TRICENTENARY WEEKEND
It's finally happened! On the weekend of 20-22 June, around 200 Old Blues took part in a weekend of celebration in the school. There were tours of the school, vintage bus trips around Liverpool, a cruise on the Mersey Ferry, a slap-up school lunch, a service in the Chapel and a huge party on the Saturday night.
Many old friendships were rekindled, some past pupils travelled from France, Uruguay, Dubai, Barbados and Australia to be there.
We are grateful to a lot of people who worked hard to make it so fantastic. A special mention is due to DJ Stan Livingston, caterers Debbie McFarland and her staff, and caretaker Kenny Jones who virtually lived on the premises all weekend.
Click here to see over a hundred photographs of the weekend.
We have received a lot of feedback from people who were there. Here are a few of the messages we have received: (It's a scrolling text box, left click on it then use your mouse wheel)
From Matt Collinson (1958):
I would like to thank you Tony and your team, for the excellent effort made during the whole tricentenary weekend. Also, I especially thank all of the 'Old Blues' who went out of their way to include me in their weekend. The friendship and kindness shown left me in no doubt as to the family I have missed this last 50 years.
From Ian Hodgson (1956-63):
Many thanks for all the hard work that went into organising such a fabulous weekend!
From Tony and Muriel Griffiths (1950s):
We just wanted to say again a huge thank you to you and all those who expended so much time and energy in organizing such a great weekend of celebrations. We both enjoyed it so much, it was great for me to see the school again after 50 years and to meet up with former schoolmates, and my wife enjoyed it just as much. The arrangements were so well done and the food was excellent. It was a weekend of mixed emotions really, as perhaps you can imagine. Thank goodness for the labels we were given, they helped me to recognize some of my former schoolmates as most of us have changed shape over the years!
From Richard Stimson (1954-61):
Marilyn and I would like to offer our personal thanks to you, for the tireless way in which you contributed to the success of the weekend. Nothing was too much trouble, and you seemed to be everywhere when it mattered. This on top of the preparation, planning and organization that will have taken months of your time. We thoroughly enjoyed the whole weekend in spite of the poor weather and the disappearance of the Boarding section, even though there were times in the 1950s when we would have been happy for it to disappear !! On Sunday we bottled out of the Mersey Ferry trip, but did enjoy the pony and trap down at the Pier Head. Previously we had only ever done it on the Overhead Railway- Tram- Bus- Car- Motorbike- and shanks ! Is this progress I wonder ? Among the 1953-1961 brigade it was good to meet up with Hugh & Guy Stephenson, James & Chris Lyon, Frank Irwin, Dave Tucker, John Howarth, Eric Woodbine, Nigel Baker-Bates, George Panther. Keith Clement, Alan Gilmour, Barrie Lawrence, Stan Knowles and DL Williams (my old tennis partner). Again many thanks for a memorable weekend.
From Keith Clement (1953-61):
To all those who worked so very hard to make the weekend so successful - my heartfelt thanks. I met up with so many old pals from long ago but it only seemed like yesterday. We relived our memories on the Sunday by meeting up at our regular 'pint & pie' pub - the Black Bull in Gateacre. We have now vowed to have regular get-togethers - so thank you again for all the hard work.
From Paul Bett (1978-85):
Firstly I need to say how much I enjoyed Saturday back at the old school, the facilities there are fantastic. The weekend has ignited my enthusiasm, if you need anyone to get more involved with the society let me know
From John Howarth (1953-57):
A huge THANK YOU for all the work you have put in for and during the weekend. It must have been a massive administrative task. I am sure it was all worth while!
From James Lyon (1974-80):
Just wanted to drop you a line to say how much I, my Father and Uncle enjoyed the weekend. I know that other members of the committee and others did their bit on the day, but I think the success of the whole event was down to your hard work and commitment. Additionally all the materials you created from name badges to programmes were of the highest quality, a very professional job in all aspects.
From Richard Poole (1978-81):
I just wanted to drop you a line to say how much I enjoyed coming to the school to take part in the Tricentenary celebrations. I was very proud to be part of it, and it confirmed once again what it is to be an Old Blue. You had all worked so hard to organise this memorable event and what a great success it all was.
From Kent Roach (1971-78):
Great work fella! The plaudits you received on the night were well deserved. Amongst the many, I was chatting with Ted (1930-38). What a decent, charming, gracious guy! Well worth the trip over to meet him alone, and I know he was thrilled to be there too. Having a wander was awesome (especially as it was closed off during our 2003 get together) and it was great hearing your stories again.
From Alf Kendrick (1960-65):
Just a quick note to thank you for organizing the event over the weekend. A lot of hard work must have gone into organizing the event and It was a very pleasurable weekend.
From Dave Bolt in Canada (1951-57):
Hi Lads and girls, I got home yesterday afternoon after a nine and a half hour flight from Gatwick. I now have serious jet lag and have been up since 3.00 am. It really was a pleasure meeting so many people who I thought that I would never meet again and doing things that I thought I would never do again. The Liverpool sense of humour is still alive and well. Frank’s pics are fantastic.... note that this is the word used by Sandy to describe the school and I very much doubt that it was a word ever used by GG.
