On 9^th May, the Marlburian Club celebrated the arrival, 40 years ago in September 1968, of Girls at the school. The Master and Mrs Sampson started the events of the day by hosting a lunch at the Master’s Lodge in honour of the first girls – 11 of the 15 were there, together with three former headmasters – John Dancy, Roger Ellis and David Cope and their wives.

This was followed by a Garden Party in the Master’s garden, attended by over 300 guests – Old Girls, together with their partners and children, as well as many former members of Common Room and their wives. For many, it was their first visit back and they entered the garden with trepidation – only to find that time has, in so many ways, stood still and it was the perfect occasion to renew old acquaintances and remember funny incidents from the past, helped by the magnificent display of “Marlburienne” memories that had been put together for the occasion.

John Dancy made a very moving speech, saying that attending the Garden Party ranked in importance only with his wedding day; of all the decisions he’d made in his life, taking girls at Marlborough was the only one that he had never subsequently questioned as he had always known it to be right. Sarah Hamilton-Fairley, President of the Marlburian Club, thanked him and reminisced on her time at Marlborough – “bluebells, Laura Ashley dresses, doughnuts in the Lodge, marks out of ten in the Norwood Hall leave a lasting imprint.” But she said it was the enthusiasm, passion, friends and commitment that really got through to her – and, as a current parent, she could see that this same spirit and ethos is still very much alive today.

Guests were entertained to a stunning performance of music and song by various college students, organised by Tim Ridley, Head of Music Technology, who is himself an OM.

The gardens had been transformed for the occasion with bunting, balloons and even flowers in the Marlborough colours. Tents, kindly provided by the Summer School, groaned with cakes and with Bucks Fizz generously supplied by the Foundation. Martin Evans, Club Secretary, and his assistant, Jane Pendry, are to be congratulated and thanked for their huge organisational effort to make the day so special – they even managed to hold the weather at bay!

Everyone who came will remember the day in their own way – but it will have added a renewed energy and gratitude to the College for all it had done and continues to do.