Combermere
School Old Scholars Association U. K.
(C.
S. O. S. A. U. K.)
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Contents
- A Brief History of Combermere School
- The C.S.O.S.A.U.K.
- The Anthem of the Association
- The Executive Committee
- C.
S. O. S. A. U. K. Events
- Benefits of Membership
- Memory Lane
- Newsletter
- Comments and Suggestions
- Sign The C.S.O.S.A.U.K Guestbook
A Brief History of Combermere School
'Combermere
School is one of the oldest academic institutions in the Commonwealth. It's
roots go back as far as the 17th century when public education had not yet
become the norm even in Great Britain itself.' - from Combermere School and the
Barbadian Society.
Combermere School started its life in 1695 as the a Free School as a result of
an endowment of £2000 from the will of Colonel Henry Drax. It was built on
Constitution Hill and was known as the Drax Parish School, the Colonial Charity
School, the Parochial Charity School, the Free School, the Boys' Central School
and then finally in 1880, Combermere School.
The name….
In 1133, Benedictine monks founded Combermere Abbey in Cheshire, England. This
establishment flourished for over 400 years until King Henry VII turned out the
Benedictines from Combermere Abbey in the 1540's. Shortly after, the Abbey
became the Seat of Sir George Cotton KT, Vice Chamberlain to the household of Prince
Edward, son of Henry VIII.
On becoming a peer in 1814, Sir Stapleton Cotton, a descendent of Sir George
Cotton, took the title 'Lord Combermere' and in 1817, Sir Stapleton Cotton
became the Governor of Barbados. Sir Stapleton Cotton became the patron of the
Society for The Promotion of Christian Knowledge, and in 1819, he was the
moving spirit behind the raising of £22,630 to erect a building and reorganise
the old Free School, into the Boy's Central School.
In 1879, the Boy's Central School was reorganised and reconstituted as a second
grade school. One year later, in 1880, the Boy's Central School was renamed
Combermere School in honour of Lord Combermere its benefactor.
The influences....
One of the greatest influences on Combermere was Major Cecil Noot who became
Headmaster in 1946. His greatest legacy being the creation of the sixth form
for A Level studies, previously only available at the three first grade
schools, Harrison College, The Lodge and Queens College who catered almost
exclusively to the white elite. This change was only sanctioned after much
opposition and saw the beginning of the end of the traditional distinction
between first and second grade schools in Barbados. Combermere School went on
to win its first Barbados Scholarship in 1967.
The Old Scholars Associations………
In 1973 the Combermere School Old Boy's Association was revived by Ezra
Alleyne, George Belgrave, Wendell McLean, Glyne Murray and others. It had
initially replaced the Combermere Mutual Improvement Association in 1934. It
became almost defunct in the late 1960's even though the U.S. branch of the
association held a celebration at the school to mark its 150th anniversary in
1969. In 1977, acknowledging the school's educational status, the CSOBA gave
way to the Combermere School Old Scholars' Association which has developed into
one of the most dynamic of all such groups of alumni in Barbados during the
past decade. The US Alumni Celebrate their 50th Anniversary in May 1998, and
the UK Alumni, the youngest Alumni celebrate our 1st Anniversary in April 1998.
Firsts…….
The Combermere Scout troop is the oldest in Barbados and celebrated its 50th
Anniversary in 1962. In 1975 Combermere School became the first Grammar School
in Barbados to become fully co-educational.
Lives were in the making there…….
Prime Minister David Thompson, Bishop Wilfred Wood, Dean Harold Critchlow, Karl
Broodhagen taught there since 1949,Musicians Arturo Tappin, Carolann
Scantlebury, Terencia Coward, MADD; Cricketers include: Frank Worrell, Denis
Atkinson, Eric Atkinson, Wesley Hall, ELG Hoad, Patrick Lashley, George Carew,
Mannie Martindale, Rawle Branker, Derek Sealey, Peter Lashley; Ricky Elcock;
Roland Holder; Athletes include: Ralph Holder, Harcourt Wason; Authors: Frank
Collymore and George Lamming.
The flame continues to glow brightly ever.
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The C.S.O.S.A.U.K.
The C.S.O.S.A.U.K was founded on April 5th 1997, at the Barbados High Commission in London. Currently our membership database is 130 strong and growing. In 1997 we sent accessories for musical instruments to the school, along with the books requested by the school.
Subscription rates are £30 for ordinary members and £15 for retired members and associate members.
Our Objectives include:· Provision of books for Combermere School· Provision of extra curricular items for Combermere School,· Computer Lab assistance,· Providing assistance for Combermerians studying in the U.K which will mainly take the form of information provision,· Producing a regular Newsletter,· Having an AGM as defined by the Constitution, and General Meetings as and when necessary. Complete the membership form here and the subscription form here. Back to Top
The
Anthem of the Association
THE ANTHEM OF THE ASSOCIATION Lives are in the making hereHearts are in the waking hereMighty undertaking hereUp and on, up and on.We are arming for the fightPressing on with all our mightPluming wings for higher flightUp and on, up and on. Chorus Up then! Truest fame lies in high endeavourPlay the game, keep the flame burning brightly ever (repeat). Fair before us lies the wayTime for work and time for playFill the measure while we mayUp and on, up and on.Life and time will not delayTime is running fast awayLife is now - today, todayUp and on, up and on. Foes in plenty we shall meetHearts courageous scorn defeatSo we press with eager feetUp and on, up and on.Ever upward to the fightEver upward to the lightEver true to God and RightUp and on, up and on.
