Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

WHO 'got rid of the Votum?????

I find the -or spelling in forebears' diaries - it was standard until the very late 19th century. -our is a modern affectation!

postwarblue wrote:WHO 'got rid of the Votum?????

I find the -or spelling in forebears' diaries - it was standard until the very late 19th century. -our is a modern affectation!

When I spoke to Adrian Bawtree (director of music) he just said that it was used occasionally but not very often. I think you are much more likely to hear the foundation hymn these days...

J.R. wrote:Talkinfg of motto's, I love the French SAS motto !!!

OK....I'll fall for it - not being travelled - what is it?????

Chris Blewett wrote:

J.R. wrote:Talkinfg of motto's, I love the French SAS motto !!!

OK....I'll fall for it - not being travelled - what is it?????

"Who Cares Who Wins !!"

So where do I remember 'Vis et spaienta' from? I was an Oliver Whitby scholarship entrant in 1969 - perhaps it was the motto on my badge [or "plate" as we used to call it].

Does anyone know why the Carmen was so named?

Looking up something else I came across the "Worshipful Company of Carmen" which was run by CH from 1582

"In 1582 Christ’s Hospital accepted ‘the rule charge and oversight…of Carts Carres and Carmen’, provided an HQ, and helped ‘honest and painefull [Car]men’."

until 1838

"From 1811 to 1838 they wrangled with Christ's Hospital. Then the City took over, and made their only grant of livery in Queen Victoria's reign - to the Carmen."

They have "recently" renewed their link with CH and support 2 pupils.

"In the decades following the Carmen’s Royal Charter of 1946, Carmen generously revived their ancient connection with the School and through the Carmen's Benevolent Trust have been pleased, once again, to support the education of pupils there."

Must be a coincidence but.....

Carmen is latin for a song (google translate).

And I always thought Carmen was something to do with Maud.........

Hence the famous song...

'Carmen Into The Garden Maud'........

I always thought that the School Song which we knew at Hertford as 'The Carmen' was known differently at Horsham as 'The Votum'. There is one verse which is different from the Hertford version - just as there is a different verse in the Foundation Hymn, concerning 'spacious dwelling and woodlands fair'- which applies only to Horsham and never to Hertford.

Hello Karen,

I was in 5s and 2s but left just as you were arriving. My dates were 1950 - 1958. I've been trying to remember The Carmen but only recall the first two verses. Did you learn all 7 verses? No idea what they meant, no one bothered to tell us then.

Was Mrs Winstone still the dragon of ward 2 when you were there? Red haired chain smoker. We made up a song about her.

Kate Fox

sorry, spelt your name wrong. Kate

Welcome to the forum Kittypuss.

Kerren Simmonds sadly passed away a few years ago and is missed both on this forum and in the CH Community generally.

Welcome Kate from someone with a name very close to yours! Not many of our generation from Hertford post here now, I valiantly fly the flag!

I was in the year above Kerren, but in 6s. Certainly Mrs Winstone was there most, if not all, the time I was in Hertford. In 6s we were supposed to learn the first theee verses of the Carmen by our first Founders Day, and it all by our first Speech Day.

I lived not that far from school, one Long Vacation I worked for a short time on the till in Tescos, Ware. To our mutual embarrassment Fanny Winstone came to my till one day! I’m not sure which of us was more embarrassed!