Thursday 16 November saw the culmination of the library 50th anniversary celebrations in which there have been a variety of engaging assemblies and exciting competitions this term.
In the afternoon, students, staff, alumnae and guests gathered together to enjoy book themed musical performances, such as ‘Hogwart’s March’ from Harry Potter, and short story and poetry readings – all delivered by the students, who impressed the audience with their talent and creativity.
Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl, Lily and Reeti, also spoke about their love of reading and the quiet space the library affords them, expressing their gratitude to our special guests, daughter and granddaughter of Cyril and Catherine Taylor who opened the library in 1973. The celebration and reflection was then followed by an afternoon tea in Hardcastle Hall which was enjoyed to a backdrop of music played by students on the piano and harp.
Marking the anniversary in this way allowed The Abbey students and staff, past and present, to not only share their love of reading and fondness for the library, but to remember the philanthropy of Catherine and Cyril Taylor who gave us the library all those years ago. In the decades since the library’s opening, thousands of our students have benefited from the Taylor family’s kindness and generosity.
Joanne Wenman, Librarian
Imogen Haley’s poem is a wonderful dedication to the memory of Catherine and Cyril Taylor and also delivers a powerful message on the subject of women’s education.
Capable by Imogen Haley, Lower VI
Always limited, in every way,
Seen but not heard,
Few ideas in that head.
Caring only for matters of the heart,
Love, marriage, children.
A youth spent on speculation,
A life wasted on others judgements
And that all for the best.
For the less fortunate, the majority,
Hands like claws, curled over the harshness
Of living, of dying.
No opportunities, no room for opinion.
Ironic, is it not,
That those who give life
Have always had it taken away.
But this is not a dead-end-story.
There is always light, there’s always hope.
So for those who made it so we could be,
So we could learn, and breathe
Without punishment, judgement, reprimand.
Those who gave in the ways they could,
To better the lives of the misunderstood,
So that we could become who we are now,
So we could become what we were always capable of.
So to those, who put faith in us.
You saw the truth when everyone else failed.
You saw the light, you saw the hope.
A step up, when before we were pushed down.
We thank you.
We thank you.
