Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

During the War we could not go up to London from Hertford for St. Matthew’s Day, and I think there was no procession or show, but in 1945 the Monitresses from Hertford and, I suppose, the Grecians from Horsham, were invited to the Mansion House for tea and for the presentation of the guinea. It was very exciting for us, and we were given a conducted tour of the Mansion House, including the cellars where all the gold “trophies/works of art” presented by each retiring Lord Mayor were stored. Most impressive! We met the Lord Mayor, who handed us the money, and then we had tea in the main hall, as far as I remember, sitting where we could, even on the floor. It was a fabulous occasion and enabled us girls to meet some boys!



Virginia Youdale (James 1’s and 8’s 1938-1946)

Welcome to the Forum - and for telling us a story I, at least, have never heard before. I think Neill the Notorious is about the same vintage as you, so you may have met him there!

Please tell us some more of your memories. Midget will tell you that we have very few contributions from the older Hertford generations. I was there when Wards became Houses but DR had already brought in many of her changes.

I certianly think that tradition must have died out but whne would be interesting to know. Seemed like a really good event and of course the chance to meet Hersham boys! Hersham boys!

My first encounter with Hertford gals was in my last term when SG (oops me) and School Mointors were invited to the school Speech Day which was held quite early on in the summer term for some reson.

Welcome to the Forum, Virginia!
Kerren

Speech Day was indeed early to Mid June. No idea why.except Hertford had 4 terms and we went home in early July.

I remember this becasue Prizegiving was the last day of Term and in 1972 it was 4th July and 3 years later my University Graduation ceremony was the same date.

p.s. Welcome Virginia. Nice to show the young ones that nothing changes. In 1945 18 year old girls were thinking of meeting boys too.

It was in my UV/Lower VI year that the Hertford school moved to four terms, and I was in the first party of girls taken abroad in October (we went to Souillac in the Dordogne) - the very year that the school year changed. It's all detailed in DR's autobiography. And we did have some adventures.. especially on the train coming home when DRW and She Who Would Not Be Named (Miss Richards) had to patrol the corridors to stop Italian/Greek sailors assaulting their precious charges!
I actually left school on 4 July 1966 - we thought it very appropriate that this was the day to celebrate American Independence.

Welcome Virginia. I think you were Senior Mon in 1s in my first year, and I was very much in awe of someone so grownup and sporty. Was Barbara Blake the othr senior Mon?

Yes Virginia, We must be of the same "Vintage" I only got to London because I was a Bandsman (Captain of Bugles and Cornet )
I only ever (As I have mentioned on other "Topics) achieved the rank of Geography Deputy Grecian, who were notorious for being Thick and Athletic, in '45-'46.
I remember meeting the Hertford Girls, on a couple of occasions, and was suitably impressed, although I have to confess, that, at that age, I was a slow starter, who regarded Girls, as strange, interesting creatures, who didn't play Rugby.
I confess to being a Virgin, until I met my first Wife. I think things were nicer in those days.
She was also Virginia, Happy days for 20 years---until she found somebody prettier than I !
Now married for 33 years to Anne ! ---- End of CV ! If we are ever at an Old Blues Day, we could get together and bore the pants off all the younger OBs with "Ah well, things were so much better in our day ! " Even if they were not !
By the way, He who was prettier, whom she married, was less pretty by then --- I told you -- "Thick and Athletic"

NEILL THE NOTORIOUS wrote:Yes Virginia, We must be of the same "Vintage" I only got to London because I was a Bandsman (Captain of Bugles and Cornet )
I only ever (As I have mentioned on other "Topics) achieved the rank of Geography Deputy Grecian, who were notorious for being Thick and Athletic, in '45-'46.
I remember meeting the Hertford Girls, on a couple of occasions, and was suitably impressed, although I have to confess, that, at that age, I was a slow starter, who regarded Girls, as strange, interesting creatures, who didn't play Rugby.
I confess to being a Virgin, until I met my first Wife. I think things were nicer in those days.
She was also Virginia, Happy days for 20 years---until she found somebody prettier than I !
Now married for 33 years to Anne ! ---- End of CV ! If we are ever at an Old Blues Day, we could get together and bore the pants off all the younger OBs with "Ah well, things were so much better in our day ! " Even if they were not !
By the way, He who was prettier, whom she married, was less pretty by then --- I told you -- "Thick and Athletic"

Thank you for letting us know. Possibly TMI

I'm not commenting further !

NEILL THE NOTORIOUS wrote:Geography Deputy Grecian, who were notorious for being Thick and Athletic, in '45-'46.

Yeah, they were known as Jogger Deps.

(Geddit? Ha ha, excuse the anachronism, I think "jogger" in this sense was invented in the 70s.)

michael scuffil wrote:

NEILL THE NOTORIOUS wrote:Geography Deputy Grecian, who were notorious for being Thick and Athletic, in '45-'46.

Yeah, they were known as Jogger Deps.

(Geddit? Ha ha, excuse the anachronism, I think "jogger" in this sense was invented in the 70s.)

Possibly to become 'Merchant Bankers' ??

OOOOH ! J R ---Merchant Bankers -- now there's a contemporary insult !
Beware ! Remember they were -- and some still are ATHLETIC ! !
Wish I had the Pension -- I'd give up the three I have !