Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

I was fortunate to attend a function at the Tower of London last night in the Yeoman Warders club (I have a friend who is a Yeoman warder). The first thing I saw when I walked in was a painting of the C.H Band Beating the retreat at the Tower of London, it was presented in 1997 (I think) so relatively recent. Does anyone know more about this painting? My friend says that they enjoy the visits by C.H pupils to the Tower and he was looking forward to my D.S visiting with his year group.

I was lucky enough to visit the Tower of London a couple of years ago and saw the very picture you mention. I had just started the entrance process for my DD and so seeing a picture of CH completely "out of context" was quite a shock!

Hope my first attempt at uploading a picture is successful!!

That's the picture! I tried to take a picture with my phone but it did not come out very well. I knew that C.H had strong links with the Tower but I never expected to see a picture of the C.H Band on my visit.

The picture I posted was taken on my phone ... I was quite surprised it came out so well! Just a little bit chuffed with myself that I also managed to find it on my pc and work out how to post it!

It was donated by a "late" Old Blue.

I never knew that Michael Gray had presented that painting to the Tower - and, presumably, commissoned it in the first place. He never forgot his 'Blue' roots. A sad and very recent loss.

I notice that amongst other notable achievements, Sir Michael Gray was Lieutenant of the Tower of London from 1995-98, which probably explains why he presented the painting. Does anyone know whether the C.H Band used to Beat the retreat at the Tower regularly (i.e annually) or whether it was a unique event when Sir Michael Gray was Lieutenant?

Do Blues in school uniform still have free access to the Tower of London?

YES!!

Yes they certainly do, my yeoman warder friend says that they are "Freemen of the Tower of London" (his words not mine).

I wonder if I can persuade DS to try this out next holidays.....I've never been to the Tower!

YadaYada wrote:I wonder if I can persuade DS to try this out next holidays.....I've never been to the Tower!

If you go, get there as soon after they open as possible; then go straight to the Crown Jewels. This way, you can see them in comfort, without any crowds. After that, explore the rest of the Tower.

YadaYada wrote:I wonder if I can persuade DS to try this out next holidays.....I've never been to the Tower!

Certainly go - It's a great experience.

If possible at night, check out the Ceremony of the Keys. That's also very moving.

J.R. wrote:

YadaYada wrote:I wonder if I can persuade DS to try this out next holidays.....I've never been to the Tower!

Certainly go - It's a great experience.

If possible at night, check out the Ceremony of the Keys. That's also very moving.

Tickets for the Ceremony of the Keys need to be applied for - in the summer some weeks notice is needed....but its worth the visit for the experience.

Do the people on the door know he doesn't have to pay?

I think he would go in his uniform if there was going to be no cause for embarrassment!