The following was included in the monthly newsletter issued late last week but I had a few reports that the link was not operating correctly…so it is reproduced in full here. Thanks for sending John. The article was written a few years back and celebrates thirty years since a Royal Visit or two was made to the school
John Monkhouse (N) OE. 1959 -67 Memories of 1994. I have many memories of Emanuel in the 60’s and also some passed down to me from my father who was School Lieutenant and captain of Boats and Rugby in the 20’s. In those days it was possible to do both sports. He remembered being part of the team of boys who excavated the area in the ‘Wilderness’ where the Rowing tank was built.
1994 was a special year for the School – The 400th Anniversary, two Royal visits, a highly successful Fete and Flannels day and the School rugby tour to Canada.
I had the honour of chairing the Emanuel Parents Association from 1991-94 and was privileged to be one of the six people introduced to the Queen by the Head Peter Thomson on her Majesty’s visit to open the 6th Form Centre on March,17th, 1994. My son Eric who was Captain of Rugby and the School Captain Travers Symons, were also introduced to her Majesty at the entrance to the newly built 6th Form Centre.
On the day, Her Majesty inspected the CCF Guard of Honour, visited the chapel and planted a cherry tree outside the centre, She commented that ‘this was a very popular School’ and the boys were delighted as she awarded the School a half day holiday.
Later that year, Princess Anne also visited the School to watch her son Peter Phillips play for Gordonstoun against the School 1st XV. Gordonstoun were in a confident mood as they had just beaten old rivals Fettes but they came up against a defiant Emanuel team.
I have a video of the Gordonstoun game which was won by Emanuel in the last minute when Ramsey M’rabet charged down a kick to score in the corner. After the match, the two captains exchanged ties and Eric’s tie is on display in a showcase at the School.
Princess Anne didn’t want any fuss and she enjoyed a hot dog and a cup of tea with the parents in the Dining room after the game. The two teams were photographed together in a group and the photo has pride of place in our hallway at home. .
The culmination of a very special Summer term was Fete and Flannels day, traditionally held on the last weekend in June. We were blessed with fine weather and the actress Leslie Joseph opened the event. A superb team of 60 enthusiastic parents had been preparing for the day assisting and manning over 40 stalls.
Needless to say, the glider got off the ground, The Old Boys won the hotly contested Tug of War competition and over 3,000 people enjoyed a really special day.
The event raised over £11,000 which the Headmaster gratefully distributed to various worthy causes in the School. Part of the funds had already been pledged to pay for the kit for the School Rugby team flying off to Canada on their three week Tour.
Led by Master in charge of Rugby, Alan Friell and supported by other masters and parents, the 27 boys met up at Heathrow to embark on an unforgettable visit to the east coast of Canada. Two of the boys had never flown before and all the boys will always remember their visit to the CN Tower in Toronto and Niagara Falls. The team returned victorious, winning all their six matches
The boys going onto University said their sad farewells during the Tour reunion barbeque. After speeches, Eric had handed over the captaincy to Simon Dillsworth who would lead the School side in the new season
Eric moved on to Brunel University College to study Sports Science (former students were Olympians Alan Pascoe and Audley Harrison). He then got a Masters degree in Psychology at the University of San Francisco and he is living and working in Marin County, California just north of the Golden Gate Bridge.
1994 was a memorable year and a milestone, particularly as the first 7 girls to enter Emanuel joined the 6th form in September. Sadly, since then, ex Headmaster Peter Thomson and another very popular master Jonathon Driver have passed away – They both had contributed so much to Emanuel in the 80’s and 90’s.helping to guide the future of their pupils.
John Monkhouse