Old Loughburian Quincentennial. Men’s Competition 29th June Winner: Andrew Jones 44 points History
The Quincennenial Trophy was first contested in 1995 as a celebration of Loughborough Grammer School’s 500 years existence, having been founded in 1495. The competition is open to RPGC members and Old Loughburian pupils or teachers.
Loughborough Grammar School was founded after Thomas Burton, a prosperous wool merchant from the town, left money for priests to pray for his soul upon his death in 1495; these priests went on to found the school.
Loughborough Grammar is one of England’s oldest schools, pre-dating similar institutions such as Radley, Harrow, Winchester, and Westminster by a number of centuries. Alongside Radley, Winchester, Harrow, Eton, and Dulwich, it is one of a small number of independent boarding schools in Britain that remain for boys only. Notable old boys include: Sir Thomas Abney, who founded the Bank of England; Charles McCurdy, who played a central role in the reforming Liberal Party of the early 20th century; Rev. George Davys, who educated the young Queen Victoria; and the flying ace Air Vice Marshal Johnnie Johnson, who destroyed more Luftwaffe aircraft than any other British pilot. Former masters of the school include the former government minister Lord Elton and author Colin Dexter.
The school was founded in the Parish Church in the centre of Loughborough in 1495, but was moved by the trustees of the Burton Charity to its present location in 1852. A purpose-built site on Burton Walks became its permanent home, initially consisting of the main school building, lodgings, and a gatehouse at the Leicester Road entrance. These buildings were Grade II Listed in the 1980s.[2]
The school celebrated its quincentenary in 1995, when it was visited by HM Queen Elizabeth II. During her visit, the Queen opened the new English block, the “Queen’s Building”, which includes a state of the art drama studio.
