Brighton and Lancing College

This weekend, I went to Brighton, with a number of Old Ethelburgians, to visit Lancing College. Lancing was founded by Nathaniel Woodard, who was of the Oxford School of thought. I will not try to describe his career etc, much better that you read the Wikepedia entry. Queen Ethelburga's School in Harrogate, which I attended from 1942 t0 1948, was opened in 1912 and was part of the Woodard Corperation. It is now called Queen Ethelburga's College near York and is no longer a Woodard School.

There are Old Girls who enjoy trips to places related to the life of Queen Ethelburga or other places associated in some way. Last year, I organised a trip to Durham which is somewhere on one of my blogs. This year it was the original school of Lancing College, which entailed a trip to Brighton. For me, there was also a 100 mile drive to get to the coach, which left Harrogate at 9.30 on Friday morning!

Saturday was the important day, when we visited the College. It started with Holy Eucharist in the Crypt of the Chapel - a simple area which did have some superb stained glass, not visible in my photo. This was the first part of the magnificent Chapel to be built and was used by the School until the rest was done.

We sat in a circle, with a gap at the back, where the small choir from the School sat. While we waited, a message came from the Chaplain - was anyone licenced to administer the wine. I heard my name said by one or two of my friends, so admitted to it! The Chaplain was delighted to find that he was to have help. The form of the service followed those held at past venues, except that it was a Eucharist. We had "Praise my soul the king of Heaven" and the School Hymn and ended with "God be in my head" and the Hill Standard - To be the best I can be, being what I am, with the gifts that I have. The choir sang Glory be to God on high--- and the School Psalm, Psalm 121, to the proper chant (Mozart's?) But the high-light for me was to administer the wine to all these friends and to have them say how good they had found it too.

It was a beautifully simple service with huge meaning for all us Old Girls, with the addition of some beautifully sung music.

After this we had coffee and a short account of the way the school is built and what it contains. Then we split into 3 groups and did tours of the school. We were very lucky and had a lovely, enthusiastic girl to take us round. (It is co-ed nowadays)

This is just a small part of the School. It is always being added to and brought up to date, so there is one building that is ultra modern - the new Art Centre which is opening after Half Term.

We saw inside one Boarding House, where it was clear that high quality educational facilities are more important than excessive comfort for the pupils!

After the tour, they gave us an excellent lunch and then we went back to the Chapel and sat in the Chancel to hear about the history of Nathaniel Woodard, the extraordinary difficulties experienced when building the Chapel and much more. Then we were free to wander and photograph.

The organ and magnificent rose window.

The Chapel from the Organ Loft. It is enormously high, as can be seen from the earlier picture taken from the coach as we approached the School

On our way to the coach, we visited the Memorial Cloister built after the First World War to remember the huge number of Old Boys who were killed. The names of those killed in the Second World War are now included. Then we went back to the Hotel.

The account of a contrasting service will follow tomorrow.