St Edward's Chronicle October 2016

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.