such a great school. I hope, one day, I can help fund someone’s education like you did with mine.”

It remains our long-term goal to return the School to the situation during the Direct Grant era (when a third of pupils received a funded place) with the eventual ambition of achieving fully needs-blind open-access to the School. We are indebted to all those donors who have offered the School their unwavering support during the past tumultuous year, and feel certain that, with the continued generosity of the School community, we will, one day, achieve our goal.

alongside the excellent academic grounding I received, it also built character, giving me a confidence which has stood me in good stead throughout my life.

“Having had such a privileged education, it feels fitting that I pay this forward to the next generations. I want to ensure that other girls, no matter their background, have the chance to receive such a valuable start in life. It is a source of great comfort to me to know that my legacy to the Bursary Fund will make that possible, and that another girl may experience precious years in the Girls’ Division, just as I did, as a result of my gift.

“It is a wonderful thought to imagine the connection unfolding across the decades - from the foundations Bolton laid for my current and future life, to the cycle continuing after my passing, with my gift setting those same foundations for other girls. Who knows, maybe they will then do the same in their turn: as the Girls’ Division prayer says, ‘Much will be expected of those to whom much is given’.”

After you have taken care of those who are dearest to you, leaving a bequest to the School, whether large or small, will allow future generations of bright, talented children the opportunity of a Bolton School education.

To find out more about leaving a legacy to School, or to discuss, in confidence, your intentions in more detail, please contact Laura Firth in the Development Office.

Several Alumni have already taken advantage of this new initiative and we invite you, too, to take this opportunity to promote yourself and your business and, in turn, to support other members of our network.

The Bolton Alumni Network is our online platform for Alumni and Former Staff of the School, with almost 2,600 members.

Join today at www.boltonalumninetwork.com.

SCHOOL NEWS Back to School!

Monday 8th March saw the return to School of all pupils after several weeks of remote learning during lockdown.

It was fantastic to see classrooms full, to hear young voices out in the playground and chat along the corridors and to feel the buzz of School life beginning to return to normal. Lateral flow tests have been made available to all staff and Senior School girls and boys, with the vast majority taking the opportunity to be tested. Sincere thanks go to all those members of staff who organised and ensured the smooth running of the testing procedures.

School’s Unsung Heroes During these difficult times much praise has been afforded to those that have helped steer the country through some testing days. Key workers across the NHS, the teaching profession, retail and public transport have rightly been applauded, but there is another group that deserves recognition: support staff in schools.

The School is kept spotless

Yet without cleaners, catering staff, maintenance workers and caretakers, no

Theme of Hope at a Time of Remembrance The Girls’ Division marked Remembrance Day with a socially distanced assembly which was streamed via Zoom so that all members of the School community could watch and take Bethan Birch from Year 9 plays part safely.

The Last Post The theme of hope was expressed through musical performances and poetry, and Headmistress Miss Hincks led the occasion with thoughtful reflection on the similarities between the current global pandemic and wartime. She observed that the act of remembrance this time was all the more poignant because of the loss taking

Boltonian Ladies’ FC As reported in the last edition, Covid-19 had meant that the Ladies' outstanding 2019-20 season, with their 100% winning record in all competitions, could have come to nothing with the season declared void.

Fortunately, the Greater Manchester Women's Football League restructured and, as a result, the Ladies were placed in the newly-formed Premier Division for the current season.

The Summer saw the team continue its success, and its form, with wins in all its pre-season matches despite Covid-19 restrictions. However, the team was only able to complete two league games (wins again) before travel complications

The Sports Hall set up as a lateral flow testing station

school can open. Although schools were essentially closed during lockdown, 200 support and teaching staff were on site at Bolton School every day to enable the children of key workers to attend. Ian Clarke, Head of Estates, ensured that sufficient cleaners, catering staff, maintenance operatives, caretakers, grounds staff and security staff were on duty to keep the School operating – and in a Covidsecure environment.

Thanks to the support of the Governors and the senior leadership team Ian’s staff stepped up to the plate and met every demand with smiles on their faces. His team is rightly proud of its efforts to ensure that the premises are as clean and safe as they can be, both during lockdown and when staff and pupils are in School.

place at present.

The pandemic gives a small indication of what it must be like to live in a wartime situation, with the pain of suffering, the helplessness Year 13 student Eve Birtwhistle brought of not knowing the service to a close with the hymn how long it will Jerusalem last, and loss in terms of both lives cut short and lives not lived to the full.

She also reflected on heroism, which today is delivered by medics, by those seeking a scientific solution, by the people keeping supply chains going, and by soldiers on the front line supervising Covid-19 testing. She urged the girls to be brave, to be resilient, to support each other and to be confident that normal life will be experienced again one day. and lockdowns brought a premature end to the season once more. At the time of writing the restrictions have been lifted and it is planned that the season will be restarted after Easter with a revised cup competition format to give everyone a chance to play again.

The Ladies will continue to train and play throughout the Summer and hope for better fortune for all those who play amateur sport next season. Training is held on Tuesday evenings and matches are played on Sunday afternoons.

New players are always welcome: contact staceybluemoon@hotmail.com or check the club website at www.oldbolts.co.uk for further information.

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Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2021

Angels Bring Christmas Greetings As only a handful of the usual regular Alumni events were able to take place last year, the School decided to maintain contact with Old Girls The girls write Christmas greetings to Old Girls and Old Boys by sending Christmas cards which contained handwritten greetings from current pupils. These were very well received, as many of you acknowledged.

What a great idea to ask students to write the cards – much more personal than a printed message – and how lovely to see that the angels are still going strong in the Great Hall! Whilst I personally wasn't ever involved in their construction, one of my sisters did have a hand in some of them as an A Level Art student!

Liz Davies (née Morritt, 1983-1990) Thank you so much for your Christmas card. It arrived at my home in Winnipeg today; the paper angel and your cheery greeting made my day! Those angels, and singing Three Kings from Persian Lands Afar, are amongst my most meaningful memories of School.

Sally Keefe (née Guest, Class of 1988) Many thanks for the lovely Christmas card you sent – what a wonderful surprise! And very lovely indeed to see that the paper Christmas angels are still making an appearance!

Rachael Melville (née Moss, 1989-2003) I appreciated the Christmas card from the ‘Class’ and School … please thank them for the pleasure it gave me in being remembered after so many years.

Audrey Jarvis (née Cooke, 1943-1947)

Drive-in Carol Service The Girls’ Division was determined that the traditional Ceremony of Carols should go ahead despite social distancing preventing it taking place in the Great Hall. Using the quadrant formed by the School buildings, a unique ‘drive-in’ experience was created.

Amplified speakers faced out onto the audience of cars and large multi-coloured uplights stunningly illuminated the sandstone buildings. Spectators remained in their vehicles, many with the driver’s window down to assist the acoustics.

In a skilfully choreographed evening, socially distanced choirs sang in the Great Hall, their voices amplified through the speaker system, while other groups sang through open windows looking out onto the audience

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It was such a wonderful surprise to receive the card and the picture of the Christmas angel brought back many happy memories of School carol services – who can forget Three Kings from Persian Lands Afar? Please pass on my thanks to whoever had the idea of sending out the cards – it certainly brought a smile to my face and also that of my sister to whom I sent a picture of the card and she recognised the angel immediately!

Fiona Sharrock (1971-1978) With thanks for the handwritten Christmas wishes and to the Development Office for organising – lovely to see the Girls’ Division Great Hall angels and to receive a surprise dose of School nostalgia!

Naomi Lord (1991-1998 and Boys’ Division Staff) Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the angels. A lovely touch.

Katie Clinton (1990-1997) A huge thank you for my Christmas card. The Great Hall angels were always my favourite School Christmas decoration so it was nice to see one again.

Sophie Bromilow (2001-2008) The legendary Thank you for my beautiful Christmas angels Christmas card! It had a long way brought some festive to travel to Australia, but with the cheer! current restrictions made it in good time!

Corina Abuarchid (née Mather, 1994-2001)

I was very touched to receive your Christmas card and wanted to let you know just how much it meant to me. It cheered me enormously and I was immediately transported back to those very happy years I spent at Bolton School.

Carolyn Haworth (née Turner, 1960-1968) I was so delighted to receive your card and greeting.

‘The angel’ brings happy memories of my time at Bolton School. I see the tradition of caring for others continues.

Diana Platford (née Howitt, 1953-1958)

below, and an outdoor stage under a gazebo was utilised for solo performers and speakers.

The customary mix of music and readings, including, of course, Three Kings from Persian Lands Afar, was both moving and uplifting. Miss Hincks thanked everyone for coming, as well as the musicians and staff who had worked hard to create such a stunning evening. In response, there was much tooting of car horns and flashing of headlamps before a very festive rendition of Adeste Finales and the event closed in traditional fashion with an atmospheric rendering of Hodie by the Chamber Choir.

Radio Play Documents Rise of Women’s Football This year staff and pupils proved to be both creative and adaptive when thinking about the Christmas term production. Unable to deliver a play to a live audience, girls from Years 7, 8 and 9 set about working on a radio drama.

Parr for the Course, a radio play written especially for Bolton School Girls’ Division, charts the rise and fall and rise again of women’s football over the past 100 years. The play was inspired by the lives and legacies of the Dick, Kerr Ladies, a munitions factory team based in Preston, and trailblazer Lily Parr. Gail Newsham’s fascinating account .

Girls Go On Giving Although the pandemic has put many of the usual fundraising activities off limits, it has not diminished the generosity of the Girls’ Division.

Urban Outreach’s Dave Bagley was thrilled with Bolton School’s harvest donation

Year 1 teacher Miss Niaz’s ‘Sprinkle of Kindness’ appeal collected a huge haul of Christmas gift boxes

Year 7 girls took part in a Sponsored Silence to raise funds for Centrepoint

Following ‘virtual’ Harvest assemblies Senior and Junior Girls donated 60 crates of food to Bolton’s Urban Outreach campaign.

In November pupils across the Foundation were excused from wearing their uniforms in exchange for donations to Children in Need, and as December approached over 1,500 tubes of Pringles were collected for the ‘Pringle Bells Challenge’ to help fill Urban Outreach’s Christmas Hampers. The annual Girls’ Division Christmas Post went virtual, with the Year 10 girls acting out skits in the Great Hall and streaming their

of the team in her book In A League of their Own provided valuable insight. Midway through rehearsals, Belinda Scarlett, Curator of Women’s Football at the National Football Museum, hosted a webinar exclusively for the girls involved with this production, furthering their appreciation for women’s football.

The pupils and technicians rehearsed while maintaining the integrity of the bubble configuration, with those having to self-isolate joining rehearsals remotely.

Miss Talbot, Director of Theatre Studies, Speech and Drama, praised the cast and crew for their extraordinary levels of focus, commitment and maturity to master the material as well as the new technologies involved.

Parr for the Course is available to members of the school community via the Bolton School TV channel. efforts to every form room via Zoom; the usual sweet sale was held outdoors on the netball courts, raising money for The Christie. Christmas Jumper Day saw girls in The Christmas Post outdoor Years 7 to 13 wearing festive sweet sale knitwear and accessories to raise funds, while guests at the ‘drive-in’ Ceremony of Carols contributed generously to the collection. Over at Beech House, boys and girls contributed to a collection Money raised on Christmas of Christmas gift boxes for Jumper Day was added distribution to families in need to the Urban Outreach across the town. Children and Hamper Challenge fund staff at Bolton School Nursery and their families also helped to spread festive cheer with donations to Farnworth and Kearsley Foodbank.

Piles of Pringles!

Gowning Ceremony This year’s gowning ceremony may have been a little different, but the new Prefects were nevertheless very proud to be presented with their gowns and undertook to carry out their duties to the best of their abilities.

Head Girl Sarah Walker and her Deputies

The Prefects wear their gowns with pride

The socially-distanced gowning ceremony

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Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2021

EVENTS With the Prime Minister’s announcement on 22nd February of his ‘roadmap to recovery’, the Development Team has begun to make plans to resume its usual programme of Alumni events.

However, with a full return to ‘normal’ life not due until the Summer, no in-person events are planned until Monday 28th June, when it is hoped that the Recent Leavers’ Reunion (for the Classes of 2019 and 2020) may be able to go ahead.

In the meantime, a number of Zoom ‘Happy Hour’ events are planned as follows: • Wednesday 5th May – Scotland Zoom, 6-7pm • Wednesday 9th June – Cumbria Zoom, 6-7pm • Wednesday 7th July – US Zoom, 5-6pm BST Details of how to join these virtual events will be circulated in due course.

It is anticipated that full gatherings of Old Girls and Old Boys will recommence in the next academic year. Reunions for class year groups ending in 00 and 01 will be rearranged as soon as possible and invitations will be sent out once plans are in place.

We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible as soon as it is safe to do so!

Happy Hours A ‘virtual’ Happy Hour was not quite the same as sitting down to dinner in the city of dreaming spires, but Oxford University Alumni nevertheless Oxford Happy Hour enjoyed catching up with each other and with the Headmistress and the Headmaster to chat about Bolton School and, of course, the pandemic – and to look forward to meeting up properly in Oxford once these ‘unprecedented times’ are over.

Cambridge Alumni also joined the Headmistress, Headmaster and members of the Development team for an enjoyable catch-up. Despite the marvellous technology which enabled them to meet up from the comfort of

Alumni Writing Retreat

Let the magic of the Lake District inspire your creative writing

Do you have happy memories of attending after-School Creative Writing Groups and Writing Retreats at Patterdale Hall or Arvon Retreats at Lumb Bank or Totleigh?

This summer you are invited to reignite the pleasure of creative writing during a long weekend at Patterdale Hall, tutored by Mrs Jane Kingsford, who taught English at Bolton School Girls’ Division for 30 years and now works with The Reader Organisation, leading shared reading

their own homes, all are looking forward to sitting down to dinner together in one of the university’s beautiful colleges once the lockdown restrictions are lifted.

Cambridge Happy Hour

Finally, in March, Alumni who studied at or are based in London joined each other and Bolton School staff via Zoom for an entertaining hour of chatting and reminiscing in anticipation of a proper reunion in the capital next year.

London Happy Hour

groups for refugees and in prisons, and Dr Peter Sansom, codirector of The Poetry Business and co-editor of The North magazine and Smith/Doorstop publishing.

