Ben Slingo wins pan-European Classics competition. 

Last month, three sixth form Latinists took part in the second annual CICERO competition, a pan-European competition in Latin and Classical Civilisation which is designed to promote harmony in all areas of Europe, and to encourage young people to interact with each other across national boundaries in the context of our shared Classical heritage. Patrons of the competition include Federico Mayor Zaragoza, who was Director-General of UNESCO from 1987 to 1999 and is the Founder and Director of Foundation for a Culture of Peace in Madrid, and Terry Davis, Secretary General of the Council of Europe - so this is a highly prestigious competition indeed.
Students from the UK, France, Italy, Spain and Andorra participated in this year's competition - over 80 from the UK alone - and the standard of competition was exceptionally high. Competitors were required to translate a knotty passage from Cicero's philosophical text "De Officiis", and to attempt a "cultural test" based on the myths of Heracles and their later reception in art, architecture, film, and even technology.

Last weekend Boris Johnson announced the winners of the CICERO competition, and sterling success was achieved by Bedford candidates: George Lamb was highly commended in the Lower Sixth Latin translation category, while Ben Slingo was placed First in the Upper Sixth translation competition and First in the UK Cultural Test; he was also adjudged to be the winner of the pan- European Cultural Test, and the School will in due course receive a batik from UNESCO to commemorate this remarkable achievement.

Boris said, “I would like to congratulate Ben on not only winning the UK competition, but on coming first in Europe too, and also winning the Upper 6 translation test – what an achievement!"
Dr P.J. Arnold, Head of Classics at Bedford School added, "This is a Herculean achievement, and I am tremendously proud that a Bedford Classics student has so vividly demonstrated the importance of remembering that Classical languages and history are our shared European heritage, and continue to influence and inspire our modern world in so many ways."

The success crowns a glitterting academic career for Ben; he has also one two prestigious prizes from Cambridge University ( the Vellacott History Prize from Peterhouse and the Robson History Prize from Trinity College), and currently holds the School's Fowles Essay Prize.

Many congratulations to Ben and George, and to Iain Reid who completed our team.