4.3 MB - Blundell's School

C LASSIC V IEWT HE C OMMON ROOM AND OBS 1892The last OB Day at Old Blundell’s was held in1881 and the buildings were finally sold to localbrewer Thomas Ford for £2,500. The Schoolreopened on the Horsdon site on 9th May 1882after the Easter holidays with just 87 boys, butthis rose almost immediately to 131. During thisfirst year the boys seized upon an old customwhen they returned to Old Blundell’s to seewhether the Peter Blundell’s PB stones had beencovered by the flooding Lowman river; they had,and so they called on the Head Master, A.L.Francis, to declare the usual half-day holiday. Hegranted their wish but emphasised that this wasnot to be a precedent. Perhaps todays’ pupilsshould try to reinstate this custom when theX-country course behind Ondaatje Hall floods, asit did this January! The PB stones were re-laidoutside the Porter’s Lodge.The OB Club was founded in 1891 after beingmooted during a dinner at the HolbornRestaurant in London. The first Club Registershowed 147 names and the objectives were“to keep up the association of Old Blundellians,to promote mutual intercourse among them, andgenerally to further the interests of the School”.Bishop Temple agreed to be the President andT.U. Cross, who built Old House, the Chairman;the joining fee for life-membership was half aguinea (10s 6d).