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Replies 41-60
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NAME: James (Jas) Cowen 
.jpg "James Cowen gallery")
Then & Now
DATE: 03 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I like the picture of you, Vic, at your son's wedding in 2010 [see reply 35]. This is a real contrast to your other photos. At my youngest son Matthew's wedding a few years ago he paid for myself, the bride's father and his best man to have wedding outfits hired to go with his groom's outfit. We all looked great in the wedding photos. My youngest daughter, Marie, was more relaxed in her wedding a couple of years ago and said I could wear what I liked. I think I still looked smart in my dark suit along with my navy college tie. Maybe to add to the 'Then and Now' photos there could be a section on OEs in formal attire and to contrast it with OEs looking much more casual. However before that I hope we get some more 'Then and Now' photos or even a few more Now pictures of contributors. I still approve of dressing in black tie outfits for some occasions and the OE Dinner Debate provides a good opportunity. The OE 40 Society lunches allow more casual dress for attendees.
Then & NowDATE: 03 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I like the picture of you, Vic, at your son's wedding in 2010 [see reply 35]. This is a real contrast to your other photos. At my youngest son Matthew's wedding a few years ago he paid for myself, the bride's father and his best man to have wedding outfits hired to go with his groom's outfit. We all looked great in the wedding photos. My youngest daughter, Marie, was more relaxed in her wedding a couple of years ago and said I could wear what I liked. I think I still looked smart in my dark suit along with my navy college tie. Maybe to add to the 'Then and Now' photos there could be a section on OEs in formal attire and to contrast it with OEs looking much more casual. However before that I hope we get some more 'Then and Now' photos or even a few more Now pictures of contributors. I still approve of dressing in black tie outfits for some occasions and the OE Dinner Debate provides a good opportunity. The OE 40 Society lunches allow more casual dress for attendees.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 03 March 2014
It is a shame that Martyn, Stephen and Paul do not wish to attend the school Dinner Debate for the request of it being a black tie event [replies 34‑36,40], should that be the only reason. Maybe it could be raised with the school but I suspect that if someone turned up in a dark suit with an ordinary black or other dark tie they would not be evicted. At the Annual Dinner some do turn up with dinner suits and bow ties, some not black but purple and other colours. Others not. I think they are really saying that it wants to be a smart formal looking dinner and not a casual affair with sweaters etc, unlike the 40 Society.
In regard to the forthcoming OE Dinner Debate, I remember at school for myself the Debate was a big occasion. I was glad that it was a formal event with OEs dressed in formal wear, whilst I among other 6th formers waited at tables under direction from Mr Finnett (rather than Jack Covington or Sam C0cks). Maybe the same feelings are held by current Year 12s (the eqivalent of our time 6th formers) even if they do not now wait at the tables. Similarly from one from a Borehamwood family, who never went to theatre otherwise, the visits to English Opera and Musicals in a school party were much enjoyed. In more recent years I acquired a dinner jacket and bow ties from a charity shop and think others could do the same. I feel that current students and the lady teacher in charge of debating will really appreciate a good attendance from all OEs who can make it, though I understand from my son the last Dinner Debate had more of a younger group than attend 40 society lunches.
Then & NowDATE: 03 March 2014
It is a shame that Martyn, Stephen and Paul do not wish to attend the school Dinner Debate for the request of it being a black tie event [replies 34‑36,40], should that be the only reason. Maybe it could be raised with the school but I suspect that if someone turned up in a dark suit with an ordinary black or other dark tie they would not be evicted. At the Annual Dinner some do turn up with dinner suits and bow ties, some not black but purple and other colours. Others not. I think they are really saying that it wants to be a smart formal looking dinner and not a casual affair with sweaters etc, unlike the 40 Society.
