December 2024 

As we approach the end of the month and the year I am collating all the archives that have been donated. Before items are donated they are often prefaced with something like this, "I have some items from my time at Queen's and wondered if it was any use to you"? My response is always a resounding "Yes please"!! Could it be true that older is always better? It may well be true when we are thinking of our archive collection and is why I was so pleased to receive a small collection of items relating to Miss Garland, former Geography teacher here at Queen's. I can now add a typed reference from 1962 from Miss MacLean, a thank you note from the cast and orchestra of 'Noye's Fludde' with a programme dated 1959. There are photographs of Miss Garland from that time too. The most recent donations received are relating to Miss Ruth Hinde, former staff from 1958 to 1982 and includes correspondence between Miss Hinde and former headmistress Miss MacLean inviting her to an interview and then a job offer. There is a card with signatures from staff and or pupils dated December 1982 with a message, Miss Hinde, Much love and best wishes for the future… Amongst the donations is a card written to Miss Sedgwick dated July 1983 from the Old Girls Association with some names I already recognise written in calligraphy. From this was 'Toad of Toad Hall' programme from a staff production which I presume was presented to the students. There is no date, but I presume it is before 1982 as Miss Hinde is part of the 'Properties and Scene-Shifting' team. Finally, I have added a copy of the order of service and Hymn Sheet from the Cathedral Service at Chester Cathedral from December 2024.   

November 2024

In the archives I found some 'prefect books' signed by Head Girls/Prefects/Deputy Head girls. I have 1923-1951 1952-1959 and then 1960 - 1966. There is a handwritten declaration at the top of each page, "I undertake, to the utmost of my powers, to help to maintain, by my behaviour and influence, a high standard of conduct and a right tone in this school, in which I am appointed a prefect" This tradition we would like to start again and this event would be the gentle launch or re-launch of the signing of the book when the new Head Girl and team take over each year. I would like your feedback on my ideas and anything else you would like to share. 

 Here are the options;

An informal event here at The Senior School where all Head Girls/Deputy Head Girls are invited. Everyone signs the book for their respective year group. We have tea and cake, our current Headmistress and or other members of our Senior Team are present. This would be in the Spring term of 2025

You come into school when/if you are available at your leisure and sign the book. This might be at a school reunion or other occasion.

Something else. Please let me know.

 

November 2024

We received the sad news that Miss Mary Garland ex-Geography teacher of The Queen's School passed away in July 2023.  Her god-daughter contacted me after finding some items relating to her time here and asked if I would like them.  I gratefully accepted.  These included some photographs of Mary, a programme from 'Noyes Flud' 1959, a thankyou card from the cast and orchestra,  a letter from then headmistress Miss MacLean writing about Mary (possibly a references).    I have updated the obituary section for more information and some photographs too.  These items will be added to our archives.  

October 2024 

The Archivists return to collect whole school and form photographs dating back to 1911. We remove as many as possible from the frames. Some particularly old photographs are rolled up tightly and it is impossible to know what they are. They will be professionally 'unrolled' by the conservator. Duplicates that are known are left here at Queen's as all those removed will be professionally stored and preserved so there is no need to have more than once. 

 Some duplicate items are returned from our archivist. I will be able to add them to the glass cabinets in the school hall and in our own storage area. September 2024 I spend some time cataloguing the contents of the glass cabinet in the main school hall. 

 It is referred to as the 'Brina Marks' collection. I will investigate to discover more about who Brina Marks is. Some of the collection contains,;

Photo of Lower Fourth H 

 Lacrosse Colours Badge 

 Music festival award sign given to Amy Underhill 

2006 Christmas Carol Service card with lyrics 

 Child Songs book 1908 

 French exercise book 1965 – 1970 

 Prefect book 1923 – 1951 

 Prefect book 1960 – 1966 

 Blazer Pocket woven badge Photo 

Queen's School 1911 

 1 x School Hat Navy 1960's 

 1 x Straw Hat 

 Printed copy of book from Queen's girl view 

1928 QS Prospectus 

1982 Fees information sheet 

 Box with typed Prize Giving speeches from 1973- 1988 

 Bound book from 1946 – 1965 with typed overview of contents including; Prize Giving order of service Carol Service order of service

 Commemoration order of service School play invites School play programmes 

 Letters to Parents regarding increase in fees 

 Newspaper cutting Uniform changes 

 Service of Blessing Nedham House 1948 

 Copy of telegram to Queen Mary on death of King – 1952 

 Retirement of Miss Hicks – 1963 

 "Scrapbook" 1978 – 1981 with typed overview of contents Prospectus 1978 Letter regarding Queen's visit …..and so much more. 

