AUTUMN 2016 ISSUE 14 FROM THE EDITOR CONTENTS MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMANHAIRMAN Message from the Chairman 3 I have just spent a wonderful day in College with two Looking at the array of articles that we have this visitors from one of our sister schools – Diocesan Autumn, I am struck by the range of experience Message from the President 4 School for Girls in Auckland, New Zealand. The of Guild members. There are contributions from a Joan Sadler, Principal 1979–1987 6 school was founded in 1904 and the first headmistress World War II radio operator, a pilot, a volunteer in was a teacher from CLC called Miss Mary Pulling. In Sudan and numerous artists, to name but a few. talking to the current head on her visit, we imagined When I look at the subjects and activities which how significant travelling to the other side of the College girls are now offered, I see greater world would have been over a century ago in order to undertake such a role. As you will see in this edition opportunities than ever before and though of The Slab we have many pioneers in the art world there was naturally less choice in College during among our members, and I am grateful to them all for wartime, it remained an impressive school. It sharing their experiences with us. makes me realise how very fortunate we all are and We had another successful reunion in May when how proud Dorothea Beale would be. are making use of this facility; do let me know if there over 300 Guild and Honorary members of all ages are changes that you would like to see. All our news and feedback would not be possible St Austin’s Refurbishment 7 returned to College. It was wonderful to have over Our events programme, which is listed at without your communication with us. A big thank 60 returning for the first time since leaving school. the back of this publication and in our regular College Memories, War Work Everyone seemed happy to be back, seeing current you to all contributors to this issue. We look e-newsletter continues to appeal and we regularly and Later Family Life 8 and former staff members as well as old friends. forward to hearing from you and to your visits. have members attend who have not been in touch The day was packed with events including the Please let Caroline Harris in the Guild Office know with College or Guild for some time. I am grateful to May Concert, College Prayers, a talk on College’s in advance if you are planning to visit and she can everyone who is willing to host an event, and I would connection with John Ruskin, Q&A session with arrange a tour. ask members to ensure they are supported. We the Principal on College Today, College tours and have had some events recently which have had to be Many thanks to Caroline Harris who works hard to visits to the new EET (Engineering, Enterprise cancelled or with very small numbers attending. I am and Technology) suite as well as trips up to the bring this copy together and Linda Armitage who always keen to hear from members about what sort Observatory. The warm summer sunshine lured proof reads and offers her wise counsel. of events they would like us to host, so please do let us out onto the lawns for Pimm’s and year group me know. I hope you enjoy this issue. photographs before a delicious summer buffet As always I would like to thank all members of in the Princess Hall. In the afternoon CAMEO the Guild Executive Committee for their hard work, New Facilities, Health and Fitness 10 Emma Rogers (Mrs Adams) performed extracts from Les Misérables, members in particular Emma Adams. Emma has stepped 1968-1974 Farnley Lodge visited boarding houses and then attended a tea down as Vice-Chairman at the end of her term of celebrating Beale and Cambray’s 30th Birthday. office, although I am delighted that she has agreed There were plenty of opportunities to catch up with to stay on as our Editor. I welcome Sue Cattermole old friends and staff throughout the day and for those GUILD OFFICE INFORMATION from her decade representative role as the new who wished to continue into the evening, a dinner Vice-Chairman. In line with our new Articles, Administrative or routine enquiries should be directed to: was held in the Princess Hall which over 50 Guild Mary Blackburn becomes the first Vice-President members attended. representative and I welcome her to this new role. Guild Office, Cheltenham Ladies’ College, At the AGM members approved the new Bayshill Road, Cheltenham, GL50 3EP My thanks also to Caroline Harris in the Guild Office Articles and revised Rules which govern Guild and who works tirelessly on our behalf, alongside others in Tel: +44 (0)1242 256581 Libby Bassett which we are now using. the Development Office who help at Guild events. Fax: +44 (0)1242 227882 In March Guild members joined parents at (1971-1977 St Austin’s), Email: [email protected] If you wish to draw anything to my attention Chairman of Council, Website: www.clcguild.org a lunchtime recital by the College choir in Eton please contact the Guild Office. Principal, Guild Reunion 2016 12 College Chapel and then for Evensong in the The Rt. Hon Amber GUILD OFFICE HOURS: wonderful setting of St George’s Chapel, Windsor. Olga Hill (Mrs Senior) Rudd MP, The Office will be open for enquiries between the hours Over 75 Guild members attended and enjoyed a 1971-1978 St Helen’s/Fauconberg Sydney Sopher of 9.00am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. drinks reception afterwards. (Senior Prefect) • Please remember to inform the Guild Office when you Networking events took place in Dubai in March, change your address and when you update the USA in May and Hong Kong in June. your email address (alternatively, log on to Guild website Our President hosted a drinks party for the 2016 and make the changes yourself!) leavers on the evening before Speech Day and I • Notices of births, marriages and deaths, advertisements was delighted to be there to welcome our newest and forthcoming events should be sent to the Guild members. I look forward to getting to know them at Office. future Guild events. St Hilda’s East 15 The guest speaker at Speech Day was The Rt. GUILD NEWS: SPRING 2017 Hon Amber Rudd MP (1974-1979, St Hilda’s). At The copy date for all information for the Spring 2017 issue Guild Snapshot 2015/16 16 is 16 December 2016. the time she was Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change but soon afterwards was appointed CLC Snapshot 2015/16 17 We are always pleased to receive articles from as Home Secretary. Amber was an inspiring speaker Guild members for inclusion in both the Guild News and to the leavers, talking about resilience and managing The Slab; photographs are particularly welcome for both Spotlight on... Art 18 publications. the challenges of life. Focus on... Guild Members 30 The Guild website continues to improve and the COVER IMAGE: Guild Reunion 2016 Forthcoming Events 32 search function now enables members to search by name, year, profession or geographically. I hope you

2 3 LC3 Camp Leavers’ Ball 2016 Parents and Daughters Tennis – Summer 2016 at Well Place Izzy Fowler (Class of 2016 – GB U18 Hockey) Community Links programme – Gloucester Road Primary School

Our IB results were the highest of any UK boarding “We believe in MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT school which girls are able to attend. Unlike many of our academically selective peer the girls’ personal First and foremost, on behalf of all at College I upgrade project. Over 150 other projects across schools, we do not place any academic impediment development extend our very sincere thanks to the many Guild the estate include vital restoration work on the Rose connected to a prescribed set of GCSE results members who have been in touch with us in different Window, a new kitchen and windows in St Margaret’s, to the girls’ progression into the Sixth Form in and ability to ways over the past year. We have seen more former an additional science laboratory for teaching and, College, provided they are demonstrating a positive make a positive pupils than ever before return to College or attend thanks to philanthropic support from our wider attitude to study. This is because we believe in the contribution to one of the many social or networking events around community, a very exciting new recording studio on girls’ personal development and ability to make a the world. It is wonderful to hear of the different life the top floor of the Music Department. As I write, the positive contribution to life here just as strongly as life here just experiences which have shaped your journeys over the Montpellier Street Victorian boilers which provide we champion and celebrate their academic success. as strongly as years and contributed to the wisdom and insight to all the heating to that side of College are being Our Wellbeing Programme, now in its second year, be shared. The girls feel it is particularly special when upgraded, a phased project which has been set back is being shaped by feedback from pupils and staff, we champion it comes from a person who really has “been in their by the discovery of asbestos during decommissioning testifying to the importance we attach to good and celebrate shoes”. Support comes in many different forms; it is which requires specialist removal. So we are praying mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health their academic always genuinely valued and appreciated, and it has a for clement weather meanwhile! Health and Fitness Centre alongside the development of the mind and the tangible impact. Work has also now commenced on our new aesthetic sense. success” It has been a varied and eventful year in College Health and Fitness projects. These include a A unique feature of College is the breadth and for both girls and staff. We are delighted that the full new boathouse at Gloucester for which we are our Director of Sport Development (formerly of scope of co-curricular and enrichment opportunities refurbishment of St Austin’s is complete and the girls in partnership with Gloucester Rowing Club and Loughborough University), to ensure that we have that girls are able to access here, as well as a versatile returned to the building in September. Sidney Lodge Hartpury College. At Field demolition of the a fantastic, integrated Sport and Physical Education and imaginative modern curriculum. Last year we girls and staff are now living in Bunwell. They will be squash court pavilion has taken place and work programme at CLC that supports the health and had over 90 visiting speakers to College, widening there for a longer period as more substantial work is now underway in earnest for the next twelve physical wellbeing of every girl. Dance, yoga, martial perspective and encouraging debate at all age levels will be need to be undertaken on the Sidney Lodge months. Alongside our major construction project arts, fencing, equestrian, golf and squash are just and across a huge range of topics. This December building as part of this “once in a generation” major at Field, we are working with Mr Andy Borrie, some of the individual sports which sit alongside we are looking forward to the 10th Anniversary Beale our team sport programmes and there is increasing Debate, for which we welcome two Guild teams back collaboration with our outdoor education programme, to College to debate in the Princess Hall with the too. Last year Miss Faye Troth represented College whole College in attendance. It is always a vigorous, at Buckingham Palace in recognition of our long- good-humoured and memorable event, and a real standing participation in the Duke of Edinburgh highlight of the College year. awards programme, in which hundreds of girls have With all good wishes to you and yours.. participated over the last five years alone. We are now the leading provider in Gloucestershire and Eve Jardine-Young referenced as a model of ‘best practice’. 1988-1990 Elizabeth Naturally, academic endeavour continues to be at Cœlesti Luce Crescat the very heart of our work at College. The vibrancy which permeates lessons and our intellectual life is a natural and inspiring feature of life here. The launch of our Engineering, Enterprise & Technology Department last year has been so well received by the pupils that we are now introducing the opportunity to undertake a Higher Project Qualification (HPQ) alongside GCSEs, enabling girls from last year’s LC3 to continue to develop their work with the EET Department through individual project work similar to EPQs in the Sixth Form. Our move to linear-based assessment for A levels meant a greatly reduced AS exam burden for the SFC1 girls this College Choir From the at Eton summer. We were absolutely delighted with the public Principal’s Desk exam results and university destinations achieved.

