THE PETERITE Vol. LXVIII
OCTOBER, 1977 Edited by D.
G. Cummin,
No. 394
J.P., M.A.
EDITORIAL Early planning for the celebration of our thirteen hundred and fiftieth anniversary was sometimes on the rather grand scale. A concert at the School by a great national orchestra; the first performance of a specially commissioned piece of music; a Royal visit. Plans were later modified, partly by inflation, but perhaps more by a deep feeling that this kind of celebration can best come from within the community itself. There were of course events that relied for success on outsiders: the celebrity hockey and cricket matches; the May Ball; the first day postal cover; the commemorative plate. But each of these had its close connection with the School. The celebrities played hockey and cricket against Peterites past and present; the May Ball was organised by Colonel Abbott and Mr. Hubbard, with Mr. Macdonald, at his peril, rigging marvellous lighting effects; the first day covers were posted in the School; and a Governor, Mr. Michael Sinclair, initiated the production of the plate on terms very generous to the School. Other events displayed that originality which is the essence of a school that is moving forward. The decline of originality was one of the most penetrating observations made by Edward Gibbon about the decadent Roman Empire; "a cloud of critics, of compilers, of commentators, darkened the face of learning", he wrote; and his words might be a warning for our own society, and a stimulus to those seeking to keep it alive. So it was refreshing to find that in our celebrations of a long past, we were able to show some of that originality that gives hope for the future. A hanging cross for the Chapel, designed and made by Mr. John Brown; an exhibition of art by Old Peterites, arranged by Mr. Gaastra; a new detailed history of the School prepared by Mr. Hamilton and several boys; the film made by Mr. Butler and his team; and a homespun pageant to look at 1350 years with some pride but with not too much reverence. But looking back is only of value if it stimulates movement forward. As the Headmaster said at the 1976 Speech Day, when reviewing what he called " a bumper year", "a happy and purposeful life needs . . . a vision in which the highest aspirations of our natures can find satisfaction". Somewhere in these celebrations of the awesome 1350 years of the School's life, some have probably been seeking such a vision; and many of us would feel that the rich and familiar words read in every Commemoration service had this year a deeper meaning than before: "With their seed shall continually remain a good inheritance". The Editor wishes to thank the many contributors to The Peterite and would welcome correspondence and articles of general interest from Peterites past and present. The special cover design is by Michael Christelow.
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