From Graham Hay (1944-52):
A big thank you from myself, Judith and my brother James for a wonderful weekend.It was great to catch up with old school friends after 50yrs!. and also to make new friends from among later Old Blues. Thank you to all those involved in organizing and running the weekend, your efforts were much appreciated and enjoyed. Looking forward to the next reunion!.
From Barrie Lawrence (1953-61):
It was a magnificent achievement and a great success in every respect. Every part of the arrangements seemed to flow so smoothly so that the whole weekend became a memorable occasion. The Chapel service was excellent..... I have to admit that hearing the school hymn sung in our chapel brought a lump to my throat. There are so many memorable moments that I will never forget. The humour, nostalgia and meeting friends from nearly 50 years ago. Once again.. many thanks for all you have done.
From Ken & Maureen Hughes (1945-53):
Thank you very much for a wonderful weekend. Please pass our thanks to all of your team, including buses and the Catering Dept.
From Sam D'Eathe (1942-50):
....a very big thank you to the Blue Coat Brotherly Society for all your hard work which resulted in such a wonderful and memorable weekend. All the events were superbly organised and not forgetting the excellent efforts of the catering staff. Everybody thoroughly enjoyed themselves. You worked so hard and we did appreciate all your efforts to look after us all. Thank you once again for enabling me to take home so many happy memories.
From Lilian Davies (nee Robinson 1936-43):
You must have worked very hard to give us all at the Tricentenary weekend such a happy and memorable time. All the Old Blues who supported you with their help were a credit to the school and event. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.
From Matthew Orriel (1957-62):
...what an enjoyable weekend we had at the Tricentenary celebrations.... These events do not just happen and there must have been an enormous amount of work put in to enable everything to go so smoothly. It was wonderful to visit the school again and to know it is still going from strength to strength... Thanks once again to everyone involved in the organisation.
From Ray Livingston (1952-59):
Thank you so much to... everyone involved in the historic celebrations. It is abundantly clear that huge efforts went into the planning and execution of the various events and you are all to be warmly thanked and praised 'to the rafters' for it all. I thought the catering staff were wonderful over and over again as the weekend sped by. May I also praise my own brother (!) who did a sterling job on the musical front.... Sandy Tittershill was his usual brilliant self (wonderful for me to witness it first-hand at last) and it is clear that Debbie Silcock is about to usher in yet another fine era in the school's life.... I was very touched by the little Bible presentation ceremony and I hope I coped with the surprise and responded in an appropriate way. Many thanks to all who were involved in devising and executing that generous little plot. I love the dedication page and never seem to tire of looking at it... Well, the big event is behind us at last and 'normal' life resumes. This is only true up to a point, however, for things can never be quite the same after an experience like that....
From Peter Scott (1952-59):
Just back from visit to family in Ireland following on from Tricentenary Weekend. On behalf of myself and my wife, I would like to thank everybody associated with the organisation of an outstandingly successful and memorable weekend. It would be invidious of me to mention people individually as I am sure so many were involved. I thought the concept of the whole weekend was excellent with so much variety. The School Dinner, Bus Trip, Ferry Trip and Chapel Service were novel ideas well executed. When you have your next Old Blues Committee Meeting, please pass on my thanks to all concerned. Best Wishes for the future.
From Richard "Dickie" Ferrand (1949-56):
Totally agree with all the comments made about the tricentenary weekend. Excellent organisation all round, though whoever was in charge of the weather didn't do too well!!! I enjoyed every minute of it and so did my wife. Nobody from my class was there but it was great meeting friends from other years. Pity we couldn't see the dormitories! Congratulations once again to all concerned with the weekend!
From Brian Deane (1935-42):
You know, this was the first time I had ever been back to the school since I left with all pupils, masters and mistresses in the evacuation to Beaumaris in 1939. Wow, what a change! ... Thanks for all your effort and that of the committee and helpers. The event was a great success.
From Keith Caulkin (pupil 1958-65 and teacher 1975-present):
Thank you for arranging such a superb Old Blues' 300th Anniversary Celebration weekend... it was a great success! I met numerous old boys that I have taught, and on the Saturday night I met three old boys from my class, which was wonderful! We had not met since leaving school, ie 43 years ago!! The service was a reflective end to the celebrations with hearty singing and splendid anecdotal tales! Many thanks for all your efforts. I have enjoyed reading the books which have brought back many memories of my time at Blue Coat as a boy. Also over the weekend I was fascinated talking to the old boys and girls who left before, and during, the war. They had wonderful tales of Beaumaris and life at Blue Coat before the war. I could have listened for much longer! Please pass on my thanks to the Committee and well done again for your excellent planning and implementation of the 300th Anniversary weekend.
CLICK HERE to read the Hon. Secretary's address at the Chapel service on Sunday 22nd June 2008
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