4 5 JOAN SADLER ST AUSTIN’S PRINCIPAL 1979–1987 REFURBISHMENT Sadler was preparing to retire, work-shadowing had been established and students were encouraged to spend time in the holidays shadowing members of the professions. This scheme was a success from the outset. During her tenure Miss Sadler oversaw the Penny Rawlinson building and refurbishing of four boarding houses so that the whole sixth form, not just SFC2, could have a life of its own. Whatever her predecessors had thought, Miss Sadler felt strongly that College needed a chaplain. She appointed Revd David Barlow and supported him wholeheartedly. Even as head of such a large establishment Miss Sadler took an active interest in the life of College beyond her desk. She was a keen musician, encouraging and joining choir tours and even commissioning an anthem from William Matthias, Salvator Mundi, to mark the centenary of the music and art department in 1982. Her staff respected 1st July 1927 – 22nd July 2016 the calm, unruffled way with which she dealt with decisions and the difficult situations every head has to Miss Sadler joined College as its new Principal in face at one time or another. In the wider educational September 1979. As a young woman she had studied world Joan Sadler served as Chairman of the Boarding History at Bristol University and taken a Dip Ed before Schools’ Association, an executive member of The beginning her teaching career at Downe House where Girls’ Schools Association and the Girls’ Common she rose to become head of the history department. Entrance board. She was also a Governor of several After a spell as Senior Mistress at Heriot’s Wood in independent schools. Stanmore, Joan became the Headmistress at Howell’s While she was still at Cheltenham Miss Sadler It was time for SA to have an update! Despite School, Denbigh. She loved her time there, a school bought Locke’s Cottage at Caudle Green. This was our best efforts it no longer looked smart small enough to be an educational ‘family’, and proved her retreat and her happy home in her retirement when enough and the structure of the House didn’t fit an outstanding head under whose leadership the she became a member of the close-knit community the modern vision of boarding life. We had to school thrived. As a tribute to her success she was in the village. She might have been an important retain the design agreed for St Helen’s but took made an honorary member of the Drapers’ Company. person in the world of education but her neighbours the opportunity to improve use of space (and She was also made an Honorary Freewoman of the knew their friend Joan as a kind and modest person. living conditions!) in the Matron’s flat. Despite City of London. She didn’t encourage many visitors from her past the original design having a suspended ceiling Her eleven years at Howell’s School meant that and nor did she entertain very much, despite being a covering it, we managed to preserve the ornate Joan Sadler arrived at College with experience Cordon Bleu cook and having a certificate to prove ceiling of the old Housemistress’ Study, now a of headship but faced with a much bigger school. it! She enjoyed the company of her dogs (though one Prep-room. Like all Principals she helped the school to develop neighbour remarked that she was a rather better trainer The interior design and dormitory layouts and change. In our own age of the universal laptop of pupils than she was of dogs) and steadily worked were agreed by May 2015 and demolition it is interesting to note that within a year of Miss for a PhD, the subject of her dissertation being ‘The work commenced in September. The lovely Sadler’s arrival College entered the computer age. value of single-sex boarding education’. She never Clare from Sasha Interiors and I worked to give Eight “micro-computers” were delivered to the lost her interest in and love of music, singing with the the House a warm but elegant look (greeny gold with old wood and beige upholstery) in Guild Centenary mathematics department who, it must be said, did London Bach Choir and in the Three Choirs Festival dinner 1984 not find them “entirely amenable”. By the time Miss Chorus. Even as her health deteriorated Miss Sadler the public spaces and circulation areas. We was able to enjoy time at the keyboard, sharing her gift introduced more vibrant notes into the girls’ with the community and “battling valiantly” with their areas, using a wider, stronger palette. harmonium. The front door now looks straight through And what she communicated as she played to the Drawing Room and Playroom which we the hymns was her unswerving Christian faith. hope the girls will make more use of. Three Occasionally she read the lesson – and she read as one Prep-rooms are situated on the first floor and a who understood and believed what she was reading. long-cherished ambition of mine, to move all the Her faith was the still centre of Joan Sadler’s existence: bathrooms up to the dorm landings, has been may she grow in heavenly light. fulfilled. The girls are thrilled with the House, and it is up to them to preserve their lovely new environment for years to come. This article draws on the eulogy at her funeral – with reference to the College history by Gillian Avery and Penny Rawlinson contributions from her friends, neighbours and former Housemistress – St Austin’s colleagues.

6 7 daughter was amazed... “You shook hands!” She is “A friend and I COLLEGE MEMORIES, eighteen: at her age I was on a troop ship in a convoy that was torpedoed... joined the fire I enjoyed my work during the war very much brigade so that although in the end I contracted Ménière’s Disease WAR WORK AND in my ears which, I am sure, was caused by all that we could meet listening to sounds through headphones. It was some boys from exciting work but very tense. Cheltenham LATER FAMILY LIFE After the war my husband took his law exams and Captains’ Club 1941 the Army paid for me to do a secretarial course; from College” this point onwards we built up our life together. In London I often sat at dinners by unknown quantities of chaps to make conversation. If I mentioned Cheltenham, they always, without exception, had a mother or a sister or a daughter who had been to Cheltenham Ladies’ College. You could always bring Cheltenham into the conversation!

Marjorie Lewis (Lady Clark) 1938-1943 St Margaret’s, Farnley Lodge, Fauconberg

Oxford University Entrance Examination paper, November 1942

Miss Popham must have said I was suitable. My cousin went from Oxford to Bletchley Park. When I look back, I am so glad I didn’t sit through the war writing history essays. Six months after I joined the FANYs, I was trained as a radio operator and then, by November, I was posted on a troop ship with 200 men. We went to Algiers, then all the way to Italy which is where I met my husband in January 1944. He was in the Navy and, like me, in Number 1 Special Forces. Later he was listed as “missing” and I was on duty from midnight until I arrived at College in 1938 when I was thirteen. I had During the war all those of us studying for the 8.00 am. In the morning, listening to wireless “sets” a cousin who had already been at CLC for two years School Certificate boarded at Cowley Manor. as we called them, all in coded language, my friend and a sister who came to College for two years but Seventeen or eighteen of us slept in the Heber Percy suddenly heard a message in plain language: “Bob I did the whole five years! I was a quiet little Welsh bedroom; it was a lovely place. We would come into sends love to Marjorie.” Then I knew he was alive and girl who had never been away from home and some College twice a week and twice a week staff came out roughly which part of Italy he was in. Recently I have unkind girls made fun of my Welsh accent. I had been to us. During the war the swimming pool was covered been with my son to Italy to see the POW camps Bob to a convent in Swansea and I was shy. Fortunately over – that’s why I never learnt to swim properly! As was in whilst he was captured. He escaped from Turin I loved sport and it kept me going; I played cricket part of the war effort we joined The Girls Training and was marched to Bremen in northern Germany. and lacrosse. I also made nice friends, one of whom, Corps. A friend and I joined the fire brigade so that Cowley Manor You can imagine how I felt when I received a telegram Christine Parr, became my bridesmaid. we could meet some boys from Cheltenham College; c1939–1940 from him! When he came back after VE Day we met they were allowed in the High Street and we were at Paddington Station – and shook hands! My grand- allowed on the Prom – never the twain shall meet! On Sundays you could be selected in pairs to have breakfast with the Principal, Miss Popham, at her Girls Training Corps Inspection c1942 house. You were given two sausages on hard fried bread; trying to eat that in a lady-like manner was very very difficult! College definitely changed me: when I first went home my father couldn’t believe that I had started opening doors for people! After College I took Oxford Entrance examinations. I had to write an essay for two and a half hours and I chose to write on “Humility”. (The other Exterior of Munstead Wood questions were even worse...). After I had taken the exam Miss Popham let me go to London with another “We bought this house and I roller painted most of it. girl to see the Head of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (the FANYs, the Princess Royal’s Volunteer Corps). I love this house because it’s such a lovely place” They selected girls who they thought would be (The late 19c house was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens for the garden designer, suitable for the Special Operations Executive (SOE), Gertrude Jekyll). girls who were intelligent and who could keep a secret.

8 9 In developing the design for the new addition to our existing sports facilities, our emphasis has been NEW FACILITIES to create flexible, multi-purpose spaces. This will enable us to greatly improve our sporting provision, HEALTH AND FITNESS providing us with more indoor space, better facilities and the opportunity to realise our vision of raising both participation and performance.e. Alongside additional wet and outdoor changing rooms, catering, staff facilities and storage, our new state-of-the- ROWING art Health and Fitness Centre Rowing at College continues to go from strength will include: to strength. In addition to the new facilities at Field, which include a dedicated rowing area for 14 new - A new sports hall: rowing machines positioned next to other relevant 6 badminton courts gym equipment, we have invested in a brand new 1 hockey pitch boat house at Gloucester, in partnership with Hartpury 1 netball court College and Gloucester Rowing Club. This new 1 handball court facility allows direct access onto the canal, space to 3 volleyball courts store the boats and equipment securely, changing 1 tennis court rooms and a hospitality area. It will be of great benefit - 1 multipurpose activity studio to our rowers and supports a revised strategy for - 1 multipurpose dance studio rowing at College with the aims of increasing the - 5 squash courts / multipurpose studioo numbers of girls able to participate, including those spaces in LC3, as well as better preparing us to attend more - 58-station fitness gym inter-school and national events. - Free weights and spin area - Rowing and erg area. WELLBEING Our Wellbeing programme, now in its second year, As we know, the benefits of competitive sport and has been designed to appeal to each year group, recreational exercise are valuable contributors to long, establishing positive patterns of behaviour to combat happy and healthy lives as well as to academic success. the stresses and challenges facing young people and, In addition to physical fitness, there is a powerful we hope, instil sustainable life-long habits that will contribution to be made to personal development. support them in becoming leaders of the future. Research demonstrates that habits established in This year marks a major milestone in our commitment to promoting the health, fitness and wellbeing of all girls We believe that a key part of this is ensuring that teenage years frequently become life-long habits. and to developing talent and enthusiasm for sport and physical exercise, regardless of levels of ability or expertise. physical activity, whether competitive or otherwise, Building resilience, learning to win and to lose Work has already begun at Field to transform our existing facilities with much needed additional space, and this becomes a core part of everyday life and that this graciously, collaborating as a team and developing both enhances academic achievement and later life individual performance are all benefits which transfer term we also celebrate the opening of a brand new boathouse. Together, these new facilities will ensure that every success. This year’s Wellbeing programme has included into highly successful professional life. girl has the opportunity to findd the right activity for her.her. body confidence, internet safety, study skills, diet and exercise, mindfulness and self-defence.

