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Old Blues Day, 2012

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 3:57 pm
by Fidésien
Salut les gars (et les filles)

I am tiptoeing rather cautiously onto this forum, indeed any forum, for the first time. It feels a bit like gate-crashing a south-coast, midweek afternoon bridge club. Or possibly entering a small country church during a Sunday morning service. Thus risking disturbing a small group of people who have known each other for a long time. And may resent a newcomer.

This is my question. Since we (my wife and I) are committed to being, very unusually, in Sussex next weekend (home is Lyon in the Rhône Alpes), and possibly as a sign of encroaching senility, I have signed up to go to Old Blues Day on April 24th. For the first time in my life (since leaving in the mid-60s). Is there anything I need to know ? Along the lines of ‘Don’t mention the war’. All hints, warnings, and relevant information welcome. Many thanks.

Re: Old Blues Day, 2012

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 4:28 pm
by Mid A 15
Fidésien wrote:Salut les gars (et les filles)

I am tiptoeing rather cautiously onto this forum, indeed any forum, for the first time. It feels a bit like gate-crashing a south-coast, midweek afternoon bridge club. Or possibly entering a small country church during a Sunday morning service. Thus risking disturbing a small group of people who have known each other for a long time. And may resent a newcomer.

This is my question. Since we (my wife and I) are committed to being, very unusually, in Sussex next weekend (home is Lyon in the Rhône Alpes), and possibly as a sign of encroaching senility, I have signed up to go to Old Blues Day on April 24th. For the first time in my life (since leaving in the mid-60s). Is there anything I need to know ? Along the lines of ‘Don’t mention the war’. All hints, warnings, and relevant information welcome. Many thanks.
Welcome to the forum!

I think you mean April 28th not 24th.

I won't be there myself but I would mention, following my last visit about 6 years ago, that the boarding houses have changed beyond all recognition internally.

Re: Old Blues Day, 2012

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2012 3:16 pm
by jhopgood
I live in Valencia, also left in the mid 60's and will be there. Doubt whether you will have much trouble finding your way around, nor recognising most of the sights. I understand it is going to be fairly well attended as all meals etc are sold out.

Re: Old Blues Day, 2012

Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 1:52 pm
by Jo
Fidésien wrote:Salut les gars (et les filles)

I am tiptoeing rather cautiously onto this forum, indeed any forum, for the first time. It feels a bit like gate-crashing a south-coast, midweek afternoon bridge club. Or possibly entering a small country church during a Sunday morning service. Thus risking disturbing a small group of people who have known each other for a long time. And may resent a newcomer.

This is my question. Since we (my wife and I) are committed to being, very unusually, in Sussex next weekend (home is Lyon in the Rhône Alpes), and possibly as a sign of encroaching senility, I have signed up to go to Old Blues Day on April 24th. For the first time in my life (since leaving in the mid-60s). Is there anything I need to know ? Along the lines of ‘Don’t mention the war’. All hints, warnings, and relevant information welcome. Many thanks.
I'm trying to imagine myself playing bridge or, worse, going to church :shock: :shock: :shock: :lol:

I hope now you've broken the ice you will continue to participate in the forum. I'm going to Old Blues Day too and hope to see you there!

Re: Old Blues Day, 2012

Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 6:53 pm
by Fidésien
Many thanks for putting me right about the date ! We shall be coming direct from the Dover ferry,
but would hope to arrive in time for chapel service, lunch parade (if there is one), and whatever.
And, incidentally, … I can think of hundreds of things worse than going to church.

Re: Old Blues Day, 2012

Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:48 pm
by jhopgood
For those who are going

Old Blues Day Programme
Saturday 28th April 2012
The following departments will be open: Science (2-3pm) and Astronomy Club in the Quad PM

Please note: times & venues may have to change on the day - any changes will be advertised on the Notice Boards in Big School

