Festival Day, September 16th, 2006
Lindsey Crosswell, Director of the Oundle Society writes:
The early morning mist and low cloud burned away to bring glorious sunshine to Oundle for its Festival Day celebrations. More than 900 guests who travelled from near and far with their families, enjoyed a packed day of fun and entertainment, alongside a full School operating a normal teaching and sporting Saturday.
The proceedings began with guests enjoying a coffee and a leisurely stroll around the exhibition entitled From all Walks of Life, curated by Michael Downes, the Sanderson Fellow in recognition of the contribution made to society by some 250 Old Oundelians. It was standing room only for the Service of Thanksgiving in the Oundle School Chapel, led by the Revd. Ian Browne, the School Chaplain. The School choir sang Bruckner’s Locus Iste and Angel Voices, a piece composed for Oundle in May 2005, and lessons were read by Sir Charles Pollard (Sc 63), the President of the Old Oundelian Club and Richard Andrews, Former Housemaster of Crosby and former Head of Classics.
Many guests opted to join one of fourteen tours ably led by senior pupils which departed straight after the chapel service, calling in on each of the Houses, as well as many other landmarks around the School. This was an opportunity for a walk down memory lane and for many, a chance to see the modern day Oundle in action.
The focus of the afternoon’s activity was an enormous marquee located on the 1st XI cricket outfield to which people were able to retire with their lunch and a well-deserved drink and mingle with old friends. A giant hot air balloon was tethered on the outfield and many guests climbed aboard to enjoy a ride. The School also played host to a number of OOs who brought their Oundle-made cars, including a replica Morgan, back for the day. Many guests took advantage of the opportunity to purchase an item of 450th Anniversary memorabilia. The merchandise stall did particularly brisk business with top selling items including the specially commissioned 450th Anniversary silk tie and fine bone china mug. If you missed the chance to purchase a souvenir you can visit our website for more details of how to order at www.oundlesociety.org or call in at the Cobthorne Stables where all our souvenir items are available for purchase.
Nearly 150 children joined their parents at Festival Day and enjoyed taking part in a wide variety of activites, including rides on the hot air balloon, paintballing and a mini assault course laid on by the army. Others took advantage of Oundle’s swimming pool for a mid afternoon dip or let their hair down on the giant bouncy slide. Guests were kept informed of events with a lighthearted commentary delivered by Andrew Forbes, Oundle’s Director of Music.
Oundle’s 1st XV enjoyed support from a large number of parents and OOs who returned for the day. The rousing cheering made all the difference and Oundle managed to beat St Edwards in the final minutes of the match, with St Edwards missing a last minute conversion. Sadly Oundle’s first XI hockey team was not quite so successful against Felsted’s national finalists, losing 4-1. After the exertions of cheering on our sportsmen and women, the guests repaired to the marquee for a delicious cream tea.
In the late afternoon the Headmaster, Charlie Bush and the Chairman of the Governors, Sir Michael Pickard, addressed the guests briefly during a ceremony to unveil the SciTec Commemorative Stone, which will be sited outside the new laboratory building when it opens in spring 2007.
The proceedings were brought to a rousing close with a flypast by a Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight which overflew the Festival Day marquee three times on its way back to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. As the Spitfire disappeared into the distance and many guests stifled their emotions, the band of the Royal Anglian Regiment struck up for the closing concert.
Our guests left Oundle having had a most memorable day and feeling prouder
than ever as parents or former pupils. Festival Day embraced everything that
the Oundle Society stands for – the connection of Oundle’s diverse
community of pupils, parents, staff and Governors of Oundle, past and present
in shared celebration of this great School. Thank you from the Society Team
to all our members for helping us make this a day to remember for decades
to come.