Memories and Archives

Margaret Dora Higginson(1918 - 2009)

In memory of Miss Higginson, who was Headmistress of the Girls' Division between 1954 and 1979, the Old Girls' Association will be publishing a five part biography online.

If any Old Girl (or indeed anyone else) would like to offer further reminiscences or anecdotes about Margaret we should be very glad to receive them.  Please send them to the Development Office at the address below, or via email at [email protected].  

The Development Office
Bolton School
Chorley New Road
Bolton
BL1 4PA

Issue One: 26th October 2010

Issue Two: 10th February 2011

Issue Three: 25th July 2012

Issue Four: 17 October 2014 

Issue Five: 17 October 2014

Miss Dickinson (Girls' Division Staff, 1972-2006)

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

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

Miss Falla was the Head of Mathematics when Margaret joined Bolton School and when she retired, Margaret stepped into her shoes and held that role for eight years, until relinquishing it in order to become Head of Careers. She established a joint Careers Room accessible for both Divisions and, under her guidance, the Careers team received the prestigious Careers Education Quality Award in 2004. In 1990, Margaret was appointed as Deputy Headmistress.  

In addition to her formal roles, Margaret was involved in many extra-curricular endeavours, from acting as House Manager for a number of Joint Productions, to taking part in the ‘Staff Revue’, to accompanying and leading trips to Cautley, the School’s base for outdoor pursuits prior to Patterdale Hall, at a time when members of staff arranged the whole trip themselves, including organising the activities and cooking the meals! Her passion for music meant that she also made the most of the School’s full programme of events: at the time of her retirement, Headteachers of the Boys’ Division, Junior Girls’ School and Beech House all noted her regular attendance ‘far beyond the call of duty’ at concerts, productions, nativity plays, Harvest festivals and other events both musical and otherwise, as well as her positive comments afterwards.  

Margaret also helped to put together innumerable annual magazines and termly newsletters, as well as assisting with special publications. She worked on So Goodly A Heritage: A Snapshot of Bolton School Girls’ Division at the End of the Millennium with Veronica Millington, who taught English in the Girls’ Division from 1988 to 2006, and also helped with the latter’s biography of former Headmistress Fanny Eliza Johnson. Margaret continued to support Bolton School’s publications as one of the proof-readers for the School’s anniversary book The Best of Both Worlds. 

During her 34 years at Bolton School, Margaret saw many changes, including the move from being a Direct Grant school to full independence, the introduction, and subsequent loss, of Government Assisted Places and the change from O Levels to GCSEs, as well as the opening of new facilities such as the Sports Hall, the Swimming Pool, the Arts Centre and the building of the Nursery. New subjects appeared on the curriculum and all subjects underwent significant changes—in her own area, Margaret witnessed the progression from the slide rule and log tables to calculators and computers. The day-to-day life of the pupils also changed. Out have gone the indoor shoes of the 1980s, and in have come mobile phones and iPads. Yet despite all those changes, she was pleased that so many of the Girls’ Division traditions and values still held. In particular, she noted that the School Prayer which was in use when she first arrived was still being said as she retired, and that the girls continued to respond with enthusiasm to one of its key phrases – ‘Much is expected of those to whom much is given’ — in their community action and charity work.  

In March 2003, Margaret was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. However, with characteristic dedication, determination and good humour, she continued to shoulder all the responsibilities of her role, making few concessions at all to her ill health. As she departed in 2006 for a well-earned retirement, she expressed her affection for and gratitude to the School, acknowledging the support and encouragement she received from her talented, able and committed colleagues and the pleasure of working with the girls and see them mature and develop into capable and responsible young women. In turn, her kindness, sense of humour and devotion to Bolton School prompted guests to cancel their arrangements so that they could come to wish her well for her retirement.  

Margaret passed away on 19th October 2020. In their tributes to her, colleagues all speak of her caring nature, her humour, loyalty, dignity and of her unequalled capacity for hard work.  

Tributes from Colleagues of both Divisions 

Margaret was a wonderful person in every way – dedicated, loyal, supportive and a marvellous friend and colleague. She had a lovely sense of humour and brought a smile and great humanity to those she met. Her calm reassurance and wisdom were valued by her pupils and by staff in all departments of the School. 

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

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

During the last few years, sadly, Margaret was unable to be as active as she would have wished, but the kindness, gratitude and concern she showed to all her friends remained constant. Margaret has left an enduring legacy and she will be greatly missed. 

Kathryn Critchley (Girls’ Division Staff, 1974-1979) 

I first met Margaret in 1979 when I returned to Bolton School Girls’ Division after my daughter, Jeanette, started at Beech House and we remained close friends for the rest of her life.  

She had just been appointed Head of Mathematics and we attended many conferences together, the most notable being a one-week one designed to prepare us to teach the A Level Statistics course – Statistics had not been on the syllabus before then! After three days we were both out of our depth, but decided we probably knew enough to teach Y12 (the Lower Sixth as it was then) so would share a group and support each other. We could then attend the same course the following year to finish the syllabus. This plan fell apart when 25 girls signed up for the course and we each had our own group! 

Margaret and I worked closely together for the rest of her time at School, particularly when dealing with University applications when she was Deputy Headmistress and I was Head of Sixth Form. She was an excellent Deputy Head: discreet, thorough and fair and was respected by both staff and students.  

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

When Margaret could no longer live independently I visited her regularly in Preston. Initially we would meet up with former staff and other friends but more recently, when she was wheelchair bound, we just used to go shopping and call somewhere for coffee. I was unable to visit her recently but kept in touch by telephone until she died.  

