The View From My Study – June 28 2024
Over the last 150 years, whenever the school has reached a significant milestone, it has invariably held a special cricket match. Rev’d Earle, our founder, was a fan of the game and our records show numerous important matches over the years. I have mentioned the Cryptics Club recently but, as well as those games, an Old England XI featuring Douglas Jardine took to the field against Old Bilton in 1947 and a Warwickshire team led by Alan Smith played an OB XI in 1973 to mark the centenary.
Last Sunday’s match between the MCC and BG continued the theme and was a fitting way to finish off our BG150 celebrations. The standard of cricket was high and it was a pleasure to see OB and former professional player Richard Montgomerie back on the square making batting look so very easy. The BG XI ultimately cantered to victory and the match balls were gathered to be placed into our time capsule along with other items that will mark this special year. The capsule will then be sealed buried in the centre of the courtyard of the new boarding house, to be opened in 2073.
My thanks go to everyone who has helped to organise, attend and support events for BG150. It has been a real team effort with the financial support of the Patrons and 150 Club Members providing the backbone for the year’s events and fundraising.
The match was far from the only thing that has happened this week of course. Last Friday evening we enjoyed a lovely BBQ for the choristers to celebrate their excellent year and this was followed by Super Saturday where the OB morning and lunch led into the Summer Fair which in turn led into the brilliant BG150 Summer Ball. Exhausting!
On Monday, as the heat began to rise so too did the number of events. We were all reminded to never trust the butler in the 3rd Form’s excellent production Victorian Villainy. On Tuesday we do-si-do’ed at the Year 3 Barn Dance in a true Oklahoma swelter. This really is a lovely event for the children and parents to join in and dance together. Yee-ha!
Wednesday saw the 6th Form Leavers in their finery enjoying their farewell prom and what a beautiful evening it was. The children danced, sang and ate to their hearts’ content in a venue with spectacular styling created by a committee of 6th Form parents.
And then to today with the Valedictory Service this morning and Prize Giving this afternoon. It has been a full week to round off a full year but that is the way we like it at BG. We say goodbye to a number of staff today and we wish them all well as they seek their next adventures. Good luck to Gappies Miss MacGregor, Mr Plummer, Miss Scullion and Miss Teasdale and Also good luck to Miss Mack, Mr Pugsley, Mr Tamplin and Mrs Wilkin. They will be missed.
Thank you parents for all your support this year. On behalf of Jemma and I, we wish you all a very happy summer.
Gareth Jones, Head