Evening Overview
After an enforced three year break Old Blues and their guests gathered again at Ironmongers' Hall, in October, to celebrate the birth of Edward VI.
Having denied us two dinners Covid still played its malignant part by not allowing some to attend. In addition the rail strike took a significant number from us.
Nevertheless a thoroughly enjoyable evening was had by all.
A number of small changes were made to the structure of the dinner, the most significant being the evening starting thirty minutes earlier. This, along with the other tweaks, was regarded as successful and allowed more time to mingle and reminisce.
Our patient Chief Steward, Peter Farnfield (Ma.A & Mid.A, 1965–73) — he had been waiting three years! — opened the evening by welcoming our guests, especially our outgoing Chief Steward Peter Bloomfield and the school's new Clerk, Ms Jenny Baxter. He then introduced our Guest of Honour, Dr James Hooper (Ma.B, Ma.A & Gr.E, 1998–05) and Responder, Dr Andrew Wood (Ma.B & Mid.B, 1967–74). Concluding his opening remarks with some words on the death of our Patron, Queen Elizabeth II, he then asked all to stand for a minute's silence.
Following Grace before meat, read by the Senior Grecian Maddie Loveless, a fine and quite lively meal was enjoyed. Good food and good company are a winning combination!
After Grace after meat (Luke Pullen, Second Monitor) our Chief Steward proposed the two traditional toasts — "the pious and immortal memory of King Edward VI" and "Church and King" — followed by, for the first time in seventy-one years, the singing of "God Save the King".
The next forty minutes was given over to two splendid speeches. James Hooper's theme for the evening was "Challenge" and as the speech developed it became clear how qualified he was to speak on it. Other than the physical and mental pressures he had endured on expeditions with fellow Old Blue Rob Gauntlett, James touched on the personal challenges he had faced as a boy and how Christ's Hospital has to manage so many children who are "challenged" prior to entering the school. It was a fine speech.
Andrew Wood came to the dinner with a reputation as a splendid speaker and he did not let us down. Both amusing and thought provoking, he kept his audience captivated throughout. One common theme in both speeches was "the Charge" and both reinforced our responsibilities to honour it.
To conclude the formal part of the evening Peter thanked all those who had played their part in organising the dinner and announced the bar would be open for at least another hour. A considerable majority took advantage of the additional time, which allowed for much conversation and laughter. A common view was that the singing during the evening had been among the finest heard for many years and clearly reflected the tone of the evening.
After such a long gap between dinners it was reassuring to receive such a healthy number of applications — prior to the Covid and strike issues — and with the considerable success of the evening we can look forward to next year with renewed confidence.