Val Hanrahan (Girls’ Division Staff, 1978-2014) 

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

She upstaged me. Her appearance in the staff review as a naughty examination candidate complete with innumerable lucky mascots, crisps and an emu eclipsed anything I could do and I was banished to the lighting box. I forgave her, of course. It was funny and gave us a rare opportunity to see her breaking every rule when we all knew that in real life, she upheld every value the School offered. Margaret loved Bolton School Girls’ Division. She was prodigiously hard working. I recall watching in awe on the last day of term as she filled her car with files full of jobs to complete over the holidays.  

When I left Bolton School I was glad that I could take Margaret’s friendship with me. My admiration for her grew as she confronted her illness with courage and determination in equal measure. To the very end, whenever I called her she would ask after my family and we would settle into happy reminiscences, talking about the very many friends for whom she cared. To me she is, as she was to others, a best friend, a dear colleague and a force for good in my life.  

Bobby Georghiou (Girls’ Division Staff, 1981-1996) 

In School, Margaret was always the professional – calm, meticulous, concerned, helpful. She listened to problems, considered them carefully and invariably came up with sensible solutions. 

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

Always interested in others, Margaret loved to hear about the lives of former pupils and colleagues. Her family were very important to her; she made a beautiful family scrapbook and we worked together on a photobook for her sister. 

She was gentle and kind but had a steely determination which saw her through some very difficult times and helped her make difficult decisions as her illness progressed. She never complained about her problems, preferring to chat about others or about the news. Her quiet, understated humour made conversation a pleasure – she could convey a great deal just with the slight raising of an eyebrow. 

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

Hilary Crawforth (née Berry, 1955-1968; Girls’ Division Staff, 1986-2010) 

Margaret’s reputation as one of the premier Deputies of the North West was well established even before I became a Deputy myself! She interviewed me for the Headship at Bolton with Pat Fairweather and the leadership team at the Girls’ Division. I knew her opinion would count and I knew I would rely on her experience and knowledge of everything about Bolton. There was nothing she did not know. I was sad to hear she would be with me only one term, to ‘ease me in’. 

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

Margaret was always conscious of her role as Deputy. When I was away at GSA Conference and there was a serious incident, she contacted me with the details for a decision, although she already knew exactly what to do. Some of the best fun we had was as Doom & Doom, thinking of all the terrible things that might befall pupils on school trips and writing risk assessments. SKCV’s first trip to India taxed us, from dysentery to snake bites, road accidents to plane crash. Margaret was forensic when conducting investigations and forgot nothing.  

After a term I persuaded her to stay for the year, but sadly her Consultant said no longer. It was an emotional moment for both of us when she came to tell me, but we remained friends and met often after she retired. I last saw her in Garstang just before the first lockdown. She will never be forgotten. She was the best of Bolton School and a role model for all of us. 

Gill Richards (Headmistress, 2005-2011) 

“Margaret, what are you considering doing about …?” Faced with yet another initiative from the DfE or similar source this was the type of question I would frequently put to Margaret Dickinson by phone across the Centre Quad (as it was then called) often after six in the evening, knowing she would still be beavering away in her office in the Girls’ Division and also confident she would have already come to a no-nonsense response and a practical and possible course of action. Over the years we spoke about a huge range of matters, such as the annual DfE census returns, finance, budgets, curriculum, staffing and on to music and drama and outwards to outdoor pursuits ventures. Margaret’s great eye for detail, her efficiency and her superb mathematically-based accurate financial control were wonderfully balanced by her willingness to be adventurous, forward-thinking and, when appropriate, opportunist. Every conversation was constructive, supportive and helpful and, in the context of the structure of the Bolton School foundation, all embracing of the Divisions and the subsections contained therein.  

At a personal level my wife and I remain grateful for Margaret’s longstanding interest and frequent enquiry, long after she had left, of our daughter and, while she was in the Girls’ Division, for Margaret’s determination that this girl was perfectly capable of a respectable public exam performance in mathematics and for instilling the required confidence. For those of us working in the Boys’ Division, Margaret Dickinson was the archetypal Bolton School colleague; totally committed to the young in her charge and equally supportive of her colleagues across the whole School Foundation and loyal without fault to the ethos of the School. Margaret – we thank you for your lovely warm radiant presence and we salute you. 

Alan Wright (Headmaster, Boys’ Division, 1983-2002) 

  I had only seen Margaret from a distance, sitting in the Maths Department’s area of the staff room, looking quite austere. Having only passed the time of day with her, I didn’t really know her. That is, until she became Head of the Careers Department. Her forward thinking and enthusiasm took the department to another level, looking at new initiatives to make sure Bolton School were leaders in Careers Education. Always considering staff development, she encouraged and supported me to gain a qualification, acting as my mentor; her advice was always unequivocal. She was the best proof reader I have ever met, not missing an incorrect punctuation mark, grammatical error and, her pet hate, split infinitives! 

When the post of Deputy Head was advertised, humble as always, she wasn’t sure she was ‘good enough’. It was our turn to encourage her to go for it. After all her hard work, she didn’t want to give up being Head of Careers, and she managed to persuade the Head that she would cope with the workload of both positions. She certainly did – her attention to detail in all she undertook was second to none. Margaret never expected anybody to do anything she herself wouldn’t do.  

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

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

Margaret was a caring, kind, empathetic, gentle lady who showed respect to all she met. I felt privileged to be asked to write a few words and I know my life has been enriched having met Margaret. 

