We have rounded off a year of celebrations with the unveiling of a bespoke centenary plaque by the Mayor of Rugby, Cllr Barbara Brown, at a very special event. The Mayor is pictured with David Dove, Centenary Committee Chairman, Rob Close, Guildhouse Chair of Trustees, and Tim Day of the Rugbeian Society.
Special celebration draws centenary events to a close
Old Big School at Rugby School was the setting for an evening of music, literature and fun as supporters, donors, staff, trustees and dignitaries gathered to mark the day 100 years ago when the Guildhouse first opened its doors.
Named in honour of a Dr John Percival, a former head master at Rugby School, the Guildhouse promoted his ambition for education to be available to adults from all walks of life. The Old Rugbeians, former Rugby School pupils, bought antiquarian Matthew Holbeche Bloxam’s house in St Matthew’s Street, opening a centre there on 29 September 1925.
Tim Day, Director of Development and Alumni, said the Rugbeian Society was proud of its role in founding the Guildhouse and pleased to have helped in organising the closing centenary event. Its focus today lies in supporting youth education through organisations such as The Arnold Foundation, its transformational boarding bursary scheme, which it created in 2003, and which has provided fully-funded places for 200 talented students from heavily disadvantaged backgrounds.
Rob Close, Guildhouse Chair of Trustees, applauded each generation of students and volunteers that had seen the Guildhouse through periods of severe economic downturn, a world war and withdrawal of all municipal funding enabling it to continue today as unique in Warwickshire in the type of learning provision it offers to adults. He spoke of the challenge being faced post Covid to restore student numbers but also the determination to work towards future anniversaries.
As part of the centenary celebrations, Guildhouse member Andy Roughton, had organised a short story writing competition among secondary schools in Rugby. A highlight of the closing event was a presentation of prizes to winners in different age categories and the reading of the winning stories. Music at the start of the evening was provided four talented Rugby School pupils.
In thanking all who had helped, David Dove, Guildhouse Centenary Committee Chairman, hoped the 100-year anniversary and the public platform it had provided via a variety of events, would serve as the springboard to a secure future.
Centenary plaque unveiled
The centenary plaque will be fixed to the wall by the Guildhouse front door.