(For more information about this project and opportunities for support, please visit the College website or contact the Development Office Since I joined CLC as a via [email protected] or 01242 256532) little LC1, I have been presented with lots of sporting opportunities. Through sport I SUCCESS AGAIN AT THE TASSIE have met some of my closest For the second year running, a team from CLC golfing society won second prize at The Tassie. The competition was held at The Berkshire Golf Club and we were very lucky to have a lovely warm friends – we love playing fun summer’s day for the competition. This year, CLC fielded two teams for this prestigious event where 26 games and competitive sport. independent schools met to play for The Tassie. The winning team consisted of Kiran Grewal (1978- Exercise helps me feel better, 1980, St Austin’s), Claire Clench (Mainstone, 1979-1981, Bunwell), Pippa Lyons (Rundle, 1956-1961, St Margaret’s) and Jane Evans (Perry, 1978-1984, St Helen’s) pictured right. The second team also played keeps me fit and focuses my well and finished in the top half of the competition. Playing in the second team were Caroline Leslie mind on my studies. Sport (1965-1971, Sidney Lodge), Elizabeth MacDonald (St Leger Carter, 1956-1962, St Margaret’s), Lorraine Morgan (Hughes, 1972-1978, St Clare) and Fee Mitchell (Nicol, 1957-1962, Hatherley Court). makes me who I am – a The CLC golfing society goes from strength to strength – our spring meeting was a match against Sherborne Old Girls held at Sunningdale Ladies. CLC team player! Unfortunately, I have to admit that Sherborne beat us for the second year running – but only just! Our autumn meeting will be a visit to Moor Park Flora Leeper, UC4 hosted by Kiran Grewal in early November. This day has already created a lot of interest. If you would be interested in joining the CLC golfing society, then please get in touch with Fee Mitchell on either 01386 462 681 or email [email protected]

10 11 CLASS OF 1991 REUNION REUNION 2016 Emotions were running high! Returning to Coll for the GUILD first time in 25 years... what to expect? Who would be there? What would have changed? Memories started So what did I do between arriving in Bayshill Road at a lot of catching up to do! It’s amazing what a bond flooding back... images, anecdotes, stories... I started to 10am and leaving about 4pm? Well, mostly I conversed all that shared experience of life at CLC creates, so it think about what I wanted from my visit. My SA clan and had a marvellous day. Coffee and biscuits in the didn’t matter that we had not seen each other, in some had been scheming a reunion for months, it was totally GCR enabled a few of our 1976 vintage to re-acquaint cases, for decades. My abiding impression of the day coincidental that there was one scheduled for our year ourselves and then it was through to the PH for prayers. was that it was fun, so if you are wondering whether to that very month, and Vicky Haslam gathered us all I met Miss Davson on the way in. Now in her 90s and go to ‘your’ Guild reunion, then I would encourage together on Facebook to organise an evening meal as bright as ever, she was the only member of staff you to do so. You could always join in the tours and and overnight stays... in my day who knew the names of all the girls in the lectures too. By the time the big day arrived I was nervous! school. “Ah, Shirley Waterworth, you were my right My overnight guest, Cristina Hastings, and I were up back,” she announced – not bad after 40 years, and I Shirley Waterworth (Mrs Duncan) 1969-1976 Farnleyy Lodgeg bright and early to try to make the concert scheduled wasn’t even that good a right back! for 9.15am. We arrived at the PH just in the nick of There were hundreds of Guild members returning time, feeling like naughty schoolgirls again, sneaking forf the day. What was noticeable and heartening was in at the back of the PH marginally late. The concert thet number of young ones. The sun shone so, after an was stunning and we felt completely settled in by the interestingi AGM and talk from Ms Jardine-Young, we time the rest of the cohort arrived for Prayers an hour foundf ourselves sitting in the garden, enjoying a glass or so later. ofo Pimm’s and just chatting. This was followed by a The day was incredibly well organised! After a deliciousd lunch in the PH and more talking. There was great talk from Eve Jardine-Young which gave us an inkling of the mindset of current Coll girls, we all set off on a tour of the school, chatting and giggling loudly than I knew myself at one point of my life, back in SA. as we went. The library was just the same, only more After lunch we all dived off in different directions impressive after a healthy dose of 25 years of real-life! - sport, art, music, boarding houses... I went to watch a For the first time my 43 year old self noticed all sorts mini production in the Studio theatre. It was of a very of architectural detail around the buildings... such as high standard and Jane Monument and I noticed what the stunning stained glass windows that I had formerly a great rapport the teacher had with the girls. After a taken for granted. In fact, that was a theme throughout visit to the end music room and a quick play on the “We arrived the day... I had taken my world-class education for piano... we went to see the new state-of-the-art Art granted. For the first time in my life I realised just how block. It was fabulous: three floors of very impressive at the PH just lucky I had been to attend Coll. facilities decorated with pieces of art of a very high in the nick of After a thorough tour of the school we ended up standard. Well worth a visit if you have the time... in the garden for Pimm’s and a photo session. It was Finally, a trip to Cambray for a 5 star tea for its 30th time, feeling so much fun to catch up with so many old faces from birthday party! What a wonderful finish to a lovely day. like naughty the distant past and to feel connections that you didn’t We ended up dancing until 3am that night... I still schoolgirls again, realise still existed! A delicious buffet lunch in the GCR did not feel ready to leave the next day! Thank you to led us back into the PH which was set with many tables all who had a hand in organising it. sneaking in at the and the most amazing, tiered pudding display centre back of the PH stage! Wine and conversation flowed as I ate with Katie Lees (Mrs Sapkota) some of my oldest friends, people who knew me better 1984-1991, St Austin’s marginally late”

12 13 ST HILDA’S EAST London Established by Guild members over 125 years ago, St Hilda’s East provides opportunities for an incredibly diverse community in today’s East End of London. From pre-school Under 5s’ activities, a vibrant Girls’ Project including a newly launched Guide Group, Legal Advice and a Food Co-op, to day-care support for older people and English (ESOL) classes, there is something on offer for all ages and backgrounds. Our youngest users are to be found in St Hilda’s crèche, REUNION 2016 aged under one, while our oldest member recently GUILD celebrated her 98th birthday! St Hilda’s East’s central aim is to address “IF IT’S GOT YOUR NAME ON IT…” No reason why it should be, but it had been there for disadvantage in our local community. Thanks to nearly 40 years by the time I left SL, why not another our multifaceted services, our staff and volunteers My mother, Monica Cooke (Bacon), had been in 25? I asked one of the staff who said that all the sports achieve so much. We are particularly proud of our role Sidney Lodge during the ‘50s; it is quite something to sticks had been shipped out to the sports department in fostering contact between different generations, will interview older people, leading to a short filmed walk past photos of your mum, cross-legged in pigtails, but suggested I gave them the name on the stick and enabled by our strong links with local schools. Some costume drama, while visual arts workshops will be every day. The whole time I was there, there was a spare they’d ask people to look. They were most insistent that wonderful intergenerational programmes have taken delivered for Year 5 children from Virginia Primary old lax stick in the cloakrooms that had clearly been an it was no trouble... place in recent times, bringing young and old together. School, creating a Boundary Estate dolls house filled award for house matches as it had girls’ names stamped Ten minutes later people appeared brandishing the Year 7-9 pupils from our local secondary school, with the ‘ghosts’ of previous occupants. The results off all over it. It had Mum’s name on it - M Bacon 1952 - I lacrosse stick! Totally unexpectedly I burst into tears! As Bethnal Green Academy, visit our Older People’s this project will be displayed in a public exhibition at believe she had been the house lacrosse captain. Above: I composed myself and emerged from a hug, both the Project each week during term time. School students the Museum of Childhood in January. Do come to When we went into SLodge and so little had Sidney Lodge 1988 others, Petica Watson and Charlotte Richmond, were spend time with older people in small groups or East London and see it! “Our changed I just wondered if the stick was still thethere...ree... Below:Below: also blubbing! Previously I had attached no significance one-to-one, getting to know them, playing games, This kind of work is tremendously important in an intergenerational SSidneyidney LodgeLodge 19519522 to that stick but the effort the College staff were willing and forming friendships. We also host visits by the area marked by social division and lack of integration. to make and the fact that my mother had died a few school’s music group, including a recent inspiring end Many local schoolchildren are Bangladeshi while programmes years ago, shortly before my wedding at which both of Summer Term concert treating community centre most of our Older People’s Project regular users break down Petica and Charlotte had been guests, and that Petica’s users to a varied programme from Gershwin to gospel. are White or Caribbean. Our intergenerational mother had died when were all in 2s together in SL... all This has laid the ground for a planned interactive programmes break down isolation and increase mutual isolation and hit us in one big weepy wave! Probably not the reaction project in the coming year, centred on research by understanding between age groups – busting many increase mutual the staff had expected! students of Older People’s Project members’ favourite myths about ‘old age’ and ‘youth’. So I now have an old lacrosse stick that I’d never songs and the stories behind them, followed by understanding thought of nicking the whole time I was in College performances involving young and old! St Hilda’s East relies greatly on the help it receives between age which has now developed an emotional significance all St Hilda’s partnership with Virginia Primary School from its supporters and individual donors to deliver groups” of its own. Where I will put it? Who knows? It’s currently in Shoreditch has also produced some fantastic results, such initiatives. With increasing pressures on in the umbrella stand. But it really was a completely older people and children working with musicians Local Authority and public funding, this source of unexpected part of the day and one that I will never to create a moving song celebrating our 125th assistance is all the more important for us. One way forget! When I finally made in to the Mont P wine Anniversary. More recently St Hilda’s and the school of ensuring that our services continue in years to bar later that evening, Charlotte had told the story ran an intergenerational dance project, led by Green come is to join our Friends of St Hilda’s East scheme to everyone there and when they turned round they Candle Dance Company, increasing mobility among - just £2 a month (or £24 per year). For more details all had pink eyes too... clearly we were all feeling very frail older people at the same time as bringing different on how to join, please contact Hannah Lancashire nostalgic and emotional. ages together. at [email protected] or ring 020 7739 8066 Thank you again! There is now a round of class of In an exciting new development we are working or write to St Hilda’s East, 18 Club Row, London, ‘91 get-togethers and parties planned. I don’t think it’ll with staff from the V&A’s Bethnal Green Museum of E2 7EY. We look forward to hearing from you! be another 25 years before we get together, and we’ll Childhood site to deliver an intergenerational project be looking forward to the next Guild 91 reunion. How based on stories from the historic Boundary Estate Rupert Williams long do we have to wait? (where St Hilda’s is sited). Our Girls’ Project members Director Miranda Cooke 1984-1991 Sidney Lodge

14 15 GUILD SNAPSHOT 2015/16 CLC SNAPSHOT 2015/16

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4 1-50 1160 32 BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY NEW ZEALAND 1,599 215 DIFFERENT MEMBERS OF TEACHING STAFF YEARS OLD (INCLUDING VISITING TEACHERS) GUILD TOP 5 UNIVERSITY 176CO-CURRICULAR DONORS ACTIVITIES 363 DESTINATIONS CLC OPENED 516 GIRLS TOOK TO CLC ITS DOORS IN ADDITIONAL MUSIC LESSONS IN AUTUMN EDINBURGH 1854 232 TERM 2014 OFFERS GIRLS TOOK ADDITIONAL DRAMA RECEIVED LESSONS IN AUTUMN TERM 2015 FROM 85 RUSSELL GROUP CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITIES 1,486 BELLIS MEMBERS 36 IN 2015 OXFORD OFFERS FROM IVY LEAGUE AND GIRLS VOLUNTEER AT 20 OTHER US COLLEGES IN 2015 LOCAL PROJECTS AS PART GIRLS PARTICIPATING GUILD MEMBERS GUILD MEMBERS BRISTOL UCL OF OUR COMMUNITY LINKS IN THE DUKE OF LONDON EDINBURGH’S AWARD IN 9 WORKING AT CLC PROGRAMME SCHEME

