150th Anniversary Edition 1 862 – 2012 the Cliftonmagazine For Cliftonians, past and present 2012 Special features: 150th Celebrations avid Jones, outgoing OC President, rightly observes that in the last Contents edition of The Clifton Magazine no mention was made of the generous Dloan that the OC Society made available to the College so that it could Editorial 1 buy out Clerical Medical and build a platform for the future development 150th Celebrations 2 and success of the Sports Ground at Beggar’s Bush. This was another example of how the College has benefited from OC support over the past The Cliftonian 31 hundred years or so. The free CD that accompanies this year’s celebration Salvete/Valete 32 edition of the magazine is once again the result of OC Society generosity and grateful thanks go to the Society, and the Chairman of the OC Executive Commem 36 Committee, Nick Tolchard, for making this all possible. Art 39 In 1962, Clifton marked its Centenary with a huge concert in the Colston Hall, bringing out an LP of the event; in 1987, to mark 125 years, the Choir Chapel Notes 42 produced a CD. The latter is once again featured this year and the Directors Music 44 of Music in both schools, James Hills and David Pafford, are to be thanked and congratulated for producing such a fine record of Clifton choral music – Literary / Activities 47 Arthur Peppin and Douglas Fox would have approved! CCF 53 Remembrance Sunday is well served with the Pre’s version of Parry’s Drama 59 I was Glad (1) and the Upper School’s Libera Me (2) from Fauré’s Requiem, both choirs coming together to sing I Vow to Thee (10). Evensongs, now Sport 65 regular features at Clifton, are not forgotten, the Upper School singing Stanford’s Magnificat in G (3) whilst the Pre tackles his Nunc Dimittis (4). The Old Cliftonian 87 For most of those at Clifton, both now and in the past, the Advent Carol OC Secretary 88 Service and both Schools’ respective Carol Services will probably evoke most memories of moving singing and a candlelit Chapel, hence the inclusion of Notes & News 90 the Upper School’s O Magnum Mysterium (7) and Dorset Carol (9), whilst the OC Business 92 Pre’s O Holy Night (6) and, of course, Rutter’s Candlelight Carol (5) all live long in the memory. OC Sport 94 The Spring Term often kicks off with the Pre’s Epiphany Service – hence Branches and Reunions 99 their version of Cornelius’ The Three Kings (8) and Adiemus (12). The rest of Masonic Lodge 107 this CD includes two new pieces – Magnificat sung by the Chamber Choir at Bristol Cathedral (11), and a Chapel Organ Centenary piece composed by Book Reviews 109 James Hills himself (14). Obituaries 113 Commem is always of especial significance to Cliftonians young and old, hence the inclusion of Parry’s setting of Blake’s Jerusalem (15), and the CD Letters 127 concludes with the Pre singing Rutter’s Gaelic Blessing. Clifton Past 131 So, a special recording from special choirs for a special occasion, and it is to Shenstone Appeal 140 be hoped that all those who know and love the school will get pleasure from this both now and in the years to come. AGM 141 Accounts 142 A full account of all the various events that took place this year to celebrate OC Clubs 144 150 years of Clifton’s existence will appear in next year’s (2013) edition. 03 EDITORIAL EDITORIAL ome years ago, I was showing some prospective parents it up properly. It is that ability to consider, to understand what is from Holland around the College when they asked me an of value and to adapt, all the while retaining its essential ethos Sinteresting question. As we stood on the Parapet, gazing as embodied in the value it has always placed and still places over the Close, the father asked me in splendidly broken on the welfare of the whole individual which will ensure, as long English, “Headmaster, what is this school for?” A profound as it is upheld in this place, that Clifton will continue to develop question, the more one considers it, and not a bad question and succeed as the 21st Century unfolds. The Dean of Windsor for all involved in Clifton, both past and present, to consider touched upon this in a sermon preached in Chapel in 1981: as we move into a year of celebrations to mark the College’s We British are a traditional people and we have long 150th Anniversary. We can all have a view on what the School memories. Our trouble is that we spend too much time was and has been, but perhaps 2012 is a suitable time not remembering the past and the past alone, and this is only to celebrate and to give thanks for a past which has unhealthy. We may become so preoccupied with memories allowed the present to be so successful, but also to check that that we are no longer capable of seeing opportunities. But the present and the future have a continued legitimacy in a the past is only useful in so far as it helps us to run our world of extraordinary pace and change. race and to look to the future. It was because men in the Herein lies the key, perhaps, for it is Clifton’s capacity to past had a vision for the future, that you enjoy the privilege initiate change whilst remaining firmly rooted in the fertile and of being scholars here today. And this school would not deep soil of what we might call real philanthropy i.e., love of enjoy its present reputation were it not for its traditions and our fellow man as the lamp which lights the various and varied all that has gone before you. To a certain extent, you are paths of our respective lives, which gives a clue to Clifton’s enjoying the capital of the past and, at the same time, you continued success from generation to generation. yourselves are adding to the credit that will be available to future generations. This is why those who are without any It led the way in terms of the day-and-boarding model of deep appreciation of the real meaning of tradition should be a school; it placed moral virtue above mere learning; it careful when they seek to tamper with proven traditions. An pioneered the teaching of science; it embraced Judaism at a oak tree takes 300 years to grow, and a day to cut down. time of growing intolerance and gave it an educational home; it led the way in encouraging art and music as vital parts of Holding fast to that which is good whilst laying down the a rounded education; it embraced co-education eagerly and foundations for a flourishing and successful school for the next genuinely; more recently it was one of the few schools to fifty years is the challenge that lies before us as we approach this understand the importance of Chinese and set the teaching of especial year. Bob Acheson EDITORIAL 1 150th Celebrations “One Blest Jubilee” – THE 1887 CELEBRATIONS – he 1887 celebrations, which The first inkling that the School had centred around Commem with plans was revealed in a letter to Old Tespecial emphasis on the fact that Cliftonians written by the OC Secretary the young Clifton was now twenty-five JA Neale. He had been one of the first years old, coincided happily with a pupils at the School and was the third national celebration of Queen Victoria’s Head of School after HW Wellesley and fiftieth year on the English throne. The AW Paul, and his reminiscences give a two occasions were elided to provide a very clear picture of what those first days somewhat different Summer Term at at Clifton were like: the School. Dear Sir, You are doubtless aware that our old School will complete its first quarter of a century during the present year; and it has been thought desirable that Old Cliftonians should suitably celebrate the occasion, and that this would best be done by having an Old Cliftonians’ Dinner in London. The 5th July (being the second day of the School had grown from 69 to 659 and Oxford and Cambridge Match) and the had sent over 60 young men to Oxford Whitehall Rooms, the Hotel Metropole, have and Cambridge. There was thus much been fixed upon as the most convenient date to celebrate. On 28 May 1887, the and place. Secretary to Council, WDL Macpherson, Dr Percival has consented to take the Chair, along with the Head of School, who and the Head Master and several other would go on to play Rugby for England, Masters have promised to be present; and it signed the annual formal letter of is hoped that there will be a large assemblage invitation to Commem which went out of old members of every generation of the to all OCs and those, past and present, School to give their warm and cordial who had an association with the College. support. First things first, however. The editors Will you kindly send an early reply according of The Cliftonian kicked off the festivities to the directions below, saying whether you with a home-grown “Jubilee Ode” (see will attend. The price of the dinner tickets opposite page), of interest less for the will be 10/6d, exclusive of wine. quality of its verse and more for the way it allows us to understand what England Clifton’s success in so short a period of was like at the height of Empire.