On Friday 26th July, as part of the Summer School’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, Bursar Andrew Hart paid tribute to Brian Ashley (CR 1966-82), Director of PE, who first had the idea for a Summer School while walking through the Rose Garden in the summer of 1974.
‘The first summer school took place in 1975, over two weeks. There were just 20 classes and 210 participants. Unfortunately, Brian passed away on 21st January 2020, at the age of 82. I’d just like to take this moment to remember him and thank him for creating something so special. I invite everyone to raise a glass to remember Brian.’
Thanks to Brian’s vision, from these beginnings, the summer school grew to what it is today: four weeks in duration, scores of courses covering virtually everything you can imagine, and more.
To celebrate that moment in 1974, a plaque will be placed in the Rose Garden with the wording: “In 1974, in this Rose Garden, Brian Ashley (CR 1966-82), Director of PE, conceived the idea for the Marlborough College Summer School, which opened the following summer in 1975.”
