The discovery of a large box of clothing, started a process, which led to a whole lot of cataloguing, sorting and laundering of an eclectic mix of boys and girls uniform.
The blue pinafores, worn on a daily basis, to protect the uniform, were regulation wear for girls until 1996.
The fine example of a straw boater was a part of the Girls’ uniform until 1978. In the September of that year, uniform for the VI Form Girls was made optional. The article from the Chronicle, written by one of the schoolgirl Editors, makes interesting reading, as the initial reaction of joy, gave way to some feelings of regret. I wonder what the reaction would be, to such a proposal today?
Opening another box, revealed this collection of school ties, the 1997 issue for Senior Boys and VI Form houses.
A quirky find this, an English oak timber, one of several items ‘displayed’ in one of the East Wing’s fireplaces. It was part of the original School building of 1541, removed during a renovation project in 1975. With traces of sapwood, it would appear to have been cut from a branch and not from a main trunk. Having forty annular rings, it may have been from an established tree, growing at the time Henry VIII came to the throne.
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