Rhubarb Issue 12: November 2023

ST EDWARD’S

1872 T he initial quote for the Main Buildings and Warden’s House from Orchard’s the builders was for another sizeable sum before ‘any alterations and reductions’. Early estimates were soon being raised, as the parameters were changing even before a brick was laid. As well as formal documents between the Warden and his architect there were many handwritten side notes and calculations including a record of ‘the distance from Carfax to the site of the new school in order to ascertain if the building would be within the distance required by the Delegates’! Also, it is clear that Simeon was sending the architect ‘tracings and sketches’ for ‘his use and reference’ – just how useful Wilkinson found these was not recorded!

stone for the Main Buildings on 15th July. His relationship with Simeon had soured and right to the last minute it was uncertain whether he would actually perform the task, but he relented at the last moment, even praising Simeon for his efforts in his speech. At this ceremony the School Choir and those of St Barnabas and SS Philip and James schools assembled in Summertown and, singing a hymn, proceeded to the School site. Prior to leaving New Inn Hall Street, Simeon inaugurated the Confraternity of St Edward’s with himself as its Superior. Seven medals were handed out to the first members (who were about to leave), this body was ‘designed with old boys and leaving boys in mind’ (Oxley).The rules were simple, the members were to ‘remember the School when they took Communion, and to visit the Headmaster on St Edward’s Day (20th June)’.This was the beginning of what later became the St Edward’s School Society, albeit with very different aims and values.

FEATURE

The Reverend Thomas Chamberlain laid the foundation

The last School group photo taken before leaving New Inn Hall Street in 1872, with Simeon left centre and Arthur Cowie to his left; there are three other unknown teachers shown who did not make the transition to Summertown.

1873 T he move from New Inn Hall Street to the new site up the Woodstock Road near the isolated village of Summertown in August 1873 was delayed and eventful. It was also, for most of the boys, a step into the unknown. At the time ‘there were no omnibuses, no trams and practically no bicycles. Oxford ended on the Woodstock Road at Rackham’s Lane (later St Margaret’s Road).There was a footpath without lamps, but with horse-posts. Beyond the allotments was the wide expanse of the Old Diamond Farm, nearly all open grass fields.The old grey stone buildings of the farmhouse stood on the Banbury Road side, just where Rawlinson Road now enters it.There were no

buildings and no crossroads until you came to South Parade. If you walked out of Oxford, you might meet a postman with a lantern – never a policeman!’ (Wilfrid Cowell memories printed in the December 1930 Chronicle) .The Woodstock Road remained a shingled, rough surface with no pavements until the turn of the century and was not asphalted until 1912. The 55 existing St Edward’s pupils would be joined by a further 24 new boys for the Autumn Term to make up the first intake at Simeon’s new site. The School assembled for the last time at New Inn Hall Street in May, anticipating the new buildings being ready by August but right from the start things did not go well. Simeon was struck down by the dreaded diphtheria and, barely conscious, was carried across to Felicia Skene’s house

17