The History Department were delighted to be able to take 32 sixth form historians to see the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum, soon after it had opened to the general public.  Arriving at opening time, and skipping the large queue of non-school punters who looked enviously, perhaps even frustratedly on, the smartly dressed group - and Mr Blunt - entered the hallowed halls of the Museum for this once in a lifetime exhibition.  To prepare ourselves, we went first to the Saxon treasures from Sutton Hoo, to get a glimpse of the world the Normans destroyed.  Then, with the aid of some friendly curators, it was down to view the nearly thousand year old tapestry itself.  Despite the proliferation of school visits to Bayeux over the years, for many sixth formers this was their first viewing, and they treated it with the respect and academic enthusiasm it truly merited.  Some Top Students (Roddy Douglas, Harry Kirk) had actually watched the excellent BBC documentary on the Tapestry ("In Search of the Bayeux Tapestry") and were able to illuminate aspects to their peers.  But whether we were fluent with its history or not, to see the Tapestry, laid out in one long line from end to end (they don't do THAT in Caen) was a spine tingling experience and a truly memorable way to start the History year at SGS.  We didn't even experience the much commented on queueing and hustling.  It was a thoroughly relaxed visit. My thanks of course to Mr. Blunt, Friend of the Museum, who enabled us to purchase such early tickets.

Do go and see it, and if you can't make the Museum, it'll be back in Normandy anyway; a mere hop across the channel.

Mr Marshall