It Is Not Just The Houses

Yesterday I attended a conference for those who work in community ministry projects in the inner city parts of London. Titled 'A Passion for the City,' the conference took place at the church of Basil Jellicoe (BFr 1912), S Mary's Somers Town. The work and example of Fr Jellicoe was very often adduced by all the participants as we considered how we work in the inner city today.

Jellicoe insisted the new flats in Somers Town should have community spaces where neighbours could meet and talk, and public art. These coloumns are for clothes lines. These principls inform puplic housing design to this day. 

There are many themes. Internally, the focus on the inner city and its needs which was so much part of the life of the church in the 1980s in the wake of the Faith in the City report, has somewhat waned. The Bishop of Stepney reflected on the reasons for this and what we should be doing about it.

Fr Caster and the tour of the S Pancras Housing Association blocks materminded by Jellicoe

One of the fruits of that report was the Church Urban Fund, which is 25 this year, moving to renew its grant making capability and continuing to work to provide start up funding for innumerable community projects run from and by our churches. Tim Bissett, Cheif Executive of CUF was there.

The Diocese of London, whose churches are growing in attendance and in number has over 700 community projects running in our 400 parishes. Jellicoe recognised the pressing urgent need to do something about the physical condition of his parishioners who lived in some of the worst slums of the day. But he would say 'it is not just the houses.' The physical needs were only a part of the needs of the whole person and Jellicoe was at least if not more concerned with souls. The Bishop of London preached at the Mass in the middle of the day, celebrated where Fr Jellicoe himself  brought the physical and spiritual needs of his people together in the simple meal in which body and soul are fed.

The Magdalene Club at S Mary's, home of a drop-in lunch club replaing a provision which has been cut by the local authority. Fr Jellicoe's portrait looks on

Over lunch there were walking tours in which Fr John Caster, Fr Jellicoe's successor as priest in charge of S Mary's showed us the results of the work of slum clearance by his predecessor.

Today government is taking the church seriously as a partner, but the 'Big Society' is, no more than any other political system, entirely without challenge for the church or subject to questions from us. Jellicoe looked to the building of the New Jerusalem, and that is not, ultimately, a Kingdom of this world, though it requires us to work to make this world a better reflection of the Kingdom of God. A panel in the afternoon helped us to reflect on the Government's agenda and our response to it. Chaired by Fran Beckett OBE, it featured Paul Goodman of Conservative Home, Francis Davis fellow of Blackfriars in Oxford, The Rev'd Dr James Walters , chaplain of the LSE, and the Bishop of Stepney.

Thanksgiving for Rodney

There was a fine Haileybury turn out for the Thanksgiving service for Rodney Galpin (M 1945, President OHS 1987-88) this afternoon. Past Presidents Michael Freegard (BF1947), John Palmer (E 1962)  and Donald McLeod (A 1950) were there, as was Edward Walker-Arnott (B 1952). Jean Ross, Chairman of the Education Committee of Council (and Donald's wife), was also present, as were the General Secretary, Robin Bishop (Staff 1985 - ) and the Assistant General Sceretary, Roger Woodburn (Staff 1978 -). The Rev'd Chris Briggs, (Chaplain 2000-), was with us, together with Paul Wilkinson, the Bursar, Debbie Wright his deputy, and Pauline Cassidy from the Haileybury Society Office. (I hope I have not missed anyone.)

S Peter's Church Knowle 

Edward Walker Arnott and John Palmer both wore the 'town' OH tie which was Rodney's choice. He never, apparently, wore the bright magenta or the Hearts and Wings ties.

It was a fine thanksgiving and the church, of which Rodney had been both churchwarden and treasurer in his time, was packed. The balcony where many of us ended up gave a good view, but while the seats were beautifully designed to kneel to pray, they were a bit cramped for sitting.

Our prayers for Syliva and the family and for all those who mourn Rodney.

Haileybury was mentioned as just one of a great number of Rodney's interests and commitments, but on the back of the service paper were printed the words from The Pilgrim's Progress which are round the dome in Hall:

"My sword I give to him who shall succeed me in my pilgrimage, and my courage and skill to him that can get it. My marks and scars I carry with me, to be a witness for me that I have fought His battles, who will now be my rewarder." So he passed over, and the trumpets sounded for him on the other side.

