Dear fellow Cathedralians
I was honoured to be installed as your 99 th President at our annual dinner last month, and I am grateful for those who have offered me their best wishes.
I was at BCS from 1972-79, and look back with great fondness on my time there (I'm sure nobody loves it all, and current pupils will never admit to liking school – we were no different). My parents could never have afforded school fees, so I was extremely fortunate to gain one of the few council-paid places, based on an entrance exam I did at the QEH when I was a timid 10 year old. Seven years later, I was still a quiet lad but I know that my schooling gave me the opportunity to take up my commission in the Royal Navy. Over 30 years later, and I still haven't found another job that I would enjoy more, so I am still serving. In their wisdom, the Navy has seen fit to post me to their HQ at Abbey Wood in Bristol for the year of my Presidency – thank you First Sea Lord. During my year I will be representing the Society at a number of events, one of which is the QEH Old Boys dinner; that will be extra special as I haven't been back there since I was that timid 10 year old.
For those who haven't been in touch with redevelopments at our school, it has recently been relaunched as a state Academy – Bristol Cathedral Choir School – and I was very fortunate to be invited to attend the formal opening by HRH The Princess Royal in February. There has been a huge financial investment behind this, and the physical size of the school has doubled with the building and renovation of modern facilities on Lower College Green (behind the Central Library). There is a lot of work still to be done over the next few years, but from my brief visit I can vouch for the impressive facilities that are now in place. The school's website at http://www.bccs.bristol.sch.uk/bccsonline.html gives more detail, and I am hoping that the school will offer some tours for former pupils – I recommend a visit.
Future dates for your diaries:
Cathedralians Society Cricket Day & Parents Association Summer Barbecue
Joint Event
School Sports Ground, Failand
Sunday 27 th June
Cathedralians Society - Golf Day
Henbury Golf Club, Westbury-on-Trym,
Friday 2nd July at 1.00 pm
Details from Geoff Williams on 01934 520789
or e-mail onar03@aol.com
Bristol Cathedral Choir School Prize Giving
Thursday 21 st October
Cathedralians Society Annual Reunion Dinner 2011
Saturday 26 th March 2011
Further details later
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On a personal note, it would be lovely to hear from anyone who remembers me from BCS days, and I will arrange an evening out if I can get a few takers. Email details below.
With best wishes
Commodore Paul Cunningham Royal Navy
President, The Cathedralians Society
email: paul.cunningham817@mod.uk |
