OSB Day - Priory Walk and Talk 2024.
Following the success of the 2023 venture, a full twelve months were spent in putting together a similar but revised version for 2024. As last year, OSBs and partners met in the Quadrangle where George Robson (FN 57-64) introduced himself and gave a brief history of the quadrangle's features. Before moving off to enter the Priory's grounds, sheets outlining the features to look out for in the churchyard and details of the priest and composer John Dykes were distributed. The information sheet may be seen here in either a Word or PDF format. The group then crossed the road and went through the lychgate to turn right to pay respects to the village's World War One and World War Two memorial to the fallen, then onwards to view the area where plaques are laid to mark the burial of ashes.
At both the war memorial and the sites of the following single red roses were laid and a relevant photograph displayed: Dinah Haile, who ran a 'tuck shop' next to Grindal for many years, Tony Cotes (M 59-90), Rev. Geoffrey Moule (school Chaplain) and Bill Fox (FN 35-40) (Bursar 60-80).  The party then moved towards the Priory entrance, pausing to note the graves of a student of the Theological College, Sharm Oates, who died suddenly in 1865 and whose headstone displays information about his family, also the master and founder of the school's CCF, Emil Zullig. At both sites red roses were laid and a relevant photograph displayed. We then moved to the Priory entrance where the marvels of the ancient entrance were observed before entering the Priory and settling in the forward pews in front of a screen and projector set-up by leading resident of the village and retired physics master, Chris Robson (M 68-04). Through popular demand Mr Robson repeated the fascinating illustrated talk he had presented last year on the celebrated 'St Bees’ Man', but this year extended his talk to describe features of the village in a historical context.
	On the conclusion of the talk George Robson thanked Chris Robson and introduced the Priory's organist Frank Bowler. George then referred to the information on the guide sheets concerning the eminent priest and prolific composer of hymn tunes John Dykes (1823-1876). Mr Bowler then played a medley of Dykes' more famous hymn tunes followed by George explaining why it was that Dykes named one of his tunes ‘St Bees’. Then with Frank Bowler at the organ we all sang Hark My Soul it is the Lord, which is traditionally sung to the tune St Bees. Whilst Frank Bowler played a medley of tunes on the noted Father Willis organ (1899), the group was given fifteen minutes to appreciate the features of the Priory and the Old College Hall before leaving the Priory and continuing the tour of the churchyard. We visited the graves of more school-related people: Thomas (M 41-70) Brown and Mary Brown, David (52-91) and Jean Lyall, Sam (M 48-75) and Margaret Parkinson, May Dodds, who served as assistant matron on Foundation for forty-seven years and amongst much else enforced the blackout regulations during the war years.
Red roses were laid here too and again relevant photographs were displayed at each grave. Passing through a gate we moved into the little known Community Garden, which was brought about in appreciation of the hospitality London's Mill Hill School received during the years it was evacuated to the village. The creation of the garden in 1996 was financed by the Old Millhillians Club and is maintained by the St Bees parish council. George Robson handed out a sheet describing the Priory Paddock Wildflower Garden, which also included photographs and details of a website where further information could be found. The information sheet may be seen here in either a Word or PDF format. One particularly interesting feature of the garden is what is now known as the Monks' Laver. This is a natural well set within a modern stone circle and which may have supplied water to monks and villagers for centuries. It still emits water of the purest quality.
Having passed through the garden we wended our way back to the school via the Dandy Walk. It was agreed by all that Walk and Talk 2024 had been a delightful and enjoyable experience beautifully organised by George Robson. And appreciation too must be given to Frank Bowler and Chris Robson. Further Photos of the Priory Walk and Talk may be seen here

 

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The St Beghian Society    
St Bees School,    St Bees,    Cumbria,    CA27 0DS.

         Tel: (01946) 828093      Email: osb@stbeesschool.co.uk      Web: www.st-beghian-society.co.uk