Join Jane and Peter for workshops in prose and poetry

The weekend is open to Old Girls and Old Boys at a cost of £250 pp, which includes three nights’ accommodation, all meals and writing tuition. In addition to the workshops hosted by Jane and Peter, there will be free time for walks and boat trips.

To register your interest in this course please email creativewriting@patterdalehall.org.uk.

Patterdale Hall Anniversary (25+2) Open Day The 25+2 year anniversary of Bolton School having a residential base at Patterdale Hall will be celebrated with an Open Day on Sunday 24th April next year. Further details will follow in due course.

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In the meantime, the team at Patterdale Hall is looking forward to welcoming back students from Bolton School and beyond from 17th May, in line with the government roadmap out of lockdown.

OLD GIRLS’ÐFEATURES INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION Old Girls studying and working in a variety of professions continue to offer their assistance to the current generation of Bolton School girls, sharing professional expertise and offering guidance. The Development Office and the Careers Departments have been delighted to work together to welcome these Alumni back to School for the benefit of pupils throughout the Divisions. The full features can be read at the ‘Former Pupils’ section of the School’s website.

Dr Becky Inspires on International Women’s Day Old Girls have been fundamental to the success of the Girls’ Division’s annual commemoration of International Women’s Day for several years now, and this year was no exception, with Old Girl Astrophysicist Dr Becky Smethurst (Class of 2008) delivering an inspiring whole-School assembly via Zoom on the pupils’ first day back in School after lockdown.

Dr Becky is a Research Fellow at Christ Church College, Oxford, where she researches supermassive black holes and their effects on galaxies. She is also an ambassador for women in science and an enthusiastic science communicator with a successful YouTube channel. In 2020, she received the Institute of Physics’ Mary Somerville Medal and Prize, which recognises exceptional early career contributions to public engagement in physics.

Dr Becky’s connections to School are multiple: her partner, Sam Horry (Class of 2008), father Ian Smethurst (Class of 1977) and sister Megan Smethurst (Class of 2015) are all also Old Boltonians. During her assembly, Dr Becky spoke with pride and affection of her time in the Girls’ Division, which she joined in Becky on her first day in Year 4. Her favourite memory the Junior School of School is playing the ‘Bench Game’ at break time in the Junior School: “There was a rounded metal bench at the edge of the netball courts at the top of the hill down to the Levels, and at every break there was a queue of people waiting to play the game. Part of the game was working out who could slide backwards down the bench, run all the way to the bottom of the hill, touch the long jump sand pit and run back up again the fastest. Because why not?!”

Describing herself as an inquisitive child who had always loved space, she admitted that it was only when she started to learn about the ‘fun stuff’ like radioactivity and astronomy at GCSE that Physics became her favourite subject. She Becky with classmates in 2014 writes: “Mrs McCann played a huge part in my discovery of how incredible a subject Physics is – her enthusiasm for the subject really was contagious. She did try to convince me of the wonders

of a Materials Physics degree, but I think by the end of Upper Sixth I finally had her convinced that Astrophysics was just as interesting!”

During her assembly, Dr Becky reflected upon the impact her Becky on her last day in the Upper Sixth, 2008 teachers in the Girls’ Division had on her, telling the girls: “I’m very grateful for all the knowledge I learned from the teachers at Bolton. They really do give you a rounded education and you should get as much knowledge as you can from them while you can. Everything I do, I do standing on their shoulders.” Reflecting later on what her experience at the School gave her, Dr Becky writes: “My experience at Bolton gave me one of the best starts in the world. I was instilled with a sense that I could do anything and be anything if I put in the work. I was never exposed to the societal tropes of ‘girls don’t do science’ or ‘girls don’t do maths’, and that did wonders for my confidence going into university and the wider world.”

After leaving School, Dr Becky studied Physics and Astronomy at Durham University, and in her assembly she shared with the girls her experience of leaving School and stepping out into the unknown, reassuring them that she had found it terrifying to make such big decisions. She also implored the girls to make mistakes, and talked about one of her own: moving into an engineering role following her undergraduate degree at Durham University, only to realise quickly it was not for her. This experience encouraged her to follow her passion for astrophysics and continue her studies with a PhD at Oxford University, which led on to her current role as a Research Fellow at Christ Church College, Oxford.

In the live question and answer session that followed her assembly, Dr Becky fielded a variety of questions from pupils, including insights into a typical day in her work, advice on applying to and interviewing at Oxford University and her appearance on the 2020 University Challenge Christmas Special. She spoke honestly to the girls about overcoming imposter syndrome and about gender discrimination, reflecting on the support she has received from fellow women in the scientific community and the positive change she has seen in female representation in just the past five years.

Year 13 pupil Sophie Hann drew the event to close with a vote of thanks for Dr Becky, whose inspirational assembly successfully continued the Girls’ Division’s tradition of inviting Old Girls to lead in its International Women’s Day commemorations.

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Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2021

Perspectives ‘Perspectives’ is a new lecture series hosted by the Girls’ Division, with events scheduled to take place once every half-term. The lectures are free to attend via Zoom and are open to pupils in Year 10 and above, parents, Alumni, all other members of the School and to the local community.

A Female Perspective on Ambition and Leadership Sally-Anne Huang (née Blakemore, Class of 1990) was delighted to be invited to give the inaugural presentation, entitled ‘Bossy Women’.

Sally-Anne, who last year became the first female High Master of St Paul’s School in its 510-year history, began by recalling happy memories of her time at Bolton School. She expressed her gratitude for how the School prepared her for life and encouraged her to have a go and step up for things. She remembered inspirational teachers, including Miss Dickinson, Mrs Carr and English teacher Mrs Todd, who stimulated in her a love of the

Interviewing the Journalists The second ‘Perspectives’ lecture, held on 24th March, focused on careers in journalism and the media and featured a panel of four Old Girls – Kathryn Austin (Class of 2019), a current student of Multimedia Journalism; Stephanie Gabbatt (Class of 2013), Journalist with the BBC’s World Service; Kathy Knight (Class of 1989), freelance features writer for publications including the Daily Mail, the Radio Times and Grazia; and Kate McGeown (Class of 1994), a former BBC journalist who now works in communications for the Department for International Development; alongside current Girls’ Division Parent Amanda Killelea, features writer for the Daily Mirror.

At the lecture, each of the panellists described their route through Higher Education into journalism, and the trajectories of their careers thereafter, recounting the variety of interview subjects they have encountered, and the expanded skill set necessitated by the shift to a digital, 24hour news-cycle. In their speeches and in the Q&A session which followed, all of the panel spoke with passion and conviction of the power of good journalism to change lives, both individually and collectively, and as a means of holding those in power to account.

Before the lecture, we asked the Old Girl panellists to reflect upon their time in the Girls’ Division, and what they felt it had given them – all were unanimous in identifying the encouragement they had received from the School as being pivotal to their pursuit of their ambitions: Kathryn reflected: “During my time at Bolton School, I really grew as a person.

I joined as a shy 11-year-old who didn’t know a single person and left a much more confident and secure individual with many lovely friends. I often reflect on that journey

subject – and whose technique for teaching Macbeth she still uses to this day. As a schoolgirl she was often called ‘bossy’ – in hindsight she believes she was already demonstrating incredible leadership skills and strategic thinking!

Sally-Anne’s fascinating and, at times, humorous talk described her career path and how her plans and ambitions have sometimes been challenged due to sexism. She spoke candidly about the challenges of both continuing and advancing in her career once she had started a family, and how, with hard work and determination, she overcame the obstacles this presented to succeed in the profession she loves. The overriding themes of Sally-Anne’s lecture were resolve and resilience – qualities which she learned during her time at Bolton School and which remain central to the School’s ethos – and her words resonated with audience members of all ages. when I feel a little insecure and think that if I can do that, I can do anything! So many of my teachers inspired me, but special mention must go to my English teacher in Year 8 and again at A Level, Mrs Lowe, who did all she could to encourage and support my love for journalism and passion for writing.”

Kathy echoed Kathryn’s sentiments: “I absolutely loved my time at the School and made lifelong friendships that I cherish to this day. I had so many wonderful teachers, but special mention must be given to Christine Todd and Bobby Georghiou, who sparked in me a lifelong passion for English Literature and the written word, and the late Ann-Marie Hutchings, an unrivalled French teacher.”

Steph wrote: “Bolton School pushed me to achieve my full potential both whilst I was a student and beyond. The motto we were taught – to strive for excellence, not perfection – has held me in good stead ever since. I found all my teachers inspiring and supportive, but in particular Mrs Hadjigeorgiou who taught me A Level English Literature, and whose enthusiasm for her subject and encouragement of our classroom debates really inspired me to study the subject at university.”

Kate recalled how Bolton School gave her the confidence to follow her passions in life, which in her case have taken her to many places all over the world. She has proud memories of being chosen to show Princess Diana round the new Arts Centre – she remembers thinking that she was beautiful, but that her makeup was a bit over the top. When she saw the video of the day, Diana appeared stunning while everyone else faded into the background. That was Kate’s first lesson in being on TV – you need more makeup than you think you do!

Both of the Perspectives lectures held thus far can be watched in full on the School’s You Tube channel. Details of future lectures will be published on the School website, and on the Alumni social media channels, as they are confirmed.

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Alumni Mentor Young Entrepreneurs

Juhi and Elizabeth are encouraging entrepreneurship

The new Entrepreneurship Scheme provides YearÐ12 students with the opportunity to develop their business ideas and gain a grounding in the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.

Five successful Old Girls and Old Boys will help select a group of nine keen Sixth Formers from across the Divisions

Vocational Videos

Saima gave an excellent overview of the work of a barrister

In ‘normal’ times Old Girls and Old Boys enjoy delivering the Year 9 Careers Speed Mentoring event in the Great Hall. But with visits to School on hold at present, pupils were introduced to a variety of professions by Alumni who had kindly produced some short films about preparing for the world of work.

Barrister Saima Hanif (Class of 1998) spoke about the two main parts of her job: oral advocacy, in court representing clients, and advisory work, giving clients her legal opinion on a matter. She also talked about how trials differ from the glamorised version seen in courtroom dramas on TV. Saima explained that barristers are self-employed and discussed the benefits of managing her own diary, but also the need for discipline and self-motivation. She advised the pupils

Sarah Talks Language Learning Professor Sarah Mercer (Class of 1992) spoke to pupils in Years 9 to 12 from both Divisions about her experiences studying Professor Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) at university, living and working abroad and Sarah Mercer her career in teaching English as a Foreign Language.

Sarah studied French, German and Politics at Royal Holloway, University of London, and is now Head of English Language Teaching at the University of Graz in Austria. After a brief overview of her career, she invited questions. One student broke the ice by asking Sarah’s favourite German word

to develop their entrepreneurial flair. John Craven (Class of 1982), Rob Dobson (Class of 1982), Juhi Gore (Class of 1993), Elizabeth Newton (néeÐWhyatt, Class of 1979) and Tony Wadsworth, CBE (Class of 1974) will hold virtual group sessions with all of the students and have also been paired up with individuals to provide one-to-one mentoring. At the end of the scheme, the students will pitch their ideas for investment from the mentors, with seed funding available to every student whose business plan merits it.

Rob Dobson, who is leading the Entrepreneurship Scheme, said: ‘There is nothing better than giving young people the opportunity to aim for a brighter horizon. Bolton School is leading the way with this programme, and the first group of students really impressed the mentors with their passion and ambition.’

to embrace opportunities and, when thinking about their careers, to find something they love – then it will feel like a passion, not a chore.

Saima was joined by Old Boys Jamie Laundon (Class of 1998), a Broadcast Engineer at the BBC, Stefan Kukula (Class of 1983), a Materials Engineer and currently Chief Executive of the corporate membership body EEMUS (The Engineering Equipment and Materials Users Association), Tom Reynolds (Class of 2010), who works in the restructuring department at Lazard, Adam Razak (Class of 2002), a Neurosurgical Registrar at Salford Royal Hospital, Suve Banerjee (Class of 1999) who spoke about his work as a compliance lawyer, Software Engineer Chris Newton (Class of 2009) and Civil Engineer Ian Saunders (Class of 2011).

All of the speakers offered advice on how to access their careers, such as trying work experience to find out about what the job involves – and all noted how their time at Bolton School had helped them in their professional achievements.

(gemütlich, meaning cosy and homely) and the questions began to pour in.

Sarah revealed that even though she does not use French much now, she appreciates the cultural The students gained lots perspectives she gained of advice from Sarah about studying both French and studying languages German. She talked about how literature, linguistics and cultural studies are all part of language learning at university. She answered questions about the openings for students in their year abroad and described the many opportunities that can become available through MFL study.

Apprenticeships Recent leaver Emily Rajbhandari (Class of 2020) is an Assurance Apprentice with EY. She spoke to Economics and Business students in Year 12 about the benefits of an apprenticeship scheme as opposed to university, with particular reference to her personal experience in the accounting profession.

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Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2021

World of Work Several Old Girls have kindly contributed to a ‘World of Work’ series of talks for Year 10 pupils. As well as describing their own careers, they have advised the girls on how to make the best of their interests and skills and given tips on how to succeed in the world of work.

Thorrun Govind (Class of 2010) Thorrun gained a degree in Pharmacy from King’s College London. In 2017 she embarked on a graduate diploma in law and legal practice course alongside her pharmacist job.

She is now a trainee solicitor with a healthcare law firm in Manchester, but continues to work Thorrun has as a pharmacist at the weekends. She was successfully elected to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in combined 2018, becoming the youngest board member. two careers Speaking from experience, Thorrun told her audience not to put limits on themselves by thinking something is beyond them – she had done this herself by not applying in the Sixth Form to read law at university, even though this was a subject in which she was interested.

She explained that her biggest challenge was studying to join a professional body when she had only been a pharmacist for two years, because people argued that she was too young.

She said, “Age isn’t a factor; it’s about what you’ve done. If you want to do something, go and do it – if you ask permission to do everything … you’ll always get people who say no to you.” She also talked about the importance of accepting that sometimes things go wrong.

Year 10 gained a better understanding of what careers in pharmacy and law might be like and were inspired with the idea of how much they might achieve with hard work and determination.

Viki Edmondson (née Anderson, Class of 1987) Although she had always wanted to be a vet, Viki did not get the A Level grades she needed to go to university as intended.

