RIP - Dame Shân Legge-Bourke (Gov, 98 -18)

Thanks to D Phil Jones (HM, 96-07)

Shan Legge-Bourke joined the governing body of Christ College, succeeding Mervyn Bourdillon, (1986–1998), shortly after I became Headmaster. It became clear very quickly that she was a person of warmth, speaking to the point with consistent common sense. She was an admirer of authenticity in all things and people. She became a great supporter of the school and was instrumental in King Charles, then Prince of Wales, visiting the school (for a second time) as well as Prince Edward on succeeding his father, Prince Philip, as head of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. Shan came to open the refurbished Donaldson's House and won over the girls immediately by arriving immaculately dressed In Lord Lieutenant uniform, complete with highly polished, long black boots, but when being offered refreshment afterwards politely declined, opening the front of her coat to reveal thick woolly stockings adorned with sheep's wool and saying, "I've got to dash; I'm in the middle of lambing!" 

Shan was also a great supporter of countryside matters. She quickly enlisted me into the Usk Valley Casting Club and participation in the bi-annual fly casting competition held at Glanusk, at which she not only entertained everyone lavishly, but excelled at the casting pontoons. In winter months she proved herself more than competent with a shotgun on the home shoot. In these things, as in so many others, Shan displayed many small, unobtrusive acts of kindness to the people of Powys and one could not fail to be aware of her great affection to Powys and its people. She knew the county very well, often driving fast from one end to the other to fulfil several engagements in the same day. I recall that she always had time for a chat, always asking about CCB, or my family, with a phenomenal ability to remember names of people met fleetingly at social events years earlier.'

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Thanks to Luke Williams B&R Express

Dame Shân, who lived at the Glanusk Estate near Crickhowell, was a well-known and influential figure in Welsh public life for decades. She inherited the estate from her father, Wilfred Bailey, the third Baron Glanusk, in 1948, and went on to oversee its development into a thriving country estate hosting agricultural, cultural and charitable events.

Her public service spanned numerous roles across Powys and Wales. She served as Lord Lieutenant of Powys and as High Sheriff of Powys, and held presidencies with organisations including the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, Save the Children in Wales and the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs. She also chaired the Brecon and Radnor branch of the Country Land and Business Association and was honorary colonel of the Infantry Battle School in Brecon. In addition, she was a governor of Christ College.

Dame Shân had longstanding links with the Royal Family. She served as a lady-in-waiting to Princess Anne and was a close friend of the family. Her daughter, Alexandra – known as Tiggy – later became nanny to Princes William and Harry. Over the years, Dame Shân accompanied many members of the Royal Family on official visits to Wales, including Queen Elizabeth II. As a student in Aberystwyth in 1969, the then Prince Charles was known to spend time fishing at Glanusk.

In 1964 she married Captain William Legge-Bourke, a former equerry to the royal household. He died in 2009. Dame Shân is survived by her three children – Alexandra, Zara and Harry – and 10 grandchildren.

Her contribution to public life was recognised with royal honours. She was appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order in 1988 and was later promoted to Dame Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in the 2015 New Year Honours.

In 2006, her life and work managing the estate were featured in a four-part BBC Wales documentary series, The Lady of Glanusk, which offered a behind-the-scenes look at the running of the historic estate