In regard to the forthcoming OE Dinner Debate, I remember at school for myself the Debate was a big occasion. I was glad that it was a formal event with OEs dressed in formal wear, whilst I among other 6th formers waited at tables under direction from Mr Finnett (rather than Jack Covington or Sam C0cks). Maybe the same feelings are held by current Year 12s (the eqivalent of our time 6th formers) even if they do not now wait at the tables. Similarly from one from a Borehamwood family, who never went to theatre otherwise, the visits to English Opera and Musicals in a school party were much enjoyed. In more recent years I acquired a dinner jacket and bow ties from a charity shop and think others could do the same. I feel that current students and the lady teacher in charge of debating will really appreciate a good attendance from all OEs who can make it, though I understand from my son the last Dinner Debate had more of a younger group than attend 40 society lunches.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 09 April 2014
My wife Ayleen and I did attend the 49th OE Dinner Debate and we both enjoyed the occasion. There were well over a hundred year 12s (the old 6th forms) and I wonder if there were only a few, if any, not attending. It dwarfed the number of OEs, guests and school staff. Dinner was held in the new dining hall. Good speeches were made by school pupils and several of the OEs, both fairly new ones and others more ancient. The motion for Scottish independence was rejected. It was good to see a fairly large number of female guests - not possible at some events
I enjoyed the address to the Elizabethan Union made by Matthew Rose (OE 2002-9). In it he encouraged pupils to be resilient and referred to the hardiness braving the old swimming pool. It was a reminder how recent the new indoor swimming pool is. His remarks about the standard of the old pool was most amusing. We very old boys remember it well.
In regard to the OE Dinner Debate clothing apparel [reply 42], there were no out and out rebels not wearing a suit and tie but outfits were not completely the same either for pupils or OES. Writing on the site in the past mentioned the wearing of grey flannel jackets and one pupil at this event had a grey one, though it was a dark grey. There were no pullovers without a tie. I do think this was a good thing on this occasion. The next 40 society lunch in contrast will no doubt be as informal as ever.
Then & NowDATE: 09 April 2014
My wife Ayleen and I did attend the 49th OE Dinner Debate and we both enjoyed the occasion. There were well over a hundred year 12s (the old 6th forms) and I wonder if there were only a few, if any, not attending. It dwarfed the number of OEs, guests and school staff. Dinner was held in the new dining hall. Good speeches were made by school pupils and several of the OEs, both fairly new ones and others more ancient. The motion for Scottish independence was rejected. It was good to see a fairly large number of female guests - not possible at some events
I enjoyed the address to the Elizabethan Union made by Matthew Rose (OE 2002-9). In it he encouraged pupils to be resilient and referred to the hardiness braving the old swimming pool. It was a reminder how recent the new indoor swimming pool is. His remarks about the standard of the old pool was most amusing. We very old boys remember it well.
In regard to the OE Dinner Debate clothing apparel [reply 42], there were no out and out rebels not wearing a suit and tie but outfits were not completely the same either for pupils or OES. Writing on the site in the past mentioned the wearing of grey flannel jackets and one pupil at this event had a grey one, though it was a dark grey. There were no pullovers without a tie. I do think this was a good thing on this occasion. The next 40 society lunch in contrast will no doubt be as informal as ever.
NAME: Nick Dean 
.JPG "Nick Dean gallery")
DATE: 14 April 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
[Re replies 13, 14 & others]: Worth noting that, in the latest issue of The Elizabethan, David Farrer (now OE President, but, in my day, teaching at the school before going into the law) quotes Sam C0cks as referring to "street-corner universities", by which he apparently meant Cambridge (cf Jenkins in my reply 13)...
DATE: 14 April 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
[Re replies 13, 14 & others]: Worth noting that, in the latest issue of The Elizabethan, David Farrer (now OE President, but, in my day, teaching at the school before going into the law) quotes Sam C0cks as referring to "street-corner universities", by which he apparently meant Cambridge (cf Jenkins in my reply 13)...
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 22 April 2014
Yes, Nick, we do expect a bit of Oxford v Cambridge banter occasionally. David Farrer has taken advantage in his President's address, as you say. For my part I would like to say I was disappointed with the O v C Boat Race this year, when Cambridge was left so far behind after the clash of oars. It is so much more satisfying when it is a close result. The Goldie crew of course lost to Isis by approximately the same distance I look forward to the ladies crews competing over the same Thames course next year. 50 years ago when I watched the Varsity rugby match at Twickenham at least then Cambridge won. Of course Cambridge still do have a few more Boat Race wins than Oxford. To be fair whilst at Cambridge I used to enjoy visits to Oxford not just running for my old college in the Teddy Hall relay but also visiting Richard Beeny in Pembroke College's JCR and in his rooms.
