Forthcoming Events
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| Sat 25 May | Old Blues Automobile Club – Euro Tour 25th May - 2nd June |
| Wed 05 Jun |
East Sussex Old Blues Luncheon |
| Wed 05 Jun | West Surrey Old Blues |
| Thu 06 Jun | Oxfordshire Old Blues |
| Sat 08 Jun | Cornwall and Devon Old Blues |
| Read more... | |
60 Years On Reunion report – Wednesday 1st May
Over 35 Old Blues and their guests joined us for the 60 years on reunion, on what proved to be a fresh sunny May Day in Horsham, some visitors coming from as far a field as Australia. After morning coffee accompanied by music played by some of CH’s budding young pianists and a welcome from Greg Andrews, Clerk to the Foundation, we commenced on tours of the Music School and Museum.
Museum curator, Elizabeth Bridges, had kindly organised a ‘one day only’ display of some fascinating items from the Christ’s
Hospital Collection. The display included some examples of ‘famous’ signatures, one being from Yuri Gagarin the Soviet cosmonaut –
the autograph, having been given to the Lord Mayor of London in 1961, was then given to CH Hertford. Also on display were the
original Presentation papers for Samuel Taylor Coleridge, James Leigh Hunt, Charles Lamb and Robert Burns’ son, and also the
gold ‘Nash’ medal, given to Frederick Gifford Nash, Senior Grecian, to commemorate his ‘loyal address’ to Queen Victoria
on November 9 1837. None of these items are regularly displayed, but only brought out for special occasions.
A Chapel service held by School Chaplain, Stephen Golding, was followed by Band Parade and a leisurely lunch with the Clerk and deputy head, Ben Vessey in Court Room. Our Old Blue guests, amongst which were a good collection of Hertford Girls, spent the time continuing to catch up on the last 60 years.
The afternoon included visits to Coleridge B boarding house and Grecians West for some, and a visit to the Theatre for others.
The day was rounded off with tea and cakes in Dining Hall, where we were joined by Grecians, Fergus Denton, Dina Valton and Elliot Corner, who chatted to some of our visitors about what life is like at Christ’s Hospital in 2013 – a little different from Horsham and Hertford in 1953 it seemed!
Old Blues Day report - Sat 20th April
On the first warm and sunny day of the year, over 400 Old Blues and their guests returned to Christ’s Hospital on Saturday, 20 April for their
annual get-together. Visitors were able to enjoy visits to the Art Department, the CH museum, and watch Band Parade. We also, for the first time,
opened up all of the avenue Boarding Houses to our guests. 
Many people, however, just chose to soak up the sun on Big Side.
In Big School, Special Recognition Awards were presented to Lance Reynolds and John Chumrow OBE by Mike Hiard, Chairman of the Board of School Governors. Geoff Hines received his award from the Head Master a few weeks earlier during his visit to Australia and two further awards will be presented to Moyna Gilbertson OBE and Fred Grant, who were unfortunately unable to be there on the day. Sadly, Sir Colin Davis CBE, who was also due to receive an award, passed away recently, but arrangements will be made to forward the award on to his family. The Special Recognition Award, launched last year, is an acknowledgement to alumni who have made an important contribution to the profile of the School through the local, national or international community of Christ’s Hospital in the course of their career, through voluntary or charitable work.
Photographs of the day can be found on the link below.
http://www.chassociation.org/gallery/index.php
Old Blues Day - Sat 20th April
The museum will be open on Old Blues Day from 11am to 4pm, staffed by its Hon Curator, Mike Barford, and its Assistant Curator, Elizabeth Bridges, who hope that many Old Blues will visit them. There will be access by the lift as well as by the stairs. As last year, there will be several special exhibitions featuring items which have rarely, if ever, been on display previously. These include:
- Manuscripts and autographs – including the original Presentation Papers of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Charles Lamb, James Leigh Hunt, Thomas Middleton and Robbie Burns’ son, poems by Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Edmund Blunden in their own hands and a selection from Queen Victoria, Queen Victoria’s mum, Queen Elizabeth II, Winston Churchill, Yuri Gagarin, Henry Chauncey (a letter about acquiring the Hertford site in 1682), Samuel Pepys and many others.