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The Executive Committee
President -
Kristina Hinds
Vice President -
Vincent Nurse
Secretary - Jonathan Brathwaite
Treasurer - Wesley Weekes
Public
Relations Officer - Verona Sandiford-Murray
Floor
Member - Cecil Blackman
Floor Member - Jerome Hall
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C. S. O. S. A. U. K. Events
1998
Annual General Meeting - held in the Council Chambers of Camden town Hall in April 1998.
Debate entitled Cricket the Year 2000 and Beyond. Panel consisted of Gladstone Small, Hugo Inniss, Vincent Nurse and moderator was Jim Birkett.
The Association participated in the BBC Black Workers Group Annual Softball Tournament and combined with the BBC Mentees won the tournament. Teams participating were the Black Lawyers Association, The London Nigerian Rugby Team. There was a fundraising raffle and all proceeds were donated to the African Caribbean Leukemia Trust in aid of the Daniel Degale bone marrow campaign.
The Annual Dinner and Ball this year was held on Saturday, December 5th at the Kensington Posthouse. Our Guest Speaker was Mr Charles Pilgrim, a former headmaster of Combermere School. Tickets were £35.00 for members and £40.00 for non-members.
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1999
Annual General Meeting - held at the Barbados High Commission April 1999.
The Annual Dinner and Ball this year was held on Saturday, December 5th at the Tavistock hotel. Our Guest Speaker was Mr. Patrick Babb a former Student of Combermere School and Virgin Airways pilot.
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2000
Annual General Meeting - held at the Barbados High Commission April 2000.
The Association participated in the London Nigerian Rugby Club Fun day at the Lindford Christie Stadium, and hosted the Combermere School Hockey Teams participation in the event.
The Annual Dinner and Ball this year will be on Saturday, November 18th at the Tavistock Hotel. Tickets were £35.00 for members and £40.00 for non-members. Our Guest Speaker was the Honorable Noel Lynch.
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2003
The Annual Dinner and Ball was held on Saturday, December 13th at the Tavistock Hotel. Tickets were £35.00 for members and £40.00 for non-members.
In attendance were Lady Combermere (Jill) descendent of Sir Stapleton Cotton and her son Tom Viscount Combermere; Major Noot's son David and his wife.
Our guest speaker was Edwin Pollard OBE - former Combermerian and now High Commissioner for Barbados in London.
Sponsors were -
Cockspur Rum
Mountgay
BIDC
Barbados Tourism Authority
BWIA
Dees Imports
Courts
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2004
The CSOSAUK AGM was held on 3rd April 2003 in the Conference Room at the Barbados High Commission.
Quiz Time was held in June.
We hosted the Combermerian delegation to the International Youth Science Forum in August
CSOSAUK Annual Dinner and Ball -
was held on Saturday 23rd October
2004, Studio Suite, London Hilton Kensington Forum Hotel - Tickets £45 members
£50 non-members. Guest Speaker was Colonel H. Deighton Maynard S.C.M; E.D.
Photos from the evening can be viewed here.
Capital Life Photos provided photographic services and all photographs can be
purchased through them from http://www.capitallifephotography.co.uk/events.php.
£102 donated to School Sports Department
£250 donated to the Combermere School Hockey Team
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2005
26th February - Social featuring viewing of Colours of Combermere 5 and 10 minute interviews. Entry £2
The CSOSAUK AGM will be held on April 30th at 16:00, at the Barbados High Commission, 1 Great Russell Street, London WC1
May - Family day out and historical tour of Combermere Abbey
CSOSAUK Annual Dinner and Ball - will be held on Saturday 22nd October 2005, Studio Suite, London Hilton Kensington Forum Hotel - Tickets £45 members £50 non-members. Guest Speaker John Holder.
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Benefits of Membership
- £5.00
optional discount for all last years' members on subscriptions.
- £5.00
optional discount to the Annual Dinner and Ball in addition to any other
offers.
- Free
copy of the C.S.O.S.A.U.K. Newsletter.
- 10%
optional discount off ALL products sold by the Association .
- 20%
optional discounted entry to Social and Networking evenings.
Now, send an email message so we can forward your subscription and membership forms for completion.
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Memory Lane
Do you know any of these people? Where are they? What are they doing now? Who are they?
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Newsletter
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Sponsors 1997 - 2004
Courts Plc
Barbados Investment and Development Corporation
Barbados Tourism Authority
British West Indies Airways Limited
Dees Imports
Mountgay Rum
Cockspur Rum
Bajan Spice
Sackville Travel
Chez Liline
TV HiFi Studio
Endfield Sound & Vision
Black Parents in Education
Comments and Suggestions
Please send us mail telling us what you think about this page and how we might improve it. Thanks for your visit!!
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copyright
© Verona Sandiford-Murray 1998
Last revised: