At our latest Coffee Morning members had the treat of a talk by Jane Pelly about her great-grandfather, Bishop John Wordsworth.  Well-timed as 2011 is the centenary of his death. 

We heard of his life and up-bringing in a clerical family with a strong desire to widen the opportunity of education for all.  Not surprising as his father was Headmaster of Harrow School and his older sister was instrumental in establishing Lady Margaret Hall - womwn's first chance to study at Oxford.  With this background it is not surprising that his legacy to our city is in the areas of religion and education. 

Many of the things which Jane Pelly told us about came from memories passed to her from her mother - the Bishop's second wife.  We also heard about a man who was a great classical scholar, travelled widely in the Middle East, loved books and wrote hymns.  His love of words also ran in the family as the poet William Wordsworth was his great-uncle.

He is , of course best remembered in Salisbury for the schools he set up - Bishop Wordsworth's and also others.  We should also thank him for the gift that is now Bishop's Walk along Harnham Hill which he gave to the city.