Combermere School Old Scholars Association U. K.(C. S. O. S. A. U. K.) |
 |
Home | |
Barbadian Associations | |
Combermerians in Cyberspace | |
Combermere School Old Scholars Association UK | |
Events | |
|
Socialising | |
'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…….
Bishop Wilfred Wood, Dean Harold Critchlow, David Thompson
current leader of the opposition in Barbados, Karl Broodhagen
taught there since 1949, Cricketers include: Frank Worrell, Denis
Atkinson, Eric Atkinson, Wesley Hall, ELG Hoad, Patrick Lashley,
George Carew, Mannie Martindale, Rawle Branker, Derek Sealey,
Peter Lashley; Athletes include: Ralph Holder, Harcourt Wason;
Authors: Frank Collymore and George Lamming.
The flame continues to glow brightly ever.
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.
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.
THE ANTHEM OF THE ASSOCIATION
Lives are in the making here
Hearts are in the waking here
Mighty undertaking here
Up and on, up and on.
We are arming for the fight
Pressing on with all our might
Pluming wings for higher flight
Up and on, up and on.
Chorus
Up then! Truest fame lies in high endeavour
Play the game, keep the flame burning brightly ever (repeat).
Fair before us lies the way
Time for work and time for play
Fill the measure while we may
Up and on, up and on.
Life and time will not delay
Time is running fast away
Life is now - today, today
Up and on, up and on.
Foes in plenty we shall meet
Hearts courageous scorn defeat
So we press with eager feet
Up and on, up and on.
Ever upward to the fight
Ever upward to the light
Ever true to God and Right
Up and on, up and on.
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 Degail bone marrow campaign.
The Annual Dinner and Ball this year was held on Saturday, December 5th. Our Guest Speaker was Mr Charles Pilgrim, a former headmaster of Combermere School.
Annual Dinner and Ball on December 5th 1998 at the Kensington Posthouse. Tickets are £35.00 for members and £40.00 for non-members. Please send email for further details.
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.
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 are £35.00 for members and £40.00 for non-members. Please send email for further details.
Now, send an email message so we can forward your subscription and membership forms for completion.
Do you know any of these people? Where are they? What are they doing now? Who are they?
1997
Courts
1998
1999
Dees Imports
2000
Please send us mail telling us what you think about this page and how we might improve it. Thanks for your visit!!
Sign
Our Guestbook 
View
Our Guestbook
|
|