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A CURIOUS PHOTOGRAPH

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 9:56 pm
by Foureyes
The 16th April 2017 edition of the Sunday Telegraph included (page 23) a review of a new book. The title of the book is 'Stiff Upper Lip: Secrets, Crimes and Schooling of a Ruling Class.' The author is one Alex Renton, who went to Eton. I have not read the book, but apparently it combines Renton's personal experiences with research into other schools. It is summarised by the reviewer as "shocking, gripping and sobering' albeit sometimes 'excessively melodramatic.~
The reason for drawing this to your attention is that the article is illustrated by a four column-wide (i,e, very large) photo of eight C.H. Grecians sitting - somewhat elegantly, it has to be admitted - on one of the stone benches in front of Dining Hall. The caption states: "Private education has changed radically; boys at Christ's Hospital school circa 1970."
There is no mention in the lengthy review of C.H. so why this pic should have been chosen is a mystery. I would also add that while C.H. is indubitably a 'public school' it is by no means a typical one.
Can anyone shed any light on this, please?
Dacid

Re: A CURIOUS PHOTOGRAPH

Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2017 11:12 pm
by rockfreak
Renton also went to Ashdown House Prep, a feeder for Eton which also educated Viscount Linley, at about the same time - like Renton he apparently wasn't much impressed by it although more reticent on the subject. The head beak, Billy Williamson, now dead, was by Renton's account a gleeful sadist. CH perhaps rather lends itself to everyone's idea of a privileged public school because of its commodious grounds, historic uniform, militaristic marching band, smug, gloating pupils, religious mania, outdated imperial sentiment and (cont p94).

Re: A CURIOUS PHOTOGRAPH

Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2017 11:36 am
by michael scuffil
Renton wrote an article in the Guardian on the subject here:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/ ... -churchill

CH, as we know, was not immune. These schools were a magnet for paedophiles who got their kicks from an activity that would not lose them their jobs.