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Matthew Boulton
Birmingham Metropolitan College students studying at the Matthew Boulton Campus in Birmingham City Centre have travelled to Westminster Abbey, London, to attend a special service in memory of the region’s famous local manufacturer and industrialist.
Eleven students studying a range of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) courses accompanied the new Principal, Andrew Cleaves and members of the college’s Executive Team, to participate in the unveiling of a new memorial to Matthew Boulton in Westminster Abbey. Jacob Pearson, studying Pharmacy, and Ellie Coleman, an A-Level English, History and Sociology student, unveiled the plaque.
Andrew Cleaves, Principal at Birmingham Metropolitan College, said: “Matthew Boulton College has been synonymous with learning in Birmingham for many years and this is a tradition that I’m keen to continue. It was a real privilege for our students to be invited along to such a prestigious, commemorative occasion – marking the importance of one of Birmingham’s leading and most prominent figures. We were invited to attend by Birmingham City Council and it was a pleasure for us all to be so closely involved in a ceremony which recognised the impact Birmingham had on the Industrial Revolution, highlighting a significant work ethic of innovation which we are keen to instil in all of our current students.”
Jacob Pearson, a Pharmacy student, said: “Matthew Boulton was a great innovator and all the attributes he had are still relevant today and his legacy is still inspiring students. It was an honour for us to be invited to share the celebrations with everyone at Westminster Abbey.”
Ellie Coleman, an A-Level student, said: “It was a great privilege for us, as Matthew Boulton Campus students, to unveil the first national memorial to one of Birmingham’s leading entrepreneurs. The ceremony at Westminster Abbey was an amazing experience!”
The plaque for Birmingham manufacturer and industrialist, Matthew Boulton (1728 – 1809) sits alongside the existing memorial to James Watt in St Paul’s Chapel to reflect their historic business partnership and their contribution to British and world history.
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