- Hertford items – a new display which will complement the tour at 3pm of Hertford items around the site.
- Badges, Prizes and Tokens – a display to accompany the issue of new Heritage Series booklet of the same name, including a 1660s farthing issued by a shoemaker living and working within Christ’s Hospital.
- 1953 celebrations of the quatercentenary of CH – 60 years on from CH’s major celebrations.
- Maps and plans – including contemporary illustrations of the five alternative designs submitted for building CH in Horsham. See how CH might have looked!
- House Rolls – a selection of the large sheets printed annually between 1950 and 1965 which contained House Rolls for each house.
Appointment of the new Treasurer
Please click here for the anouncement of the appointment of Guy Perricone as Treasurer
Thornton B and Ward 9 Association Reunion – 11 May 2013
This reunion is for all Thornton B Old Blues. It is an opportunity to catch up with old friends and visit the School for what, we hope, will be a very special day.
As well as being able to re-visit Thornton B House, there will be the chance to watch Band Parade and attend lunch in the Court Room. There will also be the opportunity of visiting academic classes, the Museum, or touring the Tube.
Partners are most welcome and to reserve your place, simply return the enclosed form or book online using PayPal at www.chassociation.org/shop. We will post on the Th B and Ward 9 Reunion event's page, a list of all those who have confirmed that they are attending nearer the time.
Numbers are limited, and will be allocated on a "first come - first served" basis; the closing date to register for this event is the 3rd May.
Finally, we have enclosed a list of those for whom we no longer have any contact details. If you know anyone on this list, we would be grateful if you could encourage them to make contact with us. We have also enclosed a copy of our security procedure and kindly ask that you take note of this.
We would be delighted if you were able to join us and look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on the day!
You can register ONLINE quickly and easily (and help reduce our administration costs) via the CHOBA Online Shop.
The booking form is available to download in PDF format
[120KB] 
- fill it in today!
5 and 10 Years On Reunion
Further details of the 5 and 10 Years On Reunion (combined with Old Blues, Day) on Saturday 20th of April are now available. Leavers of 2002/3 and 2007/8 are invited to join us for a lunch time buffet reception at 13.15 to 14.15 in the Grecian houses. Please visit the CHOBA website shop to book a place
Old Blues’ Day 2013 – Saturday 20th April
Please note that Old Blues Day 2013 has been moved to a week earlier, to April 20th 2013
This will be a family-based day following on from the successes of previous years and will include a number of new activities.
- • The Old Blue Choir will be joined by Chapel Choir and Schola Cantorum for the Chapel Service.
- • The 5 and 10 Year reunion will be held in the Grecian Houses
- • All boarding houses will be open after lunch for a limited period
- • Tour of Hertford artefacts at Horsham
- • Music from the Jazz Ensemble and Brass Quintet in the Garden Quad
The event web page can be found here. The activities and events on the day are published in the programme, - there is plenty to do, see and take part in, so put the date in your diaries now. Tickets for refreshments and activities are available via the CHOBA Online Shop, or alternatively contact Margaret in the CHOBA Office or download an order form Come along with your family and meet up with old friends and contemporaries - it'll be a great day!
Returning as part of Old Blues’ Day is the Old Blue Special Recognition Award
Christ’s Hospital recognises and acknowledges alumni who have made an important contribution to the profile of the school through their achievement.
Nominations were sought for alumni who have made an important contribution to the local, national or international community in the course of their career, through voluntary or charitable work or commitment to Christ’s Hospital. The fields for which nominations were considered are:
- • Achievement in a chosen career
- • Community engagement and leadership
- • Enterprise and innovation
- • Excellence in sports or the arts
- • Commitment to Christ’s Hospital
For a map of the site to plan your day, click here.
REGISTER
Please note that you MUST pre-register before the day to let us know you’re coming for security reasons regarding the school, and also because numbers for some activities are limited, and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. We will also require numbers on any free activities to assess the viability of running events.
OLD BLUE SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD
For more information, please click below: Old Blue Special Recognition Award 2013
Security on site
We welcome visits from Old Blues, families and friends but the need to safeguard the welfare of our students means that we must manage carefully all such visits. This is in response to government legislation.The School is therefore asking everyone to observe the following rules when visiting the site:
- • Prior to any visit, please contact the CHOBA office, details of which can be found here.