Chris Sutcliffe (née Nightingale, Class of 1972, Boys’ Division Staff 1986-2019) 

Bolton School is sad to announce the death, on 24 November 2021, of Dr Margaret Spurr, OBE DL, Headmistress of the Girls’ Division from 1979 to 1994.

A graduate in English Literature and American Studies from Keele University, Margaret Spurr came to Bolton School from Fair Oak School in Staffordshire, where she had been Deputy Head. Dr Spurr’s time as Headmistress saw the completion of an ambitious building programme involving the enhancement and refurbishment of Beech House and Girls’ Division accommodation (notably the dining room), the opening of the Sports Hall and swimming pool in 1986, and, memorably, the Princess of Wales’ visit to open the Arts Centre in 1993. Her 15 year tenure as Headmistress was during a period of great change to the education system: information technology arrived and proliferated, and computer studies joined the curriculum;  A Levels were reformed, O Levels disappeared, and GCSEs, the National Curriculum and league tables made their first appearance.  

In addition to her service to the School, Dr Spurr enjoyed an enviable reputation on the wider educational scene.  In 1982 she was appointed to the Committee of the Girls’ Schools Association (GSA), and served on the initial planning committee for the Assisted Places scheme in London.  This national profile led to the chairing of a number of significant educational organisations which brought valuable links and benefits to the girls, including the Presidency of the GSA from 1985 to 1986.   

On her retirement, Dr Spurr noted that her inspiration as Headmistress had come from three sources: from the girls’ aspirations, enthusiasm and determination, sharp individuality and strength as a group; from the Girls’ Division’s traditions, established by Lord Leverhulme, of high scholarship, of recognising that girls have distinctive educational requirements and of preparing people to make a contribution to the community; and from the comfort of knowing that she had the continual strong support of a team  – the Staff, Sixth Form, Governors, Parents, Old Girls – “all eager to make efforts, and indeed sometimes sacrifices, for the good of us all.” 

One of her Head Girls repaid the compliment: “My memories of Mrs Spurr are encapsulated in images of a big, happy, successful School, its well-oiled wheels gliding smoothly along, the girls going to lessons, to sport, to drama rehearsals …”.  The School’s then Chair of Governors, Lord Haslam, wrote: “Margaret has brought a commendable creative and progressive attitude to the School and indeed to all educational developments. She possesses a unique sense of flair and a lively sense of humour … Working with her has been an enjoyable and uplifting experience”. 

In June 1994, Dr Spurr was awarded the OBE in recognition of her services to education. She was also a Deputy Lieutenant for Staffordshire, and a BBC Governor from 1993 to 1998.  

Dr Spurr will be sincerely missed by all those who knew and remembered her here at School, where the flags will fly at half-mast in tribute to her for the remainder of this week.   

The School invited the submission of tributes to Dr Spurr from all those who remembered her fondly, for publication on its website and in the Old Girls’ Newsletter. All messages of condolence submitted through the website can be read below. The School will be pleased to pass on to Dr Spurr’s family any personal letters or cards of condolence, to be sent c/o The Development Office.   

Dr Spurr’s funeral was held on Thursday 16 December 2021 at 11am, St Giles Church, Croxden.  Dr Spurr’s family have requested donations to the Alzheimer’s Society in lieu of flowers; any Old Girls or members of the School community who wish to make a contribution, should contact the Funeral Directors, JP Keates & Sons of Cheadle, Staffs. 

DR MARGARET SPURR CONDOLENCE MESSAGES

Dr Spurr was my headmistress and an inspiration during my time in school. I still remember very vividly my interview for school with her - she was kind, inquiring and seemed genuinely interested putting me at ease. During my time in school, she was strong and inspiring - I felt she contributed to my sense of being encouraged to be brave and challenge boundaries... as a girl. My time at school was very much influenced by her leadership and I have the fondest memories of her and school generally, and the greatest respect for her specifically. I pass on my deepest sympathies to her family. She will be fondly remembered.

Sarah Mercer, 1985-1992

I was sorry to read of Dr Spurr's passing and the news brought back many positive memories.  Whilst my initial impression was a strong and formidable (and when I was 12 - slightly scary!) lady, when I got to know her I found her to also be kind, insightful and encouraging with a great sense of humour.  Dr Spurr saw qualities in me that she helped nurture and presented me with personal development and character-building opportunities that I would never have had without her input.  She was a reassuring and reliable presence throughout the whole of my time at Bolton School.   I will always be grateful for her help and guidance.

Sarah M Knight, 1984-1991

Mrs Spurr (as she was then) appointed me as a young newly qualified Chemistry teacher just a few months before she started as Headmistress.  As I left the room, she took my hand and said 'I'm putting my money on you'. So, we were new girls together in September '79.  Such wisdom and kindness extended on so many occasions have, I hope, been my inspiration to be a good leader as a teacher and to recognise where encouragement or time with staff is needed.  I faced a horrible personal disappointment at one point; Mrs Spurr asked me into her office, opened a packet of chocolate digestives and sat down to listen/pass the tissues before sending me home.  We all felt as if we knew her family as she was unafraid to share her life with us.  She was indeed a breath of fresh air at BS, with a great sense of humour and a ready smile. I will always remember her assemblies when she frequently prayed a prayer thanking God for 'crisp cotton sheets' - not sure why that stuck with me but it did.  I thank God for her life and the happiness and joy of teaching under her leadership.