 Some will become part of the collection at Cheshire Records and Archives. 

 UPDATE I have been able to find out more about Brina Marks and share this link here. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/QueensRemembersBrina

In her memory the glass cabinet housing a selection of our collection will always be called "The Brina Marks collection".

I am also aware of a beautifully crafted box designed in memory of Brina to contain the accumulating stories of the contributions to the world of the girls who receive it. The first presentation was to Zoe Thornton-Reid Class of 2018. I would love to find out more about how else was presented in subsequent years.

 If you can help at all please let me know, perhaps you know who designed the box? I have also discovered a letter from the QSPA (undated) sharing a donation of £1000 has been used to fund a school prize over the next ten years: the Brina Marks Agape prize, recognising acts of selflessness- agape- by Queen's girls includes an award to a charity of the winner's choice.

 If you received this prize or know someone who did I would love to hear from you. 

 August 2024 

The archives are removed and taken to Cheshire Records and Archives in Duke Street, Chester. There they will be catalogued and stored. The photographs will be removed separately as there so many, and more time is needed. Some of the photographs are in frames and the back are stuck with glue and or tape. They need the expertise of the specialist conservator at their office so will be removed there. Here are some links which show the new building that will be opened in 2026 and where we can exhibit and showcase all our Archives.

Cheshire Records and Archives

 I have already reserved some exhibition space even though the booking system isn't officially opened yet. The intention is to maximise this opportunity for our 150th celebrations in 2028. 

One of our maintenance team has also found two boxes of archive documents which look like handwritten minutes from meetings. On the front cover of one book, you can find the date 1877. There is some damage at the top of about 1/3rd of these pages but there is evidence from pages intact of minutes from 1878. This means one can at least presume that pages prior to this one date at some point date from 1877. There are some typed minutes in books too. Apart from a wonderful historical document, the minutes are the history of the school and are worth preserving from at least that point. They will be collected by our archivist. July 2024 The archivist from Cheshire Records and Archives arrives at The Queen's School alongside another archivist from their team. 

 Here are some comments from our correspondence...... Thank you for showing me the archive collection last week. It was very interesting to see what you hold. I attach our 'Adding to the Archives' leaflet that will answer most of your questions. We do not charge for our services. If you wish to deposit your collection with us we will repackage in archival quality materials, catalogue the collection and make the catalogue available online subject to Data Protection. Any records that contain personal information of persons who may still be living (assuming a lifespan of 100 years) will not be available to the public. You will be welcome to take any items back that you wish to use for exhibitions etc. As I mentioned last week, we are due to close on 8th August. This is to prepare our collections ready for our move to new purpose built premises in Chester and Crewe. Once we close the records won't be available for the public to view until we re-open again in early 2026. However, depositors will be able to take back any records they need for exhibitions etc up until the point we physically have to move the collections. I imagine that this will be towards the second half of next year. In terms of the timescale of repackaging and cataloguing the collection; this varies depending on the size of the collection and other priorities. It will also depend on how complex the collection is. With the Queen's school collection I think it wouldn't take too long to catalogue the main runs of admission records, log books etc. The photographs, however, may be a longer project but can be catalogued broadly in the first instance If you did wish to deposit the collection with us there are a number of options. We could take the main run of records and you could keep the photographs for the time being. Alternatively, you could wait until we have moved to the new buildings. There is the potential for this to be the first collection deposited at the new Chester site which could bring a bit of publicity. We are happy with any of these options. The main thing to know is that after 8th August we won't be able to provide access to the public and as we get closer to the move date we wouldn't be able to provide access to anyone as the collections are moved. Whichever option works best for you we are happy to work with. I hope this is helpful. If there is anything I have missed that you would like to know please feel free to contact me. 

