This year’s Commemoration of Founders and Benefactors of Bedford School was an incredible success, and a fitting homage to those whose generosity and foresight helped create an educational institution that has shaped thousands of young minds over the years.
The event began with a reception in the recital room of the Music School, where guests gathered to enjoy refreshments, and chat with old friends and new acquaintances. This set the tone for the day with a busy throng of happy conversation filling the room.
From there, attendees moved to the Chapel to watch the formal procession, led by school dignitaries, and featuring academic staff, and boarding pupils. During the service, we heard from the Head Master, James Hodgson, Head of School, Nathanael Lord, and Warden of New College, Oxford, Miles Young (63-72). Miles shared his unique insights into the importance of one James Surtees Philpotts (staff 1875-1903) in Bedford, as well as in Oxford. Interestingly, the school has well-established links with New College, going back hundreds of years, as the college acted as the ‘academic’ guarantor’, which included appointing the school’s Head Master, right up until the early Twentieth Century. Miles’ sermon took us on a historical journey that outlined Phillpotts’ indelible impact on the evolution of the school during his time as Head Master; something that continues to endure today. The congregation were also treated to a number of songs from the school choir who, as ever, sang beautifully.
Once the Chaplain had brought the service to a close, guests gathered briefly in the pleasant autumnal sun outside the Chapel, before moving to the Great Hall for a delicious lunch. Lance Feaver (69-74) then shared an update on the newly formed Bedford School Foundation Trust, an organisation he will Chair, along with some examples of the impact of philanthropy throughout the Estate. The Head Master took to the stage again to share the wonderful news that planning permission has been obtained to create a new academic building on Burnaby Road – a project that will shape the next 100 years of school life, and of which more information can be found here.
Many guests remarked that this year’s Commemoration was the best they had ever experienced and, while the unexpected warmth of the day surely contributed to this, it is more likely that this was the first event where the pandemic held no grimly distracting footing. Bedfordians, friends and colleagues were properly back together, remembering those that gave so bountifully so that young men could thrive.
Thank you to everyone, who travelled from far and wide, to attend this year’s commemoration. If you would like to know more about the work of the Bedford School Foundation Trust, or indeed become a member, please contact our Development Director, Vincent Gaten (vgaten@bedfordschoool.org.uk).