Chairman's Letter.

Dear Old Michaelian’s,

This is my final letter to you as your Chairman as I will have completed my three years in office.
During my time we have done many things including updating our constitution, revising job descriptions for the officers of the Association, reinstating the office of President and we have celebrated our 50th anniversary. This year a committee recommendation will be put forward to the A.G.M that we sponsor an annual prize to a child attending Ingoldisthorpe V.A., C.E. First School. This scheme will be set up so that even if the Association ceases (as it will sometime!) the prize will continue. I hope that you will accept this recommendation and all agree that this is a way we can encourage others and will continue to show our appreciation of Ingoldisthorpe and all it gave us.
The job of Chairman is made so much easier when there is a good core of workers who make up the committee. I would like to thank them all, particularly the officers, the President, Simon Pott, the Secretary, John King and the two Treasurers during my tenure, Ian Dupont and Geoff Kimberley. Martin Graville has produced the “Mitre” as well as collecting subscriptions. The web site, controlled by Bill Cullin, has proved a great success and has been “discovered” by a number of OMs who have made contact and continue to show an interest in us. All the rest of the committee have done their part by giving time, help, advice and encouragement.
However the committee needs new blood. Once again the Mitre includes a voting paper in the hope that someone new will come forward. Committee members only do as much as they are able and are not expected to do more. If you wish your Association to continue, new committee members are vital. Please give serious consideration to giving a little of your time and effort. Committee meetings are always enjoyable both for the members who attend and also for their partners. If you are unable to attend the A.G.M but would be prepared to join the committee, please fill in the form and send it to the Secretary, John King.
Lastly I would like to thank you for the kind remarks you have given me during my time in office and give every good wish my successor.

Michael Catterick

A Different Way to Travel

We dipped our toes cautiously into the waters of cruising about five years ago and ever since that short trip around the Med. Angela and I have been hooked by the sheer pleasure and relaxation it provided.
So, as we both tentatively approached our respective 60th birthdays we decided that we really should celebrate this anniversary by doing something different. Ironically through the letterbox dropped a leaflet on the brand new Cunard Queen Mary 2 and the rest is now history.
I thought that members might like to know a little more about this great ship and even more about our six day voyage across the Atlantic from Southampton to New York in April this year. Where do you begin to list the superlatives that make up this state of the art greatest ocean liner of all time? Let me first of all put this all into proportion.

Fact: At a height of 236ft, she is taller than the Statue of Liberty, the Tower of London and the Coliseum in Rome. At 1,132 feet long, this magnificent ocean liner stretches further than three and a half football pitches, forty-one London buses laid end to end or four New York City blocks. She is simply..............enormous!!
Fact: She boasts 14 Bars, 10 Dining areas, 5 swimming pools and the first Planetarium at sea.
The QM2 was built specifically to take over the mantle of responsibility for the transatlantic crossings between Southampton and New York from the existing Queen Elizabeth 2 and we were privileged to be able to join the 2,620 passengers and the 1,253 crew on the inaugural transatlantic voyage to New York which departed Southampton on 16 April 2004.
On 6 November 2000 a formal contract was signed between the Cunard Line and the French shipyard Chantiers de l'Atlantique in Nantes and the building of the largest passenger ship (to date) began. After extensive sea trials the QM2 was officially accepted by Cunard Line on the 22 December 2003 and officially named by Her Majesty the Queen in Southampton on 8 January 2004. So, on 16 April 2004 Angela and I stepped into the unknown on our own little adventure aboard the biggest ocean ship afloat and heading westward towards New York.
Everything about the QM2 is vast, big, enormous and beautiful. Very soon the figure of £550 million begins to make some sense because every detail has been painlessly thought about and, without a doubt, one of the first observations that becomes very apparent is the tireless service offered by every member of crew. In other words, you want for nothing.
Fact: During the design stages of the QM2, Cunard found it necessary to apply to Trinity House for permission to raise the height of all lifeboats by one deck.