Pauline Winn (née Gentle), Ex-Staff 1979-1985

I was the beneficiary of an assisted place in the 1980's, when Dr Spurr's charisma and leadership made school an inspirational experience that formed my outlook, my personality and my career.

Thank you Mrs Spurr.

Carol Holmes (née Dale), 1981-1988

A great inspirational lady, who provided the backbone for a strong positive culture with varying learning experiences in the school. Kind and supportive. Having a day off to watch Wimbledon and travel to London by train for the first time was 'an education', and I was granted the day off school, after winning tickets in the LTA ballot.

A life lesson of 'packing a spare pair of tights when travelling', akin to applying to Polytechnics in the late 1980's, just in case, has cemented in my mind after applying for jobs year after year.

Condolences to Mrs Spurr's family.

Dr Rita Arya, 1984-1989

I joined the school for 6th form in 1989 having moved from South Wales.

In my previous setting I studied 3-dimensional design specialising in silversmithing, but unfortunately the Art Department did not have the provision for me to carry on.

I wrote to Mrs Spurr explaining my predicament and how I wanted to continue with jewellery design as part of my A level Art but was unable to as I did not have the right equipment. She kindly provided me with a grant to purchase the tools I needed to continue - tools I still use today in my own studio.

Stephanie Phillips (née Turner)

Two memories of Mrs Spurr that I think demonstrate why she was so successful an educator.

My initial acceptance interview with Mrs Spurr: During our conversation, she beckoned me to the window behind her desk, which overlooked part of the grounds of Beech House, where little children were running around. "When I have a few minutes," she shared, I love to watch our children playing outside. They don't realise I can see them and feel free to have fun and be themselves".

During a memorable assembly after hearing that some girls had taken their socks off to sunbathe on the lawn: "As young ladies and future leaders of society, it is inappropriate to remove articles of school clothing in public!"

Mrs Spurr understood what could and should be expected of young people as they grew and matured. She encouraged joie de vivre, creativity and excitement, but she also had extremely high expectations that her students were destined to become leaders and needed to dress and act accordingly.

She made a huge impression on many of us, and will be missed.

Tammy Wisemon (née Woolf), 1983-1988

Mrs Spurr, as she was when I knew her, was a fantastic headmistress and wonderful role model. Very dynamic and brought much from the outside world into our school community in the 1980's. She led a great team of very able senior teachers and followed through on so much ambitious vision for the school, always keeping our education at the heart of it. My personal encounters and thoughtful conversations with her from being interviewed at 11 to collecting my A-Level certificates at 18 in the early 90's, always made me feel valued, heard, determined to think differently and do my very best. My sincere condolences to her family and all those who knew her.

RIP Dr Spurr

Kate McGhee (née Griffiths), 1985-1992

Mrs Spurr, as I first knew her, was a formidably impressive lady who commanded respect from all around her. But as I progressed through school, I came to know her not as formidable, but as a strong, ambitious and successful lady who inspired me and many others to become strong women ourselves. RIP Margaret Spurr, such a positive influence to so many.

Lindsy Slamon (née O'Reilly), 1987-1994

I had very little direct interaction with the headmistress during my years at school but I do have an abiding memory of my final leaving assembly in 1985, in which Mrs Spurr gave us some advice. It is something that I have never forgotten and I regularly repeat to my two daughters!

As she was finishing her farewell speech she said "Girls I want you to remember one thing - KD (and there was a lengthy pause)- Keep your Dignity at all times! For some reason it struck a chord and although I can't say I have followed that mantra through thick and thin(!), it has never left me.

Jane Wood

As a teacher in the classroom today, I share with the girls I teach, the legacy that Mrs Spurr left me: with hard work and application, you should expect nothing to stand in the way of achieving your aspirations.  I also teach them the 'Three Ds': the importance of correct Deportment, and the value of Dignity and Decorum!

Margaret Spurr was a formidable, inspiring leader.  I will always remember her with admiration and thanks; she championed the value of women and their contributions to society at a time when inequalities were entrenched. I am very grateful to have known her and send my condolences to her family and friends.

Jane Broadis (née Pickup), 1981-1988

Margaret will be remembered with so much affection, as a warm and gifted headmistress. May she rest in peace and condolences to all her family.

Sheila Fisher

I taught Mathematics at Bolton School from 1984 to 1991 before accepting a teaching position at Marlborough College.

I found Margaret Spurr to be an outstanding, visionary woman, someone who had great charisma and with whom I could relate to on both a professional and personal level.

RIP.

Anne Amara-Korba

I will always remember Mrs Spurr as a kind, caring and gentle person, but also very professional. She always had time for you and showed interest in what you had to say. She was a calming influence and nothing seemed to phase her. My time at Bolton School would not have been the same, without her at the helm. She was just a lovely lady and I will never forget her.

Tina Rudge (née Pilgrim), 1978-1985

A word that I still remember to this day from my first meeting with Mrs Spurr - pinioned. I was convinced that I'd failed the entrance process because I didn't know the meaning of this word during the interview! Traditional and firm who set high personal and educational standards but kindly, a lady who wanted the best for her pupils is how I remember her. Mrs Spurr (and her staff) encouraged us and instilled in us the belief that everything was possible, regardless of gender. The influence in these formative years has had a great positive impact on my life and I'm grateful for this.

Sincere thoughts for Dr Spurr's soul and for her family and friends.

