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The Cathedralians Society

Who Are We?

All former pupils of Bristol Cathedral School are eligible for membership of The Cathedralians Society as are others who, at the discretion of Council, are awarded Honorary Membership in recognition of their services to the School. Currently we number 1152 members, the oldest having left school in 1924 while the youngest left this year. Well known Cathedralians include John Fortune (TV satirist), Stephen Hocking (Editor of Blue Peter) and Sophie Anderton (Top model) - many others have reached the top in less glamorous careers!

Why a Cathedralians Society?

The Society was set up in 1912 by the then Head Master the Rev. H.W.Pate to "form a bond of fellowship between Old Cathedralians, to develop their acquaintance socially and to assist, where possible, in the development of the School".

What do we do?
Old Cathedralian Golf Day
Cathedralian Golf Day at Long Ashton Golf Course, July 1997

  • Provide a network of contacts - friends from school, business links, "old school tie" - we share a common background, standards and values.
  • Support the School
    • Sponsorship of prizes awarded at Speech Day
    • Sponsorship of Orchestra tours (1997 - USA, 1999 - Prague)
    • Sponsorship of Sports tours
    • Sponsorship of Sixth Form Year Book
    • Provision of IT and other specialist equipment
    • Creation and maintenance of a computerised database of ex-pupils (from 1920 to present)
  • Contribute to "The Cathedralian"
    • News update - where are they now?
    • President's Report with details of events during his/her year in office
    • Special articles by well-known Cathedralians (e.g. Sir Peter Heap - former Ambassador to Brazil, and John Fortune)
  • Publish the biennial Directory of Members
    • Next edition due in 2002
  • Arrange functions
    • Welcome gathering to all new school leavers at Christmas/New Year
    • Annual Dinner (Saturday) and Cricket Match - Cathedralians Cricket Club XI v. School XI (Sunday) at Commemoration Weekend in May
    • Annual Golf Day and Supper
    • President's Event

The Cathedralian, Autumn 2004What are the benefits of membership?

New members are placed on the mailing list and receive

  • a copy of the Directory
  • details of forthcoming events
  • a copy of The Cathedralian when published
  • the School Newsletter

What happens thereafter is up to the individual member - for example you might:

  • support the events we organise
  • join us and the School at the Commemoration Service
  • join us at the Annual Dinner, ideally with a number of your old classmates (why not take on the task of contacting them and securing a table?)
  • attend the Annual General Meeting of the Society which takes place in October
  • volunteer to join our Council (see later) and play a part in developing the Society to meet your needs
  • find interesting news of changes at the School, its curriculum, buildings and staff
  • attend School music and drama productions (now in the new Fortune Theatre)
  • wish to continue to play cricket
  • wish to display your golfing skills

Who does what?

The Society is managed by a Council which meets every two months throughout the year and reports on its activities at the A.G.M. when a new Council is elected.
The current Officers of Council are:

President Geoff Williams, MBE
Incoming President Nick Gleed
President Elect David Baker
Immediate Past President Mark Blackmore
Chairman Eric Hopton
Vice Chairman John Muse
Secretary Chris Matthews
Treasurer George Sutherland
Membership Secretary Peter Templar
Head Mrs J. Anne Davey
School Liaison & Cathedralian Magazine Peter Davies
Members

Nick Chivers
James Dart
Revd. Peter Knight*
David Langford
Nigel Mallett*
Jimmy Newport*
Stephen Parsons*
Hugo Pike*
Ron Sims*
Sir Hugh Smith-Marriott*
Brian Theobald*

(* - Past Presidents)

Are you already a member?

You may already be a member of the Society through the 15 year scheme where parental contributions during your time at school have paid for your first 15 years membership. The scheme is managed by a group of trustees and its finances are kept separate from those of the Society. Alternatively you may be an Ordinary member and continue to pay an annual subscription.

You can easily check by accessing our database - contact Peter Templar
via email : peter@templar.orangehome.co.uk

If not, would you like to join?

Membership can be obtained simply by completing an application form and paying the annual subscription (currently £10). We have provided a form on this site.