- • Visits may not be feasible at certain times, for example when important examinations or other assessments are being conducted.
- • In order to comply with government safeguarding regulations, all School visitors must adhere at all times with the School’s policies, administrative rules and regulations; a brief resumé of which will be given to all visitors to read when registering at security.
- • Visitors will be required to register with security on arrival and to report to the security building when arriving or leaving the school premises.
- • CH requests visitors to wear and visibly display a Christ’s Hospital pass, or other approved identification, when on school premises.
- • Cars must be parked in the official car park.
- • No visitor should seek to enter a boarding house or other school buildings except the reception area unless they are supervised by a CH member of staff or attending an official event.
Official Policy
We hope that all our visitors both past, present and in the future will understand the reasons for adhering to this policy.
We regret that the 30 Years On Reunion (Sat 17th November) has been cancelled
Don't forget St. Matthew's Day Drinks, 21st September 2012
Click here to read about the arrangements for St. Matthew's Day Drinks, after the Service celebrating the 460th Anniversary of our Founding
A Service of Thanksgiving for the life and work of John Hansford
A Service of Thanksgiving for the life and work of John Hansford, former Headmaster, will be held in the Chapel of King Edward’s School, Witley at 11 a.m. on Saturday 22 September.
All will be welcome, including Old Witleians and former pupils & staff of Bury Grammar School and Christ's Hospital.
Light refreshments will be available after the service. Please kindly call or email Mrs Susie Spragg on 01428 686727 / spraggsj@kesw.org if you plan to attend.
For directions to the school, please refer to the directions page, which may be found here: www.kesw.org/index.php/en/home/how-to-get-to-us
FOUNDER’S DAY DINNER
SKINNERS’ HALL, LONDON EC4R 2SP
Thursday 11th October 2012
The Stewards wish to encourage as many Old Blues as possible to attend this year’s dinner and are therefore circulating the details to all those who received the recent survey. All Old Blues and Governors are most welcome.
Chairman of the Dinner will be Sally O’Brien, (Knatchbull–Hugessen 5s 1970-77). Sally is a board member of the Friends of Christ’s Hospital, a group of Old Blues in the US whose mission is to support the School and Foundation. The Responder will be General Sir Garry Johnson KCB OBE MC, (Middleton A 1948-1954) who is retiring as Chairman of the Council of Almoners this year.
The ticket price remains ‘all inclusive’, covering pre dinner drinks, table wines and port with coffee. There is a discounted price for Old Blues under 28 years of age and for those aged 80 or over.
The seating capacity of Skinners’ Hall makes it possible for diners to bring a guest should they wish to do so. In the event of oversubscription priority will be given to eligible diners.
The formal part of the dinner should be over by 10pm thus enabling those with long distance journeys to catch their last train. However, to encourage diners to stay on to socialise, there will be a bar open until approximately 11pm. For those seeking reasonably priced overnight accommodation we have an arrangement with the Union Jack Club (see attachment).
To enable you to see who is attending, CHOBA will be maintaining a running list on their website. We will endeavour to seat diners with others of their era and according to their wishes
Cheques will be presented to the bank on receipt and this should be taken as confirmation that you have been allocated a ticket.
The Stewards very much hope that you will attend.
More information: Invitation Letter Application Form Accommodation Attendees list
Christ's Hospital Stewards of Founders Day
Hon. Sec. R P Eades, Thornton, 4 Squirrel Wood, West Byfleet, Surrey KT14 6PE
Telephone 01932 352 049 Email rogereades@o2.co.uk
ST MATTHEW’S DAY SERVICE – ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL FRIDAY 21st SEPTEMBER 2012
2012 is the 460th anniversary of the founding of Christ’s Hospital and to mark this occasion the St Matthew’s Day Service will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral with all the pupils in attendance.
It is possible there may be a limited number of tickets available for Old Blues to attend. Therefore, if you wish to be considered for a ticket please send your name, address and contact details to: Vicky Haigh, Protocol Officer, Christ’s Hospital Foundation, Christ’s Hospital, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 0YP. Tel: 01403 247405 or email cksec@christs-hospital.org.uk.