GIRLS WITH THE TOTAL SIZE OF COLLEGE’S OXBRIDGE 302 1,334 1,320 DISPERSED ESTATE IN THE HEART 511,891 OF CHELTENHAM OFFERS MEALS SERVED PER YEAR CLC LINKEDIN COMMUNITY CLC & ARCHIVE TWITTER FOLLOWERS GUILD FACEBOOK MEMBERS IN 2015

16 17 SPOTLIGHT ON

ART Thankfully jobs did materialise, at the people (and a host of exacting critics) SPOTLIGHT ON universities of Newcastle and Canterbury, coming to see twenty-six paintings, and before I eventually returned to Cambridge awakening to the brilliance of Russian art. in 2002. My current title of Reader makes Russia’s continuing allure is hard to In 2001, the year after I was married, I Between the fairs I am occupied with my children giggle at their slow-witted define but I think it’s mainly because you was approached to apply for the position viewing, bidding, buying, restoration and mother who only achieved this qualification just can’t avoid having adventures there: of Head of 20th Century Art at Sotheby’s framing. I also have to plan the fairs, organise in her forties. I love the variety of my work: having to reset the dislocated shoulder of Olympia. During the time that I was there my the layout, lighting, shipping and invitations. I the frisson of teaching curious, open, a fellow traveller; hitching a lift with a driver speciality became focused on British Art and am forced under duress to keep my accounts argumentative minds; the gladiatorial nature who turns out to be nearly blind (I never did I had the great pleasure of handling a number up to date and remember to renew my of academic politics; the different pace of tell my parents that one). It’s never easy. I’ve of important sales including The Shell Sale insurance, all dull but essential. My website is the research periods, when we travel and been reduced to tears by things as absurd as and The Croft Castle Sale. Sotheby’s was a also a key tool and needs constant updating in debate and experiment and write; and the the intransigence of cloakroom attendants. fabulous place to work, challenging but fair. It order to stay fresh. surge of energy every October, when the But being an art historian in Russia is a was only after our third child was born that we In the meantime I have continued as an undergraduates once more come hurtling gloriously accepted part of everyday life. It’s decided to head for the hills and we now live in auctioneer. I conduct commercial auctions through our doors. a profession that Russians in general hold in rural Somerset. on a freelance basis and am currently taking Russia for me remains at the heart of it high regard, and attracts unbothered nods I work from home buying and selling 20th sales for The Cabinet Rooms, a 20th Century all. Politically blighted, culturally blessed, she of understanding rather than the chary looks Century British Art. I also offer a consultancy design auction held in venues across central Rosalind Gray calls me back again and again. The result of that can happen in Britain. service to advise collectors and assist in London. By far the most enjoyable part of Reader in Russian and European Art, this most recently has been my latest book, Mr Phillips’ association with GCHQ sourcing specific works through my established being an auctioneer has been the opportunity University of Cambridge The Russian Canvas; and the exhibition Russia always denied him the opportunity to travel contacts. I attend around five art fairs a year, to host auctions on behalf of charities. I have and the Arts, which I curated at the National to Russia. My thanks to him for dispatching three in London and two somewhere more shared the stage with Michael McIntyre, The course of my career was set by a Portrait Gallery as part of a partnership with me instead are profound. local in the South West. To begin with I Jimmy Carr and Josie Long. But more rather quixotic teacher at Cheltenham who the Tretyakov Gallery, Russia’s national gallery focused on the 20/21 British Art Fairs held at importantly I have been able to use the skills I entered my life when I started the sixth form, in Moscow. The latter has been a highlight Rosalind Gray (Dr Blakesley) the Royal College of Art, Kensington Gore. learnt at CLC, honed on the rostrums of Lots and broke the mould in every respect. Mr of my career, with nearly seventy thousand 1981-1988 Glenlee More recently I have also exhibited at Olympia Road and Bond Street, to help raise money for Phillips had learnt Russian living with Russian Freya Rooker and the Works on Paper Fair at the Royal worthy causes. émigrés in Paris, and then spent years Geographical Society. patiently trying to inspire spies at GCHQ Independent Art Dealer The fairs are essential for the growth of Freya Rooker (Mrs Mitton) with the beauty of the Russian language. my business as, without premises, I need their 1987-1994 Glenlee When they no longer required his services, 20TH CENTURY BRITISH ART infrastructure in order to meet new clients and he was let loose on the five of us taking I work as an Independent Art Dealer, inspire sales. Art fairs are generally between www.freyamitton.com Russian A level instead. specialising in 20th Century British Art, and as four and ten days in duration and they can be [email protected] This was no dry education in the verbs a Freelance Auctioneer. exhausting but they are also exciting. At one Forthcoming fair: of motion or the lurking ineptitude of It took me a while to work out what I of my first fairs my History of Art teacher from The Cotswolds Antiques and Fine Art Fair Turgenev’s male leads (though sadly we wanted to do. I love art but I never really school, Mrs Rowell, came along to show her 28-30 October 2016 couldn’t fully escape these). In this, the year excelled at the practical side. I had an inkling support. Westonbirt School, Glos, GL8 8QG after Gorbachev came to power, Britain that I wanted to work for an auction house gorged itself on Russian culture, and Mr but in the days before Bargain Hunt they were Phillips determined that we should gorge unfamiliar territory. ourselves too. So it was that he packed us After Cheltenham I spent a year at the – all five of us – into the back of his Morris Opening of Russia and the Arts, The Russian Canvas British Institute in Florence. It is fiercely Traveller and took us to Russian exhibitions National Portrait Gallery by Rosalind P. Blakesley competitive finding a place in the London and Russian movies and Russian plays. I was auction rooms and a second language, if not a hooked. third, is almost compulsory. My GCSE French Cambridge continued to nurture my was not going to cut it. However, armed with passion for Russian culture. But part of me A-level Italian in addition to History, Classics was hungry for something more, and was and History of Art I went on to study History sated only when I switched to read history of of Art at Bristol University. art for the second half of my degree. After a When I graduated I started work as a brief flirtation with the auction world (I filed porter at Bonhams on Lots Road in Chelsea, photographs, and quietly scratched grotty I then spent some time in general valuations old labels off the back of paintings until one before applying for my first cataloguing of the porters pointed out that these were position in the Picture Department. I was valuable evidence of provenance), I went soon responsible for fourteen sales a year and on to do a PhD in Russian art at Oxford. beginning to lean towards specialising in 20th This included a year in Russia during which I Century Art. It was at this stage that I learnt to lived briefly with a curator at the Hermitage be an auctioneer. Being in a boarding house who fed her cat raw chicken heads inside the (Glenlee, Elizabeth), as well as being one of flat. I emerged from it all as an academic four siblings, was the best training I could hope curiosity with an unshakeable distaste for for to hold my own and talk loudly, clearly and cats and pretty limited career prospects. Russia and the Arts, National Portrait Gallery Julian Trevelyan, RA (1910-1988), Cats and Tug Boat very quickly.

18 19 SPOTLIGHT ON SPOTLIGHT ON

my role models constituted a threat. I kept the a London art dealer, in 2009, he retired. The I stopped working in the boutique but in Birmingham. My brand is still a teeny painting skills I had learnt and turned instead to London property market had exploded, they carried on stocking my jewellery and tiny company and I would love to expand pottery. Here, I reasoned, was a craft that had he quit while he was ahead, and I was left I got picked up by a few other boutiques. I it with the right business partner. I really an obvious purpose, an applied art. It made ‘unrepresented.’ I am now activating plan B, the concentrated on my degree and creating my enjoy working as a freelance designer and sense. I could make it into lavishly Baroque art most essential piece of equipment for anyone brand so I could launch it immediately when consultant for other companies in the for the edification or entertainment of gallery planning a career in the arts. I have a show I left CSM. I graduated from CSM and won fashion industry and I have a successful audiences, or turn it into tableware for direct planned for Autumn this year, my first book has an award from jewellery giant, Astley Clarke. blog on my website too. I have worked with sale and use. It could do both. been well received, and I hope to find several The prize included showing at a jewellery trade Lacoste, Urban Outfitters and Bumble I did an apprenticeship at Winchcombe dealers, rather than only one who demands show called IJL. I realized I didn’t really know and Bumble to name a few brands. I have Pottery, Gloucestershire, and then began my exclusive rights to my work. This would enable anything at all about trade shows or really an appointment-only studio just outside career in Yorkshire, showing in galleries and me to make a greater variety of work which, to how to price jewellery or anything to do with Cirencester where all the collections museums, selling through fairs, and becoming put it simply, is more fun. business so I tried to get an internship with and products can be viewed and where I a ‘grant-maintained artist.’ Yorkshire Arts Surviving and, occasionally, thriving in the some jewellery brands in the UK but no one design my bespoke pieces. I love making supported almost every project or exhibition art-world demand adaptability, persistence, an would have me as I was already getting regular engagement rings, using only ethical gems I undertook, culminating in a millennium iron nerve, and plans A to F. They also require press reviews and stocked in quite a few shops. of course! project with my local community centre to support, which I have had, consistently, from I contacted one of my favourite designers, I’m not sure what the future holds for produce a garden seat and fountain. After friends and family. More than one dealer also Nightwalker Melissa Joy Manning in New York, and my career but College really helped mould nine years, needing to be closer to family, I means better cash-flow. I’m looking forward managed to get an internship there! Within a me into believing that I can do anything returned to London in 2001 and did a PhD to that next cheque but, for now, I’ll continue couple of weeks I was in New York and soaking - otherwise I never would have started a Claudia Stott at the University of Westminster. My funding dreaming up pots. up everything I could about the business side company while still studying for my degree Ceramicist provided a studio and travel to Iran for of the fashion and jewellery industry. My friend and I truly doubt I would be this driven. research, for which I had to learn Farsi. My Claudia Stott (Dr Clare) SWINGS AND ROUNDABOUTS: Michelle, a stylist at the time, was heading up doctorate involved both theory and practice 1973-1978 St Margaret’s wholesale at Daisy Knights while I was away Daisy Knights A POTTER’S LIFE IN THE ARTS and, ultimately, opened doors to publishing and getting in orders and helping prepare 1998-2005 Glengar ‘So exciting when you open the kiln door, isn’t and to galleries of a higher status than I had www.claudiaclare.co.uk Daisy Knights for the jewellery trade show IJL. When I got it?’ previously used. I could raise my prices and [email protected] back from New York we went to IJL with all www.daisyknights.com ‘A little tense, perhaps,’ I reply, not wanting to exhibit internationally. Things were looking Book title: ‘Subversive Ceramics,’ Jewellery Designer guns blazing: Michelle and I got lots of orders dampen my companion’s enthusiasm, ‘but not good, I had found a sustainable practice by the Bloomsbury 2016 I always knew I wanted to be a jewellery and realized that this little business really was really exciting, no, too much depends upon it. time I was fifty. Not bad, as these things go. Exhibition: Gallery 286, Earls Court Road, designer and learnt the craft from my late a possibility! Then the best moment in my It’s my livelihood.’ The art-world is a slippery creature, London, 8th–30th November father who was a hobby silversmith. When career happened: we got a call from Net-a- ‘So what is the most exciting part, would you however. Five years after my first show with I left College I went on to complete an art Porter who wanted to see the collection. After say?’ foundation course at Central Saint Martins the meeting they placed a huge order for the ‘Oh that’s easy: the moment I pay the cheque with a view to then doing a Jewellery Design UK and USA. With this money we started the into the bank.’ BA at CSM too. I worked my socks off on company properly and I invested all the money I was exaggerating for effect, yes, but only my foundation course and was accepted to in my company with a good website, stock etc. up to a point. The most exciting part of actually do the jewellery BA. Alongside studying It sold really well on Net-a-Porter and I had a producing a pot is probably the moment of at CSM I got a weekend job in a luxury couple more seasons with them. inception – that moment when I dream it into boutique in London where I imagined my My brand has evolved a lot from those a viable idea – one that can become a physical customer base would shop. This really early days. I have always been socially and process. The work involved in building and helped to balance out the manic creativity environmentally aware and I now work with ‘painting’ the pot, is just that, work. Sometimes of CSM where I was encouraged to push recycled gold and sterling silver to create it goes well, sometimes not. The firing is a boundaries of what jewellery is and what affordable fine jewellery. I don’t sell wholesale highly controlled procedure and, in an electric materials it can be made from. I always to shops any more really as its just a business kiln, just part of the process. had a commercial eye and wanted to make model that does not work for me now. I love I left Cheltenham at sixteen, did my A jewellery that people would want to wear being in contact with the customer myself levels at a local school, and went on to art and not just look at and think “that’s an rather than through shops. Each item is school in London to do a painting degree, interesting concept”. either made by me or by master craftsmen completing in 1985. The art-market was dead In my final year at CSM, when I was and, much as I loved painting, the art-world 23, I started my own brand. I designed the held little appeal for me. It was socially logo, created a first collection and showed reactionary, ferociously male-dominated, and it to the buyer of the boutique I worked in; wholly uninspiring. Cheltenham had offered she loved it and ordered a few pieces. They countless memorably self-determined, female sold out immediately so I designed some role models: clever, funny, original thinkers. more collections and she bought even I had grown used to the likes of my French more items. Then I started to get some teacher, Miss Freshman; my Latin teacher, Mrs. press interest and I remember getting my Rennie; and my Scripture teacher, Miss Homer. first press review in InStyle magazine, it was The two former taught me the meaning of about a beauty shoot with Abby Clancy irreverence and the importance of satire, the with a major close-up on my ring and her latter taught me to reason and argue. I took hand - one of the most memorable and such women for granted but in this sad new favourite moments in my career! art-world, dominated by narcissistic males, for WWI 1915, Ararat to Albania whom irreverence was an insult, the likes of

