Chavagnes chronicle
Vol. IV No. 2
Easter 2006
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or the first time the boys were not back for Epiphany this year. Last year Father Pilon had heroically blessed every door in the school (and there are plenty of them!) with exorcised water. So we trust that the blessing of the three wise men will not have worn off just yet. A number of Chavagnes families enjoyed a delightful evening of Christmas cheer, courtesy of Bruern Abbey School, Chesterton, where we held a candlelight Epiphany Carol Service on the evening of 5th January, followed by seasonal refreshments in front of a roaring fire. Although many of the choir were absent and those present were still recovering from their Christmas dinners, Marija Morrison came to the rescue of the treble line, to the great relief of all. It was a lovely family event, and what a joy to meet two of our old boys again: Alex and Greg Morrison, now doing well at Oriel and Lampeter. Alex was proudly wearing his old Chavvers tie! ________
In March a contemporary interpretation of King Lear in Nantes (in English) by the Théâtre en Anglais was enjoyed by boys from the English literature GCSE class. However, due to Mr McDermott’s hubris in the role of navigator, boys in one out of the two vehicules arrived late for the play, producing a day of tragicomedy that was enjoyed by all ...
he highlight of January was our fourth annual Robert Burns Supper. This has become a great favourite with everyone, especially our French friends who genuinely enjoy the haggis, secretly smuggled in from Britain for the feast. A special thank-you should go to the boys who sacrificed afternoon sport to peel turnips for the occasion. Our high table was honoured by the presence of the Countess de Suzannet and Anne Catherine de Suzannet; Viscount Gilbert de Guerry, the Chairman of our Board; Colonel and Mrs Leroux, and of course Mrs Andrew McDermott. This year our Toastmaster was Mr Nestor, with the Immortal Memory given by Mr McDermott, the Toast to the Lassies by Mr Gray, and the Reply from the Lassies by Mrs Pattinson.
Only two days later, winter chill was banished again by Mozart’s 250th birthday on 27th January, for which occasion a very fine string ensemble, prepared by Mr Lloyd and Miss Bec, performed the first two movements of Mozart’s Eine kleine nachtmusik. The ensemble also accompanied the choir in a stirring rendition of Ave Verum. Two other numbers were intended to give some of our younger violinists a chance to shine: ‘Twinkle, twinkle, little star’ and ‘Happy birthday, dear Mozart’, both beautifully scored for violins, cello and piano by Mr Lloyd. Of course we all joined in the singing of the latter, even our French friends (who seemed to know all the words off by heart!) We were honoured to welcome on this happy occasion Father Gabriel Diaz, priest of the Russian Catholic parish in Paris. Father Diaz spent a few days with us and has invited a group from the College to visit his parish later in the year.
Burns Night comes at just the right time of year: in the cold of winter, a month after Christmas. This year we all enjoyed the pageantry of three kilted pipers and a drummer, giving all the traditional honours to the haggis.
The College’s choir and string ensemble joined with girls from La Bonne Nouvelle to give a rendition of Mozart’s Ave Verum during a concert in honour of Mozart’s birthday.
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