Carol Butters, 1985-1992

I would not be the strong woman I am today without having had Mrs Spurr (as I knew her) as my headmistress. From my perspective as a pupil, she led by example and was scrupulously fair. One example particularly stands out in my memory and I've realised its value even more as I've aged. I did a large amount of music when I was at school. By the time I was 17, this equated to 4 hours a day of piano, 1 hour a day of viola, a whole day of music on Saturdays at the Junior RNCM and orchestras on Sunday. Then there were all the competitions that came with it. I was also juggling my schoolwork. One of my A-Levels had a residential school trip which was not compulsory. It was due to take place shortly before quite a crucial competition. I had informed my teacher I wasn't able to attend to the trip and was summoned to the staffroom to explain myself. Unfortunately, the member of staff stood in front of the staffroom door berating me for what they viewed as my incorrect priorities and implying that I needed to go on the trip. As they did so, a queue of other pupils and staff formed behind us. I'm sure it didn't last as long as it felt, but it was awkward to say the least. Once the tirade had ended, I did a 180 degree turn, walked the length of the corridor and knocked on Mrs Spurr's office door. I was calm but I was very upset, quite humiliated and extremely stressed from the amount of work I was juggling. I didn't understand why I had been told off for wanting to work hard and do well. It was illogical to me that I was being expected to go on an ultimately unnecessary trip when it would compromise my ability to do well in something that was important to my future. The injustice of the manner in which that expectation had been conveyed made it worse. I really felt that I needed to ensure that it was clear to whoever was at the top of the chain that there was no way I was going on that trip and why it wasn't an irresponsible move at all. A lesser person would have been appalled at my audacity. Mrs Spurr listened. I don't think she said much at all. The trip became a non-issue immediately. Throughout school, she was consistently supportive of my music - from the first day I went to the open day, met her and played for her to the last when I'd somehow got a place at Oxford. She treated me like an adult and she allowed me to make decisions for myself as an adult. She didn't make me feel bad for standing up for myself and she didn't make me feel strange for doing what I was doing. I took up a postgraduate performance scholarship at the RCM after Oxford and then left music for a number of years as performance wasn't compatible with family life and I didn't consider a career as a composer at the time. I eventually retrained as a primary school teacher specialising in maths before getting an MA in maths education. I've always had a handful of teachers in the back of my mind as role models whenever I've taught and Mrs Spurr is one of them. Three years ago, I left school teaching and am finally back where I started doing a whole load of music, including piano teaching and composing. I recently had one of my compositions played on BBC Radio 3. If Mrs Spurr hadn't made it ok for me to focus on music and, more importantly, to question things including injustices, I would not have had the strength to have the varied career I have had and continue to have. I may not have had the level of respect I have for my pupils that she showed me. I may not have listened as well to them as I hope I do. I thought numerous times over the years about getting in touch with Mrs Spurr to tell her how much how she reacted on that day mattered to me. I never did it but hopefully here other people can get a measure of her as a person, as a teacher and as a guide to young women. I was very lucky to have had her as a headmistress and will not forget her.

Alexandra Skevington (née Sarsby), 1986-1994

Following the publication in 2013 of my book commemorating 500 years of education in Bolton, the by then retired headmistress kindly invited me to lunch at her London Club, The Reform, in St James’s; the only occasion we ever met. Sporting the Stafford Knot gold badge of a Deputy Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Dr Spurr announced magisterially that luncheon would be restricted to two courses and that we would forgo the pudding.  She drily recounted that when she applied for the exalted position, she never thought she stood any chance of an interview, let alone appointment, because she was then teaching in a state mixed comprehensive school, was not an Oxbridge graduate and moreover her ancestors hailed from Yorkshire. To her surprise she was offered an interview and was flabbergasted, because her family were teetotal, when her mother advised “Margaret, should you be offered a drink, you ought to accept to create a good impression”. After passing the initial interview, she reached the reduced final short list of candidates who were invited to the grandest house in Bolton, home of the Chairman of the Governors, who duly proffered drinks. “What do you think of my sherry?” asked Marcus Tillotson and she replied “Superb and it tasted so nice served in the finest Waterford Crystal”, thence offered the job. Mothers are always right!

Malcolm Howe, 1948-56

Dr Spurr, what an amazing and inspirational woman you were. I only wish I was able to thank you personally for the immense kindness you showed to me as a young pupil at Bolton School, in supporting my personal and educational development, paying personally for my private piano lessons when my parents were no longer able to do so, and for instilling in all of us the values which you rightly held dear. Your influence and example have had a profound effect on me and no doubt many others who, like me, have held you in very great esteem. Thank you for helping me and others to believe they could achieve great things. The world will be a much poorer place for your absence.

Julie Warburton

Dr Spurr was an amazing leader and teacher whose impact on all those passing through the school during her tenure as Head was deep and lasting. She was always the model professional and set the best of examples to all. I first met Dr Spurr at my interview for my school place when I was 9 as so many did, and she remained head until after I had left for University - she was a trail blazer in women's education and I am proud to have known her.

Beverley Fairbank

During my time as Head, Margaret (in her 80s) got engaged to Peter. They did not live together and she was travelling back home through the Fens in the mist, this time of year when she turned the car over.

She said to me that two people stopped and came over to the car. One said, “Is she still alive?” Margaret’s response was, “I certainly am, get me out of here!”

