Breakfast at the Glass Boat for Red Maids Founder’s Day
November 22, 2008 by HeatherCowper
Every year in November, my daughter’s school parades through the city of the Bristol to Bristol Cathedral, where they celebrate their Founder’s day. Red Maid’s School was founded in 1634 by John Whitson, the Mayor of Bristol, to provide education for poor girls from the city of Bristol. In those days the curriculum covered the skills required to make them good wives and mothers, such as reading, sewing and household skills.
The whole school gathers on Welsh Back by Bristol Bridge, and to celebrate the occasion, I took my daughter for breakfast at The Glass Boat. This rather smart restaurant is an old converted barge, which is moored in a prime position on the waterfront, where once the merchant ships of Bristol were moored beside the brick warehouses. We enjoyed a seat at the back where the floor to ceiling windows allowed us to follow the swans on the river and enjoy our American pancakes with bacon and maple syrup, while the rest of the school gathered on the quayside beside us.
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At 10.30 the whole school was assembled, dressed in their red coats, some in the traditional red capes and bonnets. With an escort of police on horseback stopping the traffic, they set off through the city centre towards the Cathedral, where the bells were pealing to welcome them in. Although I didn’t get a seat at the service this year, I’ve been before and it’s an occasion that every old girl makes an effort to return for. If John Witson were looking down on the scene I think he’d be thrilled at the way his Red Maids had turned out and that they were still remembering him as their founder.
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I’d recommend the Glass Boat for the fantastic view of the river, pleasant ambiance and good food. In the evening it’s great for a special occasion, with the lights sparkling on the river, but if you’re on a budget try their special lunch menu with two courses for £10. There are also several other restaurants and bars to try on barges along Welsh Back.
The Glass Boat, Welsh Back, Bristol, BS1 4SB, United Kingdom
Tel +44 117 929 0704 Website www.glassboat.co.uk
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