Old Bradfieldian Mark Taylor (F 77-82) purchased this ink drawing above of Bradfield Church online for £500 some years ago. The picture is framed in an original wooden frame featuring the St Andrew’s Cross. Mark presented it to the Headmaster Christopher Stevens on Thursday 7 July 2022 during Waifs Week at Bradfield and most importantly during the Pelsham game.

This is most fitting as the Scott family established Pelsham Cricket Club in the grounds of their home. The Waifs have played a summer cricket game during Waifs Week in July against Pelsham at Bradfield since 1877.

Sir George Gilbert Scott (1811-1878) was an architect and friend of the College Founder Thomas Stevens who made the drawing showing the enlargement of Bradfield or St Andrew’s Church as it was later known. A label on the back of the picture reads: “In 1838, Scott established himself at 20 (now 31) Spring Gardens, London where he continued to conduct his work till the end of his life. In the partnership with Moffat who is mentioned on the front of the drawing, Scott had a number of ecclesiastical commissions. In 1847/8 he rebuilt and enlarged Bradfield Church, Berkshire for the Rev. Thomas Stevens (founder of Bradfield College). The chapel was enlarged and the tower added by John Oldrid Scott, FSA in 1903.”

It is a wonderful gift to the College from Mark for which we are most thankful and we hope that it will reside in St Andrew's Church once the refurbishment project is completed.