The first was that St. George’s School in Switzerland’s Old Girls’ Association was to be definitely established under the name of ‘The Georgentians’. The name was derived from George; Lorna Southwell was affectionately called George by the students, and from Gentian: the school uniform was, at that time, gentian blue in colour.

The second was to adopt a flat design of the dragon in silver as the Georgentian Brooch. To my knowledge the brooch had been designed by Patty Slade who was secretary to the Georgentian Association at the time.

I became aware of the existence of the brooch when Jean Duff (now Lady Arbuthnot) visited me a few years ago. She showed me the brooch and kindly loaned it to me so that I could try to find where it had been made.

My research here in Switzerland was without success. I suspect it may have been made in England. However, I had the brooch copied and have now reintroduced it as the Georgentian brooch once more.

From the first moment I saw the brooch, I loved its modern, unisex design. Proof that boys feel comfortable wearing it was immediately seen in the fact that the first one sold was to one of the boys leaving us last June.

The dragon is full of humour, too, which makes it irresistible. Imagine my delight when the staff presented me with a gold version of the dragon at the end of the school year. I hope all Georgentians will think of buying one and will wear it to reunions.

The brooch is available here in school at a cost of 30 Swiss Francs plus postage.