Routh Address, 16th March 2026
The Loveliest of Trees, by A E. Housman
Loveliest of trees, the cherry now
Is hung with bloom along the bough,
And stands about the woodland ride
Wearing white for Eastertide.
Now, of my threescore years and ten,
Twenty will not come again,
And take from seventy springs a score,
It only leaves me fifty more.
And since to look at things in bloom
Fifty springs are little room,
About the woodlands I will go
To see the cherry hung with snow.
Thank you, Eray, for sharing that poem The Loveliest of Trees, by Old Bromsgrovian poet and classical scholar Alfred E. Housman, after whom Housman Hall was named, and of course Housman is the figure immortalised in the statue in the town centre. In the poem, Housman describes the white cherry blossom that appears at this time of year, almost as though the tree has dressed itself smartly in the run‑up to Easter.
There’s a well‑known saying: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the second best time is now.” ..and as it happens, the trees recently planted in a line on the astro side of the Chapel, and the one planted in memory of Namsong outside Wendron Garden, are all flowering cherry trees. Although they may be rather spindly at the moment, they will grow into bigger, stronger trees and if, in years to come, we return to visit the School from wherever we are living and working, the trees will still be here — and at this time of year they will, as Housman tells us, be hung with white blossom, like snow.
We are so fortunate to spend our days living and working in these surroundings. Walking through open spaces between lessons, having well‑tended gardens around us and ample space in which to play sport, on site, is a privilege many schools simply do not have. Many people will spend their working lives in tall office blocks made of steel and glass, in cities far removed from the natural world. Yet we know that being close to nature makes us healthier — mentally, physically, emotionally and socially. We benefit from it whether we walk through a forest, sit in a park, look at a garden, or simply notice the blossom coming on the trees around School in Spring.
And as we know, the environment we enjoy here doesn’t just happen by itself. At this time of year in particular, you will see the gardeners and grounds staff looking after what we have — mowing, planting, and tidying, working alongside nature. If we’re not careful, their efforts outside in all weathers go unappreciated and a small comment of thanks goes a long way.
But really, the point of all this is to ask that we all play our part. As I have said, we have a beautiful campus that is the envy of many. However, it won’t stay that way if we don’t also look after it. One of the simplest, yet most important, ways in which we can respect our environment is by making sure we don’t drop litter. It sounds like a small thing, but even the smallest action makes a big difference. A single discarded packet or wrapper doesn’t just look untidy; it takes time for someone else to clear away, it harms the environment, and it sends the message to others that it’s acceptable to do the same.
Every time we recycle a piece of paper in a bin, or pick up a piece of rubbish even if it isn’t ours, we are playing our part in protecting the natural environment that is so special here. And we are supporting those who work so hard to tend this place, by showing that we are doing our bit too.
As those in the Upper Sixth will appreciate, our time at School is temporary, and others will be sitting in your seats in a few months’ time. Meanwhile, this will always be your School and whether you are here or somewhere else in the world, I hope a piece of Bromsgrove School will remain with you just as a part of you will last here.
Yesterday was Mothering Sunday and we remembered and gave thanks for all that our mothers do for us. In the Aboriginal culture, land is regarded as Mother Earth that sustains life and must be cared for, just as Mother Earth cares for us. But, there is also am Aboriginal saying suggesting how we should approach our time here: We are all visitors to this time, this place; we are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love, and then return home.”
Amongst everything else that we do, let’s care for our environment so that we leave the place better than we found it so that those who come after us can enjoy it just as we do.