Old Blues Day 2009 - GIVE US YOUR FEEDBACK!

[jtaylor]

I've just got back from Old Blues Day, and even though I only arrived around 1.30pm, I thoroughly enjoyed the day.

The CHA would really value your feedback - what did you like and why, what would you want repeated, what would you like changed or improved?

Add your comments to this topic, and we'll feed this into the planning for the next one!

www.chassociation.org

[kerrensimmonds]

It was a great day, Julian. From this Forum I met Josh, Mr and Mrs Plum, Neill the Notorious, John Knight, John Hopgood, DBTS, foureyes, Mrs C - and even you, eventually! That was great!
It was a very good day (the weather helped) and I must say that the ubiquitousness of the new CHA Chair (Adrian) was very obvious (I imagine he must be crashed out by now!). His unstuffy 'hands on' approach to the job was (in my view) a key to the success of the day - oiling the wheels and making people feel welcome. But I wonder if he will be able to continue with such an approach once he is also Director of Music at CH?
Being limited in mobility, and speaking for myself, I enjoyed catching up with people over lunch and tea (and meeting new people as I say above) and I really enjoyed visiting the Museum and attending the David Miller seminar, as well as poking around in the Museum afterwards.
And speaking as a Choir member (were there only six or so of us in the top line??) I did enjoy the morning Chapel service and feel that such a service needs to be a key element of any future Old Blues Day - though it might achieve a greater attendance if it is held later in the day. In the past, the Choir for OBD has been augmented by pupils and if we are to continue the tradition of an Old Blues Day service, maybe the inclusion of pupils' voices might give use Old Blues an extra confidence boost?

[blondie95]

I didnt attend this year, and havent in the 7 years since i left which is a conscious decision as I always felt whilst my parents still lived there it was hardly going back! So next year Im sure you shall see me and I will look forward to putting faces and bodies to names from here!!
One thing I notcied and has been mentioned before is along the engagement of YOB's in such days and events. I think whilst some are good and turn up in groups de-camp to big side with a picnic and watch the cricket, more could possibly be done to get them involved in other areas of OB's day.

[kerrensimmonds]

There did seem to be a LOT of 'young' Old Blues there today, which was fantastic. As well as 'not long ago' Old Blues, with their toddling children. I would say that today's Old Blues' Day was the most inclusive/extensive that I have ever experienced. But I cannot explain the reason for this!

[J.R.]

I'm so sorry I had to miss it !

[Spartacist]

There did seem to be a LOT of 'young' Old Blues there today,

most of us recent blues were just there to see our old friends, we all have many links due to the musical community, or the sports community.... It's just nice to catch up as well as being able to walk around CH with a beard and not get threatened with a sending home for not shaving!

It is also the case that we wanted to hear more about what the new SMT had been getting up to.... Many reports and rumours from the school spread fast!

[Eruresto]

Well, on my side of the fence, I loved it everyone was really open and lovely to chat to (and I'm talking about the OBs here, not the pupils) and getting my face painted was always a highlight

I'm still yet to make up my mind on Saturday vs. Sunday, though. Certainly the actual band parade was good to have, instead of just a retreat rehearsal.

My only real criticism was the date - having it so early was a bit of a pain with regards to OB campfiring, but there we are! A very good day - and as soon as I can, I'll post some of my pictures!

[Foureyes]

The Chapel service was good and the singing excellent, with the first and last hymns particularly strong.
Concerning attendance by current Blues, I did notice one who sat in the balcony throughout. I wonder whether the current Blues were instructed to stay away? Their attendance would, I am sure, be welcomed by Old Blues and, perhaps, a general invitation could be issued on behalf of the Old Blues, simply inviting those who wished to do so to come along?
As to timing of the service, I thought that the midday slot was spot on. The trouble with having the service at the end of the day is that by then many of the older ones are getting very tired, whilst young children have had quite enough thank you, and even the fitter and unencumbered OBs with a long distance to drive feel the need to hit the road.