Undaunted, she resat her Chemistry exam – but again did not get the required results. So she took a train to Bristol Veterinary School Determination to explain. The Head of Admissions was impressed and offered her a place on the and resilience course. It was not all plain sailing, though: were the Viki struggled with exams throughout her themes of university career, having to resit something Viki’s talk every year, but in 1993 she graduated and became a vet.

Viki’s ambition then was to become an equine vet, which was at the time ‘a man’s world’. She was initially turned down by a local practice due to lack of experience, but reapplied later – the interviewers remembered her, were impressed by her determination and offered her a full-time position.

In 2001, she bought her own practice. In 2003 she bought a farm, but due to financial problems was forced to liquidate her business and move it to the farm. She described that time as “massively stressful”, but added, “If someone knocks you down seven times, you have to get up eight times and keep going.”

Viki spent the next seven years working alone, although being ‘on call’ at all hours for clients took its toll. She eventually took on more vets and opened a small animal practice. In 2016 she and her husband moved to Scotland. She described how she and her husband had both been diagnosed with cancer and undergone treatment in recent years and how they remained in good spirits.

Viki’s career story, her resilient mindset, and her determination to overcome obstacles were an inspiration, not only to aspiring young vets, but to everyone in Year 10.

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HannahÐSutcliffe (Class of 2011) Hannah gave an inspiring talk about how her career path has led her to being nominated as an ‘Influential Woman in Tech’. After graduating in Modern Languages with Management from the University of Leicester in 2015, Hannah went to work for a design company travelling the UK and Europe. She is Hannah now one of the co-founders – and only female highlighted founder – of tech start-up MOONHUB, which the benefits creates bespoke virtual reality training for of work corporate companies in order to make their experience training more engaging and immersive.

Hannah encouraged the girls to consider the skills gained from studying a language – spending four months in France and six months in Spain for her year abroad at university helped her to grow as a person and to develop her confidence. She also advised them to take any single piece of work experience that comes their way – whether they enjoy it or not, they will definitely gain skills along the way. Hannah’s experiences have helped her in her role as MOONHUB’s Relationship Manager and in addition to making it onto Computer Weekly's longlist of ‘Most Influential Women in Tech’ for 2020 she has also been shortlisted by Sales Hacker as one of their ‘Top Female Speakers’. She provided an inspirational female role model for those interested in entering business or the field of technology.

JudithÐGrazier (née Ashton, Class of 1979) Judith’s talk highlighted the fact that career progress need not always follow a straight line. At School, Judith envisaged a linear career for herself: she wanted to be a teacher, imagining that she would eventually become a Headteacher. So she trained as a middle school teacher with a Maths specialism at Warwick University. However, after teaching Judith has for threeÐyears, and inspired by her friends in combined her interesting jobs, she trained as a Chartered passions to Accountant in Leeds and moved to London, find her ideal where she worked in training, combining her job teaching skills with accountancy. She then took a job with an international element, and for the next fiveÐyears travelled all over the world. Judith reminisced fondly about her experiences, but also described the loneliness and exhaustion of this high-flying lifestyle.

After a career break in her mid-30s to raise her two children, Judith retrained as a teacher and went on to teach accounting and business at A Level – and her two work passions really began to combine. She set up an award-winning business school within the Sixth Form college where she worked, giving the students the real-life skills needed to succeed in the commercial world.

She now works for the Skills Builder Partnership, a not-for-profit organisation which helps schools to develop programmes to cultivate life skills in their pupils, and she also provides freelance education and accountancy services.

Judith described her career as a wobbly, broken line with three highlights – interestingly, none of these were necessarily the times when she had the highest job title or the best salary. Her talk gave the YearÐ10 girls a realistic view of how a career might pan out, and dispelled the notion that it always happens in a straight line.

Covid Champions Many of our Old Girls are supporting the fight against Covid-19. Some of them are working on the frontline during the pandemic, while others are playing key roles elsewhere. Here, we hear how five of them are helping to save lives and to keep spirits up.

Sheila Fisher (née Platt, 1963-1970) In April 2020, the General Medical Council returned my licence to practise with warm words asking retired doctors to consider Covid-19 duties.

I was soon a volunteer in the Steps of Support (SOS) room at our local Trust, a haven for those experiencing acute stress or anxieties and a source of listening and advice on wellbeing and self-care.

Helen Wall (1994-2001) I am a GP and partner at the Oaks Crompton Health Centre in Bolton. I am also the Clinical Director for Commissioned Services at Bolton CCG, which means I have oversight for all commissioned health services in Bolton. During the Covid-19 pandemic I have been heavily involved in ensuring services remain able to cope and keep safe, working closely with health and social care partners across the borough.

Over the summer Wigan and Leigh Hospice advertised a vacancy for a Trustee with a medical background. I was delighted to be elected at the AGM in November and am working with a wise and supportive Board.

Having settled at the beautiful and welcoming St Wilfrid’s Church, here in Standish, conversations about lay ministry led to being licensed, inevitably via Zoom, by Bishop Philip on Advent Sunday afternoon. That evening I joined the clergy

When I started at Bolton School I was very quiet and shy! However, School gave me confidence in myself and the belief that hard work and determination could get you wherever you wanted to be. I look back on my time there with great fondness and remember it as not just an academic journey, but one of great personal growth and development.

As Senior Responsible Officer for the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Bolton I have been collaborating with GP practices and system partners to ensure

team for the first time as we live-streamed Advent carols and readings. As restrictions ease we look forward to combining congregational and online worship for Holy Week and Easter.

Since early 2021, I have volunteered as a ‘medic’ vaccinator. All very efficient and can be physically strenuous, but people do have time to share their stories and their hopes.

It is a pleasure to ‘work’ in such a friendly, joyful setting.

every eligible patient in the town gets offered a vaccine locally, safely and in a timely manner. My colleagues and I have all experienced the rollercoaster of emotion, stress and sheer exhaustion that has been a large part of early 2021 – but we now have eight vaccine sites, each having delivered thousands of first doses to our most vulnerable populations. Every care home in Bolton, including residents and staff, has been attended by PCN teams and offered vaccinations with great uptake. Goodwill in the NHS is what keeps it going, but I have never seen it more than now.

Natalie Rout (Class of 2007) I was invited onto ITV News to advise people about how they could avoid catching Covid-19 when the first cases were identified in the UK. I aimed to be a reassuring, logical voice to those who were anxious and worried.

At the time, GP services were functioning as usual. There was no social distancing or masks, and we were seeing patients face-toface as usual.

Keeping up with the constantly changing

guidance as the pandemic evolves has been significantly testing; however, it has been a crucial element to being a regular GP advisor on the TV as producers have felt that I am able to deliver advice effectively and thus keep calling me back! Much of our workload in primary care has been responding to concerns from patients about the pandemic and rules surrounding lockdown, so it has been a privilege to be able to do that on television via ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and CTV. I have also played a part in public education on

vaccines and have had the opportunity to speak to ethnic minority forums.

As a GP, I have had first-hand experience of the impact the pandemic has had on the mental health of the nation. Some days every other consultation has been related to someone’s mental health and this will continue to be a challenge. It has always been an honour to be trusted by patients to share in their emotions, both high and low, and I hope to play a positive role in lifting people out of the miseries that have occurred as a result of this pandemic.

Sennia Ahmed (2013-2015) I am currently a final year medical student at the University of Liverpool. These past few weeks have been a little overwhelming, not only due to the unnerving realisation of becoming a junior doctor in a few months, but also I have experienced many ‘firsts’: my first evening and night shift, the first time my stethoscope served as an instrument to

listen to an absence of lung-sounds rather than identifying ‘abnormal’ lung-sounds, and the first time I saw Covid-19 up-close.

During my first rotation in A&E I saw patients presenting with post-Covid complications. In all honesty, this was a little overwhelming. After fighting the ‘beast’, the battle was still not finished. During the first wave complications were not coming to the surface and, if they did, there was no universal protocol. Nevertheless, the

entirety of the medical profession and the healthcare staff looked after all their patients based on clinical judgement and up-todate research based studies. Thankfully the availability of guidelines and protocols for Covid-19 is increasing and with it the knee-buckling pressure for all the healthcare professionals is easing. The disease is still there – but it is not the blind-folded walk it was back in March 2020.

Charlotte Johnson (2005-2017) I graduated from Chester University in July 2020 with a 2:1 BA (Hons) in Dance. Since the pandemic I have had to put my dance career on hold. However, I haven’t been wasting my time: since April 2020 I have been working at Heathlands Village Jewish care home in Prestwich, Manchester.

I have worked as a care assistant, a receptionist, a waitress, and an activities team member. I also worked in the

children’s centre and found that I am able to tune in to withdrawn and disabled children and help them speak and laugh – sometimes for the first time – and see this as a potential future career path in dance, music or play therapy.

I have also helped the external music therapist who now has to work via Zoom.

Because of my musical background I am able to assist him and learn from him, and although my dancing career may have been paused, I have still been able to show my love for dance by performing to the residents. They love it and I love it too.

On other days I am in charge of swabbing a large proportion of nearly 200 staff as part of monitoring coronavirus and I have assisted in the administration of the Covid-19 vaccine to residents and staff.

I recently received a special recognition award from the Heathlands organisation for my outstanding dedication to work. If anyone had told me a year ago that I would be playing a key part in the pandemic I would not have believed them, but I have thoroughly enjoyed being able to care for all the residents at Heathlands Village.

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Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2021

Emily Beats World Record For Indoor Triathlon On 1st November 2020, Emily Varley (Class of 2012) raced against the clock to beat the Official Guinness World Record for the Women’s Indoor Triathlon.

This challenge involved swimming 400m (20 lengths) in a pool, riding 20k (12.5 miles) on a watt bike and running 5k (3.11 miles) on a treadmill. The total time would also include the transition times between each of the three sections – Emily had to beat a time of 1 hour and 18 minutes!

Emily was a keen swimmer at School and was captain of the swimming team in her final year. She went on to study Geography at the University of Cambridge, where she also took up rowing, football, and running. Emily discovered cycling through her now fiancé, Adrian Matthew, who raced for the University of Oxford Cycling club when they first met.

The record attempt took place at Nuffield Health Centre in

Novelist Judges World Book Day Competition Author Kate Long (née Green, 19761983), who became a household name after publishing her first book, The Bad Mother’s Handbook, and has since written another eight novels as well as short stories, blogs and nonfiction articles, was delighted to judge a writing competition held as part of World Book Day celebrations in the Girls’ Division.

Girls were invited to answer the question: 'How can we look to literature for inspiration and comfort in times of crisis?’ and there were many fabulous entries. Kate observed:"It’s such a

Alumni Authors The Defiant Spark

by Annie Percik (1990-1996) Published by Fantastic Books Publishing The debut fantasy novel by Annie Percik introduces her readers to a futuristic world without electricity. Here, mana powers everything, and the artisans control all access to mana. Abelard works in a call centre, providing technical support for people who are having problems with their magical artefacts.

He dreams of being an artisan, until an accident with a malfunctioning artefact makes that dream a reality.

The world of artisans is full of secrets, and Abelard uncovers a centuries-old conspiracy at the very heart of society. Along the way, he befriends a Brain-E-Fact, a sentient artefact that serves the artisans, and accidentally sparks a Brain-E-Fact uprising by giving them names.

The inventiveness surrounding the artificial intelligence of magical artefacts such as the Brain-E-Facts’ working life at Gadg-E-Tech or the Smart-E-Facts used to communicate with others, are cleverly linked with real life. The magical artefacts are presented somehow as both human and endearing. The story emphasises the challenges workers confront aligning to a company’s vision and adhering to oppressive, centralised

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Letchworth before the gym officially opened to the public. Emily started at 7.45am, attempting to beat the women’s record, and her friend, Jake Amos, started at 10am to try to beat the men’s record.

Emily completed the swim in 5 minutes 38. She then ran to the bike and completed that leg in 31:14 (making her average speed 23mph). Hopping off the bike and straight onto the treadmill she did her 5k in a time of 20:36.

This gave her a total time of 58:21, smashing the women’s record, and almost beating the men’s record!

Emily said afterwards "As soon as you are finished you always wonder if you could have gone a little bit faster, or pushed a little bit harder, but nevertheless I really enjoyed it and it was great that so many people came out to support us! Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen, especially Jake, who organised it all!"

Not only did Emily and Jake break the world records, but they also raised money for Garden House Hospice Care, Letchworth, which provides palliative end-of-life care and supports a community of over 250,000 people – please visit bit.ly/38sRNhP. privilege to read this work, and to think back to my own time at Bolton School and the way the teachers there encouraged my writing."

The winner of the middle school category was Caitlin Davies who espoused the many benefits of reading. Kate praised the breadth of her arguments combined with her obvious passion for literature.

The upper school and Sixth Form category was won by Ananya Ajit with her poem Grandma’s Words which dealt with bereavement. Kate commented: "At a time when so many of us have lost loved ones, Grandma’s Words is a beautiful exploration of grief. The simplicity of the language belies the complex, subtle shades of emotional recovery being described. Ananya’s brilliant use of line breaks and imagery leads us through the steps of bereavement; the conclusion feels like a warm, comforting hand reaching out to clasp our own." control. Abelard faces numerous puzzles as he embarks on a journey into the heart of a conspiracy, where his every move is watched, and ends up making life-changing decisions.

What causes resentment in society? Is it fear which influences some people to exert cruel domination over others?

The state of frustration, living life determined by social hierarchy and segregation causes fissures in a contrived society, which makes The Defiant Spark engrossing reading.

The plot draws upon bullying bosses, threats, intimidation, and historical societal conspiracy where ordinary people don’t have a voice. The story reveals how raw emotions and determination may lead to an overturn in the balance of power.

The tale follows human interactions and artificial intelligence which will prick your social conscience. It is about the control of others, the inventiveness of humans, courage in adversity and the power of collaboration all of which combine to make this an engrossing and vivid novel. The freshness of Percik’s creations will intrigue her audience as she presents deep societal ruptures, some hauntingly familiar, which are difficult to resolve.

I have no hesitation in recommending The Defiant Spark to anyone who enjoys fantasy novels. Congratulations to Annie Percik as her lively tale stands as an accomplished piece of writing and I wish every success to her in this new venture.

Copies of the book can be obtained at getbook.at/DefiantSpark and there is more about Annie’s writing at www.alobear.co.uk.

