Friends of the Orphan Schools

Invitation: Fox's Feast Sunday 25 Feb 2018

The Friends of the Orphan Schools, St John’s Park Precinct, will again commemorate Fox’s Feast in February. Fox’s Feast acknowledges the contribution of former convict, John Fox, whose bequest funded a traditional summer picnic day for the children of the Orphan Schools.

This year is a special year as it marks the 190th anniversary of the establishment of the Orphan Schools. Members and friends together with descendants of the children of the Orphan Schools are warmly invited to attend:

Sunday 25 February 11
11 am-2.30 pm
South Wing (formerly the Girls Orphan School)

The event will commence with a performance of William Cuffay and the Brother Slaves by the Grassroots Union Choir and will be followed by a special presentation to one of our members.

A highlight of the event will be short presentations by four orphan descendants, who will share their stories about their ancestors.

The online version of Rosemary Davidson’s book, Deaths and Burials in the Parish of St John’s New Town, will be launched and we will then follow our piper from South Wing to the Burial Ground, where we will scatter rose petals in memory of those who died in care.

You are welcome to bring a picnic lunch and rug or outdoor chairs. Tea, coffee and milk will be available in the Old Sunday School.

Friends of the Orphan Schools committee members will be available to chat and help you with your research.

At the close of proceedings, there will be a short visit to Cornelian Bay Cemetery to inspect the headstones removed from St John’s Burial Ground in 1963. (Please note there is an organ concert in St John’s Church commencing at 2.30 pm)

We hope you will be able to join us for this special celebration.

Enquiries should be directed to:

Dr Dianne Snowden AM,
Convenor,
dsnowden@tassie.net.au or 0409 140 657.