As to 'events' I think that there were sufficient. Most Old Blues simply want to chat, meet people, prowl around, attend chapel, watch the band, visit the Museum and, perhaps, be updated on recent and proposed changes. I don't believe that sideshows and the like add anything, and I noticed that the clay-pigeon shooting was cancelled due to lack of interest.

The one element I would like to see is for the Chairman of the CHAB to hold an open forum where he/she would inform OBs of developments in the CHA and give members the opportunity to inform him/her of their concerns. There was a mention of "meet the board" in the programme, but if it did take place, I missed it, as did everyone else I spoke to!

[Eruresto]

I was the only blue there, yes. But no, we weren't instructed to stay away - but the juniors were in lunch, some of the seniors were in band various other things. The only reason I sat in the gallery and not in my normal spot was because Fr. Ian had gotten me to show people in if needs be, and I needed to go down at the end of the service to open the doors.

[Foureyes]

Josh,
Thanks for the explanation. I accept that there were many other things going on, which could have kept other Blues from attending the Chapel service - and the thought of keeping the juniors from their lunch is too awful to contemplate! Nevertheless, I think that the midday (or thereabouts) slot is better for the Old Blues for the reasons given in my earlier e-mail.

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

I thoroughly enjoyed the whole day, which I thought was organised well.
It was nice to have atleast one meal in the Dining hall, I think OBs like that-- the "Knocks" and Grace somewhat lack Gravitas in Big School ! Although the Lunch was excellent !
The Weather was, of course, a great help --- which only goes to show the power of Prayer !
I'm sorry to see that Wendy is heading for her well-earned Retirement -- her successor has a lot to live up to --- Sorry Wendy -- "Up to which to live !"
It was nice , when I made a remark, in the Seminar, to be tapped on the shoulder --- "Now I know you are The Notorious !"
My Wife is, always ,impressed by the way in which current Boys and Girls will chat to you, without any apparrent embarassment, or confusion. An example is, that when I was taking a photo of Barnes B, there were two young girls sitting on the Grecian's Path (What's That ?)
I apologised to them and asked if they minded me taking the photo, while they were there --due to me being an "Elderly man" --- -- This resulted in all of us having a fit of giggles,as we discussed the Charges, in which I might be brought to Court ! ---- How refreshing a sense of Humour -- I do hope that they will retain it after they leave CH
In conclusion WELL DONE the CHA --- I was sitting outside the Dinig Hall with two other Barnes Bs onwe 94 and one 78 with myself at 81 --- we all look forward to attending many more OB Days !

[John Knight]

A very enjoyable day... I was pleased to meet Kerren, Neill, John Hopgood, DBTS, Foureyes and many others.

Some of us were talking about the old school desks that we used in the Prep School. I went looking and found this:
http://www.trainspotters.uk.com/showdetails.asp?id=596
Who would have thought that the desk I was carving my initials on would be worth this much one day?
(I sent the seller an email to say that the CH stood for Christ's Hospital not Charterhouse - he replied with thanks)

I spent the day hobbling around with a bad foot (Doc says its Gout from the good living from when I was at school - Ha!)
I cant remember the last time somebody stood on my foot until it happened during the Band parade... he couldn't stand on the good foot - oh no....

See you all again next time.
John

[J.R.]

The picture of that desk bring back memories !

[kerrensimmonds]

Ouch, John!
Hope the pain eases soon. Glad it wasn't me, though I know I inadvertently stepped on at least two other feet belonging to male Old Blues during the ritual greeting! If/when I meet you again remind me to stand at arm's length....
PS those desks are phenomenal. Even on eBay, the prices don't get anything like that. I wondered if this company has been buying them up on eBay, doing them up, and then selling them on. But that can't be, because the ones on eBay clearly had the Christ's Hospital provenance.

[John Knight]

It was a great day, Julian. From this Forum I met Josh, Mr and Mrs Plum, Neill the Notorious, John Knight, John Hopgood, DBTS, foureyes, Mrs C - and even you, eventually! That was great!

Kerren, so you met Foureyes... I have been trying to figure out who he is ever since he joined..
I think his initials are DPR but I wait to see. Maybe I will meet him next year or at 'Beating the Retreat,
John.