Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

For information, copies of 'Christ's Hospital Girls' Uniforms 1552-1985' are now available from the Museum. The result of meticulous research by Old Blue authors David Miller and Sheila Ravenscroft (nee Corr) this profusely illustrated 40-page booklet covers all the major changes up to amalgamation ...

For information, copies of ' Christ's Hospital Girls' Uniforms 1552-1985 ' are now available from the Museum. The result of meticulous research by Old Blue authors David Miller and Sheila Ravenscroft (nee Corr) this profusely illustrated 40-page booklet covers all the major changes up to ...

" But I suppose all this stuff is what helped us hold down the British Empire" . I think that rockfreak forgot to mention the two World Wars, in which, if memory serves me aright, the British Army played a part - Alamein, Normandy Landings, Crossing the Rhine, Kohima, etc, etc. And then, of course ...

Sorry, I misspelt the name - it is Maripoza with a 'z.' See Google 'Maripoza Bung, Or the Pirate's Daughter: a Play for Boys in One Act (French's Plays for Boys)'
I also now recall 'The Playboy of the Western World' presumably a Lamb B house play.
David

Sir Barnes Wallis designed three more bombs. First was Tallboy, which was 21ft long, 38in diameter and weighed 12,622lb. It entered service in June 1944 and was used in action with great success by both the RAF and the USAAF. Second, came Grand Slam, essentially a scaled-up Tallboy, with an all-up ...

Further to my post above, Blundell was quoting from "The Bluecoat Boy" by William Harnett Blanch published in 1877. (p.97.) As Blanch was at Housie in about 1844 this indicates that the word dates back to at the very least the early 19th century.
David

I suspect that the origin of the term "Housey/Housie" is lost in antiquity. The earliest specific reference I can find is in Blunden's 'Christ's Hospital, A Retrospect' (1924) which includes an appendix on 'Some Christ's Hospital Words' (i.e., Housie slang!) which he says is based on an even earlier ...

Wow - that is a very impressive list - where did you get all that info?
I was in Lamb B 1949-55 and my main memory of House plays is that (a) they were at the same time every year (Easter Term?) and (b) there was a set drill for converting the dayroom into an auditorium, which involved moving all ...

As a matter of interest my experience with languages, also in the Fifties, was quite different. I was put in the German class for no particular reason that I can remember, but it proved a fortuitous selection. I was taught by Pongo Littlefield and I remember the text books to this day: Deutsches ...

My earlier posting may have given the impression that Sinclair Wynchank is no longer with us. My mistake and I apologise, because he is very much alive and kicking. Sorry about that,
David

Sinclair Wynchank was, indeed, an Old Blue - he was in Barnes B in the late 40s/early 50s at the same time as I was In Lamb B.
We were not friends at school, but conducted a very friendly correspondence in the 2000s. He was a very enthusiastic Old Blue, organised regular get-togthers and hosted Old ...

An interesting question to which I do not know the answer.
Ian M. was a friend in my House, just a few places junior. He came from somewhere in North Kent and was a direct entry; i.e. did not come through the Prep. He was a known rebel, breaking rules regularly and deliberately, and often involving ...

Intesting full-page interview with Steve Hilton in Saturday's Daily Telegraph (10 May 2025, page 23).
Even manages to mention Housie once, but only in passing - "a school for children from disadvantaged backgrounds" (quote).
David

I may be able to help here.
The Colour Yellow . Precisely when this colour was introduced is not clear but it was certainly in use in 1638 when the governors stated that certain items were to be dyed yellow " . ..to avoid vermin by reason the white cotton is held to breed the same ." I should add ...

Interesting about the yellow stockings keeping rats at bay. Perhaps, such stockings should be issued f.o.c. today to all the inhabitants of Birmingham?
David