Founders’ Day 2001

Founders’ Day 2001

This year the Old Cryptians’ Club celebrates the centenary of its formation and a number of events have been held to commemorate this occasion.

The latest was the annual Founders’ Day service in Gloucester Cathedral when Old Cryptians gathered with present members of the school to pay tribute to the joint founders, John and Joan Cooke by whose efforts the school was founded four hundred and sixty two years ago in the year 1539.

The Cathedral, as usual, was packed for this occasion and the address was given by the Rev. Steve Morris, Associate Minister at St. Mary de Crypt, the mother Church of the school. The school choir and orchestra led the worship and David Barton of Year 12 was at the organ. After the service, some 60 or so Old Cryptians and their wives, met at the Fleece Hotel, for the Founders’ Day Supper. Regretfully, the President, John Mitchell, was unable to be present as he is currently in hospital, but immediate Past President, Brian Jones, took the chair and welcomed all the guests.

After the meal, the Headmaster, David Lamper, brought members up to date with the latest developments at the school following which the new president, Ian Williamson was inducted. His first duty as President, was to present the representative of St. Mary de Crypt, the Rev. Morris with the quit rent of one red rose. This annual rent has been paid to the Church in Southgate Street since the building of the first school in 1539.

The evening ended with a rousing singing of the school song.

The following day at the Gloucester Golf Club at Matson, the annual golf tournament was held in perfect weather. Sixteen members of the club took part and the winner of the Beard Cup, presented by Tony Beard, was Howard Allen who is this year’s President of Keswick Golf Club in the Lake District.

The Club also shared in a presentation evening held at the school to mark the retirement of the senior master, Nigel Coombs who is leaving this year after 37 years service to the school. A former Headmaster and Past President of the Club, Michael Holmes, spoke of Mr Coombs devoted service to the school and presented him with a cheque from the Club.

Other events in the Club’s centenary celebrations, include the annual London Dinner which is again to be held in the State Appartments of the Chelsea Hospital, London. Details of this Dinner and an up to date list of all Old Cryptians’ activities, can be obtained from the Secretary or from 244 Stroud Road, Gloucester.

 

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