Gill Richards, Former Headmistress 2005 – 2011

I was really saddened to hear the news of Mrs Spurr's passing. As a young girl growing up through Bolton School, Mrs Spurr was a huge inspiration to me as a strong female leader. She taught me that I could achieve anything I set my mind to. Her values were strong and she always found a balance of strength and compassion. She taught us about individuality and the importance of accepting differences. I hugely admired and respected her and send my condolences to her family. I hope they feel strength in the legacy that she has left and the impact she had on many of us.

Helena Bird, 1988-1995

Margaret Spurr made an impact on my life from the day she interviewed me for Bolton School and signed a copy of 'A Secret Garden' for me in 1988 as a prize for my performance in the entrance exam. Her manner, and the gift, instantly raised my confidence and self-belief. I knew nobody when I started Bolton School at the age of 11, being the only one from my Catholic primary school, and having obtained an Assisted place. From the beginning, Margaret Spurr was so welcoming, got to know me, even asked me to show visitors round school.  I used to enjoy going to her office to sign the 'excellent' book and she was always so interested in what I was studying, how I was enjoying school life, and ask about my Mum.  She had a sense of joy, genuine care for her students, that opportunities were open to all, regardless of background, and a desire to see girls meet their potential.

I was fortunate enough to go to Queens' College, Cambridge, where I met my husband.  I have no doubt that Margaret Spurr played a role in enabling my educational experiences to carry me on a positive path.

I have often thought of Margaret, always with great fondness, and I am saddened to hear of her loss.

My condolences to the family.  With love and prayers in memory of a very special lady.

Anna E. Herko, 1988-1995

I was the violin teacher when Dr Spurr was the Headmistress in the Girls` Division. She was a most supportive and hardworking Headmistress, making sure, despite her extremely busy timetable she attended every concert and recital for the benefit of the Girls`.

She was a natural leader who I respected very much.

Andrea Coburn, 

Violin Teacher, 1981-1997

I was a student in the Girls' division from 1988-1993 when Dr Spurr was the Headmistress.

I have very fond memories of a lovely lady who was always kind towards the pupils. I always remember there being a warm and positive atmosphere within the school.

Rosalind Coburn, 1988-1993

The 100 Objects Project aims to celebrate the places and objects that best typify life at Bolton School.

Nominations for the 100 Objects were taken during the 2012-13 academic year and a full list can be seen below.

Voting for the ‘Top Ten’ Object continued throughout the 2014-15 academic year, and the final list, announced at the two Grand Reunion assemblies on Saturday 25th September, is as follows:

If the list of 100 Objects has prompted happy memories of School, we would love to hear them.  Please share your memories and photographs with us by emailing [email protected], and we will record them for posterity in our digital ‘Memory Book’, at the ‘Memories of School’ section of the School website.

The 100 Objects, as voted by Bolton School Alumni:

We have a vast collection of archive photographs which offer an intriguing insight into what life was like at Bolton School for previous generations.  Each week, on our Facebook page and Twitter and Instagram accounts, we take a look back into the Archive and share a School photograph. We also regularly update the archive photos in our Flickr collection online.

We would be very glad to receive and share your School photographs; please post them to the Development Office or email them to [email protected]

Flickr album: 1940s | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin

In spring 2015, Old Boy Malcolm Howe (1948-1956) produced a pamphlet detailing the unlikely connections between Old Boy and inventor of the torpedo Robert Whitehead (1823-1905) and the original von Trapp family singers.  His research, by pure chance, coincided exactly with the School's most recent production of The Sound of Music. 

To download a copy of the pamphlet, please go online.  

Bolton School Camps

Camps were first introduced to Bolton School in 1910 by the Headmaster, Mr Lipscomb. The first camp was at Filey and there have been camps in most years ever since. These have included sites at Abergele, Aber, Saundersfoot, Fairbourne, Llanbedrog, Grasmere, Howick and Instow. We have photos from some of these camps and would welcome wider coverage if anyone can loan photos for us to copy.

Aber Camp 1921-38

Between the wars the School held a camp at Aber, on the North Wales coast, almost every year during the late June period of Bolton Holidays. The campers lived in bell tents and the cooking was done on a coal fired field range. The first camp was thrown into some doubt because of a national coal shortage. Over the years many staff helped to run the camp, notable among them being Mr Gwynne Jones and Mr "Bill" Brookes. Always, a School Sergeant supervised the cooking.

We are grateful to Mr John Eaves, now 80, for memories of the camp in 1935.

I remember the long walk to Aber Falls and the pool into which the Falls cascaded. Above that was the steep, almost vertical mountainside with lines of grey screes. Bill Brookes explained to us how to scree-run. There was a spring on the beach which fed clean fresh water, pure and clear and fit to drink into a tiny pool into a tiny pool formed in the small pebbles in the shingle, so that you could kneel down and drink.
I remember the canoes of blue rubber skins with yellow wooden frames and kayak double ended paddles in which we went out alone, but in convoy, over the sea as far out as we dared go, until we were a long, long way from the shore, and yet, when I used the long paddle as a pole, I could still touch the soft sand or mud in that shallowest of seas.
The visit to Beaumaris Castle made such an impression on me that my desire to see it again remains with me to this day but is, as yet, unfulfilled.
I remember the bell tent. I had slept in an ordinary tent but this was my first time in a bell tent. The next time was at Haywards Heath in a wood where nightingales sang from the branches above. It was in the last week of May and the first three days of June 1944 and I was in a holding camp sealed off from the outside world until we left on 4th June to embark before D Day. I thought then of our bell tent at Aber Camp, 9 long years earlier. But which seemed almost yesterday, as it still does nearly 60 years later. 9, 60, 69 years ago, what's the difference when you are 80?