Tickets will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis and only one ticket will be available per household. You will be notified at the beginning of September if your bid has been successful or otherwise and further details will be issued shortly thereafter. Please note it will not be possible to gain entry to the Cathedral without a ticket. If you have any questions please contact Vicky Haigh.
MEMORIAL SERVICE – J Michael Carrington, former CH staff 61-94
A Memorial Service for J Michael Carrington will be held on Sunday 23rd September at 2pm in the Chapel at Christ's Hospital, followed by refreshments in Court Room. All are very welcome.
To assist with catering arrangements it would be most helpful if you could notify us if you plan to attend. Please either telephone Margaret Wadman 01403 247665 or email administrator@chassociation.org before Friday 14th September.
OLD BLUES WHO DIED IN BOMBER COMMAND IN WORLD WAR TWO
The great and long-awaited public Memorial to commemorate the 55,573 young men of Bomber Command who died in World War Two will be unveiled by Her Majesty The Queen in Green Park, London on 28 June 2012. The total number of Old Blues who served in Bomber Command is not known for certain but was about 2-300 and, of those, thirty died in action or on operational training:
- BARKER, David Conquest. MaA (31-37); 19 years; 24 May 1940
- BARTLETT, Alan. LaA (20-27); 32 years; 13 May 1942
- BELDON, Eric Nigel Nicholson. ColB (33-39); 20 years; 31 Aug 1943
- CARNEGIE, Ronald Forbes. LaB (22-31); 22 years; 8 July 1944
- COSENS, Frank William, DFC. PeA (26-32); 28 years; 15 February 1944
- COUTTS, Desmond Christian Frederick. MaB (29-34); 22 years; 3 January 1941
- CUSTANCE, Robert Corrie. ThA (34-40); 20 years; 17 December 1943
- DAVIS, Howard Leslie. ThB (29-38); 21 years; 8 June 1942
- DOWNER, George Lionel DFC. PeA (29-36); 23 years; 14 January 1944
- ELLIOTT, Alec. MaA/MidA (29-38); 25 years; 5 January 1945
- GALES, Philip Frank Weller, MiD. ThA (29-37); 22 years; 23 September 1942
- GILLING Jack Humphrey. MaA (30-36); 20 years; 4 July 1940
- GWYN Herbert John Compton. LaA (31-38); 23 years; 29 January 1944
- JACOBS, Thomas Frederick. ColA (31-36); 21 years; 10 January 1942
- LEWIS, Ronald George. MaB (32-38); 21 years; 3 September 1942
- MACINTYRE, James Galt. ColB (24-30); 28 years; 29 July 1940
- McKINLAY, Allen. MidB (20-25); 34 years; 22 November 1942
- OLIVER, Jack Russell. MaA (31-1936); 22 years; 27 March 1943
- O'NEILL, William Francis. ColB (24-29); 31 years; 22 May 1944
- PASCOE, Philip Jocelyn. MidB (22-28); 32 years; 29 June 1943
- SCOTT-SMYTH, Thomas Laidlaw, DFC. PeB (24-29); 26 years; 11 September 1940
- SELWYN, Harold Morrey. ThA (27-35); 22 years; 3 July 1940
- SEWARD, Frederick Phillip. LaB (31-36); 23 years; 29 June 1943
- STREET, Richard. PeA (32-39); 21 years; 27 January 1944
- TELLING, Robert Douglas. MaB (28-35); 24 years; 19 January 1942
- UNDERY, Edwin Maurice MBE. MidA (20-27); 37 years; 20 October 1948
- WILLIAMS, David Hamilton. MidA (31-37); 23 years; 5 January 1945
- WIMBERLEY, Michael Arabin. MidA (32-40); 21 years; 24 March 1944
- WODEHOUSE, Sydney Edward. LaB (31-36); 24 years; 17 June 1944
- WOODHOUSE, Geoffrey Clayton Rance. MaB (27-32); 29 years; 10 April 1945
Full details of these and all other Old Blue World War Two deaths are given in the book “Freedom We Died For You” obtainable from the CHOBA Manager.
Winners of the Old Blue Special Recognition Award 2012
The following Old Blues have been awarded Special Recognition Awards.
