Christ's Hospital Old Blues Association

The Old Blue - Autumn 2023 Edition is now available to read online, with some fabulous news and updates from fellow Old Blues ⛵🗺⚓
https://www.christs-hospital.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/The-Old-Blue-Autumn-2023-FINAL.pdf

What a proud moment for CH and Senior Grecian, Zaphaneth Puplampu.

⛵️ Are you interested in sailing? ⛵️⚓️🗺
You can give CH pupils the chance to learn this exciting sport. Mike Lloyd (MaA, MdA 77-84) is looking for like-minded Old Blues to join him in enabling CH to introduce a new sailing programme for pupils, providing opportunities from basic sailing techniques to sailing trips to the Norfolk Broads, and, ultimately, yacht racing.

Mike is working with CH Director of Expeditionary Education (Chris Wlodarczyk-Brickel (PeB, PeA 90-97)) to raise the funds needed for the sailing programme. If you would like to be part of this initiative to open new opportunities for CH pupils, please contact [email protected]

Saturday 11 November - 20 years on Reunion

Lord Mayor's show from 11am
Drinks at the Alexander Hay from1pm to 3pm

We are delighted to say this reunion will be able to go ahead as planned. Bookings will now remain open until a few days before the event, so if you would like to join us you can continue to book online at https://portal.christs-hospital.org.uk/portal/public/event/eventBooking.aspx?id=EVT00957

A current attendee list is available at https://www.christs-hospital.org.uk/old-blues/events/event-attendee-lists/

⭐Throwback Thursday⭐ This photo is of Christ's Hospital Royal Mathematical School boys, showing their drawings to Queen Victoria at Buckingham Palace in 1873! It was published in the Illustrated London News, 17 May 1873.

Coming in the Autumn 2023 edition of The Old Blue, we have a fantastic article from Old Blue James Miles (MaA, GrE 10-17), a comedian who made his debut at the Edinburgh Fringe this year!

The Old Blue will be landing on doorsteps early November.

Thanks to all the Old Blues who joined us at the Alexander Hay on Friday night for a 30 years on reunion. We hope to see you again soon!

⭐Throwback Thursday⭐ Back to 1994 - Here's a photo of Floss Andrews and her fellow Coleridge A Old Blues, at the Grecians Leavers Ball, 1994. Are you or someone you know in this photo? We'd love to know.

Floss kindly shared this photo with us for her feature in the Autumn 2023 edition of the Old Blue and we wondered if any others are out there? We'd love to hear form you, and if you have a life story to tell for an edition of The Old Blue. Please contact us at [email protected].

We couldn't do it without you! To achieve this, especially when the school must contend with spiralling utility and other costs, whilst also responding to the increasing financial hardship faced by our students' families. At a time when the cost-of-living crisis continues, the need both to reduce inequality and increase social mobility is greater than ever. This need remains at the forefront of our mission.

A relationship that started in 1582 with just £5.....

The Bricklayers were an original benefactor. According to a 1582 record, 59 livery companies donated to Christ's Hospital in its early years, and the Bricklaiers (historic spelling) were one of them. They gave £5. Although this doesn't sound like much, it very much was in those days and would have been extremely helpful in funding a pupil.

Today we see the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers in the wonderful surroundings of the Carpenters Hall. A spectacular lunch preceded by the installation of officers including the new Master at St. Margaret Lothbury. The WC of T&B have one presentee at Christ's Hospital – they actively fundraise through-out the year to support CH. Last year one of their members cycled from Lands End to John O’Groats raising money for CH!

We are extremely proud of this commitment and could not do it without the generosity of our CH community!
It is only with the aid of those who support us that we can provide the life changing education that we do, and we thank every Old Blue, parent, friend, partner, foundation and charity that has engaged with us in any way.

Following World Mental Health Day this week, we wanted to share some advice from one of our lovely Old Blues, Floss Andrews (Col-A 87-94), Mindset Coach, who will feature in this autumn's Old Blue magazine.

We asked Floss, What advice she would give someone who doesn't feel that they have anyone to listen to?

"Sometimes, the hardest thing is to open your mouth and speak the truth of what you’re thinking. Sometimes, it’s hard to even know what you’re thinking, to even begin to put it into words. It’s common to think, ‘I should be able to sort this out myself, I don’t want to be a burden, I don’t have the answer, so how can they help?’ etc.

If this is the case, I would really encourage that person just to give it a go and start to open up. A really good way to start is to ask a trusted friend/colleague/family member who is good at listening (this is key!) to go on a walk. It’s a really nice way to talk without having to look at someone. I do it all the time with my clients, and it really helps. If you can’t face talking in “real life”, make a call to one of the many support lines, and talk to them while you’re out walking. Moving your body can help to get the words out."