20 21 SPOTLIGHT ON SPOTLIGHT ON

exactly linked directly but a combination It is without a doubt my passion for the of them has led to my guiding wildlife and while watching what went on! Architecture Middle East that has helped to shape my work photographic tour holidays - which are hard also interested me but I was informed that a and, alongside it, my career. Sleeping on the work but great fun - and also to writing more. good knowledge of maths and physics was rooftop of a 4th century building in Damascus Currently I write for several branches of required; not my stronger points! Neither under shooting stars and flapping laundry the Wildlife Trusts as well as maintaining a blog was an academic world for me so I left was something special... and the 4am call to and I have recently had a piece published in school to complete a 2 year Art Foundation prayer made it even more picturesque, if that a nature anthology. I didn’t expect to write as Course in Warwickshire which I loved. It were possible. I have so many memories of much as I do, but I really enjoy it. was a free-thinking time to experiment similar ‘Arabian nights’ style sequences that Photography will always be my real with many different areas of art and design. I can understand how a romanticised vision passion, though, and while I take quite a lot This was where I discovered the intricacy of this region can emerge. Yet time with the of dog portraits these days (thankfully I love of jewellery with its clean polished finish army in Afghanistan and the Yazidi refugee dogs!), I am also lucky to be working with of precious metals and the vibrant colours camp in Iraq was quick to remind me that it is my local Wildlife Trust to photograph a new of gemstones. From there I went to the impossible to idealise a place once faced with reserve and to supply them with images for School of Jewellery and Silversmithing in this other reality. These are the two extreme their magazine. I take every opportunity to get Birmingham and completed a 3 year City versions often illustrated to the Western out with my camera as I have my own website and Guilds Diamond Mounting course, world but we forget that what also exists is the and sell my work through image agencies as studying jewellery design and manufacture Charlie Calder-Potts everyday middle ground. well as directly to customers at fairs. I have in more detail. Contemporary Landscape & Portrait Painter It is the overlapping stories, ideas and been excited to extend my range of products Apart from a period when I was imagery between the East and West found Alice Hunter A NEW ORIENTALISM? recently to include calendars, fridge magnets designing kitchens and bathrooms in throughout history that form the foundations Natural World Photographer Shelley Richardson and notecards. I am also able to offer tuition What are your first thoughts when you for my work. The Zoroastrian angel of Ancient Jewellery Designer London and Portugal then three years In my time at College I was asked, on more to photographers and am called on regularly travelling and sailing abroad, I have always hear the words ‘Middle East’? If you read Mesopotamia and the halo/nimbus in all its than one occasion, what my plans were for to speak to photography and wildlife groups Since I was very young I have always worked in the world of jewellery. For the the newspapers or occasionally turn on the various forms are just two examples of Middle when I left. Those asking were, of course, about my work and my particular interest in enjoyed drawing, painting, sewing and last 25 years I have specialised in designing radio I imagine it’s something close to war, Eastern imagery that have found their way into implying that I should have some idea of what Alpine flora and fauna. making all kinds of things. Later on I bespoke pieces, modern and classic, also refugees, ISIS, imminent threat to the West? Western art and literature. Even the handshake I wanted to do career-wise, but in truth I hadn’t I won’t pretend that the last three years also enjoyed photography and working remounting and repairing antique pieces at The Orientalists of the 19th-century and their (our common form of greeting) is thought to a clue. I certainly didn’t plan on becoming a have been easy to get to where I am now but with wood and metal. I grew up in quite my workshop within the highly respected images of silks, stars and spices have long gone have been appropriated by Roman legionaries photographer, it just sort of happened! I love a challenge and I have a very supportive a creative environment: my mother was antique jewellery business of Greens in and been replaced only a few centuries later by who spent time with the Yazidis of Northern Iraq. I was asked similar questions during my family. I also count myself lucky that my work a professional pianist and she and my Cheltenham. the continual call of danger, danger, danger. My paintings are an attempt to condense time at Oxford Brookes University where revolves around my passions for nature and grandmother both painted. I remember Currently I have a workshop in Stow- When I was doing my GCSEs at College these ideas within a contemporary ‘everyday’ I changed my degree from French and photography. being fascinated by some old family on-the-Wold where I design and make my sister moved to Jordan and at the time format: by incorporating photography I can Geography to History of Art, a fascination jewellery. contemporary jewellery, in particular I remember thinking she was slightly insane. place real people I have seen on the streets born from a trip to Italy during my gap year. Alice Hunter (Mrs Kendrick) Although I enjoyed various subjects at unusual engagement and dress rings, After visiting her later that year I decided of Iraq alongside Londoners waiting for the Having graduated and no more certain of 1997-2004 Farnley Lodge school, art was always my favourite. To me earrings and necklaces and I continue to that she was in fact ‘quite’ cool. By the time overground – a snapshot of routine. In essence which direction to take, I moved to Shropshire it was exciting and different, I always hated renovate old jewellery. she moved to Lebanon a few years later I the one is not really that different from the with my then boyfriend, now husband, Richard. www.hunterphotos.co.uk that lesson ending! It can be a little daunting and was completely and utterly obsessed with other. He helped me to get an office job and I started Colour has always captured my sometimes difficult to put an idea into the Middle East. From then on school and A new project will take me to Iran later this to pursue my hobby of photography more imagination so I was delighted when Textile words so I sit down with my clients the old university holidays were spent exploring Syria year to expand and develop these ideas further. seriously in my spare time. I began to attend Design was offered at O Level at College fashioned way with a pencil and paper, to and Eastern Turkey. In 2013 I found my way to The British Arts Council have sponsored me a local camera club where, with the help of where I was at school for four years. I sketch out and discuss ideas in order to Afghanistan as a War Artist with the British to collaborate with Iranian poet Rosa Jamali for friends, my confidence and skills grew. I was particularly enjoyed making costumes and create each design which will be unique. Army and, more recently, in Iraq. this series, my first collaboration to date. The receiving increasing numbers of compliments props for school plays and for several years I Something I especially enjoy is to design a There is no set route to a career in next step, I’m sure, will be as unpredictable and about my work which spurred me on. considered studying theatre design. I spent piece, using a client’s old gemstones (often the Arts and finding myself here I cannot exciting as all those taken previously. I have always had a love of the natural one school holiday working in the props taken from unfashionable or worn out chronologically explain exactly how it world, which I’m sure my housemistresses and department at Covent Garden Opera jewellery) to create an exciting new piece happened. I have no art degree but instead left Charlie Calder-Potts friends from my College years will remember. It House. A great experience, mostly spent which not only has personal meaning and St Andrews in 2008 with an MA in Art History. 1996-2001 St Clare seemed an obvious step, therefore, that I took making swords, tea and sweeping floors will give pleasure but also, possibly, creating At school I even got a ‘B’ for art at GCSE photos of subjects which intrigued me and so an heirloom for the future. which at College, as you know, is pretty much www.charlie-calderpotts.com my hobby became a bit of an obsession. I would be delighted to help anyone unheard of (and, dare I say it, verging on the After our wedding Richard got a job in from College, past or present, with any unacceptable)! It was instilled in me that, as a Bedfordshire where I managed to get a job for jewellery projects. woman, hard work and perseverance would the summer as an Ecology Field Surveyor. The You may already have an idea in your render me capable of achieving anything I set following year, with Richard’s support, I decided head for a piece which I could help turn into my mind to. I left determined to be an artist to take the plunge and become self-employed reality, so feel free to get in touch. and have not allowed myself to question that in an effort to earn a decent wage. This took decision since. a split path with one being the ecology work Shelley Richardson (Mrs Marquand) I work with a variety of media such as and the other being my photography. I still 1971-1975 Sidney Lodge photography, inks, oils, waxes, pastels, on undertake a few surveys during the summer various supports such as aluminium, scrap season as I do enjoy looking for Great Crested www.shelleyrichardson.eu armoured metal, copper, wood panel and, more Newts, dormice and other protected species 07968 230934 recently, vellum paper. My pieces vary in size - but ecology has taken more of a back seat [email protected] with anything from 10cm x 15cm work on paper ‘Sit in silence and go into darkness’ Kabul, Afghanistan in the last year or so. The two paths are not to 8ft x 10ft aluminium installations.

