Alresford school receives gift of portrait of its founder (From Hampshire Chronicle)
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Alresford school receives gift of portrait of its founder
9:30am Thursday 9th February 2012 in Alresford
Brian Champion presenting the portrait to back: Douglas Cairns and Olivia Probert; front: Darcie Carruthers and Lewis Shepherd
HE has been gone a long time but his portrait returned to a fitting resting place.
A piece of Alresford history was returned to Perins School when a painting of Henry Perin, its founder, was presented to students.
Brian Champion, president of Alresford and District Community Association returned the painting.
The artwork, which is over 300 years old, was originally at Perins for 200 years but during the early 20th century it was allegedly handed over to the Alresford Community Association to settle a debt.
The portrait was restored with its original frame in 1961 by local artist, A.G.Wade and has since hung in the Community Centre on West Street.
The Alresford and District Community Association decided that it would be appropriate to hand back the portrait to the school as it begins its new life as an academy.
Mr Champion formally presented the portrait to Doug Cairns, head boy, and Olivia Probert, head girl as well as Year 7 students Darcie Carruthers and Lewis Shepherd.
He said: “We felt it was time for Henry Perin to be restored to his rightful home.”
Olivia said: “This reflects such a big part of our school’s history and we are glad that it is being returned to us. We very much appreciate the gesture and hope to find it a good home within the school.”