Then & NowDATE: 22 April 2014
Yes, Nick, we do expect a bit of Oxford v Cambridge banter occasionally. David Farrer has taken advantage in his President's address, as you say. For my part I would like to say I was disappointed with the O v C Boat Race this year, when Cambridge was left so far behind after the clash of oars. It is so much more satisfying when it is a close result. The Goldie crew of course lost to Isis by approximately the same distance I look forward to the ladies crews competing over the same Thames course next year. 50 years ago when I watched the Varsity rugby match at Twickenham at least then Cambridge won. Of course Cambridge still do have a few more Boat Race wins than Oxford. To be fair whilst at Cambridge I used to enjoy visits to Oxford not just running for my old college in the Teddy Hall relay but also visiting Richard Beeny in Pembroke College's JCR and in his rooms.
NAME: Nick Dean
DATE: 29 April 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
A little more information about the balance of admissions to Oxford [see replies 18‑20] in John Campbell's recent biography of Roy Jenkins. He quotes Jenkins, as Chancellor of Oxford, pointing out in 2000 that, although the balance as between state and independent was 53:47, the figures were the exact reverse of five years previously: ie for a while at least entries from private schools exceeded state ones. In an unrelated footnote Campbell refers to an engaging Private Eye parody of Jenkins' book, Twelve Cities (considered by some almost a parody in itself). Entitled Twelve Tube Stations, this included the following:
DATE: 29 April 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
A little more information about the balance of admissions to Oxford [see replies 18‑20] in John Campbell's recent biography of Roy Jenkins. He quotes Jenkins, as Chancellor of Oxford, pointing out in 2000 that, although the balance as between state and independent was 53:47, the figures were the exact reverse of five years previously: ie for a while at least entries from private schools exceeded state ones. In an unrelated footnote Campbell refers to an engaging Private Eye parody of Jenkins' book, Twelve Cities (considered by some almost a parody in itself). Entitled Twelve Tube Stations, this included the following:
I first saw Totteridge and Whetstone when I was, I fancy, but fifteen years of age ... It is set, a trifle clumsily, in surroundings that are not, one must confess, greatly conducive to the pleasures of the table or, indeed, the amenities of social intercourse. Neither High Barnet, its most northerly neighbour, nor Woodside Park, its somewhat less trumpeted southern companion, offers overwhelming reasons for stopping. But Totteridge and Whetstone has always possessed for me a certain creaky charm.Incidentally, Jas, Sam C's comment about street-corner universities [replies 44,45] is, of course, completely meaningless - could be said about anywhere. As regards the Boat Race, I hope that next year the BBC will show both the women's race and Isis/Goldie. It would break the tedium of its lengthy build up to what is frequently (as this year) an anti-climax. What is more, while they were wittering on, it was necessary to re-tune to Eurosport to watch the climax of the Davis Cup match against Italy. Reminds me of how, some years ago, they switched to a racing paddock when Graham Gooch was about to reach 300 against India. Maybe this would be useful fodder for a second series of W1A.
NAME: Nick Dean
DATE: 17 May 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
On BBC TV's This Week (15 May) Michael Portillo said he had just had dinner with a Cambridge contemporary who was at St John's where apparently 76% of undergraduates in the mid '70s were from state schools. Not so now, Portillo told a guest headmaster.
DATE: 17 May 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
On BBC TV's This Week (15 May) Michael Portillo said he had just had dinner with a Cambridge contemporary who was at St John's where apparently 76% of undergraduates in the mid '70s were from state schools. Not so now, Portillo told a guest headmaster.
NAME: Nick Dean
DATE: 30 July 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
It seems that, in the 1950s, the school may have worked its magic on Wilfred De'Ath [reply 13] after all. A resident of Llandeilo has written to the Oldie complaining about De-Ath's behaviour during a recent visit to the town (the subject of an earlier scathing article by our compatriot): "He is grossly endowed with the arrogance of an imperialistic, middle-class Victorian ..." Evidence of this seems to have included "consuming more cheese and biscuits than all the other customers combined" (shades of Sam C0cks and two puddings: thread 128/10). Incidentally, there were De'aths at the school in my time, but I'm unsure if they were related. The caustic David Lowe (chemistry and cross-country running) once remarked of one of them, in that sardonic northern drawl of his, "he's called Death, but he likes to pronounce it De ‑ Ath".
For the record, Llandeilo is a delighful town. Perhaps he didn't like the feeling that he was a foreigner in a place where most people would have been speaking Welsh. You may be interested to see some of the reaction to his comments about Carmarthenshire on this site. By the way, 'Tŷ Menyn' in the entry of 24th Oct 2012 on that site translates as 'The Buttery'.
