Cheers and tears as ex-pupil begins demolition of St. John’s School’s Stedman Building

At 12.30 this afternoon, ex-pupil Jane Boulton (nee Bridge) began the demolition of St. John’s School Stedman Building.

Mrs. Boulton, who was at Marlborough Grammar School from 1958-65, was one of the first pupils to attend the school. As a boarder at Wye House she was involved in lugging books up  the hill from the old building to the then new Stedman Building.

"It's a bit like driving a tractor." said Jane this afternoon, after pulling down a wall and part of a roof.

She won today’s honour in a raffle at the St. John’s Open Day back in September, which gave ex-pupils and teachers a last chance to look around the old buildings. She was more than happy to cast the first blow, having not especially loved her school days.

I was slightly more emotional as I snapped blindly away at the shabby old place, unable to fight back the tears. The new school is stunning, and this is exactly what should be happening. I was just lucky enough to have had some wonderful years at St. John’s with some outstanding people, so it was sad to see the building where we spent those happy years turning to rubble.

However, thanks to the lovely people at Crest Nicholson I have a piece of Stedman which, much to my boyfriend’s dismay I will keep forever. While our school building may be gone our memories and friends will remain firmly in place. All three of my soon to be bridesmaids are friends from St. John’s, which says it all really.

For anyone else out there has a soft spot for our old school and also for those who hated school and would love to see the building turning to dust, here’s a gallery I made for a last look at St. John’s School’s Stedman Building.