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.

Alan Garner, the Weirdstone and the Blackden Trust

Old Mancunian writer Alan Garner has lived all his adult life at Blackden, in the shadow of the Jodrell Bank Observatory, near Holmes Chapel in Cheshire. All of his writing is deeply rooted in north Cheshire, extending from the area near Crewe to that near his birthplace in Alderley Edge. The Edge is the setting of his 1960 novel, The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, which this year on a magical date (10/10/10) achieves the rare distinction of 50 consecutive years of being in print. To celebrate, a series of special events is planned, details of which can be seen at http://www.weirdstone.org.uk/. You can even visit the mine workings on the Edge.

Alan and his wife Griselda have, with others, formed The Blackden Trust (http://www.theblackdentrust.org.uk/) to preserve the unique qualities of their house and its site, which shows evidence of human occupation for over 10,000 years. The trust offers a number of courses, led by experts, which provide insights into the history and archaeology of the area. It's a magical place: if you can possibly visit, do. You can see details and reserve places here. Some courses are designed specifically for younger people and can change lives: a number of those attending have already gone on to archaeology-related courses at university. The courses are inter-active, and some of the writing done by current MGS boys who have attended in the past can be seen here. After Easter this year all of our Year 8 pupils will have form trips to Blackden - how lucky they are!