Thanks to all the old blues who joined us at the weekend for the 40 years on reunion.

More photos are on the CHOBA website https://choba.org/photos-albums/albums/80024

Please do add any of your own to the album.

Calling all Old Blues involved with the Theatre in the 1970's

Old Blue, Chris Grady, is organising a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Drama Department in Sept 1972 with Duncan Noel-Paton.

If you would like more information on this or to register your interest in being involved and contact Chris, please see his posts on the Old Blues page https://www.facebook.com/groups/202297119829844/permalink/6859789870747169/ or the choba.org feed https://choba.org/feed

(n.b you must be a member or join the Facebook group or be registered on the choba.org site to view these posts)

Christ's Hospital Search for and reconnect with contemporaries and fellow Old Blues, see what they have been up to and stay in touch. Networking and Careers: Network, offer or seek careers advice, or become a mentor to other Old Blues. Keep up to date: with our Old Blue Events and News. Join local Old Blue groups and...

https://www.chichestercathedral.org.uk/events/blackhistory2023

To mark Black History Month, The CH Gospel Choir will be singing at Chichester Cathedral in the Black History Month Service. Join us at 11am on Saturday 7th October. There will be a live stream available on the cathedral website for anyone who is unable to make it in person.

Black History Month Service | Chichester Cathedral Chichester Cathedral will be hosting a special service to mark Black History Month.

CHOBA News October 2023 Amendment
Please note the lunch at Ringmer on 4th October is for East Sussex Old Blues and not East Essex Old Blues.

This week we celebrated the Election Day service for the Worshipful Company of Founders, at St Bartholomew the Great. The event was attended by students Oliver and Deborah, who are both sponsored by the Founders Company.

We had the pleasure of a visit this week from Old Blue Joel Arcanjo (MaA, GrE 03-10), who has released his first book in the ‘criminally good’ Crookhaven series, called ‘The School for Thieves’. A secret school where students are taught to do wrong, so that one day, they can put the world to rights. Hmmmm, did he get any inspiration from CH? 🤔 What do you think? 🤣

Highlights from St Matthew's Day 2023. What a wonderful day. Did any of you come to watch? 🎷🎺

5 YEARS ON REUNION CANCELLED
12th October 2023
Tattershall Castle, London

Due to very low numbers unfortunately this event has been cancelled. We hope to arrange a future date in due course.

⭐️Join us this Saturday⭐️ to mark the official reopening of the historic 1931 Rushworth and Dreaper organ at the CH Chapel 🎹 Performed by Old Blue and former Director of Music, Adrian Bawtree (now Organist of Rochester Cathedral), the recital will put the restored instrument through its paces, and demonstrate parts of it that have not worked properly in many years. As part of the celebrations, the composer Philip Moore has been commissioned to write a companion piece to C. S. Lang’s famous Tuba Tune, and this will also be performed. Booking link in comments. 🎼

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🏅Congratulations🏅 to our team of Old Blues and staff, who completed ‘Run Barns Green’ yesterday. They have raised a whopping £4,072 so far!
Did any of you come? We'd love to see your photos. Please do share them with Christ's Hospital Old Blues Association
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/runningforjustin

On Saturday we celebrated our annual West Family Day, commemorating the lives of John and Frances West who made a gift in 1720 that has since enabled many hundreds of children to attend CH. Today, 11 young people are at CH under the 'Wests Gift'. The 125 guests all share a blood line to John and Frances West, and CH keep a register of all blood line relatives around the world.

On the day, the family laid a wreath at the plaque to John and Frances West in the cloisters. The wreath was laid by Old Blue (and Wests Gift pupil) Fay (LHB (94-97) who had attended the unveiling of the original plaque in 1995 – along with the newest Wests Gift student, Sienna, who joined CH this term.

Join us in supporting our team of Old Blues and staff, who will be taking part in ‘Run Barns Green’ on Sunday 24 September, to raise funds for the mental health programme for students at CH. Several Old Blues are running in memory of a former student, who sadly isn't with us anymore.

We would be delighted if anyone would like to come and support the team on the day, or contribute to the fundraising at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/runningforjustin

It is a wonderful event and there is always a great atmosphere – running through the CH grounds, and seeing staff at the CH marquee at Barns Green, make it even more special.

We were honoured to welcome Rear Admiral Rimington (Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff, Royal Navy) along with a number of Old Blues to enjoy the Band Parade yesterday.

HONG KONG OLD BLUES FOUNDERS DAY DINNER - VENUE UPDATE

The Hong Kong Old Blues will be getting together for a Founder's Day Dinner on 21st October, with a local seafood dinner at Shun Kee Typhoon Shelter Seafood Restaurant in Causeway Bay. They would love to welcome as many Old Blues and their guests as possible, so if you would like to attend, please contact organiser Victoria Perry at [email protected]