10:30 onwards REGISTRATION / INFORMATION Big School
10.30 - 3.00 The CH Museum will be holding a sale of books about CH, old postcards of the school and a range of new items in the Cloisters adjacent to Court Room
10.30 –11:20 Morning Coffee and meet the CHOBA Board in Big School
Welcome from Head Master at 10:50
11.00 – 4.00 Museum Open House to see Special New Exhibition, with regular guided tours
11.15 - 12.00 Art Department open
11.00 - 12.00 Design and Technology Department open
11:30 -12.00 Old Blue Choir Rehearsal
12.00 - 12:30 Chapel Service
12.30 - 2.30 Cash Bar Open and over lunch - 5 &10 Years On Drinks Reception in Big School
12.45 Band Parade
12.55 Old Blues Photograph in the Quad
1.00—2:30 Lunch in Big School including Old Blue Special Recognition Award
2.00 -3.00 Tour of Boarding Houses— Ticket only—
Barnes A / Lamb B—meet at Lamb main door at 13:50
1.00 -3.45 Tours of “The Tube” - ticket only
13.00 Tour - meet at Peele Boarding House at 12.55
13.45 Tour - meet at Leigh Hunt Boarding House at 13.40
14.30 Tour - meet at Peele Boarding House at 14.25
15.15 Tour - meet at Leigh Hunt Boarding House at 15.10
Peele and Leigh Hunt Boarding Houses (Front Doors)
2.00 Cricket - CH v Worth 2nd XI, 15B, 14B, 13A, 13B on Big Side
2.15 - 5.00 Tuck Shop – open for sales of ice cream and tuck
4.15 Tea served by Grecians in Dining Hall

Re: Old Blues Day, 2012

Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 8:19 pm
by kerrensimmonds
It's alright for those who got in. I didn't! The barrier did not rise (though it twitched....) to allow me to go through to the disabled parking bays and after 15 minutes (when I would have been too late for lunch anyway) I gave up and drove home - in anger. My OBD money has been refunded and I have received effusive apologies. Watch this space! There is room for Security, and there is room for reason.

Re: Old Blues Day, 2012

Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 7:34 pm
by J.R.
So sorry to hear this, Kerren.

I'm sure the School will have taken your experiences on board !

Please keep us all informed.

Re: Old Blues Day, 2012

Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 8:04 pm
by kerrensimmonds
Thanks JR. I have put OBD behind me and am pleased to report that :-

a) I have had a fulsome apology from the Head Master, a refund of my OBD expenditure, and an assurance that nothing like this will ever happen again

b) I went up for Speech Day today and it was totally different. All the gates and barriers were open, but each manned by at least two high-viz jacketed security people. When I drove up to the barrier which would lead me to the disabled parking between Lamb and the Court Room, I was waved through with a smiling face once the security people had recognised my pre-registered car registration number.

c) I was directed to a good seat in Chapel, with Deputy Grecians all around me, with my guest in front. She is also disabled and is in a wheelchair.

d) My guest and I were looked after royally. Nothing was too much trouble for any of the staff - and I even attracted the attention of the Lord Mayor of London, and one of the Sheriffs, who sought me ought for a brief conversation.

e) I am advised that my experience on OBD (echo'd, as it happens, by another OB with a Blue Badge) has really shaken up the new security systems and there is a real commitment for things to change. I was even sought out today by the Head of Estates, who offered his personal regrets and apology for Old Blues Day and his assurance that lessons have definitely been learned.

All of this seem somewhat surreal since when I was a pupil at CH I was most definitely not disabled - and I find it surprising given my current circumstances that there is currently no evidence of any pupil in the school being physically disabled. I wonder about that? If someone should apply, and get in, how would the school cope?

Re: Old Blues Day, 2012

Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 8:12 pm
by J.R.
Many thanks for that, Kerren.

Glad to see that someone actually listened, but then again, I've always advocated that shouting from the roof-tops works far better than grinning and bearing it !

Re: Old Blues Day, 2012

Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 9:16 pm
by Fjgrogan
Kerren, there was a boy at school with Maria who had cystic fibrosis, Bill Mitchell.

Re: Old Blues Day, 2012

Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 9:34 pm
by kerrensimmonds
How did he cope, Frances?

Re: Old Blues Day, 2012

Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 11:25 pm
by Jo
I'm very glad lessons were learned, Kerren. I'm sure you would rather it hadn't happened in the first place, but hopefully the situation has been redeemed at least in part by the prompt and comprehensive reaction.

Re: Old Blues Day, 2012

Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 11:35 pm
by J.R.
Hi everyone.

As this thread has become more orientated to CH STUFF, I have moved it !

I hope no-one minds.

If so, feel free to pm me !

John.

Re: Old Blues Day, 2012

Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 10:08 am
by CHAZ
kerrensimmonds wrote:How did he cope, Frances?
Bill Mitchell was in Peele B when CH was still a boys boarding school. He was on UF when I was in Grecians year. Actually he was very mobile and active as best he could duing my time there. Sadly I heard that he died soon after I had left CH and this may have been 1985 or 1986.