Pupils honour 150+ year-old Ascension Day tradition

Every Ascension Day, since 1850, the pupils and staff of Hurstpierpoint College have climbed the Downs to the south of Hurstpierpoint village to the top of Wolstonbury Hill (known locally as ‘Danny’ because that is the name of the house that sits at its base) to hold a short communion service before the distribution to the choir and sacristans of "Lowe's Dole" by the Headmaster.

In 1850, the school was only 60 strong and each member of the small choir received a ‘dole’or ‘gift’ of biscuits and other foodstuffs from Canon Edward Lowe (Hurst’s first Headmaster). Over the years, both school and gift have evolved and today over 600 Senior Schoolboys and girls attended the service and choir and sacristans each received a crisp fiver from the College’s current Headmaster, Tim Manly.

More pictures to follow shortly.