WINCHESTER College welcomed its partner charities for a summer party bidding farewell to the outgoing headmaster and his wife.
The annual Winchester College Community Service Summer Reception was held on Wednesday, June 28 in the Warden’s Garden.
Guests included the Lord Lieutenant, the Mayor, the Acting Bishop of Winchester, the Dean of Winchester, the leader of Winchester City Council, and MP Steve Brine, with the evening giving thanks local charities and groups for their support as well as saying goodbye to head Dr Tim Hands and his wife Jane, a Lay Canon of Winchester Cathedral, who are leaving Winchester after seven years.
Senior Winchester College students volunteer weekly for organisations such as Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Winchester Beacon, Trinity Winchester, Butterfly Conservation, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Cameron Bespolka Trust and Rose Road Association.
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Community was one of Dr Hands' four objectives when he arrived, with the vision of widening access, fundraising for a generous bursary provision, initiating successful partnerships with Hampshire schools and colleges and improving bonds between the school and the cathedral and with the wider community.
Dr Hands has overseen external initiatives such as the college becoming lead sponsor of Heritage Open Days and free entry to the Treasury Museum in College Street.
In the past two years, more than 4,000 secondary school pupils have participated in the college’s Empower programme. Dr Hands introduced places for day pupils and girls in the sixth form, supported by an extensive bursary programme covering up to 100 per cent of the fees.
Mrs Hands, who retired after a legal career in London, has helped the cathedral with the New Cathedrals Measure, requiring all cathedrals to become charities.
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Dean Catherine Ogle said: “Jane brings a clarity of thought and a compassionate heart to everything that she does. She has been the most remarkable source of wisdom, judgement and sheer hard work, through our adoption of the new Cathedrals Measure and fashioning the new Cathedral Constitution and Statutes. It’s not over-stating the case to say, I really don’t know what we would have done without her.”
CEO of Trinity, Sue McKenna, said: “Trinity was fortunate to attract Jane Hands as an Advocate in 2019. Since then she has been an avid supporter and volunteer. She made an immediate impact when she joined the Winchester community and was never shy to turn her hand to anything.
"She organised annual Christmas concerts, volunteered at the Big Sleep Out events and shook many buckets to raise funds on the High Street. We feel truly honoured to have been part of their journey and would like to thank them for all they have done to promote our work, supporting homeless people in Winchester."
Chief Executive of Winchester Beacon, Michèle Price, said: “Having the pupils around to learn more from those experiencing homelessness and staying with us has been impactful for us all, at the same time promoting a better understanding of both worlds. All the pupils are such a pleasure to have around, and I know our volunteer cooks love not only chatting but working alongside them.”
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