Impressions of Old Blues Day - have your say

[englishangel]

Surely we want to see the school 'working' and it doesn't work all day on a Saturday, except perhaps for sports.

Someone mentioned, the bar/rest area as a place to be open all day.

The year I went (1997) the Grecians Club was open for ex Hertford people who would not know their way around, tended to be old ladies who wanted a cup of tea (or sweet sherry/double martini) and decent loos.

[Richard Ruck]

On a related topic, I see from the C.H.A. website that there is an idea that Old Blues Day should indeed take place once every two years.

I'm sure everyone will have some thoughts about this.

What is the reasoning behind this suggestion?

Is the thinking that perhaps more people might make an effort to turn up?

[jtaylor]

I think that this was established a couple of years ago - there wasn't an Old Blues day last year was there??

My personal feeling is that the school should want to put on a show - afterall the Old Blues are some of the most important visitors of the year, given that a number are governors, and hopefully a large proportion are and will be the benefactors of the school....hence, the pupils and staff are hopefully proud to show-off how well they're using that income/support??

J

[Richard Ruck]

I think that this was established a couple of years ago - there wasn't an Old Blues day last year was there??

My personal feeling is that the school should want to put on a show - afterall the Old Blues are some of the most important visitors of the year, given that a number are governors, and hopefully a large proportion are and will be the benefactors of the school....hence, the pupils and staff are hopefully proud to show-off how well they're using that income/support??

J

Quite right. And a lot of Old Blues might be quite keen to discover new ways to help out.

[Richard Ruck]

The year I went (1997) the Grecians Club was open for ex Hertford people who would not know their way around, tended to be old ladies who wanted a cup of tea (or sweet sherry/double martini) and decent loos.

This evokes images of half-pissed Beryl Reid types wobbling around the place.

"Make mine a large one, young man!"

[englishangel]

The year I went (1997) the Grecians Club was open for ex Hertford people who would not know their way around, tended to be old ladies who wanted a cup of tea (or sweet sherry/double martini) and decent loos.

This evokes images of half-pissed Beryl Reid types wobbling around the place.

"Make mine a large one, young man!"

Just take a look at my picture

[HowardH]

Putting on a show - naturally.
Michaelmas Term - no.
This term's Saturday "shows" :
Sat 10th Sept - Normal
Sat 17th Sept - Old Blues Day
Sat 24th Sept - Exeat
Sat 1st Oct - Yr 6 2006 Open Day (limited to 1000!)
Sat 8th Oct - 2006Sixth Form Open Day
Sat 15th Oct, 22nd Oct, 29th Oct - Half-term
Sat 5th Nov - Normal
Sat 12th Nov - Yr 6 Initial Assessment Day - 250+ Yr 6 students + parents
Band at Lord Mayor's Show
Sat 19th Nov - Exeat
Sat 26th Nov - 2006 Sixth Form Exams and Interviews
Sat 3rd Dec - Normal
Sat 10th Dec - End of Term

There is too much happening in the Michaelmas Term to make the day a real success, IMHO. The many advantages of the summer should help to re-direct thoughts.

[Richard Ruck]

Englishangel, I don't think you qualify as an 'old' lady just yet......

[englishangel]

Thank you. Now shut up and pour me another

[Richard Ruck]

Thank you. Now shut up and pour me another

A pint or a half-pint of sherry, madam?

[Richard Ruck]

Sat 15th Oct, 22nd Oct, 29th Oct - Half-term

A 2-week half term????

[englishangel]

More of a martini girl myself. The real thing, with gin.

[HowardH]

Yes, it certainly is.

It is probably as close as we are likely to get at present to a four-term year.

[J.R.]

I can only endorse all of the above.

I remember Old Blues Day seemed to swell the school numbers by about 50 per cent. The grounds, blocks and various houses seemed to be packed. (and Sir Barnes Wallis was always the perfect gentleman !)

[UserRemovedAccount]

How about this for a serious proposal? There seems to be little doubt that:
1. Generally speaking OB Day is not very well attended. There are too many reasons to set out here, but:
2. Most people attending this year felt let-down, due to an apparent lack of interest by the school, early closing of many events, cancellation of others. The probem was not each one of those but the cumulative effect.
3. The day places a fairly heavy administrative load on the school, whose calendar is pretty full, anyway.

I suggest a three-year cycle:
A. Year 1. NO Old Blues Day.
B. Year 2. A minimalist Old Blues Day, in which the school will offer basic facilities (e.g., lunch/tea in Big School) but there wil be no special events. Old Blues will be able to meet each other, watch the lunch parade, walk around the school, etc. The organisation will be done by the CHA and the school's involvement will not be great.
C. Year 3. Maximalist Old Blues Day. Everyone will make a really big effort, with events, activities, etc, etc. Old Blues will eat lunch in Dining Hall, there will be a chapel service, etc, etc. School will open all Houses, Staff (not just the Headmaster) will take part. CHA will mount a major effort to attract as many Old Blues as possible through advertising, letters, etc.
D. Year 4. Start over with NO Old Blues Day.
David