11:04am Tuesday 7th September 2010
By Warwick Payne
A NEW book is being printed to celebrate the 200th anniversary of one of Hampshire’s most historic places of education.
Twyford School near Winchester marked the milestone last year, although its roots are thought to be much older.
However, it was in 1809 that the vicar of Twyford, the Rev L M Stretch, started a school in a Queen Anne house near the vicarage.
From that site off High Street, the premises have expanded beyond all recognition over the last two centuries.
The early school features in the opening parts of Tom Brown’s Schooldays and has also produced several famous pupils.
They include former foreign secretary Douglas Hurd, who returned to visit the school last year as part of the anniversary events.
International hockey player, Rob Moore, is also a Twyfordian, and opened its all weather sports pitch in 2007.
The book celebrating 200 years on the same site has been produced by two former bursars at the fee-paying prep school.
Roger Porteous and John Stott have both moved on from that role to become school archivists.
The book shows that since the Rev Stretch, 14 other men have led the school, and Dr Steve Bailey is the latest in that line.
In the text, he said: “For a school early in its third century, it is valuable to have a clear understanding of footprints left by those who have passed this way before us.”
He added: “In future years we can expect the scenery to change – buildings come and go – but the ethos will remain: a family school with Christian values that strives to develop in children a lifelong love of learning and a caring outlook.”
For more details about the book, call the school on 01962 712269 or email twyford@twyfordschool.com.
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