22 23 SPOTLIGHT ON SPOTLIGHT ON

the side) over fishnet tights, that she was a bit Painting model at home c1998 and later I followed the making of its fan- different from the other heads of department. vaulted ceiling – another fascinating project, Her aim was to stimulate the girls to express this time using state-of-the-art technology to themselves, to provide as much visual input as © Ken Grofton © Ken map and carve the intricate shapes. It goes possible and to provide a creative environment without saying that this was a memorable in the art department. The door was always experience and had a big effect on my work. open. She relied on the girls’ honesty to sign for Whether painting landscape, architecture paints rather than their having to interrupt her or still life, I had always concentrated on to sign out each tube and she provided a fun the everyday – if something was ordinary, I place to work which was a bit different from the immediately wanted to paint it and if it was rest of College. ‘picturesque’ I wanted to avoid it! A building Early on it was clear that the way to make site was a perfect spot – I got absorbed in the department successful in an academic Lillias Hartley the hidden things without which a building school like CLC was to get good exam results. Watercolour Artist would fall down. This culminated in two Barbara Ivor Jones (Mrs August) This came quickly in Art and so History of Art publications, several exhibitions and an Art 1931-1935 Roderic was added as a serious subject on its own. As I was at CLC from 1967 – 1973. I did A level Council funded tour. CLC Head of Art 1968-1977 the success developed she was told by two Art with Art History and ended up going to I will never be a famous artist but my other heads of department that they didn’t Goldsmiths in London to do Fine Art and work has always been the reason I feel Barbara August was born in 1917 to a family of realise that College had an art department then Birmingham to do postgraduate Art Reed Edge, Watercolour (20x30cm) fulfilled and valid. I know that I was fortunate teachers in Pontypool, Wales. Her father was a before she came! There were further raised History. to have my husband’s backing and I often stern and strong headmaster and her mother eyebrows when she employed a nude model I arrived at CLC aged 13. I scraped left to get on with it – a lot of the Art schools wonder what I would have been without him was one of the first female undergraduates at for life drawing. in and spent my first year going from the had a ‘sink or swim’ policy then which suited – maybe thirstier for fame and fortune – who Cambridge so strength of personality ran in Artwork made by the girls was hung all bottom to the middle streams. If it hadn’t some but not others. I shared a studio with a knows? I do know that I was proud and kept the genes. over the school with some pieces which were been for the art department I think I would man who painted in oils like an old master – his a keen eye on finances to see if I could have She was the third of four daughters, all of labelled “too challenging”, which was the have caved in under the academic pressure. handling of oil paint was breath-taking. He had managed on my own and, in the years when whom went to CLC and then on to London whole point, being moved to a quieter corner. More importantly if it hadn’t been for no confidence and I remember rescuing his I might have been on my uppers, I would Art Colleges which was remarkable given There was a gratifying development in screen Barbara August, the new Head of the Art paintings from the bin. He should have gone probably have taught. the times. In those days CLC did not prepare printing and sculpture and, overall, Barbara department, I would not have taken the path on to do a postgraduate course at the Royal I know it’s obvious but it is extremely girls for Art School so she temporarily went to accomplished what she set out to do. that I did nor, indeed, married the man that I Academy but it didn’t happen (I treasure a difficult to make a living creating art. You Newport Art School in order to get a portfolio She retired in 1977, continuing to live in did – her son, Adrian! self-portrait of his – no one who sees it can may be lucky and hit the right spot at the together so she could then apply. Barbara Cheltenham and host a life class with a nude Barbara was a tough, dynamic, no- believe it was painted by an 18-year-old). I right time but it is a vast and competitive was accepted at Chelsea School of Art where model in her kitchen until the age of 92. She nonsense teacher who wasn’t afraid to stick can’t say that I was a good student – I was lost world out there and, however much you artists such as Henry Moore and Graham also continued to dress in leather trousers, up for the pupils she thought had talent. I and young and undoubtedly needed more promote yourself (a time consuming thing Sutherland were on the staff and she qualified yellow jump suits and chunky jewellery until her don’t think many have forgotten her eye- guidance. My degree show consisted of tiny oil now with social media), it won’t work unless in 1939. She was due to go to Paris to further death in 2016 when she was 98. catching clothes! She transformed the art paintings, very different from the completely you work hard and produce well-made and her artistic development when the Second CLC was important in her upbringing department from something insignificant empty room next door to me with nothing but captivating work. Even now many people World War made that impossible. During the and she felt privileged to be able to develop to something visible. Years later she told a pile of sticks in it. My only comment is that a don’t realise that galleries often take 50% war she spent a period in the FANYs and then art teaching in such a school. It seems from me that she remembered me working in a lot is lost when only the loud get heard but that commission which isn’t a lot if you are the War Office but left to take up teacher comments made that her efforts were corner of the Art wing when she knew I was is the nature of things. Prelim drawing c1972 charging a lot but it is when you are starting training. After a pause to start a family and look appreciated. supposed to be somewhere else… but she So I left Goldsmiths, did odd jobs, got out. Even Barbara was a realist with her after her children, she continued to teach art in kept quiet. My parents went to see her and married, had children and kept painting. We and realise that it is a complete myth that it career advice. That said, the other rewards girls’ schools around Liverpool. Adrian August the Principal once – they were concerned moved around a lot but once we settled in is the poor cousin to oil paint. Watercolour in producing works of art are boundless and Whilst Head of Art in Merchant Taylors, (son of Barbara and husband of Lillias) that I wanted to give up an A level to Suffolk I started exhibiting. I started using proper painters continually battle with misconceptions rise far above the realities of daily life. Crosby, she saw the advertisement for the concentrate on Art – Barbara argued my watercolour and got hooked. Watercolour is which not only influence the price of their Having a family has really been my similar position in CLC and decided to apply. case and they caved in. She started showing difficult. Everyone knows that. You are not just work but also its standing in the art world. raison d’être…… it may be old fashioned but At the interview with the Principal, Miss girls’ work around the school and even when using the pigment on the end of your brush, Why? Perhaps it is just its history – it was once it is natural. I know I was often resentful that I Hampshire, she was asked to show a portfolio some of the staff complained about a large you are also using the white of the paper and a fugitive medium kept away from light and couldn’t get into my studio more but, looking of her works and told that the outgoing Head painting that I did – they thought it was water. Varying combinations of all three create a used mainly for preliminary sketches for oil back, I’d do it all again with knobs on and of Art was waiting to comment on her abilities. provocative – she wouldn’t take it down. universe of effects. As for what I paint – I am still paintings – or maybe it’s the lingering image of certainly, since the kids have flown, I have Her reply was that her ability as a painter was When I went for my Goldsmiths’ interview a realist. I feel bound to represent what’s there the amateur lady painter filling her spare time. gone at it and gained a reputation. not particularly relevant and the fact that she they were surprised that my folio included because it has so many individual and accessible Things are different now – its qualities are had been to Chelsea should vouch for that, life drawings – fancy a posh school allowing things to say to each of us. stronger, as are its enthusiasts! Lillias Hartley (Mrs August) but the point was the quality of work she could pupils to draw naked people! In 2006 I became a member of the Royal My election to the RI came at the end of 1967-1973 Farnley Lodge encourage the girls to produce. The retiring I went on to Goldsmiths in 1973. Institute of Painters in Water Colour (RI). a busy period. I had been Project Artist during master was sent away and after the interview, By the time I left, it was fast becoming I had exhibited at their shows regularly and a large building project. Bury St Edmunds’ Lillias August RI as she was being walked out to the St George’s the future melting pot for ‘challenging’ was invited to apply. I am now the Honorary Cathedral had lived life with a stump instead www.lilliasaugust.com entrance, she commented that she would have conceptual work, where the likes of Saatchi Secretary and member of Council and I of a central tower for over 40 years, having [email protected] to do something about all the blank walls in the would headhunt students like Hirst. I don’t have won several prizes over the years. The run out of funds in the 1960s. It was awarded facebook: Lillias August RI school which should have girls’ art hanging on remember being taught a great deal after RI exhibits annually at the Mall Galleries in Millennium Lottery funding to complete the Exhibition: 7th – 14th November them. Miss Hampshire seemed to like that idea my foundation year – well, not in the London. If you ever go to an exhibition there tower using traditional methods. I was Project RI Members Exhibition, North gallery, and she got the job. Artist during the five years that it took to build traditional way that I was used to. We were you will see the huge diversity of watercolour Mall Galleries, London It was noted on her first day, when Barbara Barbara at College Guild exhibition 1984 walked in wearing a leather skirt (with a split up