Best Shooting Ever?

Mr Massey worked at Haileybury for a couple of years on a scheme from the University of Virginia. He was a House Tutor in Highfield so I knew him a bit. Rooting around on the web I found this video. He is very good at basketball!

(For older OHs this is all going on in the Sports Hall on the end of XX Acre)




For those who feel this is a rugby term (correct) here is a clip of a Junior House rugby final on Terrace. It says 'unfinished,' which it is - the annoying music goes on for some time after all the Rugby has finished. I should turn the sound off if I were you!

Anonymity

Discussing blogging at dinner tonight there was a question of anonymity. Some write, as I do, under their own names. Other bloggers are anonymous - or pseudonymous. There was quite a tradition of Pseudonymous writing in the Haileyburian. Letters from 'our corespondent' at one or other of the Universities were signed "Cantab" or "Oxon" or "Londin" and there were the famous letters from 'Praeteritus'. Praeteritus was LS Milford (L 1867 and staff 1879 - 1919), Haileybury's first historian.  These letters were written from memories of old boys sent to Milford, which he recast for publication. It seems to have been an open secret that he was the author, so maybe that pseudonym does not count.

Anonymity was frowned upon in the letters column, though some early editions allowed a few unsigned letters; anonymous editorials were common until fairly recently. Today this is all less the case. I cannot find a single piece (or picture) in the current issue without a by-line or accreditation.

So - is it good to say who we are? or does the hidden or alternative persona help?

"Wear it Out"!

Sir Bartle Frere and Henry Melvill are buried in the crypt of S Paul's cathedral where we gathered last evening following the installation.  There were lots of living Haileyburians as well. The Master; the Chaplain, The Rev'd Chris Briggs; the General Secretary, Robin Bishop; the Chairman of Council, Michael Gatenby (K 1958) were there as well as the two of my sons who are so far Haileyburians, my sister Anne (H & Aby 1984).

James Thomson, the Master of the London Charterhouse & Past President (C 1953) is sadly not in the picture but he was there. He was the originator of the President's medal which he presented to the Society in its 50th year. I slipped it on under my robes, but the magenta ribbon was showing and the Dean asked after it. He siad "Wear it out!" meaning on top of the robes so that it could be seen in church which I duly did. The Bishop was similarly indulgent. 

The Master, by the way, must be getting fed up with me. I went to a parents' meeting on Tuesday and saw him there, he kindly came to the installation yesterday, and tonight he was at the General Committee of the Society which I chaired. More about that meeting tomorrow.

The happy event which I hope to be able to report looks as if it may indeed come to pass, but be patient on that one. 

New Year's Eve

The year turns once more. There is a lot planned for 2011. The Society website has a calendar here. There are to be events in Bath, Exeter, Cambridge, Oxford, Haileybury, London, and at the National Memorial Arboretum in the first few months of the year.

The extraordinary diary of Geoffrey Burnaby (BF 1908) arose as the result of a bet between two brothers, when John (BF 1905) bet his brother 6d that he could not keep a diary every day for a year. Geoffrey produced a note and often a drawing for the whole of 1912. It was published in facsimile in 1994. A bit like an early 20th century blog. Though I would not have won my 6d as I do not manage a post every day!

Here is the entry for new year's eve 1912.

Happy New Year to one and all.

Lift Up Your Hearts

This week's Saturday evening thought takes us back to Fr Jellicoe (BFr 1912). A play about him was shown in 2003. There are details here.

There is a synopsis with quotes here.

Jellicoe burnt himself out in his work for his people, living recklessly in what he understood as obedience to his vocation. The Fathers of the Church called this the 'white martyrdom' of a life squandered - as the world sees it - for God. In the play Jellicoe is portrayed as one who won the affection and trust of the children and the people of the slums of Somers Town:


Jelly Belly, Jelly Belly, 
he's our jolly Jelly Belly
he plays the accordion and knows the songs to make us merry.


As his exhaustion grows and he nears the end of his life, it is said of him

I fear this good man is on the edge and sees a world beyond the one we see, 
and any moment he may fall into a great abyss or a great reality.

