The Roxburgh Society is a community of Old Stoics and friends of the School who have chosen to include Stowe in their Will. Charitable giving to Stowe over the last 20 years by Old Stoics and those who hold Stowe close to their hearts, has enabled both the restoration of the House and the renaissance of the fabric of the School.
Last year has seen the Roxburgh Society and Development Manager, Hannah Al-Anazi, step down from the role and she is currently expecting her first child. Hannah was a fantastic steward of the Roxburgh Society and I know I speak for all our members when I say we were sad to see her go. However, Charlie Clare (Chatham 94) returned to Stowe to take on the role at the beginning of this academic year and the Roxburgh Society Lunch in the Music Room on a glorious October day was a great opportunity for the members to meet him.
The Roxburgh Society was founded in 2005 and has had over 200 members. Its purpose is to say thank you, during their lifetime, to those who have chosen to leave a financial legacy to Stowe in their Will. The Society has been a tremendous success since it was founded. Members of the Roxburgh Society have bequeathed a total of £2,300,000 since its inception (and a further £500,000 left in Wills of Old Stoics who were not members). By way of comparison, £65,000 was left in wills over the same time span before the Roxburgh Society was started.
Membership of the Roxburgh Society is open to anyone who pledges to leave a bequest to Stowe in their Will. There is no financial lower limit and all Old Stoics are welcome. We know that some Old Stoics prefer to keep their intentions to leave a bequest to Stowe private but should you wish to join the Roxburgh Society, you will find the very happy and regular gathering of likeminded OSs extremely enjoyable company. We hold two lunches a year, one focused on inviting prospective new members, held in June, and a second in October, for existing members and their guests. These occasions enable us to keep in touch with one another and to be kept up to date with events at Stowe, as Dr Anthony Wallersteiner not only attends, but gives an engaging address about the current affairs of the School.
This is an exciting time at Stowe as we build up to the Centenary in 2023. Funds left to Stowe can either be directed to the Stowe School Foundation, which helps with providing bursaries and improving the facilities of the School, or to the Stowe House Preservation Trust, which is a separate charity that focuses solely on the restoration and preservation of the Mansion.
Please give joining the Roxburgh Society serious consideration. If you would like further information or to discuss your wishes in confidence, please contact the Development Manager, Charlie Clare at Stowe (cclare@stowe.co.uk) on 01280 818326. I, too, am very happy to provide guidance if required. nigelkrice@gmail.com or 07971 501750.
Thank you
Nigel Rice (Chatham 64)
President, Roxburgh Society