By Mrs Everitt (English Teacher)

With a tour of historic Stratford places (including Shakespeare’s birthplace), a trip to Stratford’s Butterfly Farm, and time at the school Shakespeare himself attended, this was a trip full of interest.

Master Thomas Jenkin (Shakespeare’s school master) greeted us at the King Edward VI school in Stratford and treated us to a lesson in Latin basics and in history: a dramatic rendition of the assassination of Julius Caesar.

The students were also able to write with a quill pen, and learned about the history of the school, part of which is the former Guild Hall. William’s father, John Shakespeare, was one of the town’s first mayors, and he invited travelling actors to perform in the Guild Hall, almost certainly influencing the young William Shakespeare.

The Butterfly Farm also impressed, with its huge collection of tropical butterflies and other mini beasts. Girls were delighted to have butterflies landing on them, and to spot the two resident iguanas.

Our Stratford Town Walks were friendly and full of insight, as always. “We always look forward to the visit from Bedford Girls’ School”, commented Margot, one of the guides. “The students are always interested and well behaved.”

One local place of interest was the house of the Harvard family, who later started Harvard University. The key was for a woman to marry well (and more than once) and to become a rich widow (also more than once), enabling funds to be passed down the family, and freed up for grand designs.

We also saw Shakespeare’s birthplace, and learned about Shakespeare’s parents, his marriage, and surviving children. Shakespeare himself is buried in Stratford-upon-Avon, inside the church; this was possibly to prevent his bones being removed and the plot being used by someone else, as was fairly common practice.

Overall, it was a great day out!