Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

It opened fine, Kerren !

Article in the Sunday Times on Page 10 of the news review. James Hooper talking openly about his dear friend Rob.
Can find link yet on Timess Online

Thanks John...

What a beautifully told/written piece

I'm glad that the two funerals are on different days, so that James (Hooper) can go to both of them, although no doubt they will both be very emotional occasions for him and for his fellow OB friends.
There is an Old Blue (Robert Armistead, host of Singing Old Blues) connected musically [organist? musical director?] with the Church of St. Peter ad Vincula in Wisborough Green, so I hope that through him there will be a major CH connection as James Atkinson is laid to rest later this week, in the presence of his (CH-orientated) family. I'd be there if I could but as I can't I will take the time to think of James and his family and his great enthusiasm for life. It was humbling to look at the entries on his book of condolence on the CHA website and to see so many people refer to his sister Kate (Snr Grecian 2000) and of knowing him originally as her five year old brother. Then they watched him grow into manhood.
The entries on Rob Gauntlett's book of condolence are more focussed towards his intrepid and inspiring adventurous spirit and his huge achievements in such a short life. His funeral (a couple of days later than James') is to be private.
Let's hope that the Chapel will be bursting at the seams at their joint memorial service, whenever that is.
And yes, I too felt very moved by James Hooper's interview in the Sunday Times.
It must be such a tough time for him - and I can't imagine how I would have dealt with things like this at the tender age of 21!

blondie95 wrote:What a beautifully told/written piece

I agree.

I believe it was decision taken by both families to hold funerals the day after each other to allow those to go to both. I believe both are family and close friends.

The interesting thing about that video is that it is incomplete. The original was filmed and made available through one of the local papers within the first few days of the news - and involved three people. Rob's girlfriend Lucinda was sitting to the left of James Hooper and she took a full part in the recording. By the time the BBC got hold if it, they had cut her out completely - both from the voice track and from the pictures (notice how James' left shoulder is very firmly against the edge of the frame). When I first saw this version, I wondered why.....

Does anybody know when the memorial service is going to be? I was told it would be sometime this month and I want to make sure I don't miss it...

I believe it was intended to be on a Saturday in March, but I have not seen any announcement.

I think I would like to go to the memorial service...

IO believe that both the funerals were beautifully done, and both churches were full to bursting...