Leaving a legacy for future generations of GDST women

The Peggy Mason bursary

At the end of the last academic year, Nottingham Girls’ High School received a generous bequest from an alumna, which will create the ‘Peggy Mason Bursary’. The gift left to the School by Peggy Mason, who attended the Prep School and Senior School until 1939, has funded a 50% bursary for six girls joining NGHS’ Sixth Form, the first of which joined the school in September 2020.

Peggy left school early at her father’s request to help and start work in the successful family bakers at the start of the Second World War. As a very bright and capable student, she regretted not finishing her academic studies and going on to further education.

However, she embraced the baking industry with her usual enthusiasm and learnt the business inside out. She would take delight in explaining, when asked, how the government and bakers worked together to keep the country fed even with restricted grain supplies during the war.

The family bakery business was bought by Canadian entrepreneur, Garfield Weston in the 1950s and it became part of the Association of British Foods (ABF). As the business expanded , Peggy took on responsibility for organising all the staff from the newly acquired businesses and overall production. This was no mean feat. When she retired, two people took over her workload – evidencing her strong work ethic. She had an excellent knowledge of business and was pivotal to its success. She was both a pioneer and an innovator not only in the world of work but also elsewhere particularly in her involvement in sport.

Peggy was a true GDST girl, a passionate believer in fairness, confident and fearless, she was much respected in her community and amongst her many friends.

Peggy had no children of her own but nevertheless was acutely aware of the importance of a good education particularly as her schooldays had been considerably foreshortened by the war. The generosity of her bequest will provide a lasting gift of education for talented girls.

Nottingham Girls’ High School pictured from the Arboretum in 1935, when Peggy attended the school

 

Words of gratitude from the recipient

“I’m so grateful to the late Ms Mason for enabling me to attend a school that empowers hundreds of girls to be the best that they can be, every year.

The Peggy Mason Bursary award has allowed me to thrive academically and achieve grades to the highest of my ability, in an environment manufactured to produce the next generation of empowered workers.

I recognise that I have been extremely privileged to not only have my education funded by the great Peggy Mason, but to be able to one day give back to the school in her memory. I promise to make the most of this once-in-a lifetime opportunity and will honour Ms Mason’s memory.”

Peggy Mason Bursary Recipient

Year 12 student, Nottingham Girls’ High School