Apparently, it was the experience of the QE2 that, due entirely to the unpredictability of the North Atlantic weather, lifeboats had become damaged due to severe weather conditions. Trinity House duly permitted the design change and as a consequence the lifeboats on the QM2 are situated one deck higher than those on the QE2.
Our voyage across to New York was fabulous. It was such a pity that the weather conditions did not play ball and for most of the six days we were tormented and punished by one severe storm after another. At the height of one storm in mid-Atlantic the ship had to endure a gale force 10 with 12ft waves. At times it was a little uncomfortable, especially at night, but because the QM2 boasts of six enormous stabilizers, all individually computer controlled, the rocking and rolling was kept to a minimum.
Fact: The six stabilisers located along the side of the ship are extremely sensitive and are constantly measuring the pitch and roll of the ship. When necessary the stabilisers can be automatically engaged within 90 seconds to assist in stabilising the whole ship.

During sea trials in mid-Atlantic during January 2004 the ship suffered the loss of one of the door covers for one of the six stabilisers and limped back to Nantes for repairs. Unfortunately, the Polish steelworks who manufactured the heavy steel covers were unable to set aside time to manufacture another, so the shipyard set to and manufactured the door cover themselves. (Probably at enormous cost to Cunard!)

We were spoiled rotten for the whole voyage to New York and the pounds just kept on piling on and the pounds kept on being spent.

Fact: Most of the QM2 crew were trained by Cunard on the QE2 and there is therefore much experience on board.

QM2 boasts a larger than normal square footage per cabin and without a doubt we were blessed with sufficient room with no complaints. During the structure and building of the ship all cabins were constructed off-site and then transported to Nantes for immediate installation. The engineers on-board were engaged in linking up the electrics and the plumbing. Job done. During the evening before our arrival in New York every cabin was provided with flags and plenty of streamers and it was obvious to us all that we would witness one hell of a party the following morning in New York. Our arrival in New York was spectacular and long before we were due in dock we were met and boarded by the New York Customs officers and before long the whole ship was surrounded by a multitude of small craft, some on official business and some not! It was breakfast time and joining in the celebrations was a huge number of media helicopters some recording the event "live" for American breakfast TV. As we slowly edged our way into the mouth of the Hudson River the fabulous sight of Manhattan came into view with an air of mist slowly being eaten alive by a rapidly rising sun. The Statue of Liberty seemed somewhat tiny as we sailed by. And the closer we approached the Verrazano Bridge a strange hush came over the ship. "Would we hit the Bridge?"

Fact: During the design of the QM2, many aspects had to be considered. Size in this case WAS important
 

There was no point in designing a Transatlantic Ship to replace the QE2 if it became impossible to sail under the Verrazano Bridge up the Hudson River. Every calculation was considered during the design and eventually 10 metres was allowed as adequate clearance in all circumstances. As we slowly approached our Berth at Dock 90 it became very apparent that New York was preparing for a rapturous welcome and soon we were able to see for ourselves marching bands on the quay and the preparation of an official welcoming party headed by the Mayor of New York. Most of the passengers assembled on the port side of the ship as she eventually tied up alongside and I am sure there was a slight list to port for a short time. While all of the luggage was being unloaded into the arrival hall the Mayor of New York and Commodore Warwick made speeches, most of which we were unable to hear and eventually the arrival procedure was finished and we were able to prepare ourselves for New York proper. Neither Angela or I regret one moment of our little adventure and we have some stunning photographs and memories that will stay with us both for a very long time. A very memorable and different way to travel to New York and one that I would highly recommend to you all.