Jacki Drinkwater (Girls’ Division Staff, 2001-2020)

Story of a Gown The Prefects’ gowns are one of the enduring symbols of the Girls’ Division, and the Gowning of the Prefects, held in the Great Hall each May, has become one of its most special traditions. Here Jenny Hardwick (1994-2007) and Hawwa Bham (2006-2013) describe wearing their gowns with pride.

What was your favourite moment whilst wearing your gown?

Jenny is enjoying her work in the food industry

Jenny: The day I received the gown was probably my favourite. I felt so honoured to have been chosen to be a Prefect and I wore it with pride every single time I put it on.

Hawwa: There were so many! We were the first year of Prefects to organise the ‘Easter Eggstravaganza’ assembly. We had decided to dance our way into the assembly to One Direction’s Kiss You and rehearsed our entrance in secret. We lined the corridors as usual on the day, with the organ playing, Prefect gowns on, hymn books in hand. The looks of surprise as the organ stopped playing and we took off our gowns to dance our way in were brilliant!

Jenny was proud to be a Prefect The Ceremony of Carols was also particularly special. I had been a member of the choir throughout School and being able to take part in my final Ceremony of Carols, wearing my gown, in the Great Hall complete with paper angels, left me shedding a tear or two.

What were your hopes and plans for the future, as you passed on your gown?

Jenny: I remember being excited to start university. I was ready to move to a new city and study a subject I was hugely passionate about ... food!

Hawwa: Having wanted to be a doctor for a long time I was excited about moving away from home and starting university. At the time I had planned to complete medical school and then hoped I’d be able work as a doctor abroad for a few years.

Hawwa is leading a busy life as a doctor

What did you do after leaving School?

Jenny: I moved to Sheffield and studied Food and Nutrition and then went on to study for an MSc in Nutrition at King’s College London.

Hawwa: I went to Lancaster University to study Medicine and did an intercalated research year while I was there. I was there for six years before I graduated, got married and moved to Yorkshire to be with my husband and start my first job as a doctor – it was a very busy month!

What are you doing now?

Jenny: Since leaving university I have had the opportunity to work for some of the world’s largest food manufacturers in Nutrition roles. I’m currently working for Britvic Soft Drinks as a Nutrition and Regulatory manager which I’m loving.

Hawwa: I am currently working as a doctor in A&E and complete my Foundation training in July this year and am then hoping to train to be an Anaesthetist. Covid-19 has made the beginning of my career as a doctor both very interesting and quite scary all at the same time – I don’t think anything could have prepared Ruth Brown (Class of 2013) me to work through a global and Hawwa wearing their pandemic six months after I gowns with pride graduated and I had never anticipated spending so much time treating a disease that didn’t exist when I was at university.

What one piece of advice would you give to this year’s Year 13 pupils?

Jenny: Be open to new opportunities which are presented to you; it may seem daunting to say ‘Yes’ to something out of your comfort zone, but these are often the opportunities that open new and exciting doors for you.

Hawwa: Life might not happen as you plan for it to, but it will work out in the end. You can’t go too wrong as long as you are doing something that you enjoy.

Are you still in touch with friends from School?

Jenny: Yes, one of the best things to come out of Bolton School was that I created friends for life. We hold an annual ‘Mothers and Daughters' Weekend’ which allows for our mums to have a good catch up too!

Hawwa: Yes, although mostly remotely at the moment. I can’t wait for a proper catch up over a coffee. Bolton School girls also seem to be everywhere – I’ve bumped into quite a few on my rotations around the hospitals!

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Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2021

Old Girls Go Global 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 Old Girls who have relocated overseas, find out what motivated them to move abroad, what they enjoy about their lives there … and what they still miss about the UK!

Vicki Fritzsche-Hurst (Class of 1975) Meeting a Dutchman when on a camping holiday in Alaska meant giving up my teaching job and moving to Bussum, about 20km outside Amsterdam, in 1983. It is a small town, clean and peaceful and within walking and cycling distance of woods, the coast of the Ijsselmeer and extensive heathlands. That is a definite improvement on Bolton, I'm afraid.

Holland is so close to England and similar in a lot of ways, but it was a real culture shock. The Dutch are very down-to-earth and unnervingly direct which takes a bit of getting used to, but they make good friends once you get to know them. They made me very welcome.

Initial problem: the language. Some sounds are downright impossible, even after nearly 40 years, but I have cracked the strangled sound which is like the ‘ch’ in Scotland but in overdrive.

Major challenge: learning to ride a bike at 26! People here are born on their bikes and a mother cycling with two children, a buggy and all the shopping is no rare sight. One advantage is that there are no hills!

Winter challenge: the Dutch get ice fever whenever it gets cold and dream of the 200km Elfstedentocht (11-village route in Friesland). My husband and children are no exception and Mum has to go too, of course! Skating on frozen lakes on sunny winter days is wonderful – once you stop falling over.

I still miss family and friends and the hills (although not when on the bike) and the car was always full of essentials like cheese, Marmite, lemon curd, Branston Pickle, Oxo cubes and teabags. You can get a lot in the shops here now or learn to live without things, but not proper English tea!

Charlotte Wrigley (1998-2005) I have only lived in St Petersburg a few months, but I have been to Russia many times so I knew what I was getting myself into! It’s a land of contrasts and stereotypes – some of them true (yes, it is very cold much of the time), some of them definitely not true (no, you will not get poisoned) – but most of all it is a starkly beautiful country with warm people and a rich culture. My PhD focused on the Russian Arctic and the incredible rewilding project ‘Pleistocene Park’ that aims to reverse permafrost thaw by recreating the prehistoric ‘mammoth steppe’ ecosystem; the Park gets its name because eventually they hope to de-extinct the woolly mammoth – just like in Jurassic Park! I’m continuing my research as a postdoctoral fellow here in St Petersburg, conducting a study on the deepest hole ever drilled by humans which is located in Arctic Russia.

Of course, life in most countries has been disrupted by the pandemic, but St Petersburg is much more open than anywhere in the UK. You can go to concerts in the beautiful Mariinsky theatre, eat in restaurants, go to bars. I have received the Sputnik V vaccine as part of my job so it’s wonderful to have some freedom back. There is so much history here, it can sometimes feel like you are walking around a museum. The cost of living here is very low so I can afford to live in a beautiful pre-revolutionary art nouveau apartment on the banks of the (currently frozen) Fontanka canal – it even has its own sauna! My postdoc is only for two years so I’m going to enjoy every minute of my time here – although I am pining for some proper Cheddar!

Alia Hall (née Pierce, Class of 2005 I live in the Detroit Area in Michigan, USA. I have lived here since July 2017. I moved here through a job transfer from Lichfield, UK. In parallel my then fiancé, now husband, moved to Michigan from Cincinnati, Ohio. I moved for personal reasons as well as for the opportunity to gain experience working in the US automotive industry.

My new location definitely does not have as much history as the UK. The buildings are newer: a 60 year old house here is considered old! I find the lifestyle here is much more convenient (drive-through ATMs, pharmacies, groceries etc).

Everyone drives. There is almost no public transport and walking is a hobby or for fitness – not really to get from A to B (hardly any pavements!).

Apart from my family being here, the best thing for me about living here is the lifestyle. We are surrounded by huge lakes and countryside. There are loads of summer and winter activities to take part in.

Though I love living in the USA, I do sometimes miss real British Cadbury’s chocolate, good English cheese, Indian food and people pronouncing words properly (aluminum and tomato, to name a couple!).

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Eleanor Winter (2004-2017) In September 2020 I moved to Lienz, a small town in Tirol in Austria. I am currently in my third year of studying French and German at the University of St Andrews, so I had the opportunity to spend the year in a French or German speaking country. I decided to work as an English Language Assistant with the British Council in Austria.

Lienz is in a beautiful part of Austria and it is surrounded by mountains. Living here has made me more active and I am able to enjoy skiing, hiking and cycling on my doorstep.

Another thing I love about Lienz is how friendly everyone is. Anyone will start a conversation with you on the street or in a shop, and you have to greet everyone, even in hospital waiting rooms!

One of the main things that I have found that is completely different to the UK is that everything is closed on a Sunday!

It definitely took a while to get used to that, especially when I had planned to go to the supermarket, only to find that nowhere was open!

The thing I miss most about the UK is probably the food, comfort foods like crumpets and Dairy Milk Buttons in particular.

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

Kathleen Ducker (née Clegg, 1962-1967) Kathy was awarded a scholarship to attend Bolton School, but on leaving decided not to follow an academic path.

However, School had given her the confidence to forge ahead in her chosen creative field and after three years at Hollins College in South Manchester, covering all aspects of hairdressing, make-up and cosmetology, she gained a position as a trainee Makeup Artist at Granada Television. There she had the opportunity to work on many of the acclaimed dramas that Granada was famous for, with favourites including Prime Suspect with Helen Mirren and a series of productions called Laurence Olivier Presents which culminated in Olivier playing King Lear.

Kathy left GTV when she was offered work on a film called Riddle of the Sands, based on a book by Erskine Childers; this took her to locations in London, Holland and Germany and from there her freelance career took off.

As well as filming all over the UK and even being landed by helicopter on an oil rig in the North Sea, Kathy has been fortunate enough to film in over 15 different countries. This included six weeks in the Sahara desert for a film of the same name, Sahara, starring Matthew McConaughey and Penelope Cruz.

Kathy has also worked with many other talented and famous actors, including that well-known Old Boy, Sir Ian McKellen, on the feature film Richard III. She feels very privileged to have been involved in an industry that provides so much pleasure, and particularly so during these recent uncertain times when so many are reliant on the TV for entertainment.

Class of 1970-1979

Rachel Copeland (née Dover, 1965-1972) Congratulations to Rachel who has been awarded the British Empire

Medal in the Queen’s delayed Birthday Honours List for her Services to Vulnerable Families on the island of Guernsey.

The British Empire Medal is granted in recognition of Rachel, pictured with the meritorious Lieutenant Governor, civil or received her award at military Government House service.

Rachel, who was a States of Guernsey health visitor for 25 years, is honoured to have her contribution to developing local welfare provision and improving opportunities for vulnerable families on Guernsey recognised in this way. She was also instrumental in the founding of the Bright Beginnings Children’s Centre and continues to help provide support for families since her retirement in 2014.

Rachel notes that she learned the meaning of service during her years at Bolton School through the Societies programme. She visited ‘homeless’ families, elderly people in their own home and a lady who was both deaf and blind, and kept in touch with one lady for many years after leaving School. Those experiences which set her on a path to work for social justice: ‘Much will be asked of those to whom much is given.’

Alison Taylor (1966-1973) During the lockdown and summer months Alison worked on and submitted a portfolio to the Royal Photographic Society to be assessed for an Associate Distinction. The RPS’ distinctions are internationally respected and sought-after by photographers around the world and they are assessed by a qualified panel of experts in each genre in order to maintain standards and promote excellence.

Alison was thrilled to receive her distinction in the new Landscape Group with a panel of 15 prints based on the lonely sea and the sky. The panel included photographs of big skies, huge storm waves and gentler images of the sea rolling onto the shoreline.

Alison has also been busy giving talks to over 25 clubs during lockdown and

she is currently exhibiting at the new Fossbank Hospital in York. She has also recently published articles for the Friends of York Art Gallery and the RPS Landscape Group newsletter as well as having photos published in the Outdoor Photography magazine.

Her photographs and the story of how she achieved her ARPS can be seen at www.alisontaylorphotography.org/ blog/alison-taylor-arps.

Heather Henry (née Fisher, 1972-1979) Heather has launched a scheme that will help residents of her local town support children with asthma – and hopefully see it become the UK’s first ‘asthmafriendly’ town. She would like her home town of Sale, in Manchester, to be an example of how citizens can support youngsters with this debilitating condition, which affects millions of children worldwide living in urban areas, where pollution levels are high.

According to the World Health Organization, asthma is the most common chronic disease among children, affecting some 339 million people. In the UK a child is admitted to hospital with asthma every 20 minutes and, in response, Heather has set up ‘BreathChamps’, which involves her running a series of free online awareness sessions, using storytelling to raise awareness of asthma amongst both children and adults, including understanding how to recognise and respond to asthma attacks.

Heather’s motivation comes from her childhood when she had uncontrollable asthma – it was a very difficult time and she hopes to change that for other children, so they can live a full childhood. Despite the advances in asthma treatments, today’s children are still suffering, and childhood asthma is still rocketing. Her project is funded by Trafford Housing Trust and Our Sale West and she has already been talking to children in school assemblies to teach them how to help someone with asthma. She is now also offering an accreditation scheme for any organisation in Sale to become

17

Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2021 ‘Child Asthma-Friendly’. She says: ‘My vision is that everywhere a child with asthma goes, people know the basic things to do to keep them well.’

Class of 1980-1989

Sandra Newman (née Meadows, 1975-1982) Sandra has self-published a number of books under her pen name, Dawn Marsanne, and has recently produced another novel, Waves of Guilt, the premise of which is as follows: ‘Six months ago, Sarah Needham’s husband died. Now she is trying to rebuild her life. However, she makes a chance discovery which causes her to question the circumstances of her husband's death. Have some details been overlooked which cast the tragic circumstances in a new light? Just when she thought she was moving on, she is catapulted back to an era she would prefer to forget. Sarah is thrown into confusion. Should she pursue these vague suspicions or confine them to the past?

‘At the same time, someone Sarah was romantically involved with many years ago comes into her life to offer support. Is it too early to begin a new relationship or will loyalty to her late husband cast a shadow over future happiness?’

Waves of Guilt is available on Amazon and other ebook sites, via Goodreads and also Sandra’s own website, dawnmarsanne.wixsite.com/mysite.

Deborah Lyon (née Done, 1982-1989) Deborah started a new business during 2020, having renovated a Victorian house and cottages to holiday lets just outside Windermere village. Launching during a pandemic was tricky, but the consequential ‘staycation’ trend meant the first year of The Heaning Estate went very well. She also completed her MA in Creative Writing at Lancaster University and is working on a children’s novel based in Cumbria.

She lives on the shore of Windermere with her husband, two children and two stepchildren, which has meant a lot of time has been spent home schooling!

Nitha Naqvi (1981-1989) Congratulations to Nitha who has won the NatWest Chairman’s Award at the 20th annual Asian Women of Achievement Awards and was congratulated by the Prime Minister.