In the photograph, John Eaves is the third from the right. 

Derek Rothwell (1938 - 1945) has written this account of the camp held at Mowbrek Hall Farm, Wesham, nr Kirkham.

This camp was set up either in 1941 or 1942 and its function was to help bring in the harvest in Wartime Britain. It was part of the War Effort. The camp was held in August and we slept in bell tents - eight boys in a tent. A wooden shippon served as a dining hall. Boys went to the camp for 2 or 4 weeks and cycled from home to the farm. There were always 2 or 3 masters in attendance.

The meals were prepared and cooked by Sergeant Somerville and his wife. The pots and pans were cleaned by two boys considered too young to work on the farm (under 14). These two boys peeled the potatoes which involved a lot of work as they were preparing food for 30 other boys working as farm laborers. At the first camp these two boys were Douglas Somerville and me.

After breakfast at 8.00am the boys left the camp in pairs on bicycles to work on farms within a 5-mile radius. The farmers provided the boys with a hot lunch and they had a hot meal at camp at 6.00pm.

The work on the farm consisted of harvesting oats, wheat and barley- stoking, loading the attocks and feeding the threshing machine. If the crop in the morning was wet - potato picking was carried out until the crop became dry.

There was a good relationship between the farmers and the boy labourers. Pay was sixpence per hour (2.5p) and we were charged five shillings (25p) per week for food. All the wages went into a common fund and at the end of the camp after all expenses had been deducted there was always a profit, which was shared out equally amongst the campers.

This camp was held at Bolton Holidays in Grasmere and was the annual camp of the Junior School. The 1935 photos are from Bernard Harrison's photograph album and were loaned for copying by his son Peter (PJH). You can spot the following as young men: F R Poskitt, Alan Walsh, Bernard Harrison, Pip Porter, Jack Howard as well as Messrs Sayers and Jenkins and Sgt Somerville. On the station you may spot a 10 year old Derrick Shaw.

A unique insight into Bolton School in the 1930s was brought to light by current pupils, George and Myles Blackwell, through a photo album which belonged to their grandfather, Myles Haselden.

Myles Haselden was a former Governor and Chairman of the Boys’ Division, and the Haselden Room in the School was named after him. The photo album contains old images of the Boys’ Division and was presented to Lester Haselden (Myles Haselden’s Father) on Prize Day in 1933.

The Haselden Album was brought back into school by George and Myles in 2013, 80 years after its initial presentation.

Flickr album: The Haselden Album - Images of Bolton School | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin

Can you help to identify the boys whose names are missing in the list below?

MARTIN WADSWORTH'S HEADS OF DEPARTMENT QUIZ

Below is a Bolton School themed pub quiz round, with a Boys' Division Head of Department from the last fifty years hidden in every answer! How many can you identify?

1. What is the name of dictionary that is recognised as the number one choice for crossword setters and solvers?
2. Which company was founded in Oldham in 1884; it lays claim to being the country’s oldest pub chain, though its name suggests one particular tipple?
3. Who is Sherlock Holmes’ sidekick?
4. Is it a roofer? Is it a brewery? Is it a politician?
5. What is the name of the iconic British car marque famed for its vehicles being assembled by hand and featuring wood?
6. This knighted TV personality, writer, host and satirist died in 2013.
7. This actor and singer starred in wire in the blood and topped the charts in a duo with a former Jimmy Young and Righteous Brothers song.
8. What is a citizen freeman of an English borough?
9. Gary’s crisps?
10. Name these two iconic American musicians who share a surname, one a country music singer, the other a drumming jazz band leader.
11. Which word means to control by surrounding and prevent from moving, usually by the police?
12. What is the name of a Microsoft web browser?
13. This Merseyside borough including Southport.
14. If a silver wedding anniversary is 25th; golden is 50th; what is 2nd?
15. Which American 19th century poet wrote the song of Hiawatha?
16. If you went from St John’s Wood to Westminster, which two homonymous venues would you be visiting?
17. Who was the comedy writer who wrote Billy Liar and wrote many TV programmes with Willis Hall?
18. What connects an area of Oldham and one of Ireland’s greatest playwrights?
19. This small elegant aerial insect catcher can be house or sand.
20. Which animal is vulpine?

Check here for answers.

MARTIN WADSWORTH'S SAUNDERSFOOT SOUVENIRS

As we stand at the halfway point of 2020, it goes almost without saying, this has been the oddest and most unusual of years. Lockdown has been a time for reminiscing and this combination of influences has turned my thoughts to Saundersfoot. This was mirrored by one of the Headmaster’s tweets and Throwback Thursday pictures from Development Department’s social media posts.

Like so many other events, this will be the first year without a Bolton School trip to magnificent Pembrokeshire for those finishing their second senior year in some sixty years. I say end of their second year as the trip is so ancient that at least three different nomenclatures have applied...Year 8; Second Forms; Third Forms even! …as well as at least three different venues on David James’ fields at Old Mill Farm or Trevayne.

I only joined the staff entourage in 1975 -the trip already well into its teens, when I was recruited to join the trip which, in those days, lasted just short of two weeks in Bolton Holidays. By the time of my last visit in 2016, a year after my retirement as a Bolton School employee, amongst other things, in some 42 trips, I had had years i/c and resurrected the principle of School Sergeants going on school trips!

In those early days, this was one of the first times these nascent teenagers had been away from their homes without parents for such a period - Cautley had provided weekends and later Paris for the First Years and much more organised outdoor pursuiting would make us less unique but as trips became more sophisticated, the unique traditional camping actual and in spirit made it all the more special!