John Wallington
 

'You cannot be serious'.....as John McEnroe used to comment upon the umpire's decision at Wimbledon! But the story actually begins in Heacham where I'd gone to collect the Chieftain double-decker prior to the start of term the day following. The mechanic who was responsible for the upkeep of the buses asked where I went during half-term breaks.’ I usually stop at the Rectory’, I replied. He expressed his surprise, so much so that I inquired why he should think this at all unusual. Our business concluded, I drove away - and the odd response forgotten...for the moment.
It was the late October half-term, the pupils were away and Chris White also away - which meant that I was alone. I’d been to London for the day, returning by the early evening train and driving back to the Rectory. It was a dark, still, frosty night and the Rectory completely dark as I got out of the car and went inside....doors were never locked in Uncle Roger's domain! No problem to find the light switch to enable me to find my way upstairs to my room. It took only a few minutes for my wash and brush up before setting out for Heacham and supper. Imagine my surprise when upon descending the stairs I found every light on. And there hadn't been even the slightest sound of movement from below whilst I was upstairs. I shouted:’ Are you here Chris?' thinking that he just might have returned early. But No! To satisfy my curiosity, I returned to my room for a torch and carried out both an indoor and outdoor recce to try to find the intruder.....BUT.....there was nobody to be found. I swear to this day that it would have been impossible for anybody to have entered the Rectory and switched on every light without my hearing footsteps. And the words of the Heacham mechanic came back into my mind:’ I wouldn't stay there in the Rectory by myself even if you were to pay me a thousand pounds'.
All these years later I can say unequivocally that nobody else could have entered the Rectory that evening without my knowing. And No, there was no chill down the spine then, as now. If it was a ghost, then it was a very benign ghost and, if it happened to anybody else I wouldn't have believed them......but I was there...and I am being serious.

Bill Kelly

 

and God said…………..

GOD said: 'Go down into that valley, '

'What's a valley?' asked Adam, and  God explained it to him.

Then God said: 'Cross the river. '

'What's a river?' asked Adam, and God explained it to him.

Then God said: 'Go over the hill. '

'What's a hill?' asked Adam, and God explained it to him.

Then God told Adam: 'On the other side of the hill, you will find a cave. '

'What's a cave?' asked Adam, and God explained that to him.

'In the cave you will find a woman, ' said God.

'What's a woman?' asked Adam.

So God explained that to him, and said: 'I want you to reproduce. '

'How do I do that?' asked Adam. So God explained.

So off went Adam, down into the valley, across the river, and over the hill, and into the cave, and found the woman.

Five minutes later he was back. God said angrily. 'What is it now?'

And  Adam  said: 'What's a headache?'
 

To technical support

Dear Sirs

 EIGHTEEN months ago, I upgraded to Girlfriend 1.0 from Drinking Mates 4.2, which I had used for years without any trouble.

However, there are apparent conflicts between these two products, and the only solution was to run Girlfriend 1.0 with the sound turned off.

To make matters worse, Girlfriend 1.0 is incompatible with several other applications, i.e. Lads Night Out 3.1, Football 3pm and Playboy 6.9. And successive versions of Girlfriend proved no better. A shareware program, Party Girl 2.1, which I tried, had lots of bugs and left a virus in my system, forcing me to shut down completely for several weeks.

Eventually, I tried to run Girlfriend 1.2 and Girlfriend 1.0 at the same time, Only to discover that when these two systems detected each other, they caused severe damage to my hardware.

I then upgraded to Fiancée 1.0, only to discover that this product soon had to be upgraded to Wife 1.0. While Wife 1.0 tends to use up all available resources,  it does come bundled with FreeSex Plus and Cleanhouse 2004.

Shortly after this upgrade, however, I found that Wife 1.0 can be very unstable and costly to run. Any mistakes I made were automatically stored in Wife 1.0's memory and could not be deleted. They then resurfaced months later when I had forgotten about them.

Wife 1.0 also has an automatic Diary, Explorer and e-mail filter, and can, without warning, launch TurboStrop and WhingeExcel. These latter products have no Help files, and I have to try to guess what the problem is. Additional problems are that Wife 1.0 needs updating regularly, requiring ShoeShop Browser for new attachments and Hairstyle Express, which needs to be reinstalled every other week. Wife 1.0 also spawns unwelcome child processes that drain my resources. These conflict with some of the new games I wanted to Try out, warning me that they are an illegal operation

Also, when Wife 1.0 attaches itself to my Audi TT hard drive, it frequently crashes.  Wife 1.0 also comes with a rather annoying pop-up called Mother-in-Law, which cannot be turned off. Recently, I've been tempted to install Mistress 2004,  but there could be problems. A friend of mine has alerted me to the fact that if Wife 1.0 detects Mistress 2004, it tends to delete all money files before  uninstalling itself.