18

Her achievement was featured on the iconic big screen in Piccadilly Circus.

Nitha is a world-leading paediatric cardiologist at London’s Royal Brompton Hospital. She credits her teachers at Bolton School with helping her to achieve her success.

Class of 1990-1999

Louise Ladds (née Lonsdale, 1977-1991) In September Louise became Deputy Head Pastoral at Wakefield Girls' High School after 11 years as Assistant Pastoral Lead and Housemistress at Giggleswick School in North Yorkshire. Like most people, Covid-19 has continued to challenge Louise, her husband, who is Chaplain at Giggleswick, and their two sons, both at university.

Starting a new job and helping to form, develop and roll out new rules in September was challenging, but nonetheless exciting, and Louise was amazed at the way students adapted to the new normal. In January it was once again necessary to respond very quickly to a different situation in order to provide the very best learning experience and pastoral care. Working at WGHS reminds her very much of her childhood and educational experience at Bolton School and she hopes to continue to enjoy learning and adapting for many years to come with the staff and girls at Wakefield.

Caroline Ritter (née Slack, 1984-1991) In the week before the lockdowns and travel restrictions began in the USA (7th March 2020), Caroline was able to attend her graduation ceremony from Capella university, where she was awarded Doctor of Business Administration with a specialisation in IT management. Her dissertation was titled ‘Human Based Barriers to the Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare’.

Caroline’s achievements may be of particular interest to those in the Computer Department at Bolton School as she was in the first class to take A Level computing at the School with Mrs Robinson, having requested the Headmistress to add the subject.

After School, Caroline gained a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Salford. She moved to the USA in 1997 and obtained an MBA in 2012.

She currently works as an IT Managing Director for a health services provider

in Connecticut, USA. Saima Hanif (1990-1998) Congratulations to Saima who has been elevated to the rank of Queen’s Counsel.

The official QC ceremony in Westminster Hall will take place at a later date, as and when circumstances permit. Saima is a barrister at 3VB Chambers in London; she specialises in banking and financial services law.

Class of 2000-2009

Francesca Gray (1993-2000) Francesca would like to share one of her proudest moments to date: her name on the credits of the current BBC prime Fran now has her time TV show dream job Pooch Perfect.

Fran originally qualified as a primary school teacher, but had a career change eight Pooch Perfect credits years ago and never looked back. She now owns a mobile dog grooming business with two vans and two employees and has recently opened a luxury salon in Manchester called DogzBody Spa. She was asked to assist Stuart Simons, the dog grooming consultant behind the scenes of Pooch Perfect.

Victoria Ramsden (1995-2002)

The infamous Kardamena holiday in 2002 – L-R: Yasmin, Victoria A, Sarah, Penny, Victoria R, Jo and Andrea

Victoria sent in this photo of the incredible women she is blessed to call friends: Jo Mullen, Sarah Chapman (née Cunliffe), Yasmin Ariff, Victoria Anderson, Andrea Kilbride and Penny Atkinson. Victoria, Jo and Sarah became friends in B6 in 1995, and all seven bonded as a group as

they went in to UVth. A holiday to Kardamena at the end of Sixth Form in 2002 cemented the friendship.

University sent the girls all across the country, yet throughout that time they regularly jumped on trains to visit each other. Adulthood brought many challenges, changes and exciting careers for them all, and yet one thing remained a reassuring constant: their friendship. It became the steady and dependable heartbeat that thumped quietly underneath all of their lives. It was a place of refuge at times, and a joyous celebration, and it will continue to be so. Bolton School provided the foundations to become strong and empowered young women, and Victoria and her classmates have built on this throughout their lives. Victoria is proud of the women these girls have become, and feels inspired and emboldened by each of them every day. On occasion, late on a Saturday night, they still chime out the School Song or remind themselves of the magic of Three Kings. Perhaps there are other Bolton School girls out there who are doing the very same!

Class of 2010-2019

Elizabeth Dillon (Class of 2015) After leaving Bolton School Lizzy trained as an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) teacher. When the Covid-19 pandemic began it quickly became clear that her learners did not understand the changes around them, and so she wrote an article to raise

awareness of these difficulties and this was published in the academic journal InspireFE. Lizzy’s article, The Impact of Covid-19 on an ESOL Tutor’s Role, can be read at: journal.inspirefe.com/index.php/ inspire/article/view/3.

Radhika Sharma (2004-2015) Having graduated from Newcastle University with an MEng degree in mechanical engineering in 2019, Radhika joined the British Antarctic Survey as a mechanical engineer in January. She is proud to be working to facilitate scientific research within one of the world’s leading organisations in the fight against climate change, as this has been a theme close to her heart since she was a child.

Charlotte Scott (2003-2013) Congratulations to Charlotte who completed her Financial Advisor qualifications last November, working within the family company. Charlotte should have got married last May, but has had to change the dates three times – and now has her fingers crossed for June!

News of Former Staff

Jane Fazackerley (Class of 1983, Girls’ Division Staff, 2004-2020) Since leaving the Girls’ Division in the Summer Jane has, understandably, been unable to pursue her plans

to expand her fitness business into the ‘seniors’ market.

However, she has not been idle – she has done some supply teaching and, encouraged by her experience as a First Aider at School, has recently passed all her e-learning to become a volunteer vaccinator for St John Ambulance. After a final session of face-to-face training she has qualified to administer the vaccine.

Jane’s sister, Kay (Class of 1978), found herself in a similar position and also wanted to do something useful with her time, so she, too, has qualified for the St Jane and Kay John Ambulance/ are ready to NHS vaccinators. vaccinate!

Kay left Bolton School to go into nursing and did her ‘Nightingale Badge’ at St Thomas’ Hospital in London before having a highly successful career change to work in the financial industry in the City for many years.

MATCHES AND HATCHES Caroline Jones (née Johnson, 1987-2001) Congratulations to Caroline and Matt on the arrival of Walter Paul Dewi Jones who was born on 28th March 2020 (just a few days after the first lockdown began) at Preston Hospital. Walter has two older siblings, Vincent and Imogen, who adore their little brother! Caroline and Matt Caroline and usually live in Australia, but are in the UK baby Walter for a couple of years with work.

Jayne King (née Hartley, Class of 2001) Congratulations to Jayne and husband Chris (both Class of 2001) who welcomed Juliet Jayne on 4th November 2020, a little sister for Isla, born in 2019.

Chris and Jayne with Isla and Juliet

Joanna Cooke (née Adamson, 1992-2006) Congratulations to Jo and husband Richard Cooke (1999-2006) who welcomed their son Henry in October. He arrived five weeks earlier than expected, but after a nine-day stay in hospital all are happy and well and enjoying being home Henry with proud parents – despite the Covid-19 restrictions!

Jo and Richard

The Fray family

Lauren Fray (née Parker, 1999-2006) Congratulations to Lauren and Matt (1993-2006) who welcomed Harry Alexander Fray on 23rd October 2020.

Max loves being a big brother and can’t wait to teach Harry how to play football and cricket!

Natalie Clarke (née Charlton, 2003-2010) Congratulations to Natalie and Stuart on the arrival of their daughter Pepa on 21st May 2020.

Proud parents Stuart and Natalie with Pepa

19

Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2021

DESTINATIONS OF LEAVERS 2020 Naeema AdamÐ

University of Leeds Ð

Medicine

Charleigh AdamsÐ

Durham University Ð

Modern Languages

Fiza AhmedÐ

University of Liverpool Ð

Dental Surgery

Aqeefah AkramÐ

University of Central Lancashire Ð

Pharmacy

Lima AssiÐ

Newcastle UniversityÐ

History

Neha BagewadiÐ

Durham University Ð

Mathematics

Imogen BootleÐ

University of Liverpool Ð

Politics

Annabelle BoulosÐ

University of LiverpoolÐ

Philosophy with Spanish

Lucinda ButterworthÐ

Edge Hill University Ð

Geoenvironmental Hazards

Rachel CareÐ

University of Birmingham Ð

Biological Sciences

Leah ChadwickÐ

Nottingham Trent University Ð

Criminology

Jess ChaeÐ

University of Liverpool Ð

Medicine

Amy ChickenÐ

University of the West of EnglandÐ

Business (Team Entrepreneurship)

Shivani ChohanÐ

University of Manchester Ð

Dentistry

Anita CardozoÐ

Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona Ð

Dentistry

Sally CowlingÐ

University of Nottingham Ð

Music

Erin CromptonÐ

Newcastle UniversityÐ

Urban Planning

Lizzie CrowtherÐ

Durham UniversityÐ

Modern Languages and Cultures

Sharon DanielÐ

Imperial College London Ð

Medicine

Cassia DrummondÐ

Gap YearÐ

Amelia DohertyÐ

University of York Ð

History

Haleema FazalÐ

University of Manchester Ð

Pharmacy

Emily FielderÐ

Newcastle UniversityÐ

Modern Languages

Lizzie GloverÐ

Nottingham Trent UniversityÐ

Fashion Marketing and Branding

Zoe GraingerÐ

University of Leeds Ð

Law

Hana HanifÐ

Keele University Ð

Pharmacy

Alex HaworthÐ

University of ManchesterÐ

Adult Nursing

Esmee HigginsÐ

Gap YearÐ

Honey HighamÐ

Jon Childs Chartered AccountantsÐ

Trainee Accountant

Molly HillÐ

University of Liverpool Ð

Psychology

Izzy HoweÐ

Sheffield Hallam UniversityÐ

Product Design

Yolanda HughesÐ

University of Liverpool Ð

Law

Santina HundleÐ

University of LiverpoolÐ

Geology and Physical Geography

Millie HurtÐ

Florida Technical CollegeÐ

Biology

Aleena HussainÐ

Manchester Metropolitan University Ð

Law

Aliza ImitiazÐ

Gap YearÐ

Alexandra IsherwoodÐ

University of SurreyÐ

Veterinary Medicine and Science

Mariyah KarimÐ

Cardiff University Ð

Medicine

Ella Kaut-HowsonÐ

University of EdinburghÐ

Arabic and French

Ingrid LamÐ

University College London Ð

Medicine

Carla LawÐ

Leeds Beckett UniversityÐ

Filmmaking

20

Robyn LeverÐ

University of Liverpool Ð

Psychology

Cate LordÐ

Loughborough UniversityÐ

Geography and Management

Isobel LuptonÐ

University of BirminghamÐ

Biomedical Science

Ammara MakkanÐ

Gap YearÐ

Lauren-Rae McGannÐ

University College LondonÐ

Spanish with Management Studies

Rachel McGintyÐ

University of Oxford (2021)Ð

Law

Bryony MeechÐ

Lancaster UniversityÐ

Chemical Engineering

Maddie MoonÐ

Gap YearÐ

Ruqayyah NaeemÐ

University of Sunderland Ð

Medicine

Imane NagiÐ

University of Birmingham Ð

Dentistry

Aaminah NathaÐ

University of Manchester Ð

Pharmacy

Lucy NuttallÐ

Newcastle UniversityÐ

Geography

Aamina PatelÐ

University of Liverpool Ð

Dental Surgery

Asiyah PatelÐ

University of ManchesterÐ

Architecture

Safa PatelÐ

Gap YearÐ

Safiyyah PatelÐ

Keele University Ð

Pharmacy

Issy PlantÐ

University of BathÐ

Management with Marketing

Amy PotterÐ

Aberystwyth UniversityÐ

Computer Science

Lauren PurseyÐ

University of St Andrews Ð

History

Hafsa QadeerÐ

Cardiff UniversityÐ

Optometry

Ammarah QureshiÐ

Gap YearÐ

Emily RajbhandariÐ

Ernst & YoungÐ

Apprenticeship in Assurance

Bridie RawlinsÐ

University of LeedsÐ

Business Management

Hannah RaynerÐ

University of WarwickÐ

Economics

Sana SaleemÐ

King’s College London Ð

Medicine

Molly SchofieldÐ

Durham UniversityÐ

Geography

Emma SellwoodÐ

University of LiverpoolÐ

Veterinary Science

Sara ShaikhÐ

Liverpool John Moores University Ð

Pharmacy

Sammy SharifÐ

Keele University Ð

Medicine

Rachelle SidoliÐ

Cardiff UniversityÐ

English Literature and Philosophy

Gabby StaveleyÐ

University of HuddersfieldÐ

Costume with Textiles

Lucy StilesÐ

King’s College London Ð

Medicine

Lorna StirzakerÐ

University of LeedsÐ

Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

Asmara StubleyÐ

Loughborough UniversityÐ

Business Analytics

Abiha SultanÐ

University of Liverpool Ð

Medicine

Sana ThagiaÐ

University of Manchester Ð

Dentistry

Amara VijayaduraiÐ

Gap YearÐ

Charley WakefieldÐ

University of Leeds Ð

History

Pui Shun WanÐ

Queen Mary University of London Ð

Biomedical Engineering

Lauren WhittakerÐ

Durham UniversityÐ

Physics

Alex WhittleÐ

University of WinchesterÐ

Business Management

21

Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2021

MINIÐREUNIONS

apart and the celebrations, with a kind of ’Jacob’s Join’ and various drinks commenced.

We’ll Meet Again ...

Even more important was the talking – for four hours solidly!

Despite Katy, Carole and Jennifer have a good catch-up having known one another for such a long time, they are never short of topics to discuss. In every way, the afternoon was perfect: talk, food, laughter and sharing with such good, long-time friends.

One memorable day when the sun was shining four good friends who had been at School from 1959 to 1966 gathered for the afternoon.

Jennifer StaveleyHall (née Hill), Catherine Berry (née Jennifer, Janet and Katy enjoy the sunshine Mawson), and company Carole Collins (née Stones) and Janet Hathaway met up in Carole’s lovely garden in Anderton, where she had been kind enough to offer hospitality. Since she had wisely kept an eye on the forecast, the four were blessed with the most amazing weather. Carole had also provided a table with chairs that were set suitably

Lockdown Links Continue Lesley Ainsworth and School friends Gill Braddock, Helen MacKinnon (née Winnard), Jennie Abelman (née Bergwerk), Elizabeth Ainscoe Barbara joins the chat (née Collier) and Rachel Earnshaw (all 1968-1975) have continued their regular Zoom reunions.

Under what used to be normal circumstances, the four enjoyed meeting at the Old Girls’ Lunches as well as gathering together in an evening from time to eat out – and they are optimistic about being able to meet again whenever the circumstances permit.

