Page 19 - Old Ratcliffian Magazine 2019

THE BLESSING OF THE LOCKHART GARDEN

On Sunday 19th May 2019, staff, students, parents, governors and stakeholders gathered for the offi cial blessing of the Lockhart Garden.
It was a wonderful celebration, with music, food and, of course, some welcome sunshine. Formerly known as the Square (pictured, below, COLLEGE NEWS
right), the space had undergone an incredible transformation.
Work began on the Lockhart Garden in the summer of 2018. The plan for this unique space was based upon designs by Ashley Lynch, a
current parent and landscape architect. He drew inspiration for the design from Pugin’s mullion windows, which surround the garden. It
was designed as a place dedicated to the emotional health and wellbeing of the College community. It now provides a place of peace and
tranquillity at the heart of the College, where students, staff and visitors can take time out from their busy lives to refl ect quietly or say
a prayer by the beautiful fountain (below).

This stunning area is named after Fr William Lockhart, whose mother was one of the original and most generous benefactors of Ratcliffe
College. The Lockhart name has always been closely associated with the College, and for some years, one of the school Houses was
named after him. In 1971, it was decided to return to only four Houses, and the Lockhart name disappeared. We are delighted that it will
now have a prominent place in the College’s history once again.
We are also thrilled to report that the Lockhart Garden recently won the BALI National Landscape Award 2019 in the Community and
Schools Development category. Headmaster Jon Reddin said: “It is an honour for all concerned to have won this award, and Ratcliffe
College is very proud of the beautiful, tranquil space that has been created at the very heart of the College community. I am also indebted
to the generosity of the Parents’ Association for their kind donation to this project over a period of two years, without which, this project
would not have been possible.”

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