DATE: 30 July 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
It seems that, in the 1950s, the school may have worked its magic on Wilfred De'Ath [reply 13] after all. A resident of Llandeilo has written to the Oldie complaining about De-Ath's behaviour during a recent visit to the town (the subject of an earlier scathing article by our compatriot): "He is grossly endowed with the arrogance of an imperialistic, middle-class Victorian ..." Evidence of this seems to have included "consuming more cheese and biscuits than all the other customers combined" (shades of Sam C0cks and two puddings: thread 128/10). Incidentally, there were De'aths at the school in my time, but I'm unsure if they were related. The caustic David Lowe (chemistry and cross-country running) once remarked of one of them, in that sardonic northern drawl of his, "he's called Death, but he likes to pronounce it De ‑ Ath".
For the record, Llandeilo is a delighful town. Perhaps he didn't like the feeling that he was a foreigner in a place where most people would have been speaking Welsh. You may be interested to see some of the reaction to his comments about Carmarthenshire on this site. By the way, 'Tŷ Menyn' in the entry of 24th Oct 2012 on that site translates as 'The Buttery'.
NAME: Nigel Wood .jpg "Nigel Wood")
DATE: 01 August 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64
Our house is called 'The Buttery' [green footnote above], we suspect for no good reason, so we use its number rather than the name. But Tŷ Menyn has a much better ring to it. And friends and colleagues in Wales would probably be more comfortable sending mail to me.
DATE: 01 August 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64
Our house is called 'The Buttery' [green footnote above], we suspect for no good reason, so we use its number rather than the name. But Tŷ Menyn has a much better ring to it. And friends and colleagues in Wales would probably be more comfortable sending mail to me.
NAME: Nick Dean
DATE: 08 August 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Returning to the origin of Oxbridge entrants [see replies 46-7 and earlier], an assertion by Jon Snow in a radio programme that the proportion from state schools has fallen below 50% has led to the Campaign for State Education (no, I hadn't heard of it either) to write to the BBC with the latest figures. These apparently show that, au contraire, 57.4% of those going up to Oxford and 63% to Cambridge are from state schools. This is reported in the latest issue of Private Eye (8/8); so it must be correct.
DATE: 08 August 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Returning to the origin of Oxbridge entrants [see replies 46-7 and earlier], an assertion by Jon Snow in a radio programme that the proportion from state schools has fallen below 50% has led to the Campaign for State Education (no, I hadn't heard of it either) to write to the BBC with the latest figures. These apparently show that, au contraire, 57.4% of those going up to Oxford and 63% to Cambridge are from state schools. This is reported in the latest issue of Private Eye (8/8); so it must be correct.
NAME: Nick Dean
DATE: 04 October 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
At the risk of my flogging an ex-parrot, David Kynaston's A Shake of the Dice 1959-62 (to which I've referred in other posts - eg W9/48) sheds some further light on Oxbridge entrance around the time that De'ath, W was unhappy at Oxford [reply 13 et seq]. Although in 1961 almost ¾ (72%) of all university students were from state schools, at Oxbridge over half (55%) were from public schools, while a further 16% were from direct grant schools (which, while providing scholarships for bright state pupils, were generally very similar to public schools). Only 30% had been to maintained grammar schools (eg QE). The distinction between direct grant and maintained schools is often overlooked by those who deploy such statistics. Kynaston mentions that Kingsley Amis, who was then a Cambridge don (and later lived in Barnet), found, according his biographer, "the drunken foibles of former public schoolboys hard to take", while someone who had recently left a 'major' public school wrote to The Times to say that, on consulting a friend about a Cambridge college, he had been told, "Oh, that's a good College; there are hardly any of those Grammar School types". This, remarked the correspondent, was an "extremely common" attitude (although, per Sam C0cks, things may have been different at Magdalen College, Oxford, with its lower middle class clientele: see reply 32/142).