As well as keeping in touch with each other across the world, they have also welcomed some former members of staff to their The friends caught up with Kathleen chats – they recently met up with Kathleen Zimak (née Smith, Class of 1961; Girls’ Division Staff, 1969-1979) and Barbara Windle (Girls’ Division Staff, 1971-1986).

The Bolton School Wine Collection The Bolton School Wine Collection, launched by the Girls’ Division Parents’ Association to mark the 100/500 anniversaries, is an exclusive wine assortment 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 (six 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 School’s Bursary Fund.

For more information please e-mail bsfwines2015@gmail.com or to place your order, please visit www.twrightwine.co.uk/13030.

22

FROMÐTHEÐARCHIVES Ask the Archivist Coping with Adversity

The response of the entire Bolton School community to the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic has been quite magnificent. The resolve and resilience they have shown to overcome the Girls' Division Rear View 1938 numerous and diverse challenges posed by the need to keep pupils safe, whilst maintaining the delivery of a Bolton School education, has been extraordinary. It is yet another example of the loyalty and commitment that this and former generations have to their alma mater.

Parallels might be drawn with how the School responded to the different problems experienced by those who were at School during the Second World War. It was a completely different situation, yet many of the problems were surprisingly similar, as were the responses to them.

When War broke out pupils of both Divisions were unable to come into School. Then it was due to the air raid shelters not having been completed in time. It was the beginning of November 1939 before the School was able to reconvene.

In the meantime, work was sent out to pupils at home and then returned by post to School. Pat Bellis (née Topping, 1937-1945; Girls’ Division Staff), recalled how "the postman emptied sacks and sacks and sacks of homework in the centre of the Staff Room and they all scrambled to find their own and mark it". Similar arrangements were put in place in the Boys’ Division, although the Sixth Form were taught in the houses of the Headmaster, Mr Poskitt, and Mrs Saxelby, Head of Modern Languages.

Over the past year pupils have again been unable to attend School for long periods, but this time it has been possible to adopt technological solutions. By using platforms such as Zoom, backed up by the provision of iPads, Bolton School has been at the vanguard of remote learning initiatives.

Pupils need a considerable amount of self-discipline to be taught in this way, but they have responded admirably, and the initiative has been an undoubted success.

When School finally opened in 1939 there were regular air raid shelter practices. The air raid shelters were damp and chilly and during winter the classrooms, laboratories, gym and library were often very cold and the girls were allowed to wear their overcoats during lessons. During the pandemic School has been required to keep the windows open, but the heating system has at least ensured that there has been no need to wear overcoats in class.

Gas masks were issued to all British citizens at the start of the Second World War. There was a very real fear that Nazi bombers would drop poison gas bombs on the civilian population. This extended to children at school and pupils had to carry their masks with them at all times. Fast forward to the present day and once more we are required to wear

a mask to protect ourselves against a different, but equally dangerous, silent enemy.

During 1940 there was an increasing concern about the threat of incendiary bombs and it became necessary to implement a fire warden system. Staff in both Divisions took their turn at fire watching duty, but by early 1941 so many Masters in the Boys’ Division had been called up to the Forces that volunteers had to be sought from the senior boys. More than 70 responded to this appeal in the first month.

Then, as now, the School was fortunate to have the support of its dedicated staff. Staff shortages were a major problem in the Boys’ Division during the War when large numbers of staff were called up to the Forces, some never to return. Young, relatively inexperienced men were appointed to senior posts, all striving to do their best, as it became almost impossible to attract men with the qualifications and experience required to take charge of Departments.

Remote teaching could not have been delivered without the support of Bolton School’s tremendous teachers and they deserve a particular vote of thanks. Teaching can be stressful at the best of times and is far more demanding when it is being conducted over a computer link. It is yet more difficult when teachers are required to deliver a lesson when their class is split between some in School and some watching from home.

Nor should the monumental efforts of the Estates team in preparing the School for reopening in a Covid-compliant nature be forgotten, or the way in which Sergeants and other non-teaching staff have willingly taken on additional or different duties to help get the School through these difficult times.

Both Divisions are renowned for their support of the wider community. This was as evident in wartime as now. Regular collections were held for the Red Cross, girls did voluntary work at the Bolton Infirmary and garments were knitted for the Forces with wool supplied by the Women’s Voluntary Service. When a group of Channel Islands evacuees arrived in 1940, two houses were furnished for their use in doublequick time. Girls formed scrubbing squads, sewed curtains and sorted the clothing given so generously by parents and friends. The boys repaired furniture and window frames, oiled locks and carried the furniture to the designated rooms.

The present situation is quite different from war time, but it is still surprising how many similarities there are. What most certainly is the same is the determination and resolve of all concerned to ensure that all challenges are overcome and that Bolton School continues to prosper as a beacon of excellence.

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.

23

Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2021

Looking Back A nostalgic trip down Chorley New Road – photographs from across the decades

Mary also spotted this fabulous #TBT photograph of the Girls’ Division drama production of Trial by Jury in 1945 – Mary is a bridesmaid, standing directly behind the girl portraying Angelina (the jilted brid e) and she clearly recollects the time that she devoted to making her costume!

1963-1970) sent in Andrew Jameson (Boys’ Division, se in 1946 which Hou pton Crom of ph ogra this phot roft, 1940-1946) Rooc (née eson his mother, Mary Jam the third row on left discovered – Mary is third from en, is first left, Hold on Mari d, frien her and from the top, second row from the top

Miss Groser with Form II, 1937-1938

Girls’ Division Staff, 1999

se photos -2011) sent in the Lydia Brian (1996 e with us Ho h ec Be at mbly of Birthday Asse as Party tm ris Ch 1 d the Year Mrs Crawforth an with Mrs Ryder

ugh, 1990

Geography field trip to Scarboro

Don’t forget to take a look at the ‘Scenes from the Past’ page on the School website, which we update regularly with new archive photos: www.boltonschool.org. You can also share your own archive photos on the Bolton Alumni Network: www.boltonalumninetwork.com.

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Memories of School Denise Robinson (née Mills, Class of 1954) Denise recently sent in an excerpt from her autobiography in which she recollects her happy years in the Girls’ Division.

Laura Lancaster (Class of 1954) in their final Summer Concert – only Bolton School could raise two grand pianos on one stage! Denise went on to teach Music and subsequently gained an Honours degree in the subject.

She recalls with great clarity her career at Bolton School, beginning with passing the entrance exam and gaining a scholarship to attend. Her great friend Carolyn Stafford (Class of 1953) joined at the same time – the pair were never in the same form, but remained very close as they progressed up the School.

She has vivid memories of a Geography trip to the Peak District, a wild flower competition organised by Biology teacher Mrs Hart, carol singing, being awarded a girdle in recognition of her contribution to Malvern House, taking part in a folk dancing competition and doing part of her A Level Music exam at a school in Blackburn where the examiner was impressed with her sight singing (which she attributes to her teachers at Bolton School). Some of these recollections reveal Denise’s awareness of her background – she notes friends whose parents drove cars and could afford a fee-paying place at School and were learned enough to help with homework – while she was brought up by her grandmother (although she acknowledges that ‘Granny did her best’).

Denise describes being very proud of her school uniform (navy blue gym slip, white blouse and School tie worn with white ankle socks), the customary two pairs of shoes (one for outdoors and one for indoors) and the peggy purse bearing the School badge. She goes on to describe the daily routines, the house system, the rigorous attitude to schoolwork, the precious commodities of paper and books.

Denise worked hard at all of her subjects, but the highlight of her timetable was Music. She had piano lessons with Miss Slynn and outside School learned the cello. A standout memory is of playing Mozart’s Piano Sonata for Two Pianos in D with fellow student Dr Christine Cottam (Class Of 1968) Christine wrote to us with her reminiscences of Girls’ Division life in the 1960s and her reflections on the influence Miss Higginson had on her life and career.

"I’ve spent my life fighting injustice: legacy of Miss Higginson (Girls’ Division Headmistress, 1954-1979).

To explain the oncoming UN Women’s Decade, she regaled us with stories of her Aunt Nellie: a suffragette who torched The Bungalow at Rivington (Lord Leverhulme’s residence) to combat the patriarchy.

"When comprehensive education was proposed, she went to teach in London’s East End. On return, joint activities with the Boys’ Division were instated: clubs and societies, plays and concerts, including a satirical revue in which several of us participated. On Friday lunchtimes, Sixth Form boys could visit the Girls’ Sixth Form Common Room.

"Someone dreamt up signifying the Decade by an inter-Division lacrosse match. Long-sighted (maybe partially-sighted, even then) I was useless at team games. At the end of the Upper Fifth, I sold my lacrosse stick in the annual jumble sale. Upset, the Games Mistress escorted me to see ‘The Head’. She elucidated that generations of girls agitated to play the same sports as boys. I rejoined that, in law, at 16 years old, I was deemed old enough to consent to sex, so I certainly knew if I consented to lacrosse – and I didn’t! Typically, she laughed and set me to report Sixth Form wishes for PE in the Permissive Society.

But most of all Denise’s memories are of her friends and fellow pupils. There are too many of them to mention individually, but she remembers them all clearly and with fondness. They, and many aspects of her time at Bolton School, had a hugely positive impact on her life.

"Revenge tastes better cold. When ‘The Match’ materialised, Miss Higginson ‘invited’ me to play: an offer I couldn’t refuse. In vain, lack of talent (and kit) was protested. She said all I’d to do was get in my partner’s way. He was Steve Gorski (Class of 1969): Boys’ Division Rugby star. The Girls’ team routed them.

They then challenged us to a Rugby match. They were routed again.

"Some girls fancied yoga, others trampoline. My own wish-list included cross-country running: not for girls, then. My Dad supported the idea. Miss Higginson agreed. Later, I ran on the diplomatic circuit in Africa and Asia. My Dad also argued holding the RAF Assault Course for all-comers on my last Sports Day. I took the prize.

"Bolton School set me up for life. How could a year alone in the Rajasthan Desert, for my Doctorate in Anthropology, be a problem after this? It led to appointment as a Teaching and Research Fellow at SOAS and being an Adviser/Consultant to the European Union and United Nations in Humanitarian Assistance.

"Writing had to stop on suddenly going blind, 20 years ago. Since then, I partially regained some sight, became a Local Government Councillor, and lost it again. Surviving the experience inspired founding DEKNA: helping refugee women with lost eyesight in Pakistan.

"Presently, I’m convalescing from a year of major eye surgery. The hills beckon. Bequeathing money for Outdoor Pursuits for girls is my way of repaying the Girls’ Division. May others, too."

Denise’s and Christine’s reminiscences can be read in full at www.boltonschool.org/former-pupils/archives-and-memories/memories-of-school/.

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Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2021

LIVES REMEMBERED Margaret Dickinson (Girls’ Division Staff, 1972-2006 Described by Margaret Spurr (Headmistress, 1979-1994) as ‘the brightest light that ever shone on my Bolton School horizon’, Margaret Dickinson, who taught Maths in the Girls’ Division for 34 years before her retirement in 2006, made a lasting impression on colleagues, pupils and the School itself.

Margaret was born in Prestwich, Manchester, in 1947. She attended The Park School in Preston, where she studied A Levels Miss Margaret Dickinson in Maths, Further Maths and Physics, and was elected Head Girl in 1965. She went on to study for a BSc in Mathematics at Royal Holloway, which was part of the University of London, before doing her teacher training at Cambridge University. Her first teaching job was at Didcot Girls’ Grammar School in 1970 before she applied successfully for a post at Bolton School Girls’ Division in 1972, where she remained a much respected and affectionately regarded member of staff for the rest of her career.

When Miss Falla retired, Margaret stepped into her shoes as Head of Mathematics and held that role for eight years, until relinquishing it in order to become Head of Careers.

She established a joint Careers Room accessible for both Divisions and, under her guidance, the Careers team received the prestigious Careers Education Quality Award in 2004.

In 1990, Margaret was appointed as Deputy Headmistress.

In addition to her formal roles, Margaret was involved in many extracurricular endeavours, including acting as House Manager for a number of Joint Productions, taking part in the ‘Staff Revue’ and leading and accompanying trips to Cautley. She was passionate about music and never missed a School concert or production.

Margaret also helped to put together innumerable School magazines and newsletters. In conjunction with Veronica Millington (Girls’ Division Staff, 1988-2006) she worked on So Goodly A Heritage: A Snapshot of Bolton School Girls’ Division at the End of the Millennium and on the biography of former Headmistress Fanny Eliza Johnson.

In March 2003, Margaret was

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diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.

However, with characteristic dedication, determination and good humour, she continued to shoulder all the responsibilities of her role, making few concessions at all to her ill health.

She left in 2006 for a well-earned retirement. She passed away on 19th October 2020.

Tributes from Colleagues of both Divisions In their tributes to Margaret, colleagues all speak of her caring nature, her humour, loyalty, dignity and of her unequalled capacity for hard work. And all have individual memories of how these qualities were demonstrated.

From my first meeting with Margaret, when she could have had the rooky headteacher for breakfast, her gentleness and kindness shone through. She was also exceptionally conscientious and many of the policies and procedures which we take for granted now were instituted or improved by her.

During her lifetime, we decided that we would name the Year 11 Common Room ‘the Dickinson Room’ after her.

I spoke to her about this and she was pleased with the idea, although her natural modesty meant that she didn’t want a huge fuss made at the time.

I hope that we shall be able to honour Margaret’s memory with a tribute to her in School when we can begin to come together as a School community and invite former colleagues and Old Girls back into the buildings.

Sue Hincks, Headmistress Early memories of Margaret in the 1970s and 1980s include great fun at staff revues, trips to Cautley and accompanying Art and History visits to London and Paris. In those days, School terms ended at 11.30am and many staff would then decamp to a restaurant such as Smithills Coaching House. Margaret would often lend a hand in helping to calculate the cash payments (after a rather substantial meal and with much laughter!). Other happy memories include shared railway holidays in this country and abroad, which involved many humorous incidents.

Music was a great source of pleasure to Margaret and she thoroughly enjoyed both singing in and listening to concerts. A supporter of School productions throughout all age ranges in the School, she was always appreciative of the efforts made by staff and pupils and never failed to express her thanks to everyone involved.

