In the Bishops cultural year,  the Eisteddfod is a high point in the life of the School. Many boys feel it is the best day of the year. In this 150th anniversary year of the school’s founding, it was appropriate that the founder of this rich and wonderful event at Bishops, John Peake, should return to the School, with his wife, Sue.

During his term as Principal, Bishops went through a period of considerable change, and challenge, as well as controversy. The past is another country. But those dynamic years saw the institution of a building programme that changed the face of Bishops, as well as the burgeoning of the Arts with the completion of a theatre and the foundation of the Sam Butler Art Centre. Daily staff lunches started in the new pavilion. Rowing was reintroduced. The tutorial system was begun. So the Peake presence has remained.

The return of John and Sue Peake, the first since their departure in 1988, was on the invitation of Clive Watson, the current Principal. It was a fitting moment then, when he welcomed the former Principal on to the dais at the culmination of the Eisteddfod Inter-house singing, for the presentation of the Owls. Clearly moved, John Peake commented, ‘this is one of the greatest moments of my life’.

For three weeks the Peakes visited with friends and new acquaintances as well as former colleagues. In chatting to them shortly before they left, they spoke with enthusiasm of the reception they had received. ‘I think you will understand,’ said Sue Peake, ‘that we were initially not sure about whether to come. But we have been welcomed with such warmth and graciousness that any doubts were immediately dispelled. Everyone has been so kind to us. We shall remember these weeks with real pleasure …’

‘It has been wonderful,’ said John Peake, ‘to return and see the school growing with such vitality.’ They attended Evensong on the night before they left. The choir ended with the Hallelujah Chorus. That said it best.