Beating the Retreat

[Ajarn Philip]

Do they still play the Last Post etc, and the one where the Chapel organ joins in?

You're making the hairs stand up on the back of my neck again, John.

I would love to see a good quality recording on YouTube... (hint, hint!!)

[J.R.]

Do they still play the Last Post etc, and the one where the Chapel organ joins in?

You're making the hairs stand up on the back of my neck again, John.

I would love to see a good quality recording on YouTube... (hint, hint!!)

Don't think it would look the same as in our day ! The Retreat was at the correct time of day in the past, i.e. nearing sunset. I still vividly remember standing on the fountain, bugle-had bathed is sweat, praying for no bum-notes !!

(Uh-Oh !! The hairs are starting to stand again !)

[CHDad]

My first beating the retreat yesterday - brilliant !!!

My son's not in the band but I still have a huge sense of pride whenever I see them playing.

[Mrs C.]

Oh thanks, that's made me feel better. It's good to have support here -especially from parents who live far away from the school.It's hard to give up netball matches and concerts and also the 'school gate'even with all its terrible politics .It's hard not to know what goes on in the school day if you are used to coming home and contemplating it all with your child.
Would my daughter have it any other way ? No, she has had an amazing time and is very grateful and I can't regret that even if I am sad that I didn't see some of it.
Mr Flemming is apparently ,is tonight, uploading his photos of the Grecians' Ball onto the school website.He and Mrs Flemming have been really wonderful House Parents this year-nothing is too much trouble for them.
I don't know how it will be tomorrow. I always love the Retreat but it will be especially poignant tomorrow but I think Mr Whittingham knows that every year is special for those who are leaving and their parents or carers and it's aways the same-uplifting ,majestic and just lovely.Note to self-must get tissues from shop before I leave...

Dinahcat - every single Grecian will receive, at some time in the next couple of weeks, a disc with every photo he took on it.
He used to take his camera to Jessops first thing Saturday morning and had photos printed - but it meant that he and Mrs F spent all Retreat time getting the photos sorted and handed out.
This way saves so much time - and gives them chance to watch Retreat.

I believe your daughter is still around?? I`ll send some goodies round for them!

[dinahcat]

Yes ,she is and would love to see a friendly face! The Retreat was the best I have seen in six years and certainly Matt Coster's Last Post was the very best I have heard ( I believe Mr W thought so too) -Matt is very talented-there were no wobbles and it was played with emotion and dignity . You would have thought it was a professional it was so perfect .The weather was perfect.
Sadly two pupils watching, in uniform, didn't stand up for the National Anthem but I guess they are Republicans . Or maybe they don't have any respect for the band - I can't believe that!
Thanks for the news about the DVD -a parent also gave my daugher at disk with the Grecians Ball photos on as they were able to come to the school to see the 'parade' -they all looked fabulous.

[CHDad]

There were a group of pupils in the quad who talked (loudly) all the way through the last post and the National Anthem. Someone tried to get them to quieten down but to no avail, it actually meant that we could not hear the last post clearly as we were quite a long way away. However that was the only slight annoyance in an otherwise perfect afternoon.

[SAS]

Someone tried to get them to quieten down

My Dad, I think.

[CHDad]

The person I saw was wearing a skirt so I don't think it was your Dad!!!

[J.R.]

The person I saw was wearing a skirt so I don't think it was your Dad!!!

(No comment !)

[bluegrunt]

There were a group of pupils in the quad who talked (loudly) all the way through the last post and the National Anthem.

Standards would seem to be slipping. If that had happened in my day there would have been a quick clip round the ear delivered to the nearest boy in the group.

[J.R.]

There were a group of pupils in the quad who talked (loudly) all the way through the last post and the National Anthem.

Standards would seem to be slipping. If that had happened in my day there would have been a quick clip round the ear delivered to the nearest boy in the group.

..... and if reported to House Master in my time, would certainly have resulted in a caning !

[Chay_z11]

Don't know if anyone's seen this already, but many thanks to CH21stC for recording and posting this video of Beating Retreat on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yRQYg8FWo

[Mrs C.]

Thanks Chay!
nice one!

[Ajarn Philip]

Thank you very much for posting that - genuinely made my day.

[J.R.]

Brilliant ! Thanks very much.