Rhubarb 2020

ST EDWARD’S r h u b a r b

The early prizes were heavily weighted towards the Classics, Divinity and ‘Good Conduct’. Mathematics and History were added in 1875, English prizes in 1877, German and French a year later. The Sciences, Geography and other languages followed in 1893. The choice of guest speaker and prize presenter through the years makes for interesting research, as from the Kendall era onwards these dignitaries were clearly selected for very specific reasons and sometimes with an ulterior motive! This was not the case early on, as while for the first few years outside guests undertook the task, including the Founder, from 1880-1928 the Wardens always took this role. No explanation is readily available for this policy and it may have been just one of expediency, as this was the one occasion during the year that the Warden could speak directly, in person, to the parents and outside world in a time before mass media. They wouldn’t have wanted to miss the opportunity to get across their particular message. This would all change in the twenties with the arrival of Henry Kendall. In the early 1900s the now-growing number of OSE started to play sports and also dine together, sometimes during Gaudy, but more often at the time of Commem in Oxford and London. These black-tie events would continue for many years. 1913 was the School’s fiftieth anniversary and, quite naturally, the Gaudy that year was a sumptuous affair. Over 500 guests came to Oxford and the School was ‘filled to utmost capacity’.

A R C H I V E S

Gaudy 1913, guests mingle after morning service including, parents OSE and staff

The Bishop of London was the Guest of Honour and officiated at the morning service when even ‘the side chapel and organ loft were full’. The demand for attendance was such that only OSE who were bona fide members of the Society received an

During the Great War there were no Gaudies, as Warden Ferguson felt such ‘celebrations’ were not in keeping with the great sacrifices being made by OSE and staff at the war fronts. In fact, there was to be no return to the traditional Gaudy or Commem in Ferguson’s final years up to 1925. What

During the Great War there were no Gaudies, as Warden Ferguson felt such ‘celebrations’ were not in keeping with the great sacrifices being made by OSE and staff at the war fronts

invitation. In the afternoon a very strong OSE Cricket XI (with six former captains included) soundly thrashed the School XI.

was, however, introduced in the Ferguson era was the importance of School music and the Warden, together with his brilliant Music

Gaudy 1932, Mass PT on Upper One

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