A Tour of Sherborne School

Today we had booked an historic tour of Sherborne School . It was led by the archivist and it was really interesting.
We started by the Conduit in Sherborne ( which has moved from its original spot in the abbey precincts) and were taken through the original entrance into the hall where lessons were taken in its original times . The hall has been used in many famous films including’ Goodbye Mr. Chips ‘. I was taken by the old desks carved with past pupil names now used as window ledges. 
The crypt was magnificent and we told about how the boys took refuge there during the bombing of Sherborne in 1940 - bombs exploded in the courtyard and the boys were soon scaling the debris and picking up burning shrapnel! 
I enjoyed the library as there were some wonderful books on display for us to peruse including William Tyndale’s Bible ( an original) and Gerard’s Herbal . There were also letters from Alan Turing to his parents and his school reports although he certainly wasn’t a model pupil even at Maths! Interestingly he was in tin Cryptography from an early age . A new bust of him has recently been installed in the grounds and it is really impressive . 
We finished our tour in the Chapel which is approached by memorial steps to the young men from the school who died in the first and second world wars - designed by the same architect as the Menin  Gate . 
After the tour, I met a friend for coffee as it was the first day of the school holidays for her .
A bike ride this afternoon and a couple of long phone calls with friends.