Old Stoic Society

In 1966, Stowe welcomed American folk singer Julie Felix to the Roxburgh Theatre. Later in the year, Julie appeared on David Frost's satirical television show 'The Frost Report'.

In 1965 the Foundation stone for Lyttelton House was laid by Lord Chandos.

In 1964 the golf course opened. It was a 9-hole course and was formally opened on 29th October with an exhibition match between the Ryder Cup players John Jacob and Bernard Hunt and three young amateurs, Pam Tredinnick, Shirley Ward and Peter Townsend.

In May 1963, Stowe celebrated its 40 years anniversary. To mark the occasion Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, visited.

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh visited the Pineapple Club in 1962.

The Climbing Club's expedition to Cleeve Hill in February 1961.

In 1960 the statue of George returned to Stowe after four years of absence.

Winners of the Youll Cup 1959. A first for Stowe; they then went on to win it for three consecutive years.

In 1958 the Roxburgh Theatre was completed.

In 1957 Stowe was visited by Lord Mountbatten. He went slowly around the ranks, asking questions of cadets and showed particular interest in the Naval Section.

Come and join us for our first-ever Easter Afternoon Tea on Sunday 2nd April from 11 am-1 pm. Situated in our beautiful music room, based on Pompeiian wall art created in the 1780’s. Relax and indulge in a tasty range of sandwiches and cakes with some live music in the background; You can also add a bottle of prosecco to your order to make it extra memorable! An in-depth tour of Stowe House then follows your delicious Afternoon Tea.

The link for tickets is below: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/buckingham/stowe-house/stowe-house-easter-afternoon-tea-and-house-tour/2023-04-02/11:00/t-qjayzjv

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A run in the sun for Stoics, South Front 1956.

1955 re-assembly train times to return to Stowe.

On September 18th 1954, at a private service in Chapel, the casket containing the ashes of the late Mr J F Roxburgh, first Headmaster of Stowe, was placed beneath the Chancel floor.

In 1953 like everyone else in this country, Stowe newsreel showed tendencies to go red, white and blue, In celebration of the crowning of Queen Elizabeth II.

Later in the year, The Rhythm Ramblers' Jazz Club enjoyed a recording session.

In 1952, this term's chief event was the Contingent Inspection on June 2nd by the Army Commander, General Sir O L Roberts, KCB, KBE, DSO.

South Front group exercise class, 1951.

On the evening of June 15th 1950, a School Dance was held for the first time since the beginning of the war.

At 2pm on Sunday 5 March, The Stowe Film Festival features Old Stoic David Niven in the film, ‘A Matter of Life and Death’. This 1946 fantasy-romance film is set in England during the Second World War and was directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. It is listed in the Top 100 Best British Films by the British Film Institute. It was filmed at the Denham Studios, Buckinghamshire and on location in Devon and Surrey, and cost £320,000 to make (£12.5m in today’s money). ‘A Matter of Life and Death’ was chosen for the first ever Royal Film Performance in November 1946 and has remained a well-loved classic of British cinema.

You can book your free ticket to the Stowe Film Festiva here: https://www.stowe.co.uk/whats-on/centenary/centenary-service-of-celebration

1949 was a significant year at Stowe as JF Roxburgh announced his retirement.

December 1948, the Grafton Hunt visit Stowe.

In 1947 The French Ambassador, René Massigli visited Stowe.

In 1946, a group of five Stoics went on a trip to the USA. The purpose of the tour, which had the backing of the British Ministry of Education, was the hope that both American and English schoolboys can see something of the others' country.

The Stoics visited many places including New York, Washington and Niagara Falls. They attended farmers' meetings and peasant dances; they met scholars, industrialists and the unemployed. When they visited Princeton, they even had a very long private interview with Albert Einstein!

They were hosted by the Roosevelt family and spent the first weekend in their country house at Oyster Bay - Theodore Roosevelt's home.

“On the night of the Seventh of May, 1945, the British government announced that the next day would celebrate the victory of the Allied Forces in Europe.

This was the day that Stoics had been expected to return to Stowe for the summer term. Many families kept their sons at home for a family celebration. Others returned their sons to school, some possibly with some relief. Stowe had a bonfire to celebrate.

In 1944 The King approved the award of the Victoria Cross to Wing Commander Geoffrey Leonard Cheshire DSO and two bars, DFC (C.1935). Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 617 Squadron.

Monday, July 5th 1943, was observed as a whole holiday to mark the award of a Victoria Cross to Major J T McKellar Anderson, the first Old Stoic to win the V.C.

1942 - The Home Guard

1942 - Captain Kenneth P P Goldschmidt (Chatham 35) 'A forward post at Torbruk'

1941 was the year of the Air Raid at Stowe. Former member of staff, Alasdair Macdonald, said "The bombs started less than 200 yards due south of the front and curved round to miss Vanbrugh's Rotunda... and end ignominiously in the mud at the edge of the Eleven Acre. It was true that more than a hundred panes of glass were smashed in the main buildings and classrooms , but no one was hurt by glass or splinter'".

There are letters in the archive from JFR asking whether Stowe School could be camouflaged in some way to avoid future bombings. He was told about the pros and cons of painting the building and putting nets over the building - the conclusion was that Stowe should be left as it is.

In Spring (April) 1940, Stoics were still Ice skating and having snowball fights. Later in the year, Sports Day had to be cancelled due to cases of Scarlet Fever.

The outbreak of WWII in 1939 prompted an OTC Inspection at Stowe.

In 1938, HRH Duke of Gloucester visited to celebrate 15 years of Stowe School.

To celebrate the Coronation in 1937, Stoics who wished to see the procession were allowed three days' absence from Stowe. A firework display, only slightly spoiled by rain, was given for the benefit of those who remained at Stowe.

In 1936 there was an opportunity for Stoics to go on a 28-day cruise to Greece for under 30 Guineas!

In June 1935, the cricket pavilion was opened.

On the 4th May 1934, Head boy P B Lucas laid the first brick of Walpole House.

Join us for Stowe Flix 'and... Action' Film Festival – At Stowe

Saturday 4th March - 2pm Family Screening – Shrek
Sunday 5th March - 2pm Screening - A Matter of Life and Death

Book Tickets: https://www.stowe.co.uk/whats-on/centenary/stowe-flix-and-action-film-festival

In 1933 Stowe celebrated its 10th Anniversary with a garden party and HRH Prince of Wales was in attendance. As part of the visit, he planted a Copper Beech tree, which was also ten years old.

In 1932 the Daily Mirror featured an article about a Stoic who had some cutting-edge help with infant paralysis.

On November 6th 1931, the first son of an Old Stoic was entered for the school by telegram for his father's House, on the same day he was born.