Chatfeild-Roberts Library The Library has been working on promoting some of the wonderful books we are fortunate to stock. Library staff created a list of over 100 books that they felt were, or would become, classics from the 20th century. They were then grouped into twelve different themes and booklets made to showcase the titles with cover pictures and brief reviews. Examples of the themes include ‘International English: classic novels by foreign authors written in the English language’ and ‘Ageless classics: books for young readers and old dreamers’. Similarly we are working on fiction book selections for subject topics so, for example, fiction books with a scientific slant, such as Itch by Simon Mayo, that might appeal to those who love science. Posters and booklets of the titles have been produced to display in the subject areas. The science selection has been followed up by some historical novels for different eras and other subject suggestions will soon follow. Our English literature section is large and in need of some work. So far the poetry has been
revamped: some books have been replaced with newer editions, and new critical texts have been added, as well as some poetry audiobooks, with poets and others reading their works. We are currently looking at the Shakespeare books that we have and will also be reviewing other plays and critical texts of novels. We hope to end up with a better selection of materials to support English literature across College. World Book Day is held in March each year, and the Library staff decided to start an annual House competition. House Prefects were asked to help select a team of four students from the Third Form. They were then supervised in House by the Prefect to complete a booklet of questions. The top two teams met in the Library on the evening of 6 March to battle it out for the trophy – a glass book. Mr John Chatfeild-Roberts kindly agreed to attend and present the trophy. The quiz was run with starter questions and bonus questions and featured picture rounds and literary-themed rounds. Harry Potter, the Bible, Percy Jackson and classic literature were some of the subjects explored. The Westal team of Georgina Oates (captain), Tusmo Ismail, Amber Beachus and Grace Wackett fought hard against the Newick House team of Oliver Ferris (captain), Matthew Burke, Henry Dowding and Kathapob Ittipakorn, but could not quite catch them. Newick House came out champions with 160 points to 110. The evening was a great success and we look forward to repeating it.
their friends in Cheltenham, and many developments since – from the Chapel to the Centenary or New Block – have been made possible by the generosity of parents, Old Cheltonians (OCs) and friends of College. As part of our continuing programme of development, which began in 2011, the ChatfeildRoberts Library and the Big Classical Theatre were improved. The extensive refurbishment of the main College building also provided a dance studio and drama classroom as well as improvements to the main College entrance. The total cost for the project was £1.5m, of which over £1m was generously donated by current and past parents as well as Old Cheltonians. We built a new girls’ boarding house, Westal, which was ready for September 2013 and donations
Mrs Ginette Doyle
Development Philanthropy is not a modern invention. Indeed, College owes its existence to a few parents of boys who met at the house of Mr George Simon Harcourt in 1840, and decided to start a school. They raised the necessary funds among
Organ donors It was noted as early as 1899 that there was an urgent need for a new organ to replace the two-manual, 21 stop organ by Messrs Gray and Davison. A fund had been started in 1895 but, following the 1904 Speech Day, it gained a higher profile. At their meeting on 3 December 1904, College Council promised £500 to the expected £1,000 cost, providing the rest be raised by subscription. Slowly, throughout 1905, the fund grew – from £405 to £914, at which point (December 1905) it was announced that the organ had been ordered. However, that did not mean all the necessary money had been raised and they appealed for more. By the following summer, £1,691 had been raised, including Council’s £500 and £200 given by the College magazine [ed. note: as the magazine is no longer sold there is no money for projects – so do not try asking!].
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The Cheltonian 2013-2014
The new organ was dedicated on 10 May 1906. ‘If ever the phrase “a long-felt want supplied” was applicable to an organ, it is to the instrument that takes the place of the mean-looking and most unsatisfactory kist o’ whistles that had hitherto done duty for leading choral worship of the Collegians. This was a survival from the old chapel; it had, perhaps, a touch of sentimental association: and when it was elevated to the loft of the new building, it gave forth a rather more joyful sound than formerly. But it was, to say the least, hopelessly inadequate, unworthy of its surroundings and its purpose.’ Described in detail, the new organ was the work of Messrs Norman and Beard of Norwich. By February 1908 they had £2,034 but decided to keep the Fund open to enable new organ stops to be added from time to time. Indeed,
in November 1908 ‘the Master of Gray [James Stuart McLaren Smith (1879‑1881, Xt)] has forwarded a donation of £120 for the insertion of the Open Diapason on the Pedal Organ and the Double Diapason on the Great Organ’. As to the old organ – at the December 1905 Council meeting, ‘It was left to the discretion of the Principal to allow the churchwardens of Emmanuel Church, Cheltenham, to have the old organ ... free of cost, or to credit the new Organ Fund such sum as may be obtained for its sale, should the amount offered for it be worth acceptance.’ [Council Minute Book, vol. 6, pp147, 161; The Cheltonian, 1899, p260; 1904, p162; 1905‑1907, passim; 1908, pp71, 291‑92; Cheltenham College Register, 1841‑1889]