A welcome visit

No one could have foreseen the events that occurred during Dr Hind’s last year in post, or the challenges they would bring, causing planned celebrations to be revised. As part of these original planned celebrations, Dr Hind had wanted to present a gift to the school. 

When the Cathedral was closed for refurbishment and the pews were being auctioned off to raise funds, there could not have been a more appropriate gift for Dame Allan’s. Though later than planned, Dr Hind had the opportunity to present his gift of the pews to the Schools. They will take pride of place in the Newsom Hall underneath the memorial boards.

Commenting, Dr Hind said: “It was lovely to be invited back into the Schools and to see the Schools in such good health, in spite of the pandemic. As a school and with such close links to the St Nicholas Cathedral, it was fitting, both historically and spiritually, to be able to gift the pews to the Schools. It was lovely to be invited back and to see how well the pews have fitted in.” 

Dr Hind was also welcomed back to the Junior School, where he officially opened the newly developed pond area, aptly named Willow Waters, which was funded by DASPA Junior. The final surprise of the visit came when Dr Hind was invited to the newly named John Hind Hall. Dr Hind played an integral role in the building of the new junior school so there couldn’t have been a more fitting tribute to him than naming the main school hall after him.