24 25 SPOTLIGHT ON SPOTLIGHT ON

Society for Botanical Illustration of which I • next the detailed and accurate drawing am a founder member. We hold our annual can be executed which involves precise exhibition at Nature In Art, Twigworth, Glos. measurements followed by colour and a perfect venue. This exceptional museum is tone to create a three dimensional effect. dedicated to art inspired by nature. I have had Great care is taken to match the exact the pleasure of being artist in residence there colour of the plant. Throughout the on a number of occasions. process enthusiasm, a critical eye, patience Botanical Art serves two masters, Science and determination are required, for it takes and Art, therefore the aim is to combine a very long time to complete the botanical scientific accuracy with the aesthetic beauty illustration to one’s satisfaction. only an artist can achieve. A successful plant I have travelled an interesting, absorbing portrait is far more than a scientific illustration. It Red Door (1962) and rewarding road and continue to explore has to be a work of art in its own right therefore the path ahead. I recognise that my early recognised, led to many highly successful it has to have the “tingle” or “wow” response and Gill Holloway ambition has been satisfied in an unexpected one-man exhibitions all over the country, appeal to the viewers’ emotions. This special 1928-2014 and exciting way. I believe I have travelled on including a major retrospective in 2007, quality is elusive and very hard to achieve. We Landscape Painter, Art Historian, Writer both roads in the wood and in the right order. which raised nearly £10,000 for Médicins try to achieve this in the following ways: P.S. There is a tiny part of me wanting to ‘Art enriches your life and makes you see sans Frontières, She was also a founder • using the live plant or specimen to draw paint like Jackson Pollock or Mark Rothko! things differently. Painting is like music, like member of Helios, a group of professional rather than a two dimensional photograph poetry: it extends your perception of the artists working within the North Cotswolds. Sylvia Sutton which can produce a flat image and Sylvia Sutton B.Sc. world around you and enables you not only Much of her work is in galleries and private Botanical Artist inaccurate colours. CLC Biology Teacher 1977-1996 to understand the world more fully but also collections, both in the UK and abroad. Cotswold Wall Head of Lower College 1987-1994 to understand yourself.’ Examples of her work, the thinking DISCOVERING THE ART OF • detailed observation of the plant before (Guild Hon Member) My Life in Art – a retrospective of work behind it, her influences and sources BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATION and while drawing i.e. really looking spanning over 60 years by Gill Holloway of inspiration can be found at: www. at AND seeing the plant in order to The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost (formerly Harman) was held at the Parabola gillholloway.co.uk. Work for sale can be recognise and record the characteristic (The first verse) Douglas Fir Arts Centre in June this year and raised seen on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ features of the species. Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, over £4,000 for charity. Gill came to GillHolloway.Art) All proceeds will go to And sorry I could not travel both • composition plays a key role in achieving College in 1969 to introduce Art History charity. And be one traveller; long I stood the “wow” effect and it is worth spending into the curriculum and soon became an And looked down one as far as I could a lot of time planning the portrait. inspirational Head of Art and Art History Gill Holloway (Mrs Harman in College) To where it bent in the undergrowth; Sometimes the picture can only be until her retirement in 1988. CLC Head of Art and Art History Then took the other, just as fair. completed over a long period of time Having studied Fine Art at Durham 1969-1988 Rape fields galore near Ford because it involves different stages in the University, as one of a handful of women (Guild Hon Member) My childhood ambition to attend art school life cycle of the plant so you don’t want amongst a group of ex-servicemen, she in the world around her. After her retirement was unfulfilled; instead I went to University. I to run out of space! You want to create subsequently ran art and art history courses she was able to travel extensively and found took an Honours degree in Botany followed a harmonious picture to captivate the for Durham University Extra-Mural Board, inspiration for her painting in the countries by two years of post-graduate research before viewer. teaching many ex-miners, some of whom she visited:- Africa, China, Italy, Morocco, entering the teaching profession and finding a became well known Pitman painters in Iceland and Norway among others. Light and career I loved. I came to CLC to teach Biology their own right. She initiated an innovative colour became important themes of her work. in 1977. In 1992 an exhibition of botanical art series of exhibitions of local artists’ work Although largely a landscape painter in the prompted me to enrol in a botanical illustration in conjunction with the North East Arts ‘northern expressionist tradition’ with a strong class with an excellent tutor, Michael Hickey, Council, taught in Durham Prison and a emphasis on colour, shape and tonal contrasts, botanist and scientific illustrator. Over the local remand centre as well as continuing Gill was also fascinated by the landscape years, I have attended many courses by to lecture widely. After retiring, Gill turned of the face, in a world where humans other eminent botanical artists; one artist in her energies to running highly popular art communicate so much through machines. Icon – Essence of Blencathra (2011) particular has been a great influence, Ann groups and courses both in this country and In 2013 she wrote: “I have become Swan. She has taught me many skills and Sweet Chestnut abroad. increasingly interested in mountains and, I share her love of graphite and coloured When describing the principles over the last few years, have completed pencil. Traditionally watercolour has been the underpinning her approach to teaching, Gill many works based on the Lake District. I favoured medium but coloured pencil is an wrote: ‘I believe that art history is crucial to was evacuated to Keswick during the last effective alternative because today’s pencils one’s art practice; that art and art history war and spent some of the happiest years are of vey high quality and the techniques used should not be thought of as completely of my life there. The mountains are the produce vibrant true colours and a painterly separate areas but that studying one with source of inspiration for each painting and effect equivalent to watercolour. the other leads to a deeper understanding their structures, rhythms and colours are I have exhibited with the Society of and to learning the language of art. It used freely to express their moods. Colour Botanical Artists and the Royal Horticultural enables people ‘to see’.’ becomes the language through which I can Society. In 1997 I was awarded RHS Gold Gill painted throughout her life, even communicate.” medal for pencil drawings of 12 species of when working full time and bringing up Gill was well known and highly respected Pinopsida and in 2000 for pencil drawings a young family. Her style developed and within the art world, as a painter, teacher, art of plants in a Cotswold wood. In addition I changed over the years, reflecting what historian and writer. Her talent and passion Jubilee Series – Flags of Joy have 2 silver-gilt, 1 silver and 1 bronze RHS was going on both in her own life and also for painting, both of which were widely Movement and Fun (2012) medals for coloured pencil portraits. In 1993 Lady’s Slipper Orchid Michael Hickey founded the Gloucestershire

26 27 SPOTLIGHT ON SPOTLIGHT ON

to work part-time and it provided me with the opportunity to devote more time to my own Anna Bartrum curated a final exhibition work and so the questioning of pupils’ ideas of her late mother’s work, a fitting tribute to shifted to questioning my own ideas and the our former Head of Art, Gill Holloway, visited direction my work could take. by many past as well as current students. The On my retirement I was given the chance galleries came alive with colour and it was a to hold an exhibition in the Parabola Arts joy to see our UC4 students marvel at Gill’s Centre. Seeing my prints, some of which are sketchbooks. over 2 metres long and 1.5 metres wide, as Art Scholars saw Paul Hobbs’ exhibition a complete body, hung in a well-lit gallery at The Christian Arts Festival and learnt space, was really exciting and produced in me about the links between Science and Art at a genuine sense of personal achievement. And The Science Festival. Practical workshops Art Exhibition 2016 for me, the sense of fun that generous Head with Liz Lancashire, a contemporary textiles of Department, Gill Holloway, had advocated artist, and portrait painting at The National for the LC1 and LC2 now made significant, Portrait Gallery provided opportunities to personal sense. learn new skills and see art in a wider context. During my exhibition I heard many A wide range of media and ideas was explored compliments and people reinforced this by Karen Whitehead at the annual scholars’ exhibition, resulting in wanting to share my prints. Someone buying surprising, engaging and intriguing artwork. Issey Miyake Mousie (screen print on fabric) Our new Head of History of Art, Kate a piece is not the most satisfying aspect of CHELTENHAM LADIES’ COLLEGE Fisher, has taken the subject beyond the having an exhibition by a long way; it’s the ART DEPARTMENT between the teacher as instructor or sounding fact that someone wants a print, my print, on classroom with fascinating trips and talks. board and the teacher as practising artist one of their walls for the foreseeable future. My first year at College has been very In October, History of Art, Art and History LC1 trip to Nature in Art with a personal involvement and a practical Creating something with that end, therefore, is busy but hugely rewarding. I have enjoyed students will visit Paris. Many students go on fascination with the subject. enormously fulfilling. Having said that, for me, seeing our talented students’ artwork to study History of Art at university as this is young photographers. The IB Visual Arts Unlike other schools I have taught in, at the practical, creative process is obviously a develop in our superb facilities and I work an exciting, rewarding and highly regarded A course continues to grow alongside A Level, CLC I had some free time which stayed free, vital element. After the planning, the evolving with a dedicated team of staff in the Art level subject. whilst a new Lower College Art curriculum thanks largely to Lower Hall and West Wing image in a screen print happens with each Department. We have introduced darkroom will include fine art textiles and photography. Hall. In this free time, along with preparing stencil’s completion and when the screen is In celebrating our students’ artwork, a photography, digital photography and Our facilities continue to improve to ensure my lessons, I was encouraged to test out lifted after the third or fourth stage the magic highlight was the exhibition of A Level, IB Photoshop software for the LC3 Saturday that ICT is used effectively and meets the ideas and to develop my own work. I feel this happens; colours start working together and Visual Arts and GCSE; I am thrilled with programme, and all GCSE and A Level demands of the changing world of art and was the key to achieving a balance and this is layers and spaces draw you in to engage with the positive comments about all the art on students have new skills and expertise as keen design. where the types of pupil found at CLC come the composition. The fact that each screen/ display in College. With an exceptionally An exciting Statistics and Art project on in to their own. When those you are teaching stencil is reusable encourages experimentation talented A Level and IB Visual Arts cohort, the theme of Journeys will be launched in have a fundamentally good work ethic and with different colour combinations thus I am delighted so many girls have offers September 2016. First, students will collate a willingness to respond both visually and encouraging a different emphasis or suggested to study Foundation Art, History of Art data into a multi-layered piece. Then, as Exhibition in Parabola Arts Centre verbally you have the basis for a group to atmosphere to emerge in the final images. or Architecture from the most prestigious the year progresses, we will use data on the adopt an approach to a project or a process The exhibition has given my work renewed universities. journeys in and around College and in the which is new to them with faith in you as the momentum and I only hope this lasts for years Jemima Terry, studying History of Art wider world, to add successive layers. The Mike Wilde teacher with confidence in them. This can to come. in SFC1, was College winner and awarded project will evolve, changing dramatically generate a wonderfully productive working regional 3rd place in the ARTiculation after each section. By the end of the year Screen Printer atmosphere and for the most part I enjoyed Mike Wilde competition while Yvonne Huang’s A we will have a piece of art that represents I have always been proud of working at this during my career at College. CLC Art Teacher 1987-2015 Level short film was selected for the Royal Steve Russell Photography Workshop who we are and where we have travelled as a Cheltenham Ladies’ College and have never This balancing act shifted when I decided (Guild Hon Member) Academy Online A Level exhibition. College community. shied away from capitalising on its kudos in We are fortunate to have many visiting a conversation. This all started 28 years ago speakers who bring expertise, knowledge Karen Whitehead when I was appointed by the then Head of Art and insights. Inviting artists and organising Head of Art Gill Holloway. The philosophy she espoused exhibitions has been an exciting aspect of when teaching LC1 and LC2 was to get them my role and The Parabola Arts Centre is a to have fun; it was a significant piece of advice. wonderful gallery space. I am committed Twenty eight years of teaching in one school to ensuring our students continue to view a working for four Principals and five Heads wide range of artwork here at College. of Department, six if you count my time as a Mike Wilde’s Printmaking on Fabric stand in, give one an insight in to the changing and Paper was a huge success and as he aims and parameters of art education. I is a dedicated and knowledgeable artist heard stories of my predecessors who, sitting the exhibition was a vibrant mix of exciting behind their canvas, would give the occasional artwork. Steve Russell, a professional directive to their class, sometimes ignoring photographer for celebrated contemporary them whilst concentrating on their own artists, exhibited in April. Students enjoyed painting. At that time they may have been seeing Steve’s own photographs, too - seen as “characters” to be admired for their images as silver metallic prints, plus unique Art Scholars Painting Workshop, photines. single mindedness but times and demands Sycamore Seeds (screen print on paper) National Portrait Gallery Russell Photography Exhibition in PAC change and now a balance has to be achieved