Kathryn Critchley (Girls’ Division Staff, 1974-2009)

When I returned to teach at BSGD in 1978 Margaret had just been appointed Head of Mathematics and we attended many conferences together, the most notable being a one-week one designed to prepare us to teach the A Level Statistics course – Statistics had not been on the syllabus before then!

After three days we were both out of our depth, but decided we probably knew enough to teach Year 12 (the Lower Sixth as it was then) so would share a group and support each other.

We could then attend the same course the following year to finish the syllabus.

This plan fell apart when 25 girls signed up for the course and we each had our own group!

Away from school we had a number of short holidays together and I think we visited most of the National Trust properties within a reasonable range.

Val Hanrahan (Girls’ Division Staff, 1978-2014) Staffrooms can be territorial and so it is that my first memories of Margaret have her in the Maths corner, myself in the English, happily teasing one another on whatever topic might come to mind after School lunch. Everyone will tell of her kindness, of her affection and generosity and so will I, but I will remember first her laughter. When it comes to a sense of the ridiculous, Margaret had a good left hook and our bouts usually left me worsted and perhaps a little aggrieved that she was just as clever with words as with figures.

She upstaged me. Her appearance in the staff review as a naughty examination candidate complete with innumerable lucky mascots, crisps and an emu eclipsed anything I could do and I was banished to the lighting box.

I forgave her, of course. It was funny and gave us a rare opportunity to see her breaking every rule when we all knew that in real life she upheld every value the School offered.

Bobby Georghiou (Girls’ Division Staff, 1981-1996) After we both retired, Margaret and I had days out together and she introduced me to new places to walk – and talk – and places to eat. Food was important to Margaret, though she preferred meals prepared by someone else. I remember once meeting her in the Marks and Spencer food hall: she looked at my basket of fruit and vegetables and said, "Oh, you’re not one of those people who chops vegetables are you?"

She was gentle and kind, but had a steely determination which saw her through some very difficult times and helped her make difficult decisions as her illness progressed. She never complained about her problems,

preferring to chat about others or about the news. Her quiet, understated humour made conversation a pleasure – she could convey a great deal just with the slight raising of an eyebrow.

And that is how I like to remember her – telling a story, raising an eyebrow and breaking into a quiet giggle.

Hilary Crawforth (née Berry, 1955-1968; Girls’ Division Staff, 1986-2010) Margaret and I got on well from the very first day. She was the third person to enter my office. Two teachers had been in to inform me they would be taking maternity leave. As Margaret came in I said to her, "I hope you are not coming to tell me you are taking maternity leave." Her response was, "As I am unmarried and have had a hysterectomy, it would be a miracle worthy of World News, let alone locally!" This set the tone for our relationship, a lot of laughter and good fun amongst the challenges that face the senior team in any school.

Gill Richards (Headmistress, 2005-2011) “Margaret, what are you considering doing about …?” Faced with yet another initiative from the DfE or similar source this was the type of question I would frequently put to Margaret by phone across the Centre Quad (as it was then called) often after six in the evening, knowing she would still be beavering away in her office and also confident she would have already come to a no-nonsense response and a practical and possible course of action. Over the years we spoke about a huge range of matters, and every conversation was constructive, supportive and helpful and, in the context of the structure of the Bolton School Foundation, all-embracing of the Divisions and the subsections contained therein.

At a personal level my wife and I remain grateful for Margaret’s longstanding interest and frequent enquiry, long after she had left, of our daughter and, while she was in the Girls’ Division, for Margaret’s determination that this girl was perfectly capable of a respectable public exam performance in mathematics and for instilling the required confidence.

For those of us working in the Boys’ Division, Margaret Dickinson was the archetypal Bolton School colleague; totally committed to the young in her charge and equally supportive of her colleagues across the whole School Foundation and loyal without fault to the ethos of the School.

Alan Wright (Headmaster, Boys’ Division, 1983-2002) I had only seen Margaret from a distance, sitting in the Maths Department’s area of the staff room, looking quite austere. Having only passed the time of day with her, I didn’t really know her. That is, until she became Head of the Careers

Department. Her forward thinking and enthusiasm took the department to another level. Always considering staff development, she encouraged and supported me to gain a qualification, acting as my mentor; her advice was always unequivocal.

ever kind and encouraging. I also recall that as I left the room from the A Level exam, she was there to greet me with a hug – the much-needed reassurance I so needed at that time.

When the post of Deputy Head was advertised, humble as always, she wasn’t sure she was ‘good enough’.

It was our turn to encourage her to go for it. After all her hard work, she didn’t want to give up being Head of Careers, and she managed to persuade the Head that she would cope with the workload of both positions.

It’s a wise saying that in 50 years’ time it won’t matter what car you drove, what house you lived in or whom you knew.

If you have made a difference to the life of a child it will matter. Margaret Dickinson made that difference for me and, I am certain, countless others over almost three and a half decades.

But what an all-rounder.

Her acting abilities came to the fore when she took part in staff revues: I remember her sitting at the examination Margaret with John desk and Davenport and Gilly lining up Wallwork her lucky toys and pencil case in such a precise manner – she was such a hoot being the annoying student whose hand would keep going up. The whole audience were in hysterics! She also had a wonderful singing voice and could dance – her talents were limitless, but she wasn’t one to talk of her achievements, being a modest and private person.

Full of surprises, during the School holidays, Margaret would turn up for meetings with the ever-present pencil case in hand, only to produce Kit Kats, Twix or anything chocolaty to ‘keep us going’ as a treat. Her favourite a walnut whip.

Chris Sutcliffe (née Nightingale, Class of 1972, Boys’ Division Staff 1986-2019) The above tributes to Margaret can be read in full on the School’s website at www.boltonschool.org.

Ailwen Ilett (née Ailwyn Lamb, Class of 1974)

Grace Richardson (née Gibson, 1969-1976) Margaret arrived at Bolton School as I started the Upper Vth. I am afraid that we were probably not as welcoming to her as we should have been because we had just said goodbye to Margaret Hughes (our much loved Blossom in Chief) and we were doubtful that anyone could replace her. However, Margaret quickly won us round with her quiet unassuming smile, competence and sympathy for dealing with girls going through that ‘difficult’ phase.

Lesley Ainsworth (1968-1975) I was never taught by Miss Dickinson, but she was an ever-present gentle influence on us all – I think we all stood a little straighter and tried a little harder when Miss Dickinson was nearby!

Lindsy Slamon (née O'Reilly, Class of 1984) When I look at my children's Maths homework I hear her voice when I say, "Don't you know what a ruler is for?!"

We were privileged to be taught by her.

Rachel McHattie (née Robinson, Class of 1989) I remember a charity stunt with my best friend, Trista Bennetts, which involved putting stockings over our heads, kidnapping Miss Dickinson and tying her to one of the lime trees in the Quad for ransom! She just entered into the spirit of it all, as only she would!

When Margaret passed away an overwhelming number of Old Girls expressed their thoughts and memories of ‘the kindest Maths teacher you could possibly want’.

Here are some of their comments:

Diane O'Keeffe (née Longworth, Class of 1978)

In the Third Form (as was then) she instilled her clear leadership and she generated complete attention and a little fear. She managed the room and drilled our basics. And then, as I grew up, I discovered that behind the precise and clear demeanour was a sharp, dry and deeply witty educator. I took great joy in keeping in touch with her over the years. Margaret always made the time to connect over tea and when I moved to the US became a favourite correspondent by letter.

Jen Burns (Class of 1993)

Pam Keenan Fritz (1978-1992)

Jayne King (née Hill, Class of 1980)

Miss Dickinson had that knack of letting you know excellence was expected, but in such a kind way. And she had a lovely twinkle of mischief!

I remember she always put on a tabard to keep chalk off her clothes. Our Maths class clubbed together to buy her a personalised one with her name on it – she was so pleased!

Katy Seago (née Preston, Class of 2001) My favourite teacher and, 40 years after she taught me A Level Maths, the memories of her teaching inspired me finally to qualify as a Maths teacher. A very special educator.

I recall that while I despaired, she was

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Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2021 Carol Ann Greenhalgh (née Salt, 1963-1970, Girls’ Division Staff, 1982-2011) Originally from Smithills, Carol Ann taught at Bolton School for nearly 30 years before retiring in 2011.

She originally joined the Girls’ Division as a part-time temporary Religious Studies teacher but became a permanent full-time member of staff. She took on various responsibilities and was Head of Middle School in the later years of her career. She was a highly respected teacher – firm, fair and kind – who played a tremendous role in the lives of the girls she taught. She instilled a fear in Year 7 with her often quoted "The only thing you can do in my lessons without my permission is breathe" speech, which somehow grew into a respect and trust, making her the teacher students often went to in their toughest times. Carol Ann was modest and discreet, eschewing fuss and fripperies.

Alongside her teaching she was passionate about her local community, participating in the Ladybridge Residents’ Association and eventually becoming Chair of the organisation.

She took part in the neighbourhood watch scheme and, thanks to her efforts, a defibrillator was installed in the area. Councillor Andy Morgan, Ward Councillor for Heaton and Lostock, described Carol Ann as ‘an absolute stalwart of the community and utterly unselfish in her time and efforts when it came to her beloved Ladybridge’. She was also a governor at Lostock Primary School for many years and a dedicated member of Deane Parish Church.

Following her retirement, much of Carol Ann's time and energy was spent supporting her son, Steven, through his battle with cancer until his death in May 2016. She continued to serve her community until her health deteriorated rapidly in the final months of 2020, leaving her physically unable to continue.

Carol Ann died on 11th January 2021 in Bolton Hospice, after a short battle with cancer. She will be greatly missed by her husband Brian, her daughter Karen, her sister Jackie and all who knew her.

The Greenhalgh Family Mrs Greenhalgh was a firm favourite amongst many of her pupils, as attested by the many wonderful comments from Old Girls on social media.

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She was our Form Tutor in Year 7, and on our first day told us there was nothing we were allowed to do without her permission – even breathe!

We were terrified, but as soon as she gained everyone’s respect (in that first week, pretty much), and we gained her respect, we came to realise that she was deeply caring and trustworthy, and she softened more and more. I felt I could share my worries with her and she would always try to help.

Lydia Brian (Class of 2011) My friends and I remember Mrs Greenhalgh so fondly when we reminisce about School. She was nothing short of a legend.

Tessa Pendlebury (Class of 2013) Mrs Greenhalgh was such a caring and inspirational teacher who had an incredible knack for making every single pupil feel valued.

Annabel Ault (Class of 2014) She gave me excellent advice that carried me throughout my years at Bolton School and after. An incredible woman who was a figure of strength for all young girls to admire.

Abigail Simm (Class of 2016) She was very strict, but a very good teacher and I loved her RS classes. She made me look at her subject from a very different angle which absolutely made sense.

Alexandra Monro (née Mack, Class of 1995) Mrs Greenhalgh terrified me in our first lesson in Thirds, when she said the only thing we could do in her lessons without permission was breathe! Having earned our respect, she mellowed in to the most lovely teacher in the world – I’ve been reading the diaries I kept as a teenager recently and one entry talks about how nice she was on one occasion when I was having a big stress.

Gill Barlow (née Biddulph, Class of 2000) She was the first form teacher I had at Bolton School and what a breath of fresh air she was. She treated all the girls as equals, with such respect, yet with excellent leadership and guidance.

Rosalind Johnson (née Seward, Class of 1999) She was one of my favourite teachers at School, even though RE was far from my favourite subject! It was a credit to her that she managed to stimulate my interest nonetheless.

Lindsay Glover (née Carpenter, Class of 1991) She was, by far, one of the most caring

teachers I ever met at BSGD. Ayesha Munshi (Class of 2012) She was a fantastic teacher and played an integral part in my faith journey. She made you question everything to come to your own conclusion.

Susan Banister (née Profit, Class of 1989) A favourite memory is her portrayal in the Prefects’ Panto whereby she had ‘G.O.D.’ emblazoned as her nickname on the back of her blazer – which the then Sixth Formers had translated to mean ‘Greenhalgh On Duty’! My favourite quote of hers was: ‘Did you buy a skirt with that belt?’ when telling a girl off about how rolled up her skirt was!

Amy Munslow (Class of 2016) What a formidable woman. Terrifying at first as an 11-year-old, and seemingly omniscient (especially when anyone was doing anything they shouldn’t), but always completely fair, an excellent educator and a fierce advocate for each child she taught. She truly was a very, very special teacher who made such an impact on so many.

Claire Bromley (Class of 2014) I had the privilege of being taught

by Mrs G every year throughout my School career. The other half of my RS A Level dream team (with Dr Brown). A formidable lady, with a hard shell but a soft centre.

Heather Jordan (née Barlow, Class of 1993) She was my first form Tutor. If you ever tipped on your chair on two legs you only ever did it once! I had a lot of respect for her. Such a great teacher – always kept everyone's attention in lessons, because her lessons were always so good.

Sophie Llewellyn (née Liptrott, Class of 1999) She was a genuinely brilliant teacher who inspired passion for her subject in so many students, including myself. She encouraged lateral thinking and had a wickedly dry sense of humour. Stern but kind, she will be much missed.

Deanne Cunningham (Class of 2001) She really made me think about my own faith in a challenging but safe environment. A true teacher.

Ruth Davies (née Harrison, Class of 1984) She was my favourite teacher – I wasn’t the most loud or confident pupil, but instead of seeing that as a negative or trying to change that she adapted her teaching style to suit me (and all the students and their personalities in general) which I now see as a real talent; she was a credit to the School.

Zarah Lee (Class of 2010) How lucky we were to have known her.

Holly Melissa Craggs (Class of 1997)

Veronica Carr (Girls’ Division Staff, 1975-1997) Veronica was born on 4th October 1944 in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire and had a sister, Sue; they were always very close. Their early childhood was difficult due to a problematic father.

Her mother eventually divorced, not an easy or popular move in the 1940s.

After a while her mother remarried, to a local headmaster – perhaps the teaching seed was sown then – and all their lives were transformed and they had a wonderful time. Unfortunately her new father died very early and they were again alone.

Veronica attended the local primary school and then Thetford Grammar School and went on to the University of Hull to read History. Her time there was much enjoyed and she kept in touch with friends from that era. Her travel from Wisbech to Hull was carried out largely by motor scooter, quite a feat.

