This summer, Laura Henthorn (née Carless) stepped down after 14 years as Chairman of the Old Girls’ Association (OGA).
She officially passed the baton to her successor at the OGA’s Annual General Meeting and Lunch on 13 June 2024, where she expressed to the gathering her gratitude at all the opportunities this voluntary role had afforded her. She mentioned many enjoyable years supporting and meeting many Old Girls across the country, and her pride in having done so.
Mr Philip Britton, the School’s Head of Foundation, Mrs Lynne Kyle, Head of Girls’ Division and President of the OGA, and Mrs Laura Firth, Director of Development and Alumni Relations, offered Laura their personal thanks for her time as Chairman. They also reflected on happy memories from her time in the post, from companionship at Alumni Dinners and Lunches to enjoying numerous and varied School activities together. Mrs Kyle noted that Laura has been a wonderful ambassador for the school over the years as an Old Girl, a parent, a committee member, a parent Governor, on the Parents’ Association, and as Chairman: an astonishing 120 years in total!
In recognition of her years of service, and the significant contribution she has made to the OGA and the School, Laura was given the title of Chairman Emerita. Although she has stepped down from her role, she intends to remain a part of the OGA Committee and to continue supporting the OGA and the School in years to come.
Laura was thrilled that her three daughters, themselves also Old Girls, and granddaughter were able to join her at the AGM and Lunch to celebrate and acknowledge the time she has devoted to Bolton School over the years. Speaking of her time as Chairman of the Old Girls’ Association, Laura said, ‘I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as Chairman and am honoured to have met so many wonderful Old Girls up and down the country, and am so grateful for the opportunities the role has afforded me over the last 14 years. I have been immensely proud to lead the collaboration between School and the OGA and I am especially keen that we continue to support the charitable works undertaken by pupils of the Girls’ Division and the wider Foundation’.
Laura’s name can be seen the new oak boards which display the names of all Old Girls’ Association Past Chairmen, unveiled in April this year as part of the OGA’s 135th anniversary.
There will soon be more names to add, as following a vote the OGA constitution has been changed and the Chairman’s service will be a one-year term going forward. This will allow for a roving ambassador to share the goals and ambitions of the OGA and to be involved in School life, reflect the changing culture, ages and stage of life of the OGA, and to allow many more Old Girls to take on this significant voluntary role.
Laura nominated Judith Hibbert (Class of 1979) to be her immediate successor and, following a vote, she was elected as OGA Chairman for 2024-25. She is looking forward to following in Laura’s footsteps and, as well as giving a brief history of her family’s connections with Bolton School, she said:
‘My aims for the year include encouraging as many of my cohort as possible to attend events. The dinners will provide an opportunity to communicate the new structure and to encourage Old Girls to think of this as something they can see themselves doing. It will be something of a transitional period and succession planning will be important to the new structure’s success and I will work closely with the Development Office on that.
‘Although not a natural fundraiser, I will gladly draw on my and my family’s experience to emphasise the life-changing benefits of the bursary scheme and will encourage Old Girls to support the other endeavours, such as the mentoring programme, that fall under the aegis of the Old Girls’ Association.
‘Bolton School transformed my family’s fortunes – both my grandmothers went into the mill after elementary school – and that is one of the reasons I am so pleased to have this opportunity to give something back.’
Bolton School is very grateful to all the Old Girls who support the School, to the committee who continue to give their time and guidance, and to Judith and to Laura for their time and efforts as Chairmen.
Laura and her daughters:
A gallery of photos from the Old Girls' Lunch and AGM:
