Anglo Catholics

"Are you Anglo-Catholic?" I was once asked by a lady in my first parish as she gazed with horrified fascination at my rosary. "Horribly." was my reply. Public school religion is famously (except in the Woodard Foundation) not Anglo-Catholic. But Haileybury has made its contribution to the catholic revival in the Church of England. Fr Basil Jellicoe (BFr 1912) is rightly remembered for his heroic labours in Somers Town and his invention of Housing Associations, but he was also a contributor to the Anglo Catholic Congress movement of the late 1920s and early 1930s. Sir Edwyn Hoskyns (Tr 1897) was a Cambridge theologian and New Testament scholar whose contribution to a volume of essays edited by E G Selwyn Essays Catholic and Critical had a seminal effect on Biblical studies. There is an article on his life and work in the journal of the Catholic League, here.

The Report of the Anglo Catholic Congress of 1927 contains contributions by Hoskyns on The Eucharist in the New Testament and Neville Coghill (Tr 1913), famous for his versification of the Canterbury Tales into modern English for Penguin Classics, who submitted a paper on Sacraments and the Presence of God in Nature.

Bishop Sir Edwyn Hoskyns Bt

Hoskyns' Father, also Sir Edwyn, (Tr 1865.1) was President of the Old Haileyburian Society in 1902 - 3, the year before he was consecrated Bishop of Southwell. Given that it was only in 1885 that Bishop King of Lincoln had reintroduced the Mitre into the Church of England, the Bishop of Southwell was presumably like his son, quite 'advanced', his photograph showing him in cope, mitre and coloured stole.

Hirsute Growth

The Haileybury Buildings by Wlfrid Blunt is a source of wondrous pleasure. This paragraph, introducing an architectural discussion of the Bradby Hall is a gem.

This is in fact the staff in 1875. Bradby (with vast beard) sits third from the left. Butler is second from the left. Dundreary Whiskers are worn by Rev H Walford, third from the left in the back row.

"A photograph of the staff, taken in 1872 and preserved in the Library, is a fine field of study for those interested in hirsute growth. There may be found the Dundreary whisker, the Mutton chop, the trimmed beard, and finally the untamed natural variety rioting with a luxuriance which would be the envy of an Athos monk: and in the centre, King beaver par excellence as it were, we see the majestic figure of Dr. Bradby. It was an age of great beards and great Headmasters. Yet great though they were, they knew how to unbend; for is it not recorded of Mr. Butler that watching a rugger match on one occasion a light suddenly gleamed in his eye and his nostrils dilated like those of a war horse scenting battle, that he flung of his mortarboard, gown and coat even, and in an immaculate shirt and a pair of pillar-box red brace hurled himself into the scrum? And was not the sedate Dr. Bradby seen to fling his top-hat sky-high after the miraculous victory over Wellington in 1872; did he not watch his august spouse tobogganing with the boys in full term-time in the Quad itself, balanced precariously on something suspiciously like a common teatray?"

Careers Fair

Yesterday the Society organized a careers fair at Haileybury. I was enjoying being a parent at the Lower School production of Beauty and the Beast (which was fantastic!) but Oliver Ryder was on the spot and reports as follows:


'I've just returned from taking part in the inaugural Haileybury Society Careers Fair in Big School, which was brilliantly organised by Robin Bishop and his team. Although my friend and fellow clergyman Tim Horlock (Trev 85-90) and I weren't inundated with students passionate to hear about a career in the Church of England (!), they were certainly an inspiring and attentive group of young individuals full of confidence and hopefulness as they set sail on the next stage of their lives. It was a joy to return to the school on a sunny English summer's day and see what had and hadn't changed and to reflect on memories, both good and bad! I wasn't the most diligent student during my time at Haileybury but in the year's since I've been amazed at how God can redeem the past and use it for a better future. I pray that all the students will know this transforming love.' Oliver Ryder (Colvin 88-93)

The Rev'ds Oliver Ryder (left) and Tim Horlock (Tr 85) yesterday

Oliver has sent this note about himself: Rev'd Oliver Ryder (Colvin '88-'93); BA Hons, Art History, University of East Anglia; Diploma in Theology, Ridley Hall Theological College, Cambridge; Church of England Priest; currently final year curate in the gritty multicultural parish of Tollington, North London. After university I did a Graduate Training Scheme with Sotheby's auction house before spending five years working as a reporter for the Christian Charity Alpha International. My work with Alpha primarily involved interviewing people about their experiences of God. During that time I sensed a call to full time ordained Christian ministry and went to theological college. My main passion in life is to help people discover the love of God and that a relationship with him is the most exciting thing in the world and brings meaning, purpose and direction to everything else. 

He is about (1st September) to become Vicar of S Mark's Kensal Rise in London NW10 - a large and vibrant church and a big appointment - best wishes to him. He says OHs welcome!