Rather than a formal memoir, I thought I would list 42 events I do recall, one for each year as it were, be they regular or specific that epitomise this seminal school trip for me.

• Getting there & back be it on a lorry, a coach, a minibus, a train or a private car with so many minibus hassles be they flat tyres, trailer troubles, fuel running out.
• Erecting tents with various levels of competence and potential and actual injury – whose finger end was it that was smashed by an errant sledgehammer?
• A myriad of washing modes – from washing up bowls on tables through to ever improving shower blocks -always check your wing mirrors as boys used them to make sure they looked just right!
• Toilet facilities - lats, mobile loos, hedges
• Weather - boiling hot (it did not rain until the last night of my second trip) with concomitant sunburn
• Weather – torrential rain with flooded tents, wet sleeping bags and kit, shorts & wellies, sticky mud in the marquee and the Cooks Tent, ever more inventive staff ideas to amuse damp thirteen-year olds
• Health - Home sickness, Physical illnesses such as diarrhoea, vomiting etc., injuries from fingers to ankles
• Counselling -improvised in tents, the open air, dodging rain in the back of minibuses
• An intimate knowledge of West Wales Health Service “outlets” from Saundersfoot drop-in centre through Tenby health Centre to Withy Bush Hospital (using the night shift on at least one occasion
• The cavernous olive and beige leaky Cooks Tent where some quite astonishing food was produced by generation after generation of senior boys... true leadership education going on before it was on trend!
• Pythonesque Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam
• Staff specialities such as Cheese-ons once the masses were “safely tucked up” or whatever plus cherries or berries on the staff table
• Porridge in its various manifestations from runny to stodgy, from burnt to DA perfect
• Roast pork and crackling for 80 on the last night
• Fruit Salad
• Late evening chats with staff
• Later evening chats & drinks with senior boys
• Duty tents
• Water fights in the scorching weather
• Staff punishments – some that would no longer be allowed such as stakeouts for duty tent sinners and running through the cow pat splattered field for after lights out serial chatterers
• Listening in on talking after lights out, almost all conversations not meant for staff ears
• IAKO & IDI, It’s a Knockout Saundersfoot style and The initiative diligence intelligence game improvised when weather was against us, or whatever IDI stood for!
• Regular trips into Saundersfoot itself... the arcade, the chippy, the harbour, for staff and seniors, the occasional freedom of the pubs, the nightclub just once a trip for seniors and even an occasion young buck staff member
• Heatherton
• The coastal path walk to or from Tenby
• Oakwood
• Staff showing their inner child on water slides and go karts
• Carew Castle and clambering the crumbling walls pre-H&S constraints
• Illegal purchases -BB guns, naughty packs of cards confiscated as well as a wondrous array of family presents that we looked after.
• Monkstone Point walks especially when tide times misjudged!
• The masses of beautiful bays and beaches – Coppett Hall, Monkstone, Barafundle and so on
• Bosherston Lily Ponds on the way to Broad Haven beach but always after a visit to Aunty Vi in the shop
• Boys buried in the sand with sculptured bits predictably rude from young teenagers – magnificent sand sculptures from artistic staff
• Days out to RAF Brawdy; Pembroke Power Station; Caldey Island; St Davids
• Inter tent competitions…football, rugby, cricket, sports, duty, etc.
• Sunday morning worship in the field -young voices singing hymns in the sun
• Campfire -building it, organising it, finishing off around the embers in the early hours
• KGB ghost stories & DA monologues
• MPW DES CAS The Nominal story -every boy’s surname worked into a saga of perverse content and indeterminate length but we never failed to get every boy in!
• The staff songs
• In latter years, the improvised use of technology to watch World Cup & Euros -white sheets or marquee panels can be used to fair to good effect!
• Staff and boys lost, escaping, coming and going – to fit in with family holidays; being collected as they simply refused and could not be persuaded to complete the trip; Ernie Ryder, senior boy then returning as an Old Boy, now, forty years on, Lord of Appeal and Senior President of Tribunals, then off to cox his college boat at the Henley Regatta; Tim Shaw, with us prior to marrying an Italian, unexpectedly having to fly off to Italy for the equivalent of Banns being read in person; me, regularly arriving late after LSCA cricket -famously one year after midnight to be greeted by words of frantic staff & seniors to the effect “Martin they are awful turn round go back!”…that lot must be approaching fifty!

This list ends here for I never did turn round and go back – why would I? – this trip was the perfect archetypical arcane example of what Bolton School was all about!

THE LEVERS OF DARCY LEVER - BENEFACTORS OF BOLTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL 1620-94

The north west part of the manor of Little Lever, separated from Great Lever by the River Croal, belonged in 1473 to Sir Richard Tempest of Broughton, Yorkshire, whose daughter married Lord D’Arcy. Hence the name that was commemorated by Fred Dibnah’s traction engine which he drove to Buckingham Palace in 2004 to receive the honour of MBE from the Queen. By the 16th Century the Levers had regained the manor and became wealthy dealing in cloth in the City of London. Successive members and relations by marriage were generous benefactors. Younger sons moved to Alkrington and Kersall. WE Brown cited details of their bequests in The History of Bolton School published in 1976. Their family tree has since been researched and clarifies their genealogy. Lord Leverhulme could trace his roots to the neighbouring Levers of Great Lever.

Malcolm Howe (1948-1956)