DATE: 04 October 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
At the risk of my flogging an ex-parrot, David Kynaston's A Shake of the Dice 1959-62 (to which I've referred in other posts - eg W9/48) sheds some further light on Oxbridge entrance around the time that De'ath, W was unhappy at Oxford [reply 13 et seq]. Although in 1961 almost ¾ (72%) of all university students were from state schools, at Oxbridge over half (55%) were from public schools, while a further 16% were from direct grant schools (which, while providing scholarships for bright state pupils, were generally very similar to public schools). Only 30% had been to maintained grammar schools (eg QE). The distinction between direct grant and maintained schools is often overlooked by those who deploy such statistics. Kynaston mentions that Kingsley Amis, who was then a Cambridge don (and later lived in Barnet), found, according his biographer, "the drunken foibles of former public schoolboys hard to take", while someone who had recently left a 'major' public school wrote to The Times to say that, on consulting a friend about a Cambridge college, he had been told, "Oh, that's a good College; there are hardly any of those Grammar School types". This, remarked the correspondent, was an "extremely common" attitude (although, per Sam C0cks, things may have been different at Magdalen College, Oxford, with its lower middle class clientele: see reply 32/142).
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 17 October 2014
In connection with recent places of QE boys to universities I note that of course still many do not go to Oxbridge and that includes Barrie Martin's two sons. That said, at what colleges at Oxford and Cambridge do QE students get places these days? I noted fairly recently in one of my college annuals that one pupil went to my old college (Sidney Sussex Cambridge) and from the QE alumni news held a dinner for those who had gone up in recent years from QEs. I have not been to any such dinner since the days of Doctor Brittain in the 1960s. I wonder if a list is held at school of all the OES who went to Oxbridge. I continue to enjoy University Challenge and cheer on a bit any recent Cambridge college teams. Sidney Sussex has won the competition twice (1971 and 1978) but that was such a long time ago. Trinity Cambridge won in 2014 (also in 1974 and 1995) and Magdalen College Oxford in 2011 (also 1997, 1998 and 2004.)
It is interesting that the Oxford and Cambridge colleges appear as separate entities rather than as University teams. When I was at Cambridge we used to run as separate colleges in the inter collegiate college relays but when I last looked up the Imperial College relay in Hyde Park I saw that Cambridge Harriers appeared as one combined team and incidentally won the event. Certainly Manchester University, which has won UC in 2006/9/12/13 has an enormous pool of students to call on besides having someone who does a comprehensive job of coaching each team to victory, as shown on a recent documentary on the programme. As for the recent series of UC it looked as if Brasenose C (Oxford) was only going to get 5 points against Durham (getting 250 points) until one of their team got a late spurt on to give them 35 points, so avoiding complete embarrassment, though of course they had qualified as one of 28 teams to appear.
Then & NowDATE: 17 October 2014
In connection with recent places of QE boys to universities I note that of course still many do not go to Oxbridge and that includes Barrie Martin's two sons. That said, at what colleges at Oxford and Cambridge do QE students get places these days? I noted fairly recently in one of my college annuals that one pupil went to my old college (Sidney Sussex Cambridge) and from the QE alumni news held a dinner for those who had gone up in recent years from QEs. I have not been to any such dinner since the days of Doctor Brittain in the 1960s. I wonder if a list is held at school of all the OES who went to Oxbridge. I continue to enjoy University Challenge and cheer on a bit any recent Cambridge college teams. Sidney Sussex has won the competition twice (1971 and 1978) but that was such a long time ago. Trinity Cambridge won in 2014 (also in 1974 and 1995) and Magdalen College Oxford in 2011 (also 1997, 1998 and 2004.)
It is interesting that the Oxford and Cambridge colleges appear as separate entities rather than as University teams. When I was at Cambridge we used to run as separate colleges in the inter collegiate college relays but when I last looked up the Imperial College relay in Hyde Park I saw that Cambridge Harriers appeared as one combined team and incidentally won the event. Certainly Manchester University, which has won UC in 2006/9/12/13 has an enormous pool of students to call on besides having someone who does a comprehensive job of coaching each team to victory, as shown on a recent documentary on the programme. As for the recent series of UC it looked as if Brasenose C (Oxford) was only going to get 5 points against Durham (getting 250 points) until one of their team got a late spurt on to give them 35 points, so avoiding complete embarrassment, though of course they had qualified as one of 28 teams to appear.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 04 December 2014
I have recently received my old Cambridge's college's 2014 Annual and I note that of the 37 who received Oxbridge places from QEs this year there are 2 going up to Sidney Sussex college. Aakash Mehul Kotak is due to study Philosophy and Denesh Omkararuban is due to study Chemical Engineering. I am unlikely to meet up with them unless they take up rowing and we meet at a future Boat Club Dinner but I wish them well whilst at Cambridge. I do not know where other students are due to go up to but I also wish them well in their studies and time up there whether at Oxford or Cambridge.