In summary we have agreed for Cheshire Records and Archives to host our collection and will arrange for collection. They will be stored in the new Chester building as our collection comes directly from Chester. June 2024 I have been liasing with our alumnae and the Archivist at Cheshire Records and Archives regarding visiting to view the collection. We have agreed a date. 

 May 2024 

Our Queen's alumnae from the class of '74 comes to school and visits our collection. I show her the cupboard/room with no windows where all the framed photographs are stored, the box with so many things I don't know what is there, the locked cupboard containing rolled up photographs, admissions registers, Have Mynde copies, scrap books and others. We agree that it is a huge task to organise and that it is also worth doing. She also shares with me how Cheshire Records and Archives might be interested in our collection and she promises to connect me with one of their Archivists there to discuss. Here is a message I received...

 It was so interesting to look at the old school register which contained all our details as former students. This is a very precious record which must be carefully preserved for future generations as I'm sure you understand. I would be very interested to see what else the school holds in their archive and to advise on a way forward to ensure that these records are more readily available for future use as well as being kept in suitable conditions so that they are preserved safely in perpetuity. 

February 2024 

The first reunion of 2024 – the Class of '74. I find some archives from our collection which I can show to the ladies returning including some whole school photographs, form photographs, admissions registers, Have Mynde and a Queen's school teddy. The guests loved looking at everything and it was a real focus point of the occasion. Listening to the ladies chat as they found their name, face in a photo and share memories is a key reminder why are archives are so important to maintain the love and connection with The Queen's School. I was absolutely delighted when I discovered that one of our guests has been involved in archive work in her professional life and asked if I needed support with the collection. An absolute yes would always be my response. Let's see what happens next.

 January 2024 

More cataloguing of archives and more photographs received to add to our collection. The digital service that was offered at the end of last year I will not be pursuing. The Queen's School Archives are part of our history and our community, and I feel should be available to all. I am not sure how that will work yet in reality but it is important to focus on inclusivity and remove any barriers to access. This feeling corresponds with our bursary appeal where we are so focused on offering opportunities to prospective Queen's girl students to ensure all those who are academically able and want to come here can do so. Expecting members of our alumni family to pay to see something that is part of their school history seems contradictory in this respect. Also I want to keep our archives close. 

December 2023 

More cataloguing of archives from our professional volunteer archivist. I have received more items and documents from our community to add to our collection. 

November 2023 

Mrs W-W shares details of an organisation and their business is all things "School Archives". I contacted them and had a Zoom call to find out more. In summary this organisation would come and take away the entire archive collection and digitize it making it available for public viewing. There will be a separate and new website created to share everything. There are opportunities for a Paywall to be in place to fund access. The company will charge for the service. I looked at examples from other prestigious schools who have done this and they do look impressive. However there will be an initial financial cost (and probably outgoing) and expecting our alumni community to pay to see is an issue I will need to think about. 

October 2024 

I am introduced to a professional archivist who is a parent of one our current Queen's students. A wonderful parent volunteer who will be able to work with me and begin to catalogue all our archives is very much welcomed. This will be a long process as there is a lot to do and find and our time is limited to out of school hours. During one of our after school sessions we discussed resources and what was needed to do this 'properly'. I made a list to see if I could access anything I needed. We have hardly scratched the service of what needs to be achieved. Some members of our estate team organise the framed whole school and form photographs into decades. I find some original photographs and one dated 1911. 

 September 2023 

I finally have access to the archives. I say finally… new keys had to be cut first. The archives are stored in two places in Stanley Place in locked cupboards and a locked room. First impressions are a bit overwhelming – there are photographs and documents and pictures and books and lots of 'things'. I take out some items and photographs, some are dated from the early 1900's and some have no dates. I can tell that some are very old and will deserve special preservation. I will need boxes, time and a system. I am a excited to learn and find out more about the 'archive world' 

July 2023 

 I came for an interview and discussed the scope of the new role as Alumni and Fundraising manager. Archives was discussed at this meeting, I cannot remember who talked about it first, me or Jane Archibald – Director of External Resources. Irrespective I shared my thoughts on finding out more about what archives The Queen's School had and potentially inviting in Alumni to both contribute and have a look at the archives. Little did I know that the cupboards that were in that meeting room were full of archives.