RHSA Reunion Weekend June 2011 Report by Ian Rockett
Early on Friday morning 24th June, Janet and I decamped from home in Staffordshire for the long drive down to Holbrook via breakfast in Leicester and a two-hour wander round Cambridge. Word to the wise regarding Cambridge – parking is very expensive and a complete nightmare. Eventually we arrived at RHS to help to erect the marquee but there was nobody to be found. We waited a while then decided to go to our hotel and come back to the School early the next morning to help with the arrangements.
The next morning we made our way to the parade ground to get things ready, arriving around 9.45am. The frame of the marquee was in pieces on the ground so after some investigation we discovered from Tony and Ted that our marquee had been broken irreparably. One of the teachers had found us another one but unfortunately it also had a major piece missing, without which it could not be erected. Mr Barry Hocking galloped to the rescue again and offered us six gazebo's. By this time it was around 10.30 to 10.45, well past the opening time and other members had arrived including the Alsford squad who arrived just after us, and Aimee Frankham who arrived about 10.45. Other attendees were also arriving about the same time.
Tony, Ted, Derek Alsford jnr and myself started to erect the gazebo's while Mr Hocking rounded up his class to come and help. Luckily they were easy to erect so it wasn't long before they were up. In the meantime Sue Alsford and Jan helped to put out chairs and tables. Ted got the brew on and all was well with the world. It's just a shame that so many attendees chose to stand back and watch while others did the work.
Over the next few hours members and spouses arrived most of whom registered, some of whom chose not to. Unfortunately, for various reasons, the attendance was low, including clashing with Armed Forces Weekend and a deliberate boycott by some members. Those that did turn up, seemed to have a good time, catching up with old friends and swapping experiences and stories. The School offered tours to those that wanted them and some took the opportunity to have a look round the “old place”. Those that didn’t, just enjoyed the hot weather and “chewed the fat” together. Lunch was provided by the School although some of us chose to go to one of the local hostelries.
The stand back and watch brigade continued to stand back and watch.
After a shower and change we were back for the Sunset ceremony in the evening. This started at 7.45pm sharp and was arranged and co-ordinated by John Snoddon. As ever the Band and Guard were sharp and very, very good. With no discernible missed notes from the band, and precision weapon work from the guard, they were a pleasure to watch. The marching was superb, and all those taking part were well-drilled and perfectly co-ordinated. The salute by the guard was one of the most synchronised I have heard in a long time. It was an emotional and brilliant performance and the salute was taken by the Headmaster and by Mr Ted Pearn OBE our Vice President.
Straight after the Sunset ceremony it was off to the Jellicoe Room for the Dinner.
Because of the low attendance the formal dinner had been changed to an informal buffet so there were no dinner suits to be seen this year, although those that attended still made the effort and the Ladies still wore their best frocks. Ted Pearn presented the RHSA medal to the Head Girl and Boy, who then went off to their own “Leavers do”. The buffet put on for us was of the highest quality with cold meats and fish, and of course all sorts of accompaniments. There was also dessert and a cheese board, with wine, beer and port. All in all, a most acceptable repast.
The Headmaster, gave a brief rundown on the last year outlining the problems that beset the School in the modern world, having to adapt from a Charitable trust to a largely fee paying independent school. He pointed out, quite rightly, that a parent paying large amounts of money each year would not send their children to the sort of school that I and a lot of you attended, so change was inevitable. Lets face it the spartan way of life we got used to in the “old days” has no place in the modern world. He also explained why some of the items had been removed from the school, such as the Cannon, the figurehead ( which I believe belonged to HMS Ganges anyway), the model of the Yashima, and more controversially, the Honour Boards.
Rob Mann then gave us a brief talk on the plans for the tercentenary celebrations which are taking place over the course of the 2012/13 academic year. He has plans for some very exciting events – watch this space for more information as it is firmed up.
All in all the attendees at the Dinner seemed to enjoy themselves, and some old friendships were rekindled as well as new acquaintances made. It is a pity that it wasn't better attended, but the stand back and watch brigade decided not to attend, which was a shame as Mr Pearn footed the bill for it and he would have welcomed any of the RHSA members to join us.
Sunday morning saw us gathering in the Jellicoe Room (I still find it a great temptation to say Library after Jellicoe!) for coffee and biscuits provided by the Parents Association – many thanks to them. Quite a few of us turned up ready for Divisions, which was due to start at 1100 hours. Ted went round looking for volunteers to form the RHSA squad to go on parade. Some volunteered, some were unable to by reason of age although I am sure they would have done if they had been able. Others were on “other duties” - Derek Alsford jnr was on camera duty broadcasting to the far reaches – and some just weren't smart enough. In the end all that we could muster were 5 – not enough for a marching squad.
It seems a shame that some of the RHSA members that were present couldn't be bothered to help form a squad. Some of them couldn't even be bothered to make themselves look presentable, standing back and watching from the sidelines in their jeans and tee shirts. I and the other 4 members of the squad who did go on parade stood proudly by the side of the dais, where John Snoddon had positioned us so that we could represent all of the ex pupils present or not.
I had thought some of the members who had made the most noise might have made themselves available but they didn't. I was very surprised that one of the candidates for election was there but not on parade – especially as he then criticised the low turnout for the squad.
It’s too easy to stand at the back and complain.
Unfortunately the Banner could not be paraded, without a big enough squad John Snoddon decided it could not be paraded.
Divisions went off with the Band and Guard leading the way in fine form as ever. The HM and the chiefs inspected the parade, and the HM inspected the Old Boys contingent. He asked us when we were last on parade to which my reply was “1974”.
The band struck up a tune and the march past was on its way! Once again the Guard and Band excelled themselves, with some fine manoeuvres and some extremely good marching. The band as ever were note perfect, and the guard's weapon work was very good. Some of the marching by the houses was extremely good while some of the squads were a triumph of enthusiasm over ability.
All in all though the standard of marching was quite high considering they don't do anything like the amount of “drill” that we used to. Through all of the March past the RHSA squad stood smartly to attention.
After Divisions was Morning Prayer, which took the form of a leavers service, and was, apart from the prayers and blessing, taken by the leavers themselves who told of their experiences at the school and how they thought that the school had made them better, more rounded people. They also chose the Hymns, and as a regular church goer I was heartened to know that all their favourites were also mine!
The Chapel was, as always, packed (there was probably nearly 1000 people in there) and the legendary “Holbrook sound” was in fine voice. The choir were brilliant as ever – although they seem to have expanded to about 120 individuals – and the congregation put heart and soul in to all of the fine hymns, including a particular favourite of mine, Jerusalem. It was a fine service, and one of the most enjoyable services I have been to.
After the service it was a quick change and after a cup of coffee, it was time to help pack up the gazebos and say our goodbyes before starting the journey home.
All in all a most enjoyable weekend which, whilst it could have been better attended, was enjoyable nevertheless.
Ian Rockett
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