Please advise.

Letter From Simon.

It is just about forty days until we meet again on the 30th and 31st October at the Le Strange Arms Hotel and we are of course entering the second half of the first century of the Old Michaelian Association!

I know that many of you are planning to return again and I have no doubt that there will be a number of former pupils who will come back for the first time. This is always particularly interesting, firstly to identify who they are, secondly to see the number of their contemporaries who have returned, and thirdly to find out what on earth they have been doing since they left the School!

These are good and happy weekends, and in recent years we have been blessed with good weather with one year as a notable exception. The stories get bigger and better and rather than lose the history of the School we are in fact gaining each year. The Committee have gone for the same type of format as in previous years which allows a lunch and the AGM in the afternoon followed by a good lead in to dinner and then the opportunity for those who wish to do so to regale the assembled company with a story or two. Last year this proved popular and a suggestion was made that we should open up that occasion also to spouses because they might have a particular and important contribution to make and possibly a completely different interpretation on the original story!

I remember the Headmaster being incandescent with rage because a valuer had suggested to him that he might be able to buy Ingoldisthorpe Rectory from the Church, but had placed on it a figure of £4,000. Clearly he was treated as somebody who knew nothing about values, but it was intriguing to find that one third of that house has recently been on the market at £420,000. Ah well. (see article on page 12 for an update on this, Editor)

I very much look forward to seeing you at the reunion at the end of October.

Simon
 

Indianapolis, Indiana

To many, the name Indianapolis (Indy for short) conjures up the famous Indy 500 Motor race held each year. Now, I have to confess – right up-front, that I did not go anywhere near the famous circuit!! Indianapolis has, however, other things to offer.

This was a “tag-along” visit for me, for the real purpose of the trip was for my wife, Janet, to attend the ASFSA (American Schools Food Service Association) Convention as a representative of USDA (U. S. Department of Agriculture). Thus our trip began on Sunday to be ready for an early start at the Indianapolis Convention Center on Monday, July 26, 2004.

It was cool when we arrived (and the hotel was downright frigid!) being one of two days when Indy recorded its lowest high temperature for the date of just 22 C. Monday was to be the other day!

The following morning we walked about four blocks from our Hotel to the Convention Center, stopping on the way at a small café for breakfast. Afterwards, I left Janet to go to the Convention Center while I returned to the Hotel and thence began my assault on the City. A map from the hotel proved to be very helpful and I took off in the general direction of Union Station. Sadly, not a station any more but an array of businesses and small shops with, thankfully, a Restroom – it must have been all that coffee!! I was somewhat amused by a small outlet on the lower level dealing with photographs. The Hispanics were arriving by the carload to get photographs for their various, necessary documents! It was a pleasant walk I was further amused by restaurants like “The Slippery Noodle” – more of a bar but with good food and good Blues music, I am told. This was Meridian Street, the east/west divide of the City with the north/south street being Market Street culminating at Monument Circle – as far as I know the only Circle in the City. The Circle is home to a Monument to Soldiers and Sailors of various wars and, along with the fountains, is a memorable piece of architecture. The paving is of brick and there is a pedestrian area all around for those wishing a closer look at the Monument. There are no crosswalks here but the traffic seemed to be fairly sensitive to pedestrians. On my way to the Convention Center I made a brief stop at the State Capitol which, I was told, was a “must see”! We indeed made a return visit later in the week.

I had agreed to visit the Convention Center at around noon but there was question of whether I could get in. So, I went to the Registration Desk and sweet talked a lady into letting me have a pass! So much to Janet’s amazement and amusement I arrived at their booth sporting an ASFSA Exhibitor’s Badge which cost me nothing! We took a break and wandered round the exhibitors extracting as much or as little food samples as we wished for. That was lunch!!! Pizza seemed to be prominent but there was just about everything a kid could possibly want for lunch. To my palate, some of the items were questionable but it is a long time since I was a kid and School Lunches were so, so different then. As I had been warned by the lady who provided me with my entry pass, it was “A Zoo”!!

