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27
ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE
On Being
a Page
By Giles Wordsworth, Fourth Form
I have had the honour of serving as
Page to Lord Patten, Chancellor of the
University of Oxford, for the past six
years. Traditionally, the grandchild of the
Chancellor takes the role, but as Lord
Patten’s grandchild was too young, my
Headmaster at New College chose me
to stand in until she was older.
My first memory was being
fitted by the kind tailor at Shepherd
and Woodward, who told me the
Chancellor’s gown I would be carrying
was made of real gold and was so
valuable it is kept in a locked cabinet! On
my first occasion serving as Page, I was
greeted warmly by Lord Patten in the
Napoleonic room at the Bodleian. From
the first time we met, he made me feel
at ease and always showed interest in
my progress at school.
The highlight of my experience as
Page was meeting Aung San Suu Kyi. She
was radiant, graceful and inspiring. Over
the years, I observed that many of the
benefactors and honourees came from
small beginnings, but their dedication to
learning and belief in themselves enabled
them to make a difference in our world.
I will always remember the feeling
of first holding the Chancellor’s heavy,
embroidered gown with its gold tassels,
the trumpets sounding as we entered,
being a guest at the elegant All Souls
reception with my mother, and, most
of all, the kindness that Lord and Lady
Patten always showed me.