Trees campaign enables landscaping of cricket grounds

£75,000 worth of new trees were planted on the Philathletic Ground in the Autumn term – the biggest tree-planting scheme in the recent history of the School. The plan aims to divide up the open space of the cricket fields into more intimate areas, each focused around one cricket square with different and interesting views of the Hill.
A spread of native species has been planted including some quite large specimens over twenty feet high, such as limes, oaks and planes. A special feature of the scheme is a grouping of three Wellingtonias near the bottom of the Phil, which should provide a focal point to the views looking down the ground from the Field House Club and a particularly impressive view looking back towards the Hill, which will develop over time. The finished look should be rather more ‘parkland’ in effect, with some ‘woodland’ so that in time ‘Sports West’ should rival the beauty of ‘Sports East’.
Irrigation will be particularly important in the early stages of establishing the trees, and part of the work has been to drill a borehole for water, so that this can be achieved without putting a strain on the local water supply.
Funding for the planting was made possible through a very successful campaign organised by Douglas Collins of the Development Trust with the Head Master.
“We are hugely grateful to the many generous donors who have made the scheme possible. A plaque to commemorate their generosity will be unveiled at a ceremony planned for the summer at the Richardson Pavilion,” said Mr Collins.
Roy Finch, who has been the external arboriculturalist adviser to Harrow for twenty-two years, said at the last Tree Committee meeting, “It is really heart-warming to see these amazing trees in place. The scheme is absolutely magnificent.”
“Of course we do not aim to stop here and there is always room for more trees for anyone who would still like donate to the scheme,” said Mr Collins.

Lyon's House on track to open in September

Lyon's House will welcome 35 new boys in September. The scaffolding has come down and the final touches are being made to the internal decoration. The House was formally inaugurated on Speech Day with a ceremony in which the House Master, Mr Keith Metcalfe, unveiled the House colours of green and black, and the Head Master thanked the benefactors who have made the new House possible.

Pasmore Gallery opens in Art Schools

Phase One of the development of the Art Schools was completed in 2009 with the development of the Leaf Schools into new studios and a gallery. In the second phase of the development, it was decided it would be better for teaching purposes to move the Gallery to the Art Schools themselves. The Leaf Gallery has now become a beautiful painting studio and the first floor of the Art Schools holds the exhibition space. It has been named the Pasmore Gallery after the illustrious Old Harrovian, Victor Pasmore, artist and architect.

It has as much display space as the Leaf Gallery but has the advantage of being in one of the most stunning buildings on the Hill. This has also been entirely refurbished and the ‘grand design’ is a visual treat for all who see it. The third phase, which is to be the building of new sculpture studios beside the Leaf Schools, is eagerly awaited.

For more information about the Art Schools Extension project, click here.

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