OLD GIRLS
Malvern St James took part in the National Heritage Open Days scheme for the fifth year running.
Old Girls and former members of staff were visitors on the afternoon of 11th September 2010 when areas of the School were re-created in a celebration of the Main Building's past as the Imperial Hotel.
Old Girl Janet Pickard, with her husband Chris from Chiswick, London visited. Carol Pike, Nina Shaw and Elizabeth Mullenger, the former Headmistress of St James's and The Abbey, all attended and very much enjoyed the afternoon. Bridget Staniforth, who is the mother of Old Girl Sarah, enjoyed coming to the event for the first time. Old Girl Alex Hooley, now very much at home in her position as Director of Marketing and Admissions, also enjoyed seeing the event which was very well supported by over 130 visitors – the majority of whom had tea in Lawnside. Neighbours from Avenue Road were intrigued to visit the distinctive building – one family now live in Fairseat and would be delighted if any Old Girls could give then information about the school. Penny Smith, Vice-Chairman of the OGA, was present and Andrew and Charles Rambridge were also there to guide round the many visitors.
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| Mrs Trish Woodhouse, the new Headmistress meeting Old Girl Janet Pickard, with her husband Chris |
The Malvern Gazette is very supportive of Malvern St James's participation in the scheme and two articles in the preceding weeks attracted the attention of local residents. Saskia Osterloff and Caitlin Walters gamely dressed up in Victorian outfits and pretty boaters for a photo shoot in the Drawing Room. An excellent article about Mrs Trish Woodhouse, the new Headmistress, was on the same page and visitors, especially those with connections to the School, were delighted to have the opportunity to meet her. Trish's husband Steve is a keen photographer and you can see his photographs below. Drs Mary and John Harcup, parents of Old Girls, enjoyed the opportunity to look around. John Harcup is also a historian specialising in the Water Cure. There is huge interest in this due to the centenary of the death of Florence Nightingale and Dr Harcup has lectured on her life and work.
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The distinguished local historian and former member of staff, Pamela Hurle, whose centenary History of Malvern Girls' College, was extensively used in the presentations, spent the afternoon at Malvern St James and many visitors recognised her and enjoyed the chance to talk to her. One visitor, whose relative was Head Waiter at The Imperial Hotel, brought in an old receipt, headed with a picture of The Imperial Hotel for the purchase of 5 pigs - what a wonderful link with the past.
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This year celebrates the 150th Anniversary of the opening of the Great Malvern Railway station designed by E.W.Elmslie, the same architect of the Imperial Hotel. Elisabeth Rambridge, the School Archivist went to the 150th Anniversary of the Railway Station and met Lord Faulkner of Worcester, who was the Master of Ceremonies that day. In the summer Lord Faulkner invited her to join a group who were going into the Worm which was specially opened by the Station Manager. There have been photos and articles in the Worcester Evening News and the Malvern Gazette, contributed to the interest in the Heritage Open Day. There is even a video clip on the Malvern Gazette website! Elisabeth would be very grateful if any of her History set who she took down the Worm (in the 1980s?) can get in touch with her as she cannot remember the year it was. If Old Girls have any memories of the Worm they would share, Elisabeth would also love to hear from them – boarders' trunks certainly were brought up through the Worm from the London train.
A recent acquisition for the display was a copy of the Illustrated London News from August 23rd 1862 which describes the Imperial Hotel as "a truly magnificent building, not unworthy of the unrivalled scenery amid which it stands”. Presentations using the School's archive material traced the history of the building and the developments that have taken place up until the present day, so that the original building, described at the time “conveniently arranged, resembling in general configuration the letter L” now surrounds a Quadrangle.
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| An original copy of the Illustrated London News from 1862 |
This year marks another very special anniversary – the Centenary of the Girl Guide movement. Miss Alice Baird, who was the principal founder of St James's, was a close friend of Lord and Lady Baden-Powell and very involved in the development and spread of the Guides. Guiding started at St James in 1911 and by 1916 Miss Alice Baird was responsible for all guiding in schools and colleges. Malvern Girls' College and The Abbey both had guide groups. Heather and Betty Baden-Powell both attended St James's and to mark this close connection, a display was mounted of memorabilia from the archives. The Malvern Division Commissioner Mrs Trish Robinson was present through out the Heritage Open Day and many visitors enjoyed sharing their memories of their Guiding days with her.
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| York Hall with the presentation running |
A special presentation was mounted that celebrated the Enterprising Ladies who founded our schools and visitors and the current members of staff who attended the Heritage Open Day agreed they had learnt lots and were full of admiration for Miss Poulton and Miss Greenslade and Miss Baird, our Founders.
Visitors were asked to sign in and become ‘guests' for the afternoon. A programme had the tariff for 1912, with the Hotel telephone Number – simply No. 5 - and a History of the Main building was also available. This is available from Elisabeth Rambridge, simply email her at
The Heritage Open Day has to be one of those wonderful British traditions when as nation we celebrate our own culture. What a treat to be able to enter where we see the iconic ‘H' on a pink background that tells us a building is open. The buildings that open reflect this country's rich and diverse heritage. This year English Heritage is starting a project specialising in women's history called ‘Places and Traces' and celebrating the way women have taken on and adapted buildings. The History of Malvern St James is at the forefront of that development.
After the public had gone – and they had to be eased away such was the fantastic atmosphere, especially in Lawnside thanks to a delicious tea and the exquisite piano playing of members of the Music Department – the new Sixth Form were invited for a special viewing when Elisabeth showed them the presentations and took them to the Drawing Room, re-created as the Conservatory for the afternoon and to the Abbey Room where the Imperial Hotel table ware was laid out.
English Heritage asks for feedback to be submitted as son as possible and there was no hesitation to the answer – will you be participating in the Heritage Open day next year? – YES!
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Malvern St James