- Robin Crane (PeA 41-49) - Old Blue Special Recognition Award 2012 for “Community Engagement and Leadership”
- The Baroness Deech D.B.E (1s, 7s 53-61) - Old Blue Special Recognition Award 2012 for “Achievement in a chosen career”
- Susan Mitchell (nee Hamilton) (1s, 7s 47-56) - Old Blue Special Recognition Award 2012 for "Commitment to Christ’s Hospital"
- Diana Gould (nee Robinson) (5s, 8s 42-51) - Old Blue Special Recognition Award 2012 for “Commitment to Christ’s Hospital”
- Charles Hazlewood (MaA 78-85) - Old Blue Special Recognition Award 2012 for “Excellence in the Arts”
- Dennis Silk (PrepA, MaA 42-50) - Old Blue Special Recognition Award 2012 for “Excellence in Sport” and “Achievement in chosen career”
New activities for Old Blues Day
Grecian’s Gift
With a slightly different twist to previous years, Old Blues Day 2012 will still contain a number of a pupil-led activities, taking place in and around the Dining Hall and Quadrangle. This year the leaving Grecians are to hold a ‘March-a-thon’ the entire afternoon in aid of the Grecian’s Gift, a gift donated by the leaving Grecians, and to the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. The Grecians are hoping to raise funds to thank the Marsden for all the brilliant work they have done and for the continuing success of the treatment and care that their cancer patients are receiving.
The Grecians would like to invite Old Blues of any age to join them in marching for such a worthy cause, with Housey provided! Donations can be made on the day or alternatively at the following website address: www.justgiving.com/GreciansEast
Thank you in advance for your support and see you on the day!
Organ Tour and Recital
- 5.15 pm Demonstration Court Room organ and brief talk
- 6 pm Recital in Chapel
- 6.45 pm Optional tour of organ In Big School
Contact the CHOBA office to book a place.
Christ’s Hospital Old Blue Special Recognition Award
Christ’s Hospital recognises and acknowledges Alumni who have made an important contribution to the profile of the School through their achievement.
Nominations are sought for alumni who have made an important contribution to the local, national or international community in the course of their career, through voluntary or charitable work or commitment to Christ’s Hospital.
The Old Blues Association is seeking nominations for the award from Old Blues or others. The fields for which nominations will be considered are:
- • Achievement in a chosen career
- • Community engagement and leadership
- • Enterprise and innovation
- • Excellence in sports or the arts
- • Commitment to Christ’s Hospital
The deadline for nominations for the 2012 award is Friday 17th February 2012. The successful alumnus / alumna (and their nominator) will be notified by Friday 9th March 2012.
Further details of how to nominate a candidate are provided in the attached document. Click here for details
New staff in the Development Office
CH is delighted to welcome Pippa Cleary and Fran Reid as Development Officers. Pippa and Fran are job sharing the post and taking over from Anne Sartain who is leaving at the beginning of November. They will no doubt soon become well known to Old Blues as they expand upon this role and help to co-ordinate the fundraising activity currently being planned.
Pippa Cleary
Pippa has joined Christ’s Hospital from Portsmouth Grammar School where she was General Manager for the Portsmouth Festivities and Publicity & Events Manager for the school for the past six years.
Pippa has many years experience in fundraising (from both public and private sectors), marketing,
alumni relations and event management. Since graduating in 1990 from University with a degree in music Pippa has worked for The Japan Festival, international arts management company Harrison Parrott, Peterborough Cathedral Festival and Dean Close School Cheltenham. Pippa is living on site with her husband Andrew, the new Director of Music at CH, their son Tom who has just joined the UF in Peele A and younger daughter Becky.
"Everyone at CH has been extremely welcoming and I am greatly looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead working within the Development team at CH and contributing to the future success of this unique school."
Fran Reid
Fran has just moved to Christ's Hospital with her husband, Adam, who has been appointed Head of History, and brings with her two young children, Barnaby and Iona, and many years experience in educational fundraising.