I continued my wanderings around the City taking in the canal in the north-west of the City and then returning by way of one of the main four diagonal streets – Indiana Avenue. The others being, Kentucky, Virginia and Massachusetts. I visited the Indiana Historical Society – a small Museum devoted more to real history and photographic war exhibits and Indiana’s connection with Cole Porter and Hoagie Carmichael. There was a Cole Porter room set up with a converted Whirlitzer which, at the push of a button, would play one of the original Cole Porter Classics or, if you were so inclined, a modern rendition. On a second visit later in the week we tried one of the latter and it was a big mistake!!!

The canal, in the other direction this time, took me to the Indiana State Museum which is a pretty impressive modern building. I took the opportunity to wander round the “free” bit – just the ground floor – before returning to the Canal and taking in the Steam Clock at the Canal Entrance. It is quite something and it plays the first stanza of “Back Home in Indiana” on the quarters with a slightly longer rendition at the hour plus recording the hour too. Indiana, it seems, has had a “love affair” with steam for a number of years and it is second only to New York in its use of this energy. Even in summer steam can be seen escaping from some underground source or other throughout the city.

Wednesday turned out to be the nicest of weather days with sunshine and warmer temperatures. I took the opportunity to stroll down the canal-side once more but this time to beyond the Museum and on to White River State Park. Crossing the old Washington Street Bridge, which is now pedestrian only and decorated with flags and sculptures, over the White River I ended up at the State’s Zoo at the far end of the park. I have no particular liking for zoos so I did not venture further than the shaded rest area alongside the river. The new Washington Street Bridge is clearly visible as is the railroad which seems to carry only freight traffic. On the way back, I ignored the canal and took Washington Street past the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art.

On Thursday we took in the Capitol and were lucky enough to be taken on a short, guided tour around the place. It has an interesting history and we were even able to pay a brief visit to the Governor’s Office which was really quite impressive. Local Government here is much the same as in most States of the Union and is modeled on the Federal Government in Washington, D.C. – the two sides being the House of Representatives and the Senate. We saw both as neither was in session. Afterwards we again walked along the Canal so that Janet could see White River State Park. Taking the roadway from the Canal we went on to visit the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. A very different Museum with the emphasis on the American Indians. The Museum is in the process of taking on a large extension so we were accompanied by the sound of banging and pneumatic drills for much of our trip. However, they were nice enough to give us two free tickets for a return visit any time of our choosing!!! I wonder when that will be?

Our last day, Friday, we returned to the Indiana State Museum and spent a good hour visiting the various exhibits. It seems there is a little bit of everything there but they have tried hard to encompass the ancient with the modern with a good measure of success, I think. A walk on the other side of the canal by return brought us to the Medal of Honor Memorial which, although very modern, is really quite something with the names of those on the Honor Roll being etched into green glass. Next was the Indianapolis History Center where we had lunch and then took a short tour of the museum. Although there are other floors of State History and Genealogy we elected to do the ground floor and just the exhibit dedicated to Cole Porter – and Indiana son. Our last stop was at the Adams Mark Hotel where there was an exhibition of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The collection they had put together was mostly from private collectors but it was pretty comprehensive. The idea was to show how the Bible came to America as well as displaying how writing developed from pictures to word form. It was interesting (especially as we got a senior discount!) and there were a lot of things that I did not know. I knew of the King James Bible but I did not know of the Bible which Elizabeth I had commissioned. By the time we emerged from the exhibition it was raining and we got a little damp making it back to our hotel. We were to get even wetter on our trip home from dinner that evening!

