‘TREASURES’ in Rugby are in the spotlight as the annual Heritage Open Days celebration continues.
Mayor Maggie O’Rourke called in to the Percival Guildhouse adult education centre for its open day.
The only independent adult education centre in Rugby, the Guildhouse was created as a tribute to the memory of Dr John Percival, a pioneer in adult education who was headmaster at Rugby School from 1887 to 1895.
In 1921, The Old Rugbeains Society raised the funds to buy Bloxam House – previously the home of antiquarian and archaeologist Matthew Holbeche Bloxam, whose father had been an assistant master at Rugby School.
The Guildhouse was formally opened on September 29, 1925, and the charity has been providing arts and crafts classes to generations of adults ever since.
Centre Manager Sarah Gall, who took the Mayor on a tour of the building, said: “We were honoured and delighted to welcome the Mayor to our St Matthew’s Street home. She took great interest in our past but was also excited to hear about all of the wide range of courses and day schools we offer to students from Rugby and the surrounding districts today.”
Coun O’Rourke said: “Heritage Open Day shone a light for me on all the treasures we have in Rugby – places such as the Guildhouse which have a fascinating past but also remain a very active and vibrant part of Rugby’s story today.”
A host of Rugby’s historic and iconic buildings are open to the public for free during Heritage Open Days, which runs until Sunday (September 17). Visit www.therugbytown.co.uk//HODs for the full programme and online booking for tours which require it.
