275 NEWSLETTER MAY 2023
Celebrating together in our 275 anniversary year
LIFE AT KINGSWOOD IS TRANSFORMATIVE GARROD MUSTO (1994 – PRESENT, STAFF)
Garrod discusses the achievements of the Admiralty during their stay at Kingswood, and how the School develops pupils’ understanding of the skills required to plan the D-Day landings. SUPPORT THE 275 CAMPAIGN CLICK HERE
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am so pleased to be able to welcome you to this edition of the 275 Newsletter where we will be shining a light on the history of the Admiralty at Kingswood during 1939 – 1946 and the work of the Civil Engineering Department that led to the designing and planning of the DDay artificial harbours which were described as one of the greatest engineering feats of WWII.
my grandparents. Faith was always an important part of my upbringing. My grandparents attended Elim Presbyterian Chapel each Sunday, but it was only when I mentioned Kingswood and our founder John Wesley, my grandmother mentioned that many of the local chapels were rooted in Methodism, and she described her father as being from proud Methodist
Kingswood’s 275 Anniversary has been a time for reflection and when I arrived at Kingswood as a graduate of Exeter University, little did I realise just how deeply Methodist values ran within my Welsh DNA. I grew up in a small community within the South Wales Coalfield, a stone’s throw from
“...little did I realise just how deeply Methodist values ran within my Welsh DNA....”
Calvinist stock! It’s hardly surprising therefore while sat in the chapel of John Wesley’s school, listening to Mike Wilkinson deliver my wedding vows, my grandmother had a little tear in her eye. Growing up, the largest employer in the region was the National Coal Board, and every male member of my family were involved in the production of black gold, or Anthracite. It was only reading Gary Best’s books did I realise just how important Methodism was to many within those communities, not just the cornerstone of their faith but also how important Methodist ideals were to those communities through social action and how it helped change the working conditions, through the