Prize Giving at Exhibition 2025
Lord Fellowes inspires Ampleforth leavers.
A highlight of Exhibition was to have Lord Fellowes (B66), Oscar winning screenwriter and actor, back at Ampleforth as our guest of honour handing out the prizes on Saturday morning. Lord and Lady Fellowes met many of our pupils and parents over the weekend, seeing old friends and family connections, as well as taking a moving trip down memory lane to visit the Theatre, look at our archive of photographs from his time on the school theatre stage, watch a spirited debate in the Library and have dinner with Lord Stafford, Chair of the Ampleforth Society, and members of the monastic community.
Lord Fellowes gave an inspiring and motivational speech, providing some life advice to our Upper Sixth leavers in particular. He spoke fondly of his memories of the school and the influence Fr Dominic had on his life and the success of his career by telling him to pursue his passion for the stage. (His father would have been horrified to know this, having sent Julian to Ampleforth to prepare for a career in the Foreign Office!). He noted that Ampleforth stands out from other public schools in not having a “type”. Every Old Amplefordian is a unique person, and they are an eclectic group, marked by their compassion, their courage to be themselves and to reflect the very best of who they can be. His encouragement to us all to remember that we should follow what inspires and moves us drew rapturous applause from all.