Then & NowDATE: 04 December 2014
I have recently received my old Cambridge's college's 2014 Annual and I note that of the 37 who received Oxbridge places from QEs this year there are 2 going up to Sidney Sussex college. Aakash Mehul Kotak is due to study Philosophy and Denesh Omkararuban is due to study Chemical Engineering. I am unlikely to meet up with them unless they take up rowing and we meet at a future Boat Club Dinner but I wish them well whilst at Cambridge. I do not know where other students are due to go up to but I also wish them well in their studies and time up there whether at Oxford or Cambridge.
NAME: Nick Dean
DATE: 13 December 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Not sure what EHJ would have made of Wilfred De'ath's recollection [see replies 13 and 48] in the latest issue of The Oldie in which he reflects on his general dislike of the festive season: "Teenage Christmases are a blank, apart from one at my Aunt Dolly's in upmarket Hadley Wood when to my amazement, Aunt Dolly and I both got drunk and ended up on the floor. Enough said". Quite so.
DATE: 13 December 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Not sure what EHJ would have made of Wilfred De'ath's recollection [see replies 13 and 48] in the latest issue of The Oldie in which he reflects on his general dislike of the festive season: "Teenage Christmases are a blank, apart from one at my Aunt Dolly's in upmarket Hadley Wood when to my amazement, Aunt Dolly and I both got drunk and ended up on the floor. Enough said". Quite so.
NAME: Adam Lines 
Then & Now
DATE: 18 December 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Inmate 57-64
I've just had an epiphany - how about The School inviting Wilfred D'eath to give the inspirational speech to pupils next year on Founders Day? If St Johns Prep School Cambridge can invite Jeffrey Archer to inspire my children on "Probity in Modern Society" (shortly before taking an extended holiday at public expense in 2001), then why not Death at QE? Suggestions for a suitable title?
Then & NowDATE: 18 December 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Inmate 57-64
I've just had an epiphany - how about The School inviting Wilfred D'eath to give the inspirational speech to pupils next year on Founders Day? If St Johns Prep School Cambridge can invite Jeffrey Archer to inspire my children on "Probity in Modern Society" (shortly before taking an extended holiday at public expense in 2001), then why not Death at QE? Suggestions for a suitable title?
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 04 March 2015
The school Dinner Debate has come round again and bookings may be made via the school shop. Tickets are £31 each including postage and guests such as wives are welcome to come. This year's Debate (the 50th) is "This house believes that prosperity is the best measure of success". The date is Saturday 21st March at 6 pm. Bookings may also be made for the school play on 10th March and the play is Oliver Twist.
In regard to the school play this year there are two performances advertised on the school shop website. These are at 7.30 each evening of Mon 9/3/2015 and Tues 10/03/2015. Tickets are £4 each and there is no charge for children under 5 years old. This may be of interest to those who live in the school area or perhaps others further afield who either appeared in productions at school or who regard such productions with fond affection.
Then & NowDATE: 04 March 2015
The school Dinner Debate has come round again and bookings may be made via the school shop. Tickets are £31 each including postage and guests such as wives are welcome to come. This year's Debate (the 50th) is "This house believes that prosperity is the best measure of success". The date is Saturday 21st March at 6 pm. Bookings may also be made for the school play on 10th March and the play is Oliver Twist.
In regard to the school play this year there are two performances advertised on the school shop website. These are at 7.30 each evening of Mon 9/3/2015 and Tues 10/03/2015. Tickets are £4 each and there is no charge for children under 5 years old. This may be of interest to those who live in the school area or perhaps others further afield who either appeared in productions at school or who regard such productions with fond affection.
57th REPLY
NAME: Vic Coughtrey
Then & NowDATE: 04 March 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1954-59
Well, although it's not really any business of mine, as I won't be at the Dinner Debate (see above), I can't help wondering if the debate has been scheduled to last for a couple of weeks. After all, each speaker will have to attempt a contextual definition of 'prosperity', 'best', 'measure' and 'success' and come up with some qualification of 'believes', such as 'sometimes', 'never', 'often' etc, etc. You may say this is my philosophy degree rearing its pointless head once again, but it's a fact that many a debate, even (or perhaps especially) on a governmental level, is almost devoid of meaning due to the vagueness of the motion. But never mind - just enjoy it and have a great evening!