Finally Jellicoe himself speaks of

One more journey…
where we'll compare the heavenly blueprint
with what we've placed on earth. 

Lots of Shouting!

Peter Blair is the Master i/c debating at Haileybury. He writes:

Intense pre-season… 1^st team success… Yearlings A, B, C and D in action… call-up for England trials… Haileybury Debating Society!

Not sure this image is really right for genteel ordered debate, but it is fun! LJM

At the moment I am researching the history of debating at Haileybury for a section of Haileybury: A 150 Anniversary Portrait and I would love to hear from OHs about their memories. For the sake of comparison with the past (always a fun thing to do), here's what we do now. We have fortnightly public debates, very much along the lines of the House of Commons (lots of shouting) where the President takes the role of Speaker of the House; recent motions have included This House demands a mixed-sex boarding house at Haileybury (the motion fell). On alternate weeks we train teams for competitive debating competitions, including the Mace, Oxford Schools, Cambridge Schools and Durham Schools. Last year we were East of England Mace finalists and this year we hope to go further in all competitions. We have pre-season training and are planning a tour to Scotland (including a debate against my old school!) in February 2012. However, the House debating competition is still the highlight of the year; the competition is fierce and the new trophies (donated by the Haileybury Society) can only add to this. We would love to see OHs at the junior (Tuesday 16^th November) and senior (Wednesday 17^th November) House finals to see if Bartle Frere and Thomason, respectively, can defend their titles.

We are taking Haileybury debating forward based on the great traditions of Haileyburians over the years. I would be delighted to hear about their memories of debating at Haileybury over the years and from anyone who would like to support cups and prizes for our Maiden Speakers' Competition (for Removes) and Founder's Cup (Open Pairs).

Peter Blair

Master i/c Debating

You can contact Peter by following this link. 

Lift Up Your Hearts

John Burnaby (BFr 1905) was one of the greatest interpreters of S. Augustine of Hippo, himself one of the greatest of Christian Theologians. Here, from his great book on Augustine, Amor Dei, is his explanation of the need of the Christian to seek forgiveness daily.

The Hulsean Lectures for 1938

Pelagius and Caelestus were rigorist monks who believed that despair of perfection makes the best excuse for laxity, and that the moral fibre of the average Christian can only be kept sound if he is assured of his freedom to avoid sin 'if he will.' To them Augustine replied that if despair is Scylla, presumption is Charybdis, and that the only way to escape both is to recognise that we are not born free but have to achieve freedom: the only safe rule is 'Make neither your own self righteouness a safe-conduct to heaven nor of God's mercy a safe-conduct to sin.' 'So long as we live our perfection is humility.' Augustine was convinced that our state of moral imperfection serves the purposes of God as a constant warning against pride. The worst danger that besets man, placed as he is but a little lower than the angels, is the worship of himself; and there can be no protection from this danger but the daily need to pray "forgive us our trespasses."

The Evolution of Dormitories 4

The movement over the last twenty years has been to smaller and smaller dormitories for younger pupils and to bed sits for the more senior. The pattern has been to have a 'dormitory' for Removes and Middles and study bedrooms for Vths and above. When the school became co-educational the new Bartle Frere and Edmonstone were set up in this way. Colvin and Melvill meanwhile were equipped with single rooms throughout. Hailey has a dormitory (the old Upper) but the Lower was divided into rooms for four girls each. This is similar to what was done in Allenby when the conversion was made. That pattern has recently been replicated in Trevelyan and Thomason where the Removes and Middles live and work in rooms of four. (Four is a pastorally good number as it reduces the chances of a two on one division happening in a room.)

Meanwhile the new Lower School boys' accommodation in Highfield is in Dormitories of eight.  The Lower School girls' dormitory is in Alban's and while it has great character it is not as swish as the boys' rooms.

Many of the boys' houses have clever bunks in a "T" shape where the top bunk is at right angles to the bottom one and supported at either end by wardrobes.

Just Like a Waving Flag

Thank you South Africa! Although Sir Henry Bartle Frere faced some censure for his decisions as High Commissioner of Eastern South Africa and Governor of the Transvaal and Natal, he would perhaps be proud of what is being achieved now in the lands he once governed under the Crown.