Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

I remember a slightly different pinny-throwing ceremony. At the end of term (or school year?) we gathered on the playground, stood in a circle and chanted "The Royal, Religious and Ancient Foundation of Christ's Hospital; may they prosper who love her, and may God increase their number". Then the shout of "Housey", and we threw our pinnies/aprons into the air. I don't think it happened every year, and suspect it was invented towards the end of my time at Hertford. It's interesting that it moved into the dining hall in later years.

In 2's we sang 'Goodbyee, don't cryee' each term then at the end of the year we sang 'Auld Lang Syne' which the whole school sang as we passed under the Arches entering Liverpool Street. Katharine and those who lived nearby you didn't know what you were missing.

I don't think anyone of us "Failed" on the presentation of the School Bible, I still have mine, which adorns the Bookcase, since I tend to use the NIV. The School version is interesting, in that it is the "Revised " not the beloved Authorised and contains the Apocrypha, -- wonderful tales of "Bel and the Dragon" and the "History of Susanna"
I have given many instructions for my Funeral (Cardboard box to Crematorium !) one of which is that I shall HAUNT anyone who sings the 23rd Plalm to "Crimond ! No Black to be worn and that bit from the Wisdom of Solomon (Apocrypha) about "In the sight of the Unwise they appeared to die, and their departure was taken for Misery ----- but they are at Peace !"
I don't think this is a morbid subject, and I learned a lot from my Father, who sat me down and informed me where the Will was, who to inform, what to do with Investments, to avoid Administrators taking "Cuts" and Commission.
My Computer has a Note "When I die " which contains all this, It does save a lot of Hassle for those who have to deal with things, and are presumeably grieving
Last Point ----- As a C.A.B. Advisor -- There are more troubles about, than you can imagine , if you haven't made a Will !
Don't mention Aunt Nellie's Diamond Ring ---- It may be lost or stolen by the time the Will is read ---- Make a list NOT ATTACHED IN ANY WAY TO THE WILL and show how you would like personal things distributed.
The Legal Brethren among you may wish to correct me, I should be glad of it -- but it seems Common Sense !

Oh Dear ! Have I started another Topic ? Slap on the Wrist from JR !

NEILL THE NOTORIOUS wrote:I don't think anyone of us "Failed" on the presentation of the School Bible, I still have mine, which adorns the Bookcase, since I tend to use the NIV. The School version is interesting, in that it is the "Revised " not the beloved Authorised and contains the Apocrypha, -- wonderful tales of "Bel and the Dragon" and the "History of Susanna"
I have given many instructions for my Funeral (Cardboard box to Crematorium !) one of which is that I shall HAUNT anyone who sings the 23rd Plalm to "Crimond ! No Black to be worn and that bit from the Wisdom of Solomon (Apocrypha) about "In the sight of the Unwise they appeared to die, and their departure was taken for Misery ----- but they are at Peace !"
I don't think this is a morbid subject, and I learned a lot from my Father, who sat me down and informed me where the Will was, who to inform, what to do with Investments, to avoid Administrators taking "Cuts" and Commission.
My Computer has a Note "When I die " which contains all this, It does save a lot of Hassle for those who have to deal with things, and are presumeably grieving
Last Point ----- As a C.A.B. Advisor -- There are more troubles about, than you can imagine , if you haven't made a Will !
Don't mention Aunt Nellie's Diamond Ring ---- It may be lost or stolen by the time the Will is read ---- Make a list NOT ATTACHED IN ANY WAY TO THE WILL and show how you would like personal things distributed.
The Legal Brethren among you may wish to correct me, I should be glad of it -- but it seems Common Sense !

Oh Dear ! Have I started another Topic ? Slap on the Wrist from JR !

RETURN TO TOPIC NEIL!

Wills and post death items should really be discussed elsewhere!! However, good of you to inform us of your data!!! LOL

I actually do not remember anything but the blue pinnies - maybe they had sort of died off when Miss Tucker arrived? I certainly never got anything other than a blue one! Mind you I left at the end of the Vth form, so it could just be me!

