The OCC Committee met on 12th May without contravening any lockdown guidance – embracing the 21st century we met by Skype. This marks a new beginning for the committee and will make it easier in the future to welcome committee members wherever they live.
Also historically, but not a first, the President was elected for a second term due to the cancellation of many of our annual events caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The minutes of the meeting are available from the meetings page.
Old Cryptian (1970 – 1975) Lindsay Pickering passed away peacefully in the early hours of Sunday 26th April 2020.
Lindsay’s long term partner Peter Routely writes –
“Lindsay was a beautiful strong man who survived many serious health issues over the last twenty odd years. We had been preparing for this day for nearly all of that time. We were lucky to have had the opportunity to say everything that we ever needed to say to each other. Finally he is at peace.
Lindsay’s funeral was held on Tuesday 19th May at 12.00 at Taunton Deane Crematorium. Because of the current situation and limitations on numbers it was by invitation only. We are not asking for donations for any charity because Lindsay believed charity only existed because the government had failed us.
Thank you all for your kind messages and shared memories.
Peter“
It is with great sadness we learn of the loss of former Cryptian Ben Brown.
Ben left the school about 6 years ago to go to Welbeck College and then on into the Army. Sadly, Ben took his own life two weeks ago. He had hidden his struggle with mental illness from everyone and it came as a great shock to all his family and friends. He was always an outgoing person and had a likeable cheekiness in his approach to life, so it is hard to believe that he has passed.
Following this tragic loss, Ben’s family and friends have joined together to honour his life and raise awareness about the issues surrounding mental health, neuro-diversity and the prevention of young suicide.
Ben was a big part of Typhoon Squadron in the Army and one exercise he was extremely fond of and could not wait to see come to fruition was ‘Trans-Europe’, a summer long exercise covering the majority of Europe in four stages. Starting in Loughborough, the Squadron planned to travel all the way to Istanbul and back again; however, due to the Coronavirus pandemic the exercise could not go ahead. Typhoon Squadron have now decided the best way to honour Ben is to complete the journey he had originally planned and have set up a team challenge to run the 4600 miles to Istanbul and back.
You can follow the progress of the “race” to Istanbul and back at the Challenge website.
A six-classroom extension to The Crypt School could soon become reality after planning permission was granted by Gloucester City Council.
The project is the latest in a line of expansions for the Podsmead grammar school in the last 15 years, including a Sixth Form Learning Resource Centre and new-build engineering block.
Elevations of the new block. Picture: Quattro Design Architects
Drawn up by Gloucester Quays-based Quattro Design Architects, the plans will provide replacement accommodation and facilities in a previously under-utilised area of the school.
The new single-storey teaching facility will offer six matching 56.5 metre square classrooms running from a central corridor, alongside four toilets and associated storage space.
Established in 1539, the school serves the city of Gloucester and the surrounding areas and is said to be ‘noted for high levels of achievement with a strong emphasis on science’.
While reinforcing that “there is no increase in staff or pupil numbers as part of this development”, the school said the project will allow for “an improved learning environment for the students connected to the main school building”.
The proposed site of the new block, outlined in red. Picture: Quattro Design Architects
A planning statement added that: “These additions have provided wonderful new facilities, but the fundamental 1940s core of the school remains inappropriate for modern teaching due to undersized teaching spaces.”
Floor plan of the new block. Picture: Quattro Design Architects
https://www.punchline-gloucester.com/articles/aanews/plans-approved-for-secondary-school-expansion
30th March, 2020
THE CRYPT SCHOOL
Dear Old Cryptians,
As you all may know, the School was closed on Friday, 23rd March due to the coronavirus epidemic and the need to limit each person’s social contact with others.
In the run up to the closure, the School had undertaken a significant amount of preparatory work to prepare for such an eventuality, which was frankly looking increasing likely as the days wore on. Therefore, when the order to close came, we were quickly able to implement our plans to move to remote teaching and learning.
For many years, the Old Cryptians’ Club has collected membership fees paid by cheque or Standing Order. Whilst this has mostly worked well in the past, the administrative burden is proving difficult to justify.
To that end, we would like all members to set up a Direct Debit on line. We have chosen an online direct debit system from GoCardless to provide best value for the club. The system is fully compliant with the banking direct debit system and offers full protection under the Direct Debit Guarantee.
Signing up now (and remembering to cancel your standing order) will help us, although there is no requirement to just yet. No money will be taken from your account until 7th January.
Over the next few months, information will be sent out to all members, so please look out for the emails – we’ll not flood your inbox!
The link to sign up is https://pay.gocardless.com/AL00027584CFQ3
We’d be happy to receive any feedback – please email webmaster@oldcryptians.org with any questions.
Website supported by Cass Stephens:-
The OCC Committee met on 12th May without contravening any lockdown guidance – embracing the 21st century we met by Skype. This marks a new beginning for the committee and will make it easier in the future to welcome committee members wherever they live.
Old Cryptian (1970 – 1975) Lindsay Pickering passed away peacefully in the early hours of Sunday 26th April 2020.
Lindsay’s long term partner Peter Routely writes –
“Lindsay was a beautiful strong man who survived many serious health issues over the last twenty odd years.
It is with great sadness we learn of the loss of former Cryptian Ben Brown.
Ben left the school about 6 years ago to go to Welbeck College and then on into the Army. Sadly,