Indianapolis is very much a “Then and Now” City. The old lies alongside the modern and seems to be acceptable. I bought a book mostly of photographs which clearly show the “Then and Now”. Some things have hardly changed at all while others have received radical alteration or have disappeared altogether. It is a pity that much has been lost and the City seems to have suffered from a depression at some stage but, as prosperity grew once more, much of the old was discarded. Wisdom seems to have prevailed and what is left is preserved even if it is in the middle of a modern complex. The City has a large public transport system (buses) where you can ride anywhere for $1. Earlier last Century, tram cars criss-crossed the City. Generally it is a
 clean place but some of the roads in the City center could do with some serious repair work!

Generally, I liked Indianapolis. I found the place clean, friendly, welcoming and, for the pedestrian, it was easy to get around. If we ever return, I think we’ll drive the eight hours or so from Fairfax. Getting to and from airports, especially via O’Hare in Chicago, was not much fun!

Cliff Wallington
July 2004

 

Reunion Arrangements.

As usual, for anyone arriving on Friday night, there will be a gathering of OM’s at the Le Strange during the evening, just hunt around till you find someone!!
The Reunion proper starts at around mid-day on Saturday when a downstairs section of the bar in the Mariner’s has been reserved for our use, bar-meals and snacks are available and whether or not you intend to come to the AGM or Evening Function you are welcome to join us at this lunchtime gathering.
The AGM will be held in the Palace Suite and it is there that John King our Secretary and Archivist will have set up his vast array of Old Michaelian photographs and memorabilia. The start time is 3.30 and tea will be provided.
If you wish to stand for election to the committee (or know somebody who would) there is a nomination form on page 25 of this Mitre. We do need some new ‘younger’ blood on the committee so if you can spare two Sunday’s a year please consider it. We meet, usually, at a committee member’s house and wives/husbands are very welcome to come along.
We start to assemble for the evening festivities at 7.00 p.m. with pre-dinner drinks in the Palace Suite. Dinner is at 7.45 p.m. and the menu is as follows-

Starter: -                     Chilled fruit Platter with blackcurrant sorbet
Main course: -            Roast Sirloin of beef with red wine, onion &
                                    Mushroom sauce, selection of Vegetables & potato.
                                    Dessert Course: - Lemon, Lime, Rum & Ginger Cheesecake with cream. Coffee & Mints

there will , of course, be a vegetarian option and any special needs can be catered for by the Le Strange staff if you arrange it with them.

The Speaker will be Simon, plus anyone else who wishes to say a few words; the only provisos being that Simon knows, preferably before the meal, that you wish to speak and that you restrict yourself to 3 minutes. A raffle will be held during the evening.

When we (finally) get to bed remember that the clocks go back 1 hour!! If you remember to do this, not only will it give you an extra hour of sleep but it will also make sure that you arrive at Ingoldisthorpe at the proper time for the Reunion Eucharist which is at 11.00 a.m. The celebrant will be Roger Wikeley.

Afterwards you are invited to Ingoldisthorpe Village Hall where refreshments will be served, we are usually joined there by members of the congregation and the new Rector of Ingoldisthorpe, Geoff Suart, ( see page 6) has said he will attend when he has finished his Service at Snettisham. it will be a chance to meet and greet him.

And so will finish the 51st Reunion of the Old Michaelian Association and preparations will start on the 52nd. I have had a phone call from David Winter in Australia saying that he is planning to come for the next big one in 2006 which will be the 60th anniversary of the founding of the School, I know that that is still two years away and there is 2005 to organise yet but plans are obviously being made so pencil these reunion dates in to your diaries now.

2005 29th & 30th October - 2006 28th & 29th October
we hope to see you there
 

Assistant Editor of the Mitre.

We are looking for an assistant editor of the Mitre with a view to becoming editor in a around a years time. I have edited the newsletter for 6 years (all except one edition where I was otherwise engaged) so before it becomes stale I think it is time that someone else should begin to take over the reins. 

Because of the way the Mitre is produced for the website and electronic (PDF) version for our overseas members you will, ideally, require a computer with MS Publisher installed and e-mail facilities. Layout templates and artwork will be available as now if required. 

If you feel a literary tendency let Chairman Michael, President Simon or Secretary John know and they will do the rest.

 Take it from me, it is a VERY rewarding, hands on experience.