28 29 FOCUS ON FOCUS ON

This photo is taken in a GUILD MEMBERS Boeing 737-800 simulator FOCUS ON which replicates the aircraft

CASH TRANSFERS TO PROMOTE GIRLS’ The hope is, of course, that these transfers will increase EDUCATION IN SOUTH SUDAN female education and contribute to a much wider process of attitudinal change towards gender equality After leaving CLC in 2012 I read PPE at Oxford and so that an educated South Sudanese girl will be more have recently started working for a development valued, socially, than a girl married off at 14 for a herd of agency in South Sudan. Within my degree course I cows. studied Development Economics and the Politics of Cash transfers have become popular worldwide as Sub-Saharan Africa, which showed me how important evidence from Mexico to Bangladesh shows them to be development work can be in terms of its human impact, extremely successful, however most projects transfer but also how deep and complicated the political, cultural the money into the bank account of the beneficiaries or and economic barriers to development often are. via “mobile money” using mobile phones. Sadly lack of I am working for Charlie Goldsmith Associates development in South Sudan means this cannot be the (CGA), a “nuts and bolts” development organisation, case yet (although CGA has made inroads into making Juliet Eames system-oriented and technical in its focus on service mobile money a possibility). Because almost no one in delivery in fragile countries. In education CGA has 2010-2012 St Hilda’s South Sudan has a bank account and phone network developed a country-wide electronic system of coverage is limited, we have to physically give the money monitoring school attendance as well as implementing to the girls at schools. However with only about 100km capitation grants and cash transfers for “Girls’ Education of tarmacked road across the whole country, no birth South Sudan” (GESS). certificates or ID and large tranches of the country with GESS is a South Sudanese government programme, no mobile network, implementation sometimes felt like a funded by UK Aid. GESS believes that female education logistical Mount Everest. is vital to lift families out of poverty and put South Sudan I was sent out to the former Northern Bahr el Ghazal on track for sustainable development. South Sudan state to supervise the transfers process. We work with has some of the worst educational records in the world. partners at State, County and Payam (village) level and Jen Caudwell (Mrs Diggle) four flights a day, depending on the length of the flights. Only one in ten girls completes primary education and a team from the bank to organise the transfers. In theory For example, we may fly to one of the Canary Islands 1999-2004 St Margaret’s very few continue to secondary school. Girls often leave all these separate actors come together like harmonious and back or fly to somewhere such as Madrid and back school to earn money or get married to secure a dowry, to Stansted and then afterwards head off to somewhere strings in the piano of efficiency and everything works. MY CAREER IN AVIATION while boys are allowed to continue education. GESS In practice there is some discord: the contracted bank such as Cologne and back with twenty-five minutes hopes to eliminate barriers to female education. team turns up two hours late, one of the drivers has not I left College in July 2004 and have spent the last twelve on the ground between flights. One great thing about GESS gives an annual Cash Transfer of about been able to find fuel, the state partner can’t contact the years building a career as an airline pilot. This had been Ryanair is that I always end the day back in Stansted. £30 to girls who attend school regularly. The amount school to tell them that payment will take place so none a dream of mine as far back as my parents and I are able Within the day the job is split into two main roles: the pilot is meant to incentivise girls to keep on attending (and of the girls are there, the head teacher has disappeared to remember, since I was a toddler whose favourite book who handles the aircraft and the pilot who completes the “...the road to get parents to let them do so). The money should be spent because he needed to take tea, the girls all lost their was “Jay Jay Jet Plane!” paper work and operates the radio; we generally take this to the school is on education, used for things like books, shoes, and identification receipts which entitle them to the transfer, After school I began the “Airline Pilot Programme” in turns between the Captain and the First Officer each sanitary products. Lots of girls say they use the money the road to get to the school is flooded and can only be an integrated full-time course of study at Oxford Aviation flight. flooded and can to buy sanitary products as menstruation is a big driver reached by canoe, no-one has any phone signal, you Training Academy which takes you from a beginner to a During my time in Ryanair to date I have spent three only be reached of school drop-out. Often the closest shop that sells finally make it to the school but it is 5pm and they have position where you are ready to take up a role as a pilot in and a half years building 3,000 hours as a First Officer. sanitary products is a 2 hour walk away so they aren’t all gone home, the driver gets arrested for hitting a cow, an airline. I spent the first six months intensively learning After that I went through training and examining and “The next year by canoe, no-one always available. At schools there are unclean long-drop etc etc. subjects such as navigation, flight-planning, aviation law gained a promotion to Captain, a job which I did for four was to be the fun has any phone toilets with no power, toilet paper or running water. This Of course there is the additional element that this and meteorology in order to pass fourteen exams. The years, building another 3,500 hours before fancying a is only worsened by the stigma that periods are “bad” signal, you finally occurred in a context of insecurity, and while the conflict next year was to be the fun bit, the hands-on learning to new challenge and gaining a promotion to Line Training bit, the hands- and shouldn’t be talked about. In this environment it’s no was concentrated in certain states (Unity, Jonglei and fly! The first part of this took place in Arizona where the Captain (LTC), a post I have now held for one year. My on learning to make it to the wonder girls drop out of school so providing money for Upper Nile), there is a prevalence of AK-47s everywhere, better weather caters for how you first learn to fly which job as a LTC sees me do my everyday job as a Captain at school but it is things like sanitary products can help keep girls in school. and when explaining to irate head-teachers that we is by looking out of the windows and referencing the Ryanair but at the same time I now train the pilot sitting fly! The first cannot pay girls who have lost their identification receipts horizon. The second part took place in the UK where I next to me. This pilot may be a new cadet training to part of this took 5pm and they you do become aware of how many men around the yard learnt to fly using only flight instruments with screens up be a first officer, a Ryanair first officer training to be a have all gone have guns casually slung over their shoulders. so that I could not see out of the windows. During my captain or a pilot who has joined us from another airline place in Arizona home, the driver While the process is a challenge and there are huge time at Oxford I gained several ratings and qualifications who is training now to operate in Ryanair. This is a very where the better logistical constraints to implementing a successful cash which amounted to what is known as a frozen Airline interesting and challenging role, balancing the fast-pace, weather caters gets arrested for transfer scheme here, the lack of roads, phone service Transport Pilot’s Licence (theory), I was now equipped to safety-conscious commercial operation of Ryanair in hitting a cow...” and fuel just further highlights how necessary projects apply to join an airline. the continuously evolving environmental conditions we for how you first are which promote sustained long term development In July 2007 I gained employment with Ryanair operate in daily with the training needs of the individual, learn to fly which in South Sudan. Speaking to the girls, who confirm that and over the next six months was trained by them to which is also very varied on a daily basis. I enjoy it very these transfers make the difference between continuing operate their aircraft, the Boeing 737-800. I was now an much and hope in the future to further my career by is by looking out school and not, and knowing that we have overcome inexperienced First Officer based at Ryanair’s largest training to become a type rating examiner (TRE) and of the windows all these obstacles to successfully pay over 90,000 girls base, London Stansted Airport, flying to around 200 train and examine pilots in both normal and non-normal Walking across a swamp and referencing to pay a school this year, makes the whole difficult process of delivery destinations throughout Europe, building my experience. (emergency) procedures in a simulator environment also. infinitely worthwhile. A typical day at work sees us fly between two and If you hear me on a flight please come and say hi! the horizon.”

30 31 FORTHCOMING EVENTS Please contact the Guild Office if you would like to attend any of the events listed below. Email: [email protected] or telephone +44 (0)1242 256581 For events in the PAC (Parabola Arts Centre) please email [email protected] or telephone +44(0)1242 520691

2016 AUTUMN TERM 1-2 DECEMBER 2017 SUMMER TERM Arabian Nights (UC5 and SFC production) FRIDAY 4 NOVEMBER 7.00pm in PAC 26 APRIL – 1 MAY Guild Honorary Members’ Tea Cheltenham Jazz Festival 4.00pm in St Helen’s SATURDAY 3 DECEMBER Beale Debate (10th Anniversary) SATURDAY 20 MAY TUESDAY 8 NOVEMBER 9.00am in PH May Concert 9.15am in PH Guild Drinks with the Principal in Singapore College Reunion for Guild members FRIDAY 9 DECEMBER especially those who left College in 2012, WEDNESDAY 9 NOVEMBER College Christmas Concert 2007, 2002, 1997, 1992, 1987, 1982, 1977, SFC Music Scholars’ Recital 7.30pm in PH 1972, 1967, 1962, 1967 etc 7.00pm in PH 24-25 MAY THURSDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2017 SPRING TERM LC3 and UC4 drama production CLC Flourish Fundraising Dinner with the 7.00pm in PAC Principal in Hong Kong SATURDAY 4 FEBRUARY Principal’s Lecture JUNE FRIDAY 11 NOVEMBER 11.10am to 12.30pm in PH Guild Drinks in Hong Kong PGC Networking Dinner focussing on Date tbc Creative Industries FRIDAY 3 MARCH 6.30pm in College Spring Concert 6-11 JUNE Choral Society performing The Times Cheltenham Science Festival SATURDAY 12 NOVEMBER Fauré’s Requiem Holst Harp Concert 7.30pm in PH 21-22 JUNE 7.30pm in PH Shakespeare in the Quad Tickets available to purchase from WEDNESDAY 15 MARCH 7.00pm in College Cheltenham Tourist Information Centre College Choir perform Evensong (The Wilson, Cheltenham Art Gallery and 5.30pm in Tewkesbury Abbey SATURDAY 24 JUNE Museum) CLC Flourish Gala Dinner at Stowell Park FRIDAY 17 MARCH in support of the Health and Fitness Centre SATURDAY 19 NOVEMBER PGC Networking Dinner focussing on Law project 50th Birthday Supper for Class of 1984 6.30pm in College Travellers Club, Pall Mall 7.00pm 5-16 JULY 30-31 MARCH Cheltenham Music Festival FRIDAY 25 NOVEMBER The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Corporate Members’ AGM (LC1 and LC2 production) FRIDAY 7 JULY 11.00am in College 7.00pm in PAC College Summer Concert 7.30pm in PH SUNDAY 27 NOVEMBER Festive Carol Service with College 11.00am in PH Refreshments at newly refurbished St Austin’s 12noon

Cheltenham Ladies’ College is a proud sponsor of Cheltenham Festivals – supporting excellence and innovation in science and the arts

Guild Office, Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Bayshill Road, Cheltenham, GL50 3EP Tel: +44 (0)1242 256581 Fax: +44 (0)1242 227882 Email: [email protected] Website: www.clcguild.org