Old Girl Rachael Hobbis (1993 - 2000), a Solicitor with Shakespeare Putsman LLP in Birmingham, has recently been chosen as Chairman of the Midlands Association of Women in Property. The appointment is for a year from March 2009 to March 2010 and Rachael is one of twelve new branch Chairman who  cover the Women in Property network, across the United Kingdom, in support of the new National Chairman, Joanna Embling of Cushman & Wakefield.

Taking on the role at an extraordinarily difficult time for the industry, Rachael is committed to providing practical support and value for members. She says, "The Association has always been about supporting and nurturing our members and each other and this ethos has never been more important than it is now. I am determined that we will offer practical help whenever we can."

On a glorious Spring Saturday morning on 20 March, several Old Girls returned to School for the FEHS’ Fun Run in aid of the Renal and Diabetes Units at Birmingham Childrens’ Hospital. Old Girls were not called upon to run merely to man the cake stall, heaving with goodies, offer refreshments and, as it turned out, provide emergency back up on the Tombola.

With plenty of encouragement from the sidelines, and at times the hilarious commentary from Mrs Bartlett (the then Head of Lower School), the runners took to the course eagerly. There were different races for different age groups ranging from mums with children in buggies, Prep girls and finally to adults and Senior girls. There were some stunning performances of great speed and stamina before competitors and spectators alike retired to the barbecue!

On a bright and warm Saturday in late February, Old Girls gathered at the timeless University Women’s Club in Mayfair for a drinks reception and lunch. Several members travelled to London for the event but the majority were Old Girls living in London and the South East, whom we had seen last year at the House of Lords or who were taking advantage of a London-based event for the first time.

Nineteen Old Girls attended, the oldest having left School in 1948 and the youngest in 2002! With them were three Headmistresses; Mrs Susan Horsman (1987 – 1997), Miss Elizabeth Mullenger (1998 – 2006) and current Headmistress, Dr Ruth Weeks. We also had a pair of sisters – Diana and Angela Granville-Jolly – and mother and daughter, Lois and Briar Burley.