Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

No, not Lewes. the Lewes celebarations are just the culmination of about 3 weeks of anti-Popish celebrations across the county.

Of course Bonfire Night is anti-RC that is the whole point. It was RCs trying to blow up the Anglican King who start4ed it all.

englishangel wrote:No, not Lewes. the Lewes celebarations are just the culmination of about 3 weeks of anti-Popish celebrations across the county.

Of course Bonfire Night is anti-RC that is the whole point. It was RCs trying to blow up the Anglican King who start4ed it all.

But he was a Scot with an incomprehensible accent and until Archbishop Laud came along, I am not sure that they recognised themselves as Anglicans - only as the English Church or the Church in England. As a Scot, James only really understood about the struggles between John Knox whose disciples had brought him up and the Catholic Bishops upon whom his Mother had so heavily relied. This had been the conflict fought during his childhood in the Scottish Highlands and glens and had caused him so much grief when he came to the throne ads James VI of Scotland.

On arrival in London, he was pleased enough to assume Elizabeth's claim to be "Supreme Governor of the Church in England" - it seemed to him (a not specially religious man) that, at last, he could be all things to all men as far as religion was concerned. However, within a few months, the Guy Fawkes conspiracy disabused him of all that and forced him into the anti Catholic camp that was gaining ground in England.

and gave us all an excuse 300 years later to bring a bit of excitement to a very dark and otherwise boring time of year. (until of course the American Hallowe'en crossed the Atlantic)

englishangel wrote:and gave us all an excuse 300 years later to bring a bit of excitement to a very dark and otherwise boring time of year. (until of course the American Hallowe'en crossed the Atlantic)

............ and frighten the sh1t out of our beloved pets for about two weeks before and two weeks afterwards,

Don't get me started on Hallowe'en !

Trust the Yanks to commercialise one of the witches quarter days !

I hope to be at the Bax for both before and after Retreat!

I was at C.H. yesterday, and watched the band (or should I say band-lite) - the front rank consisted of two snare drummers and two tenor drummers. I've never seen so few drummers on a parade.

Something to do with the Grecians being sent home at this time of year, apparently.

You have to wonder how they manage to practise for the Retreat with so few drummers around. Perhaps Michael B. can enlighten us if he's reading this.....

I think they have to come back for the rehearsals...

Great Plum wrote:I think they have to come back for the rehearsals...

It's a funny thing, this b*ggering off home after exams.

For us, this was the best bit of the year. The pressure was off, no lessons, nice weather.

Eat, drink, play in the band, do some jazz, lie around in the sun. Quite enjoyable, really.

Richard Ruck wrote:

Great Plum wrote:I think they have to come back for the rehearsals...

It's a funny thing, this b*ggering off home after exams.

For us, this was the best bit of the year. The pressure was off, no lessons, nice weather.

Eat, drink, play in the band, do some jazz, lie around in the sun. Quite enjoyable, really.

I know, very few of my year did!

Most people didn't know anyone at home!

Great Plum wrote: Most people didn't know anyone at home!

A very good point.

Richard Ruck wrote:Something to do with the Grecians being sent home at this time of year, apparently.

That happened back in the late 80's as well. A lot of us went elsewhere for a few days after we had finished A levels. I don't think everyone went where they claimed to be going though!

So then, who will be in The Bax before the Retreat?

I plan to be there with my Mrs. from around 12.30 (ish).

Hmmmm. We'll (wife and Oliver as well as DBTS) be around most of the day trying to sort out where to put Jonathan's stuff. However we have to belt off to Bournemouth pretty smartly in order to catch one of Ryanair's 49p flights that evening. We were hoping to go to France to hear Jonathan sing with his mates in Paris, but even camping, it was going to be far too expensive - so, Italy it is. When the choir gets back, I shall get my chance a manger les escargots - he and some friends of his are going to sail me over to a nice little restaurant I know in North Brittany.

I suppose we have to lunch somewhere on Saturday tho' ........

Richard Ruck wrote:So then, who will be in The Bax before the Retreat?

I plan to be there with my Mrs. from around 12.30 (ish).

I am trying to persuade Mrs Plum that this is a good idea!

I'm there this year - first time since I left in 1992!

Can't wait - really keen to see it all again, take a few photos, and enjoy the afternoon.
Not sure if I'll make it to the Bax though - have to disappear quite promptly to get up to Croydon for a 60th birthday party that evening....

Hope to see some of you there - do introduce yourself if you spot me!

J