NAME: Martyn Day 
Then & Now
DATE: 09 March 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: Inmate 1956-63
Hello Vic, I won't be at the Dinner Debate either. For some reason the whole idea of "Dress Code - Black Tie" puts me right off.
We've been over this ground before, at the time of the last year's Dinner Debate - see replies 34-36. Even so, further comments are welcome.
Then & NowDATE: 09 March 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: Inmate 1956-63
Hello Vic, I won't be at the Dinner Debate either. For some reason the whole idea of "Dress Code - Black Tie" puts me right off.
We've been over this ground before, at the time of the last year's Dinner Debate - see replies 34-36. Even so, further comments are welcome.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 11 March 2015
Well the replies went on beyond 36 for last year, Vic. I consider my reply 42 the most relevant in opposition to the anti black tie brigade. Even if one has to get a bow tie to be most in keeping with others, the cost of acquiring one is practically nothing. A black jacket is of course usually more expensive to acquire and I had to buy one recently due to my expansion in size but I got a splendid one from a charity shop for hardly any money. A more pertinent matter in regard to cost is the price of tickets and I think that it is a pity the charge may put some off, especially as I would have thought it could be arranged for less cost to encourage people.
Yes, I should of course have included replies 40-43 in my green footnote above - apologies.
Then & NowDATE: 11 March 2015
Well the replies went on beyond 36 for last year, Vic. I consider my reply 42 the most relevant in opposition to the anti black tie brigade. Even if one has to get a bow tie to be most in keeping with others, the cost of acquiring one is practically nothing. A black jacket is of course usually more expensive to acquire and I had to buy one recently due to my expansion in size but I got a splendid one from a charity shop for hardly any money. A more pertinent matter in regard to cost is the price of tickets and I think that it is a pity the charge may put some off, especially as I would have thought it could be arranged for less cost to encourage people.
Yes, I should of course have included replies 40-43 in my green footnote above - apologies.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 15 March 2015
Your philosophical points in relation to this year's Dinner Debate [reply 57] are interesting, Vic, but I find it good that this year there is a more general subject that allows all sorts of nuances, though last year's debate on possible Scottish independence away from England did provide lively discussion including from many OES. The wide openness of this year's subject in regard to definition of terms does provide good leeway for some original thinking and humour perhaps. In regard to parliamentary and especially committee enquiry questions on the Parliament Channel I find very specific and not vague points uttered in regard to the subjects concerned.
For those not at all keen on black tie events I have just been informed on my e-mail account that the next Forty Society 2015 Lunch at the Gypsy Corner Memorial Pavilion is on Thursday 30th April commencing at 12.45pm, with the bar open half an hour earlier at least. This is an event open to former pupils who left more than 40 years ago i.e. in 1975 or earlier. For any wishing to go, whether members of the OE Association or not, tickets are £25 each, with cheques payable to the OE Forty Society, which should be sent to the Treasurer, MT Harrison [address available on request]. There is not usually a shortage of takers for these occasions. Some come regularly to all or most of them.
Then & NowDATE: 15 March 2015
Your philosophical points in relation to this year's Dinner Debate [reply 57] are interesting, Vic, but I find it good that this year there is a more general subject that allows all sorts of nuances, though last year's debate on possible Scottish independence away from England did provide lively discussion including from many OES. The wide openness of this year's subject in regard to definition of terms does provide good leeway for some original thinking and humour perhaps. In regard to parliamentary and especially committee enquiry questions on the Parliament Channel I find very specific and not vague points uttered in regard to the subjects concerned.
For those not at all keen on black tie events I have just been informed on my e-mail account that the next Forty Society 2015 Lunch at the Gypsy Corner Memorial Pavilion is on Thursday 30th April commencing at 12.45pm, with the bar open half an hour earlier at least. This is an event open to former pupils who left more than 40 years ago i.e. in 1975 or earlier. For any wishing to go, whether members of the OE Association or not, tickets are £25 each, with cheques payable to the OE Forty Society, which should be sent to the Treasurer, MT Harrison [address available on request]. There is not usually a shortage of takers for these occasions. Some come regularly to all or most of them.
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