Old Blues Email News 13 December 2001
- 1. Benevolent Society of Blues
The Annual General Meeting of the BSB is being held at 6pm on Monday, 11th February 2002 at the National Liberal Club, 1 Whitehall Place, London SW1A 2HE. The AGM will be followed by a supper.
The latest BSB Newsletter has also been published. This shows the Charitable Outgoings increasing by 16% in the last year.
If you would like more information about either of the above (or to apply for assistance or membership), please contact Mrs Jane Hitchcock by email or telephone 01403 248868.
- 2. Information Technology at Christ's Hospital
On Saturday, 1st December 2001, 12 Old Blues active in the world of Information Technology gathered for a workshop at Christ's Hospital. This workshop was hosted by the Clerk and the CH ICT Director. The Treasurer, the Headmaster and a number of other interested parties from the CH staff also participated as well as a member of the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists. Written input to the workshop was also received from another 5 Old Blues, some from as far away as Australia.
The meeting started with briefing the attendees with the current status and plans for ICT at CH, with input from both the academic and administrative user communities. Following this, a "brainstorming" session took place leading to the prioritorisation of a number of areas. Wide ranging discussion on issues occurred throughout the session.
Following this meeting, an informal virtual network of Old Blues willing to provide expertise and assistance to CH ICT has been established. Over the next few weeks, it is hoped a plan of how to deploy this assistance will be established.
If you would like to contribute to this, please email me in the first instance at steverwebb@47woodvale.fsnet.co.uk.
- 3. CH Band on Blue Peter
As many of you know, the school band is off to participate in the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, USA, on 1st January 2002 in front of an estimated television audience of 350M. I understand that there will be a piece about this on Blue Peter on 19th December 2001 - so watch afternoon television or set your video recorders!
- 4. CH ARTS
From Chris Grady:
At a very valuable meeting on Friday 30th November we began to set some plans for the development of the group which might offer a network for those in, and those intending to work in, the arts, media, music and the creative industries.
Jade Hamilton ( jadehamilton@hotmail.com )has agreed to act as initial chairman for the project, and to investigate the development of information for a web site she would be delighted to hear from anyone willing to help.
We are also looking at a very simple newsletter, probably mainly electronic, which will update us on who's doing what - so if you have anything interesting going on in your life, please do a very quick 50 -100 word update and e-mail it through to Jade/me. Let's learn more about people who are alive and emerging rather than ready for obit or knighthood as is, by necessity, the role of the Blue.
It has been suggested a meeting with food might draw people together, and that a possible meeting place would be The Puzzle on Lavender Hill. On Wed 19th December at 7.30pm a small group of us are setting out on an expedition from my house, 4 Shamrock Street, SW4 (nearest tube Clapham North) to uncover said pub. If anyone is around the area, why not join us. My mobile is 07976 104404 if you wish to join the hunt. It has some link to the CH Rugby Club.
We are then suggesting a meeting on Fri 25th January 6.30pm for 7pm, probably at said pub, for a brainstorm, some light refreshments and food. Please spread the word and e-mail Jade and/or myself if you think you can make it.
The next planned meeting is Sunday 24th February at lunchtime again in a south London location, to be agreed.
The aim is to try to set a series of dates for the rest of the year usually, but not exclusively, in London, at varying times of the day and week. We can always use Pleasance, London and we can see about the Lavender Hill pub. We have been offered the chance to host a meeting at Nick Thompson's architectural practice, and at Duncan Noel Paton's palatial manor. It would be good to look at dropping in on other Old Blues with fascinating places of work or leisure. Matt Holliday has suggested a trip to the Watermill Theatre in Newbury next time he is lighting a show there, and I'd be delighted to host a meeting at the 2002 Edinburgh Festival.
So things are happening - what we need now is help to spread the word. If you pass the a-mail on, please copy us into the loop so that we can build a small mailing list.
Please a-mail your thoughts to Jade and Chris. Offers of help welcome
So here's the action list:
Pass info to at least two friends (copy back to Jade/Chris)
- Write a 50-100 word email update on your current life
- Put Fri 19th Dec 2001 in your diary
- Put Fri 25th Jan 2002 in your diary
- Put Sun 24th Feb 2002 in your diary
Many thanks
Chris Grady (La A 69-76) Chris@pleasance.co.auk Home: 4 Shamrock Street, Clapham North, London SW4 6HE telephone 0207 720 4252.
- 5. Dates for 2002
I would again like to make the Old Blues Diary on www.oldblues.com [now the Events Calendar] as comprehensive as possible. Could meeting organisers please let me have their dates for 2002 if they are not already posted there.
- 6. CH Band Calendar 2002
One of the pupils has designed and printed a 2002 calendar. I understand that he did this all by himself (not bad for a 14 year pupil!). It's been professionally printed and costs £3.50 (with £1.50 p&p). It's being sold to raise funds for the school band trip to Pasadena. The photographs are all recent professional photos taken of the band on various occasions, apart from 2 historical band photos. I am told he has done a good job of it.
Cheques should be made payable to Christ's Hospital Music Department. The calendars can be ordered or more information can be obtained from telephone: 01403 247438, fax: 01403 276470, email: music@christs-hospital.org.uk
- 7. Michael Swan (Col B 33-38)
Anna Swan (Hertford, 3's, 1971-77) is writing a book about her father, the explorer and author Michael Swan (Coleridge B, 1933-38). She would love to hear from any contemporaries or friends of his. Contact details are swan@appleonline.net or 119A Fordwych Road, London NW2 3NJ.
- 8. Ollie Williams
Andrew Whitehouse reports that Ollie Williams (LHA, Th A 79-86) currently has an exhibition ongoing at the Natural History Museum.
- 9. The Blue
The next edition of the Blue - due out around Christmas - carries reports on Old Blues' Day and on Thornton A Reunion, plus the full text of the speeches at Founder's Day Dinner in Drapers' Hall.
Michael Simpkin, the Clerk, writes on his first three years at Housie, giving a fascinating insight into how much is going on.
Old Blue Golf and Rugby Football continue to feature but where are the cricketers, shooters and Greens?
The obituaries - fewer than usual - include some impressive Old Blues from both Hertford and Horsham and appreciations are invited for some whose death only is announced.
The CH Club asks for help on examining its navel and David Taplin seeks the views of Old Blues anxious to see engineering take a higher profile in the curriculum.
- 10. Engineering in the curriculum
As mentioned above, Professor David Taplin would like to continue the debate about engineering in the curriculum. This was initiated in a letter from him printed in the last edition of the Blue. If you would like to contribute to this debate, please email him at coliemore@hotmail.com.
- 11. Old Blues RFC Tour to Jersey, 15-17 March 2002
Having postponed the next International Tour until Summer 2003, OBRFC plan to take at least two sides and (preferably wealthy!) supporters - to Jersey in March. The plan is to fly out on the Friday morning and return on Sunday afternoon, playing the matches on Saturday afternoon. Other traditional tour activities will take place over the rest of the weekend!!
The cost, inclusive of flights, two nights Hotel B&B and local transportation, is £170.00 per person. Golf will be charged independently.
Numbers and timing will be dependent on the availability of flights, so seats will be allocated on a 'first come, first served' basis.
To reserve your place:
1) E-mail Ian Hoskins on ih@jjhwtlmcc.demon.co.uk (also advising if you intend to play golf on Friday afternoon)
AND/OR
2) Send a deposit cheque for £50.00 made payable to 'OBRFC Tour Account' to:
Ian Hoskins, Boundary House, 7 The Wickets, ASHFORD, Middlesex TW15 2RR
Deposits will be refundable, prior to confirmation and the payment of balances by 16 February 2002.
As usual, financial assistance will be available to those in real need - contact Ian Hoskins for details.
DON'T DELAY, DO IT NOW!
- 12. www.oldblues.com
I would love to be able to add more photographs to the site. If you have some that would be of interest to others, please [email the Web Editor].
Regards
Steve Webb (Col A 60-69)