NEWS

'Over Ancient Ways' – a portrait of St Peter’s School, York

8 September 2007

Over Ancient Ways is a highly illustrated celebratory portrait of St Peter’s School, York, tracing the story from AD 627 of one of Western Europe’s oldest educational establishments, famous for its connection with the great medieval scholar Alcuin of York and as the alma mater of the famous Guy Fawkes.

The precarious nature of the School’s history is revealed in the book – on three occasions in the last 160 years the School was near to bankruptcy and closure. Despite these problems, St Peter’s has succeeded in becoming one of the premier schools in the North of England over the last few decades.

Informative and entertaining, Over Ancient Ways explores the one thousand three and eighty year old history of St Peter’s, York, interspersed with a great many personal anecdotes and memories from various generations of Peterites.

Charles Wright, a pupil at the School in the 1850s wrote many letters during his time at St Peter’s, a large number of which were sent to his father and often concerned money. “As this is the last opportunity of sending me anything to school I don’t think you will refuse to send me a post-office order for something, dear papa, but don’t think I shall misuse it which of course you don’t ….hoping you will not be vexed but will comply with my request. Believe me dear Guv’ner. Your affectionate son. Carolus.”

Tony Reynolds, who was at St Peter’s during the war years, recounts the events of 29 April 1942 and the aftermath of the Baedecker Air Raid: “I made my way to St Peter’s and was shocked to see that School House was on fire and there was a sinister glow coming from the area of The Rise….I saw a spectacle which was both ghastly and gorgeous. The Minster was silhouetted against the pale green of the dawn and was glowing from the surrounding fires. Gazing at the twin towers, still secure, was a huge fillip to morale. The stark beauty of that scene, which had its origin in violence and destruction, made an indelible impression on my memory.”

Actor, Greg Wise, a more recent pupil, remembers very vividly his time at the School: “Very few students may end up, as I did, pursuing a career in drama, but all who participated in acting at St Peter’s will have had their perceptions changed, their adrenalin stimulated and hopefully found a part of themselves that surprised, pleased and gave them confidence; a confidence that they will carry with them into their adult lives.”

Richard Smyth, Head Master commented: “To see this book come to fruition makes me enormously proud of St Peter’s, its history and achievements. After almost 1400 years St Peter’s remains today and will continue to remain a seat of learning, with inspiring teachers and wonderful pupils, - it is a marvellous to be part of this continuum.”

-ENDS-

NOTES TO EDITORS

Imprint: Third Millennium Publishing, London

Editor: Richard Drysdale

Publication date: 8 September 2007 / RRP: £45 / ISBN: 9781903942628

Specification: Hardback, 192 pages, 280 x 240 mm, over 150 colour and b/w illustrations

The Publisher: Third Millennium Publishing specialises in publishing and design for the art and heritage markets and is currently working on a number of book projects with leading schools, Oxbridge colleges, universities (including a celebratory volume on the 800th anniversary of Cambridge University), cathedrals, regiments, and museums and galleries in the UK and USA.

The Editor: Richard Drysdale taught at St Peter’s for twenty eight years and was Head of History until he retired in July 2007. He was Housemaster of Temple for twelve years and edited ‘The Peterite’ for five years. He was Chairman of the Common Room and also commanded the RAF section of the CCF for several years.

For further information contact Michael D Jackson, Marketing Manager, Third Millennium Information Ltd, 2-5 Benjamin St, EC1M 5QL. Tel: +44 (0)207 336 0144. Email: mj@tmiltd.com. Website: www.tmiltd.com