Having been born and raised in Spain, Fran is tri-lingual in Spanish and German. She came to the UK as a student, and following graduation and time spent in Chile as an interpreter for Operation Raleigh, worked first for the Prince's Trust and then the Institute of Directors in London. Marriage took her to Dauntsey's School in Wiltshire, where her husband was starting his teaching career. Over the course of thirteen years Fran established and ran the school's Foundation Office, developed the marketing and fund-raising arms of the school, worked closely with the alumni, tutored in a girls' boarding house, and for the last five years supported her husband in the running of a large boys' boarding house. She also ran the school's charity committee and taught some lower school Spanish.
Fran is delighted to be involved in fund-raising at CH: "As everyone has told me, this is an exceptional and unique school, and it will be enormously exciting and rewarding to help raise funds to enable more young people to benefit from the life-changing opportunities offered by CH."
The Annual CHOBA Carol Concert, 2011
Friday 16th December, 6pm
Church of St. Andrew, Holborn. London.
Come and join us for a festive concert; enjoy some great music performed by your fellow Old Blues with a glass of warming mulled wine and a mince pie.
Tickets are only £6.00 Adults, £3.00 Under 16's, Children under 5 free
Order your tickets today:-
visit the CHOBA Shop, download an application form , or call the CHOBA Office
If you want to volunteer to take part in the choir or the band, simply email us at the CHOBA Office and we’ll be delighted to add you to the list.
The music is being conducted by Old Blue David Eastburn (MdA 47-55), the organ will be played by Tom Reinhold (PeA, GrW 05-07), rehearsals start at 4.00pm.
As well as music from the choir there will be festive readings given by various Old Blues, and plenty of chances to join in with the singing! It’s a great way to round up a day of Christmas shopping in the city, or to brighten up those dark winter days in your way home from work.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Order your ticket today at: http://www.chassociation.org/shop/
Christ's Hospital in the Victorian Era, by Ken Mansell
During the reign of Queen Victoria 11,632 boys (mostly) and girls were admitted to Christ’s Hospital (CH) to be educated at its establishments in London and Hertford. A new book - Christ’s Hospital in the Victorian era - by Ken Mansell, who was at CH between 1953 and 1961, tells the story of these children and the School they attended. Read more ...
Attendance at Old Blues Day, and the "5 and 10 Years On" Reunion
Photographs of the day have been published. Click here to view them.
20 Years On Reunion
It is with regret that we are cancelling the 20 Years On Reunion on Saturday 7th May due to insufficient numbers
MEMORIAL SERVICE - James Forbes, Old Blue and former Treasurer (LaA 34-41)
A Memorial Service for James Forbes, Old Blue and former Treasurer, will be held on Wednesday 11th May at 3pm in the Chapel at Christ's Hospital. All are very welcome.
To assist with arrangements on the day it would be most helpful if you could notify us if you plan to attend. Please either telephone Vicky Haigh on 01403 247405 or email cksec@christs-hospital.org.uk
New statuettes of a Housey Boy and Girl
Appearing on sale for the first time on Old Blues Day will be newly commissioned statuettes of pupils in Housey uniform,
created in bronze resin and standing 10" high on a wooden plinth. The statuettes were created especially for CH by Peter Hicks Ltd.,
a well known producer of small statues as commemorative memorabilia, and feature a boy and girl in full Housey.
A single statuette (either a boy or a girl) will be available at £99 plus £7 post and packing or a pair (2 boys, 2 girls or a boy and a girl) are available for £190 plus £10 post and packing, all prices inclusive of VAT. These are very attractive items which are sure to sell quickly.
If you would like to place an order please contact Margaret Wadman on 01403 247665 or by email to administrator@chassociation.org or visit the CHOBA shop http://www.chassociation.org/shop/
The Blue Magazine – Advertising Opportunities for your organisation
The next edition of The Blue will be published in December 2011 and will include further information about CHOBA, its members and their activities. This publication is distributed free of charge to approximately 7000 CHOBA members. The magazine will also be available to view online. CHOBA is able to offer a number of corporate advertising opportunities to Old Blues as we did for the 2010 issue. If anyone would like more information, please contact Margaret Wadman on 01403 247665 or email at administrator@chassociation.org
Survey on the way!
