“A sort of civilised St. Trinians,” was how guest speaker Rev. Vicky Thurtell described the Dorchester Grammar School for Girls- widely known as the Green School from the colour of their uniforms- including their underclothing! The Vicar of St Peters, Dorchester, soon to become Canon Precentor at Exeter Cathedral, made history as the Old Hardyeans’ first female guest speaker in their 110 year history, at the Annual Reunion Dinner.
Although Hardye’s [boys] school was not far away across Dorchester, there was a concerted effort to keep the girls and boys apart. “The boys travelled by train from Weymouth- but we Weymouth girls caught a special Bere Regis bus for the trip across the Ridgeway to Dorchester,” Rev. Thurtell told the Old Hardyeans. “Teachers repeatedly warned us about not catching the train- being much concerned the lights may go out in Bincombe tunnel! I don’t know what they thought we might be up to,” laughed Rev. Thurtell. She became Head Girl at the Green School. “Both of my children received a very good education at Thomas Hardye School and I welcome the warm links that exist between the parish church and the school,” concluded Rev. Thurtell. “I do hope the links will continue and I am going to miss you all in Dorchester. It is a great privilege to be asked to speak at the Old Hardyeans’ Annual Reunion Dinner, and I am delighted to have been the first woman speaker in 110 years, just a few weeks since Rev. Libby Lane became the first female Bishop!”
In his presidential address, Peter Foster thoughtfully drew an interesting timeline between the founding of the Old Grammarians in 1905 and the present day Hardyeans Club. Looking at the 1910 photograph, with Thomas Hardy OM and Sir Frederick Treves GCVO at the head of the table, the President recalled that all the early Old Grammarians’ dinners had been in the Casterbridge Room at the King’s Arms Hotel. “Everybody is wearing white tie and tails- there would have been much thumping of the table and shouts of hear hear. Today we are back at the King’s Arms, happily back to our roots” The dinner of 1932 had been a landmark, with three Headmasters of Dorchester Grammar School as guests of the old boys. In 1955, R. W. Hill retired as Headmaster and A. N. Hamilton took over. He remarked at that year’s dinner that an old boys club is a typically British institution. Coming up-to-date, Peter Foster mused “it has taken 110 years for us to welcome a lady guest speaker, but the Old Hardyeans continues to provide opportunities to keep friendships, not only made at Hardye’s School, but at the other two Dorchester secondary schools.” He announced that Tony Day will become President in 2016.
Thomas Hardye School Head Teacher Michael Foley was unable to be present, due to a family commitment, but Dr. Tim Ennion spoke of being inspected by OFSTED the previous week. A geographer, he had joined Thomas Hardye School in 2000 as a newly qualified teacher and having left in 2008, has rejoined the staff as an Assistant Head Teacher. “Collaboration with business is high on our agenda at the school,” he told the Old Hardyeans, recounting how he had led a group of students touring a large Swiss pharmaceutical firm. “Although 95% of our students learn a foreign language,” he continued,” there is no doubt the international language of business is English- which makes us exceedingly fortunate in the UK.”
The Annual Reunion Dinner was attended by 62 people, predominately Old Hardyeans, but including some from the Green School, the Dorchester Secondary Modern School and the modern Thomas Hardye School. This annual reunion now includes former pupils of all secondary schools in the county town.
“The Annual Reunion Dinner is always a most enjoyable occasion and we thank the King’s Arms Hotel for serving such an excellent dinner,” comments Old Hardyeans Secretary Michel Hooper-Immins. “There are some fit and active Old Grammarians in their 80s, who joined the school before and during World War II. For example, Past President Gordon Crocker joined Dorchester Grammar School in 1938. It is fascinating to see how these elder statesmen of the Old Hardyeans interact with the young sixformers who attend from Thomas Hardye School, who of course represent the future of the club.”
Founded in 1905 as the Old Grammarians, the Old Hardyeans- also known as the Hardyeans Club- is one of the most successful old school associations in the county, bringing together the old boys of Dorchester Grammar School and Hardye’s School, plus ex-students of the modern Thomas Hardye School and other secondary schools in the county town. In the times of Queen Elizabeth I, it was Thomas Hardye [with a final “e”] described as a Yeoman of Frampton, who endowed Dorchester Grammar School in 1569. Hardye’s [shopping] Arcade today stands on the site. The Grammar School moved to Culliford Road in 1928- renamed Hardye’s School from 1954. The new Thomas Hardye School in Queens Avenue opened in 1992, encompassing the best traditions of the two previous schools- but admitting girls for the first time since 1569! Writer Thomas Hardy OM, who lived at nearby Max Gate, laid the foundation stone of Hardye’s School in 1927. He was no relation to Thomas Hardye, founder of the school, nor of Admiral Thomas Masterman Hardy!
Michel Hooper-Immins