The only other time we went slightly mad was the end of the year, when we had the leavers - they would adorn the school in one way or another, and although the staff pretended to be cross, I am certain they were laughing until their knickers were wet! My leaving do was (well us who left thought) fantastic! Not only did we stay up ALL night, but we hung pans, pan lids, and anything that we could find that made a noise between the limes up and down the Avenue! I (and another) went and rang the school bell at 6am rather than at 7am, and then we tore to where we had all decided to be for the bashing of the pots and pans! I apologise to all those who stayed on after July 1980 for the noise and early start to the last day, but it was a FANTASTIC BASH we had!!!

Angela Woodford wrote:Sadly,I have a terrible memory of Catherine Ennis turning up for the rehearsal of lining-up-for-the-Charge ceremony. Catherine, being a gifted organist, was bypassing the UVI to go to music college.

I had Catherine as my Organ tutor at Horsham in 82/83 - sadly she and I never really got on (I think I found her a bit scary really and I gave up soon afterwards.

Now I know it is really down to having very little skill at multiple actions with different limbs ie LH and RH doing different things while also trying to do stuff with your feet - I have to think about it too much - as told to me by a racing driver while on an advance driving course!

Perhaps the moderators should transfer all of this to a new Body Fluids thread and spare those of us not cut out for nursing.

Done (combined with the Death Wish topic)
Back on topic guys and gals!
New topic is here:- Death Wish

In 2's we sang 'Goodbyee, don't cryee' each term

Oh my word, Ihad completely forgotten that - what a smile you put on my face this morning, thanx EA!!

The thread seems to have lost sight of the 'doing away with the Votum' .... What was all thatabout please and somebody tell me that is NOT going to happen.

Essentially, "They" prefer the tune of the F.H., and also it's considered impossible to get the whole school to sing all that latin any faster than the Libera Me.

Have to say in my time, Votum was only sung maybe once a year on Speech Day, whereas Foundation Hymn was sung at just about every opportunity (I think MJ McKelvey particularly liked it and it was a tradition the Pete Allwood appeared to continue.

Having never been a Latin Scholar, the votum didn't hugely appeal to me ........(tin hat mode on)

cstegerlewis wrote:whereas Foundation Hymn was sung at just about every opportunity

Minibuses, mountain-tops, railway stations...

VOTUM


[quote][/Have to say in my time, Votum was only sung maybe once a year on Speech Day,quote]

I agree. Not being a Latin scholar I never understood a word of it, although it was quite a pleasant tune, and I can recite the first verse to this day. On the other hand, the Foundation Hymn is very stirring, with an excellent tune and words which actually mean something to 99 percent of those singing. There is a well-authenticated story that in the 1920s King George V was presented with a new cap-badge and motto for the Royal Army Chaplains Department for his endorsement, which was expected to be routine. But he refused on the grounds that the motto was in Latin, saying that it was important that the soldiers should understand it. Being the king, it was translated at once and remains in English - "In this sign, conquer" - to this day. In my opinion, the same applies to the Votum.

So, every now and then one does have to move on. I would die in the ditch for the uniform and the Foundation Hymn, but certainly not for the Votum.

Quite apart from the fact that the Votum contains a gross solecism (using ipsum as a reflexive) which shows that it's not really even Latin, just English translated badly. Awful words, awful tune. And it is still gender-specific one way or the other. Do they still sing "ludi viriles"? At least the FH doesn't have to be adjusted for the girls anymore (Downs and woodlands fair used to be a wee problem).

In reply to "Foureyes" about Chaplains (Slightly off Topic -- bu forgive )
I knew a Jewish Chaplain in Germany, who wasn't all that keen on the Motto, for obvious reasons.
He told me, that his most satisfying moment was to EMPLOY, as a clerk, the Professor who had , before the War,had him thrown out of Heidelgurg University, for being Jewish, This was in 1949 ---when we were still an Army of Occupation, I pointed out that of course Judaism doesn't have the "Love your Enemy" Commandment, and we had a few more Beers !
A lovely chap, and a great friend !