Advance notice to let all Old Blues know that there is to be a major survey from Christ’s Hospital which is due to be sent out around mid-January next year. The idea behind this is to help us to get our communications with you as up to date and as relevant as possible. Please do complete and return this – we’ll even include a pre-paid envelope. There are some exciting initiatives currently being put together and we wouldn’t want you to miss out!
.For the younger Old Blues, perhaps?
CHOBA now has a presence on Facebook. Click here to check it out. The new Facebook page will be updated with events information and photos.
New CH Merchandise available for 2010
A new range of CH merchandise for 2010 is now available,
and can be ordered online via the
CHOBA Shop
We have CH silk single crested ties, a new range of cufflinks,
hooded sweatshirts, polo shirts, fleece jackets and rugby shirts.
2010 Grecians' Ball
The Grecians (Upper Sixth) Leavers’ Ball was held on Friday, 2nd July and had an "Alice in Wonderland" theme, with trumpet-playing white rabbits, the Queen of Hearts, servers wearing giant playing cards and the Mad Hatter and March Hare in evidence.
The Ball began with a reception in the Head Master’s garden where, in keeping with the theme, drinks were served in ill-matched crockery and jam tarts given out to all. A dinner dance with a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party followed with dancing to a live band made up of musicians, of whom some were are Old Blues. All this was organised by the Grecians, who elect a pupil committee six months prior to the event, to manage the preparations for the Ball and harness their creative skills in making props for the theme. The Committee was led by two staff, Ian Stannard and Amanda Walsh.
The Ball traditionally takes place on the last night of the academic year and represents the start of a series of traditions that date back centuries. The following day (the leavers’ last day) begins with a formal Chapel service with "The Charge", which has been read for over 450 years. The service is followed by "Beating Retreat", a Band performance enjoyed by parents, students and guests. All in all, these traditions are a fitting end to their education at Christ’s Hospital.
"20 Years On" Reunion photos published
We were so pleased to welcome 23 Old Blues, their guests and families and would like to thank everyone who joined us for making such a great day!
Here's a selection of photographs from the day... link to photo gallery
If you have more photos which you'd like to share, please do send them on the CHOBA Office.
Old Blues Day Review and Photos
As we exited Big School the band struck up and a great many Old Blues watched proceedings from around the Quad, with the sun shining down. Following this, over 150 Old Blues were welcomed back into Big School for an excellent carvery-style lunch. After lunch we filed out for the afternoon activities which included visits to the Museum and Boarding Houses, Art department, Design and Technology, Science school and the Library, a debate in Court Room and a chance to use the Astronomy Club's telescope to view sun spots, not to mention savouring Nepalese food served by pupils in the Quad. There were also a number of cricket fixtures taking place with Old Blues and school teams during the afternoon.
Following on from the success of the Grecians' Fayre last year, this year's Grecians were raising money to have a fountain installed in the pond in the Garden Quad. Last years Grecians' Gift - a wonderful sundial - was unveiled on the day. The Grecians manned stalls in the Garden Quad serving tea, coffee and some superb iced cakes which they had baked themselves.
A number of Old Blues then headed off to the Riches Lecture Theatre for an interesting talk from Mr Roy Salisbury, former Clerk of the Foundation, on "The History of the Counting House".
The day was ended perfectly with afternoon tea in the Dining Hall followed by an Evensong in Chapel, complete with a mixed choir of Old Blues and present pupils singing with congregational participation under the direction of Head of Music, Adrian Bawtree.
It was lovely to see so many Old Blues of different ages and it was nice that so many brought their families back for the first time (below is a selection of feedback received from the Old Blue community). For all, it was a happy occasion and an opportunity to renew old acquaintances.
"Thank you for such an enjoyable day. The welcome in Big School set the scene for the day, and the programme unfolded beautifully. I had planned to start my journey home after tea, but was persuaded to stay for Evensong. In all, a most rewarding day, reviving old memories and making some new ones."
"
I visited for Old Blues Day and had a lovely day despite only leaving as a Grecian nine months ago."
"Splendid food and cheerful children."
"It was very enjoyable... ", “... lots going on, beautiful weather and an excellent lunch!"
Who's Blue Online
Why not search Who's Blue Online, the CHOBA online contacts site, to contact long-lost friends from school?
Contact the CHOBA Office to obtain your username and password if you don't already have one.
