Red Maids on the march
Red Maids' School pupils marched through Bristol city centre to mark their Founder's Day.
The entire school of more than 550 girls took part in a short service at St Nicholas' Church, where three wreaths are laid on the tomb of the school's founder, John Whitson, before beginning their annual processi
-
Red Maids on the March
on through the streets from Welsh Back to the cathedral.
At the cathedral, John Whitson's will from 1634 was read to a packed congregation, reminding pupils old and new that Bristol was pioneering in providing an education for girls.
Many students at the country's oldest girls school still benefit from the money left in Whitson's will, which continues to offer a significant amount of financial assistance to many of The Red Maids' girls.
This year, the girls of Red Maids' were joined by two girls from The Emma Willard School, the oldest girls' school in America, who are in Bristol for an exchange visit. The two head girls from Red Maids' recently returned from a visit to the US school.
In the Cathedral, Red Maids pupils were joined by the headmaster and the two head boys from their brother school, QEH. Also present were the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bristol.
2 Comments
by Rebecca, Bristol
Saturday, November 22 2008, 11:00AM
“As a girl who took part i would like to point out that 8 girls wore the traditional uniform and marched behind the junior school , we are proud of this tradition but the school has limited funds to provide traditional costumes adn would prefer to put the money to the girls educational benefit and people who wear the uniform are very proud of it !!!”
by Emma, Bristol
Saturday, November 22 2008, 12:52AM
“As an old girl of Redmaids: I know they no longer have boarders but I cannot see the girls wearing the traditional uniform. It is a shame, a school like Redmaids should be proud of its tradition.”