100 Years - Society of Old Pastonians Centenary
Way back in 1913, when the School was a mere 307 years old, someone decided there were enough Old Pastonians to start a Society.
According to Charles Forder, this was probably a result of the drive that George Hare brought to the school, appointed Headmaster from 1904-1922. The first non-ordained, non Degree Head. In 1913 he was the first SOP President and presided over speeches and songs at the inaugural meeting and party, held in the Kings Arms.
If you are an Old Pastonian, why not sign yourself up now and keep in touch.
According to Charles Forder, this was probably a result of the drive that George Hare brought to the school, appointed Headmaster from 1904-1922. The first non-ordained, non Degree Head. In 1913 he was the first SOP President and presided over speeches and songs at the inaugural meeting and party, held in the Kings Arms.
If you are an Old Pastonian, why not sign yourself up now and keep in touch.
Society of Old Pastonians Centenary
To mark this milestone, and continue the support of the School/College, we collected donations for the College to eventually replace the Nelson Room Carpet.
Donations came in from the AGM, Trafalgar Dinner and online here to a total of £2,475. A presentation of this was duly made at the College 30th Anniversary Day on the 28th June 2014. A further £160 was presented at the 2014 Trafalgar Dinner. |
The Nelson Room
The Nelson Room, as it used to be. No carpet back then.
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Wooden Griffon
Whilst the Nelson Room Carpet is awaited, the College commissioned a sculpture, using some of the Old Pasonians donation:
http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/education/striking-griphon-sculpture-arrives-at-paston-college-1-4689700
A striking sculpture of a mythological beast, made from a giant redwood tree, has just taken up position ready to greet visitors arriving on the Griffons site of North Walsham’s Paston Sixth Form College.
The work is the creation of Matlaske artist Luke Chapman and was commissioned to mark the college’s 30th birthday in 2014 and the opening of the new Griffons Theatre last year. Students ran a competition to design the sculpture and the griffon, which features on the family crest of the Paston family, was the most popular choice.The project was funded using donations from Old Pastonians and Paston College Foundation members.
Students worked with the artist to improve the design, including the fine detail of the work.
The sculpture owes its distinctive red colour to the wood from which it was made, a Giant Sequoia Wellingtonia Redwood from a Norfolk Estate, blown down in storms. College principal Kevin Grieve said: “This is an amazing sculpture and brilliant way to commemorate the sixth form college and the new theatre.
“Luke is an amazing artist and we are all extremely proud of what has been achieved”.
Lewis Millard, student executive president, said: “It was a brilliant idea by the student executive to commission the sculpture. Luke is very talented and we are pleased with the final result.”
The griffin, griffon, or gryphon is a legendary creature with the body, tail, and back legs of a lion; the head and wings of an eagle; and an eagle’s talons as its front feet.
http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/education/striking-griphon-sculpture-arrives-at-paston-college-1-4689700
A striking sculpture of a mythological beast, made from a giant redwood tree, has just taken up position ready to greet visitors arriving on the Griffons site of North Walsham’s Paston Sixth Form College.
The work is the creation of Matlaske artist Luke Chapman and was commissioned to mark the college’s 30th birthday in 2014 and the opening of the new Griffons Theatre last year. Students ran a competition to design the sculpture and the griffon, which features on the family crest of the Paston family, was the most popular choice.The project was funded using donations from Old Pastonians and Paston College Foundation members.
Students worked with the artist to improve the design, including the fine detail of the work.
The sculpture owes its distinctive red colour to the wood from which it was made, a Giant Sequoia Wellingtonia Redwood from a Norfolk Estate, blown down in storms. College principal Kevin Grieve said: “This is an amazing sculpture and brilliant way to commemorate the sixth form college and the new theatre.
“Luke is an amazing artist and we are all extremely proud of what has been achieved”.
Lewis Millard, student executive president, said: “It was a brilliant idea by the student executive to commission the sculpture. Luke is very talented and we are pleased with the final result.”
The griffin, griffon, or gryphon is a legendary creature with the body, tail, and back legs of a lion; the head and wings of an eagle; and an eagle’s talons as its front feet.
Nelson Room Reminiscence
During this centenary campaign, we recently received the following recollection of Nelson Room days from Old Pastonian John Bloomfield:
...The photo of the” Nelson Room” brought back many memories as I was a Boarder from 1940 – 1948.
Curling up on the window sill overlooking the front lawn reading a book or sitting in front of the open fire in Winter.[Biggest got the front seats!].
We had Breakfast & Dinner there. Lunch was with the whole School. Supper was also in the Nelson Room consisting of Plain Bread & Dripping. [Bacon Dripping was the best].
Although War Time we ate very well. Vegetables were from the School Allotment – which we had to tend. Butter was the main shortage. Tuck boxes from Parents were much appreciated – when they could scrounge enough Petrol to visit.
Re the front lawn we Boarders [team of 6] acted as Mules pulling a large lawnmower designed to be pulled by a Horse. Slave labour we called it!
Thanks John. Brilliant.
...The photo of the” Nelson Room” brought back many memories as I was a Boarder from 1940 – 1948.
Curling up on the window sill overlooking the front lawn reading a book or sitting in front of the open fire in Winter.[Biggest got the front seats!].
We had Breakfast & Dinner there. Lunch was with the whole School. Supper was also in the Nelson Room consisting of Plain Bread & Dripping. [Bacon Dripping was the best].
Although War Time we ate very well. Vegetables were from the School Allotment – which we had to tend. Butter was the main shortage. Tuck boxes from Parents were much appreciated – when they could scrounge enough Petrol to visit.
Re the front lawn we Boarders [team of 6] acted as Mules pulling a large lawnmower designed to be pulled by a Horse. Slave labour we called it!
Thanks John. Brilliant.