After leaving university her first teaching post was on Guernsey at the Ladies’ College where she taught for eight years. There she founded the Careers Department and Debating Society, as well as teaching History. It was on Guernsey that she met Roger, her husband to be. Veronica played hockey for the Island team and Roger was a supporter of a Metropolitan Police Team attending a tournament.

The relationship blossomed and shortly afterwards Veronica returned to the mainland and taught in Wisbech, returning to the area of her childhood.

After a year she moved north to a position as Head of History at Bolton School Girls’ Division where she was to serve for the remainder of her working life.

Veronica and Roger married in 1976 and Roger moved north; they lived in Westhoughton initially, later moving to Atherton. Veronica loved her work at the School and became thoroughly immersed in School activities. Many trips to Cautley, in particular the Elizabethan weekends, spring to mind, also trips to Paris, Copenhagen, the Loire Valley, Greece and Italy and a cruise aboard the SS Uganda to the Baltic Sea and Soviet Union. The annual Ceremony of Carols is also particularly memorable.

As Head of History Veronica nurtured and mentored a number of new staff, several of whom have certainly progressed very well in the profession.

Veronica kept in touch with many of these and since her death many have commented on her wealth of knowledge and her ability to pass

it on in an exemplary manner. Her leadership of the History Department was seen to be firm, but always with understanding and appreciation. She also headed General Studies, devising and teaching courses such as Politics and Architecture. Outside School Veronica organised many meetings of the Council for the Education of World Citizenship and the United Nations Association at which guest speakers have spoken about various international issues, and the Historical Association of which she was a committee member, with meetings of the local branch held at the School. She obviously also had a considerable effect on many pupils, as even after so many years away she was still in regular contact with many Old Girls. Her name lives on with the Veronica Carr Cup which is awarded annually to a History student.

Veronica and Roger had a wonderful life and loved to travel, enjoying many walking and camping holidays in the UK and Europe and also further afield to India and many trips to the then Yugoslavia. They owned a holiday home in North Yorkshire for many years and so made regular visits there, receiving many guests.

Veronica retired in 1997 and very much enjoyed the additional free time. Frequent trips were made to Norfolk to visit the Carr family and Veronica’s sister, Sue. In 2003 they decided to leave the North West and return to Norfolk, buying Sue’s house in Norwich as she emigrated to Spain.

Life in Norfolk was most enjoyable, with regular visits to Spain to visit Sue. Sue died in 2017 and this had a great effect on Veronica; she had, by this time, already been diagnosed with dementia and this, inevitably, got worse with time. Then in mid-2020 she was diagnosed with an advanced cancer which was deemed to be untreatable.

Roger cared for her at home, later with considerable assistance, but eventually she was admitted to a care home in September 2020. Her condition deteriorated rapidly and she died there on 4th December 2020.

Mrs Carr was a principled and passionate woman as well as an insightful and inspiring teacher.

Dawn Marie Gratton (1982-1989) Another BSGD legend gone. A fabulous teacher and inspiration to all who were privileged enough to sit in her classroom.

Heather Jordan (née Barlow, 1986-1993) Mrs Carr was my absolute favourite teacher and a very lovely person too.

She once drove me home on her lunch break when I'd forgotten my glasses! I'll never forget her kindness.

Philippa Davies (1987-1994) She was such a lovely woman: one of the stars of my time at School, and someone I will always remember.

Clare Fordham (née Westhead, 1985-1992) She was a great teacher. Interesting, fun and approachable. I looked forward to my history lessons with her.

Julia Dent (née Hargraves, Class of 1989) I loved her history lessons and the passion she brought to them.

Lindsay Graham (née Hawarden, 1981-1988) She undoubtedly played a key role in my taking of History A Level and degree in politics. Her passion for teaching shone through.

Abigail Vaughan (née Coates, 1990-1998) The teacher that ‘got’ me and totally hooked me into her subject to postdegree level. Sad news, but very happy memories.

Sarah Ratcliffe (1976-1983) Very happy memories – particularly of the Elizabethan weekend.

Jackie Bateson (née Sloane, 1970-1977) I loved my history lessons with her – she was so very passionate about the subject.

Sarah Leteney (née Chapman, 1979-1986) Absolutely brilliant teacher. I’m a history teacher now and I’m going to be channelling ‘Mrs Carr’ when I start my new job!

Kathryn Koon (née Green, 1991-2001)

Veronica is very much missed, albeit in her final years she was not the lady that most will remember.

Mrs Carr was the reason I did history at uni.

Sarah Knight (1984-1991)

Roger Carr

She was my favourite teacher all through School. She wrote me a little poem in my autograph book when we left School.

‘Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself’ – Chinese proverb. The announcement of Mrs Carr’s passing prompted dozens of heartfelt comments from Old Girls who benefited from her teaching and wisdom.

Anne Goodwin (née Howarth, 1989-1996) Best history teacher ever!

Wendy Turner (née Porter, 1974-1988)

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Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Spring 2021 Rowena Haley (1997-2004) Rowena Haley passed away aged 34 on 7th October 2020 in London very unexpectedly and suddenly of natural causes.

Rowena attended Bolton School and was known for her brilliant sense of humour, quick wit and kindness. Her twin brother, Matthew, attended the Boys’ Division (1997-2004). At School she made life-long friends. Her love of music, playing guitar, piano and cello, meant she was asked to play double bass in the joint orchestra. She was proud to follow in the footsteps of her mother, Dorothy Ruth (née Bidder, 1957-1964) – amused that they were ‘Old Girls together’ and insisted they attended the Old Girls’ Reunion in 2014 together.

Rowena then studied History at Goldsmith’s College, University of London, where she gained a 2:1 BA Honours degree and began her interest in stand-up comedy, performing with her guitar. She chose to stay in London, but returned home to Turton regularly.

Her humour, talent and drive led to a career in television, becoming a Producer and Director. She had a very bright future ahead of her. After graduating she was a finalist in the 2008 Funny Women competition at London’s Leicester Square Comedy Club alongside Katherine Ryan and Sara Pascoe. Rowena wrote and sang witty songs of observational comedy, inspired by her experiences of growing up in Bolton and her travels. She took her one woman shows to Edinburgh Fringe Festival, performing Sad ***** in the Corner, Nothing to Write Home About, My Green Astra, There’s More to Life than Chips and Three Chords and the Truth to rave reviews. She was compared to Victoria Wood and reviewed as being ‘entertainingly intolerant’ which she appreciated.

Alongside comedy, Rowena’s TV producing career began working on Live TV then The Paul O’Grady show, Room 101 and Walk on the Wild Side. She then progressed up the TV ladder to become a Producer and Director working on numerous celebrity interview and archive shows for Channel 4, Channel 5, UK Gold and ITVBe, most recently the sitcom Meet the Richardsons and Totally Unbelievable Celebrity Breakups. Both dedicated shows to her as a much respected and popular member of the team.

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Rowena loved comedy, music festivals and travelling. She had many friends in London, Bolton and America.

She travelled to much of America, Scandinavia and Australia and, as an avid Dolly Parton fan, delighted in a trip to The Smoky Mountains.

For those who loved Rowena, the depth of our sadness knows no bounds after such an early loss. She was destined for great things and embraced life with such positivity.

We, her family and also her friends, are confident she would want to be remembered for who she was: incredibly funny, warm and always smiling. We have therefore set up a charitable foundation in her name, The Rowena Haley Foundation. The first event, ‘Rowenafest’ – a festival of comedy performances, including footage of Rowena’s work – is intended for late summer, pandemic allowing.

It will celebrate her life and bring joy.

For updates please see www.rowenahaleyfoundation.org and please get in touch. It will also be the launch of the foundation that will support others with interests like hers.

Susannah Allsop (née Haley) Ina McCann (Girls’ Division Staff, 1963-1971) Ina Lucy McCann sadly passed away suddenly on 21st January 2021. Ina was a geography teacher at Bolton School from 1963 to 1971. As a teacher, she packed fun into children’s lives.

A close colleague from her teaching days at Bolton School, Pam Adams, remembers her with the words: "She was the greatest of colleagues, always supportive and full of ideas, but it is her sense of outrageous fun for which I, and many of her colleagues, will remember her fondly! We had some great field trips, staff parties, sausage sizzles on the slopes of Winter Hill and hilarious times at Cautley. Ina was a sight for sore eyes in her white wellies

traipsing through the mud towards Cautley Beck, where she threw oranges into the flow with gay abandon so that the girls could measure speed and depth. All very unscientific, but huge fun!"

Another colleague, Elsie Peel, wrote: "You may have heard of the ‘sausage sizzles’ we at the younger end of the staff held at Barrow Bridge, when we had a makeshift mini-barbecue and cooked sausages, probably on unauthorised land. Ina was one of the chief participants and joked about what to say if any passing policeman happened to see us … always goodhumoured and ready for a laugh and joke, Ina was caring, and sympathetic if anyone was in trouble." Ina’s passion for teaching and the influence she had on her pupils’ lives was evident in how they kept in touch with her years after they had left School, phoning her, visiting, or sending Christmas cards.

Former pupils describe her as having helped to shape their lives.

Connecting with people was another inherent passion of Ina’s. She had many friends and worked hard to keep close to them. Ina moved many times in her life, but constantly engaged with new acquaintances, while holding on dearly to those she already had: school friends, students from Leicester where she studied geology, pupils she taught, colleagues, neighbours, friends she met through walking, Greek myths lessons, guiding at Wolterton Hall, and all her many other activities. For Ina, the connection with others in life was so important, if only fleeting in a short conversation sitting by a beach hut in Margate or on a train to the theatre in London, but also in relationships that lasted a lifetime.

Ina had a thirst for knowledge. She was an endless source of interesting geographical or historical facts about any landscape or church. Described by friends as having a zest for life with her varied and unusual interests, Ina’s creativity in her teaching also extended to her hobbies of sketching, watercolour, spinning, and weaving.

On her last Sunday, she was weaving a wall hanging of Snowdon. Even after retiring, she threw herself into learning Flemish to converse with her grandchildren (and later great grandchildren) in Belgium. Determined to keep her Flemish fluent, she still followed lessons at 88, not wasting a single day to improve constantly.

Ina was a very special lady, loved by all who knew her.

Kirstie Edwards (née McCann, Class of 1970) and Corrie McCann (Class of 1976)

Mary Moon (Girls’ Division Staff, 1963-1971)

Staff reunion at Cautley, 1989 Back: Barbara Chaffer (née Botham), Margaret Faulkner, Kathleen Johnston Middle: Liz Walker, Marian Corkill, Elsie Peel, Mary Moon, Marie Sutcliffe Front: Marilou Scott, Sheila Stocks, Dorothy Barwise, Margaret Higginson, Margaret Hughes Mary Marjorie Moon was born on 28th September 1932 to Mabel Moon (née Berks) and Clement Alfred Moon.

She attended the King Edward Grammar School for Girls, Birmingham, going on to the University of Manchester where she obtained a BA Hons MEd. She completed her PGCE at the University College London Institute of Education and later took a BA in Creative Arts at Buckinghamshire New University.

Mary became a teacher and taught at Bolton School Girls’ Division. She went on to become Headmistress at Pate’s Grammar School in Cheltenham from 1971 to 1982 and Headmistress at Manchester High School for Girls from 1983 to 1994. When she retired from Manchester High School she was given a flight in a small plane and the girls spelled out a message in the playing fields below as she flew overhead. This

absolutely delighted her and gave her a great deal of pleasure for years after the event.

Stanley Worthington (Girls’ Division Staff, 1987, and Boys’ Division Staff, 1988)

Mary and her late sister, Brenda, were very close and enjoyed a great many exciting holidays abroad together, taking hundreds of photographs to remember them by, entertaining the Moon family when they gathered each Christmas with tales of travels in far-flung places. Mary was a lifelong member of the Congregational Church, latterly the URC, and fulfilled many posts in the church wherever she lived with enthusiasm.

We were fortunate to have the services of Stanley Worthington during a period of staff leave of absence 30 years ago.

Widely experienced, he had recently retired from Deane Grammar School, where the English Department had flourished under his leadership. Stanley was well known amongst local teachers, active in the English Association and able quickly to form good relations with colleagues at Bolton School. His teaching was thorough, his manner was both firm and friendly and when he left us it was clear that classes had benefited greatly from his presence.

Following her sister’s death, Mary set herself the task of finishing the book Brenda had started, but with stacks of boxes full of papers to go through and sort out, this proved one project too many, particularly when Alzheimer’s began to manifest itself.

With her nearest relatives being her late cousins’ families, hundreds of miles away, Mary eventually agreed that she should go into Sunrise of Bramhall.

Here she stayed until the end, with regular visits from friends from the URC church and excellent care and consideration from the staff at Sunrise, especially towards the end when she became ill.

Mary was invariably kind and considerate and, to those who knew her best, displayed a great sense of fun and humour and she will be missed. Of course, no piece about Mary could be finished without mentioning – as even she would admit – that She Talked a Lot!

When the Girls’ Division had a similar temporary post we suggested that they approach Stanley. Fortunately he agreed to join them. Again he developed good relationships with staff and pupils and he is remembered with admiration.

Stanley's varied experience included responsibility for continuing education at Bolton Wanderers FC, where he was a devoted supporter over decades, his concern for young players taking him beyond the field of play. His own family was his chief concern and his surviving son, Paul, an Old Boltonian (19701977), has our sympathy on the loss of an energetic, resourceful and loving father.

Charles Winder (Boys’ Division Staff, 1964-1999)

Based on the eulogy at Mary’s funeral

IN MEMORIAM Christine Janet Bielawska (née Longley, Class of 1973) - Died 20th February 2021 Sheila Bruckshaw (1932-1942) - Died 15th February 2021 Constance Jubb (née Pickering, 1942-1950) - Died 17th December 2021 Anne Lee (née Thornley, 1936-1943) - Died January 2021 Julia Percival (1954-1961) - Died 10th January 2021 Phyllis Rushton (Former Girls’ Division Staff) - Died 25th March 2021 Kathleen Scholes (née Marshall, 1936-1944) - Died 5th January 2021 Jean Elizabeth Smith (née Young, 1944-1951) - Died 5th March 2021 Barbara Mary Taylor (née Walmsley, 1943-1950) - Died 13th July 2019 Margaret Wilby (née Walker, 1954-1961) - Died 11th January 2021

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A picture from the Bolton School archives: a Chemistry lesson in the Girls’ Division, 1957

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