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Saturday, 28 November 2009
Approximately 600 guests including Baroness Shirley Williams,
attended the Service of Celebration for the life of Margaret Dora
Higginson (1918-2009) held at Bolton School Girls'
Division on Saturday 28 November.
Miss Higginson was Headmistress of Bolton School Girls' Division
from 1954-1979. She died peacefully in September at the age of 90,
leaving a lasting legacy to those who knew her.
The service began with a welcome and introduction by Mrs Gill
Richards, Headmistress of Bolton School Girls' Division, followed
by a tribute from Baroness Shirley Williams of Crosby; who fondly
remembers being a pupil of Miss Higginson when she was Assistant
English Mistress at St Paul's Girls School in London.
Miss Higginson's adopted daughter and Old Girl, Glenys Carter,
spoke to the packed audience about Miss Higginson, followed by
readings from family members Jane Crozier and Charles Tyldesley.
Extracts from letters to Miss Higginson were read by Old Girls
Deborah Taylor and Julia Head, and further offerings came from Old
Girls Angela Rowley and Elizabeth Mullenger, as well as from Ann
Glennerster, a former pupil of St Paul's School. A tribute
from Charles Winder, former Head of English at Bolton School Boys'
Division, brought the service to a close, along with an address
from the Revd Canon Dr C A Bracegirdle.
The large audience comprised of current and past teachers and
pupils, governors, and friends and family of Miss Higginson,
including other eminent Old Girls of Bolton School, Baroness Trish
Morris and Dame Janet Smith. Also present at the celebration were
members of the Ugandan family that Miss Higginson gave shelter to
when they were made refugees in 1972, helping them with housing and
introducing them to Bolton life.
Miss Higginson presided over a very busy time in the Girls'
Division, during which pupil numbers increased markedly and more
and more girls went on to Oxbridge and into a wider range of
challenging careers. Old Girl Elaine Lever summed up the thoughts
of many when she said "I am just one of the thousands who will be
grateful to her as long as we live. Goodbye, inspiring tutor and
very dear friend."
The music in the service was directed by Mr Alistair Mackenzie,
Head of Music in the Girls' Division, and included a number of
pieces from the Chamber Choir and the Head Girl Lucy Nolan on the
harp. The service was recorded and copies can be obtained from the
School.
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