A new Director, and an anniversary portrait

Congratulations to Simon Jones, Old Mancunian (88-95) and MGS staff from 2004 (teaching Geography) who has been appointed as Director of Development from September, taking over from Ian Thorpe, who will continue as a part-time Associate. Simon is relishing the challenges involved in the run-up to our 500th birthday celebrations in 2015. More immediately, there are plans to be made for the opening of our new Drama facilities which are due to be completed during the summer.

I have blogged before about OM writer Alan Garner and The Blackden Trust. Last night a portrait of Alan by Black Country artist Andrew Tift, commissioned by the Grosvenor Museum in Chester, was unveiled. The commission celebrates 5o years of Alan's writing career, and the unveiling took place at the Mansion House in Chester, hosted by the city's Lord Mayor.

Alan is pictured in the room where he has written all his books (indeed in the chair in which he always writes the beginning and the ending of each book), surrounded by a wide range of artefacts which have inspired his work.

This is my bootleg image of a photograph of part of the portrait - the real thing is infinitely better. If you get the chance, do try to see it at the Grosvenor Museum.