Gabby Logan

On Sunday, September 29, Sports Captains Naiya and Poppy had the opportunity to attend a talk by Gabby Logan at the Henley Literary Festival. The famous sports broadcaster and presenter recently released a book called The Midpoint Plan, which discusses some important advice that she has valued throughout her life and how her life has differed now that both her children have gone off to university.

We were lucky enough to have the opportunity to give a welcoming and closing speech for her amazing talk, which we thoroughly enjoyed. Alongside meeting Gabby Logan, we also had the chance to meet Dame Katherine Granger, who had recently attended our school for a talk during Girls Go Gold, and Mary Berry.

Naiya, Upper VI

Alison Weir

On Tuesday, 1 October, several A Level History students were given the incredible opportunity to meet renowned historian Alison Weir.

Alison has a talent for humanising historical figures, and portraying them in a reformed light, to enhance our perspective on the past. In doing so she has impacted the future, by educating young historians nationally.

The inspirational talk she delivered on Queen Mary I of England shone a light on the ‘bloody’ monarch. It was fascinating to uncover how the first female ruler of England reigned with an iron fist, similar to her father, the ruthless King Henry VIII, in every aspect.

Alison also engaged our emotions by exploring the tragic relationship between Mary and her mother, Katherine of Aragon. Her fierce devotion to her mother and defiance to defend her from Protestant forces was entirely admirable. As a child of divorce, she had felt torn from a young age, suffering also from the Reformation of the English Church as a Catholic.

As a History student particularly interested in the Tudor period, I found it intriguing to perceive ‘Bloody Mary’ from the perspective that many don’t. It was easy to sympathise with Mary with how Alison humanised her was refreshing to hear.

Mary’s complex life was simplified and the intricacies of her life were laid out to share. I believe I can speak on behalf of all who attended in saying Mary’s story fascinated us all. Thank you to Henley Literature festival for having us and to our teachers for taking us!

Lilia, Upper VI

On Tuesday afternoon, a group of Upper VI Historians were lucky enough to attend an exciting talk at the Henley Literary Festival by none other than Alison Weir.

Alison is the best-selling female historian since records began in 1997. Her novels are a fan favourite amongst the sixth formers as they explore the lives of historical women through their perspective – intricately weaving fact and fiction into a compelling and insightful story.

We had the opportunity to meet her, before introducing her to the stage in Henley Town Hall. Her speech detailed the life and controversies of Mary I and I found it particularly fascinating how she humanised Mary whilst still making a harsh judgement on her character.

Finally, we were invited back to the stage to summarise her incredible speech, and she even signed some books afterward! It was an amazing experience to meet a historian whose books we have read for so long and I can’t wait to read more about Mary in her next one!

Grace, Upper VI