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LAST weekend, Westonbirt School celebrated its 80th birthday.

The school was founded on May 11, 1928 by the Martyrs' Memorial Trust in the former stately home of Robert Holford, at that time one of the ten wealthiest Victorian gentlemen in England, who planted what is now the National Arboretum at Westonbirt.

The school began with just 70 girls on its roll. The grand gala opening, with a guest list of 1,400, attracted national interest and Westonbirt quickly became a popular and prestigious school for girls from far and wide.

The first headmistress, Mrs Eleanor Houison Craufurd, had no teaching experience but had been Chief Commissioner for Guides in Scotland and was a highly respected leader of young people.

She laid down many standards and traditions that remain today, such as the school colours of dark red and grey and the school motto "Bono malum superate" - which means "overcome evil with good". Initially there were no school rules; these were to be devised as the need arose.

For more on this story, plus pictures, see the Wilts & Glos Standard on Thursday

10:42am Friday 9th May 2008

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