Speech Day 2011

[baldoldblue]

I second everything Jo says. The atmosphere was far less feral and far more caring than I remember it. I had a real sense of the mission of the school - and was moved by it as well.

I was however reminded of some rather unfortunate incidents in LHB in 1982 by one master with a very long memory. I am guilty as charged!

[kerrensimmonds]

But did you cry during the Foundation Hymn?!
I did wonder how you got on. Did many other people recognise you as an Old Blue?

[baldoldblue]

I certainly had a lump in my throat. The one thing that really struck me as odd was that I thought it normal to march into lunch with a band playing! I did meet a good number of people - and there was a fair contingent from the City there as well. I think in the deepest recesses of my mind I still think of grecians as great big figures of authority - so was startled to find that they are in fact nothing of the sort! I was however really impressed by them all. And it was great to hear the choir - really good rendition of a very difficult anthem.

[kerrensimmonds]

Am glad to hear all of that, Hugo. Is this the start of your rehabilitation as an Old Blue?
Hertford Old Girls are delighted that our second presentee, the current Band Captain, secured two prizes, so we are currently glowing in her success.

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

Voice from the (Very Nearly !) Grave -------

What is a "Mons Board" ?

And does anybody else cringe, when they see people walking across the Quad Grass ?
(Practically a Capital Offence -- in my time !)

[englishangel]

At Hertford each house had a board above the fireplace upon which was painted (in gold) the names of the monitresses (mons) each year. In the school hall was a similar set of boards showing the girls who had won major prizes at Prize-giving (Head Girl, service to the school etc). When the girls moved to Horsham the boards went with them and are now displayed in the girls houses.

So when we go to Horsham with our friends/partners/spouses/children we hunt the boards down and point out that our names are preserved for posterity.

[J.R.]

Voice from the (Very Nearly !) Grave -------

What is a "Mons Board" ?

And does anybody else cringe, when they see people walking across the Quad Grass ?(Practically a Capital Offence -- in my time !)

It was still very much so in the late 50's/early 60's under C.M.E. Seaman, Neill.

....... which is why I take extreme pleasure in walking over it now, on my visits to CH !!

[Mid A 15]

Voice from the (Very Nearly !) Grave -------

What is a "Mons Board" ?

And does anybody else cringe, when they see people walking across the Quad Grass ?(Practically a Capital Offence -- in my time !)

It was still very much so in the late 50's/early 60's under C.M.E. Seaman, Neill.

....... which is why I take extreme pleasure in walking over it now, on my visits to CH !!

Still frowned upon from the mid sixties to early seventies.

I attended a Maine A Reunion (my last visit) about 5 years ago and we were led on on the Grecians Path by the house which, for our Hertford friends, was STRICTLY Masters and Button Grecians only. It didn't feel right walking there more than thirty years later!

[Mrs C.]

.

I was however reminded of some rather unfortunate incidents in LHB in 1982 by one master with a very long memory. I am guilty as charged!

and t`was me who heard what that master remembered! (in case you were wondering how I knew who you were!)

[englishangel]

no-one is safe from the forum heh heh heh!

[kerrensimmonds]

Poor chap, Janet. Was he so bad when he was at school? I can't believe that there is no forgiveness all these years later..............

[Mrs C.]

my lips are sealed!!!!

[kerrensimmonds]

I bet they are, Janet.....poor chap! At least baldoldblue must have made good one way or another, after all those years?

[dinahcat]

I was at Speech Day last Saturday and had a fantastic day. It was everything I thought it would be and was certainly a fitting end to and celebration of, my child's years at CH which I think is what it is meant to be.There were no tears for us as it is time to leave now and she has had a wondeful time.

[englishangel]

and no longer a child of course!