It has been over a year since the statue of slave trader Edward Colston was pulled down during a BLM protest and dumped in the River Avon. It came after the murder of George Floyd in the US sparked protests across the world and later led to violent clashes with the police. The defaced statue – which for many was a symbol of Britain’s colonial history – is now displayed at the city’s museum, alongside placards from the protest and a timeline of events.
But the former head girl of Colston Girls school, Jane Ghosh, detailed during the BBC’s ‘Statue Wars: One Summer in Bristol’ why she was upset by the events.
She said: “I have every sympathy for everyone who has been trying to get that statue removed for years.
“But I did find it a little bit over the top. I was a bit sad to see him topple into the harbour.
“That was my childhood, that was my growing up. It’s a shame in that way, but that’s just sentimental attachment.”
The school was opened in 1891, 170 years after Colston’s death, and was funded through a financial endowment from the slave trader.
Ms Ghosh recalled the role it played in her childhood.
She added: “I joined Colston’s Girls in 1959, there were no fees in those days. It was supported partly by the local authority and partly by the Merchant Venturers.
“It was a wonderful education because everyone was encouraged to feel that they could do what they wanted to do and be what they wanted to be.
“It was quite liberating, I suppose.
“We had a Commemoration Day to give thanks to Colston. I cannot remember being told our founder made his money in slaves.
“He was seen as a philanthropist.”
Colston’s Girls’ School in Bristol will now be known as Montpelier High School, after a vote by staff and students.
Principal Kerry McCullagh said the new name would “allow the school to forge a new identity that represents its diverse and inclusive community”.
But Ms Ghosh said she felt it was a bit much.
She continued: “I can see it had to happen because the political climate has changed. I’m supportive of Black Lives Matter. But where do you stop?
“There are statues of all kinds of so-called great and wonderful people – Nelson and Churchill – they’ve done horrible things.
“It’s a shame that people feel that everything has to be erased.
“What you need to get rid of is the racism underpinning all this and not just focus on some guy from the 18th century.”
Following the decision to change the branding in October, a list of new possible names was drawn up by students, and three suggestions were shortlisted by the Venturers Trust Board which runs the school.
The school is in the Montpelier area of Bristol and the new name received 62 percent of votes.
The school’s own statue of Colston was also removed from the premises in June.
It came before the former Colston Hall music venue announced in September